Database Info

Any security concerns about data recovery?

Pretty soon, I plan to sell my current phone, and some old tablets, in order to make money towards the new Nexus devices. I'm wondering, though, are there any security concerns for someone potentially being able to recover my data if I sell my phone off? Obviously, this is a big deal to me, because I have all my Google accounts (my primary one being the one I use my credit card through) connected to me phone. Being that my devices all have TWRP installed, my primary thought would be to use that to wipe the internal storage, and do a factory reset. But is it possible someone could still manage to recover my data somehow?
I hear people talk about this for PCs, and hard drives, about how if someone really wanted to, they could theoretically recover your data even if you reformat your computer. Is that possible on smartphones as well, or is it different, due to phones using what I assume is flash memory (or whatever type of memory, that's different from a computer HDD)?
I just want to make sure I take every precaution before I sell my phones off. Granted, I already use two-step authentication on all my Google accounts, anyway, but still. I don't want any risk of something bad happening.

Just make sure to flash a stock ROM on each of them a few times and you will be fine. Can it be done? Yes only if the space has not been over written. That is the reason for the extra Flash's.

zelendel said:
Just make sure to flash a stock ROM on each of them a few times and you will be fine. Can it be done? Yes only if the space has not been over written. That is the reason for the extra Flash's.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So how many flashes should be enough to be safe? And do you have to boot up the phone in between flashes? Or could I just sit in TWRP, flashing the ROM over and over and over again?

mrw1215 said:
So how many flashes should be enough to be safe? And do you have to boot up the phone in between flashes? Or could I just sit in TWRP, flashing the ROM over and over and over again?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would just flash a few times in recovery. No real reason to reboot.

So "a few" would be what? 3? 5? 10+? What's a safe number?

mrw1215 said:
So "a few" would be what? 3? 5? 10+? What's a safe number?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
3 To 5 times should be enough. This is the same thing a DOD wipe does. It over writes the system a bunch of times so any data in unrecoverable.

Okay, thanks for the info.
I guess, alternatively, I could just change all the passwords to my stuff while I'm in between phones, because then, even if someone was able to recover my data, they wouldn't be able to log in since the passwords would have changed, eh?
I dunno. That's going to be so much work, but I'm super paranoid about keeping my data safe, so I'm not sure I can put my faith in making my data unrecoverable by flashing a ROM multiple times. I was kind of hoping that phone memory worked differently than a computer HDD, in that regard, and that it wouldn't have been an issue, but...

mrw1215 said:
Okay, thanks for the info.
I guess, alternatively, I could just change all the passwords to my stuff while I'm in between phones, because then, even if someone was able to recover my data, they wouldn't be able to log in since the passwords would have changed, eh?
I dunno. That's going to be so much work, but I'm super paranoid about keeping my data safe, so I'm not sure I can put my faith in making my data unrecoverable by flashing a ROM multiple times. I was kind of hoping that phone memory worked differently than a computer HDD, in that regard, and that it wouldn't have been an issue, but...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could but ill be honest. Anything that would be needed to recover any real useful info like passwords or such would take a level of skill most people do no posses. The easiest thing to recover are pic and such as that is stored on a different partition then the info your trying to protect.
I am also super careful when I sell old devices. So a simple couple of extra min in recovery is worth it. I also make sure to return the device to stock before I let it go. Just to be sure.

Lost Oneplus One ... afraid if data can be stolen

Hello everyone.
Due to some circumstances I lost my oneplus one.
It was snatched from me by two guys
I was already using some other phone and kept Oneplus One as reserve.
My question is what are the chances to extract data from that phone.
TWRP was already there
(1) Dalvik cache, System, Cache Data and Internal Storage was wiped through twrp
http://www.technobuzz.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/TWRP-Wipe-Cache-and-Data-System.jpg
(2) Data was formatted
http://cloud.addictivetips.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/TWRP-Recovery-Format-Data.jpg
(3) Fresh rom was installed using USB-OTG
(4) Complete internal storage was filled with dummy data and deleted it
(5) Then I was using that phone for emails and gaming purpose only.
Phone was not encrypted

Do data which were stored in that mobile before wiping and fresh installation of rom can be recovered by those culprits?

