Database Users

General Q regarding Titanium use.

Backing up and restoring on very similar ROMs seems to include three parts: 1. System data, 2. Applications, and 3. App data.
Let's bring up an example going from stock 2.1 ROM to one of Eugene's Vibrant* or Hybrid ROMs or even one of the Bionix(?) ROMs. What is the consensus of moving stuff over to the new ROM? Restore all three parts; only Applications and App data; or only Applications?
I'm sort of confused as to what to bring over to the new ROM. Thanks.

I think this is what I do in the same order as given below
- Install ROM manager and take a nandroid backup (for system) of the stock ROM
- Install Titanium backup(TB) and take backup of user data, user apps and some system data (like wifi settings)
- Take a backup of the internal SD card to computer (optional)
- Flash the new ROM via clockwork recovery
- Install TB from market and restore all user apps/data from backup
You should be good to go. I assume that the custom ROM you flash has all required system apps that you will need.

Pro Tip: Get Titanium Backup Donate version.. otherwise you're going to have a terrible time restoring apps with the non-donated version.

rakeshchn said:
I think this is what I do in the same order as given below
You should be good to go. I assume that the custom ROM you flash has all required system apps that you will need.
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Right. I don't even think it's even possible to backup system apps, that's why I mentioned only system app data. So, even system data usually or always restores well to new ROMs?
zephiK said:
Pro Tip: Get Titanium Backup Donate version.. otherwise you're going to have a terrible time restoring apps with the non-donated version.
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Click to collapse
Why is that?

zephiK said:
Pro Tip: Get Titanium Backup Donate version.. otherwise you're going to have a terrible time restoring apps with the non-donated version.
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Click to collapse
how come? I thought it would be better.

Because the full version lets you restore/backup in a batch, so you don't have to *click* *click* *click* a hundred times.

I dont think its right that free version of TB wont allow batch restore. Only thing that will be missed from donate version is fast restore using hypershell. I have not personally used the app, so this is based on what I have read.

RadAway said:
Because the full version lets you restore/backup in a batch, so you don't have to *click* *click* *click* a hundred times.
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Click to collapse
The free version lets you batch backup. Are you sure it doesn't let you batch restore?
I don't always complain, but when I do, I #BlameWes

vinnydakid said:
The free version lets you batch backup. Are you sure it doesn't let you batch restore?
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Click to collapse
Nope. Just back up. No batch restore. I think there's some other advanced functions that the free one won't do as well, but it's been a LONG time since I used the free one.
A small caveat regarding Titanium. There are a small handful of apps that don't behave after being restored - one that comes to mind right away is Google Voice. If you find an app FCs after being restored, just uninstall and re-download from the Market.

I am sure it doesn't, I bought the donate version and only then was I able to batch restore. Also the restores then were able to restore some programs I couldn't restore before.

Alright, then I guess I'll be donating tonight!
I don't always complain, but when I do, I #BlameWes

Restoring apps/data from backups

I noticed that when I do a restore of apps/data using either titanium or mybackup that it'll prompt me if I want to install each app instead of just restoring all apps/data non-interactively. Is there some option I'm not aware of, I think only once it just restored everything without asking me anything.

SysAdmNj said:
I noticed that when I do a restore of apps/data using either titanium or mybackup that it'll prompt me if I want to install each app instead of just restoring all apps/data non-interactively. Is there some option I'm not aware of, I think only once it just restored everything without asking me anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Titanium has a batch option
Click menu button and you can't miss it
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA App

what version of MB you using? I use it all the time after flashing and am never asked to install each app

I tried that batch process on titanium. Now on mb it didnt ask me yesterday.
My only guess is that when you start mb it gives you a popup about enabling root mode which I think I didnt do the first time. Maybe that was it.

