Database Users

[Q] Auto-install APKs at First Boot?

Did some searching on this but it came up blank, so maybe someone has a brilliant idea for this
Almost every other day we are getting new builds for Android. I'm sure many of you are like me and have a set of APKs you install with every build. For example SWYPE.
I would like to know if there is a way, when installing a new build, you can have certain apps auto-installed. This would really save me time.

Can't you just put them in the "AndroidApps" folder that usually comes with every build..?

shadiku said:
Can't you just put them in the "AndroidApps" folder that usually comes with every build..?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wasn't sure if that was the proper way it was done. I tried that once, needless to say it didn't work out to well. Had to eat a hard reset.
Anyways, can anyone confirm that this is the best way to do it, or if you know of another that would be great. Please share!

Yup!
yes, i'm 99.9% sure that this is a way to auto-install apps onto your phone, as i've read this in other threads which say the same thing

I did this myself with darkstone's builds. I just loaded up the android apps folder. On second boot I had issues so I then deleted all those apps through winmo and everything was fine again. Not sure with this folder that everytime you boot it tries to reinstall or not. Would like some clarification on that.

Not worked for me

I would suggest downloading 7zip file manager, then when you download your desired rom then just open it up. Navigate to the data/apps folder and drop your apps in there, when you flash the rom then your personal apps will be flashed and installed as if they came with the rom already.
That's what I do and I have never had an issue.

Or there always is ADB

HypoTurtle said:
Or there always is ADB
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there are some adb apk tools that could probably do a batch install

Am i right that after putting those in your folder, after hard reset all those apps that were there will reinstall(those that you wanted, and those you uninstalled)? Or there will be trouble uninstalling as it is part of ROM?
Personally i used one of those App Backup & Restore apps from market. I had to spend 10 minutes pressing "Accept" cause they install by regular way, but it was quite fast anyway.

Marquo said:
Am i right that after putting those in your folder, after hard reset all those apps that were there will reinstall(those that you wanted, and those you uninstalled)? Or there will be trouble uninstalling as it is part of ROM?
Personally i used one of those App Backup & Restore apps from market. I had to spend 10 minutes pressing "Accept" cause they install by regular way, but it was quite fast anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now which folder are you referring to? When I mentioned placing apps, I was talking about putting them into the data/app folder of the rom zip you are flashing so they will be installed on first boot.
As for backing up and restoring apps, I suggest using MyBackup as it does apps plus their associated data as a batch backup/restore. It doesn't require you to accept each one.
Please mybackup will do sms/mms, call logs, browser shortcuts, and so on. Here is the market link for it: MyBackup

chrisrj28 said:
Now which folder are you referring to? When I mentioned placing apps, I was talking about putting them into the data/app folder of the rom zip you are flashing so they will be installed on first boot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got you right, and i thought that as they are part of ROM, they will be saved and restored when hard reseting(even if you uninstalled them on purpose).
Thiss app sounds really nice, i shall try it out.
EDIT
Look what i found when i came to forum by main site of xda: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=23291051
Seems nice.

Useful Tips for using Titanium Backup for newbies

Quick Tip for using Titanium Backup
1. Backup "application widgets". Once you restore your launcher, restore this and reboot so that your widgets will work and you don't have to reconfigure your home screen widgets (which would say "problem loading widgets" otherwise).
2. Backup "accounts" to remember the fact that you have "allowed" access to your google account for various apps (mainly google apps and any app that accesses your google account). This is also required to remember your facebook and skype passwords.
3. Backup "LogProvider" for the call log. A lot of people think call logs are backed up by "contacts storage" but they're not.
4. "contact storage" backups your speed dial
5. "dialer storage" backups your SMS/MMS. After you restore you need to reboot for it to take effect.
6. No need to backup "calendar 1.0". Just calendar 1.1. (this backups the setting not the actual content provided that you sync with google)
7. Most settings in Setting cannot be backed up (ie. Voip account, wifi hotspot ssid, ringtones, volume, etc). Simply re-enter them.
8. After upgrading your rom version or migrating to a different rom, before you restore, for "system" apps, make sure you check each one to see if the version has changed. If so, don't restore or you will probably have force-closes down the road. This is especially true if you move to cyanogen or miui, don't restore system apps at all.
9. Generally you don't need to save system apks unless you plan on uninstalling them to experiment instead of freezing.
10. Don't backup/restore "market" settings or you'll lose market links to your apps. In fact after you restore all your user apps you won't see all of them linked in the market even if titanium backup is set up to remember the links. Just use titanium to clear the market user data, restart market and you're ready to go.
11. Titanium backup does not save your default programs. (ie. DEFAULT browser, dialer, and for different file types).
12. Let TB save the settings to sd card. The next time you install TB you won't need to install the "pro" app. It remembers.
13. TB does not remember what apps are frozen. So after a reinstall, you need to refreeze whatever apps you want to freeze.
Other things good to know:
If you migrate to a new rom, although titanium Pro has an option to attempt to restore system apps to be compatible, try only restore user apps just to avoid force closes.
If you have a fixed set of apps you know you want to freeze, create a filter containing these apps. If you install a new rom, you can freeze all of them all at once without having to go through each.

Can you expand on what you mean in point 1.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App

Scenario:
I have, say, go launcher or touch wiz as my launcher, I put widgets on my home screen like weather, google search bar and maybe a music player widget. I can use TB to backup my launcher, which would supposedly backup where these widgets are located on your home screen. However after reinstalling the rom, if I restore my launcher without restoring "application widgets", the place where these widgets are supposed to be will show "problem loading widgets". And you would have to remove these problematic widgets and recreate them.
So when you backup your launcher, backup "application widgets" as well. When you restore, restore both of them. And preferably after restoring, reboot before you go back to your launcher
By the way "application widgets" is an actual backupable item in TB (shown in green)
Is this making any sense?

