Database Users

Backup new Nexus S

I sold my iPhone 4 today and bought a brand new nexus s. I'm not new to android though, I used to own a nexus one before iPhone 4.
My question is that I want to install custom roms on it, but I might want to restore it back to original factory settings in case I want to return it to best buy. How can I backup my phone so that best buy would take the phone back without questions?
I saw a thread to root the phone without unlocking the bootloader. Is that what I should do? Any help is appreciated!
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

Just root and do a nandroid backup. If you use rom manager to install the custom recovery you can just use it to so the backup.
Sent from my Onyx CM7 Google Nexus S!

Go to the Samsung nexus s android development section. Look for the thread that begins with Odin 1.81... bookmark that thread. That thread will help you flash completely back to stock. And always make sure you relock your bootloader.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

The only advantage of not unlocking the bootloader is to avoid a full wipe of your internal storage such as pics, music etc. However custom roms or apps may have stability issues without an unlocked bootloader. No harm in unlocking the bootloader because you can always lock it again. Just make sure you back up any files you may want to keep.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

peeturr said:
The only advantage of not unlocking the bootloader is to avoid a full wipe of your internal storage such as pics, music etc. However custom roms or apps may have stability issues without an unlocked bootloader. No harm in unlocking the bootloader because you can always lock it again. Just make sure you back up any files you may want to keep.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree that the only advantage to not unlocking the bootloader is to avoid a full wipe and loss of all data.
I'm curious if you can point to an example of any current existing ROM that displays issues because the bootloader is locked... if so, I need to add that information to the non-unlock method instructions.

Sorry I don't. I was just quoting one of the root guides in here. But then again there's always that IF. Now that I think about it, unlocking the bootloader is to be able to install root and a custom recovery. If you can do that without unlocking the bootloader then you should still be golden. Don't see why a rom or app would be dependent on the bootloader. Sorry for the confusion.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

peeturr said:
Sorry I don't. I was just quoting one of the root guides in here. But then again there's always that IF. Now that I think about it, unlocking the bootloader is to be able to install root and a custom recovery. If you can do that without unlocking the bootloader then you should still be golden. Don't see why a rom or app would be dependent on the bootloader. Sorry for the confusion.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, we've found no reason to HAVE-TO unlock it yet. Just to be clear, I wasn't challenging you, just looking for anything I might need to add to the guide on doing it without the unlock. I already have a caveat that it might be an issue for something, but don't know what something could be.
Anyways, if you're a fresh out of the box phone, no problems unlock method, since you have no data to lose in the wipe. For late-comers, the no unlock method spares them that data wipe. The beauty of it is that you can root and install titainium or other backup software without wiping the phone if you already have data on it, and then if needed you can always unlock it and re-root, and then restore your wiped data. Best of both worlds for some.

Pretty much exactly what happened to me Distorted loop, Very thankfull for that non wipe root method, definately saved my ass as i had a good play with the phone before getting it to a PC for backup/rooting.
I am going to swap my device for another tommorrow to confirm if my reboot issue is even remotely hardware related. So i will have 30 mins with no nexus s ...s'gonna kill me as i love this lil thing (even with my calling problems).
Looking forward to a nice stable nexus, and then i'll try out some of the mods and roms (still on stock for now)

Easy pre-root backup with adb

Nandroid is just a script. Rooting is another topic. This is to allow you to backup your data before you root. It's simple, fast and easy.
Download http://www.multiupload.com/K4BZ22SIT5
Clear the data for Google apps, and system components such as Browser, to prevent force closes during restore.
If you skip this step, at the end of the guide clear dalvik, fix permissions, and clear the data for the items that keep closing.
adb push psneuter /data/local/psneuter
adb shell chmod 777 /data/local/psneuter
adb shell /data/local/psneuter
adb shell dd if=/dev/block/mmcblk0p26 of=/sdcard/data.img
Your data is now backed up. Sdcard apps will still be on your sdcard, and cache and dalvik need to be cleared anyway. System apps will be replaced and the settings for them is already included in data. In short, you only really need data.
Root your device. After you have rooted, updated, and are on the stock rooted build (before a custom rom for best compatibility), restore your data.
adb shell dd if=/sdcard/data.img of=/dev/block/mmcblk0p26
Now do a titanium backup if you plan to install a ROM that wipes data, install whatever ROM you planned, and restore titanium (if needed).
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

Thanks. I'm always amazed at the ideas you come up with. Getting ready to try out ubuntu on the bolt.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App

Thanks, I have been hoping for something like this.

