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Searched and didn't find this specific question or anything close - so I'll post
I've been flashing roms a lot now that I've got the hang of it, but I think I was creating a problem for myself with titanium backup, which I think I've maybe now solved, but I'm not absolutely sure.
On the last couple of nighlies of CM that I've flashed I've been getting unfixable FC of the phone app (rom manager fix permissions didn't fix it and neither did wiping dalvik cache).
So I flashed ns-collab and I like it, but today I got the same FC problems and had to restore my nandroid to get the phone working (I was at work).
NS-collab is meant to be stable so I was starting to think that it's not the roms that are at fault but something I'm doing, and I had a feeling it was what I do with TB. So here is exactly what I do when I flash a new rom.
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I have TB set to "backup all user apps". That's it - no system data.
Before flashing the rom (even if it's just an update) I clear data, cache, and dalvik cache.
When I've got the new rom flashed I do not allow google backup to restore my stuff as I want it done with TB.
In TB restore I run "Restore all apps with data". When I do this I select the app+data checkbox in TB before clicking "Run the batch operation".
___________________________
So, I had a look at the apps that get restored when I run TB "Restore all apps with data", and I noticed there is quite a lot of android stuff in there like the dialler and lots of other services that are part of the android os and don't need restored with TB really.
I've just flashed the updated version of ns-collab and I removed all these android services from the TB restore before I ran it so I'll see if any problems crop up now.
But my question is, was I causing the phone to be unstable by allowing these android services to be restored by TB. Remember I did not select to restore system data, but I am wondering if system data was restored anyway because there were android apps in the list and I had the app+data option selected.
Hope the above isn't confusing and any advice will be appreciated.
Lot of information but I say you found your problem yourself.
I have not had issues in the past restoring: bookmarks, contacts/calls storage, SMS/MMS/APN Dialer storage, SMS/MMS PREFS etc.
I do think you are giving yourself a little extra work than needed. It is not necessary to do a data wipe before updating a ROM, wiping cache and dalvik cache should be sufficient and a lot of people don't even do that. Of course a good clean wipe every now and then is good and gives you that warm fuzzy feeling inside like after you change the oil in your car
In general, I do not recommend a full batch restore like restore all apps and data. I find when restoring with TB it is a good time to clean up and only restore the apps your really want back on your phone. I also do a batch restore, de-select all and just go down the list and pick out the stuff I HAVE to have.
irishrally said:
I have not had issues in the past restoring: bookmarks, contacts/calls storage, SMS/MMS/APN Dialer storage, SMS/MMS PREFS etc.
I do think you are giving yourself a little extra work than needed. It is not necessary to do a data wipe before updating a ROM, wiping cache and dalvik cache should be sufficient and a lot of people don't even do that. Of course a good clean wipe every now and then is good and gives you that warm fuzzy feeling inside like after you change the oil in your car
In general, I do not recommend a full batch restore like restore all apps and data. I find when restoring with TB it is a good time to clean up and only restore the apps your really want back on your phone. I also do a batch restore, de-select all and just go down the list and pick out the stuff I HAVE to have.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you are right about me giving myself work. Because I'm still a noob I'm still over cautious I think.
Maybe I'll try doing it your way. Sounds sensible.
Anybody know definitively whether me restoring everything via all apps and data would have contributed to the FCs I have been getting?
buachaille said:
I think you are right about me giving myself work. Because I'm still a noob I'm still over cautious I think.
Maybe I'll try doing it your way. Sounds sensible.
Anybody know definitively whether me restoring everything via all apps and data would have contributed to the FCs I have been getting?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you try fixing permissions? I only use the batch for Backup all user apps.
Backing up bookmarks.. I use BookmarkSB and SMS (i know theres a app for that) but i use GVoice so i dont need it
I've never had a problem restoring user apps with data. Instead of restoring all, choose restore missing user apps with data or something like that.
