Had to replace my M8 and was hoping I could just nandroid from a prior backup on the previous (identical).
I created the folder structure, and TWRP will run the restore process, but it fails at system each time.
Any suggestions? Looks like I can restore data fine. Using CleanROM.
Thanks!
[Update] Flashing CleanROM over seems to retain most apps/settings as long as I don't wipe first (assume this is the same as wiping/flashing CleanROM then restoring data only).
Malaclypse5 said:
Had to replace my M8 and was hoping I could just nandroid from a prior backup on the previous (identical).
I created the folder structure, and TWRP will run the restore process, but it fails at system each time.
Any suggestions? Looks like I can restore data fine. Using CleanROM.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did it but it was a while ago. I'm pretty sure you need to be on the same version of TWRP that you created the Nandroid with.
Duckman_UF said:
I did it but it was a while ago. I'm pretty sure you need to be on the same version of TWRP that you created the Nandroid with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, good to know it's possible. I'm pretty sure I'm on the same version (when I installed recovery this time I just fastbooted the same image from the same adb directories I had setup last time).
Malaclypse5 said:
Thanks, good to know it's possible. I'm pretty sure I'm on the same version (when I installed recovery this time I just fastbooted the same image from the same adb directories I had setup last time).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That will work!
Duckman_UF said:
That will work!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I still fail at restoring system, but restoring data got me most of the way there (hopefully its stable! seems just fine so far).
Any suggestions I'd love to hear em (always thought this should be seamless but first time trying) and thanks for your feedback!
Malaclypse5 said:
I still fail at restoring system, but restoring data got me most of the way there (hopefully its stable! seems just fine so far).
Any suggestions I'd love to hear em (always thought this should be seamless but first time trying) and thanks for your feedback!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't quite understand why you would want to restore system. Flashing the rom is just as easy and much cleaner. There may be a problem with device ID from the old phone - really have no idea.
But going from one device to another I would flash the rom, restore data - done. You should have an identical phone.
berndblb said:
I don't quite understand why you would want to restore system. Flashing the rom is just as easy and much cleaner. There may be a problem with device ID from the old phone - really have no idea.
But going from one device to another I would flash the rom, restore data - done. You should have an identical phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! The only thing I lost by not restoring system are zip's/mods I flashed in twrp seperately, also Xposed framework settings (some didn't carry over). Thanks for the support!
OP, do you have Titanium Backup? It can extract from a Nandroid. Menu>Extract from Nandroid Backup. It takes a while, even if your backup isn't compressed, but it works just fine.
If you DON'T have Titanium, skip Google Play and just Google it. Buy it from his website. Costs you less, developer makes more money (Google doesn't get a cut) and you get a text file for a license. This is much easier than dealing with the license app. Just download the latest version whenever there's an update and stick it on your SD card/internal, and install it upon flashing a new ROM. Text license goes in the root of either. App will pick it up on first run. Real easy. And it can do a ton of other things, too.
I'm done it twice now on two separate Verizon refurbs to find the M8. It has always worked wonderfully for me. Saves a lot of time in setting back up. You do have to create a new TWRP folder though by doing in a quick backup on the new phone, the moving the backup into the new TWRP folder otherwise it won't see it. TWRP will create a new folder with a different set of numbers In your original TWRP folder. You just move it to that. I did it successfully with Viper one Rom twice now.
I've been using RobbieL811 Uber rom for quite a while but now development seems to have come to a halt. A couple of posters say move to a new ROM so I tried Resurrection Remix. I don't have time to move my data (Inc save games that don't cloud save) individually, so I Googled the best way to do this. I got a load of 2013 posts about restoring the data partition from the nandroid backup. After installing RR and restoring the backup of the data I just get boot freeze. Is there something I'm missing?
Gingepie49 said:
I've been using RobbieL811 Uber rom for quite a while but now development seems to have come to a halt. A couple of posters say move to a new ROM so I tried Resurrection Remix. I don't have time to move my data (Inc save games that don't cloud save) individually, so I Googled the best way to do this. I got a load of 2013 posts about restoring the data partition from the nandroid backup. After installing RR and restoring the backup of the data I just get boot freeze. Is there something I'm missing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know who said to restore a data backup from a nandroid, that's wrong, it's a huge no-no. The data backup includes all data from the ROM, not just apps, so it's attempting to restore incompatible system settings and stuff like that. You can just use Titanium Backup to make backups of your apps and then restore them after you've flashed your new ROM.
