Database Users

Backing Up and Restoring When Flashing ... What's Best Option

I am very pleased to see Nandroid 'cooked in' to the unrEVOked2 tool.
Can anyone tell me if an app (and specifically MYBACKUP) can backup your apps (APPS + APP DATA if rooted) from one ROM, and then restore it to another? I realize that we can't do the same with "DATA" because the layout may not be the same, but can installed APPS+APP DATA from one ROM simply be restored into another?
Thanks!

jdmba said:
I am very pleased to see Nandroid 'cooked in' to the unrEVOked2 tool.
Can anyone tell me if an app (and specifically MYBACKUP) can backup your apps (APPS + APP DATA if rooted) from one ROM, and then restore it to another? I realize that we can't do the same with "DATA" because the layout may not be the same, but can installed APPS+APP DATA from one ROM simply be restored into another?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
User apps, app data--yes. I use Titanium Backup, since Mybackup went forced pay, I haven't used it. Now that we have fix_permssions (err, not yet yet), restoring apps should work very well. Yay.

Titanium Backup

[Q] Backing up app saves/preferences?

I'm updating RoyalGinger 1.6 to 2.0, usually I just wipe and start fresh, but recently I've been playing alot of games and tweaking settings on my phone and would like to back-up my savs/preferences, as well as my alarm clock settings. Is there a way to backup these up so when I flash the newest roms, I don't have to start over? Thank you in advance.

Titanium backup

Titanium is awesome, but I find MyBackup Pro easier to use.

Titanium Backup - keep in mind TB doesn't back itself up so keep an apk on your SD to obtain and install after flash
Sent from my Droid using XDA Premium App

+1 for Titanium Backup..
The app has the ability to create a zip file with the app on it. Make one and sign it using zip signer off of the market. This way you can flash the Titanium Backup zip file after flashing your rom making it possible to restore without adding your google account. This way the market doesnt try redownloading all of your apps.

+1 for MyBackup Pro being easier to use. And +1 for keeping a copy on your SDcard, it's kinda pointless when market just redownloads all your apps anyways...

I use Titanium back up pro just because it's stupid EASY to use. Set a automatic back up @ xx:yy time every day. It automatically backs up. When you want to restore menu > batch > restore missing app & data.
stupid easy.
as far as people, who use Titanium backup, wanting to back up applications into a .apk. Super Manager and Absolute System Tools both do this. And both are free.

someone posted also about backing up your apn settings, with some free market app called apn backup or whatever, since some people had trouble remembering what to plug in to the RG2.0 settings there.
im also looking at moving from 1.6 to 2 just like you, but i wish i knew more about this market automatically redownloading all your apps thing. what i did was use mybackup to backup my stock 2.2.1 sms and email settings (plus some apps and data) , and then was able to restore all my sms texts, which was good.
i found that the apps i restored werent then set to update via the market. maybe i should have backed up the market app with data, with mybackuppro to maintain the link between apps and the market?

Want to upgrade ROM, best way to save apps?

SO I want to go from the stock 2.2 Android software to the "Virtuous Unity Sense"
My main reasoning for this is,
- I want HTC's gingerbread sense, but it's still not yet released with no word on when it will be.
- Why not upgrade to version 3 if I am going to run a custom rom
Now I have my phone setup EXACTLY how I like it, all the apps took a long time to find and configure, everything works flawlessly and does everything I want it to do.
I assume to upgrade to unity sense I will have to format the phone's memory, what is the best way to backup all the apps and their configurations without loosing any performance or causing problems for the apps?
Also if I one day wanted to load the official HTC 2.3 update is it possible to "un-do" everything and go back to official software?
cheers

The general concensus on backing up is titanium backup. If you are willing to pay for the premium version, it will also do multiple level backup of your apps + data and on restoration, offers a silent installer (ie no need to tap install and done for every app) and it also give suggestions on what to back up at the system level. Hope that helps
Sent from my Desire Z via XDA App

