[dangus]

I’m also pretty sure that syncthing won’t help you with local full device backups and restores right? Isn’t the only way to do that to turn on developer options and use adb or another program that interacts with adb to backup? Google doesn’t even intend the user to do that judging by the way it’s hidden behind developer options, their only full device backup solution is cloud based.

So the question here is “how does Grandma sync content and make full device backups without the cloud?”

It sounds like Google’s option is to implement it yourself. You’ve got to go out and find the right software for your needs and none of it is made by Google.

For full device backups you have to be well-informed enough to enable Android debugging (which, again, is a developer feature and is labeled as such), or to get a third party program like syncthing/rsync. You have to build your sync stack on your own without Google’s help.

That DIY situation fine for a lot of people and it is true that it’s more powerful and open than what Apple gives you. But Apple is selling you a solution that is much more friendly to the average person and represents a complete solution without relying on third party software.

I can tell a 70 year old who refuses to use the cloud how to plug their iPhone into a Mac or PC and take a regular backup without needing to put their data on a cloud. On the Mac you don’t even have to install software, and on the PC the software comes from Apple directly. I don’t have to explain how to tap the build number seven times to enable developer options.

[lern_too_spel]

A 70 year old who refuses to use the cloud and doesn't know how to use developer options after following directions from a backup app but can follow the directions in iTunes backup is a rare (maybe nonexistent) thing.