Thanks and yes you are making perfect sense.
Many times I've had to delete then replace widgets from my launcher after restoring using TB so I'm interested in where in TB to find this option.
I'm probably looking right at it but just can't see it. Can you steer my in the right direction in TB?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App

Nice to learn new things, especially the widgets, hate having the "problem loading widget" all the time.
Thanks for highlighting these.

Ok found it.
It's an item in the app list called "application widgets" with the TB icon next to it.
Cool thanks never noticed it before.
Great tip.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App

Having a Problem
Ok so I am tring to do an Extract from CWM Backup...
Just Flashed Jugg. 2.0 everything is running great!!!
But TBP is just stuck at Restoring 0% on my first program... I have even followed their help page. cleared the market memory... What am i doing wrong please help...
T-mobile - SGH - T989
ROM: Juggernaut 2.0

Bardouns said:
Ok so I am tring to do an Extract from CWM Backup...
Just Flashed Jugg. 2.0 everything is running great!!!
But TBP is just stuck at Restoring 0% on my first program... I have even followed their help page. cleared the market memory... What am i doing wrong please help...
T-mobile - SGH - T989
ROM: Juggernaut 2.0
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you enabled USB debugging and UNKNOWN sources?!

yes on both
---------- Post added at 08:32 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:16 AM ----------
Ok... Don't know WTF... but its working like lightning now... have no idea... didn't do anything except download google text to voice... weird

Been using it for years and didn't figure out the speeddial backup. Good post. A couple thoughts in general as far as backup strategy.... IMO freezing is better than removing system apps because space is not an issue with the sgs2 like it is with some (older) phones. Swap a lot of roms and sooner or later your are going to either on accident or purpose delete something you shouldn't have and then have to restore. Going down the list and freezing them only takes a minute and is readily reversible with the same end result. If you must be rid of them freeze them first and give it a few days for any oddness to show up. Then uninstall.
Agree on restoring system apps. Always a good way to get odd behavior or fc's and the like. Normally there is no need anyways as the new rom has the same system apps in it and most of the settings can be remembered elsewhere. I do back up system apps though in case I want to grab an apk that isn't in the new rom.
Also IMO its a good idea to copy the entire contents of the internal sd over to the pc after doing a nandroid and ti backup. This way if things go to hell you have everything. The process I use is to do a ti backup and then nandroid in recovery. I mount while still in recovery and copy everything over to a folder on the pc. Now I have all my pics, everything. I use the external sd for music and other items that I know will move from rom to rom so that I don't have to hassle with them. Do this and your covered in every way if you have problems with your ti backup or nandroid. Both can happen sometimes. Also if your phone dies, goes missing etc at least you have a backup as recent as your last rom swap which for us is probably not too long ago. lol I keep the most recent two backups and delete the oldest as I make new ones with each new rom. This only takes a few minutes extra during the rom swap and if you need it you will be glad you have it.

Thank you for tips!

Very helpful. Been using TB for a while now but did not know all the details!

thanx for your efforts...
got some useful tips. I thought I know TB, but I didn't.

Nice write-up!
Any advice on what to do when you try to restore an app and it tells you "problem parsing the package"?
Seam to happen more often with apps that did not come from Android Market or Amazon Appstore...

Very good guide and not just for newbie's.
Thank you.​

App Folders i nApp Draw
i cant seem to figure out where the folders in the app draw are actually stored. i tried to do a restore from a previous rom (apps only, widgets ect) but im not sure where to go for app folders, thats if it will even do this for me.

Many Thanks...
...to the OP & others for this thread & the tips in it ;-)
Just rooted yesterday & ran TI backup. Have run it again incorporating the tips in this thread. Very good suggestion to copy the lot over to PC as well.
Also, people should remember to make a copy of their EFS file & keep that somewhere safe off the phone (keep a copy on your external SD card as well).
Everything I've read so far suggests you're royally boned if you trash your EFS, so making a couple of copies & keeping them in various spots (one on the external SD/one on PC) makes sense to me. Hellcat's kTool does a bangup job & is a nice little app to have handy ;-)

Hi everyone. If someone can give me the confirmation about the following:
1. is Titanium backup saving the settings for the backed up app or only the app itself?
2. are social hub, readers hub, game hub, talk, IM, safe to freeze or unistall cos I don't use that?
3. When you freeze the app, is the icon gone or it stays under "menu"?
4. is Email app safe to freeze/uninstall or I need that for using Gmail app?
I'm on stock 2.3.3 + CF-Root-SGS2_XX_OXA_KH1-v4.1-CWM4 for now.
thank you and regards.

Thanks - very helpful to have more information.

3. Backup "LogProvider" for the call log. A lot of people think call logs are backed up by "contacts storage" but they're not.
This was really helpful. Thank you.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium

