How can I backup / restore Cydia iPhone apps free without iTunes?

There are software packages available to help backup Cydia applications installed on your jailbroken iPhone. Both of the options (PkgBackup and AptBackup) have their advantages but some users don't want to pay $7.99 or be dependent on iTunes to save their list of apps. If this sounds like you, follow these instructions to backup and restore your Cydia apps.

1. Open Cydia and make a note of the Sources you've added. Navigate to Manage -> Sources to find the complete list. BigBoss, ModMyi, repo666, Telesphoreo, and ZodTTD are default sources.
2. Close Cydia and connect to your iPhone using SSH on your computer.
3. Enter the following at the command prompt: dpkg --get-selections > /cydia-backup.txt
4. Transfer the file /cydia-backup.txt from your iPhone to the computer for safekeeping. You can transfer this file from your iPhone using SSH.
5. A list of installed packages is now saved in the cydia-backup.txt file. Cydia app data and the applications themselves are not backed up.

To restore your Cydia apps after updating firmware, re-jailbreaking your iPhone and/or jailbreaking a new device:

1. Open Cydia and make sure OpenSSH, Gawk, and APT 0.7 Strict packages are all installed on your iPhone. If these are missing the below instructions will not work.
2. Transfer the file cydia-backup.txt from your computer to your iPhone root directory (/). You can transfer this file from your iPhone using SSH.
3. Revisit the list of sources you made in the beginning. Add these iPhone sources to your repository list in Cydia.
4. Close Cydia and connect to your iPhone using SSH on your computer.
5. Enter the following commands one at a time in sequence:

dpkg --set-selections apt-get dselect-upgrade
apt-get update
apt-get upgrade
rm /private/var/mobile/Library/Caches/com.apple.mobile.installation.plist

6. Reboot your iPhone. Cydia apps that could be reinstalled with your current jailbroken firmware will appear on the home screen. Tweaks and other packages that are compatible and still available on Cydia should also be installed and operating now.