Question Would like to root my device and keep my data - Samsung Galaxy S21+

I've seen many websites and many videos on how to root my phone. However, I can't seem to find anything that I would trust. I would like to keep all my data, would prefer to not wipe it. Would you be able to help me through this? My model is SM-G996B/DS with android 12 and one ui 4.1 bought in The Netherlands. I also want to know, if I would actually have to wipe all data, would I be able to use my back up and have all my data back while keeping my phone rooted?

You will need to unlock the bootloader first before rooting and that will trigger a factory data reset.
But there's a few ways you can backup your data first, Samsung's Smart Switch, Google backup and Swift Backup are probably the most reliable of the bunch.
I mostly use Swift Backup as it saves my wifi passwords, text messages, apps etc even my wallpaper background!
Swift Backup now supports Android 12 and rootless batch backups via Shizuku
Swift Backup now supports Android 12 and rootless batch backups via Shizuku. You can check out what that means and how to set it up here!
www.xda-developers.com
It doesn't seem to save my photos though, so i save them to my PC first or use Google photo backup.
Magisk patched AP file is probably the safest way to root.

beanbean50 said:
You will need to unlock the bootloader first before rooting and that will trigger a factory data reset.
But there's a few ways you can backup your data first, Samsung's Smart Switch, Google backup and Swift Backup are probably the most reliable of the bunch.
I mostly use Swift Backup as it saves my wifi passwords, text messages, apps etc even my wallpaper background!
Swift Backup now supports Android 12 and rootless batch backups via Shizuku
Swift Backup now supports Android 12 and rootless batch backups via Shizuku. You can check out what that means and how to set it up here!
www.xda-developers.com
It doesn't seem to save my photos though, so i save them to my PC first or use Google photo backup.
Magisk patched AP file is probably the safest way to root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your answer. If I then back up everything and wipe up the phone, would I be able to restore my data, all my apps and all into my phone after being rooted? Won't for example smart switch or swift backup say that my phone is rooted and deny to restore my data, or even having a problem while doing that? Or would I have to install everything again and all that?

I wouldn't do a restore until everything has successfully flashed. Unlocking the bootloader, installing TWRP and rooting with Magisk will all trigger data resets. No problems with swift backup and root.