Yep titanium is what u need
Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk
Got 99 problems
Thanks for your assist guys, tried what you suggested and it worked! Until I rebooted. Now it just boots for ages. And nothing else. I've unselected any system apps.
Gingepie49 said:
Thanks for your assist guys, tried what you suggested and it worked! Until I rebooted. Now it just boots for ages. And nothing else. I've unselected any system apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly what did you do? You need to provide a detailed account of everything that lead to this point. What did you restore with Titanium?
I did two over the course of the night, the first I restored everything, including system apps like dialler, Gmail etc. But this broke it. So I wiped, installed, and restored only missing apps and data. Still broken on reboot.
Gingepie49 said:
I did two over the course of the night, the first I restored everything, including system apps like dialler, Gmail etc. But this broke it. So I wiped, installed, and restored only missing apps and data. Still broken on reboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't restore system apps/data, that's why it was borked the first time. It's also possible that you restored system/app data the second time too. Only ever restore user apps.
Heisenberg said:
You can't restore system apps/data, that's why it was borked the first time. It's also possible that you restored system/app data the second time too. Only ever restore user apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After using titanium to restore user apps and data, some apps just force closed on opening unless I removed the data then it worked. Decided to restore from backup and give it up until 6.0 rom appears.
Make sure you start with a clean slate. Factory reset and flash new Rom before restoring any backup. Are you good up to that point?
I don't know what you're doing wrong man, I change ROMS every now and then, and I just backup my games and apps with Titanium Backup, install new ROM, and restore my apps, always works unless you mess up real bad
titanium backup pro (worth it for flashaholics) or zipme
---------- Post added at 08:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:18 PM ----------
Gingepie49 said:
After using titanium to restore user apps and data, some apps just force closed on opening unless I removed the data then it worked. Decided to restore from backup and give it up until 6.0 rom appears.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have never had that issues on 5 different phones and multiple different roms... try rom toolbox or zipme
Finally gave it one last ditch attempt (well two, actually).
Tried flashing Sultan Cm12 rom, but it unroots the device so bailed on it.
Put latest Resurrection Remix on, restored user apps but was more careful about when I restored. Mostly Google apps and some xposed apps, some Robbie rom stuff that wasn't needed and voila! Posting this from a working rom! Had to reinstall xposed framework and Waze from scratch but that's fine.
Thanks for the support guys!
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...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) The bootloader, can it be replaced? What would be the purpose of that? UNLOCKING does not mean REPLACING, does it??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
So I have the OP6 for a while now. Everytime a new version released I download the new official zip file and then flash it with twrp. (follow this post - https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=76596833&postcount=3)
So I did it for 9.0.4, I first took nandroid backup, flash the new firmware, flash twrp, reboot to recovery, flash magisk. And then when I tried to reboot the system I got a message "Shutting down..." when the android system tried to load so I was stuck at bootlooping.
I thought that maybe something in the installation went wrong, so I might just get it restored. I did the restore using the latest twrp (v9.91) and now the system is completly corrupt, the phone no longer able to load anyhing (no oneplus loading screen with the rolling dot) and I when it boot to twrp it no longer can decrypt the filesystem (doesn't ask for my password).
I don't know I could I meesed this up, I did the same step every new upgrade. Apperiate any insight to my situasion.
What do you think caused this? Can I decrypt the files on my phone somehow and restore them?
Thank you in advanced.
b217260 said:
So I have the OP6 for a while now. Everytime a new version released I download the new official zip file and then flash it with twrp. (follow this post - https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=76596833&postcount=3)
So I did it for 9.0.4, I first took nandroid backup, flash the new firmware, flash twrp, reboot to recovery, flash magisk. And then when I tried to reboot the system I got a message "Shutting down..." when the android system tried to load so I was stuck at bootlooping.
I thought that maybe something in the installation went wrong, so I might just get it restored. I did the restore using the latest twrp (v9.91) and now the system is completly corrupt, the phone no longer able to load anyhing (no oneplus loading screen with the rolling dot) and I when it boot to twrp it no longer can decrypt the filesystem (doesn't ask for my password).
I don't know I could I meesed this up, I did the same step every new upgrade. Apperiate any insight to my situasion.
What do you think caused this? Can I decrypt the files on my phone somehow and restore them?
Thank you in advanced.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok this is a giant pain in the backside but I have done this before and I know it works. Here is a step by step guide to restore.