[Guide] Back up your data before moving to a new rom

Back up your data before moving to a new rom​
This guide is for rooted phones, and all work on my galaxy s2 but should work with most phones.
So you have decided to go for a new rom, but are worried about loosing all your apps, game saves, data, contacts, sms etc.. Well here is my little guide to restoring most of it. (Why only most, well moving to a new rom means that some apps and data are not compatible). We are going to break it down into apps to use and then the process.
Install App Extractor after you have flashed your new rom
Just a note all software that uses access the root of your phone can come with problems, although i have not experienced them my self it can still happen.
Apps
1. Rom Manager
Must have app for any root user. Make backups, flash ROMs, and own your device.
ROM Manager is THE MUST HAVE APP for any Android root user. (Over 3 million downloads and counting!)
(You can back up your rom through recover boot)
2. Titanium Backup root
Titanium Backup is the most powerful backup tool on Android, and then some.
You can backup, restore, freeze (with Pro) your apps + data + Market links. This includes all protected apps & system apps, plus external data on your SD card. You can do 0-click batch & scheduled backups. Backups will operate without closing any apps (with Pro). You can move any app (or app data) to/from the SD card. You can browse any app's data and even query the Market to see detailed information about the app.
3. App Extractor
AppExtractor is a tool which will allow you to restore individual applications, data, SMS, and MMS messages from your ROM Manager backups.
AppExtractor is compatible with ClockworkMod Recovery 5 backups as well as backups created by previous versions of ClockworkMod Recovery.
The process
1. Ok the process. First you will need to backup your whole rom, so go into Rom Manager and click on backup current rom, once it have backed up your rom you phone will reboot. ( Backing up your rom means you can revert back to it if you are not happy with your new rom)
a. You can also do a full rom backup straight from recovery mode (safer), to do this boot into recovery mode (hold - power,home and volume up). Then use the volume buttons to scroll to backup and restore (press power button to select), then click backup, it should start a full back up of your rom for you (2-3 mins to back up), once it has finished click reboot system now. Done - Thanks to MistahBungle for prompting this edit
2. once you have done that go into Titanium Backup and click menu and go into Batch. Then click on Run for Backup all user apps (dont back up system data we will soft that out later), then click run batch operation.
3. You can now flash your new rom, i am not going to tell you how to that.
4. Once your new rom is up and running then it is time to receive all that data, apps, setting, contacts etc.
5. First go to the android market and download Titanium backup and App recovery again
6. now open Titanium Backup and go back into Batch scroll down to restore and click run on restore missing apps with data. ( not all the apps will download as some won't be compatible). There you go most of your apps are now restored with their original data
7. Now go to App Extractor and open that, you will see the choice to restore things like, apps, sms and mms, contacts, wifi etc. Just click which ever you want to restore and then select the correct back up (the one you made with rom manager). You can only restore 5 items a day, and yet again not all you setting and data can be restored because of the different rom types.
8. Enjoy your new rom
If anyone thinks i have missed anything ir has more they would like to add then let me know.
Backing up EFS folder
Ok so backing up your efs folder, i am not expert in this area but everyone should know that this file is very important and rooting and flashing roms could cause it to become corrupt. So the fix trying to keep it as simple as possible like the rest of the guide, you need to download Ktook by Hellcatdroid here is a little somthing from Google Play - Tool for a few functions after rooting. Kernel dump/flash, EFS backup/restore...
/!\ Requires Root /!\
/!\ Works on the >Galaxy S2< and >Galaxy Note< *ONLY* /!\
(i) the "lock pattern bug" is currently being investigated and worked on!
kTool is a small tool originally bundled with Hellcat's Root-Kernel for the Galaxy S2.
It offers a few functions usefull after rooting the device:
- Dump current kernel to /sdcard/zImage
- Flash kernel from /sdcard/zImage
- Backup the phone's EFS (sensitive storage are holding the IMEI and other vital data) as a raw .IMG dump and a .tar archive
- Restoring EFS from the raw .IMG or the .tar backup
- Format EFS (create fresh filesystem for cases where you want to restore seperate files or a .tar backup, but the filesystem is stuck/locked in read-only due to corruption)
- Reboot (normal, directely to recovery or directely to downlaod mode)
If you encounter any problems or issues, or if you have any questions or suggestions, visit the release thread on XDA
Some people don't like this app and some like myself love it, as it says above it will only work on Galaxy S2< and >Galaxy Note, but if you check out the thread it might work for other devices.
Other apps
Backdrop Root - BackDrop Root allows you to backup and restore your applications, data, SMS / MMS messages, Wifi settings, Bluetooth pairings, and more to and from from Dropbox.
Backdrop Root provides a simple and intuitive interface for managing your backups.
The free version of BackDrop Root will let you backup and restore 5 applications / data backups at a time.
Thanks - albsat
Nandroid Browser - Nandroid Browser has a really simple purpose: Extract and use single files from your nandroid backups.
* Browse your nandroid backups
* Save files anywhere
* Send files
* Open Files
Rom Toolbox - ROM Toolbox is the MUST HAVE app for any rooted user. Easily email single apps and files from your nandroid backups or send them to your dropbox or wherever...
ROM Toolbox combines all the great root apps all tied up into one monster app with a beautiful and user-friendly interface. It also adds many more unseen features!
This app requires root permission. For fast and friendly support please email us at [email protected]. We will be glad to help answer your questions and troubleshoot with you.
Some of the extra features in the pro version:
☆ Backup/restore data
☆ Batch operations enabled
☆ Remove ads
☆ Preview boot animations
☆ Customize your status bar by installing battery, 4g/3g/1x, wifi, gps, signal icons.
☆ Advanced app freezer
☆ Remove ads
☆ Unlock Root Browser features
☆ Much More....

1. Rom Manager
Must have app for any root user. Make backups, flash ROMs, and own your device.
ROM Manager is THE MUST HAVE APP for any Android root user. (Over 3 million downloads and counting!)
An app that is known to give problems on CWM rooted SGS2 .
jje

I have used rom manager for many things and never had any problems with it, maybe I am lucky but not heard anything about anyone have problems with it
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App

s.d.oconnor said:
I have used rom manager for many things and never had any problems with it, maybe I am lucky but not heard anything about anyone have problems with it
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Search the forum then is all i can say multiple help posts where rom manger has been the root of problems .
jje

JJEgan said:
Search the forum then is all i can say multiple help posts where rom manger has been the root of problems .
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Surely any software that exploites the root of your phone could have problems, although i will make a chasnge to the post adding that you can back up your rom from boot and that all software that uses root access can come with problems.

