What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Back up before you unlock. The bootloader-unlock step can erase the phone completely. LineageOS’s official installation instructions for the Google Pixel 4a (codename sunfish) and LineageOS 22.2 state: “Warning: Unlocking the bootloader will erase all data on your device!”
Use three separate layers before starting: review the Google backup shown on the Pixel, copy irreplaceable files to a computer, and complete each important app’s own export or recovery process. Then follow the LineageOS page for your exact Pixel model; the Pixel 4a instructions are an example, not a universal guide for every Pixel generation.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Why the backup must happen before LineageOS installation
Installing LineageOS normally involves preparing the phone and, for supported devices, unlocking its bootloader. The unlock operation is the point at which you must assume the phone’s existing user data will be deleted. The official LineageOS Wiki page reviewed for Pixel 4a (sunfish), LineageOS 22.2, puts the risk plainly: “Warning: Unlocking the bootloader will erase all data on your device!”
That warning changes the order of work. Do not unlock first and investigate backups afterward. Decide what you cannot replace, create more than one copy where practical, check that the copies are usable, and only then continue to the device-specific installation instructions.
#1 Best Overall
- 【Latest Version USB C 3.2 Gen 2 Cable】ZeroneTeck latest USB C for Thunderbolt cable: ①This 20Gbps USB C to USB C data cable is capable of meeting your ultra-fast data transfer needs. ②USB C to USB C monitor cable support 4K@60Hz Ultra HD video output ③In addition, this Type c to Type c cable also has a faster than normal 60W data cable with 100W ultra fast charging. Makes it easy for you to solve all your problems with just one cable.
- 【20Gbps USB C Data Cable】USBC to USBC data transfer cable provides explosive transfer speed up to 20Gbps, connect hard drives and SSDs, Also suitable for phone to laptop data transfer, transfer large files in seconds and save you more work time. Meanwhile, USBC to USBC 3.2 gen 2 20gbps data transfer cable backward compatible with USB 3.1, USB 3.0 and USB 2.0.(*Note: Maximum speeds are achieved when both upstream and downstream devices are Thunderbolt 3/4 interfaces.)
- 【4K@60Hz USB C Cable for Monitor & Plug and Play】Plug and play, no drivers or applications required to use this cable! USB C monitor cord to stream 4K@60Hz (3840*2160) content directly from your phones, tablets, laptops and desktop computers to large screens such as monitors, HDTVs and projectors. You will enjoy stunning Ultra HD video and colorful image quality. (Note: Please make sure your device has a USB-C port and supports DP Alt mode).
- 【5A/100W Fast Charging Cable】USB Type C fast charging cable with E-Marker IC chip, safely charges your devices with up to 100W power. It can fully charge a MacBook Pro 60%, an iPad Pro 75%, a iPhone 15 85%, and a Switch 95% in 35 minutes. Fully satisfies the charging power needs of professionals for MacBooks Pro, Android devices, Samsung and iPad Pro. Charge any USB-C device at maximum speed for timely use and no more waiting. *Note: Requires a C-port adapter of appropriate power.
- 【Dual Vehicle System】 Flawlessly supports CarPlay & Android Auto for seamless navigation/music streaming. 20Gbps ultra-speed — 40× faster than USB 2.0 CarPlay cables with enhanced signal stability.
A single Google account backup is not the same thing as a complete image of your old Pixel. Cloud backup, a manually copied file collection, and an app’s own export protect different kinds of information and have different restore methods. Treat them as complementary rather than interchangeable.
First identify the exact Pixel and its LineageOS page
LineageOS installation procedures are written for a model and codename, not for the Pixel family as a whole. Before touching backup or bootloader settings, identify the phone you actually hold and open that model’s current LineageOS device page.
- Open Settings and search for About phone. Record the model name and any model number shown there.
- Check the phone’s packaging, purchase record, or carrier information if the model name is ambiguous. Similar names such as Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a (5G), Pixel 5, and later generations do not share one universal procedure.
- On the LineageOS website, locate the installation page whose model and codename match your phone. Confirm the supported LineageOS release listed on that page and read its prerequisites before proceeding.
- Use every command, file, button, and warning from that exact page. Do not substitute the Pixel 4a (sunfish) instructions merely because your phone is another Pixel.
