Database Info

How To: Backup Your Apps, Data & Settings BEFORE You Root/Change ROMs on Your Device!

How To: Backup Your Apps, Data & Settings BEFORE You Root/Change ROMs on Your Device!
I recently rooted my Evo 4G and since I had been using it for a while didn't want to lose all of my settings and data and didn't want to sit for hours installing apps and trying to set them each up the way I had them beforehand. None of the root guides that I've found seem to cover this critical first step before they get into the process of rooting the device. So a lot of people root and flash a new ROM and then realize all of their stuff is gone. So, here's how to back everything up before you root or change ROMs:
1) Locate/Download/Install Z4Root to your device. (It appears as though it was removed from the market due to people using it to get temp root in order to use hot spot tethers. The apk can be found in a thread on this forum here)
2) Install Titanium Backup from the market (I recommend the full version because it makes the restore process a one touch option whereas the free one requires you to click 'Install' and then 'confirm' for each individual app which can be a royal PITA if you have lots of apps)
3) Install 'Root Check' from the market
4) Launch Z4 and use to gain temporary root access of your device. Use Root Check to make sure you indeed do have root access.
5) Launch Titanium Backup and grant superuser permissions where necessary
6) Click the center option at the top of the screen after Titanium checks all possible scenarios. Scroll through the options and find the option (usually has the highest number on the right... or real close to it) that backs up all your apps + system data and settings. Allow it to complete this process which can take a bit.
7) Once this is complete back out of Titanium Backup and reboot your device. This will remove the temporary root access from the device. When the device has settled run Root Check one last time to make sure don't have root access.
8) Proceed with your favorite root/ROM process & enjoy not having to waste hours setting up your phone again the way you had it. When you recover make sure you chose the option to recover all missing apps and all data/settings because if you choose to recover ALL apps you can run into issues with the apps it tries to override.
Now, sometimes there are minor issues from ROM to ROM or device to device when you backup from one platform and then recover on another but for the most part it will save you a LOT of time. You can also try a reboot or two after you recover which can help with some settings that don't show up immediately after a recover. I did this before rooting my Evo 4G and it worked flawlessly.
Thanks and hopefully that helps.

Cool. I never thought about backing up while in temp root. Good find.
^_^_^'s tbolt

EEdaesung said:
Cool. I never thought about backing up while in temp root. Good find.
^_^_^'s tbolt
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure thing, hopefully it saves others some time & effort.

Newer and better explanation!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1152233
Worked the first time!

Does this work with htc inspire 4g the link u provide
and the initial topic on this thread ?

Just to add, Z4Root will work for few device (older models)
Most of newer android version running on Gingerbread, it won't support.

Downloaded and installed z4 but keeps force closing??? please help. running on stock epic 4g touch

Z4Root
z4root doesn't work anymore on android jeally bean 4.2.2 ........ any ideas ??

does update.zip in cwm functions same

restore issues
if i back up using this app in stock firmware after that suppose a did a customrom. will there be any issue if i restored using this app.
jelly bean to kitkat. custom rom cynmod11.

jeswinjames6 said:
if i back up using this app in stock firmware after that suppose a did a customrom. will there be any issue if i restored using this app.
jelly bean to kitkat. custom rom cynmod11.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Should be fine as it's still just app data. I haven't personally tested it to confirm though so proceed at your own risk.

[Q] best way to remove system apps

Hello,
I Was wondering what's the best/simple way to remove system apps?
And if I am the only one having trouble removing system apps.
I have tried removing market/amazone kindle/etc. with My Backup Pro, Root Manager, ES Filemanager, Terminal Emulator. But I'm not able to remove these apps.
Apps like email and books are system apps and I could uninstall them via MyBackup Pro. But this won't work for some other system apps.
I would like to use an app to remove the apps instead of using adb.
My transformer is Rooted and running Prime 1.9.1 so it should work.. I trought....

titanium backup pro

titanium backup pro or a better option in my opinion, Root Explorer or similar. Whenever removing system apps you have to be careful. You may not know it but some apps provide basic functionality to Android and removing them can cause issues like force closes and boot loops. I suggest always making a backup of your full rom first, then use Root Explorer to rename the apps under /system/app to something else. I stick with the simple addition of .bak to the end of a file name. that way if it causes problems you can simply go in and change the name back.

