I've tried and tried to get a number of questions answered here and on the Cyanogenmod forum, but either my questions are extremely advanced and esoteric, or everyone here is just users and developers are somewhere else.
So I'm creating this thread of Mysteries To Science, for all those questions you have which no one is able to answer. I've run Debian exclusively for 14 years and am used to having total control, and the lack of knowledge on Android here is perplexing. I have the Nexus One, but I think these questions apply to essentially all Android phones.
Here are my Mysteries:
Messaging Problem - I use ChompSMS. A couple weeks ago I stopped receiving text messages, about the time I removed the stock Messaging app using Titanium. I can send just fine, but I never receive them.
Anyone seen this problem? Does Chomp use its own system, or does it depend on Messaging? I reinstalled GApps thinking Messaging is there, but it's not. Is it a dependency, and if so where is it? If not, why do I no longer receive and what can I do about it?
App Shortcuts - I created a desktop direct messaging shortcut to call my boss, with a pic of an angry boxer dog. Made the pic as a gif and png with transparent background, although it is ending up as black on the desktop for some reason.
I assigned the pic as the shortcut's icon using Gallery, and I suspect that Gallery is converting the background to black, but I cannot find where app pics are stored either on the SD or /system.
App Sorting - Also like so many others, I have many many apps. I have always categorized my apps, since I started using Debian exclusively 14 years ago. To have all my apps dumped into a giant pile as they are in the N1, is irritating. I installed Apps Organizer, but it seems to want me to tag each app with a category, rather than basically making folders with categories such as Utilities, System, Multimedia, etc.
Is there any way to make folders for the apps?
Calendars - I am not sharing my personal information with That-Search-Engine-Everyone-Uses. (Yes, I've deinstalled all GApps except Market, and use exclusively AppBrain's app to install apps, but still haven't found a way to buy apps in a way I trust) Can anyone recommend a calendar app which is compatible with Linux and M$ calendars, yet doesn't sync with some Outside Authority?
Compass - The magnetometer in this phone is completely unreliable in my experience. Any stray magnetic field throws it off by 18 degrees permanently. The only way I've found to almost calibrate it is with the Compass app Calibrate function, but to run that before any other app which requires a compass is a headache. Is there something I'm doing wrong?
SD Card - What relation does the SD card have to the system? Why is it that when I install an app to the SD card, its widget is no longer available and its daemon will not run? Is there some way to add the SD card to the kernel's awareness for these purposes?
Factory Reset - If I back up system and apps using Titanium, and desktop and ADW settings using ADW, and export contacts, is that enough?
What are the data structures in Android? I know there's the kernel, and ADW is the full user interface, but where are contacts stored? Where are apps, /system/apps?, and if so where are their config files? Where are the desktops configured, and where are the shortcuts+icons stored? I can't find any such config files, and the only one I know of is the central system config file /system/build.prop.
How to recover my contacts? Apps installed in phone memory? Would a restore, restore whatever is ostensibly messing up the compass?
So given wherever these data structures are, what effect does a factory reset have? Exactly which data structures does it wipe/replace?
Quantumstate said:
Here are my Mysteries:
SD Card - What relation does the SD card have to the system? Why is it that when I install an app to the SD card, its widget is no longer available and its daemon will not run? Is there some way to add the SD card to the kernel's awareness for these purposes?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android seems to boot from ROM before the SD card, once the OS is up and running then it starts to mount the SD card, so any widgets you have installed on homescreens while residing on the SD card won't load when first booting. You need to keep all of your widgets on the phones internal memory to stop this problem recurring. If you are having memory shortages you might want to consider using ROM Manager, partitioning your SD card and using an A2SD (App to SD Card) ROM that will install apps to the SD card instead of internal memory.
App Shortcuts - I created a desktop direct messaging shortcut to call my boss, with a pic of an angry boxer dog. Made the pic as a gif and png with transparent background, although it is ending up as black on the desktop for some reason.
I assigned the pic as the shortcut's icon using Gallery, and I suspect that Gallery is converting the background to black, but I cannot find where app pics are stored either on the SD or /system.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use Gallery in conjunction with Launcher Pro to display my custom dock icons it works just fine. It sounds to me like you're not making one of the layers transparent before saving it as a PNG.
