Database Info

Backup file cooked into ROM as OEM package?

Is there a way to turn a backup file into an OEM package that is automatically set up as part of the ROM?
For example, say I cook my own ROM that has nothing at all. I then install all my apps, enter all my serials and registration info into all the apps, get my WiFi set up with all my WEP keys, all my favorites, all that kind of stuff. Then I make a backup using some backup program.
Can I then take that backup file and cook it into the naked ROM so that all of my serials, settings, etc are all set up after every hard reset?
I know I could just put it on the storage card and restore after every hard reset, but I would rather have it cooked right into the ROM if this is possible.
If this is possible, what would be a good backup program to make the backup file with?
i was thinking that when the device is doing the customization or whatever you call it after the hard reset, it could be restoring from the backup file.
Has anyone done anything like this yet?

Even I am wishing that there is such a way.... You put in words what many of us noobs wish for.

I'm sure there is a way to do it. Hopefully someone will help us out.
I am by no means an expert, but I would guess you need to somehow cook the backup file into the ROM, and then edit the autoexec.bat file to run that backup file.
So what we really need to know is, which backup program makes the best backups, that restore without any user input. Something that all you do is tap it and it does the rest from there. And it would need to restore all installed apps, all settings, all internet favorites, all registration info for all the apps, all calendar, contacts, and tasks, and any registry tweaks.
If we can locate the backup program that does this with minimal user input we have passed step one. Step 2 would be to cook the self executing backup file into the ROM, and step 3 would be making the ROM run the self executing backup after hard reboot, during the automated customizations. And if you soft reset the device before it runs customizations, I would want it to start running the customizations immediately after the reboot (like the newer stock ROMs do).
That way if my phone gets stolen I can use Sprite Terminator to locate it, and whoever steals it will have to flash a new ROM to get rid of Sprite Terminator.
I would not want this backup file listed anywhere on the device either. For example, if you look in "Programs" (or anywhere else) you don't see it. That may or may not be the hardest part- I don't have any idea if it's even possible. But it's not an issue until we get the other steps done.

life would be much easier...I hope someone can make this real

Any UC compliant ROM can do that for you. They are meant to autorun any file which you users want to run after ROM upgrade. Good luck, check sleuths thread for more info.

Lost all my contacts?

I installed a new ROM and the contacts i had on my phone are all gone. I have a G1. The contacts i had on my google account are still there, but the ones i added the past 6 months on my phone manually are gone. I saved my entire SD card to a folder on my desktop. I cant find them on there. Is there anyway I can recover my contacts? Its not on the SIM card either.

Losing contacts after flashing to a new ROM ? Of course this happens, that is why one should use the free PIM Backup application.
Sorry to inform you about this..
And no, you can not retrieve them in any way! There is no UNFLASH / UNFORMAT / UNDELETE on WM / WP, yet.

How about recovery? I think i backed up my phone at reboot menu earlier. I have recovery.img

try it!
Try it! Though do not expect miracles.. I know I never did, because I do not have an utility which enables me to 'browse' such an image, let alone 'change' it in any way
Anyway, maybe you have some luck? Some welcome luck
Please let us know if you have solved it.....

nexus s txt thread recovery?

Hello, I have a question I hope you can help me with...
I've got a nexus S 2.3 and Ive just deleted a very important text msg thread, have I lost it forever or is there anyway that I can recover it??
If I can recover it can you please tell me what I should do as I ve never done anything ike this before. Many thanks, concerned android user.

Never tried anything like this before, so just some ideas as a general outline:
The first thing you should do is a complete image of the phone before the data can be overwritten (if it isn't already).
There is no convenient way to undelete that I know of.
I would search for the sms database file and try some sqlite tools on it. Look if there are entries that are marked as deleted or something.
If that doesn't bring anything up, I would use a good (hex-)editor to extract the strings from the file and see, if the data is somehow still there.
Anyway it will probably mean a lot of work, depending on how many sms you have stored and the best you should hope for is that you can manually reconstruct the thread in a text file or on a piece of paper.