Hello Experts,
Please provide your valuable views

As you know with TWRP you can bypass and access files. However if you only used it for email and gaming purposes last. I don't think you have much to worry about.
It really sucks that there's such low people out there. I wish all phones came with the 'kill switch' feature by default.

forid200 said:
As you know with TWRP you can bypass and access files. However if you only used it for email and gaming purposes last. I don't think you have much to worry about.
It really sucks that there's such low people out there. I wish all phones came with the 'kill switch' feature by default.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi forid200
Thanks for reply.
Before I was using it as my primary phone.
As I already have one more cellphone, I'd kept Oneplus One as spare.
Before keeping it ,below procedure has been done :-
TWRP was already there
(1) Dalvik cache, System, Cache Data and Internal Storage was wiped through twrp
http://www.technobuzz.net/wp-content...ata-System.jpg
(2) Data was formatted
http://cloud.addictivetips.com/wp-co...ormat-Data.jpg
(3) Fresh rom was installed using USB-OTG
(4) Complete internal storage was filled with dummy data and deleted it
In such case is there still chances for old data to be stolen?

hoppingpanda said:
Hi forid200
Thanks for reply.
Before I was using it as my primary phone.
As I already have one more cellphone, I'd kept Oneplus One as spare.
Before keeping it ,below procedure has been done :-
TWRP was already there
(1) Dalvik cache, System, Cache Data and Internal Storage was wiped through twrp
http://www.technobuzz.net/wp-content...ata-System.jpg
(2) Data was formatted
http://cloud.addictivetips.com/wp-co...ormat-Data.jpg
(3) Fresh rom was installed using USB-OTG
(4) Complete internal storage was filled with dummy data and deleted it
In such case is there still chances for old data to be stolen?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm seriously not seeing what you're worrying about, you barely had any data on that phone and when people steal a phone they want to sell it 99% of the time not get your personal data. Unless you're a very influential/famous person in your country whose data is extremely important hence more valuable than the phone itself, which I highly doubt you are. Whether there's a chance or not is irrelevant at this point, the phone is gone what happens to it is out of your control. Get a new phone and enjoy your life

Renosh said:
I'm seriously not seeing what you're worrying about, you barely had any data on that phone and when people steal a phone they want to sell it 99% of the time not get your personal data. Unless you're a very influential/famous person in your country whose data is extremely important hence more valuable than the phone itself, which I highly doubt you are. Whether there's a chance or not is irrelevant at this point, the phone is gone what happens to it is out of your control. Get a new phone and enjoy your life
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's very bluntly said, however, it is true. The phone is gone, the thieves are probably more interested in selling it rather than looking through your porn collection. There's a few things you can try and do, you can try wiping it through Android device manager. Truthfully, if the sims out and the phone has no data connection. It will fail.
You can report it to the carrier/police and get the devices IMEI blocked. If you kept your OnePlus box like I have, you will see a small sticker with the devices IMEI written on it. This will render it useless as a mobile.
I know how annoyed you must feel, losing your device, data. And I understand that after you have a phone for a while, it starts to have slight 'sentimental' value to you, you could say. Thieves attempted to rob me a few times (here in London), I nearly got sprayed with corrosive acid, I nearly got stabbed, I put up a good fight and they couldn't get anything from me. But it did get me to think, how much is a device worth to you man? Is it worth more than your life?
These people robbing, they have no heart, no soul, they don't give a ****. I think cellphone manufacturers should all become more responsible and start building in kill switches.
My best advice to you is the above, these thieves will be out there. And it can happen, the OnePlus One is pretty old now. So I guess it should hurt less, get yourself a OnePlus 3, or as you said, it was your spare device. So just use whatever you have.

