Carlos E. R. <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:
> On 2024-11-06 14:26, Frank Slootweg wrote:
> > Carlos E. R. <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:
> >> On 2024-11-06 12:13, Frank Slootweg wrote:
> >>>> Yes, as we are agreed, it only works if a Samsung is the destination
> >>>> phone, another example of deliberately crippling software.
> >>>
> >>> Well, you might critcize Samsung, but at least*they* provide software
> >>> to import your stuff from a non-Samsung phone, while Google doesn't do
> >>> that for their phones. (Or*does* Google have such software? Your
> >>> non-response to my suggestion implies they don't.)
> >>
> >> Android has a generic application to clone phones, from old to new.
> >
> > And *which* application would that be? I.e. specifics please.
>
> No idea. It just runs when you buy a new phone, it is automatic. Depends
> on the brand.

I'm not aware of any such generic Android functionality. When I got my
current Samsung phone (Galaxy A51), it only offered Samsung's 'Smart
Switch' app.

You say "Depends on the brand.", but that's exactly *my* point.

Samsung offers such an app, but do others?

As Java Jive later wrote, Google offers old-to-new transfer
functionality for transfer to a Google phone, but apparently quite
limited, because Java Jive couldn't use it for his old Samsung (Android
7) device. And Samsung's Smart Switch is a general app, i.e. not just
for use at initial install/'switch' time, but also for use at any later
time.

[...]

Java Jive wrote on Wed, 6 Nov 2024 10:51:35 +0000 :

> "You cannot download your backups individually. If you need to recover
> data in Samsung Cloud, you must sync your data to a compatible device."

Thanks for reminding me why on my free Samsung Galaxy A32-5G I set it up
with not only no Google account, but also no Samsung account.

Funny thing is, just as with Windows, Android works better without the
account (in that it does fewer things without you knowing it did it).

I asked on XDA long ago if there was anything in the Samsung offering that
was worth losing your privacy for... the answer came back as one app only.
*[Privacy] Is there any app in the Samsung Galaxy Store worth the login requirements?*
<https://xdaforums.com/t/privacy-is-there-any-app-in-the-samsung-galaxy-store-worth-the-login-requirements.4453661/>

By the way, I had asked the question for Java Jive of Wi-Fi backup over on
XDA Developers to try to always be helpful to others asking for help.
*How can we backup & restore all our Wi-Fi AP connection settings from*
*one phone to another (/data/misc/apexdata/com.android.wifi/Wifi*
<https://xdaforums.com/t/how-can-we-backup-restore-all-our-wi-fi-ap-connection-settings-from-one-phone-to-another-data-misc-apexdata-com-android-wifi-wificonfigstore-xml.4701306/>

Not much came back yet, but XDA isn't as responsive as this newsgroup is.
"Starting with Android 11, Google introduced scoped storage
which restricts access to certain directories, including /data.
This means that without root access files in /data can't get
accessed directly."

However, we know apps can access that scoped storage, so the question is
how do the apps that access it do it, and how can we manually mimic that?

Frank Slootweg wrote on 6 Nov 2024 13:26:03 GMT :

> [1] For example, it does not backup apps, it backs up the *names* of
> apps, not the apps themselves, and AFAIK for non-Play_Store/Google_Play
> apps, it doesn't backup anything, not even the names.

Since my computers and mobile devices are set up for privacy, I just want
to make one observation, not for Frank per se, but for everyone out there.

Windows automatically backs up the installers simply by virtue of not
deleting the installers after you install. So does Android.

What? Android backs up the installers automatically - by default?
Yup.

Most people don't know that EVERY installed app is already backed up.
(Of the major 3, only iOS doesn't back up every app installer by default.)

Frank Slootweg wrote on 6 Nov 2024 14:45:27 GMT :

> I'm not aware of any such generic Android functionality.

A lot of people are unaware that Android backs up by default *every* app
installed (yes, even the system apps that come pre-installed are there).

They're actually not "backed up" so much as the installer is "not deleted".

The installer is never deleted (unless you delete the app off of Android).

