[Q] is it safe to delete everything on a 2nd hand phone - including system folders - General Questions and Answers

Hi - i bought a 2nd hand phone and in case there is any spyware on it, i want to delete everything on it, including all the system folders using clockwork mod. is this safe?
i am wondering, will the imei numbers be preserved ? (ie, are they actually written on a chip that is read only, or are they in the system folders too?) i am wondering this with a few model phones --- galaxy nexus (which i believe does get the imei reset), sony xperia t, nexus 4, etc

temp4285 said:
Hi - i bought a 2nd hand phone and in case there is any spyware on it, i want to delete everything on it, including all the system folders using clockwork mod. is this safe?
i am wondering, will the imei numbers be preserved ? (ie, are they actually written on a chip that is read only, or are they in the system folders too?) i am wondering this with a few model phones --- galaxy nexus (which i believe does get the imei reset), sony xperia t, nexus 4, etc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
just boot into recovery, and do format, wipe data, etc.

Kobro said:
just boot into recovery, and do format, wipe data, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never Try to delete system folders on your phone you will surely get a brick and no one would be able to fix it....
Just Go to setting and find Factory Reset Option that would be the solution to your question...
Hit thanks if i helped......

N'ayam Amarsh'e said:
Never Try to delete system folders on your phone you will surely get a brick and no one would be able to fix it....
Just Go to setting and find Factory Reset Option that would be the solution to your question...
Hit thanks if i helped......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, but surely someone can leave a virus or eavesdropping tool in the system folder ?
i plan to put a custom rom on after that anyway - so is it safe to remove the system folder ?
the only thing i can see that may cause problems is the IMEI number ?

temp4285 said:
yes, but surely someone can leave a virus or eavesdropping tool in the system folder ?
i plan to put a custom rom on after that anyway - so is it safe to remove the system folder ?
the only thing i can see that may cause problems is the IMEI number ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you wipe with cwm it will erase everything that can be safely erased.

Kobro said:
if you wipe with cwm it will erase everything that can be safely erased.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not true - because if you delete the system folder - which you can - on some phones the imei resets, i believe, to something generic
any thoughts anyone ?