Hello cgi,
thanks for the reply with advice!!
what is a complete image? how do i do this?
how do i search the sms database?
where do i get hex editor from?
do i need to back up any data before trying to recover anything?
many thanks,
Ray

what is a complete image? how do i do this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
An image is a complete copy of the data on the phone. The easiest way to do that is to use a custom recovery system like clockworkmod recovery. If you have a custom ROM installed, chances are, that you already have it.
First: Is your bootloader locked or unlocked?
Second: Which version of Android exactly is one your phone?
If your bootloader is unlocked, you can install a recovery image that will let you backup the data partition where your sms database should reside.
If your bootloader is locked but your Android version is 2.3.3 or lower, you can use an exploit that let's install a different recovery image.
If your bootloader is locked and your Android version 2.3.4 (and your phone is not rooted), then AFAIK you are out of luck.
how do i search the sms database?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know in which files your sms are being stored, but it should not be that hard to find out.
where do i get hex editor from?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are a lot out there. I use okteta from the KDE project, but you can use whichever you want. You could use notepad, too, i guess, but that won't make things any easier.
do i need to back up any data before trying to recover anything?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the image I was talking about. You would first copy all the data on your computer.

CGIi,
Many many thanks for taking the time to reply to my question!!
I dont think there is much chance of recovering this thread, my friend has about half of the 900 texts in the thread which makes it slighty easier to swalow.
once again the importance of backing things up is key to keeping the pics, files, texts you want to keep. I'l try to do this even more in the future, I'm so sick of losing data from old mobiles, PC'S etc, I'm gonna back up everything from now on!!
Many thanks again, RAY

[Q] new sensation user, few concerns/questions.

hi i've upgraded my hd 2 to the sensation( i had windows on it). and it's a god send!
i've got a few concerns/ questions
1. biggest concern - backups.. i have a stock tmobile usa sensation.. what is the best app/ way to do a COMPLETE image (all settings/info, programs, pics, messages etc..)is there away? i use acronis for all my pc's which is just awesome. anything happens i plug in external drive, and everything is back to date.
2. rooting, i hear people talking about it... what are the benefits? if one roots there sensation do they have to start over? meaning a image would not work?
3. apps. i 've bought a bunch of apps, and installed a bunch of free ones from the phone. how do i back all these up? and save them?
4. EMAIL notifications, i have 2 email accounts, personal, and business, anyone know of way to set customized ringtones/sounds for each INDIVIDUAL email account?
5. how do i access the phone files so i can add my own notification sounds, instead of the factory ones? i'm not finding an option to look on SDcard and use my own for notifications.
Thanks for any help with these concerns.

your apps are bundled to your google account. There's a list of what you bought/downloaded already. If you wipe your phone, you can simply put them back through web.

good to know, ty!
Out of curiosity, is there away for me to get the installers as well? so i can back them all up on my server?
Anyone else have info on other questions please?

1. You can Temp. root right now( which means you will lose root if you reboot), perm root is not available yet (Hopefully soon), so temp root and use the application from the market call titanium back-up , you can back up all system, apps and personal settings to your SD card. As far as backing up pics they are already on your SD card so if you want to back those up back them up to you personal computer.
Link to Temp-root
2. Rooting benefits are removing bloatware apps installed by your service provider that you don't want, use custom Roms and root apps, increase speed and performance and battery life etc.....
Cons of rooting- you could seriously Eff up your phone if you don't know what your doing, void warranty etc....
3. See answer #1 also you can back them all up on your Google account.
4. As far as i know there is no way to set up different notification sounds for two separate email account, only one choice for notification sounds.
5.Install a file manager from the market like "Astro" to explore your sdcard, with temp root or perm root you can use "Root Explorer" and browse and change system files as well as the SD card files.
If you want to add notification sounds you can also select the personalize button on the far right side of the Rosie launcher and then select "Sound Set" and download new notification sounds.
Add ringtones check out this link....http://maketecheasier.com/add-custom-alarm-ringtone-in-android/2010/01/08
Hope this helps you with some of your questions.....

Thanks joemm
thanks for detailed info... one question on rooting if i may. Can i root without loosing everything i've done? meaning root it, download, use titanium. and know i'll be good to go.
Thanks

Yes, temp rooting will not touch any of your settings or apps. So temp root then back up with titanium backup, it will even back up each apps settings too, like a certain level your on in a game or saved search results etc...

thanks alot.. will attempt this tonight!