Although, I've had problems restoring SMS and certain data for system apps on the NS. Can't figure out why it doesn't work but whatever.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
I would suggest you install app2sd & move your application to the sd-card. Each time you flash a new rom just wipe the /cache, dalvik-cache and battery stats. This is all you would ever require.
Thanks for all the replies. Quite a few suggestions there which I will try out.
Didn't have any FC problems at all at work today, so I'm hoping my more cautious restore last night might have done the trick.
buachaille said:
Thanks for all the replies. Quite a few suggestions there which I will try out.
Didn't have any FC problems at all at work today, so I'm hoping my more cautious restore last night might have done the trick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah FCs happen when you backup system apps / bookmarks etc. It could interfere
Hi there! I've been reading (a lot) around here the last months and that's been really helpfull. Went from stock GB on my locked XPS through just about all ROM's available for XPS to CM10 now. Thanks XDA, thanks all!
Still a real lot to learn. One of the things that really keeps me wondering is which method (besides a Nandroid) I shld use for backing up. Google takes care of my contacts and settings automatically. But what is the best tool to backup and restore my apps (question 1)? I've used Astro, Go Backup and several others I can't even remember. And if I use one, do I still need Gapps all the time or is that doing a double job (question 2)?
My last question: I understand doing an upgrade of your custom rom you don't need to swipe, so your data stays. But if you do need to, when can you do a data restore after installing a new ROM (question 3)?
1. For backing up and restoring apps, I use Titanium Backup and I think most people would swear by it ( it's worth the donate for the extra features ). For sms though, GoSMS's backup feature is the best working one for me.
2. I'm pretty sure you still need to flash Gapps, but I'm not sure. Been off Cyan for a while. Besides, I think flashing Gapps is faster than restoring through most backup apps.
3. It depends on the rom and you should read the ROM's thread, but I always wipe between updates just in case ( I have an SGSII ). If you mean restore data by Titanium or another app, I think after letting the phone sit for 10 minutes on initial new ROM boot, you can start restoring apps. If you mean selectively restoring just data through nandroid though, I'm not sure if that should even be done, or how exactly to minimize issues.
Hope that helps.
DIMENSIONAL said:
1. For backing up and restoring apps, I use Titanium Backup and I think most people would swear by it ( it's worth the donate for the extra features ). For sms though, GoSMS's backup feature is the best working one for me.
2. I'm pretty sure you still need to flash Gapps, but I'm not sure. Been off Cyan for a while. Besides, I think flashing Gapps is faster than restoring through most backup apps.
3. It depends on the rom and you should read the ROM's thread, but I always wipe between updates just in case ( I have an SGSII ). If you mean restore data by Titanium or another app, I think after letting the phone sit for 10 minutes on initial new ROM boot, you can start restoring apps. If you mean selectively restoring just data through nandroid though, I'm not sure if that should even be done, or how exactly to minimize issues.
Hope that helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tx DIMENSIONAL!
Late night yesterday I ran into this app here on fxp: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1859261 Maybe that might become (be) handy? Not for me yet, due to problems with XPS for this app at the moment
2. Gapps.... Gapps is faster for sure. But not off course not exactly the things you want.... But there's something out to make your own zip.file with all your apps and/or other data and system files in it I think. Stopped reading when it got to complicated for me to try without much feedback at that moment. Sorry I forgot to mark the thread. Lost it for now.
3. I did this data restore thing once after reading a tip in a thread for a particular ROM here somewhere.
VincentKnife said:
tx DIMENSIONAL!
Late night yesterday I ran into this app here on fxp: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1859261 Maybe that might become (be) handy? Not for me yet, due to problems with XPS for this app at the moment
2. Gapps.... Gapps is faster for sure. But not off course not exactly the things you want.... But there's something out to make your own zip.file with all your apps and/or other data and system files in it I think. Stopped reading when it got to complicated for me to try without much feedback at that moment. Sorry I forgot to mark the thread. Lost it for now.