Everything was going great until I got to the last step, restoring sms(the only thing I cared about) with app extractor. It turned the sreen black and then it went on again, but it didn't do anything else, the sms still were not restored =(

if you ask me titanium back up does the job for it all, and if you want to make sure you get all of your apps back, just backup the apps listed in the data folder in the root of your phone.
And when your on CWM recovery might be better of using CWM manager.

JJEgan said:
An app that is known to give problems on CWM rooted SGS2 .
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
^^
+ lots this. Rom Manager *will* cause you problems if you continue to use it/have it installed with CWM. It will either break CW or cause you bootloops.
Use one or the other.
You may get away with it for a while, but when you least expect it (maybe that time you don't do a Nandroid of your last good config when you should have), it will bite you on the arse.
Edit to add - OP, I like the idea of what you're doing. Great to see a n00b having a bash But if you've rooted your phone with CFRoot or are running a kernel with CW, you're much better off using it to do your Nandroid backup than potentially causing problems with Rom Manager, which is popular because it's *easy* (apparently, I never found anything difficult about using CW). If anyone doesn't like/is too lazy to boot directly into recovery to do backups, use the CWM app. Same diff as Rom Manager without all the dramas. Other than this, good job

Great idea. I love these kind of posts no matter what others say. Knowledge sharing makes people, a better one.
My tips, but here you don't save data and use CWM and Backdrop Root aps only:
1) Do a Nandroid back from CWM.
2) Export Contacts as a VCF file. There is a new program recently Backdrop Root that backup sms, contacts, mms, bluetooth, etc in Dropbox. Try it. There is also a nice program called SuperBackup which does a similar thing.
3) Save your Apps through a File Manager as apk and save in external sd, computer or Dropbox.
4) Forget data... Many people use Titanium but I need to buy it.
5) Install new Rom, restore sms+contacts, install apps from beginning.
Apps extractor in conjunction with Nandroidback would had been the best solution, but unfortunately I didn't get a lot of success with this app.

MistahBungle said:
^^
+ lots this. Rom Manager *will* cause you problems if you continue to use it/have it installed with CWM. It will either break CW or cause you bootloops.
Use one or the other.
You may get away with it for a while, but when you least expect it (maybe that time you don't do a Nandroid of your last good config when you should have), it will bite you on the arse.
Edit to add - OP, I like the idea of what you're doing. Great to see a n00b having a bash But if you've rooted your phone with CFRoot or are running a kernel with CW, you're much better off using it to do your Nandroid backup than potentially causing problems with Rom Manager, which is popular because it's *easy* (apparently, I never found anything difficult about using CW). If anyone doesn't like/is too lazy to boot directly into recovery to do backups, use the CWM app. Same diff as Rom Manager without all the dramas. Other than this, good job
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks i have made some changes based on your recomedation

You are restricted to 5 bits of data a day on app recovery, it could also be a compatible issue.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App

Step 7 says "App recovery", do you mean "App extractor"? Sorry just want to confirm.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium

Yes I do,
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App

Wiki: Android ROM Update
Wiki: Android ROM Update
How to restore your apps, data and settings after Android ROM Update using Titanium Backup (TB).
forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/Android_ROM_Update
Cheers
Tom

Sorry but can I ask why that has been put their
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App

Thanks for this guide, it's great.
Kaiser Z

Happy to help
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App

s.d.oconnor said:
Sorry but can I ask why that has been put their
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
s.d.oconnor said:
Could you made this a sticky as you dont have anything like it yet - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1502526
Guide on how to back up and restore your data before moving to a new rom
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You said that you don't have anything like your guide on how to back up and restore. The wiki is just that so I shared it.
Cheers
Tom
Sent from my HTC HD2 using Tapatalk

Thanks for the guide. Does it work on ics? I've heard titanium backup have some issues with it
Enviado desde mi GT-I9100 usando Tapatalk

Angel.CT said:
Thanks for the guide. Does it work on ics? I've heard titanium backup have some issues with it
Enviado desde mi GT-I9100 usando Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It should work with ICS, it's only a matter of time before the apps catch up with it and they should run a smooth as they do on GB

