Problem with Titanium Backup in android 6 - Nexus 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi
I just root my device with elemntalX kenrel and supersu 2.52 but Titanium is not working, its my problem or titanium not working on 6 ? BTW i'm desperate , all my data is unavailabe now!!

siamak5561 said:
Hi
I just root my device with elemntalX kenrel and supersu 2.52 but Titanium is not working, its my problem or titanium not working on 6 ? BTW i'm desperate , all my data is unavailabe now!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's why u always make a backup, I don't understand, why did u wipe the device to root? U don't need to, unless u had to unlock the bootloader to, but that's simple enough, just make a backup, and no titanium backup probably doesn't work with 6.0 yet
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

Exactly
BTW Backup+ works on M.

EInstead of being unhelpful and spammy like the posts above, I'll help. Revert to supersu 2.49 and install the appropriate elemental x kernel.

soupysoup said:
That's why u always make a backup, I don't understand, why did u wipe the device to root? U don't need to, unless u had to unlock the bootloader to, but that's simple enough, just make a backup, and no titanium backup probably doesn't work with 6.0 yet
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the same issue, and although I didn't have the time to investigate it much, the problem seems to be the following:
Backups used to be located at
Code:
storage/emulated/0/TitaniumBackup (sdcard)
and they are now saved to
Code:
storage/emulated/legacy/TitaniumBackup
The second path is only accessible with a root browser. I think that if you've rooted your phone and you move (or better yet copy some for testing) your backups there, TB will see them again.
At first I thought it was a bug with TB and Android M, but now I start to wonder if it has something to do with ElementalX since I've also flashed that kernel to my device.

Use SELinuxModeChanger (Google it, is not in the play store) to set permisive mode. That worked for me
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

SELinux permissive mode is the solution! Kernel Audiutor has an installable plugin for changing SELinux mode.

Permissive mode is not working for me, for some reason. TitaniumBackup on Android 6.0/ElementalX v6.02/SuperSU v2.52 still saves at ''storage/emulated/legacy/TitaniumBackup'.
I tried both SELinuxModeChanger and the permissive.zip flashable that ElementalX post is supplying.

hermes2xgreat said:
EInstead of being unhelpful and spammy like the posts above, I'll help. Revert to supersu 2.49 and install the appropriate elemental x kernel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
6.0 support was added with SuperSU 2.50+. Stop being unhelpful and spammy.

I'm having problem with titanium bkp. I had backup all my apps with data on 5.1.1 and flashed 6.0.1 rom. Now titanium bkp doesn't detect my bkp.
Tried many things like
copy bkp files to internal,
just made an app bkp and copy my bkp files to that folder etc.
still my TB doesn't detect my old bkp

Can you make sure that the filename casing is as TiBkp expects it?
Move away TitaniumBackup and data/com.keramidas.TitaniumBackup, then create a backup and see what TiBkp creates for these two folders.
I've had instances of TiBkp not seeing data/com.keramidas.TitaniumBackup because it was named Data/com.keramidas.TitaniumBackup (note the uppercase D at Data).

Related

Titanium Backup Help

I recently flashed a new rom (the last time I did this was almost 2 years ago so I forgot what to do). Titanium backup has been doing weekly updates for a long time. So when I started up the phone titanium backup is gone, I read that I must redownload from the play store, but when I run it, it says I failed to acquire root privileges. It tells me to get busy box, so I download that too, but that won't install properly.
What should I do now? Have I lost root? The bootloader is available...that means it's still rooted right? The internal sd card still shows my folder of titanium backup and all the other root folders I used to have on my phone, I just can't get titanium backup to run so i can't restore.
Thanks!
stryder1587 said:
I recently flashed a new rom (the last time I did this was almost 2 years ago so I forgot what to do). Titanium backup has been doing weekly updates for a long time. So when I started up the phone titanium backup is gone, I read that I must redownload from the play store, but when I run it, it says I failed to acquire root privileges. It tells me to get busy box, so I download that too, but that won't install properly.
What should I do now? Have I lost root? The bootloader is available...that means it's still rooted right? The internal sd card still shows my folder of titanium backup and all the other root folders I used to have on my phone, I just can't get titanium backup to run so i can't restore.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you flash a new rom root is lost.
You have to root again.
S.R.
A few of the JB ROMS were causing issues with root. The fix was to re-flash the SU (superuser) apk and that would fix things right up. You should be able to find it doing a search.
Good luck and hope this helps!
stryder1587 said:
I recently flashed a new rom (the last time I did this was almost 2 years ago so I forgot what to do). Titanium backup has been doing weekly updates for a long time. So when I started up the phone titanium backup is gone, I read that I must redownload from the play store, but when I run it, it says I failed to acquire root privileges. It tells me to get busy box, so I download that too, but that won't install properly.
What should I do now? Have I lost root? The bootloader is available...that means it's still rooted right? The internal sd card still shows my folder of titanium backup and all the other root folders I used to have on my phone, I just can't get titanium backup to run so i can't restore.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lets start with a few basic questions... dont mean to offend you, just wanna make sure its not something you may have overlooked.
What rom did you flash?
What, if anything, did you wioe in recovery?
Did you get a superuser or supersu prompt when titanium started?
shivasrage said:
If you flash a new rom root is lost.
You have to root again.
S.R.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not necessarily so. Most custom roms are pre-rooted by the dev. Ive flashed countless roms and until recently w/ jb not had any issues w/ root access.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk 2
seems you've just lost root privileges,
just flash supeuser again and you will be fine...
I think this is the right thread to ask queation relevant to titanium backup so,
Here's my question -- how to backup messages by using titanium backup.
atishey23 said:
I think this is the right thread to ask queation relevant to titanium backup so,
Here's my question -- how to backup messages by using titanium backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it pretty much looks like this in TitBack, give or take a few letters: "[SMS/MMS/APN] Phone/Messaging...". when you tap on it, the pop-up recognizes it as "Phone/Messaging Storage". this is where your text messages are.
some 3rd-party MMS apps like GoSMS Pro can back up your messages too, and I believe there's also an app or two solely for backing up your messages to your sdcard/internal storage.
Titanium Batch restore fail
Hi all
Having a few problems, I'm new to flashing roms and the use of Titanium Backup and I've just flashed my second ROM. I've gone from CM9 to CM10. Before doing so I created a backup of apps + data.
I flashed the ROM fine, and ran the batch restore function in Titanium. I have all the icons on my homescreen from the previously installed apps but after clicking on them my phone tells me that app isn't installed. I then notice that my notification from Titanium's batch restore shows the apps I had downloaded from the play store failed to restore (the notification said that the elements failed after batch restore was complete).
I noticed that these apps have a line through them when the list of apps I want to restore appears.
Titanium then advised me that the apps did not restore as the Android ID had changed, So I then reverted to the previous android ID thinking this to be the solution. However, after running the restore function again, the same amount of elements failed to restore.
Due to my lack of knowledge in Titanium and my need for these apps, I turned to the play store and decided to manually redownload all the apps again. This does not work either! The error message I get is the apps cannot be downloaded due to an error (491). I guess this is to do with the android ID changing?
Please help, how can I get these apps to restore? and also how can I be able to download apps from the play store again? :crying:
EDIT: So I was able to reinstall the apps from the play store by wiping the dalvik + cache.
This still leaves me baffled as to why Titanium wasn't able to do this
jessel56 said:
Hi all
Having a few problems, I'm new to flashing roms and the use of Titanium Backup and I've just flashed my second ROM. I've gone from CM9 to CM10. Before doing so I created a backup of apps + data.
I flashed the ROM fine, and ran the batch restore function in Titanium. I have all the icons on my homescreen from the previously installed apps but after clicking on them my phone tells me that app isn't installed. I then notice that my notification from Titanium's batch restore shows the apps I had downloaded from the play store failed to restore (the notification said that the elements failed after batch restore was complete).
I noticed that these apps have a line through them when the list of apps I want to restore appears.
Titanium then advised me that the apps did not restore as the Android ID had changed, So I then reverted to the previous android ID thinking this to be the solution. However, after running the restore function again, the same amount of elements failed to restore.
Due to my lack of knowledge in Titanium and my need for these apps, I turned to the play store and decided to manually redownload all the apps again. This does not work either! The error message I get is the apps cannot be downloaded due to an error (491). I guess this is to do with the android ID changing?
Please help, how can I get these apps to restore? and also how can I be able to download apps from the play store again? :crying:
EDIT: So I was able to reinstall the apps from the play store by wiping the dalvik + cache.
This still leaves me baffled as to why Titanium wasn't able to do this
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you try to restore system apps? I always use tb w/ the pro key to restore user apps + data, and have been getting the changed android id lately, but whether I keep the new id or revert to the old one, my restore works. Depending on what ROM I'm going to or from, sometimes I have to change my home screen shortcuts for system apps.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using xda premium
p1gp3n said:
Did you try to restore system apps? I always use tb w/ the pro key to restore user apps + data, and have been getting the changed android id lately, but whether I keep the new id or revert to the old one, my restore works. Depending on what ROM I'm going to or from, sometimes I have to change my home screen shortcuts for system apps.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't select restore system apps, instead I selected restore all apps with data, failing that I tried restore missing apps + all system data.
What option should I normally be selecting to do a straight restore after flashing a ROM? Does the fact that there is a line through the apps that I'm trying to restore mean anything?
I always select "restore missing apps + data" it's the 1st option under restore in the batch menu. The apps with a line through them are the ones that tb recognizes as being backed up but not installed.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using xda premium

