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Backup App That will Backup Data

Sorry the title doesn't really explain it to well. I'm looking for an app that I can use to backup my applications with their data, that i can then restore after flashing CM10 to. I've tried Titanium and one other whose name escapes me. They'll backup/restore from ICS to ICS, but not to JB (backups do not show listed). Any suggestion would be appreciated.

Dyerseve3160 said:
Sorry the title doesn't really explain it to well. I'm looking for an app that I can use to backup my applications with their data, that i can then restore after flashing CM10 to. I've tried Titanium and one other whose name escapes me. They'll backup/restore from ICS to ICS, but not to JB (backups do not show listed). Any suggestion would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Titanium Backup has worked perfectly fine for me. Are you sure you're not doing something wrong?

aaronfuhrer said:
Titanium Backup has worked perfectly fine for me. Are you sure you're not doing something wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not really sure what I could be doing wrong. I've run it as a batch job backing up all user apps, tried it with all user apps + system data. I've also made its own folder on my SD card and point backups to go there.
The bigger issue is the apps themselves get backed up, but none of the stored data with the apps do.. not sure if there's an option I need for that (guess it'd be cache?)

Dyerseve3160 said:
Not really sure what I could be doing wrong. I've run it as a batch job backing up all user apps, tried it with all user apps + system data. I've also made its own folder on my SD card and point backups to go there.
The bigger issue is the apps themselves get backed up, but none of the stored data with the apps do.. not sure if there's an option I need for that (guess it'd be cache?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check out this guide if you haven't got it to work out yet.
If that doesn't work either, just say something and hopefully we'll figure out what's going on!

I use Ultimate Backup by Jrummy

I use mybackup pro
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

Dyerseve3160 said:
Sorry the title doesn't really explain it to well. I'm looking for an app that I can use to backup my applications with their data, that i can then restore after flashing CM10 to. I've tried Titanium and one other whose name escapes me. They'll backup/restore from ICS to ICS, but not to JB (backups do not show listed). Any suggestion would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Someone yesterday in another thread said that Titanium backups are saved to the sd card for touchwiz roms and for AOSP roms Titanium Backups need to be saved to the internal sd card. Could that be the problem?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

I've used Titanium pro from ICS to JB with no issues. I don't do batch restores though, I'd prefer to re-download the app from google play then just restore the data. That way you have a clean install. I've had issues on other devices doing a batch restore. It's a little slower this way, but worth it to avoid FCs.

You have to remember that if you set the backup to the extSD then switch from ICS to JB the name of the extSD changes and you have to go into preferences and choose the backup location. That may solve the issue for you

I think the issue here is not fully understanding how titanium backup works. Whenever a full wipe is done/new rom installed and you reinstall titanium through the play store, it will show only the apps and data that are currently installed on that particular rom. Push the batch button, let it calculate scenarios, and your backed up apps and data will then appear along with the new rom's goodies. Hope that helps.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium

mcp2009 said:
You have to remember that if you set the backup to the extSD then switch from ICS to JB the name of the extSD changes and you have to go into preferences and choose the backup location. That may solve the issue for you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This.
I had the same problem as OP till I searched my phone for my titanium backup folder.
Sent from a strange blue box hurtling through time and space.

aaronfuhrer said:
Check out this guide if you haven't got it to work out yet.
If that doesn't work either, just say something and hopefully we'll figure out what's going on!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This worked perfectly. Thanks for the link to the guide.
Thanks everyone else for the suggestions.

