Database Users

update-script

I have about 10-15 apps I always end up installing for every new rom. I was wondering if I could just use this method to create an update.zip so I could just load it from recovery after I load a rom. I tried and for the most part (swype excluded) the apps installed ok, but i noticed if I wanted to remove them I could not. I am guessing its because I put the apk in the system/app folder. can i put it in another folder to make it appear just as if it was installed from the market? I don't see any apps installed anywhere else to be honest?

I'm not to sure about the update script but I just use Titanium Backup to reinstall all my apps. Just download it from marketplace and run a app backup. So after I install a new Rom I just redownload titanium from the market place and restore all apps. Then I can uninstall an app or delete it from the backup. Not really sure if this helps you but trying to help others out.

ejkeebler said:
I have about 10-15 apps I always end up installing for every new rom. I was wondering if I could just use this method to create an update.zip so I could just load it from recovery after I load a rom. I tried and for the most part (swype excluded) the apps installed ok, but i noticed if I wanted to remove them I could not. I am guessing its because I put the apk in the system/app folder. can i put it in another folder to make it appear just as if it was installed from the market? I don't see any apps installed anywhere else to be honest?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you did something like this you would lose all data associated with those apps such as settings, game saves, etc. Best thing is Titanium backup. Also if you installed the apps without going through the market, you wont get updates.

i think if you put them in /data/app they can be uninstalled so make an update.zip that places them there

You can use ti backup to make an update.zip
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App

I guess i'll stick with Titanium Backup. I'll have to look into the update.zip option from there, but if it doesnt restore data, kind of a wasted step. I'll have to buckle down and look at it today. It seems kind of cumbersome going through each app 1 at a time, and don't think I want an every app restore. I imagine there's got to be an option where you can select only certain apps....thanks!

TNS201 said:
If you did something like this you would lose all data associated with those apps such as settings, game saves, etc. Best thing is Titanium backup. Also if you installed the apps without going through the market, you wont get updates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unless you also threw the corresponding db's from /data/data in there. Then you would (like you said) run into Market problems without a restore of the vending prefs and databases. Like yourself and everyone before said...use Titanium.
Titanium Tip:
1. Create a folder in root of sdcard. For example /sdcard/Reinstall
2. Go to Titanium's settings and make Reinstall your backup folder
3. Backup the apps you want to keep for restore.
4. Go back to settings and change to your regular backup folder so you don't populate your reinstall folder with unwanted apps.
5. After a wipe, download Titanium (Titanium also has an option to create an update.zip of itself so you can install it in recovery before 1st boot).
6. Go to Titanium and change backup folder to Reinstall.
7. Batch restore (donate only) or manually restore the contents.
8. Remember to change backup folder again.
I do this for system apps/settings across different roms also. For instance, I have a DesireSys folder and a FroyoSys folder. Learn to use the filters, makes life much easier.

overground said:
Unless you also threw the corresponding db's from /data/data in there. Then you would (like you said) run into Market problems without a restore of the vending prefs and databases. Like yourself and everyone before said...use Titanium.
Titanium Tip:
1. Create a folder in root of sdcard. For example /sdcard/Reinstall
2. Go to Titanium's settings and make Reinstall your backup folder
3. Backup the apps you want to keep for restore.
4. Go back to settings and change to your regular backup folder so you don't populate your reinstall folder with unwanted apps.
5. After a wipe, download Titanium (Titanium also has an option to create an update.zip of itself so you can install it in recovery before 1st boot).6. Go to Titanium and change backup folder to Reinstall.
7. Batch restore (donate only) or manually restore the contents.
8. Remember to change backup folder again.
I do this for system apps/settings across different roms also. For instance, I have a DesireSys folder and a FroyoSys folder. Learn to use the filters, makes life much easier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Excellent! I've been downloading it after each install. I thought there had to be an easier way.

Transforming a Nandroid Backup to a flashable zip via clockwork recovery?