need help - how to copy TWRP nandroid backup to device?

how to copy TWRP nandroid backup to device?
I need to restore and I don't know how to copy from my hdd to the phone.
The phone is not booting but I can get to twrp recovery.
Latest TWRP has MTP mode.
but it doesn't allow me to copy one of the backup files which is: data.ext4.win000 and it's 1.5GB
You'll need to give us more information.
Why did it fail? Why did your phone stop booting?
1. flashed bigxie_hammerhead_LRX21O-signed.zip
2. flashed CF-Auto-Root-hammerhead-hammerhead-nexus5
3. booted fine but still had apps like Ti backup & TWRP not working due to root permissions
4. Went to recovery and performed Fix permission.
5. stuck in boot loop
gil80 said:
but it doesn't allow me to copy one of the backup files which is: data.ext4.win000 and it's 1.5GB
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have had the same problem with my motox 14 the way I found around it was to copy the file to a different fold and use twrp file explore to move it to the back up folder. That has worked for me and a few others try it out it will work.
how can you copy using twrp while in recovery? are you able to access your PC from recovery?
gil80 said:
1. flashed bigxie_hammerhead_LRX21O-signed.zip
2. flashed CF-Auto-Root-hammerhead-hammerhead-nexus5
3. booted fine but still had apps like Ti backup & TWRP not working due to root permissions
4. Went to recovery and performed Fix permission.
5. stuck in boot loop
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll need to factory reset then reflash the ROM
Fix permissions was not required here. You need titanium beta from his twitter feed.
ok i got the phone working and lost my data but I have it backed on PC.
I just see that 10GB is used but when I browse the phone using file explorer, the device is empty.... what??
Is it a known issue?
when the phone is connected to PC I see that 10GB is used but when I i browse the device it shows as empty
No. Do a full flash of userdata.img
Please explain
What would I achieve by flashing it?
gil80 said:
Please explain
What would I achieve by flashing it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A fix for your problem. I shouldn't really need to explain that.
Thanks!
I got it working now. Only need to figure out why it shows 16GB instead of 32 and why root permissions are not working
gil80 said:
Thanks!
I got it working now. Only need to figure out why it shows 16GB instead of 32 and why root permissions are not working
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well the answer in the 100 other threads about space say that you must wipe data and cache.
Root should be fine, but as already mentioned, not with official titanium release.
I already did a wipe data and cache. So I don't understand why I still get this but I'll try again.
The Ti Backup link in the twitter feed is no longer valid, but for example, ES file explorer and clean master and also TWRP app are not performing as if they are rooted.
I'll try to re-install CF-Auto-Root-hammerhead-hammerhead-nexus5
gil80 said:
I already did a wipe data and cache. So I don't understand why I still get this but I'll try again.
The Ti Backup link in the twitter feed is no longer valid, but for example, ES file explorer and clean master and also TWRP app are not performing as if they are rooted.
I'll try to re-install CF-Auto-Root-hammerhead-hammerhead-nexus5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ES doesn't work properly, correct. Not all apps have been updated to work with L yet either.
L is much more secure than KK. There are ways to root.
1) chain fire - makes small change in RAMdisk that allows sudaemon to work at boot
2)flash a permissive kernel - this lowers protection within selinux.
More apps work with the 2nd method, but still not all.
New titanium coming to play soon.
https://twitter.com/titaniumbackup