Kalavere said:
Android seems to boot from ROM before the SD card, once the OS is up and running then it starts to mount the SD card, so any widgets you have installed on homescreens while residing on the SD card won't load when first booting. You need to keep all of your widgets on the phones internal memory to stop this problem recurring. If you are having memory shortages you might want to consider using ROM Manager, partitioning your SD card and using an A2SD (App to SD Card) ROM that will install apps to the SD card instead of internal memory.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ya, it -only- boots from the 'ROM' (firmware). Need to keep thos apps that have widgets and daemons installed on the phone, or else they won't work. This is what I'm saying. Am using A2SD as it's built-in to CM6, so must move those apps with widgets and daemons back to the phone. None of this addresses why the system can't load a widget from the SD after boot, nor whether there's a way to tell the kernel about SD widgets.
Kalavere said:
I use Gallery in conjunction with Launcher Pro to display my custom dock icons it works just fine. It sounds to me like you're not making one of the layers transparent before saving it as a PNG.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Examining the images in Linux viewers shows the transparency. (checkerboard background) Viewing it in Gallery does not. gif and png both support transparent background, but it appears to me that Gallery does not.
Quantumstate said:
Messaging Problem - I use ChompSMS. A couple weeks ago I stopped receiving text messages, about the time I removed the stock Messaging app using Titanium. I can send just fine, but I never receive them.
Anyone seen this problem? Does Chomp use its own system, or does it depend on Messaging? I reinstalled GApps thinking Messaging is there, but it's not. Is it a dependency, and if so where is it? If not, why do I no longer receive and what can I do about it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I suggest you break down the Mms.apk and look in there. It does have dependencies, they're written into a file inside the apk telling it where to send the message and where to check for messages. It also contains the user agent information. If you could some how pack that into chomp or another mms/sms app then you might be able to delete the stock app and push/install your choice messaging app to the system.
You no longer get messages (I assume) because when you're sent an sms/mms it sits on your carriers server while it sends a message to your phone (you don't see it) telling it that there's a message waiting to be retrieved. It's expecting a certain response about the phones state and type. If the format is incorrect or it doesn't get a response then the message just sits on the server. To send a message I believe it just uses apn settings to contact the server with 'wait for message' then the server responds 'ready' the phone sends it and all is well. It doesn't request the phones state and type and therefor the lack of a UA has no effect. Of course that's my understanding of how it works but I could be a little off here or there
Thanks KCRic. I did a factory reset and installed CM6.1-RC1, and now I'm getting texts. I find that this has happened to others too. I expected to get an avalanche of texts when I factory reset, but nothing. At least I'm receiving them now.
I'm surprised to read that files are actually modified on-the-fly inside apk's. This would explain alot of things. Is there a way to manually modify those files using some sort of apk tool?
Quantumstate said:
App Sorting - Also like so many others, I have many many apps. I have always categorized my apps, since I started using Debian exclusively 14 years ago. To have all my apps dumped into a giant pile as they are in the N1, is irritating. I installed Apps Organizer, but it seems to want me to tag each app with a category, rather than basically making folders with categories such as Utilities, System, Multimedia, etc.
Is there any way to make folders for the apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are using adw you can set up groups in the app drawer. Not quite the same as folders but pretty useful
Quantumstate said:
Factory Reset - If I back up system and apps using Titanium, and desktop and ADW settings using ADW, and export contacts, is that enough?
What are the data structures in Android? I know there's the kernel, and ADW is the full user interface, but where are contacts stored? Where are apps, /system/apps?, and if so where are their config files? Where are the desktops configured, and where are the shortcuts+icons stored? I can't find any such config files, and the only one I know of is the central system config file /system/build.prop.
How to recover my contacts? Apps installed in phone memory? Would a restore, restore whatever is ostensibly messing up the compass?
So given wherever these data structures are, what effect does a factory reset have? Exactly which data structures does it wipe/replace?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried my backuppro for backing up your contacts and apps. There is a free version that will work for 30days. I personally never restore anything with TB, as it causes me no end of headaches. I use my backup pro to backup my personal data, ( contacts, sms, mms, dictionary, calendar etc ) I use applist to save a txt file with a list of apps i have installed. Then just reinstall the apps via market or diect push. This is just my personal o
I do this on a fairly regular basis ( trying different roms ) and can do it about 15mins
Related
I'm no developer, scripter, or any type of person with a thorough understanding of software but I will try to offer a suggestion to those who wish to give me the time of day.
