While a lot of people use TB to backup their devices and do Nadroid backups using TWRP or CWM, it would appear that some are being a bit short sighted about those backup files.
If you lose, have stolen or otherwise have your device destroyed to the point you can't get to the backup files, those backups will be worthless. In order for them to be useful, you have to have a copy of them off the device.
When I got access to the first Nexus 7, it was a loaner to play with. I set it up like it was my own with the intention of saving the state, copying the data and then when my own Nexus showed up, restoring to hit the ground running.
With this process, I was able to successfully restore to a brand new device.
Note that I use Cheetah Sync to copy certain directories (folders) on my N7 to my primary workstation when I am at home. This sync occurs over WiFi and is not cloud related. You could do the same over the net, but it would be much slower. There are other tools you could use, like connecting directly to the workstation, but for me I want be be able to do it from where ever I am. Workstation is in my home office and I am rarely in that room.
What I Sync
I sync the following folders to corresponding folders on my primary workstation which has a very large hard drive.
/sdcard/TitaniumBackup
This is where TitaniumBackup stores its backup files. While I also sync a copy of my TWRP backup files, there are times when having a TB backup available is useful. When I do a full restore, I use the Nandroid backup (TWRP) though.
/sdcard/Store
This is a folder I created where I store notes, files and some special APK's, license files (TB license for example), some setup config exports etc...
/sdcard/TWRP
Location where TWRP Recovery stores its Nandroid backup files.
Backup Process
I use the following backup process every Sunday or whenever I think I need to catchup the changes I've made.
1) TitaniumBackup
Using TB, I do first a manual scheduled Redo Backups and Modified Backups. After that completes, I do Backup New User/System data.
This saves the data to the backup location indicated above on the device.
2) TWRP Nandroid Backup
Next, I boot to recovery and do a TWRP Nandroid Backup. This makes an image of the device which can quickly be restored from recovery on a replacement device.
3) Sync with Cheetah Sync
Lastly, after rebooting back to the device, I use Cheetah Sync to sync the 3 primary locations to to my primary workstation.
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I do this process a minimum of once a week, typically on Sundays, but more often when I make a lot of changes to the device. Takes about 15 minutes in total to do. Word the peace of mind should I lose the device or it becomes damaged beyond repair.
Recovering From Complete Loss
1) Unlock new device and root with whatever method you choose
2) Load Titanium Backup on the new device
3) Perform a backup first. This will create the device specific directory under backups in the TWRP area
4) Connect to Workstation and restore TWRP backup files to the device specific directory
5) Boot into Recovery and do a Restore.
CMW Using CMW instead of TWRP will work the same way, but the directory locations may be different. Have not used it in a while so I'm not sure what they are, but they should be easy to find. Will update if I find out.
Note that /storage/sdcard0 is the same as /sdcard on the Nexus 7. Kind of like how /sdcard/extsd is the same as /sdcard2 on some other devices.
Note instead of syncing, you could use an OTG cable and a storage card which would be (I think) a lot faster. I'm not using this for 1) Still waiting for the OTG cable to arrive and 2) My workstation has triple redundant backups so even if the house burns down, I still have copies of the files offsite... not melted pieces of plastic.
Warning about Google NFC Wallet
If you are changing roms, you might want to check out
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1675353
For titanium backup i have a gdrive account just for the nexus i sync backups to from titanium backup.
For nandroids i use nexus root tools to boot into temporary cwm (kept stock boot for now) which then pulls the backup off by adb.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Thank you for this. I want to store the recovery image in a TrueCrypt container on my workstation. When backing up with TWRP, what options should I select for a full device backup? I see two options checked by default, with some extra items selectable. Also, I store a lot of video files on the device, but don't want to back them up )they are expendable...podcasts, etc...) can I exclude that folder, or should I delete them off the device before backing up?
Thanks!
RF
Related
Hi, I'm not sure if this is specifically a Nexus question or a general Android question but I have both a Nexus 4 and Nexus 7 and have observed the same behaviour on both
I have posted in the General section with nor response so now I'm posting on specific forums
Basically what's happening is when I delete stuff from the SDcard the free space seems to be allocated to the system partition WTF?!
Take a look at the screenshots I'm going to try a couple of things - one of the suggested things was clearing the data in the Google Services Framework data >> Settings - Apps - All - Google Services Framework - Clear Data - which freed up some of it but not all, the next thing from here for me would be to flash the factory images again and see what I start out with
Both devices are on CM10.1 if that helps, is anyone else is having the same issue??
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The discussion on Google+ http://goo.gl/lNyLW
Ok so this is my partition sizes now after flashing the factory images back onto my nexus 7. No where near 5GB anyone have any idea what's causing this?
