Help on deleting residual files(?) - General Questions and Answers

Hi, I am new to installing custom rom and just completed installing one. I have wiped the cache, system, data using twrp after flashing the ROM. After installation, I did a factory reset as well. I have noticed that there are residual files (files from previous rom, downloaded files, rom and firmware files). How do i go about cleaning them up? I assumed that all of it would be deleted after wiping and factory reset

sideger said:
Hi, I am new to installing custom rom and just completed installing one. I have wiped the cache, system, data using twrp after flashing the ROM. After installation, I did a factory reset as well. I have noticed that there are residual files (files from previous rom, downloaded files, rom and firmware files). How do i go about cleaning them up? I assumed that all of it would be deleted after wiping and factory reset
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Click to collapse
Factory rest in TWRP does not wipe /data/media, /data/media is where your various internal storage(user space) folders are located, folders such as download, Bluetooth, DCIM, etc..
You can delete from /data/media manually or you can boot into TWRP, then choose "Wipe", then choose "advanced wipe", Then choose to wipe internal storage, that will wipe your internal files.
Sent from my LGL84VL using Tapatalk

Droidriven said:
Factory rest in TWRP does not wipe /data/media, /data/media is where your various internal storage(user space) folders are located, folders such as download, Bluetooth, DCIM, etc..
You can delete from /data/media manually or you can boot into TWRP, then choose "Wipe", then choose "advanced wipe", Then choose to wipe internal storage, that will wipe your internal files.
Sent from my LGL84VL using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
Oh that explains it. Thanks! I did a factory reset from the rom and it worked. I thought the twrp factory reset did the same

sideger said:
Oh that explains it. Thanks! I did a factory reset from the rom and it worked. I thought the twrp factory reset did the same
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Be careful using the factory reset located in the device settings, using that method of factory reset has been none to frequently brick devices that are rooted, its very risky.
The best option is to use the advanced wipe in TWRP then select the cache, dalvik cache, data, system and internal storage partitions to be wiped. TWRP is the absolute best tool to use on rooted devices for everything you can think of, it is specifically designed to work with rooted devices without doing anything that the user has not specifically told it to do. In other words, as long as you understand how to correctly use the tool, there should never be an "uh-oh" moment unless you make a user error. Many features built into ROMs can be risky if the device is rooted, using built in features to flash or wipe is risky, TWRP and/or adb are better suited for the job and with much less risk involved.
Sent from my LGL84VL using Tapatalk

Droidriven said:
Be careful using the factory reset located in the device settings, using that method of factory reset has been none to frequently brick devices that are rooted, its very risky.
The best option is to use the advanced wipe in TWRP then select the cache, dalvik cache, data, system and internal storage partitions to be wiped. TWRP is the absolute best tool to use on rooted devices for everything you can think of, it is specifically designed to work with rooted devices without doing anything that the user has not specifically told it to do. In other words, as long as you understand how to correctly use the tool, there should never be an "uh-oh" moment unless you make a user error. Many features built into ROMs can be risky if the device is rooted, using built in features to flash or wipe is risky, TWRP and/or adb are better suited for the job and with much less risk involved.
Sent from my LGL84VL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks I will definitely keep this in mind! I guess I got lucky that I did not end up with a bricked device. Thanks for the heads up!

Related

When flashing, what option wipes my internal memory?