After flashing countless ROMs looking for the fastest and most simple platform to use everyday I have discovered a few things that might help if people agree with me or not. After loading every ROM and first booting... I realize that Advanced Task Manager shows the available system memory at less than half and i haven't even started running apps or installing programs yet. Processes start when the phone boots up that are running in background (asleep but still using system resources) and i believe that a fair percentage of them are not required by the everyday user.
Why is Alarm Clock running in the background when i haven't started it? Why is Email client running and i haven't setup exchange or an email account? Messaging, Maps, Settings, Gallery, these all start up without being physically executed and are using resources. If there is a reason for them to be there like not being able to receive SMS if Messaging is not running, then that is fine and im an idiot... But if there is no need to startup the application from boot then why do it?
My second point is when packages are installed as the ROM is flashed, they cant be uninstalled right? well what if we didnt want tethering apps and facebook apps and proprietary software (Moto apps)? Most of these are available in the market and if not, a 5 min Google search will find an .apk on the net anyway.
So how about a bare bones install with the essentials and nothing else? Youtube, Phone, Messaging, Gmail, Contacts, MT Browser , Maps, Calculator... then anything else can be added at the users will.
If anyone else has something to say... or prove me wrong, then please elaborate.
If you delete the alarm clock task, you're likely to sleep into the morning as the alarm won't go off in the morning. Mail is probably needed for pop3 checks (I rely on my google account).
Anyway, I usualy remove the apps widgets from the ZIP which I don't need prior to flashing, resulting in a liter ROM and less processes which I don't need running in background.
I also used to add the apps I use (ASTRO...) directly into /system/app prior to flashing, putting them to the system partition and ... at this point I am not sure.... this leaves one with more space (internal memory) accessible for apps from market (if you do not use APP2SD). I stopped however doing so, as this makes ROM upgrading painful, as you do have to prepare each .zip before flash.
With regard to operating memory you preferably use either Taskkiller or have your systems autokill file optimized as many ROMS do (CursorSense). Refer to http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=622666
I'm not Linux-guy but I know that Android does this to put those programs in memory ASAP because those are usually the first few apps many people use once they boot up their phone -- meaning those apps, when opened, will quickly open and run faster.
Remember, Linux is made to handle all those opened apps and resources; "Unused RAM is useless RAM".
hol17 said:
I'm not Linux-guy but I know that Android does this to put those programs in memory ASAP because those are usually the first few apps many people use once they boot up their phone -- meaning those apps, when opened, will quickly open and run faster.
Remember, Linux is made to handle all those opened apps and resources; "Unused RAM is useless RAM".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct!!
People have to stop comparing Android (linux) with WinMo devices, they handle RAM completely different.
dione1200 said:
Correct!!
People have to stop comparing Android (linux) with WinMo devices, they handle RAM completely different.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, true.... and well known. However Linux was developped for servers and not mobile phones.
Launching an application into free RAM is slower than pulling it from a suspended state. So much is true.
But first having to free up up RAM (by killing tasks) before launching the application into the freed up RAM is certainly slower than launching into free RAM. Probably that's why guys are tweaking around, as noted in the link of my post above. Also in my opinion the default settings are not optimal, that's why I use tweaked settings. Probably that depends on how you use your phone.
But I agree. Coming from Windows the whole LINUX concept is a f**** nightmare. There are thousands of different methods (Cache/Compcache/ Ext Cache)...
So it's good to have an expert around. Could you please enlight me, whether the system partition is of fixed size or size is been alocated during flashing. In other words, is the Userdata size fixed or depending on the system size? .... and is there a benefit of putting apps to the /system/app as they will go to system parition and I will have more internal storage available?