If you delete a folder that the os needs, it will rebuild it when it boots

Related

[Q] Multiple "Unfortunately XXXX has stopped" issues

Hi there! I'm running a 'vanila' ICS 4.0.4 Nexus S. After the last reboot i'm having multiple pop-ups about applications that were forced to stop. Literally all system apps (Contacts, Messaging, Market etc), Google apps were forced to close. Phone doesn't rings and so on.
Most sad fact is that i can't even manage to install any program for backing up the phone and make a factory reset.
What can I do now?
Any help is much appreciated
Thanks in advance
lovefool said:
Hi there! I'm running a 'vanila' ICS 4.0.4 Nexus S. After the last reboot i'm having multiple pop-ups about applications that were forced to stop. Literally all system apps (Contacts, Messaging, Market etc), Google apps were forced to close. Phone doesn't rings and so on.
Most sad fact is that i can't even manage to install any program for backing up the phone and make a factory reset.
What can I do now?
Any help is much appreciated
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try this first: go to cwm, choose fix permissions, and see if it works. if not, you can do this: do a nandroid backup with cwm, then, factory reset everything. cache, data EVERYTHING. install any rom of your choice, then, download the titanium backup app, and you can extract app and data from the nandroid backup using titanium. never tested this my self since i backup everything before flashing and clear all data, so app crashes.
hope this helps and please hit the thanks button of you find this helpful!
Thanks for the tip, but i doubt i can do that since i can't install a thing, even appInstaller crashes for me
lovefool said:
Thanks for the tip, but i doubt i can do that since i can't install a thing, even appInstaller crashes for me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
why do you want to install any apps before fixing it??? do you have a custom recovery?
no, i run a clean version of ICS, i haven't even rooted my phone.
i need to install a cwm app which you offer me as a fix
lovefool said:
no, i run a clean version of ICS, i haven't even rooted my phone.
i need to install a cwm app which you offer me as a fix
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, I see. You must have installed the update from 2.3 without wiping. Or something like that. Based on my knowledge, the best things you can do are:
1. Wipe/factory reset then reboot.
Or
Root your phone. Which wipes everything including the SD card partition. You can back up the SD card easy. I suggest the latter. So you can flash custom recovery images and do lots more than 'clean' ICS. One more thing, unrooted and unmodified is technically called stock. You will see this word a lot of times. Hope this helps.
oops! accidentally beamed from my awesome NEXUS S!
lovefool said:
Hi there! I'm running a 'vanila' ICS 4.0.4 Nexus S. After the last reboot i'm having multiple pop-ups about applications that were forced to stop. Literally all system apps (Contacts, Messaging, Market etc), Google apps were forced to close. Phone doesn't rings and so on.
Most sad fact is that i can't even manage to install any program for backing up the phone and make a factory reset.
What can I do now?
Any help is much appreciated
Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had similar conditions, I thought it was kernel/rom problem. and now it seems not!
I fix it this way: go into CWM recovery, backup, and then immediately restore. and the problem is gone. I know it sounds crazy, but it really works for me... every time.
lovefool said:
no, i run a clean version of ICS, i haven't even rooted my phone.
i need to install a cwm app which you offer me as a fix
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And also, try clear data of the apps that had been crashing, go to its app info and click clear data. See if this solves the problem.
^He's not rooted.
oops! accidentally beamed from my awesome NEXUS S!
ok guys, thanks for the help. but i'm thinking of the other way around
can i copy stock ICS 4.0.4 fw file on to internal storage and try to update the phone from HBOOT menu (the one called up with holding 'volume up' key)?
the thing is i have some info on the phone such as sms that i'd like to keep
or perhaps copy whole 'content' of the storage to my pc and move sms base or whatever back after factory reset?
is there a way to access internal storage while in HBOOT menu, cos in the loaded up state i can't copy fw file due to crashing system apps?
lovefool said:
ok guys, thanks for the help. but i'm thinking of the other way around
can i copy stock ICS 4.0.4 fw file on to internal storage and try to update the phone from HBOOT menu (the one called up with holding 'volume up' key)?
the thing is i have some info on the phone such as sms that i'd like to keep
or perhaps copy whole 'content' of the storage to my pc and move sms base or whatever back after factory reset?
is there a way to access internal storage while in HBOOT menu, cos in the loaded up state i can't copy fw file due to crashing system apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You may try backing up SMS with GoSMS to SD-card
lovefool said:
ok guys, thanks for the help. but i'm thinking of the other way around
can i copy stock ICS 4.0.4 fw file on to internal storage and try to update the phone from HBOOT menu (the one called up with holding 'volume up' key)?
the thing is i have some info on the phone such as sms that i'd like to keep
or perhaps copy whole 'content' of the storage to my pc and move sms base or whatever back after factory reset?
is there a way to access internal storage while in HBOOT menu, cos in the loaded up state i can't copy fw file due to crashing system apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I suspect the SMS are stored in the system partition... Google it. If it is, again, you need root to access those files.
oops! accidentally beamed from my awesome NEXUS S!
Billchen0014 said:
try this first: go to cwm, choose fix permissions, and see if it works. if not, you can do this: do a nandroid backup with cwm, then, factory reset everything. cache, data EVERYTHING. install any rom of your choice, then, download the titanium backup app, and you can extract app and data from the nandroid backup using titanium. never tested this my self since i backup everything before flashing and clear all data, so app crashes.
hope this helps and please hit the thanks button of you find this helpful!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did a "fix permission" and it's back to normal now, thanks Billchen0014!!