I am guessing you have a couple of CWM back up? Maybe 3-4 of them? Maybe you tried to delete some of them?
Buggy CWM Recovery. Especially if you still hang on to the older versions. Mostly because the way CWM save the backup files.
KyraOfFire said:
I am guessing you have a couple of CWM back up? Maybe 3-4 of them? Maybe you tried to delete some of them?
Buggy CWM Recovery. Especially if you still hang on to the older versions. Mostly because the way CWM save the backup files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just use TiBU and DataSync now, stopped doing nandroids a while back now
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
It's not "system data" for sure. It's some apps with root permission saving its file to locations it shouldn't be doing.
Some how l still think it is CWM, even as you stopped using it in a distance past (which is like 1-2 months ago). I recommend flashing newest CWM and see if there're still old back up files.
If you still can't find anything, try this
bassmadrigal said:
If you are rooted and have adb set up on your computer, you can find out what folders are using the most space by using the commands below, then change into that directory and run the command again.
Code:
adb
su
cd /
du -hd 1
--find the largest folder and change directory (cd) into it - if you find you no longer want to continue in the folder you are in, you can cd .. to get to the previous folder or cd / to get back to the root of the filesystem--
Code:
cd large_folder
du -hd 1
rinse
repeat
????
profit
This will allow you to find what folders are using the most space and can eventually lead you to any large files and can then let you find out if you can delete them or if you need to keep them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
isnt this what they were saying was the reason for no SD card and use of MTP ?; basically if i recall correctly the nexus devices do not truly assign partitions instead there is a storage 'pool' that anything can use dynamically.
We got tired of seeing OEMs include many GB of internal storage for music, while users were still running out of space for apps and data. This approach lets us merge everything on one volume, which is way better.
-- Dan Morrill, Android engineer at Google
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so i guess there is no partitions its just all 1 volume.
source: http://www.androidcentral.com/why-nexus-devices-have-no-sd-card
noobdeagle said:
isnt this what they were saying was the reason for no SD card and use of MTP ?; basically if i recall correctly the nexus devices do not truly assign partitions instead there is a storage 'pool' that anything can use dynamically.
so i guess there is no partitions its just all 1 volume.
source: http://www.androidcentral.com/why-nexus-devices-have-no-sd-card
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wish that was the case but it not, the space goes to the system partition and I cant access it on the sdcard
Solution Found!: CWM Restore says "Couldn't open directory. No files found."
I used the Nexus 4 Toolkit to make a Nandroid backup. Now when I try to restore, it copies the files from my computer to the phone and then asks me to do a restore in CWM. However, when I click on Restore, it says: "Couldn't open directory. No files found."
It doesn't even give me the option to select the directory...
Ideas anyone?
RESOLVED!
[B]Solution: Install ROM Manager from Google Play. Open it and "Flash ClockWorkMod Recovery". It will install the latest CWM version. Then go to"Manage and Restore Backups" and you will find your *previously lost) backup there. If you don't see it, then reboot and open ROM Manager again. You can initiate a restore from within the ROM Manager app.
If you boot into Recovery and try to restore the nandroid backup, it will still not find it. But it will work from within the ROM Manager app. This is not an ideal solution but it works. [/B]
Re: Bogus Nexus 4 Toolkit- CWM Restore says "Couldn't open directory. No files found.
montrealguy said:
I used the Nexus 4 Toolkit to make a Nandroid backup. Now when I try to restore, it copies the files to the phone and then asks me to do a restore in CWM. However, when I click on Restore, it says: "Couldn't open directory. No files found."
It doesn't even give me the option to select the directory...
Ideas anyone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The tool kit is to install the proper tools to your computer and phone so you can unlock bootloader, root, and install custom recovery from which you can perform nandroid backups and restore them when desired or necessary among many other options.????
Sent from my Nexus4, how's that feel?
Re: Bogus Nexus 4 Toolkit- CWM Restore says "Couldn't open directory. No files found.
OP, you're already talking about this in another thread. Why open a new one? You could have just edited the title of the other thread.
mustangtim49 said:
The tool kit is to install the proper tools to your computer and phone so you can unlock bootloader, root, and install custom recovery from which you can perform nandroid backups and restore them when desired or necessary among many other options.????
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are assuming that I am doing the backup and restore on the same phone. I made a Nandroid backup on my old Nex4 and want to restore on my new Nex4. The toolkit copies the Nandroid backup from my computer to sdcard/clockwordmod/backup, but CWM doesn't recognize it.
Furthermore, I tried to do a backup to find out where it stores them, and I couldn't figure it out!