How do you back up your apps to your google account?

xladeeda said:
How do you back up your apps to your google account?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's automatic.

joemm im going to tackle this tomm. will ES file explorer work? or will i need to use root explorer to accomplish my goals? i love ES file explorer because it gives me access to my network files.
thanks in advance!

xtacybyme said:
joemm im going to tackle this tomm. will ES file explorer work? or will i need to use root explorer to accomplish my goals? i love ES file explorer because it gives me access to my network files.
thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ES will work just the same....
No need to temp root now....perm root is out.
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using XDA Premium App

i think this may beyond me. i tried the temp. i think it's the temp.. steps i took
downloaded rw sensation from post #1 on link you provided.
unzipped
installed htc sense on win 7 machine double clicked Run_ME_Fr3vo_ROOT
ran a bunch of commands. once done it said hit any key to continue
then i went to phone transferred superuser file to storage card /installs, installed that. then went to superuser and it says no apps.
so not sure how to uninstall the default apps.
in Es file explorer i did notice i can see the system files now.
questions. may i ask how i permanently root this thing? (all i want to do is remove stock apps, and do backups. i 'm to old for the custom rom stuff. and to be honest don't have the time to be testing/doing custom roms anymore.)
after i accomplish the permanent root, what steps are needed to remove stock apps? (special programs, commands?)
and then what steps are needed to just do a backup, and finally enjoy this phone with out worries of lockups, crashes, etc...
and thirdly what are the steps to get all apps off my htc sensation onto my main machine so i have them backed up.
Sorry for not understanding fully. ive spent 4 days setting this up to my liking, buying what i need. and just want to be able to backup everything, and not worry bout it. like i can with all my pc's via Acronis image.
thanks for any clarification.

still yet to get my sensation permanently rooted... is this the most recent guide that will work with my Tmobile USA sensation?
post 1 - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1192300
I don't brick my phone.
thanks

xtacybyme said:
still yet to get my sensation permanently rooted... is this the most recent guide that will work with my Tmobile USA sensation?
post 1 - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1192300
I don't brick my phone.
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, yep. That's the one.
Just read each point completely before you start.
It's really much easier than it appears.
Good luck.

well i decided to try it. and i think i screwed up
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1192300
Grrrr. im getting to old for this stuff, (not on pc's as much anymore) when i was younger this stuff came easy to me.
i downloaded first file (revolutionary) did the steps. OF COURSE IT HANGS ON MINE)
so i went to post 2. it wasnt detailed for lamens.. so i uninstalled htc sync on phone and windows 7 32 bit. then i went to this post unrar'd files. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1161769&highlight=htc+driver and have no clue what to do next...
so now i sit, with those files on my windows 7 machine, no htc sync on phone or windows 7 machine. ideas please?
yes i read this post... http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=16143324&postcount=11
but they dont tell me where i should make temp folder (on phone or pc?)

who wants to make a quick $20.00?
If not enough let me know amount. i'm done with this. i just want to backup my phone in it's entirety, i want to backup my apps to HDD location of my choice on my pc. I want to do an image (just like an acronis, or norton ghost) of my sensation to HDD location of my choice on my pc. Like i use to be able to do with my SPV's, HD2's.
Pm Me. and let's get this done!
Thank you!

[Completed] Revisit Accessing a .backup file on windows for lost information.

