Is it safe to restore app data when switching ROMs? - Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III

If I backed up apps and data on an AOSP ROM and want to restore them on a JB ROM, for example, is it safe to restore app data through Titanium Backup? For whatever reason, Titanium Backup doesn't seem to offer an option to batch restore apps WITHOUT data, it only has "restore all apps with data." I've heard that this isn't advised, but I don't want to have to restore all of these apps individually. Seems odd that the top-selling root app doesn't have this option... waste of money if you ask me.
Keep in mind this isn't system data, as I only ever backup user apps.

ive done it without problems.
just dont do system data as you said.

Restoring apps with data is kind of the point of titanium backup. Feel free to do it across Roms, even phones.
If you don't want to restore data, there's a real button option after you choose 'restore missing apps with data' so you can just do apps.
I would avoid restoring system data. Especially when going from AOSP to TW or vice versa.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

Sometimes it can be a problem. Just try it.

I use Go Backup and just restored a bunch of apps from my DINC2 running ParanoidAndroid, I also restored my WiFI passwords and ringtone just fine. I think it might depend on the app.

Many people have said its not safe to restore system apps and data when switching between different ROMs. HOWEVER, what about when switching between versions of Cyanogen?
For instance I have been following the Release Candidate Versions for CyanogenMod 10.1.0. Right now I am on RC5. However, it is quite annoying to reset all of my system settings each time I flash the updated version. I'm wondering if because it is just a different version of the same ROM, if it would be advisable to backup and restore system apps+data when I flash to a new version.
Thanks

You might have to since there are likely to be changes from the previous version to the next version of the same ROM.

Restoring apps with data is generally fine. There will be some apps that may not work correctly and will require you to uninstall and reinstall from the playstore (ex, words with friends, notifications break on tibu restores), but in general is fine. Tibu will automatically not install apps that the system will reject (system or stock apps).
As far as system data goes, in general never do it. Just tap the batch restore of system data, uncheck all, and select a few basic items to restore. Choose xml format. What generally works across all roms is: call log, messages sms/mms, Wi-Fi access points, and Bluetooth access points. Those are the 4 you really only need, as it takes about 5 min to set up your main system settings. Main system settings vary to much between builds to restore safely, things will break. Full system data restore is only useful if wiping and installing the exact same rom, which almost never happens!

Thank you! Those were really the only 4 I care about...

My 2 cents..
It all comes down to whether the android version, system version, stock ota base, touch wiz vs aosp, gapps, launcher grid size etc changed when you switched roms. Also if app permissions change you can get apps that force close, most of the time you can fix this by fixing permissions via recovery or script command. If the app has been zipaligned then you'll have to wipe dalvik cache to get the app to rebuild its cache in some cases. In general, user apps are ok because most problems that may happen can easily be fixed.
Sorry this is a complex question with a lot of variables and I generalized a lot in my post.
Surge1223

Restore Apps with Filter
Quacker said:
If I backed up apps and data on an AOSP ROM and want to restore them on a JB ROM, for example, is it safe to restore app data through Titanium Backup? For whatever reason, Titanium Backup doesn't seem to offer an option to batch restore apps WITHOUT data, it only has "restore all apps with data." I've heard that this isn't advised, but I don't want to have to restore all of these apps individually. Seems odd that the top-selling root app doesn't have this option... waste of money if you ask me.
Keep in mind this isn't system data, as I only ever backup user apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was mentioned earlier in the post but in case you missed it (I did the first few times using TiBU), you can hit the "Restore All Apps + Missing Data" and when you go to run that batch, you will come to a screen with all the apps checked. Just hit "unselect all" and then check the user apps you want to restore. That was you restore all your missing apps and the data for all apps except for the sys apps. Works like a charm!

lazarus0000 said:
It was mentioned earlier in the post but in case you missed it (I did the first few times using TiBU), you can hit the "Restore All Apps + Missing Data" and when you go to run that batch, you will come to a screen with all the apps checked. Just hit "unselect all" and then check the user apps you want to restore. That was you restore all your missing apps and the data for all apps except for the sys apps. Works like a charm!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I always select "restore missing apps with data" and that's all user stuff. I don't back up system either so I don't have to worry about it.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

Just don't mention that you did this in the support thread for the ROM you're using

Related

[Q] Titanium backup question

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.
____________________________
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