Hi guys, I've been flashing my new Galaxy S3 lately and have started to migrate my music library onto my internal 32GB. It's a healthy 15GB of music.
I run SynergyROM r66, and would like to load up r71 fairly soon, bu would not like to lose my music, as it is a pain to resync for me.
How do I do so without it reformatting my internal memory? I'm sticking with Synergy so I don't think I need to do a "clean wipe" right?
Is it as simple as Wipe Cache/Wipe Dalvik, then Install from SD, then reboot? No factory reset?
Any help is appreciated, thank you.
Blutonic said:
Hi guys, I've been flashing my new Galaxy S3 lately and have started to migrate my music library onto my internal 32GB. It's a healthy 15GB of music.
I run SynergyROM r66, and would like to load up r71 fairly soon, bu would not like to lose my music, as it is a pain to resync for me.
How do I do so without it reformatting my internal memory? I'm sticking with Synergy so I don't think I need to do a "clean wipe" right?
Is it as simple as Wipe Cache/Wipe Dalvik, then Install from SD, then reboot? No factory reset?
Any help is appreciated, thank you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
data wipe/ factory reset from stock recovery formats internal memory. data/wipe factory reset from Cwm recovery only wipes system data and does not reformat internal sd, unless you manually do it thru mounts/storage menu in cwm...although you should be fine with just a cache wipe going to r71.
droidstyle said:
data wipe/ factory reset from stock recovery formats internal memory. data/wipe factory reset from Cwm recovery only wipes system data and does not reformat internal sd, unless you manually do it thru mounts/storage menu in cwm...although you should be fine with just a cache wipe going to r71.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool, what about the Dalvik cache, what does that do?
Blutonic said:
Cool, what about the Dalvik cache, what does that do?
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Click to collapse
I always wipe dalvik cache to be safe.
Blutonic said:
Cool, what about the Dalvik cache, what does that do?
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Click to collapse
The Dalvik virtual machine deals with your apps. Whenever changing apps it's a good idea to clear it's cache so you don't have cached data for a different version of an app - this could confuse the machine and lead to problems.
Perfect. thanks for the help guys.
Wiping through cwm recovery in recovery (not the app itself) will not wipe your media or pictures or downloaded files etc. Your Music will be intact, but something not mentioned here yet, do you have an external sd card? Always a good idea to put that important stuff on it,or at least copies of it to be safe, including titanium backups. Though cwm won't wipe your media, if something goes wrong and you have to do a stock recovery, you may forget that cwm is NO LONGER there, and accidentally wipe your media like I did once bricking my galaxy player 5.0!
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
annoyingduck said:
Wiping through cwm recovery in recovery (not the app itself) will not wipe your media or pictures or downloaded files etc. Your Music will be intact, but something not mentioned here yet, do you have an external sd card? Always a good idea to put that important stuff on it,or at least copies of it to be safe, including titanium backups. Though cwm won't wipe your media, if something goes wrong and you have to do a stock recovery, you may forget that cwm is NO LONGER there, and accidentally wipe your media like I did once bricking my galaxy player 5.0!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, I got it all backed up to one of the Hard Drives on my computer. This should go smoothly.

Clean start?

