Is there a way to...

[tinpusher]

copy the /data/app folder to the sdcard without root access?

I have been trying to figure this one out. This would permit someone to backup their apps without having to use one of the soon-to-be retail apps. MyBackup can copy and zip-up the /data/app folder and then restore it later. That application does not have root access so how is this accomplished?

It would seem a fairly simple process but it appears that ls and cp can not be used at the $ in the /data directory or any of the sub-directories from within terminal emulator. Keep in mind that the user obviously has write permissions for that directory tree otherwise we could not install apps.

Anyway, sorry for rambling on, and I know this isn't a very well composed posting but my brain kind of just dumped out on the keyboard while writing this.

So does anyone have any ideas how one might accomplish this seemingly simple task?

Thanks!

[living_sword]

It is done through the SDK. Android SDK has a functionality through which applications can read content of /data, you can't do that through console/commands.