I have a friend over on the east coast that isnt following direction as well as one would hope and is a little scared about rooting his phone and getting it to be as good as my X is. I finally got it rooted for him but he is freaking out about using a clean nandroid backup i sent him and dumping it in the correct directory for nandroid backup and restore giving him a clean image of my phone...
I had assumed that this would have been the easiest method but it got me thinking.
Could i rename my nandroid back up folder the ending tree folder that holds the .android_secure.img, cache.img, data.img, nandroid.md5 and system.img ... like clockworkmod/backup/2010-11-25.05.05.13 could i just pop all those files into a .zip named whatever and direct him to clockwork recovery and flash zip from sd card?
Or could someone point me into a direction on how to accomplish that? I think i would like to also do it for my self and upload it to my dropbox account for later access or to share with friends.
I noticed when i opened like the latest rubix rom that it didnt contain any files similar to that so im curious if its possible.
Also one last question, while i have your technicle mind at attention..
Could someone answer me, in Titanium backup it gives you the option to create a update.zip, then it gives you two radio buttons one says titanium backup will be installed as user application and then System application.
I know that the whole create update.zip thing is for flashing it to the rom from recovery. But what is the diffrence bewteen those two options. What is best and what is the diffrence..
Thanks for letting me pick your Brains!

One drawback of giving him your nandroid backup is that it contains YOUR gmail account with your contacts, facebook account (if applicable), among all other sorts of your personal stuff. In my past experience, you can ADD a gmail account to the phone, but you cannot get rid of the primary/original account so he will have both on there. Other than that, it actually does work though (at least it did on the Droid 1).

Wipe your data and make a nandroid before you reboot and sign in. that way your accounts won't be tied to it
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA App

Your friend - with all due respect if he's having that much trouble with something this simple I really don't think he should be screwing around with root access in the first place. If he has that little understanding of administrator-level access, why on earth does he even want root? He won't even know what to do with it.
Not trying to be harsh, just trying to understand.
Flash Nandroid - NO, don't do it! I'm sure it can be done, but not in the way you described.
Titanium Backup - system apps reside in /system/app as opposed to /data/app. The only real difference is that system apps will still be there after you do a factory reset.

If your going to let your friend flash a nandroid, then you need to remove your gmail and social applications. If you wipe data as mentioned above you'll lose all non-system apps...basically everything you've installed and set up, which is most likely what you're trying to give him. The only way I can think to make this work is to first create a backup for your use, then remove everything that requires you to log in with adb, then replace all of the apps you removed (extract the rom your running and look in system/app for them - data/app apps can be installed from the market). Reboot the phone to verify that all of your accounts are gone, create the new backup and send it to him. Then flash the backup you made for your use.
The easiest way to give him "your set up" would probably be to make a full backup with titanium (not an update.zip). Backup all user apps and system data. Go into the titanium folder on your sd card and delete all files except the .apk files that have anything to do with gmail or social apps. Have him flash the same rom, copy your titanium file to his sd card, and restore all apps and system data to his phone.
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA App

[Q] Phone.apk lost, trying to reinstall [SOLVED!!]

Okay, this is the 2nd time this has happened.....my phone.apk has disappeared from my phone, EC09.
Last time I just blew everything up and started over. This time I refuse to do that. I'm using Dialer One, so at the moment, things are not urgent. But I do want my touchwiz dialer back.
I've backed up the app with Titanium Backup on a previous nandroid backup, and it will not restore the phone app on my current ROM. I've also tried using ADB and the install command, and I get a "install parse failed no certificates" error message.
Anyone have a way to solve this problem for me?
UPDATE: I found a valid backup from TiBu that worked for me and another user. Download this zip, unzip the files into your Titanium Backup folder on your SD card. Scroll through the apps/backups in TiBu until you find [Voicemail] Dialer 2.2.2, restore app+data. Should be good to go!
Download Dialer Tab Titanium Backup files

This seems to be a common thing happening on this phone. This also happened to me when i was running complete stock no root a while back and I had to do a hard reset to get it back. I don't know what the apks issue is but its happening to a lot of people and so far the only way to get it back that I know of is to do a hard reset.