I gues it has something to do with the read/write permissions of /system
When i change /system to read/write with Root Manager I am able to remove them with Terminal Emulator.
I Don't know why this ain't working for the other apps..
but thanks anyway!

what can you do on a rooted phone

what are good roms for the LG revolution, because it seems like it cant do anything. Also what are some themes.

check out your LG revolution forum for themes and roms...everyone is gonna have different opinions so might as well flash a rom and theme that you might like, try it out, if you dont like it, flash something else.

Three 3 main things worth rooting for:
1) You can use more worthwhile utilities for backups (e.g., Titanium Backup), file exploration (basically manage your local content/apps better)
2) Remove the service provider's installed apps (like Oovoo). They take up valuable space and can be annoying, but often can't be removed without root privs.
3) Exploration of how the phone works and installing different ROMS. If you're at all curious technically, then this is a big reason.

Remove the bloat
I have used the root process mainly to get rid of bloatware. Just recently I have installed some custom roms. I am new to the whole process but have really enjoyed the options.

Rooting allows you full access to the phones 'protected' system files, basically allowing you to do whatever you want to the phone.
Alter System Files
Use Themes
Change boot images
delete annoying stock apps
allows use of apps that 'require root' such as titanium backup, wifi calling and wireless tethering apps (for phones that don't allow this through the manufacturuer ROM)
Install custom recoveries (CWM Recovery)
Use custom rom managers (ROM Manager)
Some apps that use root:
Titanium Backup
ROM Manager
Shoot Me
Root Explorer
ADB Wireless
Market Enabler
And above all else, allows you to stick it to the man that is your carrier for the pure purpose of being able to do what YOU want to the phone, and not what they think you want

martialbob said:
Rooting allows you full access to the phones 'protected' system files, basically allowing you to do whatever you want to the phone.
Alter System Files
Use Themes
Change boot images
delete annoying stock apps
allows use of apps that 'require root' such as titanium backup, wifi calling and wireless tethering apps (for phones that don't allow this through the manufacturuer ROM)
Install custom recoveries (CWM Recovery)
Use custom rom managers (ROM Manager)
Some apps that use root:
Titanium Backup
ROM Manager
Shoot Me
Root Explorer
ADB Wireless
Market Enabler
And above all else, allows you to stick it to the man that is your carrier for the pure purpose of being able to do what YOU want to the phone, and not what they think you want
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is ADB? I have seen this referred to.
Sent from my VS910 4G using XDA

ADB stands for Android Debug Bridge. It comes as a part of the standard Android SDK.
Basically, it provides a terminal-based interface for interacting with your phone’s file system.
While these things can be done directly on the device itself using some terminal emulator, it will be rather difficult to execute complex commands on such a small screen. ADB provides the bridge between your machine and your computer.
Not my words, taken from google!!!
but see here for more info:
http://www.xda-developers.com/android/adb-easy-tutorial/

[Q] Problem Restoring System Apps With Titanium Backup Pro

Titanium Backup Pro will not restore system apps.
Samsung Galaxy S6 SM-G920T
Titanium Backup 7.1.2 with Pro
Stock rooted with CF-Auto-Root
Tried SuperSU v2.45 - v2.46 - v2.49
The Problem
I made backup of apps that I would like to remove from the phone. I did a test by removing Amazon App. When I try to restore app, Titanium hand at restoring app, spinner will go for as long as I leave my phone on. Kill Titanium, reboot phone and I get a toast popup that Amazon has stopped. Amazon app icon in app draw, I touch to start app and get the same toast popup that Amazon has stopped. Start Root Explorer Pro navigate to system/priv-app Amazon app folder is not there. Navigate to system/app Amazon app is located here, but not in a folder and not with any support files. I tried this with a few other apps and it does not matter if they are located in system/priv-app or system/app same result.
I have search and found older threads that suggest changing Application Processing Mode to Interactive, but no mode changes have helped.
I also tried changing Mount namespace separation in SuperSU.
When applying these changes I have reboot the phone.
Any Ideas, please help.
Thank You

Nobody used Titanium Backup?
Nobody used Titanium Backup?
Can I get a Confirmation From Someone.