[Q] hard reset proofing apps

I have an app on my phone that I want to hard reset proof not just the apk (which ive already done) but the settings also. ive tried using root explorers and changing the permissions for the /data/data folders but that doesnt help, ive tried converting the user app to a system app AFTER I set up all my options, hoping that would save all my settings, and I tried changing the permissions of my "system" app to prevent any changes. no luck. ive been researching like crazy and I hope im not posting in the wrong forum but can someone explain how to make my app and its settings master reset proof? thanks a bunch!
btw I have a rooted tmobile samsung galaxy s3 (sgh-t999) with the latest android (4.1.1 using the root66 rom), with supersu and busybox if that helps. and if it works for my s3, would the same steps work on my note 2?
Are you putting your app into /system/app ?
Hmm ...
careenprokop85 said:
...
btw I have a rooted tmobile samsung galaxy s3 (sgh-t999) with the latest android (4.1.1 using the root66 rom), with supersu and busybox if that helps. and if it works for my s3, would the same steps work on my note 2?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried in app info -> clear data? (also clear cache).
xclub_101 said:
Have you tried in app info -> clear data? (also clear cache).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I have but why would I want that? I want to save the current settings not clear them
[email protected] said:
Are you putting your app into /system/app ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes the app is in my system/app and it does survive a master reset but the settings of the app don't. Would I have to build a custom rom after installing the app and getting the settings all set how I want? Then If it's master reset it should save the settings, right?
careenprokop85 said:
yes the app is in my system/app and it does survive a master reset but the settings of the app don't. Would I have to build a custom rom after installing the app and getting the settings all set how I want? Then If it's master reset it should save the settings, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Normally Android keeps app data under /data/data.
When you commit a hardreset, /data gets wiped. So all your app data gets removed.
You have to keep your app data under /system if you are the developer of that app
careenprokop85 said:
Yes I have but why would I want that? I want to save the current settings not clear them
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OOPS. my mistake, I only read hard-reset, not the entire hard-reset-proof :
[email protected] said:
Normally Android keeps app data under /data/data.
When you commit a hardreset, /data gets wiped. So all your app data gets removed.
You have to keep your app data under /system if you are the developer of that app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but wouldnt that folder then need to be moved back to data/data after the master reset for it to work correctly?
careenprokop85 said:
but wouldnt that folder then need to be moved back to data/data after the master reset for it to work correctly?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depends on who the developer of that app is.
If it's not you, yes you have move that folder after every hardreset.
If it's you, I suggest you to use /system as your app data folder.
unfortunately I'm not the apps developer. However, if I created a custom rom by installing whatever room I wanted, then setting up the app as I want it, then creating a custom rom from that, then flash it, would that solve the problem? Because (if im understanding things right lol) then someone could matter reset it and it would revert to how the chain rom was when I flashed it, correct?
Suppose I am the developer of the app.
How do set App Data folder to System?
SandeepEmekar said:
Suppose I am the developer of the app.
How do set App Data folder to System?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm already using a hardreset proof app on my note 2. It uses /etc folder to keep its app datas in a file. After hardreset it detects its data folder wiped, then restores settings from the backup file under /etc.
Of course your program will need root permission to do that.
[email protected] said:
I'm already using a hardreset proof app on my note 2. It uses /etc folder to keep its app datas in a file. After hardreset it detects its data folder wiped, then restores settings from the backup file under /etc.
Of course your program will need root permission to do that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you give me the source code?
SandeepEmekar said:
Can you give me the source code?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where did I say I'm the developer of the App?
[email protected] said:
Where did I say I'm the developer of the App?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL
I knew.
What's the name of the App you are using.
SandeepEmekar said:
LOL
I knew.
What's the name of the App you are using.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Avast Anti Theft
Init.d script to link /system/data/some.app to /data/app-data/some.app
Put apk to /system/app
This should work
GR0S said:
Init.d script to link /system/data/some.app to /data/app-data/some.app
Put apk to /system/app
This should work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can u describe how to do this in a bit more detail? Because I have an apk that I was able to put into the system/app folder, but would LOVE to save the settings so they are master-reset proof. I've contacted the developer but he was a bit of a jerk actually, saying I shouldn't need any reason to hard reset proof the apk..... ugh
From my experience, the avast! anti-theft app consist of 2 hard-reset proof part:
1. APK file in /system/app
2. Setting file (data) in /etc
Both survived hard reset...
The only way to get rid is via Aroma File Manager or flashing ROM.
Get titanium backup, backup all data of the app, and install the update. Then put the data back, if im correct settings would be copy pasted to this way. I use it for many system apps to get data back.
send from another universe, made possible by xda
If you are willing to learn how to script... it's all possible
I have done this before...
Use busybox commands...
Make a backup script that would back up all the user data in tar file.
Make a backup of apps you like to be restored on first boot of any rom.
on first boot let the script install the backed up apps, after install see if data exist for the package you just installed, get permission/owner of the package, restore data and apply permission to data.
i think is the basic
attached are the scripts i used to make this work on android 2.1
i even made a custom progress bar lol that used bootanimation as base...
.... copies custom bootanimation on start
.... copies custom boot sound...
.... restores wifi settings...
.... played music while restoring....
.... uses logcat as primary logging...
i am not sure if these scripts are the latest ones... but they worked at some point...
all was done in here...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1465866
have fun...