I also lost dialer on EC09 awhile back, gave up trying to fix. Just have also just been using Dialer 1. Odd thing with it though is I had to dial 911 and it wouldn't let me, every time inputted numbers it would bring up my contacts and wouldn't let me dial it.
Sent from my SCH-I400 using Tapatalk 2

Well I guess it's mildly comforting to know I'm not alone with this problem. I know there must be a way to get the dialer back without a hard reset. I just got tired/overwhelmed of researching exactly how Android handles apk's and how ADB works.
I have the apk. I just haven't been able to get it on my phone properly.

Well, the problem has been solved.
Apparently the backup I made of the phone app through Titanium Backup was corrupt. I had an entire backup of my SD card on my hard drive and I tried restoring the phone app from that. Titanium Backup restored it fine.
I couldn't understand why TiBu would be unable to restore an app IT backed up! Apparently it wasn't unable to!
If anyone wants the three files created by the backup, I can zip them up and post them.

spearoid said:
Well, the problem has been solved.
Apparently the backup I made of the phone app through Titanium Backup was corrupt. I had an entire backup of my SD card on my hard drive and I tried restoring the phone app from that. Titanium Backup restored it fine.
I couldn't understand why TiBu would be unable to restore an app IT backed up! Apparently it wasn't unable to!
If anyone wants the three files created by the backup, I can zip them up and post them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If not to much trouble I would like a copy of them, as my Tibu won't restore either and tried another method offered here somewhere without success and just gave up.
Sent from my SCH-I400 using Tapatalk 2

KJW979 said:
If not to much trouble I would like a copy of them, as my Tibu won't restore either and tried another method offered here somewhere without success and just gave up.
Sent from my SCH-I400 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm pretty sure I should post this link elsewhere, but here you go!
Phone 2.2.2 backup up with TiBu

Nevermind I see it's resolved.

Okay since this is zip I believe it just gets installed through recovery, am I right. So when I try it just hangs at installing, had to pull battery to restart phone.
Sent from my SCH-I400 using Tapatalk 2

I'm sorry for not explaining things with the link. That is the three files that Titanium Backup creates when backing up an app. I zipped them into one file. Unzip them into your Titanium Backup folder on your SD card, and restore the phone app through Titanium Backup.

Well I give up, just going to stick with Dialer 1. Took zip, extracted and moved to Tibu backup folder, went into Tibu, didn't show up in apps list went to batch and reinstalled from batch mode and still nada. Tibu shows as installed but not there. Under application settings it shows 0.00 for file size, that can't be right, so guessing did not install.
Sent from my SCH-I400 using Tapatalk 2

fix!
No need for any flashing!!!
Just go into a file explorer (like root explorer) and go into system/app/ and look for the app the has disappeared and hold it down, a menu will pop up and go down to permissions.
there will be 3 columns. The first one should have all 3 boxes checked, the second column should only have the top box checked, and the last column should have all boxes UNCHECKED.
After you do that press ok and there should be a pop up saying that permissions were changed!
And that's it! Your app should be back! If not, try installing it after u change the permissions by pressing down on the app until u get a pop up and press open with, then pick apk handler, then just install, and it should work!
I'm new to the forums, so I hope this is helpful!

killjoy1179 said:
No need for any flashing!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No one has suggested or recommended flashing in this thread, to my knowledge.
Killyjoy's suggestion may very well work, but the file you downloaded from me might not have been the right one.
I have two trios of files that came from Titanium Backup when I was trying to restore the phone app. One trio has the word "phone" in it...and that's what you downloaded from me the first time, the other trio has the word "dialer" in it, and that is here
My initial instructions should still apply. Unzip these three files into your Titanium Backup folder of your SD card. Look in TiBu for "[Voicemail] Dialer"
You should see that there is a backup from 4/06/12. If the app shows as installed on your phone, I'd uninstall it (MAKE SURE you see that TiBu recognizes a backup exists first) and then restore the app+data from the backup.
That's how I got back up and running......if you want to give the TiBu method one more go.