forid200 said:
That's very bluntly said, however, it is true. The phone is gone, the thieves are probably more interested in selling it rather than looking through your porn collection. There's a few things you can try and do, you can try wiping it through Android device manager. Truthfully, if the sims out and the phone has no data connection. It will fail.
You can report it to the carrier/police and get the devices IMEI blocked. If you kept your OnePlus box like I have, you will see a small sticker with the devices IMEI written on it. This will render it useless as a mobile.
I know how annoyed you must feel, losing your device, data. And I understand that after you have a phone for a while, it starts to have slight 'sentimental' value to you, you could say. Thieves attempted to rob me a few times (here in London), I nearly got sprayed with corrosive acid, I nearly got stabbed, I put up a good fight and they couldn't get anything from me. But it did get me to think, how much is a device worth to you man? Is it worth more than your life?
These people robbing, they have no heart, no soul, they don't give a ****. I think cellphone manufacturers should all become more responsible and start building in kill switches.
My best advice to you is the above, these thieves will be out there. And it can happen, the OnePlus One is pretty old now. So I guess it should hurt less, get yourself a OnePlus 3, or as you said, it was your spare device. So just use whatever you have.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
Thanks a lot for nice reply which really made my day.
I was only afraid for my old personal scanned documents and family photographs.
Any how, your words have provided me potency and ray of light that let bygones be bygones
I'll try to search that box and request for IMEI block.
Thanks you so much

hoppingpanda said:
Hi,
Thanks a lot for nice reply which really made my day.
I was only afraid for my old personal scanned documents and family photographs.
Any how, your words have provided me potency and ray of light that let bygones be bygones
I'll try to search that box and request for IMEI block.
Thanks you so much
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad to have helped you out! Sorry for the late reply. If you need anything feel free to PM, or just join my WhatsApp group for faster reps from other OnePlus power users.

Backing up EFS/IMEI partition

Hi there
I can only apologize for having to ask this question, and I do feel a complete n00b for having to ask, but I actually can't afford to get this wrong, so need some help from people who know what they are doing
I've just defected from my Apple iPhone 6+, as Android phones are the only ones that are listed as 100% compatible with my Tobii I12 eyegaze communication device. Using this device I can make calls, texts, Facebook, pretty much anything I want to without needing physical access to the phone.
Now, I also have a Samsung Tab 2 (SM-T700) which I rooted, installed recovery, custom ROM etc some time ago, as it was only a cheap tablet and if it all went wrong, I could afford to wait and mess around to try and fix it.
The thing is, it's more essential my S8+ is working, as I use it with my communication aid to get through to the outside world.
OK, so what do I want to do? Obviously, I'm hoping to achieve root, and one of the reasons for this is because I paid full price for my S8+ (not a network upgrade), the full >£700. This in turn means that I get the privilege of being punished by not being able to use Three WiFi Calling. The signal at my house is a bit shaky, and I read that with a CSC (Country Specific Code) I might be able to get VoWifi working It'd also be nice to know my phone had the capability of running what I want it to....
So, I know that rooting is going to trip knox & warranty void. Not an issue. Having a device that does what I ask it to is more important than some stupid warranty.
However, I have read that before doing ANYTHING, I should make sure I have a backup of this EFS/IMEI partition. Because once it's gone, it's gone for good.
Now I never did anything like this for my tablet, so now I'm just a bit scared I'm going to wipe this partition and completely hose my phone in the future.
So, can somebody please let me know what I should be doing? I really can't afford to be without my phone, but I really need Wifi Calling to work!
Sorry if this is a n00b question that has been answered before. Thanks in advance

Never mind.....
Did a bit more reading today and it makes more sense now.... EFS partition is just a partition on the device; and there are many tools that can backup partitions.... with root, I could even just 'dd' it
Going to take it slowly, but hopefully I can start contributing soon instead of just asking questions
Thanks again

I'm kinda curious about this too, this will be my first attempt at rooting a Samsung and I've seen horror stories about losing the EFS partition in the past.
Incidentally, if you're based in the UK, tripping knox doesn't void your warranty.

Necessary backups before flashing

Hey,
I might get s8+ really soon and coming from Sony, I've been wondering, is there anything worth backing up before I flash it or right after I flash it?
In Sony devices there's TA partition containing bootloader, IMEI etc which is worth backing up as you can restore TA backup and make your phone look as if it was never flashed. It's there something similar in S8? Or should I just flash it and don't worry about anything?
Thanks for answers.

