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[Q] How does a custom recovery works?

Ok, so i'm new to all this stuff about custom recoverys and ROMs. How exactly do they work?
Let's say i make a custom recovery image of my current ROM, wich is stock, does it just backup the OS or my personal files (music, photos, apps, etc.) too?
I'm asking this primarly because i want to upgrade my phone, but to do so i have to flash the stock firmware because i've modified some system files. Wich bring to my other question, flashing ROMs wipe user data? i've read some split responses to this, some people say it does some say it doesn't.
And my final question, let's say i made a backup, wiped my phone flashed stock firmware and updated, now how i recover my data from the
backed up ROM, i mean it is a different version, does it have an option to just restore user data?
Thanks in advance, and sorry if these are too much questions.

it'll back up system, data, boot.img and dalvik cache.
your sd partition isn't backed up, but all the stuff on it will be readable by whatever new rom you put on it (unless you wipe EVERYTHING [not a good idea]).
when you're changing roms/etc, you want to place the rom.zip + gapps.zip (and custom kernel.zip if you're going to use one) on your sd partition. you do this because usb storage mostly doesn't work with custom recoveries as of yet on this device meaning once you've wiped, if you don't have a rom on your sd partition you're mildly screwed in that you'd have to reflash everything from a stock image (meaning you will lose root, all your personal files and whatever rom was on the phone - basically everything goes back to stock bar the bootloader).
e: as for restoring all apps data, use something like titanium backup. i always have a backup on my sd partition of all my current apps (plus wifi passwords, accounts info, sms messages etc to save time/effort when restoring after putting a new rom on). i also always set TB to backup all modified/new data every night at about 3am, then upload the backup to google drive so that if i either brick my phone or accidentally wipe everything, at least i can get back to where i left off.

If you forget to place the ROM zip, and have formatted the device, it is not necessary to flash stock. You use adb side load which is present in every recovery.

in that case i need to remember that for future use - i hardly ever use my pc with my phone now as you can pretty much do anything (update recovery etc) on the phone alone.
that, and i'm on windows 8.1 which afaik doesn't play nicely with fastboot or adb.

twist3d0n3 said:
....and i'm on windows 8.1 which afaik doesn't play nicely with fastboot or adb.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
....i think this is a rumor. Never ever had any problems on W8.1

^ good to know, thanks

[Completed] Is it necessary to have the Nandroid Backup in the internal phone storage?

Hello.
I have a BQ Aquaris M5, rooted, unlocked bootloader, TWRP custom recovery 3.0.0-1 flashed, flashed official manufacturer bloatware-free ROM, etc...
I've done a full Nandroid Backup with TWRP recovery, including Boot, System Image, System and Data. I just have a simple question:
If something goes horribly wrong, like my device does not turn on or I can't boot to Android, and I need to restore the backup I've made...
Do I have save the backup in the internal storage of the device in order to make it work?
Or can I just simply cut it from my device to my PC, and whenever I need it, I put it in a microSD and TWRP will read it from the microSD card?
Thank you!

rambomhtri said:
Hello.
I have a BQ Aquaris M5, rooted, unlocked bootloader, TWRP custom recovery 3.0.0-1 flashed, flashed official manufacturer bloatware-free ROM, etc...
I've done a full Nandroid Backup with TWRP recovery, including Boot, System Image, System and Data. I just have a simple question:
If something goes horribly wrong, like my device does not turn on or I can't boot to Android, and I need to restore the backup I've made...
Do I have save the backup in the internal storage of the device in order to make it work?
Or can I just simply cut it from my device to my PC, and whenever I need it, I put it in a microSD and TWRP will read it from the microSD card?
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello,
While taking a backup, you can either take it in internal storage/Micro SD Card (if your device supports it).
Whichever you select while taking a backup, you would have a TWRP folder in the storage.
Your backup stays there and can be restored from there without issues.
-Vatsal

OK, but can I move (cut) that TWRP folder to my PC, so it's not in the internal storage neither in the microSD?
So whenever I need it, I copy it from my PC to the microSD and restore the backup. The point is to not occupy space in the smartphone storages.

rambomhtri said:
OK, but can I move (cut) that TWRP folder to my PC, so it's not in the internal storage neither in the microSD?
So whenever I need it, I copy it from my PC to the microSD and restore the backup. The point is to not occupy space in the smartphone storages.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello,
Yes it is possible but don't copy TWRP folder. Copy the subfolder in TWRP folder. (Might be some weird alphabets and number naming)
-Vatsal

Vatsal said:
Hello,
Yes it is possible but don't copy TWRP folder. Copy the subfolder in TWRP folder. (Might be some weird alphabets and number naming)
-Vatsal
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Done, thank you so much for your time.
By the way, what those letters and numbers mean?

rambomhtri said:
Done, thank you so much for your time.
By the way, what those letters and numbers mean?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello,
That isnt significant, It's random. Also in TWRP you can setup a custom name of the backup too.
-Vatsal

Is there a way to create a full image of an android phone?