In comp.mobile.android, on 4 Nov 2024 15:41:03 GMT, Frank Slootweg
<this@ddress.is.invalid> wrote:

>micky <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com> wrote:
>[...]
>
>> I've been using MyPhoneExlorer to both connect the phone and to copy
>> from it, and I have to compare the source and dest each time to see what
>> to copy, but maybe all I need to do is plug the phone into a USB port
>> and use any of the Windows-based backup programs that don't copy what's
>> already copied. Like robocopy or xxcopy.
>
> AFAIK, if you're using MyPhoneExlorer, you're using an interactive,
>i.e. not command-line/script, procedure.

Yes.
>
> If so, it's indeed probably easier to just plug in the phone via USB
>and use Windows' File Explorer to do the copying (copy-and-paste).
>
> After the copying, just use Properties on the source folder of the
>phone and the destination folder on the computer. The number of Files
>and Folders and the Size (*not* 'Size on disk') should be the same.

I hadn't thought of using Properties of the phone. Thanx

> Anyway, that's what I use when copying pictures from phones or other
>external devices.

On 2024-11-06 13:37, Paul wrote:
>
> On Wed, 11/6/2024 8:24 AM, Java Jive wrote:
>>
>> On 2024-11-06 11:13, Frank Slootweg wrote:
>>>
>>> 'Downloading Smart Switch on my PC'
>>> Last Update date : Apr 17. 2024
>>> <https://www.samsung.com/au/support/mobile-devices/downloading-smart-switch-on-pc/>
>>
>> Thanks for that.  Like you, I couldn't find it on the Samsung site. I've downloaded and installed it from your link, and backed up the WiFi settings to a PC  -  encouragingly, I was given the specificity to choose to back up only those settings.  However, looking at the backed up files, although I can open the zips in 7-zip, the data itself is encrypted, despite there being an option to encrypt which I noted and specifically left unselected.  I suspect that it's encrypted because the original file from the phone was just backed up as is, and that was encrypted on the phone :-(
>>
>> From which I predict that most probably it will also be encrypted using the micro SD card that is due to arrive early this evening :-(
>
> There is some info here, on crypto philosophy.
>
> https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/249639/can-an-android-device-connect-to-the-internet-before-decrypting-the-storage

Interesting ...

"Device Encrypted (DE) storage includes data like WiFi passwords,
Bluetooth connections, alarms, theme, wallpaper, apps & device settings."

.... so, as I presume each device has its own encryption key, how can
data which is stored as encrypted be copied in a usable form to another
device, as Smart Switch is supposed to do?

--

Fake news kills!

I may be contacted via the contact address given on my website:
www.macfh.co.uk

On 2024-11-05 19:04, Andrews wrote:
> Java Jive wrote on Tue, 5 Nov 2024 11:00:57 +0000 :
>
>> To get back on topic, not sure how to apply that to my WiFi settings
>> though ...
>
> Unfortunately, while Carlos & Dave Royal showed (on the Android ng) that
> you can "share" Wi-Fi configuration QR codes for any given
> currently-connected access point, I think Android requires rooting in order
> to access the Wi-Fi config file (which is where settings are stored.
>
> I have the best search engine on the planet but without using regular
> expressions (which Java Jive can do) it found "too many" hits because
> "Wi-Fi" in any search will catch too many things, even when filtered.
> <https://skyica.com/appfinder/get/>
>
> However, in Skyica App Finder I did see this supposed Wi-Fi backup app.
> <https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.swiftapps.swiftbackup>
>
> It doesn't require root for most things, but it needs it for the Wi-Fi
> backup (so it may be an Android limitation that you have to be rooted).

There's also this, which looked promising, but again, root required,
which I think must apply to them all, because I've seen it so often now:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.roamingsoft.manager

--

Fake news kills!