[Q] Details regarding Unlocking Bootloader, Rooting and Deleting apps from rom

Hello,
I will really appreciate if you can help to understand few basic issues:
1) When rooting the phone, is the boot-loader must be unlocked? i.e., if I've rooted the phone successfully using some 3rd party utility, it means that the boot-loader was unlocked during the rooting process or it was unlocked in advanced?
2) If the answer to the first question is "yes" (i.e. bootloader must be unlocked before rooting), how it is possible that my data wasn't wiped after rooting? This means that the boot-loader was unlocked in advance? Or maybe the 3rd party application backed up the data before unlocking the boot-loader and than restored it?
3) I heard that in order to install SU, the stock-recovery must be changed to a custom one. Is it necessarily true?
4) How can I check which recovery is installed on the phone?
5) If the recovery is changed to a custom one, does it mean that I stop receive OTA?
6) Can I backup up the stock recovery before changing it? Or how can I know which one it is to search on the net?
7) Do applications, like Titanium, change the recovery upon installation?
8) How applications, like Titanium, move apps, that are not supposed to move in regular installation,from ROM to SD? Can it harm the performance of the app?
9) When deleting apps from ROM (System or Data) manually, do I need to delete other files or folders besides .apk files in system/app or data/app? Is there any cache or other data to delete?
10) Do I need (or should I in case of lack of space) clean some cache files from ROM? (Like Dalvik or others...) If yes, which ones and how?
Sorry for the long post, but It will really help me to understand all these issues, once and for all.
Thank you in advance!
yuri_feigin said:
Hello,
I will really appreciate if you can help to understand few basic issues:
1) When rooting the phone, is the boot-loader must be unlocked? i.e., if I've rooted the phone successfully using some 3rd party utility, it means that the boot-loader was unlocked during the rooting process or it was unlocked in advanced?
2) If the answer to the first question is "yes" (i.e. bootloader must be unlocked before rooting), how it is possible that my data wasn't wiped after rooting? This means that the boot-loader was unlocked in advance? Or maybe the 3rd party application backed up the data before unlocking the boot-loader and than restored it?
3) I heard that in order to install SU, the stock-recovery must be changed to a custom one. Is it necessarily true?
4) How can I check which recovery is installed on the phone?
5) If the recovery is changed to a custom one, does it mean that I stop receive OTA?
6) Can I backup up the stock recovery before changing it? Or how can I know which one it is to search on the net?
7) Do applications, like Titanium, change the recovery upon installation?
8) How applications, like Titanium, move apps, that are not supposed to move in regular installation,from ROM to SD? Can it harm the performance of the app?
9) When deleting apps from ROM (System or Data) manually, do I need to delete other files or folders besides .apk files in system/app or data/app? Is there any cache or other data to delete?
10) Do I need (or should I in case of lack of space) clean some cache files from ROM? (Like Dalvik or others...) If yes, which ones and how?
Sorry for the long post, but It will really help me to understand all these issues, once and for all.
Thank you in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im sorry but Ive already answered all of these questions and one in fact could take a good couple paragraphs to explain.
Maybe tonight I'll answer or you could check out xda university.
yuri_feigin said:
Hello,
I will really appreciate if you can help to understand few basic issues:
1) When rooting the phone, is the boot-loader must be unlocked? i.e., if I've rooted the phone successfully using some 3rd party utility, it means that the boot-loader was unlocked during the rooting process or it was unlocked in advanced?
2) If the answer to the first question is "yes" (i.e. bootloader must be unlocked before rooting), how it is possible that my data wasn't wiped after rooting? This means that the boot-loader was unlocked in advance? Or maybe the 3rd party application backed up the data before unlocking the boot-loader and than restored it?
3) I heard that in order to install SU, the stock-recovery must be changed to a custom one. Is it necessarily true?
4) How can I check which recovery is installed on the phone?
5) If the recovery is changed to a custom one, does it mean that I stop receive OTA?
6) Can I backup up the stock recovery before changing it? Or how can I know which one it is to search on the net?
7) Do applications, like Titanium, change the recovery upon installation?
8) How applications, like Titanium, move apps, that are not supposed to move in regular installation,from ROM to SD? Can it harm the performance of the app?
9) When deleting apps from ROM (System or Data) manually, do I need to delete other files or folders besides .apk files in system/app or data/app? Is there any cache or other data to delete?