spearoid said:
No one has suggested or recommended flashing in this thread, to my knowledge.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, I just browsed thru the comments real quick and thought I saw the word flashing in there lol. But this way definitely works, I lost my phone apk. 2 times after installing tb101 mod and I got it back both times.
I figured I'd post some screencaps so you guys could maybe understand what I was saying a little bit better.
Hope they help!

killjoy1179 said:
No need for any flashing!!!
Just go into a file explorer (like root explorer) and go into system/app/ and look for the app the has disappeared and hold it down, a menu will pop up and go down to permissions.
there will be 3 columns. The first one should have all 3 boxes checked, the second column should only have the top box checked, and the last column should have all boxes UNCHECKED.
After you do that press ok and there should be a pop up saying that permissions were changed!
And that's it! Your app should be back! If not, try installing it after u change the permissions by pressing down on the app until u get a pop up and press open with, then pick apk handler, then just install, and it should work!
I'm new to the forums, so I hope this is helpful!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Checked permissions they were right, used apk installer but get message saying not installed.
Sent from my SCH-I400 using Tapatalk 2

spearoid said:
No one has suggested or recommended flashing in this thread, to my knowledge.
Killyjoy's suggestion may very well work, but the file you downloaded from me might not have been the right one.
I have two trios of files that came from Titanium Backup when I was trying to restore the phone app. One trio has the word "phone" in it...and that's what you downloaded from me the first time, the other trio has the word "dialer" in it, and that is here
My initial instructions should still apply. Unzip these three files into your Titanium Backup folder of your SD card. Look in TiBu for "[Voicemail] Dialer"
You should see that there is a backup from 4/06/12. If the app shows as installed on your phone, I'd uninstall it (MAKE SURE you see that TiBu recognizes a backup exists first) and then restore the app+data from the backup.
That's how I got back up and running......if you want to give the TiBu method one more go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This one worked, stock phone finally back, thanks for zips and help.
Sent from my SCH-I400 using Tapatalk 2

Excellent! I'll update the OP

Weird...I've tried the whole process using root explorer and its not working for me either...I know it can be done, so I'm going to keep working on it.

killjoy1179 said:
Weird...I've tried the whole process using root explorer and its not working for me either...I know it can be done, so I'm going to keep working on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If using Tibu to reinstall back up, I had to verify back up was there then uninstall in TiBu and then reinstall.
Sent from my SCH-I400 using Tapatalk 2

Ok so I think I've got it figured out.
You delete the app that's missing out of the system
/app folder.
Copy and paste the new app into the system/app folder.
And then check the permissions and then reboot and it should be there.
Note: the app that your replacing needs to be from the Same ROM. So just download the rom your using and extract the app and go from there.
So next time your app goes missing, try this method and let me know if it works.

[Q] titanium backup

No matter what I do after flashing a ROM, I can't get TiBu to restore any app/data. After flashing the new ROM, I download TiBu from App Store and then hit menu then batch, go down to restore missing apps/missing apps+data but it shows NO apps or data as in zilch, nothing nada as if I have no apps backed up.
I know I have been using TiBu to back up my apps on a daily basis-blah blah blah. What gives?
I have tried to restore from a nandroid I made right before flashing the new ROM but it just hangs on analyzing data from backup???

Could it be folder issue? Open "menu" in TiBu, "preferences", scroll to "backup folder location", select "detect" and choose "whole device" and see what it comes back with.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

mrrsquared1979 said:
No matter what I do after flashing a ROM, I can't get TiBu to restore any app/data. After flashing the new ROM, I download TiBu from App Store and then hit menu then batch, go down to restore missing apps/missing apps+data but it shows NO apps or data as in zilch, nothing nada as if I have no apps backed up.
I know I have been using TiBu to back up my apps on a daily basis-blah blah blah. What gives?
I have tried to restore from a nandroid I made right before flashing the new ROM but it just hangs on analyzing data from backup???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope you were having TB back up to your external sdcard, if you weren't then when you factory reset you lose your backup. By default TB backs up to the internal sdcard and you have to set external in the preferences section.