3. I did this data restore thing once after reading a tip in a thread for a particular ROM here somewhere.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
edit: installed titanium backup; needs a lot of reading agai,n but looks great! tx again!
Another vote for titanium & the pro key here. I prefer"appextractor“ from the play store for my sms/mms restore & I also use the contact restore feature, since it also takes care of my call log (both of these features use data from nandroid), since I have given up on using titanium to restore sms & get the time accurate.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk 2
Hey
I'm on a GSM Galaxy Nexus running CyanogenMod10 nightlies, and I'm noticing some lag, and so I wanted to wipe everything and flash again.
Not sure if that will help lol (noob) but I thought I'd try.
To wipe everything and keep my settings and stuff intact, what do I need to do? a nandroid? And what happened to the nandroid I made when flashing cm10? is that just stored as a recoverable file?
Thanks!
Nandroids are complete backups of your system, restoring a "laggy" system will end you up with the same laggy system, with no difference...
If you wanna get back your settings after a wipe, use Titanium Backup...though I advise against backing up system apps and data since restoring them usually gave ME force closes...
You can try wiping data, not sure if it will actually make the lag go away...
Or you could try scripts like the famous v6 supercharger memory management script (google it)...
- Via xda premium
If you did a nandroid backup before you flashed the version of the ROM that's laggy, restoring it may fix the problem, since it'll bring you back to before you flashed the ROM. (If you're doing nightlies, I'd do a nandroid before every update. Label it with the date and time you created it and save it off the phone [on a computer, laptop, USB drive, etc.])
Umm, not trying to sound like a d!ck, but you are running "nightlies" which aren't exactly known for stability. If you want your phone to run without any issues find a stable ROM and not one in nightlies. The lag you are describing is relatively common when using an unstable nightly version of a ROM as a daily driver, and if it is something you are not prepared to live with then I would always keep a "last known good" backup on your SD card...gives you a restore point with last known good settings which you can restore at any time.
My understanding of backing up a nandroid is that it creates an exact backup of your phone, as is, which can then easily be restored.
As advised, I have been trying out a couple of different ROMs to see which is best for me and with the advice of many of you, Ive mostly figured that process out.
But where I am struggling is figuring out how to optimize my use of Nandroids to streamline this. Heres the specific issue:
I flashed a ROM and then set everything up. I created my desktop screens, shortcuts to key contacts and apps, widgets, etc. Loaded pictures into my photo app, labeled favorites...usual stuff.
I then created a backup.
When I went to restore this backup, I ran into a bunch of issues. For example, the contact shortcuts were still in my launcher (Apex), but if I click on them they either pull up an incorrect contact or say "no such contact exists". So in the end, I need to go through and create all of these shortcuts again from scratch. Similar experience when I open the photo app (JustPictures) where all of the favorite labeled pictures are now gone. Other examples include apps that were on the device, but now no longer appear.
None of this is hard to fix, but it is very time consuming and makes it hard to use backup/recovery as a way to seamlessly flash and move between configured ROMs.
Am I doing something wrong? Any advice on how to optimize this so I can make this process manageable and not a barrier to trying something new but easily reverting when necessary?
You must he doing something wrong. I have never had any issues restoring a backup. And have never seen anyone else post about such things. You need to explain every step you took. It literally should be as simple as rebooting into recovery, clicking "Backup", let it do its thing, flash some other ROM, go play around with it, dislike it, refrain from posting in the ROM thread something like "tried out this ROM but didn't like it so I'm restoring a backup," reboot back into recovery, select "Restore", choose your backup, let it do its thing, and BOOM, back to the way it was.
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If you're not "wiping clean" system,data,cache , before restoring backups , do it ... or you'll face the problems you mentioned ... Actually you should never install or restore anything without formatting all those 3 areas..