Thanks in advance.
feicher said:
So it's good to have an expert around. Could you please enlight me, whether the system partition is of fixed size or size is been alocated during flashing. In other words, is the Userdata size fixed or depending on the system size? .... and is there a benefit of putting apps to the /system/app as they will go to system parition and I will have more internal storage available?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your Android Device is divided Into partitions -> (Device memory)
1. Hboot (spl)
2. Radio
3. Data (Where u store ur data apps / passwords / other thing)
4. Cache (temp)
5. System (system dump)
6. Boot (to start the device)
so on
Now partition of memory card is important becoz
1. EXT2/3/4 More Amount of Data Section -> if device memory is less
2. Swap -> To fast up the system
*I m Not best Explaination giving person but i think this is understandable language in which i hav written
I think I side with the OP on this one, I would rather have a rom with less in it and then choose to install Amazon MP3 or whatever by myself. Generally speaking you could argue less apps = better performance, as there will be less happening in the background. That said, I have included Facebook in my rom.
However Linux was developped for servers and not mobile phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not really true, Linux is just the kernel and can be ported to anything, it's been in embedded small devices for years and not just installed on servers.
ahmgsk said:
Your Android Device is divided Into partitions -> (Device memory)
1. Hboot (spl)
2. Radio
3. Data (Where u store ur data apps / passwords / other thing)
4. Cache (temp)
5. System (system dump)
6. Boot (to start the device)
so on
Now partition of memory card is important becoz
1. EXT2/3/4 More Amount of Data Section -> if device memory is less
2. Swap -> To fast up the system
*I m Not best Explaination giving person but i think this is understandable language in which i hav written
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much for the feedback! Most appreciated and helps me to improve my general understanding . I find it really hard to come by information, that is not absolutely basic or high level expert.
Thanks again.
Ive got a clock radio that wakes me up... if i have lagging issues with my phone what i do is use advanced task manager to stop all processes im not using (alarm clock, maps, messaging, email, etc) and everything runs fast again.
No use in reboot cause all the apps start again from boot.
ive tried removing zips from rom before flashing... when i goto upgrade the update stops cause of the missing files > incomplete manifest. is this cause you have to re-zip and sign it?
You can either do that and re-sign the zip file.
OR you could just close this thread and use adb to remove things that you dont want from the ROMs.
PS. root explorer also works wonders.
feicher said:
If you delete the alarm clock task, you're likely to sleep into the morning as the alarm won't go off in the morning. Mail is probably needed for pop3 checks (I rely on my google account).
Anyway, I usualy remove the apps widgets from the ZIP which I don't need prior to flashing, resulting in a liter ROM and less processes which I don't need running in background.
I also used to add the apps I use (ASTRO...) directly into /system/app prior to flashing, putting them to the system partition and ... at this point I am not sure.... this leaves one with more space (internal memory) accessible for apps from market (if you do not use APP2SD). I stopped however doing so, as this makes ROM upgrading painful, as you do have to prepare each .zip before flash.
With regard to operating memory you preferably use either Taskkiller or have your systems autokill file optimized as many ROMS do (CursorSense). Refer to http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=622666
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
when i try to remove an app from a ZIP it wont let me flash the ROM. even when i replace an app with a newer version renaming it to match the one im replacing, it still doesnt work. what do i have to edit in order to allow the update to go through?
You need to sign the zip file again. Google signing ROMs, its the first thing that pops up.
I am trying to figure out how exactly Android Market knows which apps you have downloaded/deleted on your phone, so that when you flash a new rom, etc., it will automatically download your apps.
The last time I flashed a ROM, market did NOT add the apps from my previous rom, but it has done this every other time.
After logging into my Market account from a computer, but it shows a list of the apps I have downloaded in general. It does NOT "sync" which apps I currently have on my phone, and those I have deleted.
Is there a way to edit this list through the Market so that the next time I format my phone only the apps I specifically choose will automatically be sent to my phone?
The time that the apps did NOT come back automatically, I also formatted my microSD and only put a fraction of the files/folders back on it. Is the "list" saved to the microSD card?
Also I find it strange the way my contacts will come back to my phone. After the first "sync" it will only put a fraction of my contacts onto my phone, and it is the same people every time - a very random selection of the contacts, but the same selection every time. THEN after waiting 5 minutes or so, the rest follow. So I am wondering why the phone grabs this particular fraction of contacts first?
Use titanium backup.
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA App
weregoingunion said:
I am trying to figure out how exactly Android Market knows which apps you have downloaded/deleted on your phone, so that when you flash a new rom, etc., it will automatically download your apps.
The last time I flashed a ROM, market did NOT add the apps from my previous rom, but it has done this every other time.