[GUIDE] How to easily Backup and Restore data using Titanium Backup

DISCLAIMER : This guide assumes that you already know how to flash a custom ROM. Also, these instructions work well on my Desire HD running ICS. They should ideally work on any device/ROM/Recovery combination, just that you may have to figure out the system settings/apps that correspond to the ones that I'm referring to. But remember that if you choose to follow these steps, you are doing it at your own risk, and you assume any and all potential consequences, including (but not limited to) loss of data, corrupting your sdcard, bricking your device, physical damage to your phone or self, and/or loss of bladder control.
WARNING : Following this guide may lead to ORD, or worsen your condition of ORD.
When you flash a custom ROM, a full wipe is always recommended. And it definitely is a stressful process, especially if you like to try out a lot of different ROMs. I now follow a method which I find is quite reliable, not as stressful and is fast, so I thought i should share it. I must warn you though, that this is quite an organized approach, so it will require patience from your part to set it up. But I assure you, once you've done it, your ROM wiping and flashing process becomes much easier
I'm going to detail this out in both offline and online methods. With the "Offline(OFF)" method, you will not require an Internet connection to restore all your data. Everything is backed up using Titanium Backup. With the "Online(ON)" method, part of your data will be restored from the amazing "Cloud"
Most of this guide is common to both methods, so I've highlighted the specific methods accordingly. If you're following the offline(OFF) steps, then you dont need to follow the online(ON) steps, and vice versa
APPS YOU'LL NEED
1) Titanium Backup - The free version will serve the purposes of this guide, but its just easier and faster to restore using the Pro version. The Pro version doesnt ask you to tap "Install" every time you restore an app. And if you forget to backup something, you can retrieve it from your Nandroid Backup(provided you remembered to do that ).
2) ES File Explorer - This app allows you to backup an app to the sdcard. Any other file manager/app that can do the same thing will work too..
(ON) 3) SMS Backup+ - This app allows you to backup all your call logs and sms/mms to your Gmail account.
INITIAL SETUP
1) Open Titanium Backup
2) Choose Menu->Filters
3) Tap the "Create Label" button, name your label, and then tap the "Add/Remove elements" button to pick which apps this label will be assigned to.
I have an "Important" label - for apps that I absolutely need on every flash, an "Extras" label - for more occasionally used apps, and a "Games" label. Make sure you dont add any system settings like Accounts, Application widgets, Bluetooth Pairings etc. to any of these labels. We will be handling them separately.
4) Choose Menu->Preferences and enable Auto-sync TB settings
(ON) 5) Now open SMS Backup+
(ON) 6) Set it up to backup your call logs, sms and mms to your Gmail account. You can assign labels to each of them so that they are neatly categorized in your GMail. You can also setup auto-backup for convenience.
1ST BACKUP
1) Open Titanium Backup
2) Choose Menu->Filters, scroll down, select all your labels and tap Apply.
3) Choose Menu->Batch->Backup all user apps + system data.
You'll need to backup system settings separately -
4) Choose Menu->Filters, and in Filter by type, choose System
5) Scroll down and make sure none of your custom labels are selected and then tap Apply.
6) Backup the following, these are the ones important to me, you may want to add more to this -
i) Accounts
ii) Application Widgets - Widgets placed on the homescreen of your favorite launcher.
(OFF) iii) Calendar Storage
(OFF) iv) Contacts Storage - Your contacts and call logs.
(OFF) v) Phone/Messaging Storage - Your sms/mms
vi) Settings Storage - Be careful when you restore this. For eg: its not a good idea to restore CM9 settings to an AOKP ROM or vice versa. This is best used when you know exactly what you are doing. Also, a lot of differences between ROMs will probably be the fact that it provides some new customization options in the settings. So restoring this doesnt make sense unless you know for sure that they are the same. Handle with care.
vii) User Dictionary
viii) Wi Fi Access Points
(OFF) Now you need to backup Titanium Backup itself, since thats the first app you will want to install, after a ROM flash.
(OFF) 8) Open ES File Explorer,
(OFF) 9) Choose Menu->Manager->App Manager.
(OFF) 10) Press and hold Titanium Backup and then choose Backup(the apk will be saved in /sdcard/backups/apps)
(ON) 11) Now open SMS Backup+ and tap Backup
Thats it !! You're all set now !
See post #2 for info on how to easily backup and restore your data.
Hope this helps in making ROM flashing an easier task
If you thought this was helpful, hit "Thanks" !
If you have any suggestion that might make this an even easier process for everyone, please do share !
And Happy Flashing !

Now before you flash any new ROM, just follow these steps.
BACKUP
1) Open Titanium Backup, make sure none of your filters are selected, then choose Menu->Batch->Redo backups for modified data
(OFF) 2) You can optionally backup Titanium Backup's apk again using ES File Explorer. This is only to ensure that when you install it in the new ROM, you have the latest version
3) Take a Nandroid Backup if you wish to(recommended).
Perform a full wipe, flash the new ROM, and reboot.
When the startup wizard pops up -
(OFF) Skip the sign in to Google part, but complete the wizard.
(ON) Sign in using your Google account, and complete the wizard.
RESTORE
(OFF) 1) Open the File Manager that came with the ROM, and go into backups/apps(or wherever you saved your apk) and tap on the Titanium Backup apk to install it
(ON) 1) Open Play Store, and download Titanium Backup
2) Open Titanium Backup, and go to Backup/Restore
3) Choose Menu->Filters, scroll down, select your label("Important") and hit Apply.
4) If any of your "Important" apps are already installed, tap it and choose Restore->Data Only.
5) After that Menu->Batch->Restore missing apps with data
6) Deselect the apps that you dont need and tap "Run the batch operation"
7) You can repeat steps 3,4,5 and 6 for all your labels now or at a later time.
(OFF) Before proceeding, you need to make sure that all the apps that were added to the Accounts & Sync section in the previous ROM, are now installed in the current ROM. Apps like Google+, Facebook, HaxSync, LinkedIn, Twitter, Whatsapp etc. This is because we are about to restore the Accounts, and these apps need to be there if you want their "Accounts" to get restored correctly. Also, when we eventually restore Contacts, the restoration will be more complete if the accounts related to those contacts already exist. So we need to set this up beforehand.
This is where you start restoring System data. Now you need to be careful with this. ROMs that are completely different from each other may start acting buggy if you restore this data. I would suggest not doing this across different versions of Android. And if you know that the 2 ROMs are from different bases then you should definitely pick what you're restoring here.
8) Choose Menu->Filters.
9) In Filter by status, choose Backed up
10) In Filter by Type, choose System and hit Apply
11) And then Menu->Batch->Restore all system data. Now before you run the operation, deselect Contacts Storage. If your new ROM is very different from your old one, then deselect Settings Storage too. If you see anything else that you feel may not be compatible, deselect those too.
12) Tap "Run the batch operation"
13) Reboot(or Hot Reboot)
(OFF) 14) Now open Titanium Backup, Backup/Restore, tap Contacts Storage and restore Data Only
(OFF) 15) Reboot(or Hot Reboot)
(ON) 14) By now, your Calendar and contacts should have gotten sync'ed automatically. Just add other accounts to your Settings->Accounts&Sync section, and the rest of your data should get sync'ed up
(ON) 15) Open SMS Backup+ and Restore your call logs and sms/mms.

wow. after posting it feels like a really really long process !
but trust me, its just how i've explained it. Once you set it up, its a piece of cake

Ha ha quality post for persons that are unaware of how simple this is.
I use MyBackup pro myself for apps and data. Does the same thing imo. But also does a great job of everything else. Sms, bookmarks, dictionary, ect ect all in one application
Sent from my Desire HD using xda premium

Guys when I was on Sense roms I was able to restore my syncs accounts and all my emails accounts with Titanium... but since I'm on ICS, no matter what I do, I can't seem to restore those two things....
I restore data from Accounts (something backed up from TB itself) and data from Email but no go...
Anyone?

