[Q] backing up my current rom - General Questions and Answers

Ok so im a long time rooter but first time rom installer on my main device, every time i have installed a custom rom it has never been on a main device so backups were never an issue...i want a custom rom on my samsung gs3 4g cus im sick of touchwiz, just wanted to know, if i do a full nandroid backup, will that be a full backup likr itunes does with a restore from backup? Like all my apps, settings, etc etc will be in the same place as before? I need to have a security blanket and make sure all my stuff is safe

Yes, it is. Everything would be back up. When you reflash it again, everything would be the way it was. But I advise you to backup one in internal and the other at external. Happened before where my nandroid backup failed and I have to use an earlier, older back up.
Sent from my GT-N7105 using xda app-developers app

safestrap baby safestrap

Related

[Q] Flashing Roms and Backing Up Data

Hey guys,
I've been flashing Roms non-stop trying to find one that I like. The main problem I'm having with this is that I have to go back and redownload each app every time I flash a new rom.
I've heard people say that you should absolutely not use titanium back up, but they don't give reasons.
How do you guys do it? This is crazy...
Titanium backup is fine, just don't restore system data, ever. Restore MISSING apps with data and you'll be just fine.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using XDA App

Just got Galaxy S3! New to rooting, ROM, etc....

Hey guys! I just bought the Galaxy S3 and I'm really loving it so far. However, it is my first Android device, so I'm still pretty new to all this rooting, flashing, ROM, etc. All I know is that rooting is similar to jailbreaking in iPhone (which I understand pretty well and use to do all the time) in that it allows you to do things you wouldn't originally been able to do. Because of that, I decided to root my Galaxy S3 following a Youtube video, which turned out really well and was pretty simple. After that, I watched another video to "flash a rom" (I think that's how you say it...) and installed CyanogenMod 10. I wanted Jelly Bean over TouchWiz ICS, so I'm liking it so far. Everything runs smoothly and that Project Butter is uh-mazing! However, I think I've noticed some bugs. For example, the camera's exposure settings don't work and every once in a while, my home button doesn't respond when I'm trying to wake it up from lock! I actually had to pull my battery out yesterday because it wouldn't respond and just froze ...Is there anyway that I can fix this? My Dolphin Browser doesn't play flash anymore too, but that's a little fine with me, since the stock browser is able to. And also, I noticed that when I flashed the rom, it pretty much wiped my phone clean, so is there a way to install all my apps and data back the way I wanted previously? I heard about somethings like Titanium Backup, but then I'm also confused about what the hell all that custom backup and recovery and ClockWork Mod and Rom Mananger is about ...Is it also ok that I installed Apex Launcher after getting CyanogenMod 10? I like how I can still customize it and whatnot.
Sorry for making this post so lengthy! I'm just really excited and curious about how all of this works. It's definitely a lot more complex (but a ton more fun and interesting! ) than just jailbreaking an iPhone. I've looked around the forum and have read some 101 Basics, but it's still quite a lot to understand all in one day. Anyways, if anyone can please provide some feedback, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you! :laugh:
I was using SynergyRom v1.7 for a few days but was really laggy on my device. Ive since switch over to CleanRom 2.0 SP1 running CleanKernel 1.0, using CWM 6.0.1.0 recovery, and so far seems to be running alot smoother and faster than Synergy. The only problem ive found with it is the Rom comes with the cpu set up to 1.9 Ghz even when I have it set at 1.5 on SetCPU, and if im putting a heavy load on my device, the back gets pretty warm. There is a post I remember seein something about that issue but cant find it.
If you would like to give this ROM a try, you can find it here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1832070
The current version of cm 10 is nightly is not done and there is bugs. the only thing I got was the wake up thing but it never froze for me.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
fr8cture said:
The current version of cm 10 is nightly is not done and there is bugs. the only thing I got was the wake up thing but it never froze for me.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So your's doesn't wake when you push the home button too?! Thought it was just me...And do you know when CM10 will be fully stable? Or are there other roms out there that are?
lilaznandyx said:
So your's doesn't wake when you push the home button too?! Thought it was just me...And do you know when CM10 will be fully stable? Or are there other roms out there that are?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not using cm 10 anymore but try waking it with the power button, I'm currently using paranoid android and don't have the problem and its based off cm10
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
lilaznandyx said:
And also, I noticed that when I flashed the rom, it pretty much wiped my phone clean, so is there a way to install all my apps and data back the way I wanted previously? I heard about somethings like Titanium Backup, but then I'm also confused about what the hell all that custom backup and recovery and ClockWork Mod and Rom Mananger is about ...Is it also ok that I installed Apex Launcher after getting CyanogenMod 10? I like how I can still customize it and whatnot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
welcome! i'm still a noob too but customizing and flashing roms is definitely a whole lot of fun. A few things:
before you continue I suggest that you backup your IMEI if you have not done so. There are currently 3 methods to doing this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1852255
you can do all 3 methods just to make sure you are safe.
TitaniumBackup is an awesome program that can save your apps and their data, your contacts, your sms, all to your SD card so that when you need to wipe your data clean you can easily restore all your apps and such again. There is a free version in the appstore that I think is a must have.
ClockworkMod is a custom recovery for our device and basically what we use to flash new roms and kernels. Also we can create Nandroid backups (basically a snapshot of our system that we can restore at a later time) through CWM.
As for launchers you can feel free to use Apex, Nova, Holo, any of these launchers with the different Roms. They will generally come pre-loaded with one but if you have a preference you can just install that launcher and set it as the new default.
Welcome to Android and xda!
pyunny said:
welcome! i'm still a noob too but customizing and flashing roms is definitely a whole lot of fun. A few things:
before you continue I suggest that you backup your IMEI if you have not done so. There are currently 3 methods to doing this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1852255
you can do all 3 methods just to make sure you are safe.