The official source used for the backup warning here covers only Google Pixel 4a (sunfish) and LineageOS 22.2. It establishes the need to back up before unlocking, but it does not establish that the same files, sequence, or requirements apply unchanged to another generation.
Use a three-layer backup plan
Compare each backup by what it captures, how you will restore it, and whether it remains independent of the phone being wiped.
| Backup layer | Typical coverage | Restore path | Independence and limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google device backup | Device and app-related data categories that Google lists for your Pixel | Review the backup from your Google account and use the available Android setup or Google One restore flow | Cloud-based and separate from the handset, but the backup details screen defines what is included; it is not proof that every file or private app database is saved |
| Local computer copy | Personal files you can browse and copy, such as photos, downloads, documents, recordings, and videos | Manually copy the files back after LineageOS is running | Independent of Google’s backup categories; it does not automatically capture private app data |
| App-specific export or sync | Information controlled by an individual messaging, authenticator, banking, password-manager, or other app | That app’s import, account sync, recovery, or setup process | Often the only supported route for protected app data; instructions and retention differ by app |
Keep at least one copy somewhere other than the Pixel. If a file exists only on the handset, bootloader unlocking can remove the only copy.
Check what Google has actually backed up
Google’s Pixel Help guidance recommends reviewing backup details rather than assuming that backup is complete. The labels can vary with Android version and device configuration, so use the Settings search field for backup if the menu is not where you expect.
Rank #2
- Move Files Fast: Transfer music, movies, or entire seasons of TV shows in seconds at 40 Gbps.
- HD Display: Connect your laptop to an external monitor to mirror or extend your screen in up to 8K@60Hz or 4K@144Hz.
- Huge Range of Power: Supports a maximum 240W charge when paired up with a compatible charger. Charge virtually any USB-C device from phones and accessories to laptops.
- Built to Last: Proven in lab tests to withstand up to 5,000 bends.
- What You Get: Anker 515 USB-C to USB-C Cable (USB4, 3.3ft), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
- Connect the Pixel to reliable Wi-Fi and power. A backup that is still running or waiting for a connection should not be treated as finished.
- Open the Pixel’s backup settings and inspect the displayed status, including the most recent backup time and the Google account receiving it.
- Open the backup details or category list. Read what the phone says is included instead of relying on a general statement that the device is backed up.
- Check whether the categories you care about are present. Pay particular attention to settings, contacts, messages, call history, and app-related data shown by your device.
- If the screen offers a command to back up now, run it and wait for the status to update. Reopen the details afterward to confirm the new time.
- Make sure you can sign in to that Google account from another device or browser and know the account recovery method. A backup you cannot access is not a dependable restore plan.
The details page is the authority for your phone’s current backup contents. Do not infer that every photograph, download, document, application, application database, or account session is covered merely because a backup timestamp appears.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →What a Google backup does not settle
- It does not replace a browsable copy of irreplaceable files.
- It does not guarantee that a particular app will restore its private database on LineageOS.
- It does not guarantee that an app’s login, encryption key, local-only records, or device-bound credentials will return.
- It does not tell you whether a later LineageOS setup will offer the same restore choices as Google’s Android setup flow.
Copy personal files to a computer and verify them
The Pixel 4a LineageOS instructions recommend backing up retained data to a PC and/or Google account before unlocking. A separate computer copy protects files even if a cloud category is incomplete or a restore process changes.
Prepare the connection
- Use a USB-C cable that supports data transfer, not merely charging. Confirm that its connectors fit both the Pixel and the computer.
- Unlock the Pixel when connecting it and accept any prompt asking whether the computer may access the phone.
- If Android presents a USB preference, select the mode that permits file transfer. A charge-only connection will not expose the folders you need.
- Ensure the computer has enough free storage for the material you intend to copy. If the collection is large, an external drive can serve as an additional destination.
Copy the folders that contain your own files
Browse the phone’s user-accessible storage and copy the folders in which you keep personal material. Common locations include DCIM and Pictures for camera images and screenshots, Download for downloaded files, Documents for documents, Movies for videos, and Recordings for audio or voice recordings. Also inspect folders created by your own workflow, such as a scanner, editing application, or file-management tool.