1. https://forum.xda-developers.com/oneplus-6/how-to/rom-stock-fastboot-roms-oneplus-6-t3796665 go here and download the fastboot rom for the rom YOU HAD ON THE PHONE WHEN YOU MADE THE NANDROID BACKUP. Step by step on how to install it is there.
2. Install the rom and boot up the phone. Don't bother signing in to google or downloading apps or any of that. Just get through all the menus.
3. Install TWRP. Bluspark TWRP is recommended.
4. Install Magisk, but make sure IT IS THE SAME VERSION OF MAGISK AS WAS INSTALLED IN THE NANDROID BACKUP
5. Reboot to system and make sure the phone still works, then reboot to TWRP
6. Restore Nandroid backup.
I know this is a giant hassle, but it works every time. I haven't found a better way to restore a backup since this whole A/B partitioning started.
Thank you for making the time writing this, it is relief to hear that you figure this out. Will try this first in the morning.
I did a bad mistake running the flash-all.bat thinking it will only flash the partitions of the system.
Well it is all gone now...Dam if only I wait until the morning I might not made this mistake.
tabletalker7 said:
Ok this is a giant pain in the backside but I have done this before and I know it works. Here is a step by step guide to restore.
1. https://forum.xda-developers.com/oneplus-6/how-to/rom-stock-fastboot-roms-oneplus-6-t3796665 go here and download the fastboot rom for the rom YOU HAD ON THE PHONE WHEN YOU MADE THE NANDROID BACKUP. Step by step on how to install it is there.
2. Install the rom and boot up the phone. Don't bother signing in to google or downloading apps or any of that. Just get through all the menus.
3. Install TWRP. Bluspark TWRP is recommended.
4. Install Magisk, but make sure IT IS THE SAME VERSION OF MAGISK AS WAS INSTALLED IN THE NANDROID BACKUP
5. Reboot to system and make sure the phone still works, then reboot to TWRP
6. Restore Nandroid backup.
I know this is a giant hassle, but it works every time. I haven't found a better way to restore a backup since this whole A/B partitioning started.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This guide can also be used to restore from other roms;
b217260 said:
I did a bad mistake running the flash-all.bat thinking it will only flash the partitions of the system.
Well it is all gone now...Dam if only I wait until the morning I might not made this mistake.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What did you do?
---------- Post added at 02:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:13 PM ----------
petran07 said:
This guide can also be used to restore from other roms;
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess so. I never had to use a backup to restore on a custom ROM yet.
tabletalker7 said:
What did you do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After extracting the stock zip flasher, there is file "flash-all.bat" on the root of the folder. (Guess I needed to use the "flash-all-partitions-fastboot.bat)
Thinking it will only flash the android system partitions I've run it and realize that my internal stoarge was formatted.
Really stupid mistake from my part, sorry for couldn't verify your guide.
Hoping that someone who read this in the future won't do my mistake.
b217260 said:
After extracting the stock zip flasher, there is file "flash-all.bat" on the root of the folder. (Guess I needed to use the "flash-all-partitions-fastboot.bat)
Thinking it will only flash the android system partitions I've run it and realize that my internal stoarge was formatted.
Really stupid mistake from my part, sorry for couldn't verify your guide.
Hoping that someone who read this in the future won't do my mistake.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's my bad. I always store my backups on an SD card with my OTG card reader. I forget others don't think like I do sometimes
tabletalker7 said:
Ok this is a giant pain in the backside but I have done this before and I know it works. Here is a step by step guide to restore.
1. https://forum.xda-developers.com/oneplus-6/how-to/rom-stock-fastboot-roms-oneplus-6-t3796665 go here and download the fastboot rom for the rom YOU HAD ON THE PHONE WHEN YOU MADE THE NANDROID BACKUP. Step by step on how to install it is there.
2. Install the rom and boot up the phone. Don't bother signing in to google or downloading apps or any of that. Just get through all the menus.
3. Install TWRP. Bluspark TWRP is recommended.
4. Install Magisk, but make sure IT IS THE SAME VERSION OF MAGISK AS WAS INSTALLED IN THE NANDROID BACKUP
5. Reboot to system and make sure the phone still works, then reboot to TWRP
6. Restore Nandroid backup.
I know this is a giant hassle, but it works every time. I haven't found a better way to restore a backup since this whole A/B partitioning started.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tabletalker7, can you please explain a little technical detail? If i follow your procedure, what is the difference from me just restoring boot, system and data from a Nandroid backup of a system that used to boot? What causes the restored system to no longer boot?