Titanium backup pro won't restore apps

Hi guys, as the title says, I'm having problems restoring apps and app data both individually and through batch restore. I've tried changing the SuperSU mounting method, different versions of TB and changed the app processing mode. I've tried it all on the latest version of TB and the version before that. I have no problems backing up apps though. If I try manually installing the apk (after extracting it from the archive TB backs them up to) it installs fine. BusyBox is also installed, USB debugging is enabled and apps from unknown sources is also checked.
I would manually install all the apps, but I want app data restored too and it would be a very tedious job since I have quite a few to restore (some 173 apps) as I just updated to Marshmallow.
Any advice on what I could try next?
No advice, sorry. But I have the very same problem...
Might have been fixed in new update?
bautrupp said:
No advice, sorry. But I have the very same problem...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TB had an update today for Marshmallow support, so maybe that fixed it? Well, anyway I installed them with adb instead since I needed my phone today. I extracted all the apks from the archives and used a batch to list all my apks in a text file, then added "adb install X:\app dir" to the beginning of each line in the text file then changed the extension to .bat and found that TB would restore app data alone in the batch restore commands.
Code:
DIR *.apk /B>APKlist.txt
A fair bit of effort for all my apps, but I got them all back onto my phone eventually with all the data too. I'm happy now, but I'd still like a solution for future reference.
Todays TB update didn't fix it, at least for me.
Luckily I made the update to marshmallow so far only on a spare N7.
bautrupp said:
Todays TB update didn't fix it, at least for me.
Luckily I made the update to marshmallow so far only on a spare N7.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wonder what the problem could be.... Do you know if there's an official thread for TB on here?
EDIT: I've emailed TB, waiting for a reply.
Same issue. It just hangs when trying to restore on Marshmallow.
I agonised over this for hours last night - turns out that the the fix for me was to switch SELinux to permissive mode.
Install this app: http://forum.xda-developers.com/devdb/project/dl/?id=12506 -- open the app, switch to permissive, and give it another go.
I fogt the same problem for hours messing with everything I could think of and this fixed it thank you very much. I know it's a temporary fix until they get the application straightened out but hey its a fix
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
cezuk said:
I agonised over this for hours last night - turns out that the the fix for me was to switch SELinux to permissive mode.
Install this app: http://forum.xda-developers.com/devdb/project/dl/?id=12506 -- open the app, switch to permissive, and give it another go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine is already on permissive it seems, now what do I do?
mayurh said:
Mine is already on permissive it seems, now what do I do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure dude, sorry. Switching to permissive mode seemed to fix everything for me - Titanium Backup, Social Contact Sync, StickMount... pretty much everything that needed root.
cezuk said:
Not sure dude, sorry. Switching to permissive mode seemed to fix everything for me - Titanium Backup, Social Contact Sync, StickMount... pretty much everything that needed root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks though
not sure why but if the app is already on the device(older version or with no data) then the restore works
so if i try restore an app(looks like only google apps are not restoring)..then tb just hangs at 0%...
once i manually install the app from the app store., tb stops hanging and restores the data?
maybe this can help someone figure out why restores wont work
I'm having the same issue with Titanium Backup Pro 7.6.0.1:
I backed up and validated user apps and data on my rooted Nexus 4 Cyanogenmod 13.0 Android 6.0.1;
Copied the folder to my SuperSU rooted Xiaomi Mi-5s Miui-8 Android 6.0.1;
Enabled apps from unknown sources;
Set SELinux mode to permissive;
$: su
# setenforce 0
# getenforce
# Permissive
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Updated Titanium's backup storage by searching the device for the Storage folder then 'Reload Application';
Set a filter to list my backed-up user apps from the Nexus;
Set Preferences - App Processing Mode to Auto Direct, and Auto Indirect;
Ran a batch to restore 152 missing user apps with data
Tibu counts through the apps very rapidly, but doesn't install any.
I also made an update zip of apps and data in the new device, and updated it from TWRP without success.
What's the problem?
Thanks
Hello.
I'm having the same issue on titanium 7.6.0.1:
I've tried integrating update system apps into rom but those apps disappear:
-google play store
-android system web view
-smart suite
-talkback
-google text-to-speech output
and the most of my apps are not working now.
I've tried restoring a backup of them I have in titanium backup, but when I click to restore it just don't do anything (it stays at 0% for ever).
My phone is now not connected to my google account anymore now and I can't even add it going to Settings/Account.
Tried rebooting phone but nothing changed.
How do I get them back and the other apps back to work properly?
Thanks.
As I have the Pro version I emailed Titanium support with the problem - but no reply yet.
TiBu seems to work sometimes but not other times and support seems sadly lacking for a paid app; so I copied my issue and a link to this thread to their support.

CM Titanium Backup and SuperSU - a strange journey to apocalypse?