You are basically doing a temp root, right? Genius. Would it be possible to then push/install a backup program (mybackup pro, Titanium, etc) and run it? I guess you would also need to get superuser in first.

tsachi said:
You are basically doing a temp root, right? Genius. Would it be possible to then push/install a backup program (mybackup pro, Titanium, etc) and run it? I guess you would also need to get superuser in first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is possible, but in actually attempting to install Titanium during the process, I spent 15 minutes doing the temp root and this backup, 4 hours playing with su binaries and superuser apps without getting any combination to play nice, 10 minutes rooting and 20 minutes restoring this backup. It is all about efficiency...

so if I'm reading this right, this will allow restoring of data for games? That's the only thing keeping my wife from rooting.

Yes. You can re install the apps, then restore data files manually after root.
My wife is the same, won't root of I can't restore things after
nrfitchett4 said:
so if I'm reading this right, this will allow restoring of data for games? That's the only thing keeping my wife from rooting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from a gingerbread thunderbolt

True
twistedumbrella said:
It is possible, but in actually attempting to install Titanium during the process, I spent 15 minutes doing the temp root and this backup, 4 hours playing with su binaries and superuser apps without getting any combination to play nice, 10 minutes rooting and 20 minutes restoring this backup. It is all about efficiency...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from a gingerbread thunderbolt

tsachi said:
Yes. You can re install the apps, then restore data files manually after root.
My wife is the same, won't root of I can't restore things after
Sent from a gingerbread thunderbolt
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok, so do the backup, root, reinstall her games, etc (nothing system), then use adb to restore data.
Makes complete sense as long as I don't think about it too hard...

nrfitchett4 said:
so if I'm reading this right, this will allow restoring of data for games? That's the only thing keeping my wife from rooting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same with my friend, until he lost signal while I was at 3 bars and he got sick of the battery life
nrfitchett4 said:
ok, so do the backup, root, reinstall her games, etc (nothing system), then use adb to restore data.
Makes complete sense as long as I don't think about it too hard...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't reinstall anything. Just clear out data for generic system apps (because his browser and gapps force closed until we did) backup, root, restore. The games are in the backup.
And yes, the ScriptFusion AutoBot already has this capability built in. When it detects you don't have root, it will perform the backup, and when you return after rooting it will restore it. It is actually about two steps away from being able to root a phone. Should be capable later this week.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

Almost done building an app to walk you through the entire root with backup process.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

From a similar thread quoted by jcase:
I advise against using this backup method, taking a DD of /data while its r/w can lead to corruption.
A better idea would be to push su (aka a temp root) into your path and use something like titanium backup to backup you data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1174487

yareally said:
From a similar thread quoted by jcase:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1174487
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, thanks. That is there for people who don't think to walk away during the process and not cause data to be changed until it finishes, which is the real risk. As stated, this was tested. You are more than welcome to add additional findings, but EVERYTHING can risk corruption. You are playing with the bootloader, which could cause a brick... Did you root anyway? There ya go...
As for the app, that actually does a temp root with su included, which is actually a whitelist temp root (psneuter already gave you a temp root) and offers the chance to perform a backup before proceeding, either with dd or titanium.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

twistedumbrella said:
Yeah, thanks. That is there for people who don't think to walk away during the process and not cause data to be changed until it finishes, which is the real risk. As stated, this was tested. You are more than welcome to add additional findings, but EVERYTHING can risk corruption. You are playing with the bootloader, which could cause a brick... Did you root anyway? There ya go...
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I don't see the problem in doing what you were trying either, just wanted to bring it up . I would probably back it up outside of the booted OS area though just to be safe, like in recovery where can access adb still. Not sure if you can in hboot offhand though.

yareally said:
Yeah, I don't see the problem in doing what you were trying either, just wanted to bring it up . I would probably back it up outside of the booted OS area though just to be safe, like in recovery where can access adb still. Not sure if you can in hboot offhand though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You would need root to root in recovery, which is a slight problem.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

twistedumbrella said:
You would need root to root in recovery, which is a slight problem.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's why I mentioned hboot (the bootloader) as well, which you wouldnt need to, though I am not sure if adb detects the device in hboot. Not at a computer, so I can't try at the moment. Please don't half read what I write. I would like to try to help out if possible.

