Database Users

[Q] Backing up your entire phone

Hello XDA,
After doing some reading, I decided I wanted to back up my entire phone (effectively copy the whole OS as-is) before I start tempering with it (root, ROMs, etc).
But all services I found for this are root-only, and getting root wipes your entire phone.
Do you see my issue here? I really dont want to do anything with it, before I have created a full backup, which I then can restore in case things go bad.
Now my question to you is, Is there any tool that does this WITHOUT tempering with the phone as it is now? So no root, _maybe_ install an app, but nothing that would involve changing the phone as drastically as root does. (I know root isnt considerated drastically, but I'm over-exaggerating to stress the fact I would really like to solve it without that)
Thanks!

LeandroMarceddu said:
Hello XDA,
After doing some reading, I decided I wanted to back up my entire phone (effectively copy the whole OS as-is) before I start tempering with it (root, ROMs, etc).
But all services I found for this are root-only, and getting root wipes your entire phone.
Do you see my issue here? I really dont want to do anything with it, before I have created a full backup, which I then can restore in case things go bad.
Now my question to you is, Is there any tool that does this WITHOUT tempering with the phone as it is now? So no root, _maybe_ install an app, but nothing that would involve changing the phone as drastically as root does. (I know root isnt considerated drastically, but I'm over-exaggerating to stress the fact I would really like to solve it without that)
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting doesn't wipe your phone, I ran unRevoked 3.0 on mine from linux and it doesn't destroy everything on your phone, just gives you root access. from there you can boot into clockworkmod and choose nandroid backup, this will back everything up as it is. there are guides to do this all over the forum, hope this helps!
if i have anything wrong, feel free to correct me people

chrisandchips said:
Rooting doesn't wipe your phone, I ran unRevoked 3.0 on mine from linux and it doesn't destroy everything on your phone, just gives you root access. from there you can boot into clockworkmod and choose nandroid backup, this will back everything up as it is. there are guides to do this all over the forum, hope this helps!
if i have anything wrong, feel free to correct me people
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep root does not wipe your phone, you can do a nandroid backup and dl titanium backup from market to backup all your apps.
Sent from my HTC Wildfire using XDA App

chrisandchips said:
Rooting doesn't wipe your phone, I ran unRevoked 3.0 on mine from linux and it doesn't destroy everything on your phone, just gives you root access. from there you can boot into clockworkmod and choose nandroid backup, this will back everything up as it is. there are guides to do this all over the forum, hope this helps!
if i have anything wrong, feel free to correct me people
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow I am 101% I have read it would wipe everything. Thanks for clearing this all out. I'm gonna try this all. I will edit this post when I find the website responsible for giving the false info. Thanks both!
EDIT: lifehacker.com/5563527/back-up-your-entire-android-phone-to-the-cloud
"Then again, to get your phone rooted, you'll need to wipe it entirely, so it's something of a Catch 22. "
Weird, seeing how lifehacker usually is trustworthy.
Sent from my HTC Wildfire using XDA App

I just rooted my N1 for the first time

OK, congratulate me!! Thanks. I did it on the first try, no issue or hiccups what-so-ever.
Now for the info. I'm not sure that anyone will be interested, but I'm guessing other people in my position at least might be.
I'm very experienced with computers, but not working directly with rooting/unlocking devices. But I would say anyone who reads up a bit and can follow directions properly could pull it off pretty easily.
So I run 2.2.2, and I used superoneclick 1.6.3.
After opening superoneclick, I switched it from psneuter to rageagainsthecage. I had no idea if I was supposed to do this, but I read all about rageagainstthecage, and never heard of psneuter.
I had my phone connected to my PC, and I left my SD in the phone, but I unmounted it in settings. I have used ADB before, so I knew the drivers were installed and working, and I hit the button root.
After reading this site, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=803682, I started with debugging off, and turned it on as it said. I then turned it off, but didn't get a chance to turn it back on and off and on, so I just turned it back on (debugging) when it got to "Waiting for device" for the second time.
That was it! It asked to test and see if root was in fact accomplished, and it was. I then installed setCPU (which is basically the only reason I wanted to do this) and as far as I can tell it seems to be working fine.
I have been reading a lot about this for the past few days, but the actual procedure only took a couple of minutes. Keeping in mind, of course, that I already had ADB and drivers working.
Nothing was wiped off my phone, which surprisingly was hard to confirm on the web. I did read somewhere that only unlocking wipes data, but still, you never know.
I hope this helps anyone else who is new and unsure of the process, and I'd be happy to answer any other specific questions based on what I have learned of the last week or so. I know that people hesitate to ask questions in case they have already been asked lots of times, but are buried and hard to find (because that's the position I was in ).