Ok, how do i completely wipe everything off of my AT&T 1.14 HOX, except for TWRP so that I can install a new rom.
RC196 said:
Ok, how do i completely wipe everything off of my AT&T 1.14 HOX, except for TWRP so that I can install a new rom.
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Click to collapse
I assume you already have twrp installed if so boot into fast boot flash the boot. IMG of rom you desire them boot into recovery wipe system factory reset than flash ROM and enjoy
tactical kitten said:
I assume you already have twrp installed if so boot into fast boot flash the boot. IMG of rom you desire them boot into recovery wipe system factory reset than flash ROM and enjoy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can I delete everything leaving the TWRP folder and a copy of my rom?
RC196 said:
Can I delete everything leaving the TWRP folder and a copy of my rom?
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Click to collapse
Are you talking about the internal SD? If you use Titanium Backup, then obviously you should not delete that folder, as that is where the backup files are located. Aside from that, if you don't want to keep any past data from apps, pics etc, then yes you can delete the internal SD contents (aside from the ROM and TWRP nandroid). There may be some other exceptions (particularly for other backup software that you may be using). But in general, the folders on the internal SD are disposable (if flashing a new ROM). When you install a new app after flashing, if the new app needs a folder on the SD, it will just be created automatically.
Aside from the internal SD, before flashing a new ROM do a factory reset (in TWRP not within hboot) and wipe Dalvik and cache. Nothing else really "needs" to be wiped. System partition (where the ROM is stored) will get wiped when the ROM flashes.
I like to format my SD every Sunday to keep this beast on a diet. Then I flash a Rom, inject it with steroids via a custom kernel, and watch it poop all over the s3's I work with
Sent from my HTC One XL using Tapatalk 2
redpoint73 said:
Are you talking about the internal SD? If you use Titanium Backup, then obviously you should not delete that folder, as that is where the backup files are located. Aside from that, if you don't want to keep any past data from apps, pics etc, then yes you can delete the internal SD contents (aside from the ROM and TWRP nandroid). There may be some other exceptions (particularly for other backup software that you may be using). But in general, the folders on the internal SD are disposable (if flashing a new ROM). When you install a new app after flashing, if the new app needs a folder on the SD, it will just be created automatically.
Aside from the internal SD, before flashing a new ROM do a factory reset (in TWRP not within hboot) and wipe Dalvik and cache. Nothing else really "needs" to be wiped. System partition (where the ROM is stored) will get wiped when the ROM flashes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes that's exactly what I want. To wipe out with a fresh start. No apps, no files.
Sent from my HTC One XL using xda premium
then do it buddy!!!
So when you say internal are you talking about the SD or everything?
Sent from my HTC One XL using xda premium
RC196 said:
So when you say internal are you talking about the SD or everything?
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Click to collapse
If you want to wipe the SD card (then flash a ROM), the best way is probably to:
Connect phone to your computer, and copy your TWRP folder (nandroid) to your computer, along with any other backup data, such as Titanium Backup. Then wipe the SD in TWRP.
Mount USB to your computer again, and move the TWRP folder, new ROM zip file, and other backups (like Titanium).
Then in TWRP, factory reset, wipe cache, Wipe Dalvik, then install the ROM.
There is no reason to wipe system, as this gets wiped when your flash the ROM. Some people like to do it "just to be sure". But IMO it serves no purpose. Also keep in mind the second you wipe system, the phone will no longer boot, since you just wiped the OS. People seem to forget that a lot and ask "I wiped system, why won't my phone boot now?"
redpoint73 said:
If you want to wipe the SD card (then flash a ROM), the best way is probably to:
Connect phone to your computer, and copy your TWRP folder (nandroid) to your computer, along with any other backup data, such as Titanium Backup. Then wipe the SD in TWRP.
Mount USB to your computer again, and move the TWRP folder, new ROM zip file, and other backups (like Titanium).
Then in TWRP, factory reset, wipe cache, Wipe Dalvik, then install the ROM.
There is no reason to wipe system, as this gets wiped when your flash the ROM. Some people like to do it "just to be sure". But IMO it serves no purpose. Also keep in mind the second you wipe system, the phone will no longer boot, since you just wiped the OS. People seem to forget that a lot and ask "I wiped system, why won't my phone boot now?"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is it normal for TWRP to be 2.58GB?
No its not
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Xparent ICS Tapatalk 2
Are you talking about the TWRP folder? Your NANDROID backups are in there if you took any. That might explain why it's large.
Valohtar said:
Are you talking about the TWRP folder? Your NANDROID backups are in there if you took any. That might explain why it's large.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes that was it. I just copied my backup to my pc. Freed up a lot of space on phone storage but in app storage it shows 4.23gb and under other it shows 3.85gb. Not sure what that is all about?
*GalaxyFanatic* said:
No its not
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Click to collapse
Yes, its somewhat normal. It depend on the size of the ROM that is currently on the phone, and the other data (apps, etc.). But its not unusual for a nandroid to be a GB or so, so if you have 2 nandroids on the SD = 2.5 GB.
redpoint73 said:
Yes, its somewhat normal. It depend on the size of the ROM that is currently on the phone, and the other data (apps, etc.). But its not unusual for a nandroid to be a GB or so, so if you have 2 nandroids on the SD = 2.5 GB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the help
Sent from my HTC One XL using xda premium

[Q] Factory reset doesn't delete data/restore system?