Nope its definitely storing on the SD card, I know exactly where the folder and all the files are at. I can see the latest backup files in there.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

Use preference to search for backup folder location (as mentioned) select the folder where your files actually are (ExternaSD).
Then go into batch and Run Verify all your backups. That should get them to show up correctly

leaderbuilder said:
Use preference to search for backup folder location (as mentioned) select the folder where your files actually are (ExternaSD).
Then go into batch and Run Verify all your backups. That should get them to show up correctly
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It shows 0 for number of backups to verify. TiBu seems to not be very user friendly, especially for a noob. Very frustrating to say the least, I hate having to log in to every single application all over again, then rearrange my icons and desktop/screen.
It isn't as if I went from one ROM to a completely different ROM, I went from TriForce 5.0 to 5.2.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

mrrsquared1979 said:
It shows 0 for number of backups to verify. TiBu seems to not be very user friendly, especially for a noob. Very frustrating to say the least, I hate having to log in to every single application all over again, then rearrange my icons and desktop/screen.
It isn't as if I went from one ROM to a completely different ROM, I went from TriForce 5.0 to 5.2.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Open Titanium to search the entire phone for the backup directory.
If that doesnt find the directory specify it.
By default it looks at internal sd. You need it to look at the ExternalSd.
go into Titanium Backup
click your menu button
select preferences
scroll to Backup Location folder
click your back button on the phone and stop at the /storage folder
there you will see "extSdCard" and "sdcard0" under it.
select ExtSdCard
Then choose 'Use Current folder' IF it shows you backups in there.
It appears you are NOT finding the right folder.
[Now it is possible you backed up to the internal or some other folder I don't know but that should get you started.]
and HOPEFULLY you'll find your Titanium backup folder.

leaderbuilder said:
Open Titanium to search the entire phone for the backup directory.
If that doesnt find the directory specify it.
By default it looks at internal sd. You need it to look at the ExternalSd.
go into Titanium Backup
click your menu button
select preferences
scroll to Backup Location folder
click your back button on the phone and stop at the /storage folder
there you will see "extSdCard" and "sdcard0" under it.
select ExtSdCard
Then choose 'Use Current folder' IF it shows you backups in there.
It appears you are NOT finding the right folder.
[Now it is possible you backed up to the internal or some other folder I don't know but that should get you started.]
and HOPEFULLY you'll find your Titanium backup folder.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes it has found the folder on my extSDCard, it has some 432 backups in there(i believe individual files not backups) it for some reason doesn't restore my apps or data.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

storage location is:
/storage/extSDCard/TWRP/TBackups
showing 432 backups.

mrrsquared1979 said:
Yes it has found the folder on my extSDCard, it has some 432 backups in there(i believe individual files not backups) it for some reason doesn't restore my apps or data.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try this Uninstall Titanium (and the Pro license) via apps manager.
Reboot to recovery and delete dalvik and cache then reboot.
Go into playstore and re-install TI and the Pro key then reboot the phone.
Then open TIb and you should be prompted for SU permissions; grant them. Then go to preferences>backup folder location and have it search the whole phone again. then when/if it finds the folder select it.
Then see how that goes - try and 'reverify all backups'. If it finds them you should be good to go.
There is also the 'Problems' button when you open the app which has some suggestions too.

leaderbuilder said:
Try this Uninstall Titanium (and the Pro license) via apps manager.
Reboot to recovery and delete dalvik and cache then reboot.
Go into playstore and re-install TI and the Pro key then reboot the phone.
Then open TIb and you should be prompted for SU permissions; grant them. Then go to preferences>backup folder location and have it search the whole phone again. then when/if it finds the folder select it.
Then see how that goes - try and 'reverify all backups'. If it finds them you should be good to go.
There is also the 'Problems' button when you open the app which has some suggestions too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, standby, I'll do that right now. TIA

Oh and go to the Backup and restore tab, then 'search' and make sure you check on 'clear filters'!!
That will cause nothing to show up!
I've done that!

leaderbuilder said:
Oh and go to the Backup and restore tab, then 'search' and make sure you check on 'clear filters'!!
That will cause nothing to show up!
I've done that!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've just done all that, I have a screen shot but have never uploaded a screenshot to the forum so I don't know how to do that. I know that may get us a little off topic for a bit but at least I could show you exactly what I'm encountering on my end.

leaderbuilder said:
Oh and go to the Backup and restore tab, then 'search' and make sure you check on 'clear filters'!!
That will cause nothing to show up!
I've done that!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Click on "click to edit filters" then clear.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

leaderbuilder said:
Click on "click to edit filters" then clear.
Sent from my SPH-L720 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's exactly what mine looked like before and after I clicked on "click to edit filters" and then hit "clear" up at the top...essentially I didn't have any filters from the get go.

