Database Users

Factory Resetting bad??

I factory reset my phone alot, im talking maybe once a week. Is it bad to do this?? Will my phones performance plummet or what? Thanks in advance! =]
Sent from my PG06100 using xda premium

I wouldnt think so the flashaholics and devs flash more than once in a day sometimes, when i was trying different things with Supreme, i would format system/data/cache and wipe dalvik sometimes 3 times a day and reflash because i had an error
Sent from my PG06100 using Tapatalk

its perfectly fine, i do it all the time testing different things on my transform and ive never had a problem from factory resetting it. hoping to be able to be a flashaholic again soon with the shift

I suppose it could over the long run. I think it would take quite a while. Because I've been doing full wipes, and factory resets. Testing stuff, reflashing because of errors, or just dev stuff. For a while now, zero adverse effects.

There have been debates about this in every forum on XDA I'm pretty sure haha. The general consensus from what I've read is this. NAND memory does have a lifespan, that much is a fact. It is most people's opinion, however, that even above average flashaholics will not reach this lifespan in the couple of years they have their phone.

Not as bad as dropping your phone.

VICODAN said:
Not as bad as dropping your phone.
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Click to collapse
That can be pretty bad, yes . What precisely do each of the various wipe/resets accomplish? I.e., factory, dalek, memory cache, partition reset, etc.
Thanks
Sent from my PG06100 using XDA App

Jedman67 said:
That can be pretty bad, yes . What precisely do each of the various wipe/resets accomplish? I.e., factory, dalek, memory cache, partition reset, etc.
Thanks
Sent from my PG06100 using XDA App
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Click to collapse
Factory wipes you /data and /cache which data is where your apps and random user stuff is stored, your cache is your cache... Your dalvik from what I understand is what makes android android, that's where all your widgets and what not reside, /system wipes your system files and formats it, of you wipe that you need to flash another rom cuz your phone won't boot other wise... If i have anything wrong please correct me, but ya
Sent from my Shifty Speedy using XDA Premium App

Thanks guys
Sent from my PG06100 using xda premium

Why I'm hesitating to root...

Hi Folks,
My first post on N4 section.
Ive just upgraded from a HTC Sensation that I've been running for two years, mostly using CM9 & CM10 on it, so Im well aware of all the benefits to root.
Even been lucky enough to have some of the excellent Devs cooking in this section over at Sensation workbench too, like Showp's kernel with Sweep2wake.
So far, my Nexus has not been rooted, and although I miss custom Rom-ing, im very excited to say that not rooting means that some apps like SkyGo and Barclays Mobile banking & Barclays PingIt are working very nicely for me indeed, something that never happened on my Sensation.
Since my go-to rom on Sensation was AOSP anyway, Im pleased with my stock Android for now, and it just seems that some of the apps I can use now are pushing me into the non-root territory.... for now.
Anyone with any thoughts on my current predicament?

I don't see anything wrong with it although you are going to lose data the moment you decide to root. Unlocking the bootloader would wipe data off your phone if I remember correctly. (Nexus noob as I came from Desire.)
via xda app

Agreed, I rooted my xperia, HTC evo and HP touchpad just to run AOSP. My nexus is staying stock for a long time, like you its very convenient to use the Barclays apps, only thing that might tempt me to root is to block ads....
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

I was in your boat with my HTC vivid. That thing had to be rooted to make it actually useful. But with the N4, I have no need to root. Ironic, don't you think? We finally get the phone that screams to mod it with how easy it is to root and yet we don't...
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

While I respect all of your decisions to hold off on rooting, I will recommend that even if you don't root, unlock your boot loader ASAP because as mentioned above, your data IS wiped when you do so and it is necessary to do so if you ever decide to root in the future.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

I have taken a look at the nexus 4 toolkit by mskip and you backup apps and data before unlocking then restore.... So I don't think it really matters.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

stankyou said:
I don't see anything wrong with it although you are going to lose data the moment you decide to root. Unlocking the bootloader would wipe data off your phone if I remember correctly. (Nexus noob as I came from Desire.)
via xda app
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Click to collapse
Hmm I didn't lose data when I rooted..
Also without root you can't make the most of your battery with under clicking, screen off profiles, cpu sleeper, etc.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

VoiD_Dweller said:
Hmm I didn't lose data when I rooted..
Also without root you can't make the most of your battery with under clicking, screen off profiles, cpu sleeper, etc.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As soon as I unlock the bootloader, my data is wiped. Maybe you used toolkits and such like what the other guy said and had that option to save stuff. As for me I prefer command lines as much as possible.
via xda app

I'm in the same place as you. One of my main reasons for using custom ROMs was because I loved the look of AOSP. Now I have AOSP, I'm less tempted to flash anything or root, because everything works and looks good.

stankyou said:
As soon as I unlock the bootloader, my data is wiped. Maybe you used toolkits and such like what the other guy said and had that option to save stuff. As for me I prefer command lines as much as possible.
via xda app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Guide stickied in this forum has a how-to on ADB Backups.
Perform the backup as outlined and unlock...
Restore as outlined and it's as though nothing ever happened...all data restored.

Well, had the Evo V before this and I rooted/modded it to look/run like this phone runs out of the box so I don't plan on rooting at all.
Sent from my Nexus 4

joshnichols189 said:
While I respect all of your decisions to hold off on rooting, I will recommend that even if you don't root, unlock your boot loader ASAP because as mentioned above, your data IS wiped when you do so and it is necessary to do so if you ever decide to root in the future.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will unlocking Bootloader mean apps that don't work on Root phones stop functioning?

No unlocked DOES NOT equal root
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

to root or not to root

GF bought me a N7 for xmas (love abbreviations) and it was to upgrade from a kindle fire from previous.
I of course rooted the KF in about 5 minutes and its been running full android since first boot but with my N7 I almost feel I dont have to root for some reason. My NS phone is of course rooted but after setting up the N7 its almost so functional after that it seems to much work since rooting will wipe the device.
Anyway if you guys were in my position would you root or no?

If you need/use apps, that need root, yes you should ^^ if not, IMHO you don't need to, for me and my use (gaming, chatting, browsing, celebrating, xdaing) stock is very comfortable and nice.
It really depends on how you want to use it ^^ test stock for a few days and decide after testing
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

I didn't due to not having my laptop at time of purchase. While all is well and I don't need root for anything I have been thinking about rooting just because its a nexus and knowing I haven't modded it in the least is starting to semi bother me. However now I only have 8GB free on a 32GB version and really don't want to lose all my data. So I'd recommend it so you don't regret not doing it down the road.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium

95Z28 said:
I didn't due to not having my laptop at time of purchase. While all is well and I don't need root for anything I have been thinking about rooting