Do not limit the copy to the folders you remember using recently. Sort the computer copy by file type, date, or folder and look for older projects, exported files, tax or school documents, offline maps, and media stored outside the camera directory. If a file would be painful to recreate, include it explicitly.
Verify the copy before disconnecting
- Wait for the computer’s copy operation to finish and check for any skipped, unreadable, or permission-denied files.
- Open a sample of copied photos, videos, documents, and recordings from the computer, not from the phone. Choose files from different folders and dates.
- Compare the computer folder with the phone’s visible file list. If counts or sizes look unexpectedly different, investigate before proceeding.
- Safely eject or disconnect the Pixel only after the copy and verification are complete.
- If the files are especially important, make a second copy on separate external storage. Keep that destination disconnected after verification so an accidental deletion on the computer does not remove both copies.
This manual copy protects files that are visible and transferable. It is not a claim that private app data, encrypted databases, saved sessions, or app settings have been captured.
Handle important apps one by one
App data needs its own plan because an Android transfer or Google backup does not promise complete restoration to LineageOS. Work through the apps whose loss would lock you out, erase history, or create financial or security problems.
Rank #3
- [ Excellent Performance ] This USB C 3.1 cable connects a portable external USB C 3.1 SSD to a computer for speedy file transfer or syncs and charges Samsung smartphones or tablets equipped with the USB C port. Data synchronization is 20 times faster than USB 2.0 cables (480Mbps). (Does not support video output.)
- [ Fast Charging & High Speed Data Transfer ] This usba to usbc data power cable can sync your favourite photos, videos and music at a data transfer rate of up to 10Gbps(1250MB/s). Files can be synchronised in seconds. In addition, it can quick-charge your USB-C devices at up to 3A safe charging power. Tested charge Samsung Galaxy S22 from 0 to 60% in 30mins with Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 technology.Tips: USB 3.1 Gen 2 renamed to USB 3.2 Gen 2 by USB-IF in 2019.
- [ Extreme Durability & High Quality ] : Unique ABS case with the reinforced connector withstand 10000+ bending test. Durable TPE cable not only stay tangling-free but also flexible enough to be wrapped up and put in a bag ! (PS:The connector shell is wrapped around by a piece of plastic film to protect the shell from scraching ,feel free to remove the film when you use it.)
- [ Universal Compatibility ] This USB C to USB A Charger cable is Compatible with almost all USB-C devices. For Samsung Galaxy S24/S24+/S24 Ultra/S23/S23+/S23 Ultra/S22/S21/S20/S10/S9/Note 20/10/A70/A80/A90/A54, iPhone 16/16 Plus/16 Pro/16 Pro Max, iPhone 15/15 Plus/15 Pro/15 Pro Max, Google Pixel 9/8/7/6/5/, Moto G9/G8/G7/G Pure, LG G7/G6/V50, Sony XZ, Bose 700, GoPro, Nintendo switch, Samsung Galaxy Tab S6, iPad Pro 2018 11''/12.9", Samsung T7/T5, Crucial X8/X6, LaCie Rugged SSD, G-Drive, WD My Passport, Seagate Fast, SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD etc. (OnePlus phones are not supported.)
- [ What You Get ] 1 X Super-Fast USB-A to USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 Cable (3 ft including both ends), our worry-free LIFETIME WARRANTY and friendly customer service. NOTE: If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us, we will be happy to serve you and give you an easy and pleasant shopping experience.
Messaging and social apps
Open each important messaging app and look for its in-app backup, export, linked-device, or account-sync feature. Follow the app’s instructions, record where the backup is stored, and check whether it requires a separate password or restore phrase. A cloud account alone may not include local conversations or media unless the app says it does.
Authenticator and two-factor apps
Before wiping the phone, use the authenticator’s transfer, export, cloud-sync, or account-recovery feature. Save newly issued recovery codes in a secure offline location. Confirm that you have an alternate sign-in method for critical accounts; otherwise, the wipe can leave you unable to approve a login needed to restore other services.