Re: Bogus Nexus 4 Toolkit- CWM Restore says "Couldn't open directory. No files found.
montrealguy said:
You are assuming that I am doing the backup and restore on the same phone. I made a Nandroid backup on my old Nex4 and want to restore on my new Nex4. The toolkit copies the Nandroid backup from my computer to sdcard/clockwordmod/backup, but CWM doesn't recognize it.
Furthermore, I tried to do a backup to find out where it stores them, and I couldn't figure it out!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No I wasn't. I knew exactly what was going on before I made my previous post. The question stands.
estallings15 said:
OP, you're already talking about this in another thread. Why open a new one? You could have just edited the title of the other thread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are numerous older threads on this particular subject and none of them have a solution. Hopefully someone here will suggest an actual working solution and it will save everyone else a lot of endless searching...
Re: Bogus Nexus 4 Toolkit- CWM Restore says "Couldn't open directory. No files found.
montrealguy said:
There are numerous older threads on this particular subject and none of them have a solution. Hopefully someone here will suggest an actual working solution and it will save everyone else a lot of endless searching...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please learn to use the edit button.
Re: Bogus Nexus 4 Toolkit- CWM Restore says "Couldn't open directory. No files found.
montrealguy said:
You are assuming that I am doing the backup and restore on the same phone........
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Furthermore, I tried to do a backup to find out where it stores them, and I couldn't figure it out!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Thanks guys! The problem was resolved and I updated the OP with the solution.
Thanks for the solution, it worked for galaxy s3. anyone stuck with not finding the restore file can try this out.
Nexus 4, rooted, CM, gravity box.
I want to update to CM11 M6 but I can't get my phone to make a nandroid (using ClockworkMod) because I keep getting an error basically saying I have insufficient storage. These are the steps I take:
Backup using titanium
Go into recovery
Backup using ClockworkMod
It's at this point where it lists backing up the system, but then it gets hung up backing up the data card. I have tried to go back in and delete everything I could possibly think of (w/out wiping the whole thing) but to no avail. I have cleared my cashe and even deleted the titanium backup which was around 1gb and still no dice.
Attached are some screenshots that may be helpful. There has to be something hidden but I just don't know where to look for it. I tried to install DiskUsage but I can't since I don't have enough room. How do I clear up this phone?! Any help would be much appreciated!!
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brahmaboba said:
Nexus 4, rooted, CM, gravity box.
I want to update to CM11 M6 but I can't get my phone to make a nandroid (using ClockworkMod) because I keep getting an error basically saying I have insufficient storage. These are the steps I take:
Backup using titanium
Go into recovery
Backup using ClockworkMod
It's at this point where it lists backing up the system, but then it gets hung up backing up the data card. I have tried to go back in and delete everything I could possibly think of (w/out wiping the whole thing) but to no avail. I have cleared my cashe and even deleted the titanium backup which was around 1gb and still no dice.
Attached are some screenshots that may be helpful. There has to be something hidden but I just don't know where to look for it. I tried to install DiskUsage but I can't since I don't have enough room. How do I clear up this phone?! Any help would be much appreciated!!
View attachment 2743357
View attachment 2743358
View attachment 2743359
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need at least 3GB of free space to make CWM able to create backup... but you won't find that backup in /sdcard/cloclworkmod folder it's in /storage/emulated/blablabla or something like that and you won't be able to get access there from your computer
parkourz said:
You need at least 3GB of free space to make CWM able to create backup... but you won't find that backup in /sdcard/cloclworkmod folder it's in /storage/emulated/blablabla or something like that and you won't be able to get access there from your computer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, I'm not sure I understand. I'm in the emulated folder and went into the clockworkmod folder and keep descending and come to just 1 file that is just 7.63mb called "recovery-clockwork-....img". This can't be the solution, can it?
try in /storage/emulated/legacy/clockworkmod... or flash TWRP instead of CWM... if both won't help then you can try to make a backup with toolkit for PC, for example Wug's toolkit
Twrp is showing the backup size and a poseibility to compress it. You probably have much apps or there is some .something fokder what is using much or much cache just like on an desktop. Many things can cause it.
You may want to checkout what is using so much by deleting old folders from old apps or old things yiu dint use anymore.
Verstuurd vanaf mijn Nexus 4 met Tapatalk
I'm trying to side load the OTA for Lollipop using adb and the files available from Google. My device is unlocked and rooted.
I run the commands to sideload the zip file and everything seems to be working fine until I get this:
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I've cleared the cache partition but to no avail.
Does anyone have any insight or am I going to have to wipe everything?
Well I went ahead and did a Flash Stock + Unroot and now it's worse. No error messages. Just the android with the red triangle exclamation mark.
I'm getting fed up with this crap. Every time there is an OTA I have to jump through hoops to get it running again.
Anyone have clues about what to do now?
