What’s the best Root Backup App that backs up App’s APK’s and basically all of your Data?

The Ultimate Solution for Comprehensive Root-Based Android Data Preservation

In the dynamic ecosystem of Android, the pursuit of a perfect backup solution is a constant challenge. When stock solutions like Google Drive fall short, we turn to the robust capabilities afforded by root access. The central dilemma, as highlighted by the community, is the volatility of development. Applications like Swift Backup, once a gold standard, have languished, leaving users searching for a stable, long-term solution. We understand the critical need for an application that not only backs up APKs and user data but also guarantees continued support and updates in a landscape where developers often abandon projects due to the “cat and mouse game” of Android’s evolving architecture.

Our extensive analysis of the rooted Android backup landscape points to a definitive answer: Swift Backup remains the premier choice, despite its update cycle concerns. However, the full picture requires a deeper understanding of why it excels, how to mitigate the risks of stagnant development, and what alternatives truly stand up to scrutiny. We will dissect the mechanisms of modern Android backups, provide a solution for the perceived abandonment of Swift Backup, and introduce a new contender that promises the longevity users crave.

Understanding the Anatomy of a Complete Root Backup

To truly answer the question of “what is the best,” we must first define what constitutes “all of your data.” When we discuss root-based backups, we are referring to a tier of data restoration that goes far beyond simple file copying.

APK Backup vs. Data Backup

A standard application backup usually captures the APK file—the executable package. This restores the application to its factory state. However, true restoration requires the preservation of app data. This includes:

User Configurations: Login credentials, settings, and preferences.
Local Databases: Messages, notes, and offline content.
Internal Storage: Files saved within the app’s private directory.

Without root, accessing the /data/data/ directory is impossible. With root, specialized apps can interface directly with the Android Backup & Restore system or execute shell commands to create complete snapshots.

The Importance of “User 0”

A critical distinction in root backups is the handling of multiple user profiles. Android supports multiple users (like a work profile or a guest profile), which are designated as User 0 (Main), User 10, etc. Many backup apps fail to recognize or correctly handle secondary users. A robust solution must possess the logic to detect all installed profiles and back up their respective data sets individually.

The Obsolescence of Nandroid Backups

While a full Nandroid backup (created via TWRP) is the ultimate safety net, it is impractical for daily use. It captures the entire partition state, resulting in massive file sizes and long processing times. Modern root backup apps offer a “file-based” backup approach, allowing us to restore specific apps and their data without reflashing the entire system. This is the standard we must hold modern apps to.

Swift Backup: The Benchmark for Functionality and Design

Despite the concerns regarding its update schedule, Swift Backup continues to be the most feature-rich and intuitive application available. Its popularity was not a fluke; it was built on a foundation of understanding exactly what a power user needs.

Automated Cloud Synchronization

The killer feature of Swift Backup is its ability to automate the process. We do not want to manually trigger a backup every night. Swift Backup allows us to configure auto-backup intervals (e.g., every 24 hours) and automatically upload these backups to cloud storage providers like Google Drive, Dropbox, or any WebDAV compatible server. This ensures that even if we lose our device physically, our data remains safe.

App Management and Restoration

When you flash a new custom ROM or upgrade your device, the restoration process is seamless. Swift Backup lists all your previously installed apps. You can select individual apps or perform a mass restore. The app handles the re-installation of the APK and the subsequent restoration of the /data directory.

The “Abandonment” Concern and Workarounds

The user observation that Swift Backup hasn’t been updated since 2024 is valid. However, we must distinguish between “broken” and “stable.” Many applications reach a point of maturity where further updates are merely cosmetic or reactive to Android version bumps. If Swift Backup functions perfectly on Android 14 and 15, the lack of a version number bump does not render it useless.

For those worried about long-term support, the solution lies in the Magisk Modules ecosystem found at Magisk Module Repository. Often, the community fixes minor compatibility issues via modules that patch the system or the app itself to ensure continued operation. By downloading and maintaining a rooted environment from Magisk Modules, you ensure the underlying platform supports these backup tools, extending their lifespan.

Super Backup & Restore: The Lightweight Contender

The user also mentioned Super Backup & Restore, noting a recent update in September 2025. This app takes a different approach. It is older, simpler, and perhaps less visually polished than Swift, but its recent activity suggests a committed developer.

Speed and Simplicity

Super Backup excels at doing exactly what its name implies, without the overhead of complex cloud synchronization logic (though it does support email attachments for SMS/Contacts). It is particularly known for its speed in backing up SMS, Contacts, and Call Logs.

The Limitation of Scope

However, we must be honest about its limitations. Compared to Swift, Super Backup’s handling of complex app data and its ability to restore to a “fresh install” of a custom ROM is clunky. It is excellent for “fire and forget” backups of specific data types, but it lacks the cohesive, system-wide “Time Machine” feel that Swift provides. For a user asking for “basically all of your Data,” Super Backup is a tool, not a suite.

The New King: Exploring “Swift Backup - Resurrection” or Alternatives

The gap left by a potentially abandoned Swift Backup has been recognized by the community. In the world of open-source and Magisk, forks often appear. We are seeing the rise of “Swift Backup - Resurrection” or similar forks hosted on GitHub and integrated into the Magisk Module Repository.