Thanks for posting your "rooting" experience. I'm sure there are people that will find it helpful.

I think when I did mine, it was something along the lines of:
fastboot-oem-unlock
fastboot flash recovery <whatever>
reboot into recovery and flash rom

Other than the ability to install custom ROM's I've yet to see a huge deal in rooting my phone. Anyone care to tell me what I can do with a rooted N1 that is a must have? So far I tried to change some fonts, which didn't work, and discovered that I have to install a custom ROM to change the color of the notification bar, and I can't make the default Google music and news widgets slightly transparent. So educate me, what's the huge deal with rooting, aside from a custom ROM?

Set cpu of course like being said. I remember the first time I rooted my phone was universal androot it was a breeze. Then I lost root and use super one click to gain out back. Root really easy as well
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App

- Backup application, like MyBackup, can backup your app data(including game save...) if your device is rooted.

Hi N1 owners.
I also just root my N1 with superoneclick 1.6.3
After that I flashed CM 6.1.1 and yesterday I tried CM7. Everything has worked fine for me so far, but I have some questions, I hope someone can answer.
1/Can I just flash random roms on top of each other, like i did from cm6 - cm7?
2/ Can I always restore backups, nomatter what rom I come from or to?
3/ when/if official GB come out, can I flash a stock rom and get the OTA update right away?
Sorry, if I ask silly questions ..

Built in trackball colors, call blocker, hide frequently called list in the favorites tab, remove unnecessary apps, tmobile wifi calling, notification bar power toggles, trackball wake and unlock, quiet hours, themes, etc., etc., etc. Just off the top of my head. Oh, and Gingerbread!!!
Sent from my Nexus One using Tapatalk

Some apps want to bypass the home screen "5 second rule" like widget locker, you need root. I setup a widget to reboot (nice!).

brettbellaire said:
...I did read somewhere that only unlocking wipes data, but still, you never know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlocking the Bootloader wipes data, rooting does not. This is probably what you read.
offenberg said:
Hi N1 owners.
I also just root my N1 with superoneclick 1.6.3
After that I flashed CM 6.1.1 and yesterday I tried CM7. Everything has worked fine for me so far, but I have some questions, I hope someone can answer.
1/Can I just flash random roms on top of each other, like i did from cm6 - cm7? Yes you can. Often if the ROM is the next version in a series, you can flash without wiping data or cache, but some ROMs require you to do this first.
2/ Can I always restore backups, nomatter what rom I come from or to? A Nandroid backup can be reinstalled from any ROM, or even just from Recovery if there is no ROM.
3/ when/if official GB come out, can I flash a stock rom and get the OTA update right away? Yes. Either restore your stock ROM Nandroid backup or a passimg.zip.
Sorry, if I ask silly questions ..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

offenberg said:
Hi N1 owners.
I also just root my N1 with superoneclick 1.6.3
After that I flashed CM 6.1.1 and yesterday I tried CM7. Everything has worked fine for me so far, but I have some questions, I hope someone can answer.
1/Can I just flash random roms on top of each other, like i did from cm6 - cm7?
2/ Can I always restore backups, nomatter what rom I come from or to?
3/ when/if official GB come out, can I flash a stock rom and get the OTA update right away?
Sorry, if I ask silly questions ..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. As a rule, if you are going from 1 ROM to another totally different ROM, it's always a good idea to wipe. It only takes a few seconds to sign back in to everything. You can bypass immediate sign in and activate wifi if you need it.
2. Nandroids can be reinstalled anytime. However, a nandroid does not contain your HBOOT and Radio. So if you updated those to use a specific ROM, they would stay in place with the nandroid restore.
3. When GB does finally make it out to our specific device, there is no way you would get an OTA before the ROM devs here had you up and running.
***Also note, the 1-click root tools may or may not work right away with the OTA 2.3. So to anyone that rooted using those tools and unrooted to hurry up and get an OTA, you may be stuck on stock until it gets fixed.

