Back up your data before moving to a new rom
This guide is for rooted phones, and all work on my galaxy s2 but should work with most phones.
So you have decided to go for a new rom, but are worried about loosing all your apps, game saves, data, contacts, sms etc.. Well here is my little guide to restoring most of it. (Why only most, well moving to a new rom means that some apps and data are not compatible). We are going to break it down into apps to use and then the process.
Install App Extractor after you have flashed your new rom
Just a note all software that uses access the root of your phone can come with problems, although i have not experienced them my self it can still happen.
Apps
1. Rom Manager
Must have app for any root user. Make backups, flash ROMs, and own your device.
ROM Manager is THE MUST HAVE APP for any Android root user. (Over 3 million downloads and counting!)
(You can back up your rom through recover boot)
2. Titanium Backup root
Titanium Backup is the most powerful backup tool on Android, and then some.
You can backup, restore, freeze (with Pro) your apps + data + Market links. This includes all protected apps & system apps, plus external data on your SD card. You can do 0-click batch & scheduled backups. Backups will operate without closing any apps (with Pro). You can move any app (or app data) to/from the SD card. You can browse any app's data and even query the Market to see detailed information about the app.
3. App Extractor
AppExtractor is a tool which will allow you to restore individual applications, data, SMS, and MMS messages from your ROM Manager backups.
AppExtractor is compatible with ClockworkMod Recovery 5 backups as well as backups created by previous versions of ClockworkMod Recovery.
The process
1. Ok the process. First you will need to backup your whole rom, so go into Rom Manager and click on backup current rom, once it have backed up your rom you phone will reboot. ( Backing up your rom means you can revert back to it if you are not happy with your new rom)
a. You can also do a full rom backup straight from recovery mode (safer), to do this boot into recovery mode (hold - power,home and volume up). Then use the volume buttons to scroll to backup and restore (press power button to select), then click backup, it should start a full back up of your rom for you (2-3 mins to back up), once it has finished click reboot system now. Done - Thanks to MistahBungle for prompting this edit
2. once you have done that go into Titanium Backup and click menu and go into Batch. Then click on Run for Backup all user apps (dont back up system data we will soft that out later), then click run batch operation.
3. You can now flash your new rom, i am not going to tell you how to that.
4. Once your new rom is up and running then it is time to receive all that data, apps, setting, contacts etc.
5. First go to the android market and download Titanium backup and App recovery again
6. now open Titanium Backup and go back into Batch scroll down to restore and click run on restore missing apps with data. ( not all the apps will download as some won't be compatible). There you go most of your apps are now restored with their original data
7. Now go to App Extractor and open that, you will see the choice to restore things like, apps, sms and mms, contacts, wifi etc. Just click which ever you want to restore and then select the correct back up (the one you made with rom manager). You can only restore 5 items a day, and yet again not all you setting and data can be restored because of the different rom types.
8. Enjoy your new rom
If anyone thinks i have missed anything ir has more they would like to add then let me know.
Backing up EFS folder
Ok so backing up your efs folder, i am not expert in this area but everyone should know that this file is very important and rooting and flashing roms could cause it to become corrupt. So the fix trying to keep it as simple as possible like the rest of the guide, you need to download Ktook by Hellcatdroid here is a little somthing from Google Play - Tool for a few functions after rooting. Kernel dump/flash, EFS backup/restore...
/!\ Requires Root /!\
/!\ Works on the >Galaxy S2< and >Galaxy Note< *ONLY* /!\
(i) the "lock pattern bug" is currently being investigated and worked on!
kTool is a small tool originally bundled with Hellcat's Root-Kernel for the Galaxy S2.