Related

Shiny new Nexus S backup question

Is there an app like Titanium Backup for a non-rooted SNS? Do I really need to backup if I don't root the phone? I would like to backup before I start the playing (sorry for the newbie question but I am a recent convert from i****e 4).
Thanks in advance, Jeff
You can boot into Clockwork Recovery (with fastboot) and do a nandroid backup, all without flashing anything.
If you have no intentions of rooting odds are you don't need a backup app. When you first set up your phone you can check the box that will backup with google and in the event you get a new phone all your apps will be there. Anything you purchase on the market will automatically backup to your account even if you don't check off the box. Welcome to Android, I'm sure you will enjoy your experience.
icandy75 said:
If you have no intentions of rooting odds are you don't need a backup app. When you first set up your phone you can check the box that will backup with google and in the event you get a new phone all your apps will be there. Anything you purchase on the market will automatically backup to your account even if you don't check off the box. Welcome to Android, I'm sure you will enjoy your experience.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank icandy75 for the quick reply. Is that data (pics, contacts, bookmarks, etc.) and apps if I check the box? Is the backup encrypted or passworded? BTW I am currently using a Samsung Intercept for the last 5 weeks with 2.1 and temporary root so I really like Titanium Backup to wipe data and being able to reverse things. Can the backup to Google do anything like that, I am suspecting not.
P.S. So far the experience has been wonderful even after using iPhones for 3.5 years.
shrivelfig said:
You can boot into Clockwork Recovery (with fastboot) and do a nandroid backup, all without flashing anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the quick reply. I assume these are not as robust and flexible as Titanium Backup. Is it inevitable that I will really just want to root to get better apps? Sorry but new to the wonderful world of Android. BTW I am only going to use the SNS via WiFi for now.
Thanks for the info., help and advice,
Jeff
jefftab11 said:
Thank icandy75 for the quick reply. Is that data (pics, contacts, bookmarks, etc.) and apps if I check the box? Is the backup encrypted or passworded? BTW I am currently using a Samsung Intercept for the last 5 weeks with 2.1 and temporary root so I really like Titanium Backup to wipe data and being able to reverse things. Can the backup to Google do anything like that, I am suspecting not.
P.S. So far the experience has been wonderful even after using iPhones for 3.5 years.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pics are not backed up but you can back those up manually to you computer without root. Contacts are backed up to your Gmail account for easy access. It will also back up your wifi passwords but not your sms. There really is no reason not to root on this phone. It's very easy to do and reversible plus root gives you the ability to use a bunch of apps like TB. If you get into flashing roms I would suggest getting the paid version. It makes it a breeze to switch from one rom to next and gives you a few more options like dropbox sync and the ability to freeze apps.
use mybackup pro for backups if you dont have root.
backs up all sms, mms, android home, system settings, call logs, music playlists, bookmarks, dictionary, call logs, applications (doesnt back up the data/settings inside the app). lol am i missing something?
you can save the backups online or to your sd card
Yeah, My Backup pro is the only other app that I know of that people liked for non-rooted devices.
Clockwork Recovery Backup
I know this thread is about a month old, but...
I have to say, if you want to do any rooting or ROM flashing later the Clockwork Recovery backup is probably the better way to go.
It wasn't said earlier, but if you have adb and fastboot already installed/config'd on Ubuntu (but should be the same commands on Mac OSX - not sure about Win):
Code:
adb reboot-bootloader
fastboot boot <path to recovery file>/recovery-clockwork-herring.img
I already unlocked my bootloader prior to this, so all the data I have has been wiped previously and I reloaded manually.
Vol Down to "backup and restore" and hit power button. First option is Backup. Just hit power button and let it do the backup. This may take a bit of time. The recovery is not perm and will be gone when you reboot.
The backup is stored on your "SD" partition under "clockworkmod/backup/[backup date]"
You should be able to use the same thing to restore at a later time if needed, selecting "restore" instead of the "backup" option.
There is a app on the market called* backup everything*. I've never used it but description says works for non rooted phones.
takkun1946 said:
I know this thread is about a month old, but...
I have to say, if you want to do any rooting or ROM flashing later the Clockwork Recovery backup is probably the better way to go.
It wasn't said earlier, but if you have adb and fastboot already installed/config'd on Ubuntu (but should be the same commands on Mac OSX - not sure about Win):
Code:
adb reboot-bootloader
fastboot boot <path to recovery file>/recovery-clockwork-herring.img
I already unlocked my bootloader prior to this, so all the data I have has been wiped previously and I reloaded manually.
Vol Down to "backup and restore" and hit power button. First option is Backup. Just hit power button and let it do the backup. This may take a bit of time. The recovery is not perm and will be gone when you reboot.
The backup is stored on your "SD" partition under "clockworkmod/backup/[backup date]"
You should be able to use the same thing to restore at a later time if needed, selecting "restore" instead of the "backup" option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to clarify commands, specifically for Mac OSX:
(These commands are assuming you've downloaded this file (http://www.mediafire.com/?qoz9f6e8fbx8zs0) and unzipped it to your desktop)
Code:
~/Desktop/adb-fastboot/adb reboot bootloader
Code:
~/Desktop/adb-fastboot/fastboot oem unlock
Code:
~/Desktop/androidsdk/tools/fastboot flash recovery recovery-clockwork-3.0.0.5-crespo.img