Use also a good recovery , sk8witski 14.6 latest one ...
mahanddeem said:
If you're not "wiping clean" system,data,cache , before restoring backups , do it ... or you'll face the problems you mentioned ... Actually you should never install or restore anything without formatting all those 3 areas..
Use also a good recovery , sk8witski 14.6 latest one ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! I went back and tried re-doing this step and it helped.
A related question: I use Apex Launcher and have a desktop customized with shortcuts to most used apps and contacts.
When I am flashing a NEW ROM (not restoring) - what is the best way to restore the desktop and shortcuts without having to manually redo it for each new ROM I try? This is definitely the biggest barrier for me in testing new ROMs as it takes a lot of work to redo each time and, without redoing it, its hard to simulate the same usage and experience when I move to something new.
If I just restore Apex with Titanium after flashing, often all the links/shortcuts/widgets are broken and need to be redone. Is there an order with which I need to reload/restore things? Is there a better way to backup and restore Apex settings so that they will come back and properly link to the underlying contacts and apps on a new ROM?
Thoughts?
Isn't there an option within the Apex settings to save your current configuration, or backup data, or something like that? Check there and try that.
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Yes now I see that. I had been backing up via Titanium and restoring Apex using "restore App + Data".
I will play around with those, see what works or doesnt and report back in case its helpful to others.
Thanks.
i was just reading the CM10.1 nightlies thread, and most posters there have been saying that using TiBu to backup and restore apps is a *bad* thing when doing a fresh install of the latest nightly ROM build.
so, uh, what should we be doing to backup and restore data?
i'd like to keep my call logs and SMS data. i also have some savegames from game apps i'd like to keep. TiBu seems to have some specific options as to backing up SMSes and call logs. is that safe to backup and then restore to a new ROM install?
what about user apps? i'm fine with just reinstalling most apps, but there are some apps that have saved data that i'd really like to keep!
there are apps specifically for backing up sms and call longs
the reason that people dont like Tibu as much is some of the cache it restores can conflict with newer builds and android is pretty good at restoring most of the things on its own
People have different preferences. My general preference with CyanogenMod is the cwm recovery. Either the sk8 version ( which is brilliant) or the regular one that comes with CyanogenMod.
I always get into cwm recovery and do a back up to external SD. Then wipe and clean and install the new cm, no reboot yet and go to advanced restore option of the backup and then restore ONLY the data portion of the backup.
All your customizations, apps, app data, app saved data, logs, SMS, phone log ... Is there to be restored.
Reboot and you're done.
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fightinfilipino said:
i was just reading the CM10.1 nightlies thread, and most posters there have been saying that using TiBu to backup and restore apps is a *bad* thing when doing a fresh install of the latest nightly ROM build.
so, uh, what should we be doing to backup and restore data?
i'd like to keep my call logs and SMS data. i also have some savegames from game apps i'd like to keep. TiBu seems to have some specific options as to backing up SMSes and call logs. is that safe to backup and then restore to a new ROM install?
what about user apps? i'm fine with just reinstalling most apps, but there are some apps that have saved data that i'd really like to keep!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Helium from the maker of CWM is free and super simple. They could've included an option to only backup an apps data but oh well it's still great. :good:
Commodore 64 said:
People have different preferences. My general preference with CyanogenMod is the cwm recovery. Either the sk8 version ( which is brilliant) or the regular one that comes with CyanogenMod.
I always get into cwm recovery and do a back up to external SD. Then wipe and clean and install the new cm, no reboot yet and go to advanced restore option of the backup and then restore ONLY the data portion of the backup.
All your customizations, apps, app data, app saved data, logs, SMS, phone log ... Is there to be restored.
Reboot and you're done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ty, that makes sense.
i'm on an older version of CWM (6.0.1.0, i believe). am i able to just flash a new version of CWM (sk8's or whatever) from my current CWM? i can't seem to find a straight answer on the forums or from googling...