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it'll depend on what version of the HTC ROM you're using.
If it's 1.32, it shouldn't be an issue. root your phone, install titanium backup and let it work it's magic.
If you're using 1.74 (Froyo 2.2.1), in order to root your phone to flash a custom rom, you'll need to downgrade to 1.34 . This means you'll need to format it and flash the original HTC ROM, in which case all your apps would already be gone by the time you get root.

i use QTADB its a program for the computer(Linux/Windows/OSX) will back up to you sdcard it works well and easy to use best of all its free(or though if you use it a lot you should donate)

endlesstrail said:
If you're using 1.74 (Froyo 2.2.1)...
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Click to collapse
I would assume he has the latest official 1.82 Froyo 2.2.1 ROM. At least this is what I have for many months now.

endlesstrail said:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but it'll depend on what version of the HTC ROM you're using.
If it's 1.32, it shouldn't be an issue. root your phone, install titanium backup and let it work it's magic.
If you're using 1.74 (Froyo 2.2.1), in order to root your phone to flash a custom rom, you'll need to downgrade to 1.34 . This means you'll need to format it and flash the original HTC ROM, in which case all your apps would already be gone by the time you get root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see what you're saying, but you should be fine either way, because even in the downgrade process you have to obtain temproot prior to downgrading. so you obtain temp root, download tibu, create your backups, then continue the downgrade process.
once you're done with everything, download tibu again and restore backups. voila.

Titanium Backup > My Backup?
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App

AreOh said:
Titanium Backup > My Backup?
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yup, by miles

Never used My Backup. Ti backup was perfect for my use the first time i used it so i had no need to try other backups
Sent from my Desire Z via XDA App

I will throw another recommendation for Titanium Backup Pro. Worth the few $$ and its easy to use. Remember, don't backup the 'System Data' unless you plan to restore it to the SAME type of ROM (aka wipe and reinstall the same ROM to fix a problem). Just backup 'Apps + Data'. And restore them on the new ROM.

Thanks for the tips in this thread, just thinking about rooting my phone. I already worked with titanium backup (free version) on my hero and that worked very well. But it has to be rooted and like pmcqueen said I can make the titanium backup before downgrading and after temproot Did not think of that yet.

I've repeatedly had problems when switching ROMs and restoring an apps-only backup made using Titanium Backup Pro. For example, I was running CM7 and decided to try out Virtuous G-Lite to see if the battery life was any better. Shortly after I restored the apps (but NOT data or system data) I repeatedly got errors like "the application *** has stopped unexpectedly". For example, this time the app was Gallery - process.com.cooliris.media, but I've had the same problem with other apps.
Does anyone have a definitive, clean way of restoring apps after switching to a different ROM?

I always thought it was titanium backup also, and used it for a long time....I finally tried the app called mybackup pro and I'm standing firm that this is the best way to restore after switching roms with full wipe. Titanium is still good and has other great features but the mybackup is so good for full restores.

itm said:
I've repeatedly had problems when switching ROMs and restoring an apps-only backup made using Titanium Backup Pro. For example, I was running CM7 and decided to try out Virtuous G-Lite to see if the battery life was any better. Shortly after I restored the apps (but NOT data or system data) I repeatedly got errors like "the application *** has stopped unexpectedly". For example, this time the app was Gallery - process.com.cooliris.media, but I've had the same problem with other apps.
Does anyone have a definitive, clean way of restoring apps after switching to a different ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Titanium Backup is a definitive way. Your problem with the Gallery app (and similar apps) is that you're trying to restore an integrated ROM-level app to a new ROM. Don't restore apps like Gallery, Clock, etc. that already come with the new ROM, even if you restore without data. Its unnecessary, and can cause issues.
You also have to just keep in mind that not all apps play nice with every ROM. You're going to run into issues. and if you do, just restore to your nandroid backup that you made before restoring apps (you should always do this as a precaution) and deselect the app next time you restore.
veritasaequita said:
I always thought it was titanium backup also, and used it for a long time....I finally tried my the app called mybackup pro and I'm standing firm that this is the best way to restore after switching rooms with full wipe. Titanium is still good and has other great features but the mybackup is so good for full restores.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you had issues with Titanium Backup? I use Titanium Backup frequently and have never had a single issue. Even doing dozens of full restores, restoring apps+data, and even restoring system data when wiping and reinstalling CM7 nightlies, all with no problem.