TitaniumBackup is an awesome program that can save your apps and their data, your contacts, your sms, all to your SD card so that when you need to wipe your data clean you can easily restore all your apps and such again. There is a free version in the appstore that I think is a must have.
ClockworkMod is a custom recovery for our device and basically what we use to flash new roms and kernels. Also we can create Nandroid backups (basically a snapshot of our system that we can restore at a later time) through CWM.
As for launchers you can feel free to use Apex, Nova, Holo, any of these launchers with the different Roms. They will generally come pre-loaded with one but if you have a preference you can just install that launcher and set it as the new default.
Welcome to Android and xda!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for replying! Sorry for asking, but what is an IMEI and why should I back it up? And what is the difference between a Nandroid backup and a Titanium backup?
lilaznandyx said:
Thanks for replying! Sorry for asking, but what is an IMEI and why should I back it up? And what is the difference between a Nandroid backup and a Titanium backup?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nandroid Backs up your whole system and Titanium just backs up your apps and app data, Not exactly sure what a IMEI is but if you don't have it you wont have any service.
an IMEI is a code unique to your device that allows your phone to be identified by your provider. Without it you won't have a phone signal nor data. You should back it up as it has been reported that rarely users can lose their IMEI upon flashing a rom.
The devs have been hard at work at learning what triggers this to happen and ways we can get rid of the problem altogether but until then, it's wise to backup the IMEI and save the backups in a safe place.
Most have lost their Imei when flashing aosp roms but not all. Some have reported it with touchwiz roms as well.
The are 3different methods to back it up though not 100% .
All are featured in development section.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
lilaznandyx said:
Thanks for replying! Sorry for asking, but what is an IMEI and why should I back it up? And what is the difference between a Nandroid backup and a Titanium backup?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
International Mobile Equipment Identity
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Mobile_Equipment_Identity
CleanRom 2.1 just came out today in case anyone is interested...im gonna install it and give it a shot...heard it was much more stable and smoother than v2.0 which im running now.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1832070
nighthawk34691 said:
CleanRom 2.1 just came out today in case anyone is interested...im gonna install it and give it a shot...heard it was much more stable and smoother than v2.0 which im running now.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1832070
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How's the new rom? And if I want to install this new rom, do I just do the same thing I did with CM10 (flash, backup, recovery, etc.)?
fr8cture said:
Nandroid Backs up your whole system and Titanium just backs up your apps and app data, Not exactly sure what a IMEI is but if you don't have it you wont have any service.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where is everything backed up to? Like say I want to flash a bunch of roms, and later decide to go back to my stock rom, what do I do?
All nandroid backups (cwm) by default are saved to the root of the internal SD card. They typically are small compressed files and really no need to ever move them, though you can have as many as you want, just label and sort them in cwm app.
Titanium defaults to internal SD (again root file that won't be wiped when wiping data), but you can easily change this location to your external to make you feel safer.
Same deal with rom zip files, if you drag and drop through your desktop, you can drop on either sd card or external. If you download through your phone it will be on internal in downloads file, safe from a wipe. You can then move if needs be using a file explorer app. Just remember your location when flashing so you can find your zip in recovery.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
annoyingduck said:
All nandroid backups (cwm) by default are saved to the root of the internal SD card. They typically are small compressed files and really no need to ever move them, though you can have as many as you want, just label and sort them in cwm app.
Titanium defaults to internal SD (again root file that won't be wiped when wiping data), but you can easily change this location to your external to make you feel safer.
Same deal with rom zip files, if you drag and drop through your desktop, you can drop on either sd card or external. If you download through your phone it will be on internal in downloads file, safe from a wipe. You can then move if needs be using a file explorer app. Just remember your location when flashing so you can find your zip in recovery.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahhh ok. So I'm pretty sure that I did a nandroid backup. So if I want to go back to my old rom, do I just reboot into recovery and click restore or something like that?
That's it. I have several nandroid backups of various rom's and configurations that I can then choose from in recovery. Just remember that if one of your recoveries is original stock (which you should have done), just remember that after flashing that backup, you probably will need to reinstall cwm or similar recovery. You won't need to do that with anything other than stock. I'll do my best to answer any other questions, and please tap the thanks button if this helped!
annoyingduck said:
That's it. I have several nandroid backups of various rom's and configurations that I can then choose from in recovery. Just remember that if one of your recoveries is original stock (which you should have done), just remember that after flashing that backup, you probably will need to reinstall cwm or similar recovery. You won't need to do that with anything other than stock. I'll do my best to answer any other questions, and please tap the thanks button if this helped!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh ok. But if flash the stock rom, will it wipe my phone clean, or will I stay rooted? And do roms take up a lot of storage? I had quite a lot of free space, but after CM10 I lost about 1-2 gb I think.
Yes, roms do take up alot of storage, so its a good idea to put the zip files on your external sd card to keep your internal as free as possible, especially if you have multiple roms that your playing around with. As far as flashing stock, if you mean restoring your stock rom from a backup in recovery mode, then the answer is yes to staying rooted, and no to wiping it clean. It will be in the same state that your phone was in when you made the backup. However, if you flash on an original stock rom it can unroot you and wipe everything depending on how its flashed in. This method really should only need to be done if a backup was not made of your stock rom, or if you have bricked your device in some manner.
Oh okay. So I should be fine then. Which rom do you recommend for this S3? I'm trying to find one that is really stable and is hopefully jelly bean. I'm looking at CleanRom right now, because I like how it incorporates some touchwiz, but I think it's ICS?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