SysAdmNj said:
I tried that batch process on titanium. Now on mb it didnt ask me yesterday.
My only guess is that when you start mb it gives you a popup about enabling root mode which I think I didnt do the first time. Maybe that was it.
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Click to collapse
Yep that was more then likely the problem in MB. I know way back when when I used MB I had to manually do then like you mentioned above, but since the newer versions with that mode I haven't had to do it that way anymore

Nandroid backup with Tenfars CWM

Ok so I understand the general idea of CWM and love that I can do updates (rom and OS) and backup my entire system with it. I do not however understand a few things. If I for example backup my entire system while I am on 1.57 and then flash back to 1.26 or upgrade to 1.83, will I be able to restore my backup? Or will it restore my backup and throw me back to 1.57?
I really like wiping the entire sd card and starting from scratch ever so often with a clean install. I had many problems on the iPhone when doing fresh installs then restoring settings. It seemed that along with the settings would come anything bad or not functioning correctly. I am just worried that if I keep updating and flashing and loading different roms all the time, that my main partition will start to get loaded with unwanted junk and my filesystem will become "unclean".
What I would like to do, and I don't know if its possible, is to do a nandroid backup right now on 1.57, update to 1.83 and wipe everything so I have a clean install of 1.83, then restore my nandroid backup of all my exact settings and apps as if nothing ever happened. I am thinking that its not possible and the only way to do what I want is to flash to 1.27, wipe everything, update to 1.57, update to 1.83, then manually install every app again and set all my settings. <------Long, tedious, and stupid.
I also do not want to use TB because of some complaints I have recently been reading.
Sent from my Atrix using XDA App

I don't think this will do what you want. I have never had to use one of my nandroid backups, but my understanding is that they don't just back up settings they back up the entire install. So if you do a nandroid on 1.5.7 then update, then recover using your nandroid backup you will literally be back on 1.5.7 where you started.

what complaints have you heard about TB? I swear by that app, and it has never caused me problems and is one hell of a lot simpler a process than what you're suggesting. also I don't think that's how nandroid backup works. it makes an image so if u restore, you will go right back to the firmware you had when you backed up.
TB will save both your apps and your user settings. try it before you write it off.

plasticglock said:
I don't think this will do what you want. I have never had to use one of my nandroid backups, but my understanding is that they don't just back up settings they back up the entire install. So if you do a nandroid on 1.5.7 then update, then recover using your nandroid backup you will literally be back on 1.5.7 where you started.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I thought.
Sent from my Atrix using XDA App

I can vouch for TB being awesome. If all your concerned about is User apps, TB will back up all of that PLUS the settings for each app. You also get the choice to save the backup on your sd card, ext sd card, OR DropBox (recommend using it on WiFi). I currently have backups on all 3 hahaha

dLo GSR said:
what complaints have you heard about TB? I swear by that app, and it has never caused me problems and is one hell of a lot simpler a process than what you're suggesting. also I don't think that's how nandroid backup works. it makes an image so if u restore, you will go right back to the firmware you had when you backed up.
TB will save both your apps and your user settings. try it before you write it off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately I don't remember where I read the info but on one of these forums there was a whole thread where people were complaining of force closes on apps that were backed up and restored using titanium backup.
Sent from my Atrix using XDA App

seh6183 said:
Unfortunately I don't remember where I read the info but on one of these forums there was a whole thread where people were complaining of force closes on apps that were backed up and restored using titanium backup.
Sent from my Atrix using XDA App
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interesting. well i don't know if that would be really TB related because TB doesn't modify the program files in any way. maybe it has to do with freezing certain processes to get rid of bloatware.
for what it's worth, i've done full batch backups and restores onto fresh SBF flashes, and i haven't ever run into any problems.