I may be contacted via the contact address given on my website:
www.macfh.co.uk

On 2024-11-06 15:45, Frank Slootweg wrote:
> Carlos E. R. <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:
>> On 2024-11-06 14:26, Frank Slootweg wrote:
>>> Carlos E. R. <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:
>>>> On 2024-11-06 12:13, Frank Slootweg wrote:
>>>>>> Yes, as we are agreed, it only works if a Samsung is the destination
>>>>>> phone, another example of deliberately crippling software.
>>>>>
>>>>> Well, you might critcize Samsung, but at least*they* provide software
>>>>> to import your stuff from a non-Samsung phone, while Google doesn't do
>>>>> that for their phones. (Or*does* Google have such software? Your
>>>>> non-response to my suggestion implies they don't.)
>>>>
>>>> Android has a generic application to clone phones, from old to new.
>>>
>>> And *which* application would that be? I.e. specifics please.
>>
>> No idea. It just runs when you buy a new phone, it is automatic. Depends
>> on the brand.
>
> I'm not aware of any such generic Android functionality. When I got my
> current Samsung phone (Galaxy A51), it only offered Samsung's 'Smart
> Switch' app.
>
> You say "Depends on the brand.", but that's exactly *my* point.
>
> Samsung offers such an app, but do others?

Certainly. Motorola, for instance

>
> As Java Jive later wrote, Google offers old-to-new transfer
> functionality for transfer to a Google phone, but apparently quite
> limited, because Java Jive couldn't use it for his old Samsung (Android
> 7) device. And Samsung's Smart Switch is a general app, i.e. not just
> for use at initial install/'switch' time, but also for use at any later
> time.
>
> [...]

--
Cheers,
Carlos E.R.

On 2024-11-06 14:59, Frank Slootweg wrote:
> Java Jive <java@evij.com.invalid> wrote:
>> On 2024-11-06 11:13, Frank Slootweg wrote:
>>>
>>> Note that I referred to the *Windows* 'Smart Switch' program, not the
>>> *Android* app (which I *also* covered later).
>>>
>>> The Windows 'Smart Switch' program (obviously) *does* back up to your
>>> computer and creates files on your disk which you can (try to) access by
>>> other 'normal' utilities. IIRC, Smart Switch creates both regular files
>>> and ZIP archives. For the ZIP archives you might need something like
>>> 7-Zip, because when I used this quite some time ago, the built-in
>>> Windows unzipper could not handle the format which Smart Switch used.
>>>
>>> But to be [f|F]rank, Samsung tries to 'hide' the Windows 'Smart
>>> Switch' program, because I couldn't find it on their main Smart Switch
>>> page (<https://www.samsung.com/us/smart-switch/>). But a quick Google
>>> :-) search on "samsung smart switch for windows" shows it's still there:
>>>
>>> 'Downloading Smart Switch on my PC'
>>> Last Update date : Apr 17. 2024
>>> <https://www.samsung.com/au/support/mobile-devices/downloading-smart-switch-on-pc/>
>>
>> Thanks for that. Like you, I couldn't find it on the Samsung site.
>> I've downloaded and installed it from your link, and backed up the WiFi
>> settings to a PC - encouragingly, I was given the specificity to
>> choose to back up only those settings. However, looking at the backed
>> up files, although I can open the zips in 7-zip, the data itself is
>> encrypted, despite there being an option to encrypt which I noted and
>> specifically left unselected. I suspect that it's encrypted because the
>> original file from the phone was just backed up as is, and that was
>> encrypted on the phone :-(
>
> Thanks for the feedback. I was about to dig up some old Smart Switch
> backups (if any) from my backup disks, but as you've already found the
> Wi-Fi settings data is encrypted, there's no point.

Passwords (and WiFi settings contain a password) are intentionally not
backed up or transferred to a new phone. This feature would allow a bad
guy to clone your phone and impersonate you.

--
Cheers,
Carlos E.R.

Java Jive wrote on Wed, 6 Nov 2024 17:12:55 +0000 :

> There's also this, which looked promising, but again, root required,
> which I think must apply to them all, because I've seen it so often now:
>
> https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.roamingsoft.manager

Thanks for finding that app, which I didn't see because my default Skyica
App Finder filters are for "free" and "no ads" so it didn't show up.
<https://skyica.com/appfinder/get/>

I agree though, with you, that the "data" directory where the Wi-Fi
connections XML file is stored is inaccessible since Android 11
(according to the information on XDA Developers when I asked for you).