Is it possible to create a full image of android 10+?
It is very important to me that it really is a full image and not just some backup app form the playstore that saves your contacts and thats it.
I'd like to create an image of diffrent OSs and be able to freely flash them without lossing anything that was on my phone when the images where created. For example I want an unrooted version of Pixel experince with some apps on it, than I want an image of lineague OS with root access and maybe some more.

Bomber293 said:
Is it possible to create a full image of android 10+?
It is very important to me that it really is a full image and not just some backup app form the playstore that saves your contacts and thats it.
I'd like to create an image of diffrent OSs and be able to freely flash them without lossing anything that was on my phone when the images where created. For example I want an unrooted version of Pixel experince with some apps on it, than I want an image of lineague OS with root access and maybe some more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So to be frank theres a lot that comes with doing that cause it varies on the device as well armv7, arm64 a or ab, arm8 and such download
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ru.andr7e.deviceinfohw&hl=en_ZA&gl=US
Take note of all the information screenshot maybe, to save time
To create a full imagebackup you need to look for the right back up and flashing software , like samsung's odin tools or mtk devices sp flash tools
just search your devices name full backup youtube (on google search when you need help I'll be here within 24 hours

TWRP backups do seem to work fine, however they don't save internal storage... IIRC I had all my internal storage deleted often when I last played around with root and custom roms. Is this just not a thing anymore? Becuse for now I was able to keep my internal storage.

Bomber293 said:
TWRP backups do seem to work fine, however they don't save internal storage... IIRC I had all my internal storage deleted often when I last played around with root and custom roms. Is this just not a thing anymore? Becuse for now I was able to keep my internal storage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Internal storage can be included in your TWRP backup, you just have to choose the option to include it before doing the backup.

Droidriven said:
Internal storage can be included in your TWRP backup, you just have to choose the option to include it before doing the backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Atleast in my version it can't. Maybe becuase it's pretty old.
Anyways is internal storage wipe still a thing when you root/install custom roms or similar? Or just once when you unlock bootloader and install a custom recovery?

Bomber293 said:
Is it possible to create a full image of android 10+?
It is very important to me that it really is a full image and not just some backup app form the playstore that saves your contacts and thats it.
I'd like to create an image of diffrent OSs and be able to freely flash them without lossing anything that was on my phone when the images where created. For example I want an unrooted version of Pixel experince with some apps on it, than I want an image of lineague OS with root access and maybe some more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If phone is rooted then why not simply do a NANDroid backup?
Look inside here:
[TOOLS][ZIPS][SCRIPTS]Android Backup and Restore Tools[Multiple Devices/Platforms]
android-backup-project The android backup project provides a set of scripts and tools to backup and/or restore applications installed on Android devices. This is not adb backup which didn't work for my requirements as it doesn't backup...
forum.xda-developers.com

Bomber293 said:
Atleast in my version it can't. Maybe becuase it's pretty old.
Anyways is internal storage wipe still a thing when you root/install custom roms or similar? Or just once when you unlock bootloader and install a custom recovery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I know, it has always been an option in TWRP as far back as I can remember, certainly since 2011, over 10 years now. Maybe it just wasn't included by whoever built your version of TWRP.
Wiping internal storage is a matter of choice when flashing ROMs, flashing ROMs does not touch data/data partition(userspace). The factory reset option in custom recovery also does not wipe userspace.
When unlocking bootloader, internal storage is wiped by default because it is automatically a part of the unlocking process and cannot be avoided. If bootloader is already unlocked, wiping internal is not required in order to flash a custom recovery.

Bomber293 said:
Atleast in my version it can't. Maybe becuase it's pretty old.
Anyways is internal storage wipe still a thing when you root/install custom roms or similar? Or just once when you unlock bootloader and install a custom recovery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here are instructions for backing up internal storage via TWRP, just in case you are overlooking something in TWRP.
TWRP backup including internal storage
We all know, at least I hope so, that if you perform a backup in TWRP the internal storage data (photos, documents, etc.) is not included in the backup. https://twrp.me/faq/backupexclusions.html Of course, you can always manually backup the...
forum.xda-developers.com

YOU cant backup internal storage if the partition is encypted, if you already have root just use helium backup + enough space to where you'll backup, but you'll need to root again to recover that backup
Then backup the other stuff you want to via twrp
And Using MTK flash tools if device is supported there is a way just google backup "phone name" mtk flash tools

Stuck in recovery after rom update

Hello,
I just updated the rom Evolution X 11 on my Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro after using an older version for about half a year.
Now my phone does not boot anymore, its stuck in recovery (TWRP). Also all data seems to be encrypted and TWRP is not asking for a password.
Is there a way to get my phone to boot again or at least backup my data before I do a full wipe?