Backups

I like switching from rom to rom, trying each out and seeing how each work, I backup all my apps and the market links via titanium backup, but shortcuts on the homescreen and other settings aren't.
is there anyway you guys backup your shortcuts and setings beside my backup root?
thanks
yeah, do a "backup all user apps + system data" (hit menu, pick "batch" then scroll down to "backup" and "backup all user apps + system data")
that saves/restores all widgets and shortcuts
hope that helps
Solidus_n313 said:
yeah, do a "backup all user apps + system data" (hit menu, pick "batch" then scroll down to "backup" and "backup all user apps + system data")
that saves/restores all widgets and shortcuts
hope that helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would like to add that restoring all system data might screw some parts of Sense like e.g. location update in weather and clock or the lock screen.
Restore user apps + data first, then restore only the green entries in TB...
- mwie -
Solidus_n313 said:
yeah, do a "backup all user apps + system data" (hit menu, pick "batch" then scroll down to "backup" and "backup all user apps + system data")
that saves/restores all widgets and shortcuts
hope that helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Restoring data and apps from ROM to ROM may screw your software and cause issues.
For me, I had problems with Market, locations, and lockscreen wasn't showing icons + the phone was lagging badly...
You can restore only contacts, SMS and so on.. I don't think you'll need anything else
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e
claudenegm said:
Restoring data and apps from ROM to ROM may screw your software and cause issues.
For me, I had problems with Market, locations, and lockscreen wasn't showing icons + the phone was lagging badly...
You can restore only contacts, SMS and so on.. I don't think you'll need anything else
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats for the best im sure, but i cant be bothered to go through all of the apps and i havent had any issues so far, and ive done a FULL titanium backup at least 20-25 times im sure its just a matter of time, but until then its save a lot of trouble getting my fone looking exactly the same again
note* ive gone thru 2.3.3, 2.3.4 AND 2.3.5 with no issues yet, but again, i just might be lucky with the roms i use for daily drivers (mainly InsertCoin) and my apps/files
Alright so data + system data and everything comes back. Isn't that the same thing as restoring just the data from the advanced menu in recovery?
No that restores the Rom you used while making the back up
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using XDA App
xyqtt said:
No that restores the Rom you used while making the back up
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yep, titanium is ONLY for app and data within android, whereas teh recovery backup is a COMPLETE backup of your partitions, and full rom the the day, hour, minute and second that you backed it up
No, but when you go to advanced restore, and select data, would that just work?
truth be told, ive never tried, i prefer the ability to pick and choose the apps to be restored, if necessary. i would assume it does a full data backup/restore that functions essentially the same...
why not give it a shot, and post the results?
I'm guessing it's the same, when I install a new rom, I just wipe cache, dalvik, and system and go ahead and install the update so my data partition always stays... I don't know if that does anything to the rom, by bringing in junk left by the previous rom but we'll see the next time Baad releases a new version of InsertCoin