10) Do I need (or should I in case of lack of space) clean some cache files from ROM? (Like Dalvik or others...) If yes, which ones and how?
Sorry for the long post, but It will really help me to understand all these issues, once and for all.
Thank you in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) To my knowledge, yep. (Not much experience with locked bootloaders, sorry!)
2) But then again, different phones have different bootloaders, they might work In different ways.
3) Nope. Most (if not all) root tools install SU without custom recovery.
4) when your phone is powered-off, press Vol up, home and power button (this depends on your phone, this is Samsung standard, what phone are u using?
5) Go to download mode, (Vol down, home and power button, again Samsung standard) and check if: System Status: Official. If yes, OTAs can be taken. If System Status: Custom, you cant take OTAs.
6) U most probably can. Use Online Nandroid Backup, free from Google play store, and backup recovery only. That should work.
7) No.
8) Depends on the app.
9) Again, depends on the app.
10) Cache and dalvik cache can be wiped from recovery. The custom recovery will do it for u. Wiping dalvik cache from recovery won't be useful, as it recreates itself on reboot.
No problem with the long post, always glad to help
Smack that thanks button if I helped!
Note 2 LTE powered by Illusion ROM and Plasma Kernel.
Sent from dat small country called Singapore.
Thank You
Lgrootnoob said:
Im sorry but Ive already answered all of these questions and one in fact could take a good couple paragraphs to explain.
Maybe tonight I'll answer or you could check out xda university.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would really appreciate if you could answer, or refer me to the correct paragraph in XDA university or give a me a link to your previous answers.
Thank you very much.
Irwenzhao said:
1) To my knowledge, yep. (Not much experience with locked bootloaders, sorry!)
2) But then again, different phones have different bootloaders, they might work In different ways.
3) Nope. Most (if not all) root tools install SU without custom recovery.
4) when your phone is powered-off, press Vol up, home and power button (this depends on your phone, this is Samsung standard, what phone are u using?
5) Go to download mode, (Vol down, home and power button, again Samsung standard) and check if: System Status: Official. If yes, OTAs can be taken. If System Status: Custom, you cant take OTAs.
6) U most probably can. Use Online Nandroid Backup, free from Google play store, and backup recovery only. That should work.
7) No.
8) Depends on the app.
9) Again, depends on the app.
10) Cache and dalvik cache can be wiped from recovery. The custom recovery will do it for u. Wiping dalvik cache from recovery won't be useful, as it recreates itself on reboot.
No problem with the long post, always glad to help
Smack that thanks button if I helped!
Note 2 LTE powered by Illusion ROM and Plasma Kernel.
Sent from dat small country called Singapore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank You for your help.
Regarding the last issue: if I wipe the cache, something bad can happen to the applications ot their data? I mean, should I do it only when flashi rom or is it healthy to do it in a while in order to clean unnecessary files?
yuri_feigin said:
Thank You for your help.
Regarding the last issue: if I wipe the cache, something bad can happen to the applications ot their data? I mean, should I do it only when flashi rom or is it healthy to do it in a while in order to clean unnecessary files?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The cache is actually a temporary section of the disk that does not contain any application cachery but things along the lines of software upgrade files. It is only wiped merely to make sure there is space for other mod's temp storage.
The data partition contains the data for yourr applications and the 'cache' as you see in settings for apps is for imagery and stuff so regardless if that is removed it wont matter.
The dalvik cache is compiled bytecode for the dalvik vm for each app. (Look up Java vm to get an idea of what I mean and then look up odexing and deodexing on xda university)
Here is some info on the thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=48151745#post48151745
Lgrootnoob said:
The cache is actually a temporary section of the disk that does not contain any application cachery but things along the lines of software upgrade files. It is only wiped merely to make sure there is space for other mod's temp storage.
The data partition contains the data for yourr applications and the 'cache' as you see in settings for apps is for imagery and stuff so regardless if that is removed it wont matter.
The dalvik cache is compiled bytecode for the dalvik vm for each app. (Look up Java vm to get an idea of what I mean and then look up odexing and deodexing on xda university)
Here is some info on the thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=48151745#post48151745
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot!
I have few more questions, please:
1) So what will be the best way to clear the cache partition? Only from recovery? Even from stock recovery?