[Q] Can I restore a NS using a nandroid backup from another NS?

Hello,
My girlfriend and I both have a Nexus S 9020a. Both are rooted, both are running SlimBean but with different radios and different kernels.
Her phone is starting to act up a bit, and since I did a fresh wipe recently I'm in a position where I can create a fresh Nandroid backup with all of the apps we both use. (Swiftkey, Nova Launcher, etc). If I create this backup through the recovery console, can she use it to restore her phone and essentially make a duplicate of mine?
Failing that, what's the Android equivalent of reformatting to freshen up her Android without reflashing a different rom? Clear Cache+Dalvik?
I think you would get an.MD5 mismatch with CWM and would not be able to restore. With TWRP you have the option to skip MD5 check but restoring on our phones with TWRP is kinda bugy and for me does not restore any data. Does that sound right forum? I would just take the extra few min and wipe/restore traditionaly with hers.
Sent from my phone using my thumbs and a keyboard
You could also restore data only from her phone using cwm. It's under advanced restore in the backup and restore menu.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk 2
Restoring from another phone is not a good idea. Will lead to many device specific issues. Just take the time, do a complete wipe. and she will love you for it.
Many thanks for the replies, guys. I did end up doing a clean wipe and starting her off from scratch. She's very happy with it.
BTW, both of us are now running the latest version of SlimBean with Bedalus Marmite V5 kernel, and are enjoying some absolutely amazing battery life. Very good stuff. Highly recommended for the aging Nexus S.

[Q] restore nandroid backup with locked bootloader?

I had to get a replacement galaxy s3 through Asurion because the power button broke on my phone. I have a nandroid backup of my old phone however the new replacement phone has the locked bootloader so I guess I can't install CWM? How can I restore my nandroid backup to the new phone?
Assuming you have 4.3 installed on your new phone, try safestrap in the development section but I think it only works for 4.3 tw roms. If you still have your old phone, either replace your power switch or find someone to do it for you.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
I tried to install TWRP on my old phone to do a backup from that but it looks like it bricked my phone. It won't even light up when I connect it to the charger now....
I was able to use safestrap and install the ROM I was using and I have a GOBackup backup of my apps and data. However it looks like it didn't backup any of the application data, specifically Google Authenticator. So now it looks like I'm screwed and locked out half my accounts.. Is there any way to unpack the tar from the CWM backup to retrieve app settings?
Nevermind, I figured out how to extract the tar and pulled the Authenticator database out and restored it on the new phone. Setting up and customizing everything else from scratch is going to be a PITA though.

[Q] Rom Question

This might sound like a dumb question but since I installed my first ever custom rom the other day I don't know. Am I going to have to reinstall all my apps and reset up the whole phone with every new rom I try. Then say I find one that I like and decide to go back to it will that be the case. I plan on doing nandriod backups of each setup that I try.
Thanks
With each new ROM you try, a full wipe is required. So yes, you would have to set up your phone each time. With a nandroid backup of each setup then you wouldn't have to go thru the whole process so long as you wiped before restoring.
Correct me if I am wrong, anyone.
It is best to wipe when you flash a new Rom...as stated above,but using something like Titanium Backup lets you back and restore your apps fairly quickly. I have about 80 apks I back up and restore ever time I flash a new Rom and I have it down to about 5 min from fresh install to my old setup. Also,if you use a custom launcher,a backup there will quickly restore your home screen to your desired setup.
Sent from my LG-D850 using Tapatalk

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