How to restore using Titanium Backup

I had recently rooted my phone and had installed Titanium backup using which I backed up all the apps+data.
Using Titanium backup I tried to remove a stock app provided by lg. During this process the phone rebooted twice and after that I saw that the phone had been reset to the factory settings.
I restored by following the below steps
Titanium backup > Backup/Restore > menu > batch > Restore > run Restore missing apps + all system data.
After restoring I observe that the phone is not being able to connect to any wifi, however previously when it was in factory reset it was being able to connect to wifi. Could anyone please help.
Which stock app did u remove?
sarus_b said:
Which stock app did u remove?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it was one of "Dhingana", "Bollywoodji" or "AG indian newspapers". I had restored after that but currently I do not find "Dhingana" among the installed apps.
It would be the best of you would factory reset again. If you have a custom recovery, then reboot into it(either from ROM Manager or with phone off holding Volume Down+Home+Power) and wipe data, cache etc. If you haven't got a custom recovery, then power your phone off and use the key combination above. It should work.
And don't use "restore system data" option in Titanium. Better restore individual apps in the "Backup/Restore" without going into the Batch mode.
--
P>
Sent from my LG-P500 using xda app-developers app
Which setting/file are the system settings saved in? Things like the nav bar, notification bar, display, account syns, etc....? I know all about the pitfalls of restoring system data across different ROMs and for those cases, I just bite the bullet and redo all of those settings. But it seriously takes an hour or two to go in and redo all of those settings and if a RM is getting updated every couple of weeks, this just gets way too tedious for it to be worth it.
I know I can just do a system data + app and data restore for those cases and I do use that but there are times when I do not want every single thing restored and it would be nice to know which file all of those settings are saved in. I tried tinkering with just a few of those but I could not seem to find it.
Thank you in advance for any help, much appreciated.
And/or which file(s) cause the android.process.media to stop working and in general causes apps to crash? Also, does the Android ID cause/affect that? Thanks again.
[Edit] After much trial and error, I found the cause of the android.media.process and all apps in general crashing as a result problem(s). It was the file(s) Download Manager eng.prbassplayer and/or Downloads eng.prbassplayer inside Titanium Backup - Restore System Data selections. Just fyi for those wanting to know. I restored all other system and app data besides those and had no problems whatsoever with all Interface settings restored. I still did not figure out which file restored the Interface settings, if anyone could still shed some light on that.
This post relates to custom ROMs and restoring stuff with TB. Hoping someone can help.
I have been playing with Resurrection Remix for the last 7 months and have recently switched to Vanilla Rootbox.
With these two ROM's (and probably others) when an update is released a wipe/factory reset is required before installing the update. This causes a great amount of inconvenience as I have to manually re-setup all my shortcuts/widgets, email accounts, custom settings such as custom settings (toggles, etc...) ringtones and notifications sounds and so on.
All this takes ages and I'm getting a little tired of having to do it. There must be an easier way? Can this sort of stuff be restored with TB? I could be wrong but I don't think it can.
Many thanks.
tmarinos said:
This post relates to custom ROMs and restoring stuff with TB. Hoping someone can help.
I have been playing with Resurrection Remix for the last 7 months and have recently switched to Vanilla Rootbox.
With these two ROM's (and probably others) when an update is released a wipe/factory reset is required before installing the update. This causes a great amount of inconvenience as I have to manually re-setup all my shortcuts/widgets, email accounts, custom settings such as custom settings (toggles, etc...) ringtones and notifications sounds and so on.
All this takes ages and I'm getting a little tired of having to do it. There must be an easier way? Can this sort of stuff be restored with TB? I could be wrong but I don't think it can.
Many thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try to save them in TB, if you can find in TB and save them it will be restored to any rom you will use in future
I was under the impression that those settings caused problems if formats were needed and especially between different ROM's?
And yeah, tmarinos I definitely her you there. I have stopped using those extra customizations for my ROM, though I can usually restore my home screen and app drawer settings safely, thankfully.
The developers of my ROM (Slim Bean) have started that they want to include a feature to restores those settings between resets, so hopefully that type of feature becomes more integrated as time goes on. Hopefully.
On another note, my phone's TB is having issues. When it runs an automated scheduled backup task, it keeps saying "insufficient storage" but if I manually run that exact same task it runs just fine. Anyone have any idea what that's about?
Sent from my GT-P3113 using xda app-developers app