Recovery Wars Showdown

Scott originally said he liked TWRP better than CWM, so I posted this in his thread (sorry Scott, didn't mean to clutter)....
Ok so here are my concerns... I've always used CWM since my last phone (orig droid inc) so I have been using it on this phone. When I first rooted and installed it I made a backup of my stock rom (on ext SD card) and after I installed this ROM I made a backup of it before installing KCM and dirty tweaks (on internal SD card) (I wanted to see if there was a difference in speed saving to ext vs internal and it seemed internal was faster). At the time I didn't know about blobs and didn't know that I couldn't just move my backup from internal to external (at least I'm assuming I can't), and I like it better when the backups are more portable. Does TWRP have more portable backups than CWM?
Also, is there a way to convert CWM backups to TWRP or would I have to load my backups with CWM then use EZ Recovery to flash TWRP and then re-save them as TWRP? Or would it just be better to keep those 2 backups as CWM (since I can just use EZR to reflash CWM) and just use TWRP for new ones?
Finally, what about Kinda Crap Mods... Since using it, i'm kind of liking it but it doesn't seem to be supported with TWRP, right? But then again I guess I could just use EZ Recovery to flash CWM to install KCM and then flash back to TWRP and there shouldn't be any issues right?
Haha sorry it's so long but I think it's useful info
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any answers to my questions above?
So what do you guys like/dislike about TWRP/CWM? Which one works better for you and why? I know it's all a matter of opinion and preference but examples would help others decide which one they want to try.

If you want 100% (for the most part) stability - use CWM.
If you want to play with the newest, easier to navigate recovery, which has been reported to not wipe properly - use TWRP.
I exclusively used TWRP on my Nex. On my S3, I have little bits of other nandroids creeping into my restores - if that makes sense. For example, restoring a TW backup after running CM -- I would find CM apps in my app drawer. Additionally, my phone was running like poo. Went to restore a different backup, only to find they were all corrupted.
That ended my dance with TWRP on the S3. Just MY results....
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

I am used to CWM so I don't really think its that difficult to navigate. The only thing that is new for me are these silly blobs... As stated above I did a backup to internal SD and a backup to external SD to see which one is faster, but now I just want to have both of them on my external but with these blobs i'm not sure if that is possible is it?

I've used Clockwork recovery since my OG Droid days, and its never failed me so i've always stuck with it. Never had any major issues with it or any issues at all while using it.
But you have to realize a lot of the 'issues' people post are user error and not the recovery itself. i am NOT calling out anybody, but its true, most errors are user errors, how else could something work perfectly fine for 999 people and only mess up for 1 person.

I used this touch based cwm on my gnex and loved it, it uses Swype gestures and the dev has ported it to the sgs3.
http://rootzwiki.com/index.php?/topic/32975-Touch-Based-ClockworkMod-Recovery

Neverendingxsin said:
I've used Clockwork recovery since my OG Droid days, and its never failed me so i've always stuck with it. Never had any major issues with it or any issues at all while using it.
But you have to realize a lot of the 'issues' people post are user error and not the recovery itself. i am NOT calling out anybody, but its true, most errors are user errors, how else could something work perfectly fine for 999 people and only mess up for 1 person.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1. Have always used cwm an has always done the job.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

In Clockwork 6.0.1.2 you can change the backup format to tar to eliminate the "blobs".
Backup and Restore > choose backup format
Not sure about lower versions.

grin0048 said:
In Clockwork 6.0.1.2 you can change the backup format to tar to eliminate the "blobs".
Backup and Restore > choose backup format
Not sure about lower versions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What are the blobs even for?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

SlimSnoopOS said:
What are the blobs even for?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the blobs folder is where 99% of your data is stored. the reason its stored there is so when you make more than one backup it won't backup data that it already has. Its a way to save space, so instead of having a bunch of huge backups, it'll only backup data that has either changed or was never there. Just don't EVER mess with the blobs folder.

Neverendingxsin said:
the blobs folder is where 99% of your data is stored. the reason its stored there is so when you make more than one backup it won't backup data that it already has. Its a way to save space, so instead of having a bunch of huge backups, it'll only backup data that has either changed or was never there. Just don't EVER mess with the blobs folder.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aight, here's a couple more questions:
1) Why doesn't CWM 6.x properly date the backups? All mine end with the year 1970. My last device, Droid Incredible, dated CWM backups properly. Is renaming them fine in relation to the blobs?
2) Should I only delete backups via CWM since they would theoretically delete the blob files corresponding to them?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

