Cloning a Nexus 5? - Nexus 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi,
my N5 has some presumably hardware related bug: It sometimes crashes and after reboot the battery is almost empty. So Google will now send me a replacement unit.
I wonder: is it possible to backup my old device with TWRP (nandroid backup) and restore this backup on my new device?
This way I would not have to reinstall everything from scratch and just make a perfect clone.
Has this been done before?

Travelawyer said:
Hi,
my N5 has some presumably hardware related bug: It sometimes crashes and after reboot the battery is almost empty. So Google will now send me a replacement unit.
I wonder: is it possible to backup my old device with TWRP (nandroid backup) and restore this backup on my new device?
This way I would not have to reinstall everything from scratch and just make a perfect clone.
Has this been done before?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Possibly but make sure you back the new phone up, ESPECIALLY THE EFS!!! In fact, back up the EFS, put it in three other spots. lol

Travelawyer said:
Hi,
my N5 has some presumably hardware related bug: It sometimes crashes and after reboot the battery is almost empty. So Google will now send me a replacement unit.
I wonder: is it possible to backup my old device with TWRP (nandroid backup) and restore this backup on my new device?
This way I would not have to reinstall everything from scratch and just make a perfect clone.
Has this been done before?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can do this. That being said, DO NOT BACK UP THE OLD N5'S EFS PARTITION. If you do back it up, DO NOT RESTORE IT ON THE NEW N5. It will render it useless if you plan on using it to connect to anything but WiFi. Also make sure to copy everything from /sdcard as Nandroid backups will not save your personal data. So manually backup all your pictures, songs, downloads, etc and move to a PC first.
tl;dr - yes just don't restore old EFS partition backup on new N5 and save your stuff

RoyJ said:
Yes you can do this. That being said, DO NOT BACK UP THE OLD N5'S EFS PARTITION. If you do back it up, DO NOT RESTORE IT ON THE NEW N5. It will render it useless if you plan on using it to connect to anything but WiFi. Also make sure to copy everything from /sdcard as Nandroid backups will not save your personal data. So manually backup all your pictures, songs, downloads, etc and move to a PC first.
tl;dr - yes just don't restore old EFS partition backup on new N5 and save your stuff
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks!
So I just backup
. system
. data
. cache
. boot
with TWRP and restore this on my new device.
Pictures are saved to the cloud anyways and all my music and audio books reside on my PC hard drive.

Travelawyer said:
Thanks!
So I just backup
. system
. data
. cache
. boot
with TWRP and restore this on my new device.
Pictures are saved to the cloud anyways and all my music and audio books reside on my PC hard drive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct, long as your personal data is backed up you are good to go. Just when you get your new N5 and put TWRP on it, do a quick backup of your boot partition. Shouldn't take too long and it'll auto generate the backup folder for you to drag & drop you old backup into. You can just delete it afterwards.

RoyJ said:
Correct, long as your personal data is backed up you are good to go. Just when you get your new N5 and put TWRP on it, do a quick backup of your boot partition. Shouldn't take too long and it'll auto generate the backup folder for you to drag & drop you old backup into. You can just delete it afterwards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Problem:
I have created a backup on my nexus 5 but I cannot find it when connected to my PC. The "twrp"-folder is not there. Where is it?!
I can access "data/media/twrp" with a root browser on my nexus, but I cannot access this folder with my PC.
How can I transfer this backup now to my PC?

Travelawyer said:
Problem:
I have created a backup on my nexus 5 but I cannot find it when connected to my PC. The "twrp"-folder is not there. Where is it?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Should be in /sdcard/TWRP/BACKUPS
If not, you have a file permission issue or something.

Travelawyer said:
Problem:
I have created a backup on my nexus 5 but I cannot find it when connected to my PC. The "twrp"-folder is not there. Where is it?!
I can access "data/media/twrp" with a root browser on my nexus, but I cannot access this folder with my PC.
How can I transfer this backup now to my PC?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go to About Phone from Settings and click the build version until you enable developer settings and go in there and enable ADB. Plug it into PC and see if the drivers install properly. If they do you'll see the phone connected as "Internal Storage" from your "My Computer". As posted above it should be in the root of your SDcard in TWRP/backups

RoyJ said:
Go to About Phone from Settings and click the build version until you enable developer settings and go in there and enable ADB. Plug it into PC and see if the drivers install properly. If they do you'll see the phone connected as "Internal Storage" from your "My Computer". As posted above it should be in the root of your SDcard in TWRP/backups
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no TWRP folder in my /scard, see here:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/psv3fpcrgbls5j7/2014-12-05 23.20.01.png?dl=0
I found TWRP in the root file system under data/media/0/TWRP
But these folders don't appear under Windows.