First on the filters make sure your's is checked like my pick above. If you've haven't selected anything nothing will show.
then if it doesn't work...
another crazy thing to try.
Create another Titanium folder using file explorer (myfiles or whatever) - Maybe named 'Titanium2' or something on the ExternalSD.
Open TiB >preferences>Select backup folder location.
Then navigate to the new folder (empty one you just created) and then 'Use Current folder'.
Then create a full backup (in batch>backup all user data and apps..).
After that is done go back to preferences>backup folder location and have the app search entire device.
Then see if your 'Real' backup folder location shows up. select it. Then see if you can restore.

leaderbuilder said:
First on the filters make sure your's is checked like my pick above. If you've haven't selected anything nothing will show.
then if it doesn't work...
another crazy thing to try.
Create another Titanium folder using file explorer (myfiles or whatever) - Maybe named 'Titanium2' or something on the ExternalSD.
Open TiB >preferences>Select backup folder location.
Then navigate to the new folder (empty one you just created) and then 'Use Current folder'.
Then create a full backup (in batch>backup all user data and apps..).
After that is done go back to preferences>backup folder location and have the app search entire device.
Then see if your 'Real' backup folder location shows up. select it. Then see if you can restore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes all of the filters are exactly as yours before and after clearing all the filters. I would post a screenshot but don't know how to do that. I even went one step further and downloaded the xda app instead of using the tapatalk app, that way I could hopefully mimic you more easily if possible.

Cool.
I have to sign off, got an east cost conf. call I have to be up for in a couple hours.
Please post screen caps of what your stuff looks like and I'll jump back in as soon as I can in the morning.

mrrsquared1979 said:
storage location is:
/storage/extSDCard/TWRP/TBackups
showing 432 backups.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DING DING DING!!!! There is your problem! You never made a backup with Titanium Backup. The folder you are point to is the TWRP recovery nandroid backup file not the TB backup file. Your backups should be in this folder: /storage/extsdcard/titaniumbackup.
Now the pro TB version has the ability to extract backups from a nandroid backup. Load TB, select menu, scroll down to special backup/restore, and look for extract from nandroid. Good luck.

cruise350 said:
DING DING DING!!!! There is your problem! You never made a backup with Titanium Backup. The folder you are point to is the TWRP recovery nandroid backup file not the TB backup file. Your backups should be in this folder: /storage/extsdcard/titaniumbackup.
Now the pro TB version has the ability to extract backups from a nandroid backup. Load TB, select menu, scroll down to special backup/restore, and look for extract from nandroid. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks cruise350! I didn't see the twrp!!
That'll be the problem.
All the other things I suggest are solutions that have worked for me over the past few years when you actually do have the problem of TiB backups not showing - the filters things is the biggest, happened all the time with my E4GT and S3.
Hopefully he'll get it sorted out.

trouble with data transfer between users using TB

On my Nexus 7 (5.1.1) I'm trying to transfer data from one user profile to another using Titanium Backup. SU is set to allow multiple users. So, TB has root access on each user. I've also made sure that the sd card writing bug was taken care of. (I tried Helium, but the app said that helium was only available for use by the main user, and the profiles I'm trying to work with are not my main user).
When I backup an app, the TB backup folder only containts the .properties text file. I do not see the tar.gz or apk.gz file. (Also don't see the Tibkp file). In TB, when I "backup" an app, the backup runs like normal and the app shows that I have a backup. But if I close and restart TB, for the same app, there is no backup available.
Anyway, dunno if this is the right place to ask. But I 'm a bit stuck.