After logging into my Market account from a computer, but it shows a list of the apps I have downloaded in general. It does NOT "sync" which apps I currently have on my phone, and those I have deleted.
Is there a way to edit this list through the Market so that the next time I format my phone only the apps I specifically choose will automatically be sent to my phone?
The time that the apps did NOT come back automatically, I also formatted my microSD and only put a fraction of the files/folders back on it. Is the "list" saved to the microSD card?
Also I find it strange the way my contacts will come back to my phone. After the first "sync" it will only put a fraction of my contacts onto my phone, and it is the same people every time - a very random selection of the contacts, but the same selection every time. THEN after waiting 5 minutes or so, the rest follow. So I am wondering why the phone grabs this particular fraction of contacts first?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've also been wondering this very same thing. Here's what I've learned, so far:
If you bypass the very first Google sign-in after flashing a new rom, market won't restore your apps (as per gtgx65x).
Under settings > privacy, there's a 'Backup My Settings' option. From reading the Google mobile web page, my understanding is that this is what controls app backup/restore, among other things.
Apparently, and I have yet to actually experiment with this, if you toggle it off, it will "clear" the backups that currently reside on Google servers. Toggling it back on would of course back up your app list, and other things, as it exists currently.
This would be helpful for those who find that when market starts restoring things, it restores *too* much, as in apps you had long since uninstalled, as is the case with me. Market is remembering and reinstalling stuff I haven't had on my phone for quite some time.
Inspired Ace 1.0.1¦ XDA Premium
Force2SD moves user (not system) apps to SD that the OS normally doesn't allow movement of. Needs root and 2.2.
Source code available.
Official release is now in Market. For test versions, click the source code link.
I added apk file size to the display.
By the way, one reason I like this even for apps that can be moved to SD in normal ways is that it does its scan much faster, at least in my configuration, than apps2sd or Settings|Applications.
And I also added an option to move apks back from SD to internal storage.
is it normal that it only shows userapps? eg. maps, facebook etc does not show up on the list
doenis said:
is it normal that it only shows userapps? eg. maps, facebook etc does not show up on the list
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't show things in the system partition--those shouldn't be taking space away from user apps. Are these apps in the system partition (/system/app)?
yes, they are in the /system/app folder. are you saying that moving those apps to the sd wouldn't count towards free space on hte device? i am looking for a way to move maps to the sd, as it takes up the most space of all the apps that can't be moved.
doenis said:
yes, they are in the /system/app folder. are you saying that moving those apps to the sd wouldn't count towards free space on hte device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right: the /system/app folder is on a separate partition. Normally, apps install in /data.
This seems like a great tool for full wipes prior to loading a new ROM. Then TiBu would only be needed for the app data correct?
Sent from my Thunderbolt using the Tapatalk app.
Is there something different to "pm setInstallLocation 2"?
Nice app, it also seems to be working on android gingerbread (NAND HD2) 2.3
Edit: Except for widgets. but that's no problem
Great idea. Downloaded. Moved 2 apps to SD, then checked out list for SD to Phone (nothing moved, just looking around) and got a FC. Will keep for a while to check out future updates.
Ideas for future:
-app icons (so you can tell WHICH angry birds app you're moving )
-file size before / after move
-total available space
-multi-select (something that would GREATLY improve the app over settings)
Keep it up!
Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide using XDA App
only froyo huh.. =( great work though
Thank you.
i just wanted to check, can moving some of these apps that can't be moved normally cause the apps to stop working or should they just all carry on working as normal?
thanks for the great app
maff90
Hi,
this app is very good.
Add to Market!
with friendly greet
starbase64
Thanks seems to work on cricket zio froyo. Thanks again
Mustang302LX said:
This seems like a great tool for full wipes prior to loading a new ROM. Then TiBu would only be needed for the app data correct?
Sent from my Thunderbolt using the Tapatalk app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know if it would work. On my Archos 43 when apps are moved to storage, the OS does not include them in packages.xml when it generates a fresh packages.xml after resetting Android. As a result, storage can contain orphan apps after a reset. Of course, if you restore packages.xml from a backup, that should work.