SlimSnoopOS said:
Aight, here's a couple more questions:
1) Why doesn't CWM 6.x properly date the backups? All mine end with the year 1970. My last device, Droid Incredible, dated CWM backups properly. Is renaming them fine in relation to the blobs?
2) Should I only delete backups via CWM since they would theoretically delete the blob files corresponding to them?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Absolutely yes on #2. That's what I came in here to say.
CWM hasn't dated a backup correctly in who knows how long. Lol.
And I know scrosler loves TWRP (and we all love scrosler and CleanROM) but I've seen other devs mention the same kind of thing I said about TWRP -- as well as other users.
I personally prefer TWRP, so the fact that I'm recommending CWM means I don't use the former for a reason.
Finally, don't worry about moving backups. Just restore the ones you have on internal, make a new backup to external, then delete the internal one from recovery. Bye blobs, hello sdcard.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

TWRP is a faster and easier recovery, the only bug I have encountered is the faster of my backup being incorrect unless I set a name. I perfer the touch and simplicity of TWRP.
Sent from my Cocaine White S3.

[Q] Is it possible to change ROMs and keep data?

Hi, I've been using MIUI 2.8.10 for months now but have finally decided to scrap it. It's extremely RAM hungry and the keyboard only recognizes about ten words in the English dictionary for some reason, so auto-correct is essentially non-existent. I'm quite surprised I've actually had the patience to keep up with it for so long; I suppose simply because it's so elegant.
But that's besides the point. I want to swap ROMs, probably to CyanogenMod or some other Jellybean ROM. Is it possible to do this without wiping the Data on my phone? Primarily my installed applications; I don't really care if my texts are lost or anything like that. I have heard of Carbon but I'm not sure if I can use that application to safely keep my applications when swapping ROMs. Nor do I know if it's even possible in the first place. I know you can temporarily swap ROMs by making a backup and later retrieving it, but I want to permanently drop MIUI, so that's out of the question.
TL;DR: Can I change ROMs an keep my installed applications and all the data on them? If so, how?
Thanks a lot in advance.

To avoid force-closes caused by data lingering from another build, the only proper way is to wipe both data and caches. Use titanium backup to save txts and applications. You can try to restore data for your apps as well but some might force close on a new rom. I'd restore data for all user-apps (games, audio/video players) then only wipe data/cache for apps that don't play nice with your new rom. In the end, you might not lose anything. Just don't restore data for ANYTHING system related, or you'll have problems. Time consuming, but it's worth it if you don't want to lose anything. Good luck.
Also, MIUI is the only rom I used on both my Droid x and Galaxy S2. Sadly your right, MIUI is very ram-hungry. I'd use it on my N7 if there was a proper tablet build though.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Xparent SkyBlue Tapatalk 2

FizzleDiz said:
To avoid force-closes caused by data lingering from another build, the only proper way is to wipe both data and caches. Use titanium backup to save txts and applications. You can try to restore data for your apps as well but some might force close on a new rom. I'd restore data for all user-apps (games, audio/video players) then only wipe data/cache for apps that don't play nice with your new rom. In the end, you might not lose anything. Just don't restore data for ANYTHING system related, or you'll have problems. Time consuming, but it's worth it if you don't want to lose anything. Good luck.
Also, MIUI is the only rom I used on both my Droid x and Galaxy S2. Sadly your right, MIUI is very ram-hungry. I'd use it on my N7 if there was a proper tablet build though.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Xparent SkyBlue Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you're saying if I were to install Titanium Backup I can trade ROMs without loosing App data? Save for the ones that don't fail, of course.
But... if Titanium Backup itself is an App, how does it protect itself from not being wiped? I know that's not really related to the thread but I've always wondered.
Despite, thanks for the reply.