Aside from the pee-stain at the bottom of the phone I did notice one thing. When you do a factory reset (and select/check that deleting userdata is okay) it does not:
• delete sdcard data
• remove user settings for apps/wifi
• restore modified system files (hosts, etc...)
• root remains as well
Is there actually a way to do a proper reset and have it restore things as it should? In line with that how do I securely erase the data if possible so in given it to a family or it ends up on some truck with Avast that the data can't be restored?
Thanks!
windraker said:
Aside from the pee-stain at the bottom of the phone I did notice one thing. When you do a factory reset (and select/check that deleting userdata is okay) it does not:
• delete sdcard data
• remove user settings for apps/wifi
• restore modified system files (hosts, etc...)
• root remains as well
Is there actually a way to do a proper reset and have it restore things as it should? In line with that how do I securely erase the data if possible so in given it to a family or it ends up on some truck with Avast that the data can't be restored?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WTF? Factory reset does not actually factory reset..? This seems like a huge bug with CM11... Especially the part about the lack of deletion in the SD card and user settings.
an_xda said:
WTF? Factory reset does not actually factory reset..? This seems like a huge bug with CM11... Especially the part about the lack of deletion in the SD card and user settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope. I had rooted the phone and while I think I lost root; the modified hosts file I changed (http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm) was still there as well as the entire SD card contents. It remembered my home wifi as well because I looked in settings and it showed my home one as "out of range"
Not sure if it's a bug or by design as I haven't tried flashing the stock image yet.
For a complete factory reset that will erase everything. Everything! You can do a factory reset from the boot loader. (Restart or power on phone and hold down the volume down button, scroll to factory reset, push power button) or from TRWP data reset, it makes you confirm and type "yes"
I reset my phone through the boot loader on accident a couple times and wanted to kick my dog.
Sent from my HTC One using XDA Free mobile app
You guys do know that factory resetting only formats the data partition excluding the /data/media directory. This is not a bug. It wouldn't need to do anything to the system partition of you don't root. And it's not able to restore the system partition without a system image and where are you going to store that? In the system partition? All user settings including apps and WiFi settings are stored on the data partition will actually be wiped unless when you log into your Google account you select restore from backup. There's no reason you would want to delete storage too when factory resetting unless you want to sell the phone and you can delete that in so many ways since it's your storage.
Sent from my TouchPad using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
cannonofcourse said:
For a complete factory reset that will erase everything. Everything! You can do a factory reset from the boot loader. (Restart or power on phone and hold down the volume down button, scroll to factory reset, push power button) or from TRWP data reset, it makes you confirm and type "yes"
I reset my phone through the boot loader on accident a couple times and wanted to kick my dog.
Sent from my HTC One using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Jack of Clubs said:
You guys do know that factory resetting only formats the data partition excluding the /data/media directory. This is not a bug. It wouldn't need to do anything to the system partition of you don't root. And it's not able to restore the system partition without a system image and where are you going to store that? In the system partition? All user settings including apps and WiFi settings are stored on the data partition will actually be wiped unless when you log into your Google account you select restore from backup. There's no reason you would want to delete storage too when factory resetting unless you want to sell the phone and you can delete that in so many ways since it's your storage.
Sent from my TouchPad using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you both Tried that and worked. Wanted to restore the hosts file to stock but couldn't find the original again. (didn't think to extract factory rom files on cyangen site)
The solution is in their FAQ.
so wait... if i factory reset from twrp... will my internal sd.. i.e. music.. and other files also get deleted?
abhimanyu bajaj said:
so wait... if i factory reset from twrp... will my internal sd.. i.e. music.. and other files also get deleted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No.
Transmitted via Bacon
timmaaa said:
No.
Transmitted via Bacon
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Click to collapse
and if i flash a new rom... will it be deleted?
abhimanyu bajaj said:
and if i flash a new rom... will it be deleted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just flashing the ROM by itself will not wipe data or internal storage, but you may encounter bugs (it's called dirty flashing). The best way to get a bug-less ROM is to clean flash which means wiping every partition. The only one that should be OK is internal so you don't have to wipe that one when clean flashing.
abhimanyu bajaj said:
and if i flash a new rom... will it be deleted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, flashing a ROM doesn't wipe user data. When flashing a new ROM it's best to wipe system, data, cache, and dalvik cache, but it isn't necessary to wipe (internal storage) user data.
Newbie XDA member
I change my phone original bootanimation and then i get No Command when i factor reset .. Nothing Happend how do just restore my (/system) /system/media bootanimation.zip ... other way to fix this thing i have pc >?