You should always do a full twrp backup before messing with roms.
The best solution would be to backup the "Data" and "Internal Storage" partitions. Data contains all apps, their appdata and settings, while internal storage contains all of your own files (photos, videos etc.). After you back these up, wipe your phone (system, data, cache, dalvik) and flash the version of evolution x you were using previously. Now restore data and internal storage and your device should be back to normal.
If you get a bootloop while booting after restoring data and internal storage, then wipe the device again and this time flash evolution x, but only restore internal storage. This way, it should boot and you will be able to recover your files, though your apps will be gone.
If you only restore internal storage then it will no doubt boot up and you will have access to your files, but since you'll have already backed up the important stuff (data + internal storage), you might as well try restoring data as well, as there is no harm, and if the phone boots correctly after restoring both partitions, your phone will be as it was before your updated your rom.
This happened a while back to me with my J5, the issue was that I made a full TWRP backup, then began to test other roms. After I was done, I tried to restore my backup, but it would constantly fail. I sat down for a while, confused and sad about how my TWRP backup had failed me. I tried every solution I could think of, eventually this solution I've mentioned in the above paragraph came to my mind. Thank god for putting it into my mind, otherwise I would've lost a lot of stuff (mainly whatsapp chats which werent backed up, and a lot of apps which I took the time to pain-stakingly configure in the best way for my device).
Anyways, enough of my story, hope this helps you out! If it does, message back here and let us know, and also mark my post as the solution if it was able to help you, so that anyone else who stumbles upon this thread can be saved too!
Cheers!

PhotonIce said:
You should always do a full twrp backup before messing with roms.
The best solution would be to backup the "Data" and "Internal Storage" partitions. Data contains all apps, their appdata and settings, while internal storage contains all of your own files (photos, videos etc.). After you back these up, wipe your phone (system, data, cache, dalvik) and flash the version of evolution x you were using previously. Now restore data and internal storage and your device should be back to normal.
If you get a bootloop while booting after restoring data and internal storage, then wipe the device again and this time flash evolution x, but only restore internal storage. This way, it should boot and you will be able to recover your files, though your apps will be gone.
If you only restore internal storage then it will no doubt boot up and you will have access to your files, but since you'll have already backed up the important stuff (data + internal storage), you might as well try restoring data as well, as there is no harm, and if the phone boots correctly after restoring both partitions, your phone will be as it was before your updated your rom.
This happened a while back to me with my J5, the issue was that I made a full TWRP backup, then began to test other roms. After I was done, I tried to restore my backup, but it would constantly fail. I sat down for a while, confused and sad about how my TWRP backup had failed me. I tried every solution I could think of, eventually this solution I've mentioned in the above paragraph came to my mind. Thank god for putting it into my mind, otherwise I would've lost a lot of stuff (mainly whatsapp chats which werent backed up, and a lot of apps which I took the time to pain-stakingly configure in the best way for my device).
Anyways, enough of my story, hope this helps you out! If it does, message back here and let us know, and also mark my post as the solution if it was able to help you, so that anyone else who stumbles upon this thread can be saved too!
Cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your help but backing up the data and internal storage doesnt seem possible right now because all the data is encrypted in TWRP...

If you can't backup anything, then wipe system, cache and dalvik, and flash the version of evolutionx you were previously using. Then boot, it should be fine. If it wont boot (give it some time, it will take the time of a fresh install), then this time wipe system+data+cache+dalvik, then flash whichever rom you like and you'll be able to access the files.
You can also try using platform tools and fastboot or adb ( i dont remember exactly which one) to copy the filess from your phone onto your pc.
Sorry if this doesn't apply to your situation, I've never used a phone which has been encrypted, as such I have no experience with them.

PhotonIce said:
If you can't backup anything, then wipe system, cache and dalvik, and flash the version of evolutionx you were previously using. Then boot, it should be fine. If it wont boot (give it some time, it will take the time of a fresh install), then this time wipe system+data+cache+dalvik, then flash whichever rom you like and you'll be able to access the files.
You can also try using platform tools and fastboot or adb ( i dont remember exactly which one) to copy the filess from your phone onto your pc.
Sorry if this doesn't apply to your situation, I've never used a phone which has been encrypted, as such I have no experience with them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That sounds like a good idea. I found the old version on my PC.
Now I just need a way to install it... because twrp cant read the file. I tried with adb sideload but that results in an error for some reason. Flashing Magisk for example with adb sideload is possible.
Edit: Got it to work by using a tool called "Large Address Aware". Now waiting for the results...