Install TB now. Backup all user-apps+data. Make a nandroid backup. Once you wipe and install the new rom, download titanium backup from the play store again. All your backups are stored on the SD card under /???/titanium backup/. You'll only lose the backup folder containing your apps/data if you format your card or use a developers-tool which also completely wipes phones and cards with the goal of giving you a truly clean slate to flash a rom. Just read the recommend procedure for installing a specific rom. If only a data/cache wipe are needed, then your SD card *should* be safe. Install rom > install TB > Restore user-apps+data. Enjoy.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Xparent SkyBlue Tapatalk 2
---------- Post added at 12:32 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:27 AM ----------
Surpass said:
if Titanium Backup itself is an App, how does it protect itself from not being wiped? I know that's not really related to the thread but I've always wondered.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It gets wiped, but the folder in your SD card with all the backups stay, unless you format/wipe the card itself.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Xparent SkyBlue Tapatalk 2
---------- Post added at 12:40 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:32 AM ----------
Just thought of something. It sounds like your app data is very important. Do this:
Install TB
Backup user-apps+data.... and txt messages and call logs if you want.
Connect to PC and transfer the whole TB folder for safe keeping.
Now you have a backup of your backups
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Xparent SkyBlue Tapatalk 2

If your user apps and data are more important than your system settings, Titanium backup is for you.
The bugs I encountered were only with the settings and system apps.

Would it be possible to change ROM without rooting the phone? For instance, I can use TWRP to take a backup of data partition, install new rom, do full swipe, and then restore the data partition.
Would it work?
Thanks

Im using an unofficial Resurrection Remix for J3 and the phone can barely boot up at times, I wanna change it to LOS 13 or back to Touchwiz, Ill try the TB but if the phone cant boot, then what?

[Q] CWM Backups

So Ive Searched around the forums, and bing with no luck..
Here's my questions -
What is the difference or significance of " Create image zip " in CWM versus just making a backup ?
Is one of the other a "Nandroid backup", or both ?
Sorry to ask what's probably a silly question, but I've been wondering about this. Luckily, So far, I haven't had to restore any backups. I've not done alot of flashing and this is partly why. I'm not sure if my backups are exactly what I would need if I ran into any sort of problems.
Any responses would be appreciated, Thanks.

From what I can understand from Google searching, I think that an image.zip simply saves a copy of the system you're running. This means non of your personal data will be backed up. It's meant for development use, so once a kernel or rom is set up correctly, it can be saved and shared among the community simply for rom tweaking purposes.
An actual backup saves an image of the system partition along with the data partitions. It differs because your personal data is saved along with your current rom system image.
Making a nandroid is using the backup option, and that's exactly what you need. If you have any problems you simply have to restore the backup and everything comes back the exact way it was when you backed it up. Sometimes I flash a kernel that doesn't play nice with my phone, and using nandroid restores have saved me tons of time getting things back to normal.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

BadUsername said:
From what I can understand from Google searching, I think that an image.zip simply saves a copy of the system you're running. This means non of your personal data will be backed up. It's meant for development use, so once a kernel or rom is set up correctly, it can be saved and shared among the community simply for rom tweaking purposes.
An actual backup saves an image of the system partition along with the data partitions. It differs because your personal data is saved along with your current rom system image.
Making a nandroid is using the backup option, and that's exactly what you need. If you have any problems you simply have to restore the backup and everything comes back the exact way it was when you backed it up. Sometimes I flash a kernel that doesn't play nice with my phone, and using nandroid restores have saved me tons of time getting things back to normal.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So creating an image zip would potentially backup everything other than the /data partition then ? I sort of remember making a backup both ways, and the zip was somewhat smaller - so that would make sense.

cjmcsw87 said:
So creating an image zip would potentially backup everything other than the /data partition then ? I sort of remember making a backup both ways, and the zip was somewhat smaller - so that would make sense.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's basically it, however there are some partitions that don't get touched anyway such as your recovery partition.
I would expect your full backup to be larger, how much larger depends on all the app data you have. Anyways, I wouldn't flash an image.zip in any kind of restore attempt.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

Thanks for the response that answers my questions.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

[Q] HELP needed: Nandroid Backup NOT restoring apps (TWRP 2.6.3.4)