Banking and payment apps
Check the bank or payment app for its device-change, re-registration, or recovery instructions. Note any customer-service or identity-verification step it requires. Do not assume that copying the application or restoring a Google account will preserve device registration, tokens, or transaction history.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Password managers
Confirm that the vault is synchronized or that the service provides a current export or recovery method. Verify that you know the primary password and have any required recovery key. Store an export only as securely as the vault itself; an unprotected file can expose every credential.
Other irreplaceable app data
Review note-taking, journaling, recording, health, finance, creative, and offline-reference apps. For each one, look for an export, account sync, or documented recovery path. If the app offers none, determine whether its data is visible in shared storage and include that exported file in the computer copy. If neither route exists, treat the data as at risk and postpone the installation until you have an acceptable alternative.
Understand Android transfer versus LineageOS restoration
Android’s “Transfer your data to your new Android” guidance describes choosing data to copy during setup and restoring from a Google One backup. That documentation explains an Android transfer workflow; it is not a promise that every item will restore when the destination is LineageOS.
Rank #4
- 【USB C 3.2 High-Speed Data Cable】 USB 3.2 Gen 2 cable supports up to 20Gbps data transfer, moving large files in seconds, not minutes. Compatible with USB4, Thunderbolt 3, and backward compatible with USB 3.1/3.0/2.0. Works with SanDisk, Samsung T7/T5, SSK, Crucial, WD, and USB C NVMe SSD enclosures (actual speed depends on device)
- 【USB C Display Cable 4K@60Hz】 Supports stable UHD video & audio output from laptops to USB C monitors. Compatible with popular 2K/4K displays including Dell S2722DC / S3425DW, LG 34WR55QK-B / 32U631A-B, and Samsung S50GC / S65UA series. Backward compatible with 2K & 1080p
- 【USB C Video Cable for Portable Monitors】 Works with USB C portable monitors for single-cable video output. Supports plug-and-play operation with no drivers required. Compatible with popular portable displays including ARZOPA, KYY, MNN, InnoView, ViewSonic, ASUS ZenScreen, and AOC. Note: Source USB C port must support DP Alt Mode
- 【100W C to C Fast Charging Cable】 Supports PD 3.0 fast charging up to 20V/5A (100W max) for laptops, tablets, smartphones, and other USB C powered devices. Built-in E-Marker chip ensures safe, stable power negotiation with 96W/87W/65W/61W USB C chargers. Delivers the fastest charge your device supports—efficient, reliable, and fully backward compatible
- 【Reliable & Supported】 Designed with a durable nylon braided jacket, this USB-C cable offers improved flexibility and long-lasting performance, tested to endure 40,000+ bends. Tinplate-reinforced connectors help protect against breakage at stress points. With gold-plated USB-C contacts, 86% high-purity tinned copper conductors, and a triple-layer shielding system (graphene + aluminum foil + internal shielding), it ensures reduced interference and consistently stable transmission
Use the transfer documentation to understand the kinds of choices Google may present, but do not use it as a substitute for the three-layer plan. A successful Google backup can still require manual file copying and app-specific recovery after LineageOS is installed. Before wiping, write down which information has a cloud restore path, which exists only in your local copy, and which depends on an individual app.
The pre-unlock gate: do not proceed until every check passes
Use this gate immediately before you follow the bootloader-unlock step on the exact LineageOS device page.
- Model confirmed: The Pixel model and codename match the LineageOS page you intend to use.
- Installation page confirmed: You are following the current instructions for that exact model and supported release, not the Pixel 4a page by analogy.
- Google backup reviewed: You checked the latest status, account, and listed data categories.
- Local files copied: Irreplaceable photos, downloads, documents, recordings, videos, and other personal files exist on a computer or other separate storage.
- Copy verified: You opened representative files from the destination and resolved any copy errors.
- App recovery completed: Messaging, authenticator, banking, password-manager, and other critical apps have completed their own export, sync, or recovery preparation.
- Account access available: You can reach the Google account and critical app accounts, and you have required recovery codes or keys.
- Hardware ready: You have a USB-C data cable and a computer that can store the files and follow the installation page.
If any item is uncertain, stop at the backup stage. Unlocking first cannot be undone by restoring a setting later.