Followup questions about twrp vs twrpless

Hello again good people,
You may remember me asking questions in this forum recently, thank you again for all those who replied.
I'm back again after waiting for the official twrp to be released and reading all the forum posts in the guides section for the threads about twrpless-root (magisk) and the stickied twrp root guide by Funk Wizard. I am still a bit confused about a couple of things though. And still deciding which way is the best for me now that I still have a stock device. Please correct any mistakes I make.
When I root, in case something goes wrong, I cannot do a system settings -> factory reset. (Because it would softbrick?)
Is this where twrp comes in? Or will I still have to flash a stock image regardless, like I would if I go twrpless?
Is it true that I can make, and restore from a backup I make with twrp in case something goes wrong?
Isn't that something I can also do with Titanium Backup?
Twrpless root seems like it's a lot more easy to maintain with OTA's (download from the settings, reinstall magisk on second partition) than a twrp install would (having to connect my device to my pc and going through the steps again every time an OTA gets pushed).
The main reason I'm asking all these questions is because I still find it hard to pinpoint exactly why more experienced people in these forums favor one way or the other, and what exactly the added benefit would be of twrp in my situation. Personally, I want my phone to be more customizable (black theme, adaway, yt vanced and so on) but keep all the functionality. Banking apps, wifi, cellular and everything.
I'm not going to install custom roms. And a little bit of added ease of use with OTA sounds really good to me.
I have read that the systemless magisk twrpless might be the best fit for my needs, but after hearing your advice from my previous questionthread I decided to wait for twrp. Now twrp official is released and I dove into reading just about everything I could find I have doubts if it is something I actually need. In short I just keep swaying without being able to make a decision.
Sorry for the long post, I hope my questions are clear enough, since it's pretty late when I'm typing this. I just want to be thoroughly informed about all of this, I rather post too many questions and root correctly without concerns instead of having to make an SOS post later when my phone has exploded, lol.
And maybe there will be other newlings who can benefit from this information.
Thanks for reading!
Ok lets first address the types of backups.
Type one is system apps and data. This backup saves all apps (apk) and all data that is stored within the app folders. This is a Titanium backup.
Type two is a Nandroid backup. This backup saves your entire phones data including the internal storage, data, apps, pictures, music, cache, settings, passwords, EFS (encrypted file system) and even the Titanium backups backup itself.
Now let me explain what each of these backups are capable of. First we will start with Titanium Backup. If for some reason you brick your phone and lose all of your data. In order to use Titanium Backup you will have to install your operating system, unlock your bootloader, root your phone, install Titanium Backup and merge your data from wherever you have it to your device and install your apps + data one at a time.
Nandroid backup. Same scenario bricking or losing your data. You can simply fastboot the twrp.img once your phone boots into recovery you can merge nandroid backup point TWRP to the restore location and you have your operating system and all of your data back in place as if nothing happened. You will then flash Magisk back to your device then you would install TWRP clear your cache and once you reboot everything is just the way it was when you created the nandroid backup.
Installing an update with TWRP is as simple as downloading the update and flashing both the update and Magisk, clearing cache and rebooting.
Having TWRP would allow you to wipe and reinstall fresh like factory settings or you can restore everything you backed up.
Make Nandroid backups bi-weekly or monthly so you can always have an updated copy of your data.
Titanium backups I have scheduled once a week with 2 max backups. Why 2? If I update an app and my backup runs tomorrow I would be stuck with an app update that may be broken. This way I have the previous weeks backup to reinstall the app and data with.
Whichever you choose always always always keep redundant backups. One on the phone, one on your computer, one on a thumb drive ect ect.

Non-rooted backup of app caches on data partition?