PhotonIce said:
If you can't backup anything, then wipe system, cache and dalvik, and flash the version of evolutionx you were previously using. Then boot, it should be fine. If it wont boot (give it some time, it will take the time of a fresh install), then this time wipe system+data+cache+dalvik, then flash whichever rom you like and you'll be able to access the files.
You can also try using platform tools and fastboot or adb ( i dont remember exactly which one) to copy the filess from your phone onto your pc.
Sorry if this doesn't apply to your situation, I've never used a phone which has been encrypted, as such I have no experience with them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This did not help unfortunately... Im still in the same recovery-bootloop and my data is still encrypted.

It's probably still bootlooping as the data partition got modified when you flashed the newer version of evolutionx, and now it will not work with the old one. You can try wiping system+data+cach+dalvik and then flashing any rom of your choice. This will give you access to your internal storage (photos, media etc), but it will remove your apps and their settings. Whatsapp images are stored in the internal storage so you won't need to worry about those.
Again, this is risky, as it may not work (I don't know much about encryption), or you might still not be able to access your files after flashing the new rom. Proceed at your own risk.

PhotonIce said:
It's probably still bootlooping as the data partition got modified when you flashed the newer version of evolutionx, and now it will not work with the old one. You can try wiping system+data+cach+dalvik and then flashing any rom of your choice. This will give you access to your internal storage (photos, media etc), but it will remove your apps and their settings. Whatsapp images are stored in the internal storage so you won't need to worry about those.
Again, this is risky, as it may not work (I don't know much about encryption), or you might still not be able to access your files after flashing the new rom. Proceed at your own risk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for still helping me out but I already did a full reset yesterday. I did not lose much except for the time setting it all up again.
I still dont really get the point of encrypting all your data if you cant decrypt it even if you know the password...

Saving settings and data while updating LineageOS

So I've read that regular LineageOS updates work with "dirty flashes" but the bigger updates (between majoe Android versions) require "clean flash".
Is it possible to somehow save all the system and application settings and data between the big upgrades requiring clean flash?
Thanks and sincerely

heybaybee said:
So I've read that regular LineageOS updates work with "dirty flashes" but the bigger updates (between majoe Android versions) require "clean flash".
Is it possible to somehow save all the system and application settings and data between the big upgrades requiring clean flash?
Thanks and sincerely
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Boot into TWRP, select the Backup option, then select "advanced", select the data partition but do not select any other partition, swipe the slider to start the backup. When the backup finished, move the backup file to external sdcard or PC if you don't have external sdcard.
When you flash your ROM(do not store your ROM and gapps in your internal storage, store it on external, if you, don't have external, store it in your internal but don't wipe your internal when you do your wipes), wipe system, data, cache and dalvik cache then flash your ROM. After the ROM finishes, while still in TWRP, you can either go ahead and restore the data backup that you created or you can reboot into system to let the ROM do its initial load then immediately power off, reboot into TWRP, select Restore, then restore the backup of your data partition and reboot the device. I would let the ROM boot then go back to TWRP and then restore the data.

Thank you sir!
Is there any downside of restoring from backup instead if setting up everything manually?
Are there any downsides of choosing one if the two options proposed by you over the other?
Sincerely

heybaybee said:
Thank you sir!
Is there any downside of restoring from backup instead if setting up everything manually?
Are there any downsides of choosing one if the two options proposed by you over the other?
Sincerely
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) no downside, it restores all settings, apps and app data to exactly what you had before flashing the update.
2) no downsides, it is just that letting the ROM boot first then going back and restoring the backup reduces chances of things being buggy after the update.
I recommend that you boot into TWRP, select Backup and make a full backup of everything except for internal storage. Then, when you flash your ROM then let it boot then go back to TWRP, select Restore, then select "advanced restore" then select only the data partition and none of the others(this will restore only the data partition from the backup and not the others), then swipe the slider to start the restore process then reboot the device.
The reason I say to create a full backup of everything is so that you have a working backup to restore if something goes wrong with the update process. It gives you a restore point to go back to so you can troubleshoot what went wrong then try again. And if everything goes right with the update, you won't need to restore the whole backup, you can just do the advanced restore and restore only the data partition and then you should be where you want to be.
I don't know if this will backup and restore your SMS/MMS text messages, you may need to backup/restore those via one of the SMS backup and restore apps in the PlayStore, there are several that can do this.

Thank you again.
Does this backup work for migration between any custom ROMs let's say from LineageOS to PixelExperience or only between versions of the same ROM like from Lineage 18 to 19?
Is it possible to migrate the same set of settings and data from stock ROM with locked bootloader to a custom ROM?
Sincerely