Accessing data from backup

Anmeldedatum: 01.09.2025 Beiträge: 1

Is it possible to access data from a backup for which I no longer have the phone?

Backup was created using MyPhoneExplorer create backup function.

I am not able to create a user account for this phone as I have since changed computers too.

Moderator Anmeldedatum: 19.04.2014 Beiträge: 18102

Contacts, appointments and notes can be imported from the backup file (*.mpb) into the lists of the new device using the import function (right mouse button).

Anmeldedatum: 30.04.2025 Beiträge: 4

icke1954 hat Folgendes geschrieben:

Contacts, appointments and notes can be imported from the backup file (*.mpb) into the lists of the new device using the import function (right mouse button).

In many cases, MPE users have a full .mpb backup of an old phone and would like to work with it in the future, looking at messages, contacts, files, etc. within MPE.

As long as the "User" exists within MPE, then the data remains. But if we have a new MPE installation, or the old phone "User" has been deleted from MPE. it seems there is no way to import just the old phone's backup without applying it to an actual hardware phone.

It would be very useful if MPE offered the ability to create a non-hardware (dummy) user which allows import of a backup for review in MPE, without having to apply the backup to an actual phone. Is it possible now, or would this be a feature request?

Anmeldedatum: 09.01.2017 Beiträge: 450 Wohnort: Berlin

fjsMPE hat Folgendes geschrieben:

we have a new MPE installation
...
it seems there is no way to import just the old phone's backup without applying it to an actual hardware phone.

It would be very useful if MPE offered the ability to create a non-hardware (dummy) user which allows import of a backup for review in MPE, without having to apply the backup to an actual phone. Is it possible now, or would this be a feature request?

It is possible, however not straight forward, so it would still be a feature request.

While MPE is not running, you can create a user by duplicating the folder related to one of your current phone located in %appdata%\MyPhoneexplorer . Then rename that folder by keeping the name scheme. Then hide the original by temporary moving it out of the %appdata%\MyPhoneexplorer folder. Start MPE und edit the user name to a new and unique name to identify your new offline user. After that, terminate MPE and move the previosly moved original folder back to its original location. After starting MPE again, you will see the original user along with the new "offline" user. To keep this user offline, you should modify is connection properties to values which prevent any connection to your phone and so prevent unintentional mix of data.

However, it is still not possible to restore from MPE backup files as MPE's restore function tries to connect to the related phone. Therefore you need to help yourself by using the import function as described by icke1954 before.

Of course, a MPE function to create an empty offline user would make things easier in the described scenario. In the past, I have seen organizers which are able to view backup data.

In case you only need to lookup single items in the old data set, it might be sufficient to simply open the backup files using a text editor such as windows notepad and locate the interesting items using text search.

Moderator Anmeldedatum: 19.04.2014 Beiträge: 18102

Workaround for setting up a user without a device:
1. Exit MPE
2. In the MPE database, create a folder according to the following pattern: Any name Space [ 9 digits any number ] e.g. Old mobile phone [123456789]
3. Start MPE and rename the new user
4. Now you can import the contacts, appointments, notes and the SMS archive.

I will forward your request to FJ without obligation.

Anmeldedatum: 30.04.2025 Beiträge: 4

Thanks @icke1954 and @eck-m for the wonderful detailed suggestions.

Even with the workarounds, the challenge is that if a user has an .mpb backup file, it seems not possible to apply it ("restore backup") to a User, to review messages, call log, etc., without involving a hardware device.

Anmeldedatum: 09.01.2017 Beiträge: 450 Wohnort: Berlin

fjsMPE hat Folgendes geschrieben:

Even with the workarounds, the challenge is that if a user has an .mpb backup file, it seems not possible to apply it ("restore backup") to a User, to review messages, call log, etc., without involving a hardware device.

That is what I wrote before, so you need to use the import functions to load data instead of Restore ... unless a future extension might allow a restore to an offline user. I would find that helpful too.

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