Travelawyer said:
There is no TWRP folder in my /scard, see here:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/psv3fpcrgbls5j7/2014-12-05 23.20.01.png?dl=0
I found TWRP in the root file system under data/media/0/TWRP
But these folders don't appear under Windows.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=57287175

Travelawyer said:
. cache
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why backup and restore cache?

ANDROIDRAZRM said:
See: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=57287175
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I installed a terminal emulator and typed in:
su
restorecon -FR /data/media/0
And now TWRP miraculously appeared in my Windows explorer. Thanks a lot!

IMHO, you're just asking for any number of issues. New phone =fresh start. You should just set it up.... How long does it really take. ?
But, it's your device. ?
---------- Post added at 09:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:19 PM ----------
Oh.... And likely your issues were not hardware, but better chance it was software. Why risk turning your new phone into the mess your old one was. ?

Related

[Q] Back to up to PC

I Want to be able to do full backup that can restore from PC
just incase the worst happens.
Any Apps that can do this
I mean back up Everything Apps OS Password ect
I don't want to back up to Phone cause it takes up too much space.
Onknight said:
I Want to be able to do full backup that can restore from PC
just incase the worst happens.
Any Apps that can do this
I mean back up Everything Apps OS Password ect
I don't want to back up to Phone cause it takes up too much space.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wug's Nexus Root Toolkit has this feature. (Check my sig)
As long as you got custom recovery, with this toolkit you can do a nandroid backup then move the backup folder anywhere in your PC.
if you want to restore your backup, use the toolkit again then select the backup folder in your PC.
ej8989 said:
Wug's Nexus Root Toolkit has this feature. (Check my sig)
As long as you got custom recovery, with this toolkit you can do a nandroid backup then move the backup folder anywhere in your PC.
if you want to restore your backup, use the toolkit again then select the backup folder in your PC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't get it to connect
Onknight said:
I can't get it to connect
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make sure:
-USB Debug mode is turned on.
-Drivers are properly installed
What do you mean by you can't get it to connect?

[Q] Backup before bootloader unlock?

