A few days ago, I upgraded my Redmi Note 4X from the Android 7 based MIUI 11 to custom MIUI 12 firmware, based on Android 9. Since I wanted to keep all my apps, I first rooted my phone and did a backup with Super Backup & Restore. After installing the new ROM (which was already rooted with Magisk) and installing Super Backup again. For some reason, it deleted all the data from its backup folder on my MicroSD Card. Fortunately, I was able to recover just about everything using some data recovery software on my PC.
For some reason, if I restore the apps using Super Backup, they crash when I open them. This is happening to, after flashing the MIUI 11 firmware again. It also is happening on a different phone.
As an alternative, instead of using Super Backup, I've tried copying and pasting the app data for an app (that has already been installed again on my phone) that Super Backup backed up, to apps folder on my phone's internal storage, replacing the current data there, with the data from by backup. However, when I do that, although what ever file manager I use, says it has successfully pasted the data, the app data on the phone does usually not get overwritten. To give two examples. When I try and replace the database used by the Meizu Notes app, with the database from the backup it does not get replaced. I even tried to do the same with AROMA File Manager with TWRP and it made no difference. Not only does the Notes app not show the data from my backup, but if I open the database file in a file manager, it also does not show that data. I find this to be strange, as I get no errors when pasting the data from my MicroSD Card and choosing to overwrite the existing data.
The second example, is this. I tried to use my old Coc Coc Browser's bookmarks file. After doing so, Coc Coc, had no bookmarks. I then manually added a bookmark to Coc Coc, after which, I tried copying the bookmarks file again. Coc Coc now actually had my old bookmarks and not the one bookmark I just added, which is quite strange, as it the file copy hadn't worked the first time.
I am looking for some way to be able to actually restore the app data from my backup. I've already quite a few hours trying to find a solution, with no luck so far. But I figure, that there must be some way to do it. Based on past experiences, I really should have made backups with two different backup apps, as I know that sometimes restoring backups can be problematic. But due to limited free space on my MicroSD Card, I decided not to. I just wish that there was a decent native backup solution for Android, as I always want all of my app data restored when switching ROMs, or phones and not just the apps themselves.
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Well since this was my first root I guess I made a mistake or maybe not?
So this is the case :
I have an HTC One S (Rooted using SuperSu Method)
What I did for backup is just copy all the content from the phone (in hard drive mode) to a folder on my pc (which ended up being around 7gigs)
My question is how do I restore all that data\pics\apps\profiles back to my phone?
(Tried to copy past it back into the phones SD-Card and rebooting, The phone doesn't recognize any of the data)
Any way to actually make this work? or is it a lost cause?
Thanks for the help! :laugh:
As far as apps and their data goes, only some info is saved on the sdcard, the rest is saved on the devices internal memory.
Only restoring the stuff saved on the SD card aint gonna bring back any apps. They need to be reinstalled properly.
Goatshocker said:
As far as apps and their data goes, only some info is saved on the sdcard, the rest is saved on the devices internal memory.
Only restoring the stuff saved on the SD card aint gonna bring back any apps. They need to be reinstalled properly.
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Click to collapse
How about all the Contacts \ Messages and ect?
Because I have all the files on my PC (Exactly the same files that have been on the phone before the ROOT\Unblock)
Can I recover those back to the phone somehow?
Messages and contacts are stored on internal memory, unless you export them.
You dont have access to anything except /sdcard/ through the PC, unless you use ADB.
edit: What I mean is, if you have only backed up /sdcard/ (which seems to be the case), you have lost everything on the internal memory (such as messages and contacts etc).
Goatshocker said:
Messages and contacts are stored on internal memory, unless you export them.
You dont have access to anything except /sdcard/ through the PC, unless you use ADB.
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Click to collapse
So basically even tho I copied all the content from the phone itself to the pc, All I copied is squat.
All the raw data I get is pictures.
So no encrypted data can be found on the storage partition and I have to just start over from scratch?