I don't know how these Samsung/Google apps do it given that information.
Maybe someone who knows how Android works can explain how they do it.

Carlos E. R. <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:
> On 2024-11-06 14:59, Frank Slootweg wrote:
[...]
> > Thanks for the feedback. I was about to dig up some old Smart Switch
> > backups (if any) from my backup disks, but as you've already found the
> > Wi-Fi settings data is encrypted, there's no point.
>
>
> Passwords (and WiFi settings contain a password) are intentionally not
> backed up or transferred to a new phone. This feature would allow a bad
> guy to clone your phone and impersonate you.

That would only work if the bad guy has physical access to your phone
*and* can get *into* that phone, i.e. he has to have the password/PIN/
fingerprint/etc.. That's exactly the reason why for example bootloaders
are locked, i.e. physical access is not enough to get into an Android
phone.

So there's no valid reason for the legit user of the phones not to be
able to transfer the Wi-Fi settings/password (or other passwords).

On 2024-11-06 19:04, Andrews wrote:
> Java Jive wrote on Wed, 6 Nov 2024 17:12:55 +0000 :
>
>> There's also this, which looked promising, but again, root required,
>> which I think must apply to them all, because I've seen it so often now:
>>
>> https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.roamingsoft.manager
>
> Thanks for finding that app, which I didn't see because my default Skyica
> App Finder filters are for "free" and "no ads" so it didn't show up.
> <https://skyica.com/appfinder/get/>
>
> I agree though, with you, that the "data" directory where the Wi-Fi
> connections XML file is stored is inaccessible since Android 11
> (according to the information on XDA Developers when I asked for you).

But this is Android 7.

> I don't know how these Samsung/Google apps do it given that information.
> Maybe someone who knows how Android works can explain how they do it.

--

Fake news kills!

I may be contacted via the contact address given on my website:
www.macfh.co.uk

Java Jive wrote on Wed, 6 Nov 2024 20:50:25 +0000 :

>> I agree though, with you, that the "data" directory where the Wi-Fi
>> connections XML file is stored is inaccessible since Android 11
>> (according to the information on XDA Developers when I asked for you).
>
> But this is Android 7.

I assume you tried copying it already when I gave the commands necessary.

On 2024-11-06 13:24, Java Jive wrote:
>
> Thanks for that.  Like you, I couldn't find it on the Samsung site. I've
> downloaded and installed it from your link, and backed up the WiFi
> settings to a PC  -  encouragingly, I was given the specificity to
> choose to back up only those settings.  However, looking at the backed
> up files, although I can open the zips in 7-zip, the data itself is
> encrypted, despite there being an option to encrypt which I noted and
> specifically left unselected.  I suspect that it's encrypted because the
> original file from the phone was just backed up as is, and that was
> encrypted on the phone 🙁
>
> From which I predict that most probably it will also be encrypted using
> the micro SD card that is due to arrive early this evening 🙁

Prediction correct: The backups by either method seem to consist of
metadata files which are unencrypted, and data files which are encrypted
no matter how the backup is made.

--

Fake news kills!

I may be contacted via the contact address given on my website:
www.macfh.co.uk

On 2024-11-06 13:24, Java Jive wrote:
>
>>>>     AFAIR, Google's 'Back up data' also backs up Wi-Fi settings to your
>>>> Google Drive. As both your Samsung tablet and your Google phone have
>>>> Google backup and restore, that's a possible path of transfer.
>>>
>>> I tend to avoid using Google services because of their reputation for
>>> data harvesting, which in the past has included WiFi information as part
>>> of Streetview, but perhaps if the SD option fails, then I might try that
>>> next.
>
> Perhaps this is what I should try next ...

No, this doesn't work either. On the Samsung, the only option presented
by Google's Backup is to back up contacts, I can't see an option to back
up settings.

--

Fake news kills!