Hello all,
I've been searching this topic for a few weeks, and have yet to find a viable solution. I want to grab some files out of the app caches on the data partition of my Pixel 2. I don't necessarily want to root it, because I have no desire to modify anything, just want to view some stuff.
I've tried several backup apps - which have either failed because they need root, or "backup disallowed". I've also tried adb using pull, backup, cp, shell, etc. It seems a bit backwards to unlock the bootloader, wiping the device of the very data I'm trying to extract. It's been frustrating to not be able to access one's own personal data ?
Any ideas? Thank you.
+1 I'd love to have this answer as well. All my passwords are in Twik (Play store app). I don't think Google is backing up app data (or are they?). If I ever decide to flash the Pixel 2, I'll have to re-type all my websites, plus the private key. Twik is one of the few apps I rely on that isn't cloud based. I suspect the answer is there's no way on an unrooted android device.
Speaking of Google backing up app data, Google android says it can restore app and app data, but in my experience, unless the app uses cloud based data, it ain't happening. So why do they claim to backup app data? I suppose they are refering to Google apps, as of coarse, Google does keep your Google app cloud data anyway, so you'll have it restored when you log back into your android device.
You could try using Helium for backing up data. Even without root, if you follow the instructions (download the file to a Windows box and connect the phone to it) Helium should work.
Rukbat said:
You could try using Helium for backing up data. Even without root, if you follow the instructions (download the file to a Windows box and connect the phone to it) Helium should work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I tried that once. But without root, it skips anything that has it's backup flag set to "false". Unless you know a way to trick it ?

Question Root without phone resetting? Or backup app+it's data via adb or similar?

So I'm changing phones, but there's one app which I would have to backup including it's data. If I'd be rooted I could use Titanium Backup, unfortunately I'm not rooted.
Is there a way to root without wiping the phone or is there another way to backup the apps data (and restore) via adb or something else?
Google backup and restore is pretty good, it should restore your apps
beanbean50 said:
Google backup and restore is pretty good, it should restore your apps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But I need the actual data of the app, does that come with Google backup and restore?
App in question is WhatsApp and I need the app including the registration etc on the new phone. Titanium backup can do that, but obviously needs root
Whatsapp has its own backup and restore feature I use it all the time. It will restore all your data, chats etc but you have to log in first
beanbean50 said:
Whatsapp has its own backup and restore feature I use it all the time. It will restore all your data, chats etc but you have to log in first
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know... that's exactly the issue though. I'm asking for a way to backup 1:1 so I don't need to do the login. Which Titanium Backup can do since it's does it with all the apps data, but that obviously needs root which I don't have. Hence I'm asking for help here.
I found this which doesn't need root not sure how deep it goes though
How to fully backup and restore your Android device without root
One of Android’s little-known tricks is its built-in backup and restore process that allows users to save their private data...
9to5google.com
beanbean50 said:
I found this which doesn't need root not sure how deep it goes though
How to fully backup and restore your Android device without root
One of Android’s little-known tricks is its built-in backup and restore process that allows users to save their private data...
9to5google.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For that I'd need a way to remove everything from the backup besides WhatsApp though. As that does a backup and restore of everything, all apps, all file system etc IIRC
Trying adb backup now, there seems to be a java tool that allows you to open the backup file on pc
GitHub - nelenkov/android-backup-extractor: Android backup extractor
Android backup extractor. Contribute to nelenkov/android-backup-extractor development by creating an account on GitHub.
github.com
M4-NOOB said:
For that I'd need a way to remove everything from the backup besides WhatsApp though. As that does a backup and restore of everything, all apps, all file system etc IIRC
Trying adb backup now, there seems to be a java tool that allows you to open the backup file on pc
GitHub - nelenkov/android-backup-extractor: Android backup extractor
Android backup extractor. Contribute to nelenkov/android-backup-extractor development by creating an account on GitHub.
github.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately WhatsApp wasn't included in the full backup for some reason
I just tried an app on play store called Swift Backup and it worked!
I made a backup of just whatsapp then deleted it and it restored it without signing in
beanbean50 said:
I just tried an app on play store called Swift Backup and it worked!
I made a backup of just whatsapp then deleted it and it restored it without signing in
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is your phone rooted? Because all it does for me is apk backup, no data
hmm.. yep I'm rooted
why can't you sign in to whatsapp on your new phone
beanbean50 said:
hmm.. yep I'm rooted
why can't you sign in to whatsapp on your new phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm living in the UK for a few more months, but still use my German number on WhatsApp. The number has since been retired so I can't get SMS/calls on that one anymore, so I'm unable to sign in.
I wish I would've rooted the phone....
M4-NOOB said:
So I'm changing phones, but there's one app which I would have to backup including it's data. If I'd be rooted I could use Titanium Backup, unfortunately I'm not rooted.
Is there a way to root without wiping the phone or is there another way to backup the apps data (and restore) via adb or something else?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Smart swich is proudly sponsors
tiennhu89 said:
Smart swich is proudly sponsors
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is that the Samsung moving phones thingy? Does that move apps including it's data so you don't have to set them up again?
I usually avoid the moving data from phone to phone during setup, because I take setting up a new phone as an opportunity to clean up data/apps. So I only reinstall those I actually need
EDIT: Just tried it, sadly not:
https://imgur.com/gyCtmLs
M4-NOOB said:
Is that the Samsung moving phones thingy? Does that move apps including it's data so you don't have to set them up again?
I usually avoid the moving data from phone to phone during setup, because I take setting up a new phone as an opportunity to clean up data/apps. So I only reinstall those I actually need
EDIT: Just tried it, sadly not:
https://imgur.com/gyCtmLs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Backup with ur whatsapp. Its too easy. Anyway, in case u cant do it, think u have to reset only single app (whatsapp - like ur screenshot), so u cant?
tiennhu89 said:
Backup with ur whatsapp. Its too easy. Anyway, in case u cant do it, think u have to reset only single app (whatsapp - like ur screenshot), so u cant?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As mentioned in here, using the backup inside WhatsApp still needs you to sign in again on the new phone which isn't my goal. I want to backup ALL of WhatsApp including the sign in, so I can just move it to the new phone without logging in.
M4-NOOB said:
As mentioned in here, using the backup inside WhatsApp still needs you to sign in again on the new phone which isn't my goal. I want to backup ALL of WhatsApp including the sign in, so I can just move it to the new phone without logging in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then u have 2 options:
1 - Root your phone.
2 - Ask dev of Whatsapp to do something for u (for all too.lol). But i think it'll never come true. Its too risky for any apps.
tiennhu89 said:
Then u have 2 options:
1 - Root your phone.
2 - Ask dev of Whatsapp to do something for u (for all too.lol). But i think it'll never come true. Its too risky for any apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah thanks, I know it's possible with root which I don't have and doing it wipes the phone which makes my whole reason for this pointless.
This whole post was just asking if there's any way to do it without root. If you can't help don't reply?