dLo GSR said:
interesting. well i don't know if that would be really TB related because TB doesn't modify the program files in any way. maybe it has to do with freezing certain processes to get rid of bloatware.
for what it's worth, i've done full batch backups and restores onto fresh SBF flashes, and i haven't ever run into any problems.
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Ever?
If I do a full backup with TB what EXACTLY will it restore after I flash the stock sbf? All apps and settings for the apps? Will it save my game progress or system settings for the phone?
I was told that the market should restore all downloaded apps when you log into the phone for the first time. I've also been told that blur saves the system settings and restores them. I haven't found either of these to be for me.
Sent from my Atrix using XDA App

seh6183 said:
Unfortunately I don't remember where I read the info but on one of these forums there was a whole thread where people were complaining of force closes on apps that were backed up and restored using titanium backup.
Sent from my Atrix using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is because people are doing what you've proposed. TB backs up programs and settings. But if you do a drastic change and then try to restore programs with settings for the old framework, it can cause really unexpected challenges which result in the Force Close error messages.
CWM takes a snapshot of EVERYTHING so you definitely wouldn't want to do a backup and try applying it to a different SBF flash. It wouldn't even boot most likely.
When backing things up in TB I just back up the app and NOT the settings. I'm also sure that when I do a batch restore of apps (and NOT their settings) that I don't introduce apps which aren't compatible with the new ROM I'm running.
We don't really have many options for the Atrix at the moment, so not lots of people should be encountering challenges like this. Both programs do exactly what they should. People just don't understand them. Hopefully this helps to clarify things because it can be a big frustration when you think you've backed things up but are really left either stranded without a backup, or you've applied a backup which completely obliterated your phone lol

bongd said:
This is because people are doing what you've proposed. TB backs up programs and settings. But if you do a drastic change and then try to restore programs with settings for the old framework, it can cause really unexpected challenges which result in the Force Close error messages.
CWM takes a snapshot of EVERYTHING so you definitely wouldn't want to do a backup and try applying it to a different SBF flash. It wouldn't even boot most likely.
When backing things up in TB I just back up the app and NOT the settings. I'm also sure that when I do a batch restore of apps (and NOT their settings) that I don't introduce apps which aren't compatible with the new ROM I'm running.
We don't really have many options for the Atrix at the moment, so not lots of people should be encountering challenges like this. Both programs do exactly what they should. People just don't understand them. Hopefully this helps to clarify things because it can be a big frustration when you think you've backed things up but are really left either stranded without a backup, or you've applied a backup which completely obliterated your phone lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I love that last sentence and want it in my sig LOL
what's your explanation for just backing up the apps and not the settings?
Sent from my Atrix using XDA App

Just a word of caution: Be extra careful where you store your backups. With how the atrix names phone sdcard and actual sdcard-ext is confusing to apps not updated recognize this. I've lost everything twice now because full backups go missing. Use the cloud or another computer to store them to be safe.
Has anyone restored a nandroid backup...with what results...does that just do the firmware, or do you get apps/data too? I still would like something similar to spb backup for WM...it took EVERYTHING into 1 self extracting, self installing file...I never lost anything with my years on WM and spb backup.
-sent from Atrix-

seh6183 said:
Ever?
If I do a full backup with TB what EXACTLY will it restore after I flash the stock sbf? All apps and settings for the apps? Will it save my game progress or system settings for the phone?
I was told that the market should restore all downloaded apps when you log into the phone for the first time. I've also been told that blur saves the system settings and restores them. I haven't found either of these to be for me.
Sent from my Atrix using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, i haven't ever. which i should have just said "have never" had any problems.
have you used TiBu before? you have options. you can batch restore app only, app + data, or data only, and when you do each you can select which apps to exclude/include. so if you want your savegames, your settings, etc, then you can restore the app data.
you can also batch backup/restore system settings separately, which I do not recommend if you are going to a new firmware as it may mess up settings since they will be from different versions.
if you do a whole batch restore of EVERYTHING without paying attention to what might be incompatible in a few firmware, of course you will run into problems. but a nandroid backup will not solve that either because you will just be re-imaging your phone with exactly what you started with in the first place.

dLo GSR said:
a nandroid backup will not solve that either because you will just be re-imaging your phone with exactly what you started with in the first place.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is that just an image of the firmware and nothing else...or do your settings and apps installed to internal phone memory get backed up along with it.

full backup
JVogler said:
Is that just an image of the firmware and nothing else...or do your settings and apps installed to internal phone memory get backed up along with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I THINK I am understanding that Nandroid will take a picture of the phone - apps and ROM - and backup and restore the entire phone - which is EXACTLY what i am looking for.
If I am correct i assume there are directions somewhere here on how and where to do a full backup and also how to restore just in case.....
thanks for any info

[Q] hand holding needed for changing ROMs

I have not changed ROMs before. IMHO the procedure is simple enough. I am not worried about that step at all. The question is, What am I left with afterward.
What data, apps, etc. do I loose? Do I need to recover them from a back up? If so, what parts do I need to recover?
Also, from what I have read, if the ROMs are closely related, all the data and apps are preserved.
Can some one explain/comment on this?
I know this is a very nubbie question. I'm trying to minimize time consuming mistakes.

