For a while now I suspect someone I had trusted uploaded a secret application or MDM management application on my S23. I've not found an MDM Profile installed, nor any application I've not installed myself. However, there has always been notifications of a work profile here and there - mostly not consistent as I'm not savvy to finding on AndroidOS phones, despite my experience deploying MDM profiles via push over corporate Wi-Fi accounts once a device has associated a work M365 account.
The primary accounts I have is Samsung (Canada) and my Google account, any other accounts like M365 (personal) or X or IG listed as per normal. That said earlier this week when i was browsing the internet in Samsung Internet and FireFox, without touching or closely hovering my finger/thumbs over the screen either application closed and the home page moved to secondary home. However brief it freaked my out a bit.
A can shows no issues (
Settings → Battery and device care → Device Protection > Scan Phone) yet this is only for known malware or obviously rogue applications. I've heard of a security application, legit that you can remotely view what a person is doing on your AndroidOS phone before even remotely locking it (this is different from Samsung or Google's protections)?
That said I'm hoping I can get some solid help in the following please?
1. Fully backup my phone and all data (especially SMS, pictures and links within - I use Samsung Messages), Pictures are sync'd to my M365 account however there are MMS messages that have history of pictures and links within I'd like to keep fully intact, when I restore after factory reset?
1b. I have Bookmarks within Samsung Internet Private area - I'm not sure those get backed up, and can be fully restored?
1c. Secure Folder content does that get backed up? Pictures saved within?
1d. Music stored locally on internal storage - can this be backed up and restored?
1e. Samsung Notes: again fully backed up and restored?
1f. Passkeys (Google, Crypto Passkeys from other accounts - I'm not using Samsung Blockchain.
The goal here is the fully backup the above content/data. Factory reset then sign in using my Samsung Account, then to download apps I use and then restore the data to those apps (especially those mentioned above) yet NOT restore the applications - as I fear restoring a rogue app or service.
How do I proceed, do i use Samsung Backup or via USB-C to USB-A adapter to USB-A Key?
PS: When I logged onto Samsung Members via my PC browser to type this my logon sends a confirmation to my device for biometric confirmation then gives me a code to enter before I can logon here - via PC browser. Will this affect me in restoring as I do NOT have another Samsung device??
Thanks in advance to any help and guidance and precautions.
Hi @Day_Walker, I can able to answer few questions here.
Full backup are able to fully restore your messages from Samsung app. You can restore messages only as well as long as full backup has completed and you have chose to backup messages.
The only thing that I will double backup is Whatsapp messages. Just in case full backup not backup the database, you still able to retore from online.
For Samsung Notes, if you have enable sync with samsung cloud, it will restore all Notes once you sign back in to Samsung account.
I do backup for all account settings too.
The only app that will not backup is WeChat. If you not using it. Just ignore it.
I don't use secure folder, can't answer your question. Also, I don't use Samsung Internet browser, not sure if bookmarks will be backup or not. Other members may able to help on these.
Hi @Day_Walker, I can able to answer few questions here.
Full backup are able to fully restore your messages from Samsung app. You can restore messages only as well as long as full backup has completed and you have chose to backup messages.
The only thing that I will double backup is Whatsapp messages. Just in case full backup not backup the database, you still able to retore from online.
For Samsung Notes, if you have enable sync with samsung cloud, it will restore all Notes once you sign back in to Samsung account.
I do backup for all account settings too.
The only app that will not backup is WeChat. If you not using it. Just ignore it.
I don't use secure folder, can't answer your question. Also, I don't use Samsung Internet browser, not sure if bookmarks will be backup or not. Other members may able to help on these.