Dear community,
honestly I considered myself not a noob anymore when it comes to flashing, rooting and installing devices. But obviously I was wrong: Cyanogenmod, Titanium Backup and SuperSU are fooling me to madness. :silly: So I hope to find help here because all I want to do is to restore all apps' data. But I will start at the beginning:
I updated my rooted Nexus 7 LTE to CM 13.0-20151226-NIGHTLY-deb and it turned out that Google Play Services continue to crash, no PlayStore could be loaded and so on. I've searched for this issue and don't want to discuss this here as there are many threads for this already.
However, I deciced to switch to OpenGapps and downloaded the pico package for Android 6 on ARM.
By the way I also switched from CWM recovery to TWRP 2.8.7.1.
Finally, CM was running as expected and I danced my pants off!
During all this I formatted the device completely, but made a backup of all apps using Titanium Backup.
So, I re-installed Titanium Backup, copied the backup files to the device and started to "restore missing apps and data" from the bulk operations menu.
All selected apps were installed perfectly (danced again) but then I noticed that the apps' data was not restored.
I searched for this issue and found instructions saying that SuperSU is needed for Titanium Backup to restore data. That was new to me as TB worked fine without SuperSU on my device all the time.
However, I flashed the latest stable Version of SuperSU from chainfire.
After rebooting, the SuperSU app was installed and when it starts, an error popup appears saying that no su file is installed and this has to be done manually.
When I now start Titanium Backup, it prompts missing root access and consequently does not start up.
Furthermore CM is really unstable and freezes from time to time.
So, I lost root by flashing SuperSU? What irony!
Anyway, I am willing to format and re-install my device another time and I would gladly set SuperSU aside as I never needed it in the past. But I really need to get Titanium Backup working to restore the apps' data.
Can anyone of you help me on this, please? Is SuperSU really necessary or do you know a way to manage Titanium Backup without SuperSU on CM13?
cocororo said:
Dear community,
honestly I considered myself not a noob anymore when it comes to flashing, rooting and installing devices. But obviously I was wrong: Cyanogenmod, Titanium Backup and SuperSU are fooling me to madness. :silly: So I hope to find help here because all I want to do is to restore all apps' data. But I will start at the beginning:
I updated my rooted Nexus 7 LTE to CM 13.0-20151226-NIGHTLY-deb and it turned out that Google Play Services continue to crash, no PlayStore could be loaded and so on. I've searched for this issue and don't want to discuss this here as there are many threads for this already.
However, I deciced to switch to OpenGapps and downloaded the pico package for Android 6 on ARM.
By the way I also switched from CWM recovery to TWRP 2.8.7.1.
Finally, CM was running as expected and I danced my pants off!
During all this I formatted the device completely, but made a backup of all apps using Titanium Backup.
So, I re-installed Titanium Backup, copied the backup files to the device and started to "restore missing apps and data" from the bulk operations menu.
All selected apps were installed perfectly (danced again) but then I noticed that the apps' data was not restored.
I searched for this issue and found instructions saying that SuperSU is needed for Titanium Backup to restore data. That was new to me as TB worked fine without SuperSU on my device all the time.
However, I flashed the latest stable Version of SuperSU from chainfire.
After rebooting, the SuperSU app was installed and when it starts, an error popup appears saying that no su file is installed and this has to be done manually.
When I now start Titanium Backup, it prompts missing root access and consequently does not start up.
Furthermore CM is really unstable and freezes from time to time.
So, I lost root by flashing SuperSU? What irony!
Anyway, I am willing to format and re-install my device another time and I would gladly set SuperSU aside as I never needed it in the past. But I really need to get Titanium Backup working to restore the apps' data.
Can anyone of you help me on this, please? Is SuperSU really necessary or do you know a way to manage Titanium Backup without SuperSU on CM13?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lmao, your title is nice!
i believe your problem is you used the wrong su zip, you need the latest beta, not stable. should be .52 if im not mistaken. .52 is stable even though its not listed as, i have been using it for some time, and its whats needed for M. you may even find some .6 versions, dont use those, they are systemless, well you can if you want lol. i havent tried them yet, so i dont know what pitfalls may lurk.
Thank you for your help and I am happy to entertain
bweN diorD said:
i believe your problem is you used the wrong su zip, you need the latest beta, not stable. should be .52 if im not mistaken.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will try to update SuperSU as soon as possible.
But sadly TWRP now freezes a few moments after I start the device in recovery mode. When the device starts normally, it freezes as well while showing the CM launcher screen. It stays animated but nothing happens. I will try to re-install TWRP via fastboot flash and then install SuperSU .52 and post my experiences here. :fingers-crossed:
Hi again bweN diorD,
bweN diorD said:
i believe your problem is you used the wrong su zip, you need the latest beta, not stable. should be .52 if im not mistaken.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry to say so but SuperSU .52 does not solve the problem. In fact, after flashing the BETA-SuperSU-v2.52.zip using TWRP, CM does not start up anymore. The loading screen with the hypnotizing smiley appears and stays animated but even after 15 minutes CM does not start up. Even TWRP was freezing from time to time.
So I re-installed TWRP, CM and Gapps like in my first post again.
So, is the problem that my device is not rooted indeed? Could this be fixed with CF-autoroot or any tool like this?
I found this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2448352 although it is for the device deb-razor and my device's bootloader says it is a deb-zoo. By the way, the bootloader displays "LOCK STATE - unlocked".
cocororo said:
Hi again bweN diorD,
Sorry to say so but SuperSU .52 does not solve the problem. In fact, after flashing the BETA-SuperSU-v2.52.zip using TWRP, CM does not start up anymore. The loading screen with the hypnotizing smiley appears and stays animated but even after 15 minutes CM does not start up. Even TWRP was freezing from time to time.
So I re-installed TWRP, CM and Gapps like in my first post again.
So, is the problem that my device is not rooted indeed? Could this be fixed with CF-autoroot or any tool like this?
I found this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2448352 although it is for the device deb-razor and my device's bootloader says it is a deb-zoo. By the way, the bootloader displays "LOCK STATE - unlocked".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hmmm,
i havent used 2.52 on a cm rom, but i have used it on plenty aosp 6.0.* roms without issue.
clean things up so its booting again, then look in developer options and make sure root is turned on. i have seen a few times devs default it to off, but i have never seen a custom rom come not rooted at all.