Skullpuck said:
Well I went ahead and did a Flash Stock + Unroot and now it's worse. No error messages. Just the android with the red triangle exclamation mark.
I'm getting fed up with this crap. Every time there is an OTA I have to jump through hoops to get it running again.
Anyone have clues about what to do now?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you already flashed stock and lost you user data plus can still get into the bootloader, then I suggest using a factory image to upgrade to Lollipop. I've ignored OTA's and have been applying the factory image for a while.
Not in this case but for next time, with the aid of root, a custom recovery to make a nandroid backup, Titanium backups for apps and user data. Prior to applying a factory image save a copy of the Titanium Backup directory, the nandroid backup plus any sundry files that were not backed up to a OTG SDCard (an OTG cable plus USB SDCared reader), getting back to your specific set up is not all that complicated. Plus you get to "spring clean" any old cruft that has built up wasting internal storage.
See: How to install Android Lollipop factory image on Nexus 5, 7 and 10 (and keep your data)
I have the same problem
I had system partition full after L update. I did it with factory image. I had to remove some apps from system to get adaway, busybox and so on working.
How to get more system space??
veepee78 said:
I had system partition full after L update. I did it with factory image. I had to remove some apps from system to get adaway, busybox and so on working.
How to get more system space??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Deleting apps from /system is the only option that I've heard of. You cannot change the /system partition size even if you have spare internal storage. If you're rooted then this sounds worse than it is because there is plenty of apps you likely do not use (e.g. some of the google apps like news). You're also unlikely to use some of the foreign language apps. Even some of the main Google aps get updated out side of /system making the the /system apks redundant.
Without even trying hard I removed 86MBs worth then installed all I wanted (e.g. busybox, Viper4Android ... etc) and still have 54Mg free. So I could have left a lot of apps installed but I'd never use them anyway.
You can delete /system apks if your rooted with a number of different apps:
- Titanium Backup
- A Root enabled file manager like ES File Explorer
- My personal favourite System app remover (ROOT)
Lots of options.
Skullpuck, did you find a solution?
Did you guys try ADB version 1.0.32 or newer? Something has changed in the sideload command (could be only when using TWRP, not sure)
Dear friends,
We love hearing songs from walkman application(Now it is known as 'Music'). So, we make playlists as per our​ requirements. But, whenever we are switching ROM or doing fresh installations, we lose all our playlists. It must be a difficult one for making playlists again and again. But, no worries. I found a way to backup the playlists we created.
Requirements:
1. Rooted phone
2. Titanium Backup
3. Walkman/Music app installed
4. Playlists created
Instructions for Backing up:
1. Open the app Titanium Backup from app drawer .
2. Goto Backup/Restore tab. There you will find the app Media Storage ****** (Playlists)
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3. Backup it along with Walkman/Music app.
4. Now, use any file manager and navigate to Phone Memory. There, you will find a folder named Titanium Backup. Copy that folder into SD card or somewhere else, where it will be safe.
That's all now you have backed up your playlist along with Walkman/Music app.
Instructions for Restoring:
1. After you have installed a new ROM/Fresh installation, install the app Titanium Backup from Playstore.
2. Now copy the Backed up Titanium Backup folder from SD card and paste it to the Phone memory.
3. Open the Titanium Backup app from app drawer.
4. Select the Menu from top right corner in the app.
5. You will see so many Menu options. Among that select Batch actions under,General category.
6. It will navigate to sub menu of Batch actions.
7. There select Run, Left to the Restore all apps Data under the Restore menu
8. Select, Media Storage ****** (Playlists) and, Music app and press the green tick mark on top right corner.
9. It is safe to reboot your phone after the restoration.
Voila!! Your playlists have been restored now.
I have personally verified this method on my Xperia Z2 Music app. Those who are using other mobiles, can confirm it.
I can confirm that this method works, though it will backup all your "Media Store", so info on pictures, videos, etc will also be there.
I have found a simple program on the play store that backups just the playlists and it works great for restoring them also, its called playlist backup:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.ssi.playlistbackup
I just stumbled upon it but if you guys just want to backup your playlists, it will do. Works great with the "favorites" playlists as well.
Also, no root needed!
IpThanks I needed this information to restore my playlists after my SD card suddenly broke. I tried restoring them by a nandroid but they would soon disappear after booting.
So I restored Media Storage ****** (Playlists) and Music app. Also using Titanium to freeze ProtectedMediaScannerTrigger prevented the playlists from disappearing soon after booting. I use "Xposed Media Scanner Optimizer" instead to manually trigger (or auto if set) to run scans that somehow doesn't remove tracks after a nandroid restore and also save battery by not running a scan on boot . Note that module breaks MTP but is fine on version 1.3.