Is there any other way, like a feature in some application or can I delete it manually?
2) Regarding the data partition, I guess I can go each application and clear its cache and/or data from application manager... Is there a better way? By away, if I delete the data of application (not the cache), I loose all the configuration and personal data. What I mean by "cleaning" is to erase some false data that remained by mistake, not to remove the necessary data of the apps. It is especially important for apps installed on ROM. What will be the best way?
3) Is sometimes remains unnecessary junk data in Dalvik Cache? If yes, how to remove it? (not the all Dalvik Cache)?
4) By away, what is the best way to check whether my bootloader is unlocked and to check which recovery is installed? (custom/stock)
5) If I want to mess with the start-up task manager, using some ROM application - what are the "receivers" that are connected to the apps? what is the difference between disabling an app/task/service and disabling receivers?
6) What is the difference between recovery boot mode and bootloader boot mode? When do I need to use the bootloader mode?
6) And another question, with your permission, is what kind of backups are exist beside nandroid? ADB is a backup? Do they back up all the ROM? I guess I will need a custom recovery to restore those backups.
yuri_feigin said:
Thanks a lot!
I have few more questions, please:
1) So what will be the best way to clear the cache partition? Only from recovery? Even from stock recovery?
Is there any other way, like a feature in some application or can I delete it manually?
2) Regarding the data partition, I guess I can go each application and clear its cache and/or data from application manager... Is there a better way? By away, if I delete the data of application (not the cache), I loose all the configuration and personal data. What I mean by "cleaning" is to erase some false data that remained by mistake, not to remove the necessary data of the apps. It is especially important for apps installed on ROM. What will be the best way?
3) Is sometimes remains unnecessary junk data in Dalvik Cache? If yes, how to remove it? (not the all Dalvik Cache)?
4) By away, what is the best way to check whether my bootloader is unlocked and to check which recovery is installed? (custom/stock)
5) If I want to mess with the start-up task manager, using some ROM application - what are the "receivers" that are connected to the apps? what is the difference between disabling an app/task/service and disabling receivers?
6) What is the difference between recovery boot mode and bootloader boot mode? When do I need to use the bootloader mode?
7) And another question, with your permission, is what kind of backups are exist beside nandroid? ADB is a backup? Do they back up all the ROM? I guess I will need a custom recovery to restore those backups.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1: Only recovery.
2: "Cleaning" is not possible So the application manager is the only way and yes it would basically reset an application if you delete its data.
3: Its not necessary but can save space for more apps to be installed if you have removed apps manually or with titanium backup. However if you have uninstalled with the app manager in the settings app then the dex files in the dalvik cache are automatically removed. "Unnecessary junk", I have exactly what you are looking for: use Titanium backup's feature in the menu to remove unsused dalvik cache elements and integrate system dalvik into rom. (In the same section when you press the menu button)
4: What phone? (This is neccessary because of the variation in phones.)
5: The only legitimate way of stopping tasks is to disable the intent of the task(I think that is the reciever ). To do this you could use Autostarts from the Play store or you could use the Bootmanager Xposed module. Don't use any task manager unless you want problems. Disabling an app in settings would actually completely freeze the application meaning you could also not start it manually and it wouldnt be started at boot.
6: The bootloader loads recovery or Android. The bootloader is usable depending on the features given by your phone manufacturer. You would know the difference when you use recovery and if you have a Nexus device when you are in bootloader mode. Samsung devices have Download mode which is technically part of the bootloader and allows you to load custom software such as recovery, data partition, system partition etc.
7: You will use recovery to backup/restore.(I don't think that there is any other way because you are using the data that you are backing up or restoring if you didi it while you were running android. Adb cannot backup either but you could pull a recovery backup with adb from the sd card. Adb has a sideload feature for loading software in recovery with your computer. Again I need your phone model.
It seems you seek info on recovery and backing up, This will help a lot: http://xda-university.com/as-a-user/android-dictionary Specifically the Nandroid and Recovery section.
I will be more than happy to expand on any of these topics.
@yuri_feigin
I revised my answer to better suit what you were asking.
Are you still with me?