Know-Fear said:
1. As a rule, if you are going from 1 ROM to another totally different ROM, it's always a good idea to wipe. It only takes a few seconds to sign back in to everything. You can bypass immediate sign in and activate wifi if you need it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree, do a full wipe if it's a new ROM. Titanium Backup is a great way to get all of your apps and data back after installing the new ROM.

bigmout said:
I agree, do a full wipe if it's a new ROM. Titanium Backup is a great way to get all of your apps and data back after installing the new ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So what do you lose (if anything) when flashing a new ROM if you backup and do things the right way?
Another question would be if you just flash a new kernal do you lose any/all data?

brettbellaire said:
So what do you lose (if anything) when flashing a new ROM if you backup and do things the right way?
The only thing you'd lose is the old rom
Another question would be if you just flash a new kernal do you lose any/all data?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App

kmiloco49 said:
Nope
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting... Thanks!

@ brettbellaire
I've rooted before, and lost root when ota's came. I've rooted again using superoneclick, and am contemplating cm7. But I feel very cautious about flashing a different rom, I'd cry if I bricked my phone. However, I'm probably going to do it during the next week (unless gingerbread ota arrives).
Andy
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App

Hmmm, I have been anxious for GB too.... but I'm not sure it's worth it. I don't think it's such a big update. I don't think there's too much of a danger of brinking these days.
I have been contemplating doing what I have to to overclock, see what kind of a difference that makes...

bigmout said:
I agree, do a full wipe if it's a new ROM. Titanium Backup is a great way to get all of your apps and data back after installing the new ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am a newbie to root. Can Titanium Backup restore the paid apps? because some apps require online verification with Google at the first time of use.
Also, Z4root does not work on my N1. I want to use superoneclick but where can I find the driver for my win7? thanks

unroot
is it possible to go back and unroot the phone? i.e. hide the padlock during phone startup ..I am using N1 ForYo 2.2.2..Thanks

zmalach said:
is it possible to go back and unroot the phone? i.e. hide the padlock during phone startup ..I am using N1 ForYo 2.2.2..Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you see the padlock, you've got an unlocked boot-loader. This can't be re-locked.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App

couple of questions about rooting.

To start of, i will be using superoneclick, since it seems to be fairly easy. Now saying that i use that, nothing from my phone will get swiped correct? Apps, data etc..
Now once i do that, i will still have the current os that my phone is running now before the root?
once its rooted will i be able to port whatever app i want over to my SD?
also can i rune themes with out a rom?
thank you in advanced.

1) Correct
2) Yes
3) If your app supports installing to SD you will yes
4) You can't run anything without a ROM
Source --> http://is.gd/yHp7vX

Just rooting wont give you much. I would recommend Rom Manager so you can flash a new recovery for backups and mods.
Most stock roms don't support themeing or a high level of customization. I don't even know if SetCpu will do anything on a stock rom.
Basically I root to install Rom Manager from the market to install clockwork recovery.
A custom recovery allows flashing updated stock apps, themes, custom roms, keyboards, etc.
I suggest a CM7 gingerbread rom and you'll be hooked.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App

Ok sounds like a plan, yea i am trying to learn the processes ive seen a few videos and seen how they did it. Using superoneclick and any other type of method to actually root the phone wont really be any difference right? No one root is better then another? at the end they will still end up doing the same thing?
Also when i do a backup what is that for? once i install the roms will i be able to recover the apps i had before? or is that for security reasons that you do a backup.
Sorry for such the noob questions.