And the next time I root or flash, just use Recovery backup?
You didnt copy all the content. You only copied what was stored on the /sdcard/ (which is more or less the only thing you have access to without root).
Theres a very slim amount of data android uses on the sdcard, unless the user specifically tells it to.
Next time you flash, you should back up all your apps you want to save with for example titanium backup (requires root, which you now have), save all the contacts to the sim card, and export all messages.
Then after you have wiped and flashed a new rom, just restore the backups with titanium backup again, and import contacts from sim.
The backup/restore in recovery backups/restores the WHOLE system, so when you restore it it will be exactly like the way it was when you made the backup. (edit: to clarify, if you flash a new rom, then restore a backup made on another rom, you will return to that rom the backup was made on)
Goatshocker said:
You didnt copy all the content. You only copied what was stored on the /sdcard/ (which is more or less the only thing you have access to without root).
Theres a very slim amount of data android uses on the sdcard, unless the user specifically tells it to.
Next time you flash, you should back up all your apps you want to save with for example titanium backup (requires root, which you now have), save all the contacts to the sim card, and export all messages.
Then after you have wiped and flashed a new rom, just restore the backups with titanium backup again, and import contacts from sim.
The backup/restore in recovery backups/restores the WHOLE system, so when you restore it it will be exactly like the way it was when you made the backup. (edit: to clarify, if you flash a new rom, then restore a backup made on another rom, you will return to that rom the backup was made on)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got it
I actually found some encrypted data such as : Whats up message history, Some Contacts, Specific apps.
And I recovered all my contacts VIA my google account.
Only thing lost is the applications, which I will reinstall in like 30 minutes.
Anyhow I am quite happy I got into the rooting business, Already feel the different abilities and the uncovered raw code + new line of root supported apps waiting to be savaged by me.
Thank you for the help anyways (and the quick reply as well)
And I think the original ROOT tutorial post should have a step which is a "back-up step" which explains how to back up most of the info before rooting, and the ability to back up with root.
Cheers!
Hi gents. I am trying to restore my phone to a recent clockworkmod recovery backup but several of the latest backups won't restore the downloaded programs of the time, nor do they seem to be restoring the general Android settings. Older backups are working perfectly, however, and I can't think of any significant or unusual changes I made to the system that could stop it working properly. Also, I have been backing up and restoring the same way.
I'm using Revolutionary CWM v4.0.1.4, HTC ICS 4.0.4 (w/ older HBOOT for S-OFF), HTC Desire S.
I find this very strange, and unsettling that clockworkmod's backup may be unreliable. Has anybody experienced this?
Another thing, I have also been backing up the entire SD card data in the later backups (just copying to computer via card reader), thinking it may be best to restore backups with this data, but it seems to not make a difference whether this is done, or the data left as-is, or the card cleared. What's best practice in regard to the Android data that's put on the SD card?
My phone is up the creek. Help!?
i am having the same problem restoring CWM v4.0.1.4 backups on my galaxy s2: older backups restore perfectly and newer backups restore incompletely (some settings and SMSs, but no apps and no contacts).
i believe this is an issue with large nandroid images (containing >10,000 files) being unable to restore properly. this implies the backup itself is intact, luckily.
read this:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1154892
to rebuild my phone i started by using unyaffs on my PC to access the files on the CWM nandroid image and restore my contacts, call logs, etc:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1370349
you can find additional file locations listed in this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=969650
i then used appextractor (available in the play store) to manually restore my apps and app data from the CWM nandroid image. some needed to be redownloaded.
it's a schlepp but better than losing everything entirely.
i've read that TWRP is a more reliable way to backup and restore. i'm certainly not using CWM again.
regarding your second question, the data on your internal and external SD card is irrelevant to the function of the OS, but some apps may rely on that data. for example large apps install on the SD card.
Thanks so much for that matey. I searched and searched but hadn't come across the 10,000 files limitation. How annoying!