Hi guys,
unfortunately I had to revert back to one of my backups I made as a custom kernel was causing problems. So, I tried to restore a Nandroid backup I made, but that didn't restore my apps and had to go through the standard Google setup (like a had a brand new phone).
I tried again wiping wipe cache, Dalvik cache etc. before restore, but still no restore even though I didn't encounter any problems restoring. I checked the nandroid directory and the files it backed up were these (total size approx. 2 GB)
boot.emmc.win
boot.emmc.win.md5
cache.ext4.win
cache.ext4.win.md5
data.ext4.win000
data.ext4.win000.md5
data.ext4.win001
data.ext4.win001.md5
recovery.emmc.win
recovery.emmc.win.md5
recovery.log
system.ext4.win
system.ext4.win.md5
I'm currently on 4.4.2 with stock kernel (3.4.0.gadb2201), Build no. KOT49H
Any suggestions what the problem could be?

formeriphoneuser said:
Hi guys,
unfortunately I had to revert back to one of my backups I made as a custom kernel was causing problems. So, I tried to restore a Nandroid backup I made, but that didn't restore my apps and had to go through the standard Google setup (like a had a brand new phone).
I tried again wiping wipe cache, Dalvik cache etc. before restore, but still no restore even though I didn't encounter any problems restoring. I checked the nandroid directory and the files it backed up were these (total size approx. 2 GB)
boot.emmc.win
boot.emmc.win.md5
cache.ext4.win
cache.ext4.win.md5
data.ext4.win000
data.ext4.win000.md5
data.ext4.win001
data.ext4.win001.md5
recovery.emmc.win
recovery.emmc.win.md5
recovery.log
system.ext4.win
system.ext4.win.md5
I'm currently on 4.4.2 with stock kernel (3.4.0.gadb2201), Build no. KOT49H
Any suggestions what the problem could be?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Highlighted above in red would be the files that have your apps etc.
Run a restore again, and ONLY restore data, see if that helps out.
It should have restored everything unless you just restored boot or system.

btw, since you were just restoring because of a custom kernel, you didnt have to restore anything. all you had to do is flash the stock kernel(or any other kernel) witbout wiping anything, or just reflash your rom without wiping anything. you wouldnt have lost a thing nor have this headache. but, you chose to do it the wrong way.

simms22 said:
btw, since you were just restoring because of a custom kernel, you didnt have to restore anything. all you had to do is flash the stock kernel(or any other kernel) witbout wiping anything, or just reflash your rom without wiping anything. you wouldnt have lost a thing nor have this headache. but, you chose to do it the wrong way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashing the stock kernel did work, but after flashing the OTA and rooting caused problems. So I had no choice : (

orangekid said:
Highlighted above in red would be the files that have your apps etc.
Run a restore again, and ONLY restore data, see if that helps out.
It should have restored everything unless you just restored boot or system.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, that didn't work either :crying: The files you highlighted are big files, which means it did back something up.

formeriphoneuser said:
Nope, that didn't work either :crying: The files you highlighted are big files, which means it did back something up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sounds like your nandroid file got corrupted

formeriphoneuser said:
Nope, that didn't work either :crying: The files you highlighted are big files, which means it did back something up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Those are your data files. It looks like it backed it up fine.
From all accounts, it should be restoring your ROM 100% as you left it. I really don't get why it wouldn't be doing it with the apps.
jd1639 said:
sounds like your nandroid file got corrupted
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you would think so, but he's got MD5 files. How is it accepting an MD5 and still be corrupt?

orangekid said:
you would think so, but he's got MD5 files. How is it accepting an MD5 and still be corrupt?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good point if it's checking the md5

orangekid said:
Those are your data files. It looks like it backed it up fine.
From all accounts, it should be restoring your ROM 100% as you left it. I really don't get why it wouldn't be doing it with the apps.
you would think so, but he's got MD5 files. How is it accepting an MD5 and still be corrupt?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I even activated the MD5 verification in TWRP and I get no errors during the restoring process...I could try an older nandroid backup to see if that makes any difference.
I'm glad I don't just rely on nandroid backups (even though I never restored one).

