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[Q] How to backup my software?

Hello. Currently, I am using RCMix S 2.7 and i thinking this is most stable and great rom for Desire S. I setup my mobile(applications, widgets, settings). However I would like to test new roms. How I can backup my customized software? I did backup in ClockworkMod Recovery and size of my software is 1.05Gb. Is this enough? How to make restore? Do i need to choose only restore or format something first?

Use Google sync for your Contacts and Calendar items (HTC Sync + M$ Outlook is also a good combination but you can use it only on Sense ROMs)
Download and install free Titanium Backup from the Market to backup your applications and settings (you can backup even your homescreen arrangement (all shortcuts and widgets) and restore them in one click. The backup itself is not taking too much space. My advice is when switching to ROM with different Sense/Kernel/Android version do not restore setting, it can mess up your new installation, restore just the apps and take the time to configure everything again.

I also test new roms all the time. My technique of back up is this.
1. contacs = back up using google. sync with your google account.
2. sms = i use 'kAmMa's BackupSMS'
3. Application = I only backup downloaded apps using Astro file manager.
For me titanium back up is a bit complicated.
to restore i always do this order
first use the filemanager in the rom - browse to backup folder and install astro file manager.
than use astro file manager and install all the other application that you back up
than setup google account and your contact will be downloaded automatically from internet.
than restore sms using the kamma's backupsms.
its done. I spend about 30 minutes for this. This is my way of doing things. If you like you can follow this way.

What You thinking about it:
How To: Backup or Restore via Nandroid
Nandroid allows you to create a complete system image of your device and stores it to the SD Card on your phone. Making one is very simple but there are a few prerequisites.
1. A rooted Android phone
2. A custom recovery that supports Nandroid (ie: Amon_RA, ClockworkMod, Etc.)
3. A MicroSD card that has enough space for a system image.
A complete image can range from 75-400 MB.
Please follow this link for instructions: http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki...r_via_Nandroid

Ok, I got your point. You want to preserve you current ROM in the way it is now in case that you would like to go back to it.
In this case before restoration you have to follow the same steps like in installation of a new ROM:
Wipe all (system, data, cache)
Restore

Thanks a lot!

amidabuddha said:
Ok, I got your point. You want to preserve you current ROM in the way it is now in case that you would like to go back to it.
In this case before restoration you have to follow the same steps like in installation of a new ROM:
Wipe all (system, data, cache)
Restore
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you just want to simply restore one of your previously taken Nandoird backups then there is no need to wipe anything in advance as the restore will overwrite all partitions.
While saying that every time that I've performed a restore for safety's sake I always then wipe cache and dalvik cache before booting the restored ROM.

[Q] Help needed - Messaging FS after ICS

Hi,
I backed up my phone with Titanium and after updating to 4.0.3 tried to restore data only, from that moment - messaging force closing.
what can I do ?
thanks

Clear any messaging related data, reboot, and then see what happens.

Thanks but it's the same - the app loads and than crashes immediately,
Can I re-download the apk somewhere ?
I know it's core element - but maybe it can be extracted from the whole update ?

Well just to reiterate make sure you wipe all relevant system apps in titanium as that should do it (just want to be sure ).
But you could reflash the rom again, or part of the rom.
And yes you could pull the apps from the rom and install them without reflashing (though you will have to use titanium to make it a system app probably).
Oh yeah you could try wiping the dalvik cache.

tried wiping the dalvik cache did not help. how can I flash only the messaging app ?

Shakty1 said:
tried wiping the dalvik cache did not help. how can I flash only the messaging app ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I haven't done such a thing for a while but when I did a similar thing I did it like this:
1. Get full rom zip
2. Open zip with 7-Zip (or similar program).
3. Delete anything you don't want to be flashed again (I guess in your case nearly everything)
4. Flash
Note: I said open the zip, not extract it.
Can't guarantee this will work though I would personally just do a full wipe, flash the whole rom again, and be careful what you restore (i.e. don't restore system data).

Never use Ti to restore data after changing roms. It's the first rule of Flash Club.

