Unclear SecurityException when using Android Service Backup (Cloud Backup)

Question

I try to use my application, which contains usage of Android Backup Service with my own BackupAgent, on Android Emulator. But backup doesn't work, despite of permission written in AndroidManifest.xml.

Permission: <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.BACKUP"/>

Warning in log: 09-17 09:05:58.553: WARN/PackageManager(73): Not granting permission android.permission.BACKUP to package my.package (protectionLevel=3 flags=0x1be46)

Exception in log (when I try to call requestRestore()): java.lang.SecurityException: getCurrentTransport: Neither user 10040 nor current process has android.permission.BACKUP.

What's wrong in my code?

UPD: My manifest

<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android" package="my.package">

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.BACKUP"/>

<application android:name="my.package.MyApplicationName" android:backupAgent="my.package.MyBackupAgent">

<meta-data android:name="com.google.android.backup.api_key" android:value="my_backup_api_key">

</application>

</manifest>

Try to require the permission for the whole app, also are you sure you build the project after changing manifest? — Ruuhkis, Sep 17 '12 at 09:25
I'm sure I have build it, and my permission is for the whole app. — Zakhar Fadeev, Sep 17 '12 at 09:31
Possible duplicate of [Error : Neither user 10066 nor current process has android.permission.BACKUP](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/11735925/error-neither-user-10066-nor-current-process-has-android-permission-backup) — Paul Ratazzi, Jan 07 '16 at 18:29

HitOdessit · Accepted Answer · 2012-10-08T10:34:01.823

5

Official Android documentation of Manifest permissions knows nothing about permission

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.BACKUP"/>

So, you should remove it from your Manifest. Android Backup Service doesn't require additional permissions.

However, specified permission can be used, but only by "system" applications, because it requires PROTECTION_SIGNATURE or PROTECTION_SIGNATURE_OR_SYSTEM level of permissions.

Such permission needed only when calling method BackupManager.dataChanged(String packageName), but usually this method is not needed when implementing Backup Service.

edited Oct 08 '12 at 10:34

answered Sep 17 '12 at 10:27

HitOdessit

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It's very important to call BackupManager.dataChanged. It does not require android.permission.BACKUP. – Hayes Haugen Oct 16 '12 at 20:37

score 1 · Answer 2 · edited Oct 17 '12 at 07:32

1

The android.permission.BACKUP permission is not needed for normal BackupAgent operations. Remove it from your manifest - though it shouldn't stop your BackupAgent from working.

Make sure to call BackupManager.dataChanged() method when you need to do a backup otherwise your BackupAgent will be called once but never again. It does not need android.permission.BACKUP either.

edited Oct 17 '12 at 07:32

HitOdessit

7,198
4
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answered Oct 16 '12 at 20:36

Hayes Haugen

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Unclear SecurityException when using Android Service Backup (Cloud Backup)

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