I am going to unlock my bootloader sometime next week (and root after that ofc).
I already used my phone for several weeks thought, I got it fully configured to my taste.
1. What exactly gets deleted when I unlock my bootloader?
All apps + usersettings + smses etc? Also everything in /sdcard ?
2. What is the best way to backup all data?
I can backup /sdcard alright, but is there a non-root app for backing up all apps + settings?
Helium is a non-root app backup option. You have to pair it with the pc program, but it leaves the backups on the phone. I don't know about what gets wiped, though, I've not unlocked my bootloader.
Quark^2 said:
I am going to unlock my bootloader sometime next week (and root after that ofc).
I already used my phone for several weeks thought, I got it fully configured to my taste.
1. What exactly gets deleted when I unlock my bootloader?
All apps + usersettings + smses etc? Also everything in /sdcard ?
2. What is the best way to backup all data?
I can backup /sdcard alright, but is there a non-root app for backing up all apps + settings?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In my case everything was erased when unlocked bootloader.
is there a software for makeng complete backup and then restoring automacic? possible to do this folder by folder? name of software that do this? thanks
myabc said:
is there a software for makeng complete backup and then restoring automacic? possible to do this folder by folder? name of software that do this? thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SnapPea can backup your texts, images, etc. Get the app from store & download the pc programme. You can also backup to the cloud (I think) Good luck!
Sent from my XT1032 using Tapatalk
There is a guide using ADB backup:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-nexus/general/guide-phone-backup-unlock-root-t1420351
Contrary to the guide, I didn't need an encryption password for it to work. I did however have to try it a few times before it would work (it stopped several times--failed), but got a backup eventually. It does reportedly work for the Moto G.
I haven't restored it yet though. I'm in the same boat as you are at the moment and I am preparing to unlock and root once I have all the help and supporting files for the process.
eastdata said:
There is a guide using ADB backup:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-nexus/general/guide-phone-backup-unlock-root-t1420351
Contrary to the guide, I didn't need an encryption password for it to work. I did however have to try it a few times before it would work (it stopped several times--failed), but got a backup eventually. It does reportedly work for the Moto G.
I haven't restored it yet though. I'm in the same boat as you are at the moment and I am preparing to unlock and root once I have all the help and supporting files for the process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For anyone that is interested, the Helium backup app mentioned in a previous post utilizes this same ADB backup protocol cited in the link above in order to accomplish the backup. Helium just automates the process and slaps on a nicer UI.
Marty said:
For anyone that is interested, the Helium backup app mentioned in a previous post utilizes this same ADB backup protocol cited in the link above in order to accomplish the backup. Helium just automates the process and slaps on a nicer UI.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's good to know, cheers.
Apparently SMS messages aren't backed up with ADB. I've looked around and found this free app MyPhoneExplorer that can handle that part amongst other features. Seems it can backup locally.
eastdata said:
Seems it can backup locally.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes MyPhonexplorer makes a Backup on PC.
lightningdude said:
Helium is a non-root app backup option. You have to pair it with the pc program, but it leaves the backups on the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Helium Backup is made on the phones storage. But sure you can copy that to your PC and copy it back afterwards.
Both apps are working nice without any problems.
mokkami said:
Yes MyPhonexplorer makes a Backup on PC.
The Helium Backup is made on the phones storage. Butsure you can copy that to your PC and copy it back afterwards.
Both apps are working nice without any problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Excellent. Now to the tricky parts...
On a side note, with ADB I was able to write the backup straight to PC, but I think writing to the phones storage would be more reliable, then copying it off.
I did not encouter any problems while just simply copying files to storage.