It offers a few functions usefull after rooting the device:
- Dump current kernel to /sdcard/zImage
- Flash kernel from /sdcard/zImage
- Backup the phone's EFS (sensitive storage are holding the IMEI and other vital data) as a raw .IMG dump and a .tar archive
- Restoring EFS from the raw .IMG or the .tar backup
- Format EFS (create fresh filesystem for cases where you want to restore seperate files or a .tar backup, but the filesystem is stuck/locked in read-only due to corruption)
- Reboot (normal, directely to recovery or directely to downlaod mode)
If you encounter any problems or issues, or if you have any questions or suggestions, visit the release thread on XDA
Some people don't like this app and some like myself love it, as it says above it will only work on Galaxy S2< and >Galaxy Note, but if you check out the thread it might work for other devices.
Other apps
Backdrop Root - BackDrop Root allows you to backup and restore your applications, data, SMS / MMS messages, Wifi settings, Bluetooth pairings, and more to and from from Dropbox.
Backdrop Root provides a simple and intuitive interface for managing your backups.
The free version of BackDrop Root will let you backup and restore 5 applications / data backups at a time.
Thanks - albsat
Nandroid Browser - Nandroid Browser has a really simple purpose: Extract and use single files from your nandroid backups.
* Browse your nandroid backups
* Save files anywhere
* Send files
* Open Files
Rom Toolbox - ROM Toolbox is the MUST HAVE app for any rooted user. Easily email single apps and files from your nandroid backups or send them to your dropbox or wherever...
ROM Toolbox combines all the great root apps all tied up into one monster app with a beautiful and user-friendly interface. It also adds many more unseen features!
This app requires root permission. For fast and friendly support please email us at [email protected]. We will be glad to help answer your questions and troubleshoot with you.
Some of the extra features in the pro version:
☆ Backup/restore data
☆ Batch operations enabled
☆ Remove ads
☆ Preview boot animations
☆ Customize your status bar by installing battery, 4g/3g/1x, wifi, gps, signal icons.
☆ Advanced app freezer
☆ Remove ads
☆ Unlock Root Browser features
☆ Much More....
1. Rom Manager
Must have app for any root user. Make backups, flash ROMs, and own your device.
ROM Manager is THE MUST HAVE APP for any Android root user. (Over 3 million downloads and counting!)
An app that is known to give problems on CWM rooted SGS2 .
jje
I have used rom manager for many things and never had any problems with it, maybe I am lucky but not heard anything about anyone have problems with it
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
s.d.oconnor said:
I have used rom manager for many things and never had any problems with it, maybe I am lucky but not heard anything about anyone have problems with it
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Search the forum then is all i can say multiple help posts where rom manger has been the root of problems .
jje
JJEgan said:
Search the forum then is all i can say multiple help posts where rom manger has been the root of problems .
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Surely any software that exploites the root of your phone could have problems, although i will make a chasnge to the post adding that you can back up your rom from boot and that all software that uses root access can come with problems.
Everything was going great until I got to the last step, restoring sms(the only thing I cared about) with app extractor. It turned the sreen black and then it went on again, but it didn't do anything else, the sms still were not restored =(
if you ask me titanium back up does the job for it all, and if you want to make sure you get all of your apps back, just backup the apps listed in the data folder in the root of your phone.
And when your on CWM recovery might be better of using CWM manager.
JJEgan said:
An app that is known to give problems on CWM rooted SGS2 .
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
^^
+ lots this. Rom Manager *will* cause you problems if you continue to use it/have it installed with CWM. It will either break CW or cause you bootloops.
Use one or the other.
You may get away with it for a while, but when you least expect it (maybe that time you don't do a Nandroid of your last good config when you should have), it will bite you on the arse.
Edit to add - OP, I like the idea of what you're doing. Great to see a n00b having a bash But if you've rooted your phone with CFRoot or are running a kernel with CW, you're much better off using it to do your Nandroid backup than potentially causing problems with Rom Manager, which is popular because it's *easy* (apparently, I never found anything difficult about using CW). If anyone doesn't like/is too lazy to boot directly into recovery to do backups, use the CWM app. Same diff as Rom Manager without all the dramas. Other than this, good job
Great idea. I love these kind of posts no matter what others say. Knowledge sharing makes people, a better one.