Restoring Accounts has worked for me on ICS. There are 2 things you need to do.
1)Before restoring, make sure all the apps needed for those sync accounts are already installed/restored. For eg: Facebook, Google+, Whatsapp, HaxSync, etc...
2) After restoring Accounts, reboot/hot reboot your phone.

crazyjc81 said:
Restoring Accounts has worked for me on ICS. There are 2 things you need to do.
1)Before restoring, make sure all the apps needed for those sync accounts are already installed/restored. For eg: Facebook, Google+, Whatsapp, HaxSync, etc...
2) After restoring Accounts, reboot/hot reboot your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Normal sync accounts, ie FB Twitter Google etc, I also can restore...
The problem is restoring email and exchange accounts... no matter what I do, cannot seem to restore them... they don't appear on the sync accounts nor inside the email app...And of course, I reboot the phone...
I guess the problem is probably from Titanium...
Too bad that the support for the TB is crappy as hell...

Strange. Not sure why it is not working for you.
I got a chance to test this out today, and it worked.
1) Restore Accounts. reboot
2) Restore Email app - Data only.
Assuming exchange accounts would work the same way.

Next time I'm going to try again... thkx for the feedback...

This can't be the first guide for how to backup before flashing can it?

rootingdestroyer said:
This can't be the first guide for how to backup before flashing can it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sure you'll find other "how to backup" topics, but I've not found one as in-depth as this one. This is just the way I feel is the easiest to do it, specially because I like to flash ROMs a lot, and am very particular about my data. If that is the case, this is a really good way to do it.
Sent from my HTC Desire HD using XDA

Thanks for the tutorial.
After restore the apps that should auto launch after reboot only start auto launch after I open them once. After that everything runs smoothly. Is there any option I'm missing in order to prevent having to open this apps one by one?
Thanks in advance.

I'm not sure I understand the question. Are you asking about the app defaults? Like say of you have 2 browser apps and you set one of them as the default, you want that to be restored? I'm not sure how :-(
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA

Nope that's not the question. For example tasker or accuweather when i restore them they will only start working on the background after i open each of them manually first.

That's a good point. I'm not sure where the "start at boot" data is stored. SystemUI maybe? Something to try for my next ROM flash
Sent from my A500 using XDA

If you find out, please let know

Sorry i havent tested this out yet, but if it is in the system settings or SystemUI, I wouldn't recommend restoring it, since most ROMs differ from each other in these areas. It might just screw things up.
Will let you know once I find out.
Sent from my A500 using XDA

Tested it out.
1) Restore the app.
2) Restore settings storage
3) Reboot twice.
I dont know the reason. But when you reboot the second time, the app automatically starts.
Try it out and let me know.
Sent from my A500 using XDA

Just happen to have found this post via search. Just a quick question.
Any way we can manage batch restores without the hassle of tapping "install" and "done" for almost every app? Thanks.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

wEgGiE_wORm said:
Just happen to have found this post via search. Just a quick question.
Any way we can manage batch restores without the hassle of tapping "install" and "done" for almost every app? Thanks.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you buy titanium you don't have to do that.
Sent from my HTC Desire HD using xda app-developers app

[Q] Titanium Backup: why create new APKs of the same version when updating data?

So basically I needed an an APK for an older version of an app and it had already been overwritten. I allow 3 copies of backups with TiBu but my scheduled "redo backups for modified data" overwrites them quite often. I end up with 3 backups of the same app but they're all for the same version. The old version gets deleted because my scheduled "redo backups with modified data" detects new data and then does a new backup.
I wish it would only update the data and not the APK? What's the point of constantly updating the APK for an app when the version is still the same.
Yes, I want it to constantly update the data so I have the latest backup all the time, but it would be nice if it could do that and always save the last 2-3 APK versions as well...
Am I totally missing something here is it just the way it works for now? Thanks for any help!

jeffreii said:
So basically I needed an an APK for an older version of an app and it had already been overwritten. I allow 3 copies of backups with TiBu but my scheduled "redo backups for modified data" overwrites them quite often. I end up with 3 backups of the same app but they're all for the same version. The old version gets deleted because my scheduled "redo backups with modified data" detects new data and then does a new backup.
I wish it would only update the data and not the APK? What's the point of constantly updating the APK for an app when the version is still the same.
Yes, I want it to constantly update the data so I have the latest backup all the time, but it would be nice if it could do that and always save the last 2-3 APK versions as well...
Am I totally missing something here is it just the way it works for now? Thanks for any help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is an option to update 'app only', 'app + data', 'data only'.
Do you have an old Nandroid with the older version of the app available? If so just go into your Nandroid backup and pull out that APK.

blyndfyre said:
There is an option to update 'app only', 'app + data', 'data only'.
Do you have an old Nandroid with the older version of the app available? If so just go into your Nandroid backup and pull out that APK.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi and thanks for the response!
Can you please tell me where you see that option? I've seen those options when restoring backups...it lets you pick what to restore...but I can't seem to find an option like that for backups...
Thanks again.

