I’m ready to debloat (with universal-android-debloater), but before I do that Id like to backup the OS in the device to my computer.
If I want to backup with the stock ROM, Im redirected to a commercial service Im not going to use.
If I want to backup with twrp, it won’t let me backup via usb cable to the computer.
There must be a way to backup from the computer to the computer via usb, correct?
ETA: Can I backup with universal-android-debloater?
Any kind of backup of apps and their data requires root.
If you don’t have root, rooting will wipe all data.
TWRP used to be able to create an image of your system, but the practicality of that is long gone (not sure if it can still do it).
The most pragmatic approach is to root, install Swift Backup or Neo Backup. Have it backup your apps/Config to a local folder. Then have that folder synced to a home machine using a network sync tool like FolderSync, Syncthing, etc.
If you want an image to restore so you can revert, it can be done. I’m just not sure of the use-case anymore with the size of partitions.
Long ago I used an automatic imaging process weekly, back when partitions where much smaller. I never once used one of those image backups.