Database Users

[Q] Alternate Data Restore

Can someone please suggest a alternate way to restore data besides Titanium, MyBackup Pro & CWM? Was having problems after flashing Froyo but have narrowed it down. If I flash Froyo update, then ROM. Everything is fine but after I restore apps and data using any of the mentioned apps I start getting FC's. I'm not restoring any of the phone's settings just my apps and data.

I would guess that the problem isn't the restore *method*.. and more to do with what you're restoring. What I do in Titanium is, categorize my Data apps.
First I restore my SMS database and call logs. Those are (in my case, at least) the only 2 databases that *aren't* stored on the cloud.
I restore games (with their respective data) last.
But I think that would be a place to start to figure out what's giving you the FCs.

Good advice your restoring data from two different roms. You can get away with it with certain games but if restore 1 at a time so you know what one is conflicting. Pita but thats your only choice.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk

I think it would be nice if a good tutorial is written. From what I've read, people who switch ROMs a lot, or even b/t different versions of ROMs run into problems when they restore data.

decalex said:
I would guess that the problem isn't the restore *method*.. and more to do with what you're restoring. What I do in Titanium is, categorize my Data apps.
First I restore my SMS database and call logs. Those are (in my case, at least) the only 2 databases that *aren't* stored on the cloud.
I restore games (with their respective data) last.
But I think that would be a place to start to figure out what's giving you the FCs.
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Click to collapse
This is crazy! POS Epic! Never had or have this problem with my Evo and I was a flash-a-holic till I found Myn. So quick question about Titanium that I never fully understood. Which entry is my SMS database? [SMS/MMS/APN] Dialer Storage 2.2.1 or [SMS/MMS PREFS] Messaging 2.2.1 and which one is my call logs [CONTACT/CALLS] Contacts Storage 2.2.1 or something else? With my Evo I just restore all of them with no problems but my Epic always seems to go screwy afterwards.
Edit
Nevermind. Just stumbled on to Titanium Backup's Wiki.

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.
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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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Click to collapse
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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Click to collapse
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
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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] What do i have to backup before changing rom?

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

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

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

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

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

Yes i wonder too.

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

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

Different Backup Methods

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How do you restore apps between ROM flashes?

Sorry, if this seems like a newbie question. Maybe it is, though I don't feel like a newbie.
How do you restore apps+data between flashes? I have tried titanium backup, creating update.zip or just batch restoring, I tried myBackup and Superbackup. But I can't find a backup that will consistently restore apps and data for a painless flashing experience. I always have to re-enter account data for dropbox, evernote, whatsapp, etc. etc. etc.
What do you do?

Buy Titanium Backup

vishnu vijay said:
Buy Titanium Backup
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did, I have.
But it doesn't help. For many apps, configuration is lost on restore. Or am I doing something wrong?
I put dropbox & evernote on a zip, flashed them, but configuration was lost. I restored them within Titanium,
and it was still lost.

Make sure you tick app + data when you restore apps.
personally i have used only few apps like whatsapp , here maps and google keep
and all my data was restored.
You do have type your google accounts information by yourself.
for more info
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1323863

I backup apps via TB .
But on a rom flash i wipe rom flash rom test .
Then restore Data only from Nandroid backup .Works except when moving from JB to KK or similar major upgrade .All settings and layouts restored on stock based roms .