Anyhoo, before I saw your post I ended up restoring the latest working backup and reinstalled apps, configured things, got the device mostly up to speed.. but there were some sentimental Messages I wanted to restore. I got that unyaffs exe, the 10,000 file fix one, and managed to extract the mmssms.db just fine..
But I soon learnt it seems to be a nightmare to get it back into ICS because the SQLite db is in full-vacuum mode or some such, meaning it is cached and rewritten to help avoid fragmentation or some such. So I overwrite the mmssms.db, set permissions and ownership, reboot, and it's overwritten with the current one. Argh. I tried clearing cache. Tried running SMS backup/restore apps while the 'good' mmssms.db was in place, but they seem to look at the db cache/temp data, not the mmssms.db.
For those facing my situation and want Messages from CWM/nandroid backups in ICS, I found a great tip just posted on one of the threads N-acetyltransferase linked;
RichAP said:
I did this yesterday using Titanium Backup for my SMS/MMS
You need to go into Preferences and check the *Migrate system data [Experimental] option
Then you go to More - Extract from nandroid backup
There it is listed as Dialer Storage
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had tried using TiBu to restore Messages from nandroid backup (no success), but Dialer Storage!? How annoying. Anyhoo it's sorted.
Then I quickly found a good alternative recovery and quickly bought the premium version of 4EXT. It's very good, but get this, it actually recovered my latest CWM recovery backup no drama, just like that! Ahh well I didn't need those hours of my life anyway. I've often thought the Desire S's codename Saga is rather apt.
In conclusion, TiBu looks damn good and 4EXT is a ripper. I'd recommend it however the Galaxy S2 support is apparently unconfirmed thus far. Maybe look into it nevertheless.
Thanks for the help dude.
Migrated to android about a year ago and still haven't been able to work out proper android backup.
I want to be able to mess with the system without fear of losing my data/configurations.
For example when installing Lollipop I encountered a lot of problems and every time I ****ed something up and had to reflash it I need to reinstall and reconfigure ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING (Including redownloading about 13GB of music for google play music).
This has been a major letdown as I love tweaking and messing with the system getting it 100% the way I like it.
I've been able to get a basic functioning Lollipop installation but I want more.
Here's what I want to be able to backup to my PC (a 13GB backup on the device isn't very practical, especially when messing with the system):
My apps and all their settings (Including google play's downloaded music).
System settings.
This way and I can mess with the system and once I get it the way I want- restore the backup.
I know this might seem like a lazy google question but I am really at a lose.
I've scoured the internet looking for a solution, Tried numerous programs with no success.
Please if someone can guide me in the right direction I'll be forever grateful.
TWRP and/or Titanium Backup.
The backup via won't be 13 GB. It doesn't back up the /sdcard mount.
There are 3 backups you should do.
1) Nandroid backup from custom recovery such as TWRP
This backs up /system (where your ROM is), boot (where your kernel is) and /data (where all your user apps, user data and system data is). By user data, I mean app data. Not /sdcard as already mentioned.
This backup will be 3/4GB most likely if compressed and can be copied to your computer from /sdcard.
Nandroid backup will return your ROM and settings exactly to the point at which the backup was taken. Its a complete snapshot of everything you need.
2 ) titanium backup. This app is most useful when switching between ROMs or having had to wipe to resolve some compatibility issue. It takes a snap shot of each app, but its best just to snapshot user apps NOT system apps. Sometimes system data becomes incompatible and causes problems after an upgrade or ROM change. That's why we wipe when flashing new ROMs. You'll always be best setting up system settings (ringtones, alarms etc) manually but titanium takes the sting out of setting up your own user apps.
3) some kind of sdcard backup. Personally I use foldersync to backup my entire /sdcard whilst I sleep over WiFi to my NAS. Something like this would be extremely wise. If not, at least backup your photos using some cloud app.