I may be contacted via the contact address given on my website:
www.macfh.co.uk

On 2024-11-06 21:02, Andrews wrote:
> Java Jive wrote on Wed, 6 Nov 2024 20:50:25 +0000 :
>
>>> I agree though, with you, that the "data" directory where the Wi-Fi
>>> connections XML file is stored is inaccessible since Android 11
>>> (according to the information on XDA Developers when I asked for you).
>>
>> But this is Android 7.
>
> I assume you tried copying it already when I gave the commands necessary.

The tablet, a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 model SM-T719, is not rooted, and I
strongly suspect that the rooting of it would destroy the very data that
I'm trying copy. Nevertheless, I'd be prepared to investigate the
possibilities, but, to root it, I'd need an auto-root file for it, and I
couldn't find one.

--

Fake news kills!

I may be contacted via the contact address given on my website:
www.macfh.co.uk

On 2024-11-06 21:11, Java Jive wrote:
>
> On 2024-11-06 13:24, Java Jive wrote:
>>
>> Thanks for that.  Like you, I couldn't find it on the Samsung site.
>> I've downloaded and installed it from your link, and backed up the
>> WiFi settings to a PC  -  encouragingly, I was given the specificity
>> to choose to back up only those settings.  However, looking at the
>> backed up files, although I can open the zips in 7-zip, the data
>> itself is encrypted, despite there being an option to encrypt which I
>> noted and specifically left unselected.  I suspect that it's encrypted
>> because the original file from the phone was just backed up as is, and
>> that was encrypted on the phone 🙁
>>
>> From which I predict that most probably it will also be encrypted
>> using the micro SD card that is due to arrive early this evening 🙁
>
> Prediction correct: The backups by either method seem to consist of
> metadata files which are unencrypted, and data files which are encrypted
> no matter how the backup is made.

But then I thought, perhaps if I load Smart Switch onto the Pixel again,
plug in the micro SD, and run it, it will allow me to restore the
backup, but NO! Again the program has been deliberately crippled not to
allow any sort of copying to a non-Samsung device, even from a local source.

Fucking bastards! Guess who'll NEVER be buying another Samsung phone!

--

Fake news kills!

I may be contacted via the contact address given on my website:
www.macfh.co.uk

Java Jive wrote on Thu, 7 Nov 2024 00:23:10 +0000 :

>>>> I agree though, with you, that the "data" directory where the Wi-Fi
>>>> connections XML file is stored is inaccessible since Android 11
>>>> (according to the information on XDA Developers when I asked for you).
>>>
>>> But this is Android 7.
>>
>> I assume you tried copying it already when I gave the commands necessary.
>
> The tablet, a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 model SM-T719, is not rooted, and I
> strongly suspect that the rooting of it would destroy the very data that
> I'm trying copy. Nevertheless, I'd be prepared to investigate the
> possibilities, but, to root it, I'd need an auto-root file for it, and I
> couldn't find one.

If Android 11 is when the Google securing of /data went into effect, then,
if we assume it was not in effect prior to Android 11, Android 7 should
work.

Why not try the commands?
They only take a second.

I had already provided the *exact* commands to run, from Windows to your
phone over USB so all you have to do is cut and paste. I even provided a
screenshot. I did a lot of work to help you. It might work on Android 7.
<https://i.postimg.cc/2jxYYsmM/adb-pull-wifi.jpg>

The implication is those commands worked prior to Android 11.

Unrooted.

Java Jive <java@evij.com.invalid> wrote:
> On 2024-11-06 13:24, Java Jive wrote:
> >
> >>>>     AFAIR, Google's 'Back up data' also backs up Wi-Fi settings to your
> >>>> Google Drive. As both your Samsung tablet and your Google phone have
> >>>> Google backup and restore, that's a possible path of transfer.
> >>>
> >>> I tend to avoid using Google services because of their reputation for
> >>> data harvesting, which in the past has included WiFi information as part
> >>> of Streetview, but perhaps if the SD option fails, then I might try that
> >>> next.
> >
> > Perhaps this is what I should try next ...
>
> No, this doesn't work either. On the Samsung, the only option presented
> by Google's Backup is to back up contacts, I can't see an option to back
> up settings.