Back up my apps and settings. without being root

Good
I have a Xiaomi Note 10, I would like to make a backup of all my applications and settings on my computer, I use the swift Backup - Shizuku program; but this only copies the applications, configurations, messages, but NOT the user data, which is what interests me the most, to do so, it asks me to root my computer. I would like to know help me and if there is any way to make full backups without being root, and I have seen that the vast majority of applications (app) ask me for the same thing.
A NANDroid backup requires Android is got rooted.
Eroz78 said:
Good
I have a Xiaomi Note 10, I would like to make a backup of all my applications and settings on my computer, I use the swift Backup - Shizuku program; but this only copies the applications, configurations, messages, but NOT the user data, which is what interests me the most, to do so, it asks me to root my computer. I would like to know help me and if there is any way to make full backups without being root, and I have seen that the vast majority of applications (app) ask me for the same thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I honestly think there is no way to backup application data without root. Try Alpha Backup but I don't know.
Eroz78 said:
Good
I have a Xiaomi Note 10, I would like to make a backup of all my applications and settings on my computer, I use the swift Backup - Shizuku program; but this only copies the applications, configurations, messages, but NOT the user data, which is what interests me the most, to do so, it asks me to root my computer. I would like to know help me and if there is any way to make full backups without being root, and I have seen that the vast majority of applications (app) ask me for the same thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you have a custom recovery you can copy those folders somewhere
"data/data"
and
"data/user_de"
those folders have apps settings (data)
but in order to restore them you have to install the app 1st then reboot ,then copy the data folder with the recovery
but root is still recommended to avoid problems ...

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