Does factory reset in twrp delete the backups?

So I'm on twrp recovery (rooted Oneplus 3T) and i do a lot of moding which often results in bootloops, so I resort to my backups made in twrp. I was wondering if I'm doing a clean flash of a new rom and it fails, do i still have the backups?
Factory reset wipes only Data , Cache , and Dalvik.
If you select Advanced Wipe and then wipe the Internal Storage or select the option Format Data from the Wipe menu then you will lose your backups (and all your personal data too ) as they are located in Internal Storage/TWRP/Backups.
kenny3fcb said:
Factory reset wipes only Data , Cache , and Dalvik.
If you select Advanced Wipe and then wipe the Internal Storage or select the option Format Data from the Wipe menu then you will lose your backups (and all your personal data too ) as they are located in Internal Storage/TWRP/Backups.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What if you selected Factory Reset from Android Settings? Does that delete the TWRP directory (folder) and its contents as well (which contains the Nandroid backups)?
Cifer17 said:
So I'm on twrp recovery (rooted Oneplus 3T) and i do a lot of moding which often results in bootloops, so I resort to my backups made in twrp. I was wondering if I'm doing a clean flash of a new rom and it fails, do i still have the backups?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Save your data in laptop and boot your phone
zetret said:
What if you selected Factory Reset from Android Settings? Does that delete the TWRP directory (folder) and its contents as well (which contains the Nandroid backups)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, if your TWRP backups are stored in internal sdcard, factory reset from settings will wipe the internal sdcard and remove your TWRP folder and the backups contained in that folder.
BUT...
If your backups are stored on external sdcard, they will not be wiped by factory reset from settings, they also would not be wiped by factory reset from TWRP.
Sent from my LGL84VL using Tapatalk
Droidriven said:
Yes, if your TWRP backups are stored in internal sdcard, factory reset from settings will wipe the internal sdcard and remove your TWRP folder and the backups contained in that folder.
BUT...
If your backups are stored on external sdcard, they will not be wiped by factory reset from settings, they also would not be wiped by factory reset from TWRP.
Sent from my LGL84VL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah... If you don't have SDcard, make sure your NAndroid backups or ROMs are backed up on your PC or external hard drive. Otherwise you cannot install/flash your new ROM which includes the android system.
DryreL said:
Yeah... If you don't have SDcard, make sure your NAndroid backups or ROMs are backed up on your PC or external hard drive. Otherwise you cannot install/flash your new ROM which includes the android system.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know that, you probably meant to quote the person I responded to.
DryreL said:
Yeah... If you don't have SDcard, make sure your NAndroid backups or ROMs are backed up on your PC or external hard drive. Otherwise you cannot install/flash your new ROM which includes the android system.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or, you could just factory reset in TWRP, factory reset from within TWRP does not wipe data/media, otherwise known as user storage partition where the TWRP folder is stored, therefore, any TWRP backups stored in the TWRP folder in your internal sdcard will not be wiped by the factory reset process from within TWRP.
However, factory reset in TWRP does wipe data/data partition, where user settings and user installed apps are stored. If your ROMs are also stored in the data/media(user storage partition), they will not be wiped by the factory reset process from within TWRP either.
Edit

What files can I delete in the root "/" directory?

If I'm going to install a new os via twrp recovery with full wipes.
In other words
What files can't i delete?
Thank you so much
Just make a factory reset in TWRP and you're good to go. No need to go through files and folders with a file manager.
zerolam said:
If I'm going to install a new os via twrp recovery with full wipes.
In other words
What files can't i delete?
Thank you so much
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't delete anything in root ("/") partition, before or after flashing.
Make a nandroid backup of your current ROM before you do the following.
If you want a completely clean install of the new OS then you need to choose the Wipe option in TWRP, then choose the advanced wipe option, then select the data partition, system partition, cache partition and dalvik/ART cache, then swipe the slider to wipe these partitions, then you're ready to flash the new ROM.
Sent from my SM-S903VL using Tapatalk

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