[Q] After the ROM Burn

I am fairly new to this but did burn the Synergy ROM to my Verizon Galaxy S3. Very nice but:
After wiping out everything (Dalvick/Factory Reset, etc.) what is the best method to get back to where I was.
I have a full Titanium backup but I am sure that I do not want it to restore everything since some things are from the VRALHE version and the new Synergy ROM is from the lastest VRBLK3 (v4.1.1) ROM.
So what is the best method to get all my programs and settings for them back into the phone? Anyone?
You can use TB for all downloaded apps. I wouldn't use it to back up system apps as it causes problems when used if different roms. I would buy mybackup pro. It will let you backup contacts sms mms phone logs dictionary and a few others. Between those 2 backups the only thing you'll have to "setup" would be your home screens if your not using nova or apex. I use apex which let's me backup my screens so I can flash a new rom and within 20 min my phone will look as it did before the new flash minus any new features the rom might have
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Jarredw said:
You can use TB for all downloaded apps. I wouldn't use it to back up system apps as it causes problems when used if different roms. I would buy mybackup pro. It will let you backup contacts sms mms phone logs dictionary and a few others. Between those 2 backups the only thing you'll have to "setup" would be your home screens if your not using nova or apex. I use apex which let's me backup my screens so I can flash a new rom and within 20 min my phone will look as it did before the new flash minus any new features the rom might have
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As much as some people are changing ROMs I wondered about this. I went through TB and turned off the restore on all the system apps. Quite a pain. So now I will stop it from backing up the system apps in the first place. I am using GO and it allows me to backup the screens.
Was hoping there was some magically quick method that did it all. Guess 20 mins is best.
Thanks for the answer.
Skubacb said:
As much as some people are changing ROMs I wondered about this. I went through TB and turned off the restore on all the system apps. Quite a pain. So now I will stop it from backing up the system apps in the first place. I am using GO and it allows me to backup the screens.
Was hoping there was some magically quick method that did it all. Guess 20 mins is best.
Thanks for the answer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can backup and restore all data and system apps + data. Do not restore system data. That is different from system app data.. Do not use the option to restore system data. Data to any app is fine whether it be data or system app. There is no difference between system and data apps except that system apps are not as easily deleted. All roms have the same basic system apps. If you want an app to stay in rom regardless of data reset you move it to system. Apps in system are not removed by a data reset.
prdog1 said:
Can backup and restore all data and system apps + data. Do not restore system data. That is different from system app data.. Do not use the option to restore system data. Data to any app is fine whether it be data or system app. There is no difference between system and data apps except that system apps are not as easily deleted. All roms have the same basic system apps. If you want an app to stay in rom regardless of data reset you move it to system. Apps in system are not removed by a data reset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the help. I turned off backing up system apps. When doing this I noticed that TB can make a zip file of the backup. That should be sweet. Couldn't we have ROM Manager burn the ROM and then install the TB zip.
If the above would work this could make life much easier since I would not then have to install TB find the backup and then install it. Everything would already be reinstalled.

Methods to Move to Other ROMs

What methods are recommended to move from one ROM to another? I know how to backup and flash, but configuring everything all over again, from Gmail accounts, WiFi networks, ringtones and so on is a hassle which causes me to hesitate to explore other ROM's.
For those of you who stay on top of the latest and greatest, do you have any tricks that you can share? I'm familiar with root and some of the gates it opens, but I don't have any programming background whatsoever and I'm only good at following a how-to guide.
I've heard of Titanium but I'm confused what it does. I've heard arguments that variables of ROM's, odexed versus deodexed, and so on cause Titanium to not always work.
Any help is appreciated!
Sent from my SM-G900P using XDA Free mobile app
Before I switch ROMs, I usually use Titanium Backup to backup all user apps + data. I don't back up system apps because I don't know if that would be the best move when switching to ROMs that don't have cetain system functions of the previous ROM. While I'm backing up the user apps + data, I make a nandroid backup with TWRP. Then I flash the ROM, restore my apps, then play with the settings for about 10 minutes getting everything to where I want. It all takes me about 15 minutes to backup apps + data and nandroid backup, then about an hour to do everything after.
I do something similar. I backup my apps using Titanium Backup, and I to ONLY back up apps not system data ive done both ways and when I backed up the SYS Data I would sometimes get force close issues etc. I also use SMS backup/restore and backup my text messages (make sure u are backing up all this stuff to the external SD card not internal SD), I also use a file manager to make sure I got everything off internal memory an move it to external SD. Then I boot into Recovery Mode, wipe data, wipe dalvik, cache etc, ill flash my new ROM and then wipe dalvik and cache again (maybe pointless but I always have succes so Im not changing my ways now lol) after all that then I reboot and wait for it all to settle in, then sign into everything etc, and then for good measure, after its all done I power off and take batt out for 30 sec and then put it back in and power on and im good!
Been doing it this same way for years now and this is what works for me.
If u need help just let me know.
Sent from my Sexy Samsung S5
burowyako said:
What methods are recommended to move from one ROM to another? I know how to backup and flash, but configuring everything all over again, from Gmail accounts, WiFi networks, ringtones and so on is a hassle which causes me to hesitate to explore other ROM's.
For those of you who stay on top of the latest and greatest, do you have any tricks that you can share? I'm familiar with root and some of the gates it opens, but I don't have any programming background whatsoever and I'm only good at following a how-to guide.
I've heard of Titanium but I'm confused what it does. I've heard arguments that variables of ROM's, odexed versus deodexed, and so on cause Titanium to not always work.
Any help is appreciated!
Sent from my SM-G900P using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd like to know as well; on my Samsung Moment I could backup and restore data when flashing a new ROM, which quickly restored ringtones, call and message logs, etc. But this doesn't seem to be an option with current generation recoveries?

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