yareally said:
That's why I mentioned hboot (the bootloader) as well, which you wouldnt need to, though I am not sure if adb detects the device in hboot. Not at a computer, so I can't try at the moment. Please don't half read what I write. I would like to try to help out if possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, lol. Well I don't quite understand what you mean "which you wouldn't need to". I read the full comment, but tried to bypass the parts that showed complete lack of understanding as to why rooting is done the way it is, but since you called me out on it... The device detects usb in fastboot, but cannot flash a radio there due to s-on. It detects in recovery due to modifications to the image that require the capability to flash modified images. The temp root works like my script, in that it tricks the system into believing it is unlocked, while other things are done to allow it to be truly unlocked, at which time a replacement image is loaded. Help me help you by at least researching the process before trying to alter it. Thanks.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

twistedumbrella said:
Wow, lol. Well I don't quite understand what you mean "which you wouldn't need to". I read the full comment, but tried to bypass the parts that showed complete lack of understanding as to why rooting is done the way it is, but since you called me out on it... The device detects usb in fastboot, but cannot flash a radio there due to s-on. It detects in recovery due to modifications to the image that require the capability to flash modified images. The temp root works like my script, in that it tricks the system into believing it is unlocked, while other things are done to allow it to be truly unlocked, at which time a replacement image is loaded. Help me help you by at least researching the process before trying to alter it. Thanks.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Eh, call me out, i dont care, it's just the internet and it's not the first or the last time I will be incorrect.
You are right though after trying in the bootloader myself. I only meant to do the datadump part, nothing else outside the os area.

yareally said:
Eh, call me out, i dont care, it's just the internet and it's not the first or the last time I will be incorrect.
You are right though after trying in the bootloader myself. I only meant to do the datadump part, nothing else outside the os area.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
twistedumbrella said:
I read the full comment, but tried to bypass the parts that showed complete lack of understanding as to why rooting is done the way it is, but since you called me out on it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yareally said:
Please don't half read what I write.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

twistedumbrella said:
Almost done building an app to walk you through the entire root with backup process.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How is this coming along?

Root Nexus 7 without erasing/losing data?

Hello, I have had my nexus 7 for about 2 days and have set everything up how I want it. From what I've read you can't root without erasing everything. If this is the case are there any apps that will back up my applications + app settings?
Thanks

dizzdiamonds said:
Hello, I have had my nexus 7 for about 2 days and have set everything up how I want it. From what I've read you can't root without erasing everything. If this is the case are there any apps that will back up my applications + app settings?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
titanium backup ftw

funkyboy1281 said:
titanium backup ftw
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I was under the assumption that TB only works on rooted devices. I will give it a shot anyways.

tb only does work on rooted devices.. u should of rooted it right out of box so u wouldnt have to erase anything

dizzdiamonds said:
Thanks, I was under the assumption that TB only works on rooted devices. I will give it a shot anyways.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
probably would've helped if I actually read the question word for word...oops

dizzdiamonds said:
If this is the case are there any apps that will back up my applications + app settings?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can backup most of your device with 'adb backup' before you do the unlock and then 'adb restore' it afterwards. It seems to miss certain things, like paid apps (or it did for me), so if those apps have options to dump config backups to /sdcard that would help in case you have to restore them.

movieaddict said:
tb only does work on rooted devices.. u should of rooted it right out of box so u wouldnt have to erase anything
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doh! I've made the same mistake as wel!

Harry GT-S5830 said:
ADB Backup & ADB Restore
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nvm, already posted.

It's not rooting that causes you the wipe, it's unlocking.
However no one has made a way to root without unlocking first.
So if someone figures out how to just root, it would be fine.

Cryingmoose said:
It's not rooting that causes you the wipe, it's unlocking.
However no one has made a way to root without unlocking first.
So if someone figures out how to just root, it would be fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, I rooted my Nexus 7 a while back (using the Nexus Root Toolkit), then when Google pushed out the JB 4.1.2 Update, the root access vanished, should just clicking the root button re-root it without wiping everything?

hydroxyde said:
You can backup most of your device with 'adb backup' before you do the unlock and then 'adb restore' it afterwards. It seems to miss certain things, like paid apps (or it did for me), so if those apps have options to dump config backups to /sdcard that would help in case you have to restore them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. adb backup
2. unlock
3. adb restore
Or do I need to root as well and restore at last?

mgutt said:
1. adb backup
2. unlock
3. adb restore
Or do I need to root as well and restore at last?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anybody answering?
I also have a Nexus 7 well setup and would like to understand how to root it without scratching data on it...
if eventually this could work, it would be great. SO, adb backup and then adb restore after unlocking?:crying:

1. adb backup
2. unlock
3. adb restore
Or do I need to root as well and restore at last?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't matter.
Unlocking is what erases the data, what you do afterwards doesn't make any difference.
But since you're already hooking up N7 to PC and booting it in all these weird modes, you might as well finish what you start.
I also have a Nexus 7 well setup and would like to understand how to root it without scratching data on it...
if eventually this could work, it would be great. SO, adb backup and then adb restore after unlocking?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't unlock the bootloader without erasing data.
You can use adb backup, but I just manually backed up what I needed (launcher settings, apps are downloaded automatically from play store, 'sd card' stuff, you don't really need anything else.) Besides, you're gonna be playing with all the settings all the time anyway for next couple of weeks , it doesn't really matter if they get erased.

Ramstein said:
Anybody answering?
I also have a Nexus 7 well setup and would like to understand how to root it without scratching data on it...
if eventually this could work, it would be great. SO, adb backup and then adb restore after unlocking?:crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did that and it worked. I wanted the savegame of Final Fantasy III that is located in data/data/... after restoring the data the Nexus was still unlocked.

Is there a stock (ROM) root method that will not require me to reset all my settings?

I'm sorry if this has been posted already, but searching on my phone for this answer has been less than ideal, so I've resorted to making a post. I'm hoping someone can link me to a thread that has this available.
I'm looking to root my phone, but I've already got it setup the way I like and I really don't want to go through the hassle of getting everything all ironed out again. So here is what I'm looking for:
1. Root the phone while remaining with the stock N4 ROM.
2. Don't need to "reformat" my phone or start from scratch.
3. Just to clarify 2, I want to keep the phone the way it is now, but just gain root access so I can take advantage of some apps that require it such as the Sixaxxis app for the PS3 controller and Titanium Backup.
4. Still will receive OTA updates without breaking root.
As of now I have no desire to go after any custom ROMs until I find some added functionality that I really see being useful that also doesn't break other features of my phone. So I'm really waiting on development to mature a bit more for this device before even considering something custom.
Thanks to anyone who can offer some help.

1. Root the phone while remaining with the stock N4 ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting doesn't touch your ROM, so you're still in stock.
2. Don't need to "reformat" my phone or start from scratch.
3. Just to clarify 2, I want to keep the phone the way it is now, but just gain root access so I can take advantage of some apps that require it such as the Sixaxxis app for the PS3 controller and Titanium Backup
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most, if not all, rooting methods have boot-loader unlocking as a prerequisite.
Unlocking boot-loader will wipe your phone. There is no alternative.
On the bright side, you can make a backup of your system, unlock boot-loader, restore your system, then root the phone.
4. Still will receive OTA updates without breaking root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As long as you don't flash customer recovery, you're fine.

What are my backup alternatives then to keep all those settings? I've only ever rooted one device before and I thought Titanium Backup (which requires root) was one of the only backup methods for this sort of thing? Or is there something I'm missing?

there is one backup that the app has a picture of one of those hula hoops use for saving people from drowning...

My backup pro.
I'd try this way. Backup whole ROM in custom recovery and if needed restore via app extractor (found on market)
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

The guide stickied in this section is relevant to your interests.
Adb backup...
Unlock.
Restore...and it'll be like you never touched anything.

MattSkeet said:
My backup pro.
I'd try this way. Backup whole ROM in custom recovery and if needed restore via app extractor (found on market)
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How exactly is he going to backup the ROM in custom recovery.. if he is still bootloader locked?
ADB backup will backup your settings without being rooted.

OK thanks, I'll give that a try.

Still no stock image? cmon google...

Shesh...the device been out for over a week now, im shock to see theres still not a official firmware image

immunityx said:
Shesh...the device been out for over a week now, im shock to see theres still not a official firmware image
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. I wanted the stock images to test if my device got a bad flash from the factory causing all of the multi touch and freezing issues. I ended up just exchanging at BB and have yet to upgrade to JSS15 in case that is the culprit.

Rod3 said:
I agree. I wanted the stock images to test if my device got a bad flash from the factory causing all of the multi touch and freezing issues. I ended up just exchanging at BB and have yet to upgrade to JSS15 in case that is the culprit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no official one but there is an unofficial one, when the TWRP bug got me, it saved my system. It would still be soft-bricked waiting on Google otherwise.