Hmmmm!? Strange! On my ancient Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 10.1" (SM-T530)
with Android 5.0.2, i.e. even older than yours, Settings says it can
"Back up application data, Wi-Fi passwords and other settings to Google
servers". (Settings -> 'GENERAL' tab -> 'Backup and reset')

On 2024-11-06 20:15, Frank Slootweg wrote:
> Carlos E. R. <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:
>> On 2024-11-06 14:59, Frank Slootweg wrote:
> [...]
>>> Thanks for the feedback. I was about to dig up some old Smart Switch
>>> backups (if any) from my backup disks, but as you've already found the
>>> Wi-Fi settings data is encrypted, there's no point.
>>
>>
>> Passwords (and WiFi settings contain a password) are intentionally not
>> backed up or transferred to a new phone. This feature would allow a bad
>> guy to clone your phone and impersonate you.
>
> That would only work if the bad guy has physical access to your phone
> *and* can get *into* that phone, i.e. he has to have the password/PIN/
> fingerprint/etc.. That's exactly the reason why for example bootloaders
> are locked, i.e. physical access is not enough to get into an Android
> phone.
>
> So there's no valid reason for the legit user of the phones not to be
> able to transfer the Wi-Fi settings/password (or other passwords).

Nevertheless, that is the reason.

--
Cheers,
Carlos E.R.

On 2024-11-07 10:07, Frank Slootweg wrote:
> Java Jive <java@evij.com.invalid> wrote:
>> On 2024-11-06 13:24, Java Jive wrote:
>>>
>>>>>>     AFAIR, Google's 'Back up data' also backs up Wi-Fi settings to your
>>>>>> Google Drive. As both your Samsung tablet and your Google phone have
>>>>>> Google backup and restore, that's a possible path of transfer.
>>>>>
>>>>> I tend to avoid using Google services because of their reputation for
>>>>> data harvesting, which in the past has included WiFi information as part
>>>>> of Streetview, but perhaps if the SD option fails, then I might try that
>>>>> next.
>>>
>>> Perhaps this is what I should try next ...
>>
>> No, this doesn't work either. On the Samsung, the only option presented
>> by Google's Backup is to back up contacts, I can't see an option to back
>> up settings.
>
> Hmmmm!? Strange! On my ancient Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 10.1" (SM-T530)
> with Android 5.0.2, i.e. even older than yours, Settings says it can
> "Back up application data, Wi-Fi passwords and other settings to Google
> servers". (Settings -> 'GENERAL' tab -> 'Backup and reset')

I was going via a different path, which exists on both devices ...

Settings -> Google -> All services -> Backup and Restore

.... which only covers contacts.

On the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 SM-T719, I don't have your 'General' tab
under settings. Searching its settings for 'backup' gives me ...

1 Cloud and Accounts -> Backup and Restore -> Backup Settings
(to Samsung cloud)

2 Cloud and Accounts -> Backup and Restore -> Backup My Data
(to Google Drive)

Cloud and Accounts -> Backup and Restore -> Backup Account
(create spare account, not relevant here)

Cloud and Accounts -> Backup and Restore -> Automatic restore
(auto restore backed up settings when an app is reinstalled)

.... also ...

Developer Options -> Desktop backup password

.... of which obviously only the first two are relevant:

1 Is the Samsung backup tested yesterday, seemingly can't be restored to
a non-Samsung phone, and anyway seems to have insufficient granularity
to restore *ONLY* the WiFi settings, so it would not seem wise to
restore this en masse to the Pixel, even if I could find out how.

2 I think this might be the same one as you reach by the path you gave
above. It is a single switch option which was already enabled, and is
fully described thus:

"Back up your device data and app data automatically to Google Drive
(including WiFi passwords, the Phone log, app settings, and related files.

App data may include personal information such as contacts, messages,
and pictures."

If I could find out how to restore only the WiFi settings from that to a
different phone, I guess I'd be home and dry, but I can't even find out
how to use it to restore to the *SAME* phone that it was made from.
Searching Settings for 'restore' gives me only the first and fourth hits
above, nothing for restoring any or all of a Google Drive backup.