martonikaj said:
Titanium Backup is a definitive way. Your problem with the Gallery app (and similar apps) is that you're trying to restore an integrated ROM-level app to a new ROM. Don't restore apps like Gallery, Clock, etc. that already come with the new ROM, even if you restore without data. Its unnecessary, and can cause issues.
You also have to just keep in mind that not all apps play nice with every ROM. You're going to run into issues. and if you do, just restore to your nandroid backup that you made before restoring apps (you should always do this as a precaution) and deselect the app next time you restore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there an easy way of distinguishing between ROM-level apps and others? I have a list of about 150 apps so picking out individual apps can be a bit of a chore!

itm said:
Is there an easy way of distinguishing between ROM-level apps and others? I have a list of about 150 apps so picking out individual apps can be a bit of a chore!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same, I have over 100 apps to restore on a batch restore. Just gotta think smart about it. If you didn't install it from the market, then it probably came with the ROM... And things like Gallery and Clock are already in the ROM, so don't replace those.
Also, you should be running a ROM manager 'fix permissions' after batch restoring apps to fix any little problems.

itm said:
Is there an easy way of distinguishing between ROM-level apps and others? I have a list of about 150 apps so picking out individual apps can be a bit of a chore!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apps that are stored in the "ROM" (i.e., in /system/app, which is normally mounted read-only) are shown in red in Titanium Backup. Apps that are installed by the user (i.e., in /data/app, which is mounted read-write) are shown in white. System settings are shown in green. You can use TB's filters to show only system apps or only user apps.

One major consideration is that Titanium Backup requires root. It will not run without root, even though some of the tasks it performs does not require root. MyBackup Pro will run without root, though it does not have all the features of TB. So if you are running a firmware release where you cannot even get temp root without first wiping the phone, you should use MyBackup Pro first. Or even if you can get temp root, you might feel safer having a backup first anyway.

Have you had issues with Titanium Backup? I use Titanium Backup frequently and have never had a single issue. Even doing dozens of full restores said:
no I havent had any issues at all with TB, and I used it for a long time. just recently I decided to try mybackup pro and was just wowwed by how much more streamlined the task was, even with options to restore call logs, text, contacts and so on. for me personally it just made for a much smoother restore especially with the well mapped gui. I do still keep TB installed as a alternate option though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I used several times Titanium Backup but only for user app and always worked well (no crashes, ...)

[Q] What do i have to backup before changing rom?

Applications backup but not cache or data?
System backups?
Sms and call logs?
And system backups?
Are those all to do? If i backup those, when i restore, will i be able to have my desktop widgets, desktop icons sorted correctly ?

I think the best answer is "it depends on what you want to restore to".
When I change roms, I make a full backup using CWM, that way, no matter what the new rom breaks, I can go back to exactly where I was before.
But if you really want the new rom and think the problem is in one app or setting, you can backup only the apps .apk, the apps data and the rom settings, then you can restore everything individually and see where the problem is.
This all assuming you are not changing major android versions (like from froyo to gingerbread) or not changing roms "types" (like from stock to CM or to miui). If you are, then the partial backup is not recommended since it may not work.
In this last case, your best hope is to backup the apps .apk and store all other data somewhere where you can import to android (like storing the contacts in google account), since you shouldn't really restore anything else.

paulo_andre said:
I think the best answer is "it depends on what you want to restore to".
When I change roms, I make a full backup using CWM, that way, no matter what the new rom breaks, I can go back to exactly where I was before.
But if you really want the new rom and think the problem is in one app or setting, you can backup only the apps .apk, the apps data and the rom settings, then you can restore everything individually and see where the problem is.
This all assuming you are not changing major android versions (like from froyo to gingerbread) or not changing roms "types" (like from stock to CM or to miui). If you are, then the partial backup is not recommended since it may not work.
In this last case, your best hope is to backup the apps .apk and store all other data somewhere where you can import to android (like storing the contacts in google account), since you shouldn't really restore anything else.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I want a full back up; calendars sms call logs applications data system data etc. For sms i use go-sms backup, i hope it will restore without any problem. When i backup with cwm and restore, will my settings (system( be protected as before?