[Q] Restore nandroid backup

Hello Guys,
Since I totally bricked my old Nexus 5 16GB(KTU84P) I am going to get a new one. But I am thinking of getting the 32GB version this time.
Now before it got bricked I made a full nandroid back-up with the help of the Nexus Root Toolkit and TWRP.
Now here are a few (stupid) questions:
~Is it possible to restore a nandroid backup from one phone to another and even in this case a "different" version of the phone?
(I've skipped over this thread real fast http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=728266 which says it is possible for phones of the same model)
~If it is possible how should it be done?
~And well if the first question isn't possible, is there a way to read out out the created back-up files which TWRP created and manually restore them(preferable the data partition)
I hope you guys can help me out
Kind regards
Yes, you can do it. Just make sure you're not restoring the efs partition or you'll have another brick on your hands.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Also don't use toolkits next time. Please use the manual methods which are better, safer and teach you the basis you need to recover.
All guides and info threads can be found in general > sticky roll-up thread
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
When you run into issues, as many do after nandroid restoring from one device to another... Wiping and Flashing stock with fastboot is the Fix.
Thought I'd cover that up front. ?
jd1639 said:
Yes, you can do it. Just make sure you're not restoring the efs partition or you'll have another brick on your hands.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
rootSU said:
Also don't use toolkits next time. Please use the manual methods which are better, safer and teach you the basis you need to recover.
All guides and info threads can be found in general > sticky roll-up thread
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey guys sorry I didn't answer immediately, but after I saw the posts I immediately ordered a new Nexus 5 (32GB this time). I got it delivered today and like you said I've done the unlocking, custom recovery and rooting manually this time instead of using a toolkit. Which was to be honest way easier than I thought but also way faster than using a toolkit.
But now I've kinda run into a other 'problem'
When I restore my previous made backup (the one from the bricked phone) I first of all only get the options to restore the 'system' partition and the 'data' partition (which is totally fine cause those are the only ones I actually need).
But when I restore the system partition a lot of apps crash on default(It is basically bricked then), and even when I just restore the data partition the same thing happens. (To be completely fair this problem might come from the fact that I used the MD5 verification option when I made the backup but I can't really remember that. but some of my backup files end with the .MD5 extension) Saying this I also used the restore option with check MD5 verification, but needless to say I get the message that they verifications don't match.
So here are a few questions again.
~Like I said before I only really care about the 'data' partition, Is there an option that I still can use TWRP to restore it properly?
~If the above is not possible is there a manual way to read out the made backup file using a program like 'Ext2Explore'(This crashes though when I open the file)
Or did I just completely screw up by checking the MD5 verification?
Once again kind regards
p.s. If the problem isn't clear tell me and and I'll try to explain it in a different way
You missed quote from post #4. ?
I believe that with a new device.... It should be a clean start. And I read post after post in different device sections of issues from restoring from other devices.
And so I never recommend it. It can, possibly, bring lots of issues.
But to each their own.
Good luck. ?
KJ said:
You missed quote from post #4. ?
I believe that with a new device.... It should be a clean start. And I read post after post in different device sections of issues from restoring from other devices.
And so I never recommend it. It can, possibly, bring lots of issues.
But to each their own.
Good luck. ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ohh right, sorry I completely read over your post my bad. But then again If I have to wipe the device wouldn't that totally remove the point of restoring the data partition ? or is the wipe command just for the system partition?
sambo940 said:
Ohh right, sorry I completely read over your post my bad. But then again If I have to wipe the device wouldn't that totally remove the point of restoring the data partition ? or is the wipe command just for the system partition?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What I'm getting at, is don't restore the data partition. You can try, but I often read of lots of issues doing it.
Yes, I implied wipe the device clean. Flash stock. Start fresh.
Now if you had a titanium backup of user apps on your pc... I'd say you'd have a much easier time restoring that to the new phone.
Just my 2 cents of course.
KJ said:
What I'm getting at, is don't restore the data partition. You can try, but I often read of lots of issues doing it.
Yes, I implied wipe the device clean. Flash stock. Start fresh.
Now if you had a titanium backup of user apps on your pc... I'd say you'd have a much easier time restoring that to the new phone.
Just my 2 cents of course.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I made a clean start yes. Unfortunately I don't have a titanium backup and I get that storing the data partition to a other device isn't a good idea. But well I never had the intention of making a back up and restoring it to another device but unfortunately my other phone got completely bricked. And yes in hindsight I should have made backups in multiple ways.
But like I said I don't really care about the system(including the apps and app settings) it is literally all about the actual data (pictures and stuff), that is also the reason why I asked if there is a way to manually read/open the back-up files.
sambo940 said:
I made a clean start yes. Unfortunately I don't have a titanium backup and I get that storing the data partition to a other device isn't a good idea. But well I never had the intention of making a back up and restoring it to another device but unfortunately my other phone got completely bricked. And yes in hindsight I should have made backups in multiple ways.
But like I said I don't really care about the system(including the apps and app settings) it is literally all about the actual data (pictures and stuff), that is also the reason why I asked if there is a way to manually read/open the back-up files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The pictures are gone. A nandroid doesn't back those up or anything on the internal sdcard