On the Pixel 8a, searching settings for 'restore' gives me ...

Google Play Services -> Restore contacts
Google Play Services -> Google Contacts sync

1 Apps -> Data Restore Tool

System -> Erase all data (factory reset)

.... of which only the app [1] seems relevant. Tapping it takes me to
its App Info, not the app itself, which says that it's running but not
active, and gives details of its permissions. etc. There is no icon on
the home pages for it, and swiping up to get the list of apps gives me
nothing of that name or similar, so, how do I run it manually?

Thanks for all your and others' attempts to help, it's a lovely sunny
day here in Sutherland, so going for a walk now, back later.

--

Fake news kills!

I may be contacted via the contact address given on my website:
www.macfh.co.uk

In comp.mobile.android Carlos E. R. <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:
> On 2024-11-06 20:15, Frank Slootweg wrote:
> > Carlos E. R. <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:
> >> On 2024-11-06 14:59, Frank Slootweg wrote:
> > [...]
> >>> Thanks for the feedback. I was about to dig up some old Smart Switch
> >>> backups (if any) from my backup disks, but as you've already found the
> >>> Wi-Fi settings data is encrypted, there's no point.
> >>
> >>
> >> Passwords (and WiFi settings contain a password) are intentionally not
> >> backed up or transferred to a new phone. This feature would allow a bad
> >> guy to clone your phone and impersonate you.
> >
> > That would only work if the bad guy has physical access to your phone
> > *and* can get *into* that phone, i.e. he has to have the password/PIN/
> > fingerprint/etc.. That's exactly the reason why for example bootloaders
> > are locked, i.e. physical access is not enough to get into an Android
> > phone.
> >
> > So there's no valid reason for the legit user of the phones not to be
> > able to transfer the Wi-Fi settings/password (or other passwords).
>
> Nevertheless, that is the reason.

That Wi-Fi passwords are not backed up 1) is not true for Samsungs's
Smart Switch (see above) and 2) for Google Backup (to Google Drive) has
been more or less debunked by my response of earlier today:

Message-ID: <vgi714.dkk.1@ID-201911.user.individual.net>
<quote>
Hmmmm!? Strange! On my ancient Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 10.1" (SM-T530)
with Android 5.0.2, i.e. even older than yours, Settings says it can
"Back up application data, Wi-Fi passwords and other settings to Google
servers". (Settings -> 'GENERAL' tab -> 'Backup and reset')
</quote>

But granted, that's about backup (and restore to the same device), not
about transfer to a new device.

Still, the 'reason' for not transferring Wi-Fi and other passwords is
invalid/silly/<whatever> for the reasons I gave.

A little earlier, I wrote:
> That Wi-Fi passwords are not backed up 1) is not true for Samsungs's
> Smart Switch (see above) and 2) for Google Backup (to Google Drive) has
> been more or less debunked by my response of earlier today:

N.B. Google Backup ('Backup by Google One') specifically says that
Wi-Fi passwords are backed up.

On my (Samsung Galaxy A51) Android 13 phone:

Settings -> Google / Google services -> All services -> Backup &
restore -> Backup -> Manage storage -> opens one.google.com webpage ->
YOUR DEVICE BACKUP (2) -> Galaxy A51 -> See details ->

"Device settings 208 KB
Wallpaper, Wi-Fi password..."

N.B. The part after "password" can not be shown, only gives the three
dots, but if I go to the one.google.com webpage on my laptop, it says:

"Device settings
Wallpaper, Wi-Fi passwords and more"

So Wi-Fi passwords are backed up by Google Backup. Whether they are
also transferred from an old to a new device is still unanswered (by
official references).

[...]

On 2024-11-06 21:02, Andrews wrote:
> Java Jive wrote on Wed, 6 Nov 2024 20:50:25 +0000 :
>
>>> I agree though, with you, that the "data" directory where the Wi-Fi
>>> connections XML file is stored is inaccessible since Android 11
>>> (according to the information on XDA Developers when I asked for you).
>>
>> But this is Android 7.
>
> I assume you tried copying it already when I gave the commands necessary.