With CWM if you restore you will get all data, including Rom, Kernel, sms, calls, etc All you data that is in internal memory. Don't worry. If you restore it, you will get the phone like it was when you made the backup.

Titanium capabilities
I was wondering if it is possible to backup app (with their data), sms and contacts....all in one go using Titanium (non-pro version) (I think we call it batch backup)? I am totally new to the ROOTING and CUSTOM ROM worlds and I am literally freaking out with all the huge info on this topic on the internet. I am using a CM10 on I9000. Please help!

Yes i wonder too.

Boot in recovery
select backup to ext sd
run...
you have back up everythin like ghost in pc....
( so you can try another rom and if you dont like it restore your back up and you have you old rom
working with all data app contacts etc )
you must youse the same cwm version for restore with the one that you use for backup

Cursed Chico said:
Applications backup but not cache or data?
System backups?
Sms and call logs?
And system backups?
Are those all to do? If i backup those, when i restore, will i be able to have my desktop widgets, desktop icons sorted correctly ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you attempting to backup so that you can move the apps/sms/settings to the new ROM or backing up in case you want to restore? Titanium backup is probably the thing you want in the former case and either with cwm backup or with linux dd backup in the latter. Personally I had problem moving system settings between roms, but apps should work just fine.

Different Backup Methods

I was hoping to learn the differences between certain backup methods. The most common i saw is via recovery (in my case twrp), via titanium backup and another via adb command even without root which i saw in one of the threads here in xda.
First, in terms of "backup coverage" how do they compare to one another? Secondly, which among the three would most put ur phone back the way it was before u wipe or factory reset it
I hope you could input your opinions on this and suggestions.
Thanks in advance!
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

A backup through recovery is a called a nandroid. This backs up everything on your phone including your ROM, kernel, apps, settings, etc. This will allow you to restore back to the previous state of your phone after doing a full wipe.
Titanium backup only backs up your apps and app data. This is useful when you want to switch ROMs and restore your apps in the new ROM.
Usually when switching ROMs I first use titanium backup, then I create a nandroid backup, and finally I flash the ROM. If I like the ROM I use titanium to restore the apps that I previously backed up, and if I don't like the ROM I restore my nandroid
Sent from my HTC Desire using xda app-developers app

Doing a backup with twrp, cwm or thru adb (nandroid backups) are basically image files of your phone at any given moment in time. If you restore one of these backups your restoring your phone to exactly how it was at that moment in time. Titanium backup and Helium backup just backup cached data at that particular moment in time. Using these apps will only restore the data you specified when you did the backup and nothing else. Say you borked an install of a ROM, Titanium backup would be of no use in getting your phone working again as it only has data and not a system image. You would need the images backed up by twrp to get the phone working again then you could use the titanium backups to restore any newer data saved if say you used an old twrp backup.

whoah! thanks guys! I was supposed to quote you but since both of you really helped me understand it now, this thanks goes to the both of you.
I've hit the thanks button on both you guys.
Thank you very much for explaining this.
One last thing, when using a Titanium backup ( im using the pro version), how do i backup to make sure I cover all that needs to be backed up? There are a lot of options im not sure which to select and what to do. I hope you could enlighten me on this one as well.
Thanks again in advance!

vinz_bangiz said:
whoah! thanks guys! I was supposed to quote you but since both of you really helped me understand it now, this thanks goes to the both of you.
I've hit the thanks button on both you guys.
Thank you very much for explaining this.
One last thing, when using a Titanium backup ( im using the pro version), how do i backup to make sure I cover all that needs to be backed up? There are a lot of options im not sure which to select and what to do. I hope you could enlighten me on this one as well.
Thanks again in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With the pro version u can run a batch backup of all apps.
To do this open the app, press the menu button in the top tight corner, and select Batch.
Then choose Backup all user apps. From there you can select/deselect apps. When you are done choosing the apps that you would like to backup, click on the green check mark in the top right corner to start the backup.