Because you seem to be suggesting a solution for the the problem I had. I normally do plenty of backups and play around with the system quite a lot, but Op6 burned me: I was unable to restore from a backup like I always did on other phones. I tried suggestions from other posters to no avail. So I set up a clean system from a fastboot rom and reinstalled everything from Titanium. I wonder, after I set pretty much identically, should I just risk and to once more try to restore from that Nandroid that was failing to restore (that only had system and data btw)? I'd greatly appreciate if you can enlighten.
b217260 said:
So I have the OP6 for a while now. Everytime a new version released I download the new official zip file and then flash it with twrp. (follow this post - https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=76596833&postcount=3)
So I did it for 9.0.4, I first took nandroid backup, flash the new firmware, flash twrp, reboot to recovery, flash magisk. And then when I tried to reboot the system I got a message "Shutting down..." when the android system tried to load so I was stuck at bootlooping.
I thought that maybe something in the installation went wrong, so I might just get it restored. I did the restore using the latest twrp (v9.91) and now the system is completly corrupt, the phone no longer able to load anyhing (no oneplus loading screen with the rolling dot) and I when it boot to twrp it no longer can decrypt the filesystem (doesn't ask for my password).
I don't know I could I meesed this up, I did the same step every new upgrade. Apperiate any insight to my situasion.
What do you think caused this? Can I decrypt the files on my phone somehow and restore them?
Thank you in advanced.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Had faced this many times. ...after trying diff options and failed Qualcome MSM method works perfectly.
Yep, You cant restore data i think as it being already formated as per knowd based on your steps above on diff posts
ahacker said:
tabletalker7, can you please explain a little technical detail? If i follow your procedure, what is the difference from me just restoring boot, system and data from a Nandroid backup of a system that used to boot? What causes the restored system to no longer boot?
Because you seem to be suggesting a solution for the the problem I had. I normally do plenty of backups and play around with the system quite a lot, but Op6 burned me: I was unable to restore from a backup like I always did on other phones. I tried suggestions from other posters to no avail. So I set up a clean system from a fastboot rom and reinstalled everything from Titanium. I wonder, after I set pretty much identically, should I just risk and to once more try to restore from that Nandroid that was failing to restore (that only had system and data btw)? I'd greatly appreciate if you can enlighten.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Changing Android security updates makes changes to phone encryption. It will make the data itself on the backup unreadable to the operating system. That is why people playing with many different custom ROMs had problems with data stored on their phones.
2. By using the fastboot rom you ensure that both partitions have the same operating system. A/B partitioning seems like a great idea on paper but it seems to be executed in the most horrible way possible.
tabletalker7 said:
1. Changing Android security updates makes changes to phone encryption. It will make the data itself on the backup unreadable to the operating system. That is why people playing with many different custom ROMs had problems with data stored on their phones.
2. By using the fastboot rom you ensure that both partitions have the same operating system. A/B partitioning seems like a great idea on paper but it seems to be executed in the most horrible way possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot. It is plausible and I remeber seeing folder names to which random hex strings were appended (I did not see file contents though). But after last restores I verified that the folder names in /data/data folder were looking allright. Twrp apparently could decrypt the data partition, but the system would still not boot. If I were to encypr the data partition I'd use the whole partition as one encrypted block and not bother doing it on file or folder basis, which is more error-prone. Another sourse of doubt is that I never played with OS version upgrades nor with installing other roms.
Can you also please answer the following? Do you think I can try to restore my boot+system to a different slot and then come back to my original slot if my playing there is unsuccesfull? Being scared that restoring a previous state can fail is a major problem.
ahacker said:
Thanks a lot. It is plausible and I remeber seeing folder names to which random hex strings were appended (I did not see file contents though). But after last restores I verified that the folder names in /data/data folder were looking allright. Twrp apparently could decrypt the data partition, but the system would still not boot. If I were to encypr the data partition I'd use the whole partition as one encrypted block and not bother doing it on file or folder basis, which is more error-prone. Another sourse of doubt is that I never played with OS version upgrades nor with installing other roms.
Can you also please answer the following? Do you think I can try to restore my boot+system to a different slot and then come back to my original slot if my playing there is unsuccesfull? Being scared that restoring a previous state can fail is a major problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would not recommend doing that. While you may have different roms on different partitions you only have one data partition. That is asking for trouble
tabletalker7 said:
I would not recommend doing that. While you may have different roms on different partitions you only have one data partition. That is asking for trouble
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would have data backed up, sure.