My original post was closed before I could respond...
Below the original is a response I received.
Hi Im not a developer and dont know much about android i just don't know who to ask for this particular problem.
I had a ZTE Obsidian phone that wont get past the Metropcs boot screen so I did a system restore menu by holding power and the up vol button.
After going to boot menu I created a backup to my sdcard. userdata_20150101_003623.backup this is the file name I was given. To make sure I created another one and the only diffrence is trhe file extension saying backup1.
I then factory reset the phone and tried to reboot but it still has the same problem. I purchased a new phone the asus Zenfone3. I then tried to do the same thing here but restore the phone using the same backup from the ZTE but I received an error saying the backup is out of date. The zte was running on lollipop and the asus on marshmellow.
Im on windows 10. I was hoping to find away to extract my contacts and possibly the app color note with the notes I wrote in it from the backup.
Is this possible can I extract these files from a .backup to my windows 10 desktop some kind of way or can I get another zte phone and create a clone of my last one from the backup file
Greetings and welcome to assist. Do you know what format the backup was saved in ? Where you using twrp or cwm? You could use titanium backup to extract from the backup on your phone if you have root or I think assayed kitchen has the option to extract from a back up here
https://forum.xda-developers.com/che...tchen-t3410545
Good Luck
Sawdoctor
Do you know what format the backup was saved in ?
No I dont know what format the file is saved in. The file extension just says .backup
Where you using twrp or cwm?
Im a novice at android and developing. I dont know what these are. I used my no rooted phone from Metro Pcs (ZTE Obsidian Z820) before I factory rest it I created a backup using the factory restore system on the phone. I did not use a computer or third party apps to do this.
You could use titanium backup to extract from the backup on your phone if you have root or I think assayed kitchen has the option to extract from a back up here.
The phone was from metro pcs and not rooted. I have also downloaded the (Assayed Kitchen) program but have no idea how to use it to access the .backup file. There are no instructions for some one of my limited knowledge on android phones.

JollyDangerous said:
My original post was closed before I could respond...
Below the original is a response I received.
Hi Im not a developer and dont know much about android i just don't know who to ask for this particular problem.
I had a ZTE Obsidian phone that wont get past the Metropcs boot screen so I did a system restore menu by holding power and the up vol button.
After going to boot menu I created a backup to my sdcard. userdata_20150101_003623.backup this is the file name I was given. To make sure I created another one and the only diffrence is trhe file extension saying backup1.
I then factory reset the phone and tried to reboot but it still has the same problem. I purchased a new phone the asus Zenfone3. I then tried to do the same thing here but restore the phone using the same backup from the ZTE but I received an error saying the backup is out of date. The zte was running on lollipop and the asus on marshmellow.
Im on windows 10. I was hoping to find away to extract my contacts and possibly the app color note with the notes I wrote in it from the backup.
Is this possible can I extract these files from a .backup to my windows 10 desktop some kind of way or can I get another zte phone and create a clone of my last one from the backup file
Greetings and welcome to assist. Do you know what format the backup was saved in ? Where you using twrp or cwm? You could use titanium backup to extract from the backup on your phone if you have root or I think assayed kitchen has the option to extract from a back up here
https://forum.xda-developers.com/che...tchen-t3410545
Good Luck
Sawdoctor
Do you know what format the backup was saved in ?
No I dont know what format the file is saved in. The file extension just says .backup
Where you using twrp or cwm?
Im a novice at android and developing. I dont know what these are. I used my no rooted phone from Metro Pcs (ZTE Obsidian Z820) before I factory rest it I created a backup using the factory restore system on the phone. I did not use a computer or third party apps to do this.
You could use titanium backup to extract from the backup on your phone if you have root or I think assayed kitchen has the option to extract from a back up here.
The phone was from metro pcs and not rooted. I have also downloaded the (Assayed Kitchen) program but have no idea how to use it to access the .backup file. There are no instructions for some one of my limited knowledge on android phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Greetings ans welcome again. It is unusual for a stock recovery to be able to make a back up that is the problem, it is only normally possible to make a backup using a custom recovery like cwm or twrp so I assumed you had done this. You can not restore a backup from a different model of phone as it is incompatible, if you copy your back up to your pc and right click it to get properties it should tell you what file extension was used. You won't be able to restore the back up to a different model of phone but may be able to extract contacts, messages, photos etc
Regards
Sawdoctor

sawdoctor said:
Greetings ans welcome again. It is unusual for a stock recovery to be able to make a back up that is the problem, it is only normally possible to make a backup using a custom recovery like cwm or twrp so I assumed you had done this. You can not restore a backup from a different model of phone as it is incompatible, if you copy your back up to your pc and right click it to get properties it should tell you what file extension was used. You won't be able to restore the back up to a different model of phone but may be able to extract contacts, messages, photos etc
Regards
Sawdoctor
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea thats what I thought but wanted to verify it. Im currently trying to find the same model phone online so I can use the files.
When I click the properties button the file type is listed as "BACKUP (.backup)". I dont think there is a program that can actually read this file type at least I cant find one that does.
If there is one I would like to be able to get that kind of info off of it.