vinz_bangiz said:
whoah! thanks guys! I was supposed to quote you but since both of you really helped me understand it now, this thanks goes to the both of you.
I've hit the thanks button on both you guys.
Thank you very much for explaining this.
One last thing, when using a Titanium backup ( im using the pro version), how do i backup to make sure I cover all that needs to be backed up? There are a lot of options im not sure which to select and what to do. I hope you could enlighten me on this one as well.
Thanks again in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I stopped using Titanium and switched to Helium a while back and can't really remember how Ti works exactly. I do know you should never restore system apps data just user apps data so I don't even bother backing up systems apps. I think with Ti I would just do an initial backup of all user data and apps and then periodically do a backup of newer user data and apps, or something to that effect in the menu. I do like Helium better as its interface is better, never could figure out how to backup or restore sms, call logs and the dictionary using Ti. Helium is much more straight forward and simpler (not as many options) and it does backups on a set schedule to my box account. I'm sure you can do all that with Ti too it was just not a very clean app.

thanks again for the replies..
@ chromium96
i think it is the same as clicking the box with check icon beside the menu, it brings me to the page the same as where you are leading me to but in just one click. Though im not so sure if it is really the same one.
I did a backup now but made a user app + system data.
kzoodroid mentioned not to backup system. Should I really not backup the system? Im quite confused with the terminologies of TI coz it says backup "user apps". Does this only refer to the apps and not the settings or data in my phone? does the backup "system data" refer to the settings and other data on my phone? if I choose only backup "user apps", would this only backup the apps and nothing else?
@ kzoodroid
could you explain further why I should never backup systems apps?
Lastly, is Helium really better than TI? or it depends on user preference?
Thanks again!

there are 2 kind of apps stored in your phone, system apps, only accesible with root privilege, and user apps,
system apps are phone, browser,wallpapers, etc, this are the basic apps to make your phone to work
user apps are all the stuff you, the user, install on your phone
the first one can be found, via file managers on /system/app
user app in /data or in sdcard for apps can use this option
the user app back-up, via Tb or others create a back-up of /data and apps you choose to install
restoring a system app via Tb is dangerous cause if you've switched rom the /system/app can be different, so restoring can cause trouble or misbehavior on your phone
/system/app back.up can be used only if you, before deleting a system app, want to have a copy to restore in future, but only if you still on the same rom

stremax said:
there are 2 kind of apps stored in your phone, system apps, only accesible with root privilege, and user apps,
system apps are phone, browser,wallpapers, etc, this are the basic apps to make your phone to work
user apps are all the stuff you, the user, install on your phone
the first one can be found, via file managers on /system/app
user app in /data or in sdcard for apps can use this option
the user app back-up, via Tb or others create a back-up of /data and apps you choose to install
restoring a system app via Tb is dangerous cause if you've switched rom the /system/app can be different, so restoring can cause trouble or misbehavior on your phone
/system/app back.up can be used only if you, before deleting a system app, want to have a copy to restore in future, but only if you still on the same rom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply! kinda getting an idea what you mean.. if I backup the system also, then i put a new rom and it may be different from my current roms system so it might mess it up. so just backup user app and restore this after installing new rom then it would be ok and back to how it was before i installed a new rom? Do i understand it right?

vinz_bangiz said:
Thanks for the reply! kinda getting an idea what you mean.. if I backup the system also, then i put a new rom and it may be different from my current roms system so it might mess it up. so just backup user app and restore this after installing new rom then it would be ok and back to how it was before i installed a new rom? Do i understand it right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
right man,
only back-up user apps and data, if you like you can also back-up call log and messages, I usually do this, so when I flash a new rom I usually restore apps +apps data, messages and call log via Tb

vinz_bangiz said:
another via adb command even without root which i saw in one of the threads here in xda.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I found the ADB backup doesn't work as well as the other methods. I found some apps didn't seem to get backed up, and at least one didn't work after restoring (though this could be because I used Titanium Backup to restore the app from the ADB backup file).