I just back /data up with tar.
maff90 said:
i just wanted to check, can moving some of these apps that can't be moved normally cause the apps to stop working or should they just all carry on working as normal?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apps that are moved don't get their on-boot notification. If they absolutely need their on-boot notification to function (e.g., apps that start up some service on boot), they won't work. Likewise, input method apps (e.g., Swype) won't be available after a boot, though you might be able to enable it manually afterwards in the Settings. I wouldn't move Android Market. I did move Amazon App Store and AppsLib with no problems, though. I don't know what happens if you move a browser helper, like a pdf viewer or flash--these might need to register on boot or something like that.
See here for more information: http://developer.android.com/guide/appendix/install-location.html
Moreover, it's probably better not to move tiny apps, because apps moved to storage take longer to have their icons show up in the launcher after a boot. I moved most of my apps that are over 200kb.
If an app doesn't work after being moved, just move it back.
saynotopunx said:
Great idea. Downloaded. Moved 2 apps to SD, then checked out list for SD to Phone (nothing moved, just looking around) and got a FC. Will keep for a while to check out future updates.
Ideas for future:
-app icons (so you can tell WHICH angry birds app you're moving )
-file size before / after move
-total available space
-multi-select (something that would GREATLY improve the app over settings)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
0. I wonder about the crash. If you have adb set up and can duplicate the crash in the latest version (I posted 0.10), watch with adb logcat to see where the crash happens and send me the log.
1. App icons will really slow down the application list fetching. Maybe I could include app icons in the list for moving to SD, but the list for moving from SD is very slow.
2. The file size I show is the apk file size. This does not change with the move as far as I know.
3. Total available space shows up in the current version.
4. That's more work than I want to do.
Some more answers and comments;
1. I uploaded version 0.10. This fixes hangs in low memory situations due to the package installed broadcast being sent to all apps. The solution is drastic: as soon as the packagemanager reports success, I kill the thread. This may cause some problems. Let me know if it does. Seems to work fine for me, though. Also, version 0.10 lets you conveniently delete apps right from the list--just do a long-hold on the app, and you get an uninstall option.
2. Force2SD works pretty much like pm setInstallLocation 2, except it moves apps individually, after they were installed. I don't want to set all my apps to install automatically in storage. If you want to duplicate its functionality manually, what it does is: pm install -r -s /data/app/filename.apk
3. I don't really want to spend $25 at this point to register with Android Market. Once my open source astronomy app is done, I'll want to do that, I guess.
4. For people who want icons to tell different versions of Angry Birds apart, I have a simple "solution": just move them all to SD--they're large apks, and you'll save a lot of space. (Actually, they can be moved with the standard OS tools.)
I have recently purchased a Samsung Galaxy S2. I have the phone set up the way i like it but i wish to try different OS versions which will require rooting and wiping my phone so a few questions regarding backups:
1) Currently i have my gmail contacts and facebook contacts "linked" together. I believe this is only stored locally on my phone. Is there a way i can save all this contact info so when i log back in to my profile in the future it will all be seamlessly placed as it was.
2) Currently i have a whole batch of homescreens with icons and widgets and my applications screen with every app in a "folder" can i back these up exactly as they are?
3) Within various different applications there are different options or save games and various things like that, are these easily accessible and able to be backed up
4) Finally can i just do an "image" of my phone and if i wipe it and mess about then simply restore that image back to exactly how it was?
Cheers for any help
boxrick,
Can't answer specifically for the Galaxy S2 as I don't have it, and because Android is "pimped" in various ways by different device makers some of the homescreens/layouts are custom implemented, and best backed up by the methods appropriate for--or offered by--that device.
Having said that, if you are using Google market, a lot of stuff (like the apps obviously) is automatically saved with them. Or the apps themselves can be backed up with any good file manager, like Astro, to an SD card or via USB.
I can't answer you about the Gmail & Facebook contacts being "linked together", but from experience most items are stored in the Google Contacts data-fields and stored remotely in your Google account (and therefore restored from there straightaway)
I have multiple Android devices, and to tell you the truth I pretty much just copy everything "en-masse" to a hard drive. If you're rooted, it's fairly easy to pull down almost everything this way. You're just dealing with files and folders, just like on your regular computer (which is why I'm pretty much done with anything "black-box" like formerly iphone/ipad, btw )
If you're looking for a "set-it-and-forget-it" type app, I don't currently use any, but on my travels I've seen a few "names" tossed around with good reviews. You can research
MyBackup Pro
Sprite Backup
Those two are pretty well known full-blown-backup type apps. They're paid apps, but cheap.