Common failure points and fixes
The backup timestamp is old
Keep the Pixel on power and Wi-Fi, reopen the backup settings, and run the available backup command. If the timestamp does not change, record that limitation and rely on a verified local copy plus app-specific exports rather than assuming the stale backup is current.
The computer sees only a charging phone
Unlock the Pixel, reconnect it, and choose a file-transfer USB mode if prompted. Try another known data-capable USB-C cable or another computer port. A cable that charges successfully can still lack data wiring.
Recommended Free Tools
Some files cannot be copied
Check the destination’s free space and the computer’s error report. Copy accessible files in smaller groups, then inspect the phone for a second location or an app export. Do not treat a folder that completed quickly as proof that every file was readable.
Best Value
- 【Up to 40Gbps Data Sync】Delivers up to 40Gbps high speed transaltion, 4x faster than USB 3.2 cable, 2x faster than previous generation USB4 cable. It can copy 10GB files in seconds, avoid waiting, and effortlessly get everything you want. Plug and play, no drive needed.*The final performance depends on whether your device supports USB4, Thunderbolt 4/3.
- 【240W Rapid Charging】Up to 240W (48/5A) power supply when paired with a compatible charger. Backward compatible with 100W, 140W, 180W in Extended Power Range(EPR). It is ready to provide you with enough power at any time. Equipped E-Marker chip for safety, stability, and battery protection. Support PD 3.1, QC 4.0, FCP, AFC fast charging technology for future proof.
- 【8K HDR Design for Professionals】 Provide a single 8K@60Hz / 5K@60Hz / 4K@144Hz or dual 4K@60Hz display support. Connect your laptop or dock to a monitor and get a crisp detail and 10-bit color depth view. Support MST Daisy Chain, release your efficiency and improve the professionalism of the project.
- 【Future-proofed Compatibility】The USB 4 cable fully supports the function of Thunderbolt 4. Backward compatible with Thunderbolt 3, USB 3.2 Gen 2, USB 3.2 Gen 2 x 2, USB 2.0. It works seamlessly with all Thunderbolt 4 / 3 / Type-C devices. Compatible with Apple Studio Display, Mac Studio, Mac Mini, MacBook, Surface, iPad Pro, iPhone 17/16, docking station, SSD, power bank, GaN charger, etc. We recommend using cables below 5FT when connecting to the docking for stable performance.
- 【Top-Notch Material】Aluminum shell ensures efficient heat dissipation and protects the chip. Experience unprecedented durability with our unique 48-strand braided techniques. It offers 3x protection without tangle and gets worry-free usage. Triple protection with EMI-resistant tinplate, 28 AWG OFC conductors, and stainless steel connectors improves signal quality and ensures long-lasting connections.
An app has no visible backup option
Search the app’s help or account settings for export, sync, transfer, or recovery instructions. If the app stores information only in private storage and provides no supported export, assume that information may not survive the wipe and postpone installation if it is essential.
You depend on a phone-based authenticator
Complete the authenticator’s transfer or export and save recovery codes before unlocking. Test an alternate sign-in route while the old Pixel still works; discovering a missing code after the wipe is too late.
You selected the wrong LineageOS device page
Stop before downloading or flashing anything. Reconfirm the model in About phone and return to the device list. Pixel generations can have different codenames, files, and procedures even when their retail names look similar.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsA compact plan when you have limited time
- Identify the exact Pixel model and open its own LineageOS installation page.
- Review the Google backup details and update the backup if the phone offers that option.
- Copy irreplaceable personal files to a computer with a verified USB-C data connection.
- Open sample files from the computer copy.
- Finish exports, sync, and recovery setup for critical apps, especially authenticators, banking apps, password managers, and messaging apps.
- Confirm account access and recovery codes.
- Only then begin the page’s bootloader-unlock procedure, accepting that the unlock can erase the Pixel.
This sequence preserves the choices that matter: a cloud record you inspected, a separate copy you can browse, and app-specific recovery material that a generic Android restore may not provide.
The Bottom Line
Do not unlock the bootloader until you have inspected Google’s backup details, verified a separate computer copy of important files, and completed recovery steps for critical apps. Use the LineageOS instructions for your exact Pixel model; the Pixel 4a (sunfish) and LineageOS 22.2 page is not a universal Pixel guide.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