I know right we need that incase something goes wrong and we can restore right to that i know we have ones on here but i want official
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4

Hmmm nexus4 all over again
>^.^< Sent from meow HTC One which is like catnip to me atm

here's a flashable OTA image, is that not the same thing?
http://droidbasement.com/db-blog/?p=3120

Midnight_Rider said:
here's a flashable OTA image, is that not the same thing?
http://droidbasement.com/db-blog/?p=3120
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
they want a factory google released image

Midnight_Rider said:
here's a flashable OTA image, is that not the same thing?
http://droidbasement.com/db-blog/?p=3120
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope. A factory image contains all the partitions, not just an update zip. Its used mainly to help devices that are completely broken (won't turn on), or people who want to unroot and go back to complete stock.
If it was there, it would be here: https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images

That's what's keeping me from unlocking and rooting mine.
A
I want/need that as a backup..... just in case....

gotcha, i understand the diff

danvee said:
That's what's keeping me from unlocking and rooting mine.
A
I want/need that as a backup..... just in case....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is extremely rare to have anything go wrong just unlocking the phone. You might as well go ahead and do it because eventually you will and it'll force a wipe data. Might as well do it now before you install too much stuff.
You can leave root and custom recovery until the images show up if you are concerned about borking your system.

sfhub said:
It is extremely rare to have anything go wrong just unlocking the phone. You might as well go ahead and do it because eventually you will and it'll force a wipe data. Might as well do it now before you install too much stuff.
You can leave root and custom recovery until the images show up if you are concerned about borking your system.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not the unlocking. The rooting...

danvee said:
That's what's keeping me from unlocking and rooting mine.
A
I want/need that as a backup..... just in case....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
danvee said:
Not the unlocking. The rooting...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is what i did, after unlocking and rooting and installing TWRP go into recovery and make a nandroid backup and keep it safe off the device, keep it on the device, so if you need it you can restore it

That's what I'd be do once rooted, but it's the risk of the process failing without the factory image as a backup....
For example, rooting fails, no custom recovery flashed, OS hosed.....
I like having that safety net....

danvee said:
That's what I'd be do once rooted, but it's the risk of the process failing without the factory image as a backup....
For example, rooting fails, no custom recovery flashed, OS hosed.....
I like having that safety net....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh i gotcha, but you have your steps out of order. first you unlock the bootloader which doesn't flash anything to your device. then you push the recovery image to your device from your PC using adb. yes this step could go horribly wrong, but if you have everything in place you should be ok. this step is very easy as well, not much to screw up and doesnt take any time at all, none of this does.
then once the recovery is installed, reboot your phone so you know everything comes up fine. then reboot into the recovery and flash SuperSU and voila! you have a rooted phone. boot back into the OS and run an app that requires root (Root Checker is a good one to use as a test) to make sure all is well
i understand your concern, but of all the android devices i have owned, the new nexus has been by far the easiest one of all to root and it is meant to be that way so developers can play with it and customize it and learn from it
plus there's this too
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2381582

Midnight_Rider said:
oh i gotcha, but you have your steps out of order. first you unlock the bootloader which doesn't flash anything to your device. then you push the recovery image to your device from your PC using adb. yes this step could go horribly wrong, but if you have everything in place you should be ok. this step is very easy as well, not much to screw up and doesnt take any time at all, none of this does.
then once the recovery is installed, reboot your phone so you know everything comes up fine. then reboot into the recovery and flash SuperSU and voila! you have a rooted phone. boot back into the OS and run an app that requires root (Root Checker is a good one to use as a test) to make sure all is well
i understand your concern, but of all the android devices i have owned, the new nexus has been by far the easiest one of all to root and it is meant to be that way so developers can play with it and customize it and learn from it
plus there's this too
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2381582
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
these are all wonderful points, but it doesn't change the fact that google should have released the image already

indianajonze said:
these are all wonderful points, but it doesn't change the fact that google should have released the image already
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
agreed, but im sure they are waiting to make sure there are no major bugs reported so they can fix it first, then release it. it will be out

That would mean yet another update, then.

Midnight_Rider said:
agreed, but im sure they are waiting to make sure there are no major bugs reported so they can fix it first, then release it. it will be out
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google has never waited before. The only thing that generally holds up posting factory images are licensing issues. They posted the 4.3 images for the Nexus 4, Nexus 7 (2012), and various Galaxy Nexus devices. There is no reason they didn't post the Nexus 7 images unless it is licensing related.

bozzykid said:
Google has never waited before. The only thing that generally holds up posting factory images are licensing issues. They posted the 4.3 images for the Nexus 4, Nexus 7 (2012), and various Galaxy Nexus devices. There is no reason they didn't post the Nexus 7 images unless it is licensing related.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
good point