bweN diorD said:
clean things up so its booting again, then look in developer options and make sure root is turned on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your support!
I cleaned everything up -- meaning re-installed everything -- so the device boots up. I checked the developer options and root is set to "apps only". That worked up to now.
Speaking of root: As I wrote I used to have CWM and switched to TWRP. Anyhow, CWM always asked to "fix root" when exiting. I think that's why things worked then and now with TWRP this "fix root" option is gone. But why is SuperSU not working for my Nexus 7 deb? I also tried to install older versions like advised in the Nexus 7 thread here but there was not even a SuperSU app.
So, I recap: CWM used to fix root, TWRP does not. That's why installing SuperSU seems to be a good idea. SuperSU's latest version freezes CM at start-up. Without SuperSU Titanium Backup does not restore app data while other apps do not have problems to get root access. I'm confused
cocororo said:
Thanks for your support!
I cleaned everything up -- meaning re-installed everything -- so the device boots up. I checked the developer options and root is set to "apps only". turn it on apps and adb and see if that helps, thats the preferred setting anywaysThat worked up to now.
Speaking of root: As I wrote I used to have CWM and switched to TWRP. Anyhow, CWM always asked to "fix root" when exiting. I think that's why things worked then and now with TWRP this "fix root" option is gone. its not gone in twrp, it sees that you have root and doesnt ask. really its unadvised to use the twrp generated root anyways But why is SuperSU not working for my Nexus 7 deb? I also tried to install older versions like advised in the Nexus 7 thread here but there was not even a SuperSU app.hmm, maybe thats the problem, maybe you need to install supersu to get things working properly. its on the play store, give it a shot
So, I recap: CWM used to fix root, TWRP does not. That's why installing SuperSU seems to be a good idea. SuperSU's latest version freezes CM at start-up. Without SuperSU Titanium Backup does not restore app data while other apps do not have problems to get root access. I'm confused
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
^^^^
so to clarify your last paragraph, when you say that installing supersu breaks things, were talking about the zip right?
i just want you to get the app from the play store, if you havent tried that alone yet. but change the root setting too.
bweN diorD said:
so to clarify your last paragraph, when you say that installing supersu breaks things, were talking about the zip right?
i just want you to get the app from the play store, if you havent tried that alone yet. but change the root setting too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct, I was talking about the zip which is meant to be installed through TWRP.
So, I downloaded the SuperSU app after double-checking that root is set to "Apps & ADB" in the developer settings. Btw. debugging and installation from unknown sources (I hope this is the right translation for this feature) is enabled as well.
When I started the SuperSU app, it first says the binary SU needs an update and I could choose the installation method: When choosing "normal", the app tried to install but failed saying "Installation failed! Restart device and try again!" but even after restarting this was what the app gave me. When I chose "TWRP" the app rebooted the device to recovery but I assume this would end up in installing the zip file which crashed my CM.
Finally, I installed CF-autoroot for deb via the .bat file included in the CF-autoroot package. Now, SuperSU and Titanium Backup are not complaining anymore, so I think this root issue is fixed! :highfive: (couldn't find a dancing smiley).
However, Titanium Backup is not bringing back my app data The restore process seems good as Titanium Backup installs missing apps but even if I install an app the official way via PlayStore and then restore the app's data from my backup using Titanium Backup, there is no effect and the app acts like being installed freshly.
TB claims "restore successful" but the app's data is still missing. I will now check if the backup files are really sound and if I can get them to work on another device. The worst thing I could imagine is that TB did not backup data of apps which had been installed on sdcard. In that case, the data is lost, I'm afraid...
Do you have an idea how this could be or what I could try?
cocororo said:
Correct, I was talking about the zip which is meant to be installed through TWRP.
So, I downloaded the SuperSU app after double-checking that root is set to "Apps & ADB" in the developer settings. Btw. debugging and installation from unknown sources (I hope this is the right translation for this feature) is enabled as well.
When I started the SuperSU app, it first says the binary SU needs an update and I could choose the installation method: When choosing "normal", the app tried to install but failed saying "Installation failed! Restart device and try again!" but even after restarting this was what the app gave me. When I chose "TWRP" the app rebooted the device to recovery but I assume this would end up in installing the zip file which crashed my CM.
Finally, I installed CF-autoroot for deb via the .bat file included in the CF-autoroot package. Now, SuperSU and Titanium Backup are not complaining anymore, so I think this root issue is fixed! :highfive: (couldn't find a dancing smiley).
However, Titanium Backup is not bringing back my app data The restore process seems good as Titanium Backup installs missing apps but even if I install an app the official way via PlayStore and then restore the app's data from my backup using Titanium Backup, there is no effect and the app acts like being installed freshly.
TB claims "restore successful" but the app's data is still missing. I will now check if the backup files are really sound and if I can get them to work on another device. The worst thing I could imagine is that TB did not backup data of apps which had been installed on sdcard. In that case, the data is lost, I'm afraid...
Do you have an idea how this could be or what I could try?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sorry, i really dont know what happens as far as titanium when you put an app on the sd.
glad you got root working though, although i still dont understand why it wouldnt work the right way.
if you run into any more specific road blocks, ill try and help if i can, but this general problem with the data, i havent a clue the problem or solution, short of the data isnt there completely.
Hi again,
sorry for my late reply! I tried a couple of things but here's the most obvious one:
Apparently the backup files are kind of corrupt. I don't know what went wrong there but TB did not create a full backup. Indeed there is a .tar.gz file for every app but in fact none of these has more than 2 KB. So I strongly assume that this might be the mistake - which also means that all my app's data is lost.
bweN diorD said:
glad you got root working though
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At least this is a success and I am happy to have TWRP, OpenGapps and Titanium Backup running on a fully rooted device :good:
Thank you for all your time and help! I really appreciate how supportive we "techies" are :highfive:
Have a great day and - a bit late but anyway - a happy new year!