Hey, im on G925F and I have the same issue. I have USB debug activated/on, rooted, tried various tricks and switching the way of app processing in TB and none worked. I cannot restore previously backedup system apps at all

same problem here!
also, converting a user app to a system app fails the same way!

TML1504 said:
same problem here!
also, converting a user app to a system app fails the same way!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same problem here
Sent from my Micromax A065 using XDA Free mobile app

can some one pls post efs folder for g920f a need it like tar file

I too am unable to restore system apps backed up by Titanium Backup with Titanium Backup. I'm running the latest version of Titanium Backup (Pro), stock KitKat 4.4.2 on a Samsung Galaxy Light (SGH-T399N), rooted with SuperSU 2.50+Pro. The restore process never completes but will run forever without any error messages until I kill it externally with Task Manager. Converting a non-system app to a system app behaves the same way...tries forever without completing. From the number of earlier posts in this thread it's obvious I'm not alone. The only suggested solution I've encountered that seems applicable to my situation is to replace SuperSU with Superuser. I'm loathe to do that and hoping the problem is something else.

Same here, already tried Indirect App Processing but no help. Had this problem with my old Xperia V running CM Rom never figured how to fix it

Titanium backup is not supposed to be used to restore system apps. If I'm correct even the developer of the app says not to restore system apps with Titanium.
I have used Titanium backup for years to restore purchased apps but never system apps. Never had a problem reinstalling backups of apps.
Sent from my SM-G920T using XDA Forums Pro.

Easiest way to keep stock apps with custom rom

I just recently treated myself to an ex-demo unit of this gloriously impractical tablet for reading digital comics on and successfully used odin to flash the proper stock firmware to get rid of demo mode.
I'm quite tempted by the custom roms available, but I'd like to keep some of the stock samsung apps, especially sketchbook for galaxy, and I'm wondering what everyone's opinion on the easiest or best way to do it is.
Do I need to install titanium backup and backup the apps I want to keep? Can I just extract the .apk files I want from the stock firmware image which I still have?
Thanks

IMO the easiest way is:
Step 1 - stay stock, do an nandroid backup in TWRP.
Step 2 - Install Titanium . . do a full backup and debloat by freezing apps and services to get rid of lag and unwanted apps . . if you end up needing it later, defrost.
Step 3 - Install Xposed Framework, and begin experimenting with custom xposed modules to add additional features.
Step 4 - install other root applications to taste.

thanks, i may ultimately end up doing that, but i would like to try different roms as there are a lot of things about the GUI that i don't like on this tablet, and i'm confident enough that i can always get back to stock using odin.

i went ahead and installed cyanogenmod and reinstalled sketchbook from a .apk i created with es file explorer, seems to have worked fine.

Glad it works, sorry that I misunderstood.

I had sketchbook too, but after flashing cm 12 I tried artflow, never went back.

goenieg said:
I had sketchbook too, but after flashing cm 12 I tried artflow, never went back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i'll check artflow out, i wanted to keep sketchbook just because i heard this version was made especially for this tablet and its screen.

I've had some success keeping stock apps
Mr Creosote said:
i'll check artflow out, i wanted to keep sketchbook just because i heard this version was made especially for this tablet and its screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use ES File Explorer. It has a Root explorer function which allows you to backup apps and their data. After backing up the stock app and data I have been able to transfer the app to other devices including custom roms like slimkat on my i9100. One app I've had success with is Navigon. I haven't tried sketchbook, because my tablet isn't rooted yet, but it might work. The backup directory can be customised, but its default location is on internal sd. This process of backing up leaves you with the APK and a zip file with your data. You can install ES File Explorer on the new device/rom and put the APK and zip file back into the backup directory. Then go to backup in root explorer tab of File Explorer and restore app with data, or just app. This may work.

Yep I used es file explorer in the end, and it worked. There seems to be no end to what es can do, i don't know why it doesn't appear on every list of essential/most useful droid apps. Just figured out a couple of days ago that you can use it to stream music wirelessly from a shared folder on your network. I've installed if as a system app on my phone with titanium backup and removed the stock file explorer.