sotorious said:
Ok sounds like a plan, yea i am trying to learn the processes ive seen a few videos and seen how they did it. Using superoneclick and any other type of method to actually root the phone wont really be any difference right? No one root is better then another? at the end they will still end up doing the same thing? Exactly the same thing.
Also when i do a backup what is that for? once i install the roms will i be able to recover the apps i had before? or is that for security reasons that you do a backup. 'Nandroid' Backup is a snapshot image of your ROM as it is at the time. Make sure you do one before flashing a custom ROM so that you can easily return to stock if you ever wish to. Once on a custom ROM your apps will show in the Market under 'my apps' and should sync to your phone.
Sorry for such the noob questions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Better to be safe than sorry

also, keep in mind nandroid is part of amon recovery. its a common misconception its a app itself.

How to back up Apps without root??

Am using Tibu to back up apps now, but am going to 'attempt' to flash a new ROM that's rooted and just in case it doesn't go as planned and I lose root, I'd like to know if there's a app or whatever that allows a unrooted phone the same or near same options and ability to back up apps that Tibu has. Any animal like that exist???

No, Titanium Backup is as powerful as it is because of root access. Without that, there is no way to get the same functionality, no matter what app you're using.
And if you're trying to flash a rooted ROM to a phone that's already higher than 4.4.4, you aren't going to find success...

aklyatne said:
No, Titanium Backup is as powerful as it is because of root access. Without that, there is no way to get the same functionality, no matter what app you're using.
And if you're trying to flash a rooted ROM to a phone that's already higher than 4.4.4, you aren't going to find success...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on rooted 4.3. going to rooted Jasmine 6

Sporttster said:
Am using Tibu to back up apps now, but am going to 'attempt' to flash a new ROM that's rooted and just in case it doesn't go as planned and I lose root, I'd like to know if there's a app or whatever that allows a unrooted phone the same or near same options and ability to back up apps that Tibu has. Any animal like that exist???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This shouldn't even be a concern.. You're missing the most important step in flashing a new ROM. It should be in every single ROM thread, for any device here on XDA, its usually the first on the list of instructions...?
MAKE A BACKUP OF YOUR CURRENT ROM!!
You do this in your custom recovery, TWRP, CWM or Phils...
This restores your system exactly as it was, when you made the backup, your call logs, messages, apps, app datas, even app caches, if you select it when making the backup..
Backups are one of the main purposes for a custom recovery, if you screw up, you can always go back..
Were you not aware of this till now??
Unless you're intention is to stick with the ROM, that's not rooted.. Not sure why you'd want that, but everyone's different, so I'd recommend using Helium instead of TB, root isn't required with that app..

I'm not on a developer edition. It does not have a unlocked bootloader, so not sure I can 'go back' if the thing doesn't work right. Maybe I'm wrong. But I've heard once you flash past 4.4 there is no going back to root and I'm going to 6. In the past on unlocked units I've had no problems going back. But locked is another animal...it's rooted but not unlocked...

Moving to Mi A1

I have always rooted and used Titanium Backup to set up a new phone but this time I want to leave it alone, more and more apps are checking for root and certified/uncertified, last week I could not even get a PizzaExpress app because it needs 6.0+ & unrooted (had to unroot my old S2 on Lineage), I have decided I want my banking apps back and other things I lost over the years, so no root or customising (yet! hehe).
With that in mind what is the best way to restore, obviously Google will take care of a lot of it but things like call logs, sms, bluetooth, some app data, in the past I would selectively use Titanium to restore anything I found missing but without root, what to use? Helium, mi mover or something else.
My S4 is rooted but stock right now so calls, SMS, rejection lists even wallpaper is synced with Samsung, I guess there will be no way to access these backups from the A1

You can root via Magisk. It doesn't break the SafetyNet. Moreover, you can hide it from certain apps. All the banking apps work if you root via Magisk.
Edit: Here's the link to the thread: https://forum.xda-developers.com/mi-a1/how-to/root-mi-a1-oreo-8-0-disabling-ota-magisk-t3728654

darkpegasus said:
You can root via Magisk. It doesn't break the SafetyNet. Moreover, you can hide it from certain apps. All the banking apps work if you root via Magisk.
Edit: Here's the link to the thread: https://forum.xda-developers.com/mi-a1/how-to/root-mi-a1-oreo-8-0-disabling-ota-magisk-t3728654
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did see that and did think about it, it's been a bit cat and mouse hiding root for years now and I can only see it getting worse as android secuity ramps up, I thought I would keep this phone clean as long as I could resist
I might go with the root, I could always remove it again I guess.