[FAQ] Flashing a custom ROM, Xposed framework, Recovery

Hey guys, I'm rather new to the world of customising Android devices. I just have SO MANY QUESTIONS right now. And I'm sure I'm not the only one, which is why I created this thread to help myself and other people.
Basically, I'll be asking a bunch of questions related to the topic, and this can help other people who are new to all this too.
So, I've got a rooted device. It's on lollipop 5.0, has an unlocked bootloader, TWRP recovery, and Xposed framework.
A few questions to start off with:
1) Can I flash multiple .zip/.img files one after another? Or do I need to always wipe my phone's cache after each flash?
2) Say I wanna update TWRP recovery. Do I have do something before flashing it? CAN I flash a newer version over the previous one?
3) Same question as 2) but for Xposed framework instead.
4) I have Xposed framework installed with some modules running on my phone. Should I disable these modules before updating my Xposed?
5) The latest version of Xposed is v86 as given here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3034811
Can v86 work for lollipop?
6) Similarly, can one download any TWRP version and flash it for their device? Or do each build have a different, specific version of TWRP?
7) Are the latest recovery mods and Xposed frameworks always guaranteed to be stable? Or is it safer to stay on the older ones? Which ones would you recommend?
8) Now, the custom ROMS. What are the necessary things to do before flashing one of these?
9) After flashing a custom ROM, can you flash another on top of it? Or do you have to restore back to your original stock ROM?
10) Does flashing and switching between custom ROMs cause any damage to the phone? Or is there any such potential?
11) Since backing up is a must, I'll ask some about that too. Which would you suggest to be the best backing up method?
12) Does creating a NANDroid backup or a backup from within custom recovery(TWRP in my case) equal to creating a backup of stock ROM?
13) Do I need to copy that backup into PC(to restore later), or will it be safe in my phone's memory after flashing a custom ROM?
I guess that's about it for now. Everyone, please answer if you have done these before. And of course, add your own questions too. This can save a lot of time for a lot of people. I could add more questions in if people request it.
**Answer mentioning the question number for simplicity of searching.
Answers!
1) Can I flash multiple .zip/.img files one after another? Or do I need to always wipe my phone's cache after each flash?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can, but it is more recommended to wipe cache and dalvik cache with each flash.
2) Say I wanna update TWRP recovery. Do I have do something before flashing it? CAN I flash a newer version over the previous one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll have to wipe dalvik cache and cache and just flash it normally. It might be stuck at 90% but a force reboot fixes it. It is because you are already in recovery. If it is stuck, leave it for 15 mins and come back. This is just to ensure that it really is stuck.
3) Same question as 2) but for Xposed framework instead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, works, except you wont be stuck.
4) I have Xposed framework installed with some modules running on my phone. Should I disable these modules before updating my Xposed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No need
5) The latest version of Xposed is v86 as given here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3034811
Can v86 work for lollipop?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, just flash it via recovery
6) Similarly, can one download any TWRP version and flash it for their device? Or do each build have a different, specific version of TWRP?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Each build is different for each device, so for example, I can't flash a TWRP for s7 edge on my s4.
7) Are the latest recovery mods and Xposed frameworks always guaranteed to be stable? Or is it safer to stay on the older ones? Which ones would you recommend?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In example, xposed and supersu framework and binary lets you choose if you want a stable file or a test one for developers. TWRP and other stuff have (what I know) different versions and as stated, these versions behave different on different device. During testing with my S4, I found that TWRP 2.8.7.0 is the most stable build for my device.
8) Now, the custom ROMS. What are the necessary things to do before flashing one of these?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make a nandroid backup of your whole device and back it up on you computer. Then wipe everything except your external sdcard and either store it on an sdcard or "adb sideload" it.
9) After flashing a custom ROM, can you flash another on top of it? Or do you have to restore back to your original stock ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not on top of it, you'll have to do as the answer to question 8, make a backup, wipe everything and then flash. No need to go back to stock ROM and then flash it
10) Does flashing and switching between custom ROMs cause any damage to the phone? Or is there any such potential?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is always the risk of bricking but as far as software, it is always revertable. As long as you have a backup of course.
11) Since backing up is a must, I'll ask some about that too. Which would you suggest to be the best backing up method?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nandroid backup is the best one.
12) Does creating a NANDroid backup or a backup from within custom recovery(TWRP in my case) equal to creating a backup of stock ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It creates a backup of your current state, lets say, you are in Cyanogenmod 13, making a Nandroid backup will backup everything on cyanogenmod so that if you flash another ROM and still want to go back, you'll have everything restored, including app data and apps.
13) Do I need to copy that backup into PC(to restore later), or will it be safe in my phone's memory after flashing a custom ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It will take up a lot of space on your device (since it is a backup of your whole device) so it is recommended to copy it to your computer and remove it from the phone. But, as always, make sure you copy the whole "BACKUPS" folder because the folder inside that folder has your device ID and it is required by TWRP to have the folder the exact ID of your phone to prevent anything bad from happening (bricks).
Hope, I answered all the questions as you wanted and if you have a new question, post it here and I'll reply as soon as possible
Hey, thanks a lot for answering. It helps a lot.
A few other questions I have:
14) So if I were to get CM13, and then create a backup of it, and then get another rom, say ASOP, create a backup of that too, and then switch to yet another rom, say Resurrection Remix, create a backup of that too.
Now, is it possible for me to be able to SWITCH between multiple roms, with ALL my data saved individually on each rom perfectly the way I wanted?(of course, wipe cache and data before restoring the backup)
If so, then I could just keep Nandroids of my favorite roms, can keep switching between them, never having to flash and start from scratch ever again!
Sent from my ASUS_T00J using XDA-Developers mobile app
15) Since I don't have otg cable, nor an sd card reader, I'm gonna have to keep the nandroid on my sd. Which means a lot of space is needed.
Can this workaround be possible:
- I use TWRP to backup only system and boot data. I save this on sd card.
- I use Titanium backup to save only user app and data. I save this on PC.
So now, when my device crashes while flashing something, I can restore backup from TWRP(do I clear cache and data before this as well?), and once my system rom is back, I can copy titanium backup via USB and restore it.
Sent from my ASUS_T00J using XDA-Developers mobile app
16) Suppose I flashed CM13, and it's really buggy. Can I switch back to the previous rom whose nandroid I had just by restoring it? Is it really that simple?
Sent from my ASUS_T00J using XDA-Developers mobile app
ShinraTensei04 said:
Hey, thanks a lot for answering. It helps a lot.
A few other questions I have:
14) So if I were to get CM13, and then create a backup of it, and then get another rom, say ASOP, create a backup of that too, and then switch to yet another rom, say Resurrection Remix, create a backup of that too.
Now, is it possible for me to be able to SWITCH between multiple roms, with ALL my data saved individually on each rom perfectly the way I wanted?(of course, wipe cache and data before restoring the backup)
If so, then I could just keep Nandroids of my favorite roms, can keep switching between them, never having to flash and start from scratch ever again!
Sent from my ASUS_T00J using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
14) You can, but you would need tons of space.
Sent using a ks01lte (gt-i9506) running cm 13
---------- Post added at 05:59 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:56 AM ----------
ShinraTensei04 said:
15) Since I don't have otg cable, nor an sd card reader, I'm gonna have to keep the nandroid on my sd. Which means a lot of space is needed.
Can this workaround be possible:
- I use TWRP to backup only system and boot data. I save this on sd card.
- I use Titanium backup to save only user app and data. I save this on PC.
So now, when my device crashes while flashing something, I can restore backup from TWRP(do I clear cache and data before this as well?), and once my system rom is back, I can copy titanium backup via USB and restore it.
Sent from my ASUS_T00J using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You do not have to have an sdcard reader to view your sdcard on your PC. You know how when you make a backup it is stored in /sdcard/TWRP/BACKUPS/CERIALNM/nameofbackup? Well, connect your phone to your pc and move the "backups" folder, then, when you need to restore it, add it to the twrp folder and restore it.
Sent using a ks01lte (gt-i9506) running cm 13
---------- Post added at 06:01 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:59 AM ----------
ShinraTensei04 said:
15) Since I don't have otg cable, nor an sd card reader, I'm gonna have to keep the nandroid on my sd. Which means a lot of space is needed.
Can this workaround be possible:
- I use TWRP to backup only system and boot data. I save this on sd card.
- I use Titanium backup to save only user app and data. I save this on PC.