U should always wipe data with changing roms or u might end up with lots of fcs. While all the roms are similar and contain the same basic apps, some roms are gonna have different and new apps than others. I recomend backing up the apps that u have on ur current rom with TB and once u install a different rom, all u have to do is download TB from the market and install the apps u once backed up
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

So all the apps I downloaded from market will then need to be reinstalled.
Do I loose the phone logs, all texts, contacts (but linked to gmail)?
I am unclear what "data" is stored where. What counts are "data" in the backups. Is application data backed up with "data", or included w/ the "apps" backup?
I am backed up with TB. (both data and apps).
I have also backed w/ CWM.
I assume/hope my identity (phone#, etc.) is tied to something like a MAC address that will not be wiped.

your identity is not wiped, are you using a sprint phone?

You should backup 2 ways at least, a nandroid with CWM and maybe Titanium Backup. Then follow the instructions of the ROM you are installing. Most no longer require wipes. After you flash the ROM if something did not restore properly just shut down, boot into CWM. Go to backup and restore, go to advanced restore data from your last backup. All should be restored.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

I am on Sprint.
I am a bit confused on the CWM recovery, never having actually used it to restore anything. When i go to the restore utility in CWM, I see each of the backups listed. Not sure if I get the option of what to restore.
I may or may not want to restore the old ROM depending on the outcome of the new ROM flash.

But since u gonna issues TB all u have to do is jst download it from the market and the reinstall the apps u want back. U see, instead of searching for them on the market, u can jst install them from TB. And u won't losse contacts or emails if u sync them with gmail
labumm said:
So all the apps I downloaded from market will then need to be reinstalled.
Do I loose the phone logs, all texts, contacts (but linked to gmail)?
I am unclear what "data" is stored where. What counts are "data" in the backups. Is application data backed up with "data", or included w/ the "apps" backup?
I am backed up with TB. (both data and apps).
I have also backed w/ CWM.
I assume/hope my identity (phone#, etc.) is tied to something like a MAC address that will not be wiped.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My phone is Captivating, Fascinating, Epic and also LEGENDARY!!

If you are changing ROMs on the same version of firmware, like Gingerbread to Gingerbread, you can backup right before flashing (and you should), then when you flash the new ROM it may or may not preserve your data which is apps, contacts, call logs...IF it fails to restore properly you can do a factory data reset in CWM which will clean any bad restore, then do an ADVANCED RESTORE DATA and pick the newest one. They are date coded. It will ask you to confirm before doing it. This will only restore 3rd party apps and data like call logs, wifi links, email accounts and stuff like that.

The deed is done. The SMS messages do not restore. I tried to pick and choose apps to restore. Then restored all data.
The phone is functional, however. That was my main concern.
Thanks to all who read and responded.
now CleanGB 18

Duh.
Needed to reboot for all restored settings to appear.

To refresh, from what version did you move into? WHat do you have now?

labumm said:
Duh.
Needed to reboot for all restored settings to appear.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ha, was just about to tell you that. Glad you are up and running.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

I am a tiny bit concerned that I have just restored a bunch of un-needed crap onto my phone, from the TB backup.
Anyone know what the colors and icons of the files in TB signify?
I was looking for help in the tiki, but I don't see a concise explanation.
http://matrixrewriter.com/wiki/tiki-index.php
I presume I would not accidently reinstall carrier IQ and other un-fixes unintentionally with TB by restoring apps and data.

Different Backup Methods

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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