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
jd1639 said:
The pictures are gone. A nandroid doesn't back those up or anything on the internal sdcard
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that certainly is a bummer, and also very misleading from the nexus toolkit. From now on I shall back-up my phone more properly and well stop using those darn toolkits,
Thank you for your time.
sambo940 said:
Well that certainly is a bummer, and also very misleading from the nexus toolkit. From now on I shall back-up my phone more properly and well stop using those darn toolkits,
Thank you for your time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you make an adb backup in the tool kit? That would have your pics. But a flashable nandroid you flash in recovery would not.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
sambo940 said:
I made a clean start yes. Unfortunately I don't have a titanium backup and I get that storing the data partition to a other device isn't a good idea. But well I never had the intention of making a back up and restoring it to another device but unfortunately my other phone got completely bricked. And yes in hindsight I should have made backups in multiple ways.
But like I said I don't really care about the system(including the apps and app settings) it is literally all about the actual data (pictures and stuff), that is also the reason why I asked if there is a way to manually read/open the back-up files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would Nandroid Manager be what you're looking for? EDIT: as above, it won't find and restore any of your pictures/music, as a nandroid backup does not include any of these. There is a chance you find and restore your apps and settings if you so wish. I've used that app before.
Incidentally, I successfully transferred all of my data and ROM from one Nexus 5 to another (had to RMA)
The process I used is:
- Unlock bootloader, install custom recovery on new N5
- Nandroid backup on old N5
- Copy whole /sdcard partition from old to new N5. Basically, all files and folders on the 'root' of the drive when connected to PC. This included all photos, music and the nandroid backup itself.
- Restore nandroid backup on new N5 (only /system, /data and boot.img / kernel), as if you were restoring any nandroid backup really. Though do not restore efs partition as advised above (it wasn't backed up, but worth mentioning again anyway).
Took a while, but the ROM and settings were carried over successfully.
jd1639 said:
Did you make an adb backup in the tool kit? That would have your pics. But a flashable nandroid you flash in recovery would not.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, I did not. And the ignorant person that I am just assumed that the nandroid backup would back up everything since the toolkit says "Make full Backups"
So well I guess I just have to accept the fact that I lost those things
eddiehk6 said:
Would Nandroid Manager be what you're looking for? EDIT: as above, it won't find and restore any of your pictures/music, as a nandroid backup does not include any of these. There is a chance you find and restore your apps and settings if you so wish. I've used that app before.
Incidentally, I successfully transferred all of my data and ROM from one Nexus 5 to another (had to RMA)
The process I used is:
- Unlock bootloader, install custom recovery on new N5
- Nandroid backup on old N5
- Copy whole /sdcard partition from old to new N5. Basically, all files and folders on the 'root' of the drive when connected to PC. This included all photos, music and the nandroid backup itself.
- Restore nandroid backup on new N5 (only /system, /data and boot.img / kernel), as if you were restoring any nandroid backup really. Though do not restore efs partition as advised above (it wasn't backed up, but worth mentioning again anyway).
Took a while, but the ROM and settings were carried over successfully.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not exactly what I was looking but I'll keep it in the back of my head in case something similar might happen in the future(lets hope not) Thanks.
Install Foldersync and set your sdcard to sync to a computer wirelessly
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
eddiehk6 said:
Would Nandroid Manager be what you're looking for? EDIT: as above, it won't find and restore any of your pictures/music, as a nandroid backup does not include any of these. There is a chance you find and restore your apps and settings if you so wish. I've used that app before.
Incidentally, I successfully transferred all of my data and ROM from one Nexus 5 to another (had to RMA)
The process I used is:
- Unlock bootloader, install custom recovery on new N5
- Nandroid backup on old N5
- Copy whole /sdcard partition from old to new N5. Basically, all files and folders on the 'root' of the drive when connected to PC. This included all photos, music and the nandroid backup itself.
- Restore nandroid backup on new N5 (only /system, /data and boot.img / kernel), as if you were restoring any nandroid backup really. Though do not restore efs partition as advised above (it wasn't backed up, but worth mentioning again anyway).
Took a while, but the ROM and settings were carried over successfully.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am assuming that you used a tool like Android File Transfer.
So what I'm trying to do is the same thing, backup my entire old N5 32GB as I had also requested an RMA of the device. Is it accurate in stating that you want me to copy every folder that shows up on the AFT window (Note: I am using a MAC) and copy that onto a folder on my computer. Then copy over everything on the new device (bootloader unlocked, rooted, same TWRP version installed) and restore via the Nandroid backup from my old phone (which was also transferred as indicated above).
dcxgod said:
I am assuming that you used a tool like Android File Transfer.
So what I'm trying to do is the same thing, backup my entire old N5 32GB as I had also requested an RMA of the device. Is it accurate in stating that you want me to copy every folder that shows up on the AFT window (Note: I am using a MAC) and copy that onto a folder on my computer. Then copy over everything on the new device (bootloader unlocked, rooted, same TWRP version installed) and restore via the Nandroid backup from my old phone (which was also transferred as indicated above).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't use AFT, just plugged straight into PC, sorry no experience with Mac
Basically both phones were connected, and I copied the whole "/sdcard" straight from one phone to another, without making an initial copy to the PC
You want to replicate the same file structure