Yea you can. Just flash the sk8 and then under advanced choose reboot recovery after install and you're going to be in the new recovery mod
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Thanks for asking!
fightinfilipino said:
so, uh, what should we be doing to backup and restore data?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for asking! I've been wondering something along these lines, but I wasn't even sure what to ask. I think you've formed the question better than I would have.
But I guess I'm not seeing a consensus either. I was under the impression that there everyone else knew the best way to do it and it was so obvious that no one ever even bothered to speak of it. That, or people just enjoy losing their saved games, call logs, etc.
So to be clear, here's what I've gathered from this thread:
You can restore just apps and their data
One way is to backup and restore the /data partition
Another way is though custom apps
One such app is Helium
Did I miss anything?
Trinition said:
Thanks for asking! I've been wondering something along these lines, but I wasn't even sure what to ask. I think you've formed the question better than I would have.
But I guess I'm not seeing a consensus either. I was under the impression that there everyone else knew the best way to do it and it was so obvious that no one ever even bothered to speak of it. That, or people just enjoy losing their saved games, call logs, etc.
So to be clear, here's what I've gathered from this thread:
You can restore just apps and their data
One way is to backup and restore the /data partition
Another way is though custom apps
One such app is Helium
Did I miss anything?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never restore anything. I backup my call logs and texts to gmail, but I don't restore them. Why would you?
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Trinition said:
Thanks for asking! I've been wondering something along these lines, but I wasn't even sure what to ask. I think you've formed the question better than I would have.
But I guess I'm not seeing a consensus either. I was under the impression that there everyone else knew the best way to do it and it was so obvious that no one ever even bothered to speak of it. That, or people just enjoy losing their saved games, call logs, etc.
So to be clear, here's what I've gathered from this thread:
You can restore just apps and their data
One way is to backup and restore the /data partition
Another way is though custom apps
One such app is Helium
Did I miss anything?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe that you can backup to the cloud, with Helium and others. But except for that i think you've got it covered.
Commodore 64 said:
People have different preferences. My general preference with CyanogenMod is the cwm recovery. Either the sk8 version ( which is brilliant) or the regular one that comes with CyanogenMod.
I always get into cwm recovery and do a back up to external SD. Then wipe and clean and install the new cm, no reboot yet and go to advanced restore option of the backup and then restore ONLY the data portion of the backup.
All your customizations, apps, app data, app saved data, logs, SMS, phone log ... Is there to be restored.
Reboot and you're done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just as a quick update, i did exactly this (using sk8's CWM recovery) and it seems to have worked like a charm. did a clean wipe (factory reset/format cache, data, system, dalvik's) and then installed Cyanogenmod 10.1 N15. then before rebooting i restored just the data. worked pretty well!
fightinfilipino said:
just as a quick update, i did exactly this (using sk8's CWM recovery) and it seems to have worked like a charm. did a clean wipe (factory reset/format cache, data, system, dalvik's) and then installed Cyanogenmod 10.1 N15. then before rebooting i restored just the data. worked pretty well!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good for you. But that is almost the same as a dirty flash.
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rushi.1986 said:
Good for you. But that is almost the same as a dirty flash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh, that is SO helpful of you.
well if that's not the best way to backup and restore WHAT IS?
seriously, i wish there was a "no thank you" button for useless, insulting posts like yours! >:[
fightinfilipino said:
oh, that is SO helpful of you.
well if that's not the best way to backup and restore WHAT IS?
seriously, i wish there was a "no thank you" button for useless, insulting posts like yours! >:[
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You shouldn't restore anything.
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fightinfilipino said:
oh, that is SO helpful of you.
well if that's not the best way to backup and restore WHAT IS?
seriously, i wish there was a "no thank you" button for useless, insulting posts like yours! >:[
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no best way because there's always a risk it will cause issues. Either accept the level of risk involved or do what's recommended, you can't have your cake and eat it too in this case.
Personally I use android tuner pro as a backup solution. I know the risks involved and I don't post and complain when it doesn't work I find the problem and fix it or I do what I'm supposed to do.