16:44:31 D:\Temp>C:\Programs\Samsung\platform-tools\adb.exe root

16:45:56 D:\Temp>C:\Programs\Samsung\platform-tools\adb.exe pull
/data/misc/apexdata/com.android.wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml
adb: error: remote object
'/data/misc/apexdata/com.android.wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml' does not exist

16:46:09 D:\Temp>

There is a data directory visible in explorer under ...

/Internal storage/Android

.... but adding that to the beginning of the path makes no odds, and in
fact trying to pull a file that I know exists, because I can see it in
Explorer, also fails:

16:54:31 D:\Temp>C:\Programs\Samsung\platform-tools\adb.exe pull
"/Internal
storage/Android/data/com.android.systemui/cache/lockscreen_capture_land.png"
adb: error: remote object '/Internal
storage/Android/data/com.android.systemui/cache/lockscreen_capture_land.png'
does not exist

Make of that what you will, remembering that I don't believe this device
is rooted, although the adb root command seemed to work.

--

Fake news kills!

I may be contacted via the contact address given on my website:
www.macfh.co.uk

Java Jive wrote on Thu, 7 Nov 2024 17:02:06 +0000 :

>> I assume you tried copying it already when I gave the commands necessary.
>
> 16:44:31 D:\Temp>C:\Programs\Samsung\platform-tools\adb.exe root

Thanks for running the suggested test!

I'm surprised that command didn't give an error as mine did on my unrooted
Android 13 Galaxy - but I do not know what "adb root" even does.

Running a search for what does adb root do this comes up
<https://duckduckgo.com/?va=d&t=hf&q=what+does+adb+root+do>

*Understanding adb shell su and adb root Commands*
<https://www.repeato.app/understanding-adb-shell-su-and-adb-root-commands/>
"the command adb root restarts the adb daemon with root permissions,
allowing you to execute ADB commands as root without entering the shell."

Since your "adb root" works, my suggestion is that you may be able to...
1. adb pull the WifiConfigStore.xml file from Android to Windows
2. Edit it on Windows any way you like
3. adb push that now-edited WifiConfigStore.xml back to Android

> 16:45:56 D:\Temp>C:\Programs\Samsung\platform-tools\adb.exe pull
> /data/misc/apexdata/com.android.wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml
> adb: error: remote object
> '/data/misc/apexdata/com.android.wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml' does not exist
>
> 16:46:09 D:\Temp>
>
> There is a data directory visible in explorer under ...
>
> /Internal storage/Android
>
> ... but adding that to the beginning of the path makes no odds, and in
> fact trying to pull a file that I know exists, because I can see it in
> Explorer, also fails:
>
> 16:54:31 D:\Temp>C:\Programs\Samsung\platform-tools\adb.exe pull
> "/Internal
> storage/Android/data/com.android.systemui/cache/lockscreen_capture_land.png"
> adb: error: remote object '/Internal
> storage/Android/data/com.android.systemui/cache/lockscreen_capture_land.png'
> does not exist
>
> Make of that what you will, remembering that I don't believe this device
> is rooted, although the adb root command seemed to work.

Since the word "apex" is in my original command, I suspect the location for
the Wi-Fi configuration XML file may have changed between the releases.
<https://www.google.com/search?q=where+is+android+WifiConfigStore.xml>

It may be that XML is located in different places per device or version.
*Dissecting the Android WiFiConfigStore.xml for forensic analysis*
<https://blog.digital-forensics.it/2024/02/dissecting-android-wificonfigstorexml.html>
"/data/misc/apexdata/com.android.wifi/.>

*How to reload WifiConfigStore.xml?*
<https://xdaforums.com/t/how-to-reload-wificonfigstore-xml.4545053/>
"adb push /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml"

Notice, as often occurs with Android, the WifiConfigStore.xml configuration
file can be in *different* locations depending on "something" we don't
know.

My advice is that since you can use the "adb root" command, that you can
almost certainly "adb pull" and "adb push" the WifiConfigStore.xml file.

You just have to find it first. :)