My tips, but here you don't save data and use CWM and Backdrop Root aps only:
1) Do a Nandroid back from CWM.
2) Export Contacts as a VCF file. There is a new program recently Backdrop Root that backup sms, contacts, mms, bluetooth, etc in Dropbox. Try it. There is also a nice program called SuperBackup which does a similar thing.
3) Save your Apps through a File Manager as apk and save in external sd, computer or Dropbox.
4) Forget data... Many people use Titanium but I need to buy it.
5) Install new Rom, restore sms+contacts, install apps from beginning.
Apps extractor in conjunction with Nandroidback would had been the best solution, but unfortunately I didn't get a lot of success with this app.
MistahBungle said:
^^
+ lots this. Rom Manager *will* cause you problems if you continue to use it/have it installed with CWM. It will either break CW or cause you bootloops.
Use one or the other.
You may get away with it for a while, but when you least expect it (maybe that time you don't do a Nandroid of your last good config when you should have), it will bite you on the arse.
Edit to add - OP, I like the idea of what you're doing. Great to see a n00b having a bash But if you've rooted your phone with CFRoot or are running a kernel with CW, you're much better off using it to do your Nandroid backup than potentially causing problems with Rom Manager, which is popular because it's *easy* (apparently, I never found anything difficult about using CW). If anyone doesn't like/is too lazy to boot directly into recovery to do backups, use the CWM app. Same diff as Rom Manager without all the dramas. Other than this, good job
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks i have made some changes based on your recomedation
You are restricted to 5 bits of data a day on app recovery, it could also be a compatible issue.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Step 7 says "App recovery", do you mean "App extractor"? Sorry just want to confirm.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
Yes I do,
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Wiki: Android ROM Update
Wiki: Android ROM Update
How to restore your apps, data and settings after Android ROM Update using Titanium Backup (TB).
forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/Android_ROM_Update
Cheers
Tom
Sorry but can I ask why that has been put their
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Thanks for this guide, it's great.
Kaiser Z
Happy to help
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
s.d.oconnor said:
Sorry but can I ask why that has been put their
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
s.d.oconnor said:
Could you made this a sticky as you dont have anything like it yet - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1502526
Guide on how to back up and restore your data before moving to a new rom
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You said that you don't have anything like your guide on how to back up and restore. The wiki is just that so I shared it.
Cheers
Tom
Sent from my HTC HD2 using Tapatalk
Thanks for the guide. Does it work on ics? I've heard titanium backup have some issues with it
Enviado desde mi GT-I9100 usando Tapatalk
Angel.CT said:
Thanks for the guide. Does it work on ics? I've heard titanium backup have some issues with it
Enviado desde mi GT-I9100 usando Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It should work with ICS, it's only a matter of time before the apps catch up with it and they should run a smooth as they do on GB
Related
Hi!
I was a winmo user (samsung omnia) and I flashed the damn thing regularly, I mean like every week. So I had to reinstall everything from scratch. I don't want to be caught in that loop again, so I am asking you if it is possible to backup all my programs, data and settings and then just apply them after the flash.
Thank you very much, proud Legend user!
Backup contacts : hmm, you don't really have to do this, if you save your contacts on Google account, everytime you login to Google account on your phone, Contact list will be auto appear in People, even avatar pictures.
Apps : Use Astro File Manager to backup all apps in your phone, then flash another ROM, go to market to install Astro again, then backup apps from SD card.
Settings : hmm, I'm not sure you should do this, because everyrom is different, restore settings on this ROM to another ROM may damage your android. But you can always try Titanium Backup on Market.
Thanks! I am still wondering if I should flash because froyo is knocking on our doors.
slovenec88 said:
Thanks! I am still wondering if I should flash because froyo is knocking on our doors.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah froyo is really close, right after the desire the EVO 4G got its OTA.
So I'm expecting the update within 14days I would say a week but that might be to optimistic.
source: http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/02/evo-4g-starts-getting-android-2-2-update-over-the-air/
You can def.ly try Titanium Backup to get all your Apps + data backed up. You can also try My back up pro to back up your SMS and MMS along with your call log, Alarm and other application. With my back up pro you can back up to the SD card or online....
