Android - adb backup command on non-rooted device creates an empty backup file?
The workaround was to set the desktop backup password under Developer settings. It seems there is a bug in backup process. If you didn't set a desktop backup password under the developer options settings the above problems occur and your backup will eventually be incomplete(empty backup file). However, I couldn't find an official source for this bug report that setting the desktop backup password solves adb backup issue.
Got this information based on the XDA Forum [GUIDE] Full Phone Backup without Unlock or Root
Note: There seems to be a bug in which backup and restore operations will fail unless a desktop backup password is set under Developer Options. It will not work with a blank password.
After I set my desktop backup password under
Settings > Developer Options > Desktop backup password
adb backup -apk -shared -all -f D:/backup.ab
I am now able to run the above adb backup commands successfully. Note that I left the -system
parameter as it is default one and the backup.ab
file is almost 6GB now.