What bothers me is that an essential property of a digital automaton is that if you start it from the same state it will continue the same. Nandroid used to capture all that mattered for identical runs. It no longer does, something is missing, such as some encryption keys for data partition, as you seem to suggest. This bothers me.
ahacker said:
I would have data backed up, sure.
What bothers me is that an essential property of a digital automaton is that if you start it from the same state it will continue the same. Nandroid used to capture all that mattered for identical runs. It no longer does, something is missing, such as some encryption keys for data partition, as you seem to suggest. This bothers me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What bothers you here are things I call "security". If the nandroid backup has the encryption keys to decrypt it, then the data is not secure.
tabletalker7 said:
What bothers you here are things I call "security". If the nandroid backup has the encryption keys to decrypt it, then the data is not secure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nandroid backups should be encrypted when created with a user supplied key. Twrp allowed this since ages ago. Not allowing the user to restore a backup is not a right substitution for this.
ahacker said:
Nandroid backups should be encrypted when created with a user supplied key. Twrp allowed this since ages ago. Not allowing the user to restore a backup is not a right substitution for this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TWRP didn't do this. Android didn't do this. Ya know, if this is anywhere near as horrible for you as you are making it sound, my advise for you would be to buy Apple products. Bottom line is a new feature was added to Android, and your backup does work.
tabletalker7 said:
TWRP didn't do this. Android didn't do this. Ya know, if this is anywhere near as horrible for you as you are making it sound, my advise for you would be to buy Apple products. Bottom line is a new feature was added to Android, and your backup does work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
-It is as horrible as not being able to restore a full backup. No more, no less.
-Twrp has an ability to encrypt your backups, with your experience you must know this.
-You are suggesting someone to switch to iphone only because they point out that the things are wrong or dont add up.
-It is quite a common knowlege that you get good security out of encryption if you make things explicit and clear. And not how you may think it is. Cause you don't seem to know where the keys are stored for the data partition. Obviousely, because the phone eventually decrypts your data, the keys must be stored somewhere or derived from you swipe pattern.
tabletalker7 said:
Ok this is a giant pain in the backside but I have done this before and I know it works. Here is a step by step guide to restore.
1. https://forum.xda-developers.com/oneplus-6/how-to/rom-stock-fastboot-roms-oneplus-6-t3796665 go here and download the fastboot rom for the rom YOU HAD ON THE PHONE WHEN YOU MADE THE NANDROID BACKUP. Step by step on how to install it is there.
2. Install the rom and boot up the phone. Don't bother signing in to google or downloading apps or any of that. Just get through all the menus.
3. Install TWRP. Bluspark TWRP is recommended.
4. Install Magisk, but make sure IT IS THE SAME VERSION OF MAGISK AS WAS INSTALLED IN THE NANDROID BACKUP
5. Reboot to system and make sure the phone still works, then reboot to TWRP
6. Restore Nandroid backup.
I know this is a giant hassle, but it works every time. I haven't found a better way to restore a backup since this whole A/B partitioning started.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Following these instructions seems to be the only way of restoring a nandroid backup (at least for my Op6 bought on AliExpress from China). Important: step 1 wipes your sdcard, so the backup you want to restore must be on otg usb stick.
After spending many hours I managed to restore a backup at least once. Fortunately for me I have no plans of upgarding Android and will likely forever stick with the following set:
1) 5.1.11-OREO-OnePlus6Oxygen_22_OTA_015_all_1808102118_770880-FASTBOOT.zip (found here)
2) twrp-3.2.3-x_blu_spark_v9.85_op6.img + twrp-3.2.3-x_blu_spark_v9.85_op6.zip (found here)
3) Magisk-v18.1.zip (found here)
My plan is to fully debloat the phone and then I will keep everything unchanged for years, because nowadays updates are more about twisting your arms than giving you usefull features. I almost got to that state, but one little glitch forced me to roll back and the whole hell with the Nandoid backups on Op6 started.
PS: It's very interesting what is really going on with this A/B system. There must be a storage where the encryption keys are stored (if it is the encryption that does prevent the phone from restoring. Which I doubt because Twrp sees the files fine). There also probbaly stored what slot is used. That information does not get captured by the Nandroid backup.
(Btw, It seems that blu_spark Twrp is really NOT encrypting your backups with the passwod you supply. Official Twrp does. I have plenty of old encypted backups, from wich I could not extract any personal data (/data/data folder) but yesterday I could extract my private information from a backup done by blu_spark Twrp. This is serious iussue. I'll double check and will post if confirmed.)
Not confirmed, I was looking at unencrypoted file.