Need help with android cell phone

[intrepidity]

I need to finally do a thorough review and cleanup of my phone(s).

What precipitated this was that an app that came with the phone (Gallery, for viewing/managing media) did an auto update (which I usually do not allow, but this slipped through) and now the updated version is a 14-day trial of their Pro version! (Grrrrrrr!) Usually "uninstall" rolls back just the update(s) to the factory version, but not this time, nope, you can't do that.

I need an in-depth understanding of how backups work. The one time, years ago, when I thought I had my phone backed up sufficiently and correctly and so did a factory reset, I lost tons of stuff.

I want to be able to micromanage this process so that does not happen again.

Can anyone provide some guidance on this journey? I'm fairly tech savvy, but have just not kept up in the past few years. Thanks to anyone who can help.

[MichMan]

1. Can you uninstall the app and re install the free version from the Google Play Store ?

[Pobeka]

2. Dunno if this will work, can you download the previous version's apk of Gallery and install it?

I can't remember if Android will let you install a lower version number.

That could possibly save you a whole factory reset.

[intrepidity]

3. There are other reasons, though

This was just the most recent factor.

[Pobeka]

4. I can almost feel your pain.

Sorry I don't have good experience with the backup issue.

Good luck!

[IcyPeas]

5. What kind of phone? I have Samsung and just looked and don't see any update like this.

Usually there is a choice if you want to go pro that you can say no to. This doesn't sound good. I hope they don't all start charging for Gallery.