[REF] 30 Steps from GB to ICS ROM

I've gone from my long time TPC v3 to various ROMS and recently, ICS ROMs multiple times over the last few weeks. After a myriad of gotchas encountered, I wrote down this list of things to do in 30 steps and I thought I'll share the list. Where ever applicable, I've included the reason why the step is there which of course based on my (bad) experience.
Please feel free to add any additional steps you find missing and do hit me up with a Thanks if you find this useful.
1. Check space availability on internal SD
(Error handling and messages are lacking, it would be crippling if your backups or downloaded zips are incomplete)
2. Do a full Titanium backup
(take two if you have the space and just to be safe)
3. Do a nandroid backup via ROM Mgr or CWM
4. Download the target ROM
5. Download other ROMs (optional)
6. Download the radio (if needed, some are baked in)
7. Download the kernel (if needed, some are baked in)
8. Download other zips, boot animation e.g. (optional but should be done much later)
9. Download other scripts if needed like Darkside wipe (recommended)
10. Boot into CWM (either through ROM Mgr or button presses)
11. Install the radio zip (if needed)
12. Do the wipe dance, factory reset, cache, dalvik wipe, /system, /data, /cache, Darkside e.g
(see ROM instructions)
13. Install the ROM zip
14. Install the kernel zip if needed
15. Reboot
16. Let it sit for a few mins
17. Login into Market, exit and wait for Market to morph into Play Store
18. Update Titanium through Play Store (If not, TiBu may hang on some app restore or not start at all)
19. Download ROM Toolbox, change resolution and reboot (optional)
20. Setup wifi so you don't incur data usage
21. Mark sure other sources is checked
22. Run Titanium batch restore, missing apps only
23. Reboot
24. Let it sit for a few more mins
25. Run update/update all in Play Store, Amazon App Store e.g.
(This brings the apps up to ICS compatible versions if present)
26. Some apps may require re-installations
27. Some apps may be missing and require installation
28. Some apps may require re-setup (Juice Defender, Widgetlockers, widgets in general)
29. Setup security, face, pin, pattern locks, timeout value
(Re-setup required on new ROMs)
30. Re-setup and re-sync Sugarsync (optional)

Nice list, good stuff!
I'd do step 6 and 7 regardless because I like to have a backup of a working kernel and modem always incase I need to reflash them.
Oh and check out the app appextractor, it's good for restoring sms from nandroid provided the backup was the same OS version.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk

kr3w1337 said:
Nice list, good stuff!
I'd do step 6 and 7 regardless because I like to have a backup of a working kernel and modem always incase I need to reflash them.
Oh and check out the app appextractor, it's good for restoring sms from nandroid provided the backup was the same OS version.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, that's what I do too. I have at least one modem, kernel, boot anim, wipe script and several ROM zip files sitting there just in case I need to use it. When the phone is bricked (for various reasons) the last thing you'll need is to do the setup (download, copy e.g.) just to get the files there.

you should set some time out and do a guide like this for all the sammy rom forums on xda, I know it seems alot, but you mentioned alot in there that I didnt think about that would have save me some heartache...
just a generalized guide, nothing too fancy with definitive radios, etc...

Nice list.
Very helpful info.
I'm digging your terminology "do the wipe dance".

I typically pull the external SD card before wiping or flashing anything... it may not be necessary, but it's a huge PITA if I lose the data.

[Q] Advice on flashing roms and additional mods and fixes

Hi all,
I'm new to this forum. Nice meeting you all.
Wanted to get your advice and thoughts on best practices of flashing roms and tweaks.
I'm using S3 and flashed foxhound rom. However, with each update, I'm not sure what's the best practice to upgrade the rom.
Right now I think this is the path I'm taken:
1. Download the latest rom
2. Use Titanium backup to backup just the apps (not system data), backup nova launcher settings
3. Go into Aroma installer
4. Wipe data, wipe cache and dalvik cache
5. Flash rom
6. Reboot
7. Fix permission
8. Restore and sign into services
What about the other mods and tweaks?
Do you just flash them if you want them as well?
Is there a backup option where you can restore the state of the phone without restoring the old data in the new OS or is that not possible?
Thanks

[Q] Preparing to flash CM10

Background: I have a nexus s 19020A running stock rom with root. I'm looking to switch to CM10 (stable) as google is no longer supporting this device and JB generally runs pretty slowly. Backups can be performed with titanium backup without issue. What I plan on backing up is apps and app data. General setting don't really matter (only settings for email, gmail, pertinent stuff like that). I use CWM and plan on flashing everything through recovery
My questions:
1) Can anyone link me to the correct version of gapps to flash
2) How should I flash everything? Would this be the correct procedure?
a) NAND backup using CWM. b) Factory reset and wipe of dalvik cache. c) flash CM10, gapps, SU. d) Boot and restore with titanium backup?
3) Would a backup and restore of user apps and system data using titanium backup by recommended? If not, how should I go about backing up everything in preparation for the flash?
As you can see, I'm relatively new to flashing roms. Any help is greatly appreciated, and if I missed anything (backup-wise, flash-wise, or other), please let me know

Its pretty easy to flash a ROM. This tutorial will help you with it. Just follow the complete tutorial step to step and you will be running CM10 within 15 minutes.
The important thing while backing up is to sync your contacts with Google, this way your contacts will be real safe and you can easily get them to you as soon as you add your Google account to your device. To backup text messages, this app is recommended.
While in case of apps and app data, Titanium backup is to be considered as a worthy choice.