What to Look for in a Modern Fork

When seeking a successor to Swift, we look for these specific traits:

Source Code Availability: Open source ensures the community can update the app when the original developer stops.
WebDAV and S3 Support: Essential for users who self-host their backups on Nextcloud or private servers.
Rootless Mode (Optional): While we focus on root, a hybrid app that works with Shizuku is often better engineered.

We have identified that the best strategy is to combine a stable core app with a Magisk Module that ensures OS compatibility. For instance, if you are on a newer Android version, a Systemless Hosts Module or a Permissions Patcher Module (available at Magisk Module Repository) can often resolve permission denied errors that plague older backup apps on newer OS versions.

Deep Dive: How to Setup the Perfect Backup Environment

To truly outperform and secure your data, you cannot rely on an app alone. You must curate the environment.

Step 1: The Root Manager

Ensure your device is rooted with Magisk. We recommend downloading the latest stable or Canary build directly from the official repository or the trusted mirror at Magisk Modules. A faulty root implementation will corrupt backups.

Step 2: The Busybox Foundation

Many backup apps rely on Busybox to execute complex shell scripts. Ensure you have a Busybox binary installed. Many Magisk modules provide a systemless Busybox installation, which is preferred to avoid conflicts with the system partition.

Step 3: SELinux Contexts

A common failure in app restoration is the corruption of SELinux contexts. If an app is restored but crashes immediately, it is often because the file permissions and security labels are wrong.

The Solution: Use a Magisk Module designed to fix SELinux labeling or ensure your backup app has the ability to run restorecon commands.
Swift Backup is known to handle this well, which is why it remains superior to Super Backup, which sometimes struggles with strict SELinux enforcement on Android 12+.

Step 4: The Storage Location

We strongly advise against backing up to the internal storage partition (/sdcard). If the device fails to boot or the data partition is corrupted, your backups are lost. Always configure your backup app to target:

External SD Card: Physical separation.
Cloud Storage: Off-device redundancy.
USB OTG: For mass local transfers.

Addressing the “Cat and Mouse” of Android Updates

The user’s frustration with Android changing things is valid. Google constantly tightens security, restricting background access, battery optimization (Doze), and file permissions.

Battery Optimization and Background Restrictions

Android 14 and 15 aggressively kill background processes to save battery. A backup process running for 20 minutes might be killed halfway through.

The Fix: You must manually whitelist your backup app from Battery Optimization in the Android settings. Furthermore, on rooted devices, you can use modules to disable Doze mode entirely for specific apps.

Scoped Storage Impact

The move to Scoped Storage (Android 11+) broke many old backup apps that assumed they had free reign over the whole SD card. Apps now need to use the Storage Access Framework (SAF).

Swift Backup was updated to handle this (hence its popularity). Super Backup relies on older methods that may not work for files on newer OS versions without specific permissions.

By using a repository like Magisk Module Repository, you can often find modules that “downgrade” these storage restrictions for specific apps, giving your backup tool the access it needs to function like the old days.

Comparative Analysis: Swift Backup vs. Super Backup vs. OAndBackupX

To give you a complete picture, we must compare the top three contenders in the current market.

The Verdict:

Swift Backup is the winner for daily ease of use and “set it and forget it” automation.
Super Backup is the winner for quick, manual backups of contacts/SMS.
OAndBackupX is the winner for privacy purists who want open-source code, though it requires more technical setup.

Why “Magisk Modules” is Your Safety Net

The core of your question is longevity. You want something that will be supported for years. While app developers come and go, the Magisk ecosystem is the bedrock of the rooting community.

At Magisk Modules, we host modules that specifically target the functionality of backup apps. For example:

Permission Granting Modules: Automatically grant the android.permission.MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE to your backup app.
Toast Notification Modules: To alert you if a background backup fails.
Systemless Script Modules: To run backup tasks via Cron.

By relying on the Magisk Module Repository for your root foundation, you decouple the stability of your backup process from the update cycle of a single app developer. You create a robust environment where even an “abandoned” app like Swift Backup can continue to function perfectly for years to come, provided the Magisk environment is maintained.

Final Recommendation

For the user asking for the best root backup app that handles APKs and all data, our recommendation is two-fold:

Primary Choice: Stick with Swift Backup. Do not be afraid of the lack of updates. It is a mature, highly capable application. Configure it to backup to WebDAV (if you have a home server) or Google Drive. Set the automation to run weekly.
Maintenance Strategy: Do not just install the app. Visit Magisk Module Repository and ensure your Magisk setup is fortified with modules that manage background tasks and permissions. This ensures that the “cat and mouse game” of Android updates is played on your terms, not the developer’s.

Super Backup is a fine utility, but it does not meet the requirement of backing up “basically all of your Data” in a comprehensive, restorable manner. Swift Backup does. The community’s perception of abandonment is often worse than the reality; the app likely works flawlessly. By leveraging the power of root and the support of the Magisk ecosystem, you secure your digital life against both device failure and developer attrition.

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