[Q] "adb restore" leaves stuff out

I am trying to restore files back to my reset OnePlus One using "adb restore <file>" but while the restore happens without error, some files/folders are not restored. I have checked the backup file and the files and folders are present in the backup file, yet adb restore does not restore them
My backup is created with this command:
adb backup -f backup.ab -apk -obb -shared -all -system
And I try to restore with this:
adb restore backup.ab
Especially in the /sdcard/Android/data are a lot of files and folders missing and apps are not getting restored to their working state.
How do I restore the backup properly? Do I have to push every single file/folder to the phone manually?
Never mind. I just noticed that the backup files did not care to backup the /sdcard/Android folder and I have lost all files.
Why is it so impossible to make a proper backup on Android?
I am so close to ditching android just because I cannot get a working backup/restore to work!
And no, my phone is not rooted as rooting erases my files. Chicken and egg problem. I really hate android here.
"adb restore" didn't restore any of my accounts! I am so very pissed about android right now. Such a "mature" platform and no working backup/restore.
Plenty of tools offering to make backup/restore, but the all require me to erase all data (root) making the backup moot. And those tools that do not require root cannot backup anything besides what "adb backup" offers to back up (which is more miss than hit).
I am really envious of Apple users here. They have perfect (so it seems) working backup and restore.
... and I cannot add the missing accounts because they are already created. So, none of my accounts were restored and even though all accounts are actually there, none of them can synchronize as they are not there.
And all this trouble just to fix non-working MMS which turned out not to work after a reset anyway. I hate really hate android. So f...... unreliable.
I seriously cannot recommend anyone to use adb backup/restore. This will totally mess up your phone. Copy files manually and write down all your accounts (type/username/password/all settings) create them manually afterwards. "adb restore" cannot restore accounts.
If everything is lost at this point might as well root now and use titanium backup or parcel in the future? Not sure if parcel can backup accounts, titanium backup can though
Sent From Lollipopified Bacon Goodness!
ek69 said:
If everything is lost at this point might as well root now and use titanium backup or parcel in the future? Not sure if parcel can backup accounts, titanium backup can though
Sent From Lollipopified Bacon Goodness!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed
galmok said:
And no, my phone is not rooted as rooting erases my files. Chicken and egg problem. I really hate android here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why didn't you just connect to your PC and copy your files across? Or at least research the phone before you bought it or started using it? If you unlock the bootloader when you receive the device the wiping that occurs during the unlocking process is a non-event.
There's no reason to "hate Android" because of this situation. There are several ways to make backups on an Android device, you just failed to unlock your device at the correct time. Just trying to put it into perspective a bit here.
Transmitted via Bacon
timmaaa said:
Why didn't you just connect to your PC and copy your files across? Or at least research the phone before you bought it or started using it? If you unlock the bootloader when you receive the device the wiping that occurs during the unlocking process is a non-event.
There's no reason to "hate Android" because of this situation. There are several ways to make backups on an Android device, you just failed to unlock your device at the correct time. Just trying to put it into perspective a bit here.
Transmitted via Bacon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I cannot copy everything to my pc. Accounts for instance cannot be copied. Same with system settings, Wi-Fi passwords and some apps do not survive the adb backup/restore (like Waze that enters a crash loop) and other apps just vanish. This system is not user friendly. There is no way I could make anyone I know accept this phone if they knew they couldn't back it up. They know nothing about rooting but they will not accept a non-working backup.
I at least tried (hard) to make a backup and restored it back and that was a horrible experience. I cannot help wondering why Google hasn't arranged android to have working backups. Apple has it and it seems near perfect compared to android.
galmok said:
I cannot copy everything to my pc. Accounts for instance cannot be copied. Same with system settings, Wi-Fi passwords and some apps do not survive the adb backup/restore (like Waze that enters a crash loop) and other apps just vanish. This system is not user friendly. There is no way I could make anyone I know accept this phone if they knew they couldn't back it up. They know nothing about rooting but they will not accept a non-working backup.
I at least tried (hard) to make a backup and restored it back and that was a horrible experience. I cannot help wondering why Google hasn't arranged android to have working backups. Apple has it and it seems near perfect compared to android.
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Click to collapse
Google does have backups, in the settings menu. Most of the system settings are backed up (and even if they weren't it should only take a total of ten mins to set them up again). Apps are backed up and downloaded again on a fresh install. It all works perfectly if you know what you're doing.
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timmaaa said:
Google does have backups, in the settings menu. Most of the system settings are backed up (and even if they weren't it should only take a total of ten mins to set them up again). Apps are backed up and downloaded again on a fresh install. It all works perfectly if you know what you're doing.
Transmitted via Bacon
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Except I have apps that are not on Google Play. I cannot backup my Wi-Fi passwords and am forced to let Google keep a copy. And there are so many settings that 10 minutes is far from enough to find them all and fix them. And the point is, I shouldn't have to. I should be able to make a backup, preferably compartmentalized, and restore the sections I want, if not all. And it should be 1 tool.
Also, following a reset, the phone will begin reinstalling apps from Google Play and what happens if I begin adb restore at the same time? I didn't want to find out and let it install. But when some games use 1.5GB of storage, that takes a long time. Would be much faster if I knew I could use adb restore.
Oh well, I will have to accept the horrible backup/restore solution for this phone, but I really am envious of the backup/restore for iOS devices.

