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We are digital librarians. Among us are represented the various reasons to keep data -- legal requirements, competitive requirements, uncertainty of permanence of cloud services, distaste for transmitting your data externally (e.g. government or corporate espionage), cultural and familial archivists, internet collapse preppers, and people who do it themselves so they're sure it's done right. Everyone has their reasons for curating the data they have decided to keep (either forever or For A Damn Long Time (tm) ). Along the way we have sought out like-minded individuals to exchange strategies, war stories, and cautionary tales of failures.

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Seeking Advice on Preserving an Old Android Phone with Sentimental Value (alien.top)

submitted 1 year ago by 1252947840@alien.top to c/datahoarder@selfhosted.forum

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Recently, a beloved family member of mine passed away, and they left behind an Android phone that's approximately 4-5 years old. This device holds significant sentimental value to me, and I'm concerned about its longevity, fearing it may stop functioning in the future.

Currently, the phone operates on a prepaid plan, and I have been regularly topping up its balance. Additionally, I have access to the phone's PIN, allowing me to unlock and use it.

My main question is: Is there a way to effectively preserve this phone, including all its data, in a virtual environment? Essentially, I'm looking for a method to create a virtual replica of the phone that retains all its contents. I'm open to the idea of not using the physical SIM card if this facilitates the preservation process.

Any advice, tools, or methods that could assist in this endeavor would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your help and suggestions.

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[–] mIRCenaries@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

Not an easy way to do it by making an image of the phone or anything.

In theory, there are android emulators and you could "re-create" the phone by transferring the data, install the apps, etc etc into the emulated android instance. You may run into issues locating the phone's exact android ROM, or potentially any install apks of apps that exist on the phone. Especially any carrier or ROM specific apks.

Honestly though, that's a lot of effort to maintain a user experience and if you're wanting to retain the personal data on the phone there are easier ways of getting it off and archiving it. My standard backup practice with old phones is to pull all the personal data off (images, backup texts, etc etc), reset the phone, and then store it somewhere safe. Functionally a memento paperweight I can turn on from time to time and scroll around in, but no practical use. I still have a HTC Desire HD from 2010 I turn on from time to time.

Long term as the device goes though, it won't remain fully functional forever. Eventually with enough time, the networks that the device operate on will theoretically not be in operation (e.g. 20+ years from now) so maintaining phone service will inevitably be impossible. Additionally, the device will eventually stop receiving updates, along with the apps and they will stop working as they become unsupported. You won't be able to install new apps without the newest versions of android, etc. (e.g. 3-5+ years from now depending on how old the device already is)