Welcome to the 'Samsungverse'
olokos said:
Hey,
I might get s8+ really soon and coming from Sony, I've been wondering, is there anything worth backing up before I flash it or right after I flash it?
In Sony devices there's TA partition containing bootloader, IMEI etc which is worth backing up as you can restore TA backup and make your phone look as if it was never flashed. It's there something similar in S8? Or should I just flash it and don't worry about anything?
Thanks for answers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As a former Sony fanboy, first of all, welcome.
I know that I made the right choice ditching my Z5, though to be honest, it was a bit overdue. My previous disdain of Samsung devices was due first of all to the design and secondly, the bloatware of Touchwiz, but with the S8+ I was stunned into submission.
My question to you, is why do you think you need to flash, before even getting the device, and then what were you thinking of flashing. My experience so far is that there really is no need to Root this phone, there are so many features baked in that are not present on other Android devices. It really is an amazing phone.
I haven't really looked in detail at the threads dealing with flashing, but there are a number that can be found if you do an XDA search. The process of flashing seems rather more complicated than on Sony devices, and depending on what you flash, will trigger Knox, which is a security protocol that a number of secure apps need to run, such as 'Samsung Pay' and 'secure folder'. Tripping Knox also voids your warranty and is a consequence of 'Rooting' and is IRREVERSIBLE.
IMHO, the few custom ROM's that are available don't seem to substantially add value to the overall user experience, but I'm sure there are voices here that will disagree. For instance, there are native baked in features on the device that to all intents and purposes make 'Root' dependent apps such as 'Greenify' and 'Titanium Backup' redundant., and if you want to debloat there are 'non root' apps such as 'Package disabler' and 'Adhell' which is also a good ad blocker.
If you still feel the need to flash there are plenty of guides here on XDA, but good practise, is always to make a full backup.

olokos said:
Hey,
I might get s8+ really soon and coming from Sony, I've been wondering, is there anything worth backing up before I flash it or right after I flash it?
In Sony devices there's TA partition containing bootloader, IMEI etc which is worth backing up as you can restore TA backup and make your phone look as if it was never flashed. It's there something similar in S8? Or should I just flash it and don't worry about anything?
Thanks for answers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should do a "nandroid/TWRP" backup as soon as you install TWRP the first time you load it before you make any "System Modification".
Do a total back up plus an EFS only back up in TWRP. Then reboot Recovery and this time you can modify your system and disable encryption.
This way you have a total stock back up if later on something goes wrong you have a way out!
But please search XDA forum for more details.
Good luck.