Full phone backup with ROOT access

I'm looking for an app that will allow me to back up the entire contents of my phone to one single .zip file which I could then flash back if needed. It would be best if there was an app that could transfer the backup to my computer where I would store the individual backups. I should add that I have root access, but even so, I haven't found any application that backs up the entire system to a single file. I don't have a custom recovery, only the stock one. Is there any app for that? Ideally for Windows, where I would connect the phone with a cable and perform the backup setup from there.
CaptainFedora said:
I'm looking for an app that will allow me to back up the entire contents of my phone to one single .zip file which I could then flash back if needed. It would be best if there was an app that could transfer the backup to my computer where I would store the individual backups. I should add that I have root access, but even so, I haven't found any application that backs up the entire system to a single file. I don't have a custom recovery, only the stock one. Is there any app for that? Ideally for Windows, where I would connect the phone with a cable and perform the backup setup from there.
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Click to collapse
What are "the entire contents of your phone"? All partitions + personal data, apps and so on?
Oh yes, exactly. For a case like system update potentially messing up the device - (oh, I just realized that if my device would softbricked i would need to restore that image or zip file through the recovery anyway), so i guess without a custom recovery this isn't doable right?
CaptainFedora said:
Oh yes, exactly. For a case like system update potentially messing up the device - (oh, I just realized that if my device would softbricked i would need to restore that image or zip file through the recovery anyway), so i guess without a custom recovery this isn't doable right?
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Click to collapse
As long as no custom ROM gets installed you only need a backup of your data. The remaining images are part of your firmware.
Without a custom recovery like TWRP you can backup your data only during the running system. Your stock recovery can't access /data as a filesystem, because it's not mounted. Also an entire image of that partition wouldn't be possible.
Now I learned something. Thank you. That'll do. Titanium Backup it is then.
CaptainFedora said:
Now I learned something. Thank you. That'll do. Titanium Backup it is then.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Titanium Backup is outdated, I suggest NeoBackup (open source) or Swift Backup (closed source, you can't decrypt the backup on your own).
Thanks again!
TheNewHEROBRINE said:
Swift Backup (closed source, you can't decrypt the backup on your own).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't make any sense to encrypt MY own data. Swift Backup gets access to the data by Magisk and that's me. I don't need an app that makes my own data inaccessible for me without any reason.
CaptainFedora said:
I'm looking for an app that will allow me to back up the entire contents of my phone to one single .zip file which I could then flash back if needed. It would be best if there was an app that could transfer the backup to my computer where I would store the individual backups. I should add that I have root access, but even so, I haven't found any application that backs up the entire system to a single file. I don't have a custom recovery, only the stock one. Is there any app for that? Ideally for Windows, where I would connect the phone with a cable and perform the backup setup from there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can look at this thread for variants of backup software options.
Alternative to Titanium Backup?
Hey everyone, I've been using Titanium backup for a few weeks now but one thing irks me about it.. even though it successfully backs up my apps and I assume my data - when it comes to restoring the backup, it always re-installs the apps in a...
forum.xda-developers.com
WoKoschekk said:
It doesn't make any sense to encrypt MY own data. Swift Backup gets access to the data by Magisk and that's me. I don't need an app that makes my own data inaccessible for me without any reason.
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Click to collapse
That's the reason why I gave NeoBackup as an alternative, although it doesn't have all the features of Swift Backup like restoring SSAIDs.
TheNewHEROBRINE said:
That's the reason why I gave NeoBackup as an alternative
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That seems to be a good alternative for Titanium Backup.

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