I've heard of The Missing Sync which takes a different approach by syncing all your data to a Windows or Mac desktop for backup and also for re-distribution to other devices. Sort of like a "data-centralizer" type approach, which might be up your alley. I think the app runs about $40 though.
Finally, I do use the free LifeSaver 2 app for important SMS messages and call logs-- picked it up over at F-droid.org. It's for pretty specific data types, but it's this stuff that usually is the hardest to save (since I don't actually know where it is when I backup the entire root directory + subs & files).
Hope the above gives you some ideas. My general advice would be to research, read the boards, with special attention to the threads dedicated to the Galaxy S2, because the other users have gone before you
And btw, if you find something really cool (including if one of the apps above turn out to help you), make sure you come back and post your findings. I'm always on the lookout for a "gem" app that makes my life easier.
Good luck!
Apps: Titanium.
Data: MyBackup.
MyBackup does a much better job at saving your contacts than Google does. MyBackup restores them exactly as they were, Google often loses custom fields and messes up your contact names. Just look at the mess when you sync a contact called "Al's Pizza (open 'till midnight)" back from Google. It also gets the timestamps on SMSs right, which most competitors don't.
You could forget about Tit and backup your apps with MyB too, but then you miss out on all the different batch jobs that come with Tit.
There's one thing that all backup apps choke on: widgets. I always have to set 'em up again after a wipe/restore job.
Can't titanium backup both apps & data?
Titanium can backup user data, sort of.
Restoring user data with Tit is not as straightforward as with MyB. They should add a user data screen so you don't have to hunt for your data in a long list of apps.
One final question, if I was to change from Android Phone A to Android Phone B. Will these "apps" and backups be able to restored to a totally different phone?
rogier666 said:
There's one thing that all backup apps choke on: widgets. I always have to set 'em up again after a wipe/restore job.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
rogier, what widget app do you use? I use Elixir, and in it there's an option to export widget data. Search for the "edit widgets" button, click it and you'll be taken to a pane where all the widgets are replaceable. Below it, you'll see a "More" button--that's where the import/export widgets button is. After you export widgets settings (you have to type in a name for it), Elixir then saves that exact config. After flashing a ROM and restoring via Ti, you can then choose to add back your widgets via the "Import" button. Remember though: if you want to bring back a 5x5 widget, you have to choose "5x5" widget after long pressing on a blank space, otherwise the widget won't restore properly. With this, you can have as many widgets you want and not worry about the tedious process of reconstructing them after a restore.
do you have to use the paid for version of titanium?
boxrick said:
One final question, if I was to change from Android Phone A to Android Phone B. Will these "apps" and backups be able to restored to a totally different phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you can with Google . Go to Settings --> Privacy --> Back up my data.
When you buy your new phone, select restore my data. At first you won't see any difference, but after a few hours your apps will be restored
Borat38 said:
rogier, what widget app do you use? I use Elixir...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right now I've got Widgetsoid, DroidStats, Smooth Calendar, PlayerPro, DroidWall, Make Your Own Clock, and seNotes on my home screens.
Some widget apps have a backup option, some only come in one flavor (like DroidWall) so they don't really need a backup option. But others (like most notes widgets) don't have any backup option at all.
This is really annoying for the sticky notes widgets, because it's often impossible to remember what info you'd have to put back in them (which is why you wrote it in a note to begin with).
So I'd really like a one click option to back up and restore all my widgets.
thetinybus said:
do you have to use the paid for version of titanium?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, you don't. The free version backs up everything too. It just takes more clicks to restore your stuff.
The free version of MyBackup only restores to the same phone that it backed up, so if you want to use MyBackup to transfer your data to a new phone you'll need the paid version.
I have purchased MybackupPro. The problem is I am fairly confident it will not back up my linked contacts. Therefore I need to root my phone and use TI backup...
Id like to post here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1125414&page=12 and find out about after unrooting, flashing back to the default kernel ( for warranty purposes ). Need 10 posts
Now it seems I am getting restrictions on the amount of times I am posting. This also doesn't help me much!