So now, when my device crashes while flashing something, I can restore backup from TWRP(do I clear cache and data before this as well?), and once my system rom is back, I can copy titanium backup via USB and restore it.
Sent from my ASUS_T00J using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also, on the titanium backup part, not a bad idea... You can then copy the data and system or boot to your pc and bam.
Sent using a ks01lte (gt-i9506) running cm 13
What I meant was: Let's say I bricked my phone. Now, according to you, I place backup on pc. Okay. But now, how do I place this backup onto the sd on my phone when my pc can't even detect the phone(cuz it's dead yo). Doesn't this impose on me to keep the backup in sd(as I don't have reader or otg).
About the titanium, so you're saying I can do that? Backup only user apps+data and restore after restoring only system+boot.
Another question:
16) Can the backup of user apps+data made on, say, 'X' rom, be restored on 'Y' rom via titanium, on condition they are same Android version(suppose 5.0), without ANY chance of incompatibility. More importantly, can it have any chances of leading to a brick/bootloop.
* I read somewhere that if you backed up system apps of 'X' rom, then changed to 'Y' rom, and restored the system apps of 'X' rom onto 'Y' rom, it bricks the phone.(which is why I ask this question)
17) "Backing up 'system' in TWRP is completely different from backing up 'system' on titanium. This is because TWRP backs up entire system with system apps, while titanium only backs up the apps." This is true, right?
Sent from my ASUS_T00J using XDA-Developers mobile app
ShinraTensei04 said:
What I meant was: Let's say I bricked my phone. Now, according to you, I place backup on pc. Okay. But now, how do I place this backup onto the sd on my phone when my pc can't even detect the phone(cuz it's dead yo). Doesn't this impose on me to keep the backup in sd(as I don't have reader or otg).
About the titanium, so you're saying I can do that? Backup only user apps+data and restore after restoring only system+boot.
Another question:
16) Can the backup of user apps+data made on, say, 'X' rom, be restored on 'Y' rom via titanium, on condition they are same Android version(suppose 5.0), without ANY chance of incompatibility. More importantly, can it have any chances of leading to a brick/bootloop.
* I read somewhere that if you backed up system apps of 'X' rom, then changed to 'Y' rom, and restored the system apps of 'X' rom onto 'Y' rom, it bricks the phone.(which is why I ask this question)
17) "Backing up 'system' in TWRP is completely different from backing up 'system' on titanium. This is because TWRP backs up entire system with system apps, while titanium only backs up the apps." This is true, right?
Sent from my ASUS_T00J using XDA-Developers mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You adb sideload a functioning ROM and once you boot you copy the backup you can flash it via twrp. As for the second question, I have not tested it but it sounds possible.
16) You should not be in a bootloop if you backup like that, the fact that it is even the same android version is making it more likely to work and what I know, you can even switch the backup via phones. I don't use titanium because I always do nandroid backups.
17) Yup, that's true, twrp sees "system as the partition system while titanium sees it as the whole phones software, hence why it is called " system".
Thanks for asking these question and hopefully some day, you can teach others.
RAZERZDAHACKER said:
You adb sideload a functioning ROM and once you boot you copy the backup you can flash it via twrp. As for the second question, I have not tested it but it sounds possible.
16) You should not be in a bootloop if you backup like that, the fact that it is even the same android version is making it more likely to work and what I know, you can even switch the backup via phones. I don't use titanium because I always do nandroid backups.
17) Yup, that's true, twrp sees "system as the partition system while titanium sees it as the whole phones software, hence why it is called " system".
Thanks for asking these question and hopefully some day, you can teach others.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hm... so whenever I brick my phone, I MUST adb sideload to a working rom first, and only then restore the backup I made? Even if I already have a backup saved onto the sd card of my bricked phone? Can I not restore that via TWRP instead? I ask this because if I were to adb sideload first, I'd lose root, unlocked bootloader, and yes, TWRP. So, I'd have to get ALL that done again, and only then restore my backup.
18) Does restoring a backup I made(when I had root access, unlocked BL, custom recovery, xposed) RETAIN all that? Meaning after I restore to that backup, I will still have all that.
Thanks for answering, I'm learning quite a bit. And yeah, I'll make sure to help others with this information too.
ShinraTensei04 said:
Hm... so whenever I brick my phone, I MUST adb sideload to a working rom first, and only then restore the backup I made? Even if I already have a backup saved onto the sd card of my bricked phone? Can I not restore that via TWRP instead? I ask this because if I were to adb sideload first, I'd lose root, unlocked bootloader, and yes, TWRP. So, I'd have to get ALL that done again, and only then restore my backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You won't lose TWRP or unlocked bootloader, but I will try today by making backup of "cache" and flash it via my sdcard as soon as possible.
18) Does restoring a backup I made(when I had root access, unlocked BL, custom recovery, xposed) RETAIN all that? Meaning after I restore to that backup, I will still have all that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, it makes a backup of every little part of the system (if you include cache and dalvik, I don't, but some do).
Thanks for answering, I'm learning quite a bit. And yeah, I'll make sure to help others with this information too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, made a backup of "cache and the flashing went fine, my hypothesis is that you have to make the backup on the sdcard and not on the phone and move it to the sdcard.
RAZERZDAHACKER said:
You won't lose TWRP or unlocked bootloader, but I will try today by making backup of "cache" and flash it via my sdcard as soon as possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, when you adb sideload, you need to flash stock fastboot and recovery .img files(at least for my phone), and the bootloader does in fact get locked again, along with losing root. I know cuz I already have done adb sideloading before. So, doesn't that make flashing backup via sd card and TWRP without sideload the only thing I can do? I'm just trying to keep a backup without losing root, unlocked BL, TWRP, even if I gotta give up some space... Just wanna make sure it's safe to do it like that.
RAZERZDAHACKER said:
Yup, it makes a backup of every little part of the system (if you include cache and dalvik, I don't, but some do).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I only have "System(1125 mb)", "Data(3480 mb)", and "Cache(0 mb)" listed in TWRP. My cache is 0 mb.... nothing to backup on there?
19) Do I have to unlink my linked apps before creating a Nandroid, or will creating one while linked allow me to retain the link even after wiping data and then restoring the Nandroid?
ShinraTensei04 said:
Actually, when you adb sideload, you need to flash stock fastboot and recovery .img files(at least for my phone), and the bootloader does in fact get locked again, along with losing root. I know cuz I already have done adb sideloading before. So, doesn't that make flashing backup via sd card and TWRP without sideload the only thing I can do? I'm just trying to keep a backup without losing root, unlocked BL, TWRP, even if I gotta give up some space... Just wanna make sure it's safe to do it like that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You wont lose anything during a complete nandroid backup, and, apparently, some devices loose stuff during adb sideload.
I only have "System(1125 mb)", "Data(3480 mb)", and "Cache(0 mb)" listed in TWRP. My cache is 0 mb.... nothing to backup on there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nothing....... Yet.
19) Do I have to unlink my linked apps before creating a Nandroid, or will creating one while linked allow me to retain the link even after wiping data and then restoring the Nandroid?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlink? What do you mean? (Not quoting Justin Bieber)
RAZERZDAHACKER said:
Unlink? What do you mean? (Not quoting Justin Bieber)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's this thing you can do where you move your apps from internal storage to sd card COMPLETElY, thereby saving a lot of space on internal memory. It works because a 'link' is created between the app+data(now in sd) back to it's internal location counterpart(where it would have been otherwise). This way, the apps and system think your apps are in internal, but in fact are in sd(you can see that more internal is free by checking space used up via any file manager though).
In order to do this, a second partition on the sd card is to be made with an ext2/ext4 format, and use a linking app( like Apps2sd).
ShinraTensei04 said:
There's this thing you can do where you move your apps from internal storage to sd card COMPLETElY, thereby saving a lot of space on internal memory. It works because a 'link' is created between the app+data(now in sd) back to it's internal location counterpart(where it would have been otherwise). This way, the apps and system think your apps are in internal, but in fact are in sd(you can see that more internal is free by checking space used up via any file manager though).
In order to do this, a second partition on the sd card is to be made with an ext2/ext4 format, and use a linking app( like Apps2sd).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea I've used one of those, I first thought the app used the "MV" Unix command but yea you need a sec. Partition to do that on the sdcard, but you don't have to do that on your nandroid backup.
RAZERZDAHACKER said:
Yea I've used one of those, I first thought the app used the "MV" Unix command but yea you need a sec. Partition to do that on the sdcard, but you don't have to do that on your nandroid backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So can I backup linked apps with their links' data saved, so when I install the linking app again, they can be relinked automatically?
Sent from my ASUS_T00J using XDA-Developers mobile app
Thanks for those questions and answers. I posted this before but appearantly in the wrong place. It seems to be quite right here. Thanks to helping people!
Hi XDA experts