Galaxy Tab 2 P3100 stuck in boot on samsung logo

Hello everyone,
I have a Samsung galaxy tab 2 (P3100).
I want recover my data, the tablet doesn't start. It is stuck in boot time. I can see just the animation of Samsung logo.
There is a software for pc for browse the files and recover my data?
Thanks!
why it is bootlooping?
what have you done?
Android-Andi said:
why it is bootlooping?
what have you done?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HI Android-Andi,
thank you in advance!
I don't now exactly why...
my friend has deleted some files to free up memory. And I'm afraid it has deleted something wrong!
How can the android OS allow you to delete system files!?!?
I can enter in recovery mode and this is all that I can see:
Android system recovery <3e>
Volume up/down to move highlight;
power button to select.
reboot system now
apply update from ADB
apply update from external storage
wipe data/farctory reset
wipe cache partition
apply update from cache
# MANUAL MODE #
-- Apply Multi-CSC...
Applied the CSC-code : ITV
Successfully applied multi-CSC
There are some software or something to get into the file and recover the files?
Thank you
3balls said:
HI Android-Andi,
thank you in advance!
I don't now exactly why...
my friend has deleted some files to free up memory. And I'm afraid it has deleted something wrong!
How can the android OS allow you to delete system files!?!?
I can enter in recovery mode and this is all that I can see:
Android system recovery <3e>
Volume up/down to move highlight;
power button to select.
reboot system now
apply update from ADB
apply update from external storage
wipe data/farctory reset
wipe cache partition
apply update from cache
# MANUAL MODE #
-- Apply Multi-CSC...
Applied the CSC-code : ITV
Successfully applied multi-CSC
There are some software or something to get into the file and recover the files?
Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you rooted? If you're not rooted then you're not able to delete system files. Do you have a custom recovery? Those options read like stock recovery. Do you know which files he deleted because if he deleted data files then it's gone. There a couple apps out there that able to recover deleted files, Undelete is one, Hexamob is another, but these require root. And these specialize in stuff like pictures so not even sure they would help you out.
Sent from my GT-P5113 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
njstein said:
Are you rooted? If you're not rooted then you're not able to delete system files. Do you have a custom recovery? Those options read like stock recovery. Do you know which files he deleted because if he deleted data files then it's gone. There a couple apps out there that able to recover deleted files, Undelete is one, Hexamob is another, but these require root. And these specialize in stuff like pictures so not even sure they would help you out.
Sent from my GT-P5113 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi njstein,
thank you for your reply.
This tab is not rooted and doesn't have custom recovery.
He doesn't remembre which files has deleted...a lot of files about app...but like you said, if the tablet is not rooted, is impossible to delete system files!
I know that there are a lot of apps for recover deleted files, but I am afraid to run the system restore...I don't know if this operation format the partition at low level or not...and I think that all these apps require root.
I looked for this thing and there isn't a chance to mount the tab as a drive (E:\ F:\ ...) and for this reason you can't use software normally used for recover deleted files in windows.
I am really disappointed with Android operating system.
People say that Android is an open operating system, configurable, customizable .... But I have found everything closed as are microsoft and iOS.
don't cry
Don't cry and shout that you're disappointed with android system. It's not android fault, it was your friends fault.
If i were you, try to search a custom recovery flashable via odin (cwm or twrp). When you have already cwm or twrp try to clear dalvik cache and wipe cache partition and reboot.
3balls said:
Hi njstein,
thank you for your reply.
This tab is not rooted and doesn't have custom recovery.
He doesn't remembre which files has deleted...a lot of files about app...but like you said, if the tablet is not rooted, is impossible to delete system files!
I know that there are a lot of apps for recover deleted files, but I am afraid to run the system restore...I don't know if this operation format the partition at low level or not...and I think that all these apps require root.
I looked for this thing and there isn't a chance to mount the tab as a drive (E:\ F:\ ...) and for this reason you can't use software normally used for recover deleted files in windows.
I am really disappointed with Android operating system.
People say that Android is an open operating system, configurable, customizable .... But I have found everything closed as are microsoft and iOS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since you're not rooted then you should accept the files are gone and whatever data you need off the Tab is inaccessible. Have you tried wiping just the cache and reboot? If you have and that accomplishes nothing, then I would suggest you do a factory reset and start over. If you go that route, do a little research and find out what steps need to be done after reset to get the Tab back working. I forget if your tab is just the wifi version or from a carrier with data. I believe if you have data, there are steps after a reset to get everything in working order.
Sent from my GT-P5113 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

[Q] newbie need help please......