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mtdew said:
There is no best way because there's always a risk it will cause issues. Either accept the level of risk involved or do what's recommended, you can't have your cake and eat it too in this case.
Personally I use android tuner pro as a backup solution. I know the risks involved and I don't post and complain when it doesn't work I find the problem and fix it or I do what I'm supposed to do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the problem is that "what's recommended" varies wildly, even here. some people in this thread recommended i restore the data partition from a nandroid backup. other users recommended i use Helium. now some users are simply saying not to restore anything at all.
and some persons (rushi.1986) are posting completely unhelpful, snarky things without even understanding the context of the thread.
let me ask a more granular question: if i backup and restore specific game apps that are user apps, sms data, and call logs, and nothing else, will this reduce my risk? if i wanted to do these particular things, what is the better tool to do so?
and i have a wider question: is it really that custom rom users now simply don't keep certain data when they upgrade or switch their rom?
fightinfilipino said:
the problem is that "what's recommended" varies wildly, even here. some people in this thread recommended i restore the data partition from a nandroid backup. other users recommended i use Helium. now some users are simply saying not to restore anything at all.
and some persons (rushi.1986) are posting completely unhelpful, snarky things without even understanding the context of the thread.
let me ask a more granular question: if i backup and restore specific game apps that are user apps, sms data, and call logs, and nothing else, will this reduce my risk? if i wanted to do these particular things, what is the better tool to do so?
and i have a wider question: is it really that custom rom users now simply don't keep certain data when they upgrade or switch their rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
His answer was far from snarky and was actually correct the method stated is just a dirty flash with more steps and is more risky.
It's recommended not to restore anything but if you must be ready to accepted the consequence if there are any. Typically with android tuner I don't have issues.
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fightinfilipino said:
the problem is that "what's recommended" varies wildly, even here. some people in this thread recommended i restore the data partition from a nandroid backup. other users recommended i use Helium. now some users are simply saying not to restore anything at all.
and some persons (rushi.1986) are posting completely unhelpful, snarky things without even understanding the context of the thread.
let me ask a more granular question: if i backup and restore specific game apps that are user apps, sms data, and call logs, and nothing else, will this reduce my risk? if i wanted to do these particular things, what is the better tool to do so?
and i have a wider question: is it really that custom rom users now simply don't keep certain data when they upgrade or switch their rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am yet to encounter any issues restoring user apps and user data using titanium backup. However, ppl who know better say its bad. Since I have not had any issues, I do it anyways.
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rushi.1986 said:
I am yet to encounter any issues restoring user apps and user data using titanium backup. However, ppl who know better say its bad. Since I have not had any issues, I do it anyways.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
99% of the time you won't but with all of the changes recently all precautions needed to be taken. Like I said I normally don't have too many issues, every once in a while though.
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Restoring user apps will not mess up your ROM. Unless it is root related y would it? If the app doesn't work after install then install it from the market.
Restoring system apps can effect your ROM. Most system apps are different based on the ROM that you use. Example being restoring them from cm 10 to cm 10.1, or even different nightlies.
Titanium backup is the way to go. Chronium aka helium is supposed to be good, its a preference thing IMO.
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rushi.1986 said:
I am yet to encounter any issues restoring user apps and user data using titanium backup. However, ppl who know better say its bad. Since I have not had any issues, I do it anyways.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a good way to go.. If it works for you, then you have your solution. Thing is, everyone's phone has had different experiences with different apps, ROMs, settings, etc. and what works for one may not work for another.
Personally, I prefer the backup feature in ROM Toolbox pro. Easy to use, bulk features, and I had fewer issues than on TiBu. BUT, with all the recent app updates trying to keep up with Rom changes, I've found it to be far more stable to just reinstall from the Play store. It seems to also be prudent to get rid of any app that may be redundant to native ROM features (in my case). Just keep it simple.
Contacts and calendar data syncs with Google.
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