jeffreii said:
Hi and thanks for the response!
Can you please tell me where you see that option? I've seen those options when restoring backups...it lets you pick what to restore...but I can't seem to find an option like that for backups...
Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe I'm mistaken and the Titanium Backup Script will not allow that. Did you have the old APK in an old Nandroid backup?
You can try either of these apps from the Play Store. They both allow you to back up data only:
My Backup
DataSync

blyndfyre said:
Maybe I'm mistaken and the Titanium Backup Script will not allow that. Did you have the old APK in an old Nandroid backup?/... DataSync
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
-------------------- ------------------------ -----------------------
Good Recommendation! there often are older versions of the app in nandroid backups, and TIBU will allow restore from Nandroid backups. :angel:
1. Go to the Main Menu
2. Scroll down to the Special Backup/Restore Menu (5th topic down)
3. select "EXTRACT FROM NANDROID BACKUP"
4. you will get a listing of all your nandroid backups and you can chose the one you want to take the app from.
5. It will take a bit to analyze the Nandroid and present you with the files menu.
6. Choose the file(s) you need to restore and do it!
jeffreii: So basically I needed an an APK for an older version of an app and it had already been overwritten.
----------------------------------- ----------------------------- -----------------------
#1. Since you may have already "lost" the old version of the app because it has been updated, then to find an oilder version you could check some of the other app stores that frequently offer older versions of apps -some app stores have a listing of ALL versions of (some) apps! . . . so you can check them and see if you can find the older version --or even email the author of the app...:cyclops:
#2. Once you get your old app back, one option is to make a copy of the "good version" of that app from your apps directory and place it on your SD card or a data directory and keep overwriting the "new" app when the author publishes a new version.:good: :good:
#3. Also, once you get you app back (hopefully!) It sounds to me like you should turn off PLAY STORE AUTOMATIC UPDATING for this app. You do this once and then allow selective apps to auto update -but not allow global updating of apps. SO manually permit or don't permit updates depending upon the app (I do that with my Kindle Fire HD, since play wants to update the Amazon store -but that breaks the built in Kindle store, so I don't allow that app to update automatically).
Good Luck!

blyndfyre said:
Maybe I'm mistaken and the Titanium Backup Script will not allow that. Did you have the old APK in an old Nandroid backup?
You can try either of these apps from the Play Store. They both allow you to back up data only:
My Backup
DataSync
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't find the old APK in my backups (TiBu and Nandroids). I've made another thread to ask for help finding it:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2380165
This thread I'd like to get help with TiBu though!
markbc01 said:
-------------------- ------------------------ -----------------------
Good Recommendation! there often are older versions of the app in nandroid backups, and TIBU will allow restore from Nandroid backups. :angel:
1. Go to the Main Menu
2. Scroll down to the Special Backup/Restore Menu (5th topic down)
3. select "EXTRACT FROM NANDROID BACKUP"
4. you will get a listing of all your nandroid backups and you can chose the one you want to take the app from.
5. It will take a bit to analyze the Nandroid and present you with the files menu.
6. Choose the file(s) you need to restore and do it!
jeffreii: So basically I needed an an APK for an older version of an app and it had already been overwritten.
----------------------------------- ----------------------------- -----------------------
#1. Since you may have already "lost" the old version of the app because it has been updated, then to find an oilder version you could check some of the other app stores that frequently offer older versions of apps -some app stores have a listing of ALL versions of (some) apps! . . . so you can check them and see if you can find the older version --or even email the author of the app...:cyclops:
#2. Once you get your old app back, one option is to make a copy of the "good version" of that app from your apps directory and place it on your SD card or a data directory and keep overwriting the "new" app when the author publishes a new version.:good: :good:
#3. Also, once you get you app back (hopefully!) It sounds to me like you should turn off PLAY STORE AUTOMATIC UPDATING for this app. You do this once and then allow selective apps to auto update -but not allow global updating of apps. SO manually permit or don't permit updates depending upon the app (I do that with my Kindle Fire HD, since play wants to update the Amazon store -but that breaks the built in Kindle store, so I don't allow that app to update automatically).
Good Luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I checked my old Nandroids/TiBu backups but could not find the APK - did that before making this thread. Trust me I have automatic updating off...I like to read change logs before accepting any updates.
My problem with TiBu is still unaddressed though...even if I allow TiBu to keep, say, 5 backups of each app...if I have a scheduled backup to "redo backups with modified data" and the data is modified in a certain app each time, once that runs 5 times I will have 5 backups of the same version APK along with 5 separate data points.
The 5 separate data points are exactly what you'd want...but if creating 5 APKs of the same version of the app ends up deleting the 6th backup which had the older APK version...what's the point of that? I'm left with 5 identical APKs and the older version, which I actually wanted, got to deleted because TiBu needed to backup the data.
Does that make sense?

markbc01 said:
... The 5 separate data points are exactly what you'd want...but if creating 5 APKs of the same version of the app ends up deleting the 6th backup which had the older APK version...what's the point of that? I'm left with 5 identical APKs and the older version, which I actually wanted, got to deleted because TiBu needed to backup the data. Does that make sense?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, I think I get it. TIBU will backup all copies it sees but it is not "smart enough" to preserve versions per se. (I may be wrong -but that's what I see so far). The six copies you mention are time based vice version based, so it's good logic for what it does. It just does not save based on versions. . . Perhaps that is an option we should ask the developer for! I think the focus of the frequent multiple backups is primarily on data, so it's good , but maybe not enough!
I just checked my own backups. I have max backup history of 5 and those 5 backups are done one by one over a two week period (of course). So I have many copies of each app that are identical --except when changes occur. Most apps right now have 5 identical copies, but for 7Zipper, Handnote and Gmail,(for example) each of them has two versions. I won't lose the "older versions" of these apps for a week or so, but after that they will disappear if I want ot save those older versions, well, I would have to take one of the measures that I mentioned before (copying over to another directory etc.)
I was going to ask -since you turned off auto updates-- how the app got updated, but I have discovered that even when I do that there is the occassional app that updates anyway -because I inadvertently said yes to some prompt, or perhaps the author had some auto update feature that I could not block. . .
Sorry I can't give you a better solution. . .