formeriphoneuser said:
Yeah, I even activated the MD5 verification in TWRP and I get no errors during the restoring process...I could try an older nandroid backup to see if that makes any difference.
I'm glad I don't just rely on nandroid backups (even though I never restored one).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I always do mybackup root to save my apps / data as well as nandroid.
Yeah try restoring an older one.
Also try reflashing TWRP
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

orangekid said:
I always do mybackup root to save my apps / data as well as nandroid.
Yeah try restoring an older one.
Also try reflashing TWRP
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Reflashed TWRP and tried again. Same issue. Although the older nandroid took forever and after 45 min. I just shut off the phone as it was going nowhere (status didn't move for that period).
All this makes no sense whatsoever...

formeriphoneuser said:
Reflashed TWRP and tried again. Same issue. Although the older nandroid took forever and after 45 min. I just shut off the phone as it was going nowhere (status didn't move for that period).
All this makes no sense whatsoever...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Were the nandroids made on twrp 2.6.3.4 or an earlier version?

jd1639 said:
Were the nandroids made on twrp 2.6.3.4 or an earlier version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actuatelly I used this app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.h3r3t1c.onnandbup

formeriphoneuser said:
Actuatelly I used this app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.h3r3t1c.onnandbup
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now it's making some sense a nandroid isn't necessarily the same depending on how it's created. For instance a nandroid created on cwm is not compatible with twrp and visa versa

As a plan B, you could try Titanium Backup which is capable of extracting apps & app data from nandroid backups. I think the feature requires TB Pro. Takes a while for it to unpack and parse everything, but it could be your best shot at getting a reasonably good restoration.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

cmstlist said:
As a plan B, you could try Titanium Backup which is capable of extracting apps & app data from nandroid backups. I think the feature requires TB Pro. Takes a while for it to unpack and parse everything, but it could be your best shot at getting a reasonably good restoration.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thx for all the help guys! Truely appreciate the guidance.
What I didn't know is the nandroid backups I did were compressed. So I decompressed these, but after trying to restore these in TWRP no luck. I can however open and browse these in the nandroid backup manager or TI backup. I'm currently trying to restore the nandroid apps via nandroid backup manager. I'll let you guys know how that turns out.
I'm not sure what the difference between the TI app backup I have is and the current nandroid app+app data restore option would be. Isn't this essential the same thing the TI restore does with the apps?
And for the future what nandroid backup works reliably and would you recommend? I pretty paranoid about making backups, but I seem to have lost quite some confidence in nandroid backup, as it has failed me This has been a royal PITA....

orangekid said:
I always do mybackup root to save my apps / data as well as nandroid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also do you find Mybackup better than TI Pro root?

formeriphoneuser said:
Thx for all the help guys! Truely appreciate the guidance.
What I didn't know is the nandroid backups I did were compressed. So I decompressed these, but after trying to restore these in TWRP no luck. I can however open and browse these in the nandroid backup manager or TI backup. I'm currently trying to restore the nandroid apps via nandroid backup manager. I'll let you guys know how that turns out.
I'm not sure what the difference between the TI app backup I have is and the current nandroid app+app data restore option would be. Isn't this essential the same thing the TI restore does with the apps?
And for the future what nandroid backup works reliably and would you recommend? I pretty paranoid about making backups, but I seem to have lost quite some confidence in nandroid backup, as it has failed me This has been a royal PITA....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have always used a custom recovery for backups and have never had a problem. I use twrp, but that's just my preference. Cwm is good too

formeriphoneuser said:
I'm not sure what the difference between the TI app backup I have is and the current nandroid app+app data restore option would be. Isn't this essential the same thing the TI restore does with the apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you didn't already have a Titanium backup, extracting from the nandroid is a good last resort to have.
The main difference between extracting with Titanium and a full nandroid restore - the latter is very sensitive to small differences in backup format, and can only be restored all at once. In general you shouldn't expect to successfully restore a nandroid in recovery if you created it using a different recovery or an app. If you create with TWRP, it should restore properly with TWRP.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

I always use Titanium Backup before I flash or backup anything. Then I restore my apps with no problems. It is a bit unusual for your apps not to be in your nandroid backup since it's basically like taking a picture of your phone and storing everything on it. I've never had this problem with TWRP. Hopefully you can figure it out...
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app