Titanium Backup requires root. You can also use MyBackup pro. You can use been root (with more features) or not been root (only backups apps, but not settings, what is not so good)
You can also use ROM Manager (free in the Market) to backup you full ROM and configuration: it will backup everything on SD Card (except your SD card and you can quickly recover old ROMs with full confuration and apps.
So le me get this straight, with rom manager I will be able to back up the entire Rom... cause if something goes wrong and can not update a newer rom, I can always go and choose my previous rom for the recovery screen....
Caifan09 said:
So le me get this straight, with rom manager I will be able to back up the entire Rom... cause if something goes wrong and can not update a newer rom, I can always go and choose my previous rom for the recovery screen....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, and everything will be exactly as in the moment you did de ROM backup. It is like a full hard disk image in a PC.
But, consider this:
With ROM Manager, you can have as many backups as you want and you can recover any one of them. BUT, you need to be able to boot your Legend to be able to launch ROM Manager (because ROM Manager is an application)
So, if you meet problems starting up a new ROM, you will need to load any rooted working ROM to be able to start up and launch ROM Manager (need to be rooted to be able to run ROM Manager).
As far as I know, if you use a ROM with A2SD feature, apps will be stored in the EXT3 partition of the SD card, and those apps WILL NOT BE INCLUDED IN BACKUP. So, if apps stored in the EXT3 partition changed, you will need to recover those apps with Titatium Backup.
There is another way to do a full backup called NANDROID, but I do not like it so much:
power off Legend, push "Back" bottom and Power On, select BOOTLOADER, select RECOVERY, connect USB cable to your PC, run "recovery-windows.bat" from your PC (from the same directory you used to root your Legend) and you will be able to select NANDROID BACKUP.
With NADONDROID BACKUP you can do also a full ROM backup, but you can store and recover only ONE backup/last backup. In addition, you need a PC to be able to run it. So, that is not very nice.
ok i see... thanks for the info....
Hello everyone,
I'm not the type of person to ask for the answer and get the quick way out...I like to try and research, read and read more before asking for help.
Here is the problem:
Before I flashed my phone...I plugged in the usb and copied all folders and files on the SD card to a folder on my pc, just incase.
Then I followed the instruction to install a custom rom...I used Iced Glacier. I rebooted the phone and the Iced rom worked...after checking out the phone, to see what the Iced rom was all about, I realized I didnt use Ti to make a backup of all apps.
Here is the question:
Can I use the folders/files I copied to the pc, to add the apps back to the phone?
Thanks in advance for any help,
BK
Short answer is no...
If you had backup enabled with Google, your apps should auto install when you log into the market. Most of your data will be lost though...
Did you make a nandroid backup of your ROM? If you did, you could now backup your new install, restore your old system backup, use Titanium to backup everything from your old system backup, then switch back to your new install and use Titanium to restore everything...?
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
First I want to thank you for taking out the time. I truly appreciate the help.
I read and re-read what you wrote...I kinda of understand but am not sure if the correct steps to take. When you get a chance, can you please try and explain further.
Thanks so much,
BK
What he is asking is did you make a backup of your stock rom before flashing ice-glacier? If so just go back into rom manager and restore your backup. After restoring, personally i prefer my backup root, because it backs up everything texts, bookmarks ect qnd it is one click for that stuff and one click for all your apps with their data instead of clicking once for each app. After doing your backup reflash I-G and redownload my backup root, run it and everything will be there
That's exactly what I meant...
Also, Titanium has a batch option in the menu, so you can one click backup and restore with Titanium also (you have to have the paid version for it to be effective, though)...
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
thanks for the info...but have another question related to this.
I did make a backup before flashing...but here is the problems I'm trying to understand.
From what Im trying to gather about using custom roms, is that it does not install any bloatware.
So, if that is true and I use a app like backup root...will this just install every single app that was on the phone.