I have a samsung note 3 sprint smn900p
I want to translate the system apks like framework-res.apk and secsettings.apk
then I found one of my friend has a same mobile note 3 sprint already translated and same android version 4.4.2
so I copy all of his files completely ( all system files and system apks ) around 2 GB .
and I make a backup of my system using TWRP recovery .
and now I try to install his framework-res.apk , so I copy it to my sdcard and using rootexplore then change the permissions to R-W-R-R and paste the framework-res.apk file to the system/framework folder and it already replaced the old framework-res.apk with the new framework-res.apk which already translated . but the problem I dont see that the mobile make upgrading for the new apk so I go to the new framework and try to install it from rootexplorer but always get a message app not installed.
I change the mount to RO then RW but nothing change only app not installed.
so how to install the new framework-res.apk ?
my second question, can I make a new rom using my friends complete system files and flash it to my mobile ?
thank you
sobri46 said:
I have a samsung note 3 sprint smn900p
I want to translate the system apks like framework-res.apk and secsettings.apk
then I found one of my friend has a same mobile note 3 sprint already translated and same android version 4.4.2
so I copy all of his files completely ( all system files and system apks ) around 2 GB .
and I make a backup of my system using TWRP recovery .
and now I try to install his framework-res.apk , so I copy it to my sdcard and using rootexplore then change the permissions to R-W-R-R and paste the framework-res.apk file to the system/framework folder and it already replaced the old framework-res.apk with the new framework-res.apk which already translated . but the problem I dont see that the mobile make upgrading for the new apk so I go to the new framework and try to install it from rootexplorer but always get a message app not installed.
I change the mount to RO then RW but nothing change only app not installed.
so how to install the new framework-res.apk ?
my second question, can I make a new rom using my friends complete system files and flash it to my mobile ?
thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make a backup of your friends phone from its recovery. Restore from yours, wipe data, factory reset and reboot (this way you will lost all your data)
You can also try an advance restore from his backup, restoring only system apps. It may work
Before anything make your own backup.
Good luck!
GreatApo said:
Make a backup of your friends phone from its recovery. Restore from yours, wipe data, factory reset and reboot (this way you will lost all your data)
You can also try an advance restore from his backup, restoring only system apps. It may work
Before anything make your own backup.
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, have you try using another mobile backup and restore it from recovery to the other mobile ?
I dont think it will work because each device has different Imei number and different information
sobri46 said:
Hi, have you try using another mobile backup and restore it from recovery to the other mobile ?
I dont think it will work because each device has different Imei number and different information
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can't say that i have done this exactly...
May a backup of your phone, and restore your friend's system. It may work without losing your data.
GreatApo said:
Can't say that i have done this exactly...
May a backup of your phone, and restore your friend's system. It may work without losing your data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what do you mean by loosing data ? if you mean that I will just loose only media files like video or songs or contacts name .
It doesn't matter for me , to loose these files , the most important thing that I want to make sure when I make a restore from my friend backup , I will not brick my mobile and there will not be any problems in my mobile system after restore the backup .
I need someone that has try this method and confirm to us that this method is SAFE.
and tell us what should I choose in the TWRP recovery when I make a backup because there are many options that we can choose like system - modem - efs etc.
sobri46 said:
what do you mean by loosing data ? if you mean that I will just loose only media files like video or songs or contacts name .
It doesn't matter for me , to loose these files , the most important thing that I want to make sure when I make a restore from my friend backup , I will not brick my mobile and there will not be any problems in my mobile system after restore the backup .
I need someone that has try this method and confirm to us that this method is SAFE.
and tell us what should I choose in the TWRP recovery when I make a backup because there are many options that we can choose like system - modem - efs etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you may soft brick your phone. You may stuck in a bootloop. That is why you will have your backup. You open your phone into recovery and restore...
I am a CWM user so i can't tell you exactly what options to use.
When you flash a new rom on your phone you will lose all your data in the phone (contacts and app data) not the files in your SD card.
If you restore your friends backup with the his data (not only the system) your phone should be with his data.
Nobody will "put his hand in the fire" for you. I can't tell you that it will succeed 100%. That is why i tell you to make a backup.
For more info, you should better open a topic in your phone's section
P.S.: Soft brick is not a big deal if you know how to deal with it
GreatApo said:
Yes you may soft brick your phone. You may stuck in a bootloop. That is why you will have your backup. You open your phone into recovery and restore...
I am a CWM user so i can't tell you exactly what options to use.
When you flash a new rom on your phone you will lose all your data in the phone (contacts and app data) not the files in your SD card.
If you restore your friends backup with the his data (not only the system) your phone should be with his data.
Nobody will "put his hand in the fire" for you. I can't tell you that it will succeed 100%. That is why i tell you to make a backup.
For more info, you should better open a topic in your phone's section
P.S.: Soft brick is not a big deal if you know how to deal with it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so you mean the method will not 100 % success working. that is what you mean. I hope some one that had try this method will give us his experience or I should just make a try and see what will happen.
and I already make a backup for my mobile.
if softbrick happen , if I restore my mobile backup everything will go back normal right ???
by the way my friend mobile still fresh without any data because he just install the custom rom so he will let me to make a full backup from his mobile.
and thank you for your kindness to try to help me with this

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