I am newly registered in the forum, but experienced in modding (more or less). But I am (for now) strictly a user, not developer.
So far I got along very well, with my beloved Galaxy S4 jfltexx. I got from stock to rooted stock, from there to cm, instantly back to stock, used it for a long time and am just now on cm13 nightly, which is truly awesome!
It is so awesome that I would really like to help other people out, even if they have no idea about this. Meaning I wish to modify other peoples phones for them. However, when it comes to other peoples property I can't really fight my way through technical terms I don't understand anymore, hoping that the outcome will be as I wished. I pretty much know what most of all these technical terms mean, but I don't always understand how they are related to each other. I know, explaining this will take a while, but I would REALLY appreciate it if someone would take the time...
1) The bootloader, can it be replaced? What would be the purpose of that? UNLOCKING does not mean REPLACING, does it??
What do custom ROMs typically consist of? An entire working system? Parts of a working system? Sometimes this sometimes that?
I'm asking the question because I got the impression that some custom ROMs require the user to have a certain (usually stock) ROM in order to flash it. For example, if I had a Galaxy S6 edge running 5.1.1, could I upgrade to noble ROM Marshmallow?
I also have the feeling that the ROM or system or whatever is somewhat seperate from the kernel. What is this relation? Do custom ROMs not always come with a compatible kernel? Is there only one kernel compatible to the rest of the system, or is there a chance to run a system with a kernel not particularly designed for it? How to get a 'wrong' kernel?
Where to get stock ROMs and who provides them? If I wanted to upgrade from Lollipop to Marshmallow, but am rooted and don't get OTA updates, what do I do? Assuming that Nandroids are bound to a single device (e.g. MY phone) who can provide a stock ROM that runs on my device and how does he get it?
Can I run pure Android on any phone, or is it (always?) necessary to adjust it? I understand that my hardware buttons of the S4 would probably not work on pure Android, but the rest?
Is there ANY phone SOLD with open bootloader and root? A phone that actually wants its users to play with the system?
Thanks guys
NoBullsh1t said:
Thanks for those questions and answers. I posted this before but appearantly in the wrong place. It seems to be quite right here. Thanks to helping people!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It happnes alot that people post in wrong section
Hi XDA experts
I am newly registered in the forum, but experienced in modding (more or less). But I am (for now) strictly a user, not developer.
So far I got along very well, with my beloved Galaxy S4 jfltexx. I got from stock to rooted stock, from there to cm, instantly back to stock, used it for a long time and am just now on cm13 nightly, which is truly awesome!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, kinda same, excpet im ks01lte but I moved from stock to rooted stock (5.1.1) then cm13, then stock + xposed 4.4.2 then cm11 and now back to cm13 nightly
It is so awesome that I would really like to help other people out, even if they have no idea about this. Meaning I wish to modify other peoples phones for them. However, when it comes to other peoples property I can't really fight my way through technical terms I don't understand anymore, hoping that the outcome will be as I wished. I pretty much know what most of all these technical terms mean, but I don't always understand how they are related to each other. I know, explaining this will take a while, but I would REALLY appreciate it if someone would take the time...
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1) The bootloader, can it be replaced? What would be the purpose of that? UNLOCKING does not mean REPLACING, does it??
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The bootloader can be replace, however, if you fail here, there is no comming back (you'll need a complete board replacement because the bootloader acts as a BIOS), the purpose of replacing it is various reasons, change of splash screen during boot etc. Some bootloaders are locked to only be able to flash certain ROMs (OEMs do this to not allow people to tinker with their devices) but it is nearly always un-lockable (except for some devices, I own an Acer tablet that has a locked bootloader that cant be un-locked) and no, unlocking it does not mean changing it.
What do custom ROMs typically consist of? An entire working system? Parts of a working system? Sometimes this sometimes that?
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Yea, sometimes this sometimes that, in example, ported marshamllow touchwiz ROMs rely on some files in the stock ROM so the "update" doesn't take up much space.
I'm asking the question because I got the impression that some custom ROMs require the user to have a certain (usually stock) ROM in order to flash it. For example, if I had a Galaxy S6 edge running 5.1.1, could I upgrade to noble ROM Marshmallow?
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That is because of the bootloader (again lol), from my experience with the s4, before flashing cm13, I had to go to 5.1.1 because of the bootloader was changed during the OTA, so as stated before, it only allowed a certain type of ROMs to be flashed.
I also have the feeling that the ROM or system or whatever is somewhat seperate from the kernel. What is this relation? Do custom ROMs not always come with a compatible kernel? Is there only one kernel compatible to the rest of the system, or is there a chance to run a system with a kernel not particularly designed for it? How to get a 'wrong' kernel?
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The kernel tells the system what to do, some kernels are specified for battery optimization, so the kernel tells the cpu to slow down and save juice, while some other kernels offer the ability to overclock the device (mostly used on older devices to make it faster, but it drains more juice and can result into app crashing), the kernel, is not separated from the system, in fact, you can't even compile a ROM without a kernel. There is not only one kernel for lets say cm, you can flash another kernel, just make sure it is compatible with your android version. To get a wrong kernel, flash one that isn't for your device or android version.
Where to get stock ROMs and who provides them? If I wanted to upgrade from Lollipop to Marshmallow, but am rooted and don't get OTA updates, what do I do? Assuming that Nandroids are bound to a single device (e.g. MY phone) who can provide a stock ROM that runs on my device and how does he get it?
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Your OEM provides them, samsung has a website called sammobile and uploads all the stock ROMs there. If you want to upgrade, just flash it via recovery or in your case, odin (for samsung phones). To give your backup to someone else, the other person must have the exact same phones, in example, you (jfltexx) can't give it to me (ks01lte), I must have jfltexx and then (assuming you did the backup on twrp) I'd have to change the serial number to my device.
Can I run pure Android on any phone, or is it (always?) necessary to adjust it? I understand that my hardware buttons of the S4 would probably not work on pure Android, but the rest?
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Your hardware buttons will work on pure android (aosp), I don't see why not, you said you are running cm13, that is altered pure android and it works fine, see pure android as cm withou all the features.
Is there ANY phone SOLD with open bootloader and root? A phone that actually wants its users to play with the system?
Thanks guys
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There are a few devices like that, one plus was a company that wanted to do that, it came with root, unlocked bootloader and cyanogenmod running, they separated unfortunatly and evolved to using "oxygen os" and does nor provide a un-locked bootloader but provides a simple tool to root and unlock. I don't know any companies that have unlocket bootloaders because they don't want the average consumer to mess up their device and blame it on the OEM.
"Can I run pure Android on any phone, or is it (always?) necessary to adjust it? I understand that my hardware buttons of the S4 would probably not work on pure Android, but the rest?
Your hardware buttons will work on pure android (aosp), I don't see why not, you said you are running cm13, that is altered pure android and it works fine, see pure android as cm withou all the features."
I mean is there like a website from google where I can dowoad a non device specific aosp and flash that to my S4 to make it run? Wouldn't there be for example drivers missing? Isn't that what I have to be greateful to Cyanogenmod for, making up to date android compatible with older devices?
---------- Post added at 07:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:42 PM ----------
So I can actually make a jfltexx Nandroid and install it on another jfltexx by easily changing the serial number???
NoBullsh1t said:
"Can I run pure Android on any phone, or is it (always?) necessary to adjust it? I understand that my hardware buttons of the S4 would probably not work on pure Android, but the rest?
Your hardware buttons will work on pure android (aosp), I don't see why not, you said you are running cm13, that is altered pure android and it works fine, see pure android as cm withou all the features."
I mean is there like a website from google where I can dowoad a non device specific aosp and flash that to my S4 to make it run? Wouldn't there be for example drivers missing? Isn't that what I have to be greateful to Cyanogenmod for, making up to date android compatible with older devices?
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Yes, be greatful, it is free, open source and full of active devs and memebers. I'm still not sure what you mean, do you mean on-screen navigation bar? Because you can change that in cyanogenmod settings.
---------- Post added at 07:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:42 PM ----------
So I can actually make a jfltexx Nandroid and install it on another jfltexx by easily changing the serial number???
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Yea, you know how your backup is located in /sdcard/TWRP/BACKUPS/SERIALNO? The device you want to flash it to should make a backup of the tiniest partition (usually cache, it's 5mb) and youll get acces to the serial number, then you just swap it and delete the tiniest partition.

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