I randomly started getting 2 notifications; one saying I had low memory, a second that I was running out of space. When I clicked on the notification, I get 'attached image' screen. (I have never clicked on the start test button, it's big, and red... It scares me!)
I've done a fair bit of searching but can't find any topics/posts (searching "speed up your Android" is a bit of a nightmare...)
So, yeah. Has anyone seen this before? I have removed the last 3-4 apps I installed, but no change. I was using L launcher until it started overriding my screen with ads for a couple of apps. This would occur when I had installed a new app via playstore. After uninstalling, those ads have gone..
Any thoughts or help will be appreciated.
Cheers,
Franklee99 said:
I randomly started getting 2 notifications; one saying I had low memory, a second that I was running out of space. When I clicked on the notification, I get 'attached image' screen. (I have never clicked on the start test button, it's big, and red... It scares me!)
I've done a fair bit of searching but can't find any topics/posts (searching "speed up your Android" is a bit of a nightmare...)
So, yeah. Has anyone seen this before? I have removed the last 3-4 apps I installed, but no change. I was using L launcher until it started overriding my screen with ads for a couple of apps. This would occur when I had installed a new app via playstore. After uninstalling, those ads have gone..
Any thoughts or help will be appreciated.
Cheers,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That picture tells me you don't own your device, someone else does. For starters, reinstall your current rom with the complete wipe and I mean wiping internal sd too. Remove your simcard before rebooting. Then get root, because if you don't, that would mean that Android system owns your phone. Just because you don't have root does not mean that system apps don't: They do (and you don't). So, get root, set it up for prompt and deselect "trust system user". You don't want to trust anything. Second, get Afwall from F-Droid and allow internet only for apps you use: browser, messaging etc. Don't allow system apps to connect to the internet. I mean none. Second, don't get any app that has ads. Period. If you do, you will always end up in a situation shown on your photo. There are many more things you can do: just read this forum, but these limited steps should protect you from major threats.
Ah, bugger. Thought that may be the response...
When do I reinsert sim card? And I'm guessing I can't use the .zip of the ROM currently stored in my internal storage?
Thanks for your reply.
Franklee99 said:
Ah, bugger. Thought that may be the response...
When do I reinsert sim card? And I'm guessing I can't use the .zip of the ROM currently stored in my internal storage?
Thanks for your reply.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can reinsert the sim card once you setup the firewall and whitelist the apps that are allowed internet access (all others - denied). You can still use zip files that contain a good rom. You can flash that rom and then format SD card before rebooting (you can also transfer known good apps to your external SD or PC and later put them back).
optimumpro said:
You can reinsert the sim card once you setup the firewall and whitelist the apps that are allowed internet access (all others - denied). You can still use zip files that contain a good rom. You can flash that rom and then format SD card before rebooting (you can also transfer known good apps to your external SD or PC and later put them back).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, cool. So to confirm, you don't believe any .zip or .apk that I'm 100% sure were safe downloads (roms, gapps, playstore backup apks etc), might be infected? (They are stored in internal storage (HTC M7)). I was going to clear everything but if you believe them to be safe I'll keep some of my backed-up apps etc to save redownloading again.. (My current rom and gapps files too for that matter...)
Thanks for taking the time to help me out. :good:
Also, is there a windose virus scanner that's any good at scanning .apks etc for Android nasties??
Thanks.
Franklee99 said:
Okay, cool. So to confirm, you don't believe any .zip or .apk that I'm 100% sure were safe downloads (roms, gapps, playstore backup apks etc), might be infected? (They are stored in internal storage (HTC M7)). I was going to clear everything but if you believe them to be safe I'll keep some of my backed-up apps etc to save redownloading again.. (My current rom and gapps files too for that matter...)
Thanks for taking the time to help me out. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no way I can tell you that the apps or roms you have (which are unknown to me) are safe. It is your call. There is plenty of garbage in playstore. I, for example, don't use gapps or anything Google. I have no google services framework, so there is no way for Google to know what is on my device. Google even does not know I have android: when I login to my gmail (using web browser), I get an e-mail saying someone using Linux just logged in the account). So, I would transfer internal SD somewhere else and then examine each app (you can do it in store) to see if there are any ads. Apps that have ads are no go...
Good luck.