markbc01 said:
OK, I think I get it. TIBU will backup all copies it sees but it is not "smart enough" to preserve versions per se. (I may be wrong -but that's what I see so far). The six copies you mention are time based vice version based, so it's good logic for what it does. It just does not save based on versions. . . Perhaps that is an option we should ask the developer for! I think the focus of the frequent multiple backups is primarily on data, so it's good , but maybe not enough!
I just checked my own backups. I have max backup history of 5 and those 5 backups are done one by one over a two week period (of course). So I have many copies of each app that are identical --except when changes occur. Most apps right now have 5 identical copies, but for 7Zipper, Handnote and Gmail,(for example) each of them has two versions. I won't lose the "older versions" of these apps for a week or so, but after that they will disappear if I want ot save those older versions, well, I would have to take one of the measures that I mentioned before (copying over to another directory etc.)
I was going to ask -since you turned off auto updates-- how the app got updated, but I have discovered that even when I do that there is the occassional app that updates anyway -because I inadvertently said yes to some prompt, or perhaps the author had some auto update feature that I could not block. . .
Sorry I can't give you a better solution. . .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It sounds like you get my point now! Basically, TiBu should be smart enough to backup data and app apks as separate items. When I say keep 3 copies, it should look at those separately...keep the 3 last APK versions and keep the 3 last data backups...not combine them and overwrite APK versions just because data got updated too.
What happened was I updated the app two weeks ago and everything was fine...I then switched to Goldeneye 4.0 ROM and the WatchESPN app wouldn't load anymore. I read other people in the Play Store had the same problem...so I am guessing that perhaps it's an international firmware issue...since it still works fine when I switch back to AT&T stock MDL. The second data is that some of those complaining in the Play Store reviews are saying "since the last update, it doesn't load"...so I'm thinking maybe the latest update broke something for international firmware versions...so if I can find the old version that might work...but no way to test it without getting the APK.

Ok, you are right about the apps vs. Data thing exactly for the reasons you mention!
(Btw, I almost decided to try golden eye this weekend, but Shostock2.1 is running so well that I'll just use my phone for a while)..
I did a very quick look at some alternate android app stores on my phone just now, but am surprised that I have not found the watch-espn app...
The only other thing might be if you kept a copy of your sd card on your computer, and that copy might have an old nandroid with the app... that worked for me - when I wanted to restore and use flex t9 and the company had moved on to a swype version I did not like as much...
Good luck (I'll continue to scan for old versions of watchespn when I get on a desktop..)
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium HD app

markbc01 said:
Ok, you are right about the apps vs. Data thing exactly for the reasons you mention!
(Btw, I almost decided to try golden eye this weekend, but Shostock2.1 is running so well that I'll just use my phone for a while)..
I did a very quick look at some alternate android app stores on my phone just now, but am surprised that I have not found the watch-espn app...
The only other thing might be if you kept a copy of your sd card on your computer, and that copy might have an old nandroid with the app... that worked for me - when I wanted to restore and use flex t9 and the company had moved on to a swype version I did not like as much...
Good luck (I'll continue to scan for old versions of watchespn when I get on a desktop..)
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! If I hadn't used all 8 of my thanks clicks for the day I'd give you one. First thing tomorrow though!
If you find any leads let me know in my WatchESPN request thread (linked above). It needs to be bumped anyways and I am not supposed to bump it until 24 hours! lol

I'm still surprised I can't find any other threads/discussion about this issue.
I'd really think that one of the priorities of the backup is to keep old apk versions in case you want to roll back...

bump!

So I realized today that TiBu doesn't actually keep multiple copies of the same APK - it is smart enough to know they're the same and save space by only keeping one, no matter how many data backups you have.
However, if you have multiple versions of the APK, it will keep both versions...until the data that was backed up at the same time as the old APK version gets deleted...then the old APK version will be deleted as well.
I sent a support email to the dev of TiBu asking this question...will post here if I get a response.

Thanks, I've used TIBU as long as I have had android phones and still didn't realize that version saving was missing -or that TIBU saves only one copy of each version. It's such s good app..I bet the author will reply and may add that extra functionality...
Sent from my KFTT using XDA Premium HD app

markbc01 said:
Thanks, I've used TIBU as long as I have had android phones and still didn't realize that version saving was missing -or that TIBU saves only one copy of each version. It's such s good app..I bet the author will reply and may add that extra functionality...
Sent from my KFTT using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope so.
Almost 5 days since I emailed them and no response yet.

an idea is to make a special backup to google drive or box or drop box and save a backup there with the configuration you like and leave it there. . .sort of as a safe haven for when the devs update the apps in a way that doesn't do good things for your phone!
not a perfect solution, but at least it does push the app(s) somewhere out of the way in an automated manner. . .
:silly:

markbc01 said:
an idea is to make a special backup to google drive or box or drop box and save a backup there with the configuration you like and leave it there. . .sort of as a safe haven for when the devs update the apps in a way that doesn't do good things for your phone!
not a perfect solution, but at least it does push the app(s) somewhere out of the way in an automated manner. . .
:silly:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah but there's no "configuration I like". You never know when you're going to update an app and find out later that you want to roll back...

Any update to this Issue?
Could this have Something to do with this option?:
Batch Mode Settings:
Min age (days) For refresh,