kxdaorbit said:
As a former Sony fanboy, first of all, welcome.
I know that I made the right choice ditching my Z5, though to be honest, it was a bit overdue. My previous disdain of Samsung devices was due first of all to the design and secondly, the bloatware of Touchwiz, but with the S8+ I was stunned into submission.
My question to you, is why do you think you need to flash, before even getting the device, and then what were you thinking of flashing. My experience so far is that there really is no need to Root this phone, there are so many features baked in that are not present on other Android devices. It really is an amazing phone.
I haven't really looked in detail at the threads dealing with flashing, but there are a number that can be found if you do an XDA search. The process of flashing seems rather more complicated than on Sony devices, and depending on what you flash, will trigger Knox, which is a security protocol that a number of secure apps need to run, such as 'Samsung Pay' and 'secure folder'. Tripping Knox also voids your warranty and is a consequence of 'Rooting' and is IRREVERSIBLE.
IMHO, the few custom ROM's that are available don't seem to substantially add value to the overall user experience, but I'm sure there are voices here that will disagree. For instance, there are native baked in features on the device that to all intents and purposes make 'Root' dependent apps such as 'Greenify' and 'Titanium Backup' redundant., and if you want to debloat there are 'non root' apps such as 'Package disabler' and 'Adhell' which is also a good ad blocker.
If you still feel the need to flash there are plenty of guides here on XDA, but good practise, is always to make a full backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all, I enjoy modifying phone to my needs, this is how it all started for me. Most importantly I want to develop a kernel for S8+. It made world of a difference on my Z1 and I want to continue my work on S8+, from scratch, but still. I'm currently having a discussion with Samsung support whether they respect EU laws regarding Knox and warranty. As you can see, I've done tons of work so far and I want to continue doing so.
Secure folder doesnt really matter for me, Samsung Pay is soooo limited in Poland, or for that matter, any other sort of payment with NFC/phone, I haven't seen a single shop that was screaming that they support that in Warsaw, but I wasn't necessairly looking around for that, as apart from shop having to have that, bank has to have that and phone aswell, so too much hassle for little gain.
As for other options of blocking ads, they all run actively, not passively, so they put more strain on CPU, package disabler most likely does the same thing as just disabling an app manually in settings -> applications. It doesn't free up any memory in fact.
Not to mention other cool mods that can be done on this device.
samteeee said:
You should do a "nandroid/TWRP" backup as soon as you install TWRP the first time you load it before you make any "System Modification".
Do a total back up plus an EFS only back up in TWRP. Then reboot Recovery and this time you can modify your system and disable encryption.
This way you have a total stock back up if later on something goes wrong you have a way out!
But please search XDA forum for more details.
Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, this is exactly what I needed to know. I'll see what samsung support says about whether they respect EU warranty laws or not and if they do then I'll trip knox instantaneously.

@kxdaorbit I didn't know that samsung implemented a firewall inside of their devices, that's pretty awesome! Adhell might actually do wonders, thanks for info man!

Can a Fold 2 phone from one region be flashed to another (ROM)?

I have a Fold 2 from China, which makes it a game breaker in that it locks the Samsung apps store to China's, including related Samsung gear (like the gear S3 watch or buds), which means I have NO access to any actual useful English apps.
This would solve a world of problems for me.
Crossing fingers...

Spixe1 said:
I have a Fold 2 from China, which makes it a game breaker in that it locks the Samsung apps store to China's, including related Samsung gear (like the gear S3 watch or buds), which means I have NO access to any actual useful English apps.
This would solve a world of problems for me.
Crossing fingers...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should be able to BUT make sure the model numbers are the same and that the bootloader is unlocked before flashing a ROM (SoC version MUST match or its bricksville). This will also require a CSC change.
This may also require rooting your phone which will nullify any warranties...
I'd make sure you have read up how to do this and REALLY understand the dangers as this can brick your device.
Also have a a stock ROM on hand to flash back if/when things go sideways.
I tend to find the Chinese region locked variants of phones, though a little cheaper to buy, are NOT worth the effort and risk due to the reason you want to reflash. Warranties are also non-existent due to postage and time constraints.
Again, this could be a major drain of time and effort, not to mention hair pulling, to find yourself back at square one or worse.

ultramag69 said:
You should be able to BUT make sure the model numbers are the same and that the bootloader is unlocked before flashing a ROM (SoC version MUST match or its bricksville). This will also require a CSC change.
This may also require rooting your phone which will nullify any warranties...
I'd make sure you have read up how to do this and REALLY understand the dangers as this can brick your device.
Also have a a stock ROM on hand to flash back if/when things go sideways.
I tend to find the Chinese region locked variants of phones, though a little cheaper to buy, are NOT worth the effort and risk due to the reason you want to reflash. Warranties are also non-existent due to postage and time constraints.
Again, this could be a major drain of time and effort, not to mention hair pulling, to find yourself back at square one or worse.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Appreciate the honest reply - hell I just appreciate the reply at all, pretty much thought it'd be ignored. What you said makes sense, from all the reading I've done, just TRYING to find an answer to this question, considering info on flashing to other ROMS is pretty much non-existent, it seemed a risk. You all but confirmed this, and I will most definitely take your advice and just give up the venture. Better having a working phone locked to Chinese apps (arg!) than a bricked phone... barely, ha.
Thanks again for the answers mate, truly appreciated.