Im just trying to wrap my brain around this, sorry if it is very newbish
BK
fst2011 said:
From what Im trying to gather about using custom roms, is that it does not install any bloatware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depends on your definition of "bloat". Every ROM contains a collection of system applications.
Keep in mind. Nandroid backups are standalone system images. Titanium Backup and MyBackup and all the other Android apps that do backups are individual application backups. They often can do bulk restores, but that is not always desired or necessary.
You will find you will want both types of backup: Nandroid, and application.
You can also selectively backup and restore apps, so you get to chose what stays, and what goes...
Play around with Titanium and My Backup, and see what they are capable of...
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
SO I want to go from the stock 2.2 Android software to the "Virtuous Unity Sense"
My main reasoning for this is,
- I want HTC's gingerbread sense, but it's still not yet released with no word on when it will be.
- Why not upgrade to version 3 if I am going to run a custom rom
Now I have my phone setup EXACTLY how I like it, all the apps took a long time to find and configure, everything works flawlessly and does everything I want it to do.
I assume to upgrade to unity sense I will have to format the phone's memory, what is the best way to backup all the apps and their configurations without loosing any performance or causing problems for the apps?
Also if I one day wanted to load the official HTC 2.3 update is it possible to "un-do" everything and go back to official software?
cheers
The general concensus on backing up is titanium backup. If you are willing to pay for the premium version, it will also do multiple level backup of your apps + data and on restoration, offers a silent installer (ie no need to tap install and done for every app) and it also give suggestions on what to back up at the system level. Hope that helps
Sent from my Desire Z via XDA App
Correct me if I'm wrong, but it'll depend on what version of the HTC ROM you're using.
If it's 1.32, it shouldn't be an issue. root your phone, install titanium backup and let it work it's magic.
If you're using 1.74 (Froyo 2.2.1), in order to root your phone to flash a custom rom, you'll need to downgrade to 1.34 . This means you'll need to format it and flash the original HTC ROM, in which case all your apps would already be gone by the time you get root.
i use QTADB its a program for the computer(Linux/Windows/OSX) will back up to you sdcard it works well and easy to use best of all its free(or though if you use it a lot you should donate)
endlesstrail said:
If you're using 1.74 (Froyo 2.2.1)...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would assume he has the latest official 1.82 Froyo 2.2.1 ROM. At least this is what I have for many months now.
endlesstrail said:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but it'll depend on what version of the HTC ROM you're using.
If it's 1.32, it shouldn't be an issue. root your phone, install titanium backup and let it work it's magic.
If you're using 1.74 (Froyo 2.2.1), in order to root your phone to flash a custom rom, you'll need to downgrade to 1.34 . This means you'll need to format it and flash the original HTC ROM, in which case all your apps would already be gone by the time you get root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see what you're saying, but you should be fine either way, because even in the downgrade process you have to obtain temproot prior to downgrading. so you obtain temp root, download tibu, create your backups, then continue the downgrade process.
once you're done with everything, download tibu again and restore backups. voila.
Titanium Backup > My Backup?
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
AreOh said:
Titanium Backup > My Backup?
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yup, by miles
Never used My Backup. Ti backup was perfect for my use the first time i used it so i had no need to try other backups
Sent from my Desire Z via XDA App
I will throw another recommendation for Titanium Backup Pro. Worth the few $$ and its easy to use. Remember, don't backup the 'System Data' unless you plan to restore it to the SAME type of ROM (aka wipe and reinstall the same ROM to fix a problem). Just backup 'Apps + Data'. And restore them on the new ROM.
Thanks for the tips in this thread, just thinking about rooting my phone. I already worked with titanium backup (free version) on my hero and that worked very well. But it has to be rooted and like pmcqueen said I can make the titanium backup before downgrading and after temproot Did not think of that yet.