You will not resist for a long time, you know that, all of us know that
I bought this phone today online and expect to receive it within days and I was thinking exactly like you, then log on to XDA 10 minutes ago searching for rooting threads to be ready when I receive it

darkpegasus said:
You can root via Magisk. It doesn't break the SafetyNet. Moreover, you can hide it from certain apps. All the banking apps work if you root via Magisk.
Edit: Here's the link to the thread: https://forum.xda-developers.com/mi-a1/how-to/root-mi-a1-oreo-8-0-disabling-ota-magisk-t3728654
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When it arrives, it should come on N, so I guess I could root it with Magisk, get it up and running how I like it then restore the boot image, remove Magisk and allow the O OTA and everything will be 100% stock again?

kudos1uk said:
EDIT: When it arrives, it should come on N, so I guess I could root it with Magisk, get it up and running how I like it then restore the boot image, remove Magisk and allow the O OTA and everything will be 100% stock again?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup. Magisk does not touch system files. It will be 100% stock without any issues.

2363 said:
You will not resist for a long time, you know that, all of us know that
I bought this phone today online and expect to receive it within days and I was thinking exactly like you, then log on to XDA 10 minutes ago searching for rooting threads to be ready when I receive it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are right there lol
I am starting to think we are beginning to lose more than we gain, I comes to something when a stupid pizza shop app checks for root!

darkpegasus said:
Yup. Magisk does not touch system files. It will be 100% stock without any issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thinking about this and reading the thread, does Titanium not need Busybox installed? busybox installs to "system" and would stop OTA?

kudos1uk said:
Thinking about this and reading the thread, does Titanium not need Busybox installed? busybox installs to "system" and would stop OTA?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just installed Titanium Backup without installing busybox and it works. (Busybox maybe included in the custom ROM I've installed, I dunno).
I think you are being unnecessarily cautious about Root. Almost all the banking apps work even when Magisk is installed. You can enjoy root without worrying about the safetynet.

darkpegasus said:
I just installed Titanium Backup without installing busybox and it works. (Busybox maybe included in the custom ROM I've installed, I dunno).
I think you are being unnecessarily cautious about Root. Almost all the banking apps work even when Magisk is installed. You can enjoy root without worrying about the safetynet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that.
I'm comfortable with root now after loads of reading of that thread but was just being cautious no to allow any app to change the system folder once root is running.
I also see this method of root cant be used on N so my idea of rooting / restoring / unrooting and upgrading to O will not work so I will just upgrade to Oreo / root / restore and then decide if I want to keep root or not.

kudos1uk said:
Thanks for that.
I'm comfortable with root now after loads of reading of that thread but was just being cautious no to allow any app to change the system folder once root is running.
I also see this method of root cant be used on N so my idea of rooting / restoring / unrooting and upgrading to O will not work so I will just upgrade to Oreo / root / restore and then decide if I want to keep root or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, you can upgrade to Oreo, root, and restore.
Also, if there are any issues afterwards, you can always flash the official fastboot ROM by MiFlash Tool without wiping your internal storage.

IjazCI said:
Hi there, you could root with magisk , restore your data then flash stock rom through mi flash tool . Make sure to select the "save user data " option before flash. This way you will be 100 % stock and take ota's.
I suggest you to enable the camera 2 api using set prop method by flex1911 ( the one which doesn't uses magisk) before flashing stock rom.
Cheers
Edit : my advice is literally Same from the guy above. Didn't see that. . Saw your post , think that i can help and replayed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I think I will just have to devote a good long time to this, at least I will have both phones side by side so I can keep trying all the restore methods known