I recently got hands on my OnePlus 3. I am migrating from RedMi Note 3G. Now the thing is, I have couple of apps (Whatsapp & Saavn) which have larger data (300MB and 700+MB) with them. Now I know Titanium Backup is a way to go but it is not backing up my apps saying insufficient storage available even though I have 1 GB+ available on phone and 10 GB+ on External SD(My backup location is on here).
So my question is, is there any better way for this to transfer directly?
I tried:
Easy Backup(app) - Only backs up apk.
CloneIt(app) - Only sends apk.
You can try Titanium Backup but I'll warn you, some apps and data don't restore correctly on another device.
You can also use ES file Explorer to backup the apk and then you go to your Android/data/ folder and you'll see a folder there that has the app data for that app, you can copy that folder to your extsdcard or PC then you install the apk on the other device then you copy the app data folder to the Android/data folder on the new device.
I tried Titanium Backup, it wont backup saying insufficient storage while I have more than enough on both(Phone & SD card).
I will try the other idea and let you know.
Yeah, the second option I posted, doing it manually. It backs up the same stuff Titanium would, Titanium just automates the process for you. You just need to know where to look so you can copy the app data folder for each app that you backup, then you need to know where to put back on the other device. Its a bit round-a-bout but it serves the sane purpose and will do the same job, you just have to do it yourself instead of it being convenient.
Doesn't Work. FIles get copied but app doesn't recognize them anyway.
Do an adb backup then, you can restore it with adb also.
I'm trying to transfer app data from my rooted Nexus 6 to my stock Galaxy S8+. The Nexus 6 is on Oreo, and the Galaxy is on Nougat. As far as I know, Helium is the only method for backing up application data without root access.
Unfortunately, out of the 24 apps that I'm trying to back up, only 11 apparently worked. And yet they would ONLY backup to internal storage. I repeatedly get an unspecified, generic error when trying to back them up to the cloud. So I was forced to use internal storage. I then transferred the carbon folder to my PC, and then copied it to my new phone, but the backups aren't recognized.
I tried rooting the Galaxy, which worked fine, but after a few hours, somehow it randomly rebooted and got stuck booting to upload mode every time no matter what I did. So I had to load download mode and restore it to stock. I was pissed, to say the least, as I had spent well over an hour restoring and setting it up. If I could, I'd just copy over my TB folder from the Nexus again, and go from there, but that's not a viable option. I'm leery of rooting it again.
And before anyone asks, yes, I checked the permissions, and they were already all enabled, storage access included. I'm pretty sure it has to do with the fact that the app hasn't been updated since October 2016. Though one reviewer mentions that it works on Oreo just fine. Any suggestions?
Anyone?
I have tried to transfer apps and data just like what you did with Helium. I found some phone changed backup files when they were been copied from internal storage to PC. The solution was to compress them to a RAR file, then extracted it after copying to PC or new phone, so it could be recognized and restored.
The problem is some apps are "disallowed" to be backup, only part of them can be.
ypsilonn said:
I have tried to transfer apps and data just like what you did with Helium. I found some phone changed backup files when they were been copied from internal storage to PC. The solution was to compress them to a RAR file, then extracted it after copying to PC or new phone, so it could be recognized and restored.
The problem is some apps are "disallowed" to be backup, only part of them can be.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you compressed them on the phone, copied them to the new one, and extracted them again? Then ran Helium?
Yes. Of course you can extract it on PC and then copy to the new phone, too.
And here are other key points:
1.The USB mode must be PTP, not MTP.
2.Helium can only restore data of apps, not including apps themselves, even though it says it can. To solve this problem, you can use another backup app to restore the apps to the new phone, then restore the backup files made by Helium.
ypsilonn said:
Yes. Of course you can extract it on PC and then copy to the new phone, too.
And here are other key points:
1.The USB mode must be PTP, not MTP.
2.Helium can only restore data of apps, not including apps themselves, even though it says it can. To solve this problem, you can use another backup app to restore the apps to the new phone, then restore the backup files made by Helium.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, cool. I will try that out next time I have to wipe/restore my phone.