I've repeatedly had problems when switching ROMs and restoring an apps-only backup made using Titanium Backup Pro. For example, I was running CM7 and decided to try out Virtuous G-Lite to see if the battery life was any better. Shortly after I restored the apps (but NOT data or system data) I repeatedly got errors like "the application *** has stopped unexpectedly". For example, this time the app was Gallery - process.com.cooliris.media, but I've had the same problem with other apps.
Does anyone have a definitive, clean way of restoring apps after switching to a different ROM?
I always thought it was titanium backup also, and used it for a long time....I finally tried the app called mybackup pro and I'm standing firm that this is the best way to restore after switching roms with full wipe. Titanium is still good and has other great features but the mybackup is so good for full restores.
itm said:
I've repeatedly had problems when switching ROMs and restoring an apps-only backup made using Titanium Backup Pro. For example, I was running CM7 and decided to try out Virtuous G-Lite to see if the battery life was any better. Shortly after I restored the apps (but NOT data or system data) I repeatedly got errors like "the application *** has stopped unexpectedly". For example, this time the app was Gallery - process.com.cooliris.media, but I've had the same problem with other apps.
Does anyone have a definitive, clean way of restoring apps after switching to a different ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Titanium Backup is a definitive way. Your problem with the Gallery app (and similar apps) is that you're trying to restore an integrated ROM-level app to a new ROM. Don't restore apps like Gallery, Clock, etc. that already come with the new ROM, even if you restore without data. Its unnecessary, and can cause issues.
You also have to just keep in mind that not all apps play nice with every ROM. You're going to run into issues. and if you do, just restore to your nandroid backup that you made before restoring apps (you should always do this as a precaution) and deselect the app next time you restore.
veritasaequita said:
I always thought it was titanium backup also, and used it for a long time....I finally tried my the app called mybackup pro and I'm standing firm that this is the best way to restore after switching rooms with full wipe. Titanium is still good and has other great features but the mybackup is so good for full restores.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you had issues with Titanium Backup? I use Titanium Backup frequently and have never had a single issue. Even doing dozens of full restores, restoring apps+data, and even restoring system data when wiping and reinstalling CM7 nightlies, all with no problem.
martonikaj said:
Titanium Backup is a definitive way. Your problem with the Gallery app (and similar apps) is that you're trying to restore an integrated ROM-level app to a new ROM. Don't restore apps like Gallery, Clock, etc. that already come with the new ROM, even if you restore without data. Its unnecessary, and can cause issues.
You also have to just keep in mind that not all apps play nice with every ROM. You're going to run into issues. and if you do, just restore to your nandroid backup that you made before restoring apps (you should always do this as a precaution) and deselect the app next time you restore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there an easy way of distinguishing between ROM-level apps and others? I have a list of about 150 apps so picking out individual apps can be a bit of a chore!
itm said:
Is there an easy way of distinguishing between ROM-level apps and others? I have a list of about 150 apps so picking out individual apps can be a bit of a chore!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same, I have over 100 apps to restore on a batch restore. Just gotta think smart about it. If you didn't install it from the market, then it probably came with the ROM... And things like Gallery and Clock are already in the ROM, so don't replace those.
Also, you should be running a ROM manager 'fix permissions' after batch restoring apps to fix any little problems.
itm said:
Is there an easy way of distinguishing between ROM-level apps and others? I have a list of about 150 apps so picking out individual apps can be a bit of a chore!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apps that are stored in the "ROM" (i.e., in /system/app, which is normally mounted read-only) are shown in red in Titanium Backup. Apps that are installed by the user (i.e., in /data/app, which is mounted read-write) are shown in white. System settings are shown in green. You can use TB's filters to show only system apps or only user apps.
One major consideration is that Titanium Backup requires root. It will not run without root, even though some of the tasks it performs does not require root. MyBackup Pro will run without root, though it does not have all the features of TB. So if you are running a firmware release where you cannot even get temp root without first wiping the phone, you should use MyBackup Pro first. Or even if you can get temp root, you might feel safer having a backup first anyway.
Have you had issues with Titanium Backup? I use Titanium Backup frequently and have never had a single issue. Even doing dozens of full restores said:
no I havent had any issues at all with TB, and I used it for a long time. just recently I decided to try mybackup pro and was just wowwed by how much more streamlined the task was, even with options to restore call logs, text, contacts and so on. for me personally it just made for a much smoother restore especially with the well mapped gui. I do still keep TB installed as a alternate option though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used several times Titanium Backup but only for user app and always worked well (no crashes, ...)
Quick Tip for using Titanium Backup
1. Backup "application widgets". Once you restore your launcher, restore this and reboot so that your widgets will work and you don't have to reconfigure your home screen widgets (which would say "problem loading widgets" otherwise).
2. Backup "accounts" to remember the fact that you have "allowed" access to your google account for various apps (mainly google apps and any app that accesses your google account). This is also required to remember your facebook and skype passwords.
3. Backup "LogProvider" for the call log. A lot of people think call logs are backed up by "contacts storage" but they're not.
4. "contact storage" backups your speed dial
5. "dialer storage" backups your SMS/MMS. After you restore you need to reboot for it to take effect.
6. No need to backup "calendar 1.0". Just calendar 1.1. (this backups the setting not the actual content provided that you sync with google)
7. Most settings in Setting cannot be backed up (ie. Voip account, wifi hotspot ssid, ringtones, volume, etc). Simply re-enter them.
8. After upgrading your rom version or migrating to a different rom, before you restore, for "system" apps, make sure you check each one to see if the version has changed. If so, don't restore or you will probably have force-closes down the road. This is especially true if you move to cyanogen or miui, don't restore system apps at all.
9. Generally you don't need to save system apks unless you plan on uninstalling them to experiment instead of freezing.
10. Don't backup/restore "market" settings or you'll lose market links to your apps. In fact after you restore all your user apps you won't see all of them linked in the market even if titanium backup is set up to remember the links. Just use titanium to clear the market user data, restart market and you're ready to go.
11. Titanium backup does not save your default programs. (ie. DEFAULT browser, dialer, and for different file types).
12. Let TB save the settings to sd card. The next time you install TB you won't need to install the "pro" app. It remembers.
13. TB does not remember what apps are frozen. So after a reinstall, you need to refreeze whatever apps you want to freeze.
Other things good to know:
If you migrate to a new rom, although titanium Pro has an option to attempt to restore system apps to be compatible, try only restore user apps just to avoid force closes.
If you have a fixed set of apps you know you want to freeze, create a filter containing these apps. If you install a new rom, you can freeze all of them all at once without having to go through each.
Can you expand on what you mean in point 1.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Scenario:
I have, say, go launcher or touch wiz as my launcher, I put widgets on my home screen like weather, google search bar and maybe a music player widget. I can use TB to backup my launcher, which would supposedly backup where these widgets are located on your home screen. However after reinstalling the rom, if I restore my launcher without restoring "application widgets", the place where these widgets are supposed to be will show "problem loading widgets". And you would have to remove these problematic widgets and recreate them.
So when you backup your launcher, backup "application widgets" as well. When you restore, restore both of them. And preferably after restoring, reboot before you go back to your launcher
By the way "application widgets" is an actual backupable item in TB (shown in green)
Is this making any sense?
Thanks and yes you are making perfect sense.
Many times I've had to delete then replace widgets from my launcher after restoring using TB so I'm interested in where in TB to find this option.
I'm probably looking right at it but just can't see it. Can you steer my in the right direction in TB?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Nice to learn new things, especially the widgets, hate having the "problem loading widget" all the time.
Thanks for highlighting these.
Ok found it.
It's an item in the app list called "application widgets" with the TB icon next to it.
Cool thanks never noticed it before.
Great tip.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Having a Problem
Ok so I am tring to do an Extract from CWM Backup...
Just Flashed Jugg. 2.0 everything is running great!!!
But TBP is just stuck at Restoring 0% on my first program... I have even followed their help page. cleared the market memory... What am i doing wrong please help...
T-mobile - SGH - T989
ROM: Juggernaut 2.0
Bardouns said:
Ok so I am tring to do an Extract from CWM Backup...
Just Flashed Jugg. 2.0 everything is running great!!!
But TBP is just stuck at Restoring 0% on my first program... I have even followed their help page. cleared the market memory... What am i doing wrong please help...
T-mobile - SGH - T989
ROM: Juggernaut 2.0
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you enabled USB debugging and UNKNOWN sources?!
yes on both
---------- Post added at 08:32 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:16 AM ----------
Ok... Don't know WTF... but its working like lightning now... have no idea... didn't do anything except download google text to voice... weird
Been using it for years and didn't figure out the speeddial backup. Good post. A couple thoughts in general as far as backup strategy.... IMO freezing is better than removing system apps because space is not an issue with the sgs2 like it is with some (older) phones. Swap a lot of roms and sooner or later your are going to either on accident or purpose delete something you shouldn't have and then have to restore. Going down the list and freezing them only takes a minute and is readily reversible with the same end result. If you must be rid of them freeze them first and give it a few days for any oddness to show up. Then uninstall.
Agree on restoring system apps. Always a good way to get odd behavior or fc's and the like. Normally there is no need anyways as the new rom has the same system apps in it and most of the settings can be remembered elsewhere. I do back up system apps though in case I want to grab an apk that isn't in the new rom.
Also IMO its a good idea to copy the entire contents of the internal sd over to the pc after doing a nandroid and ti backup. This way if things go to hell you have everything. The process I use is to do a ti backup and then nandroid in recovery. I mount while still in recovery and copy everything over to a folder on the pc. Now I have all my pics, everything. I use the external sd for music and other items that I know will move from rom to rom so that I don't have to hassle with them. Do this and your covered in every way if you have problems with your ti backup or nandroid. Both can happen sometimes. Also if your phone dies, goes missing etc at least you have a backup as recent as your last rom swap which for us is probably not too long ago. lol I keep the most recent two backups and delete the oldest as I make new ones with each new rom. This only takes a few minutes extra during the rom swap and if you need it you will be glad you have it.
Thank you for tips!
Very helpful. Been using TB for a while now but did not know all the details!
thanx for your efforts...
got some useful tips. I thought I know TB, but I didn't.
Nice write-up!
Any advice on what to do when you try to restore an app and it tells you "problem parsing the package"?
Seam to happen more often with apps that did not come from Android Market or Amazon Appstore...
Very good guide and not just for newbie's.
Thank you.
App Folders i nApp Draw
i cant seem to figure out where the folders in the app draw are actually stored. i tried to do a restore from a previous rom (apps only, widgets ect) but im not sure where to go for app folders, thats if it will even do this for me.
Many Thanks...
...to the OP & others for this thread & the tips in it ;-)
Just rooted yesterday & ran TI backup. Have run it again incorporating the tips in this thread. Very good suggestion to copy the lot over to PC as well.
Also, people should remember to make a copy of their EFS file & keep that somewhere safe off the phone (keep a copy on your external SD card as well).
Everything I've read so far suggests you're royally boned if you trash your EFS, so making a couple of copies & keeping them in various spots (one on the external SD/one on PC) makes sense to me. Hellcat's kTool does a bangup job & is a nice little app to have handy ;-)
Hi everyone. If someone can give me the confirmation about the following:
1. is Titanium backup saving the settings for the backed up app or only the app itself?
2. are social hub, readers hub, game hub, talk, IM, safe to freeze or unistall cos I don't use that?
3. When you freeze the app, is the icon gone or it stays under "menu"?
4. is Email app safe to freeze/uninstall or I need that for using Gmail app?
I'm on stock 2.3.3 + CF-Root-SGS2_XX_OXA_KH1-v4.1-CWM4 for now.
thank you and regards.
Thanks - very helpful to have more information.
3. Backup "LogProvider" for the call log. A lot of people think call logs are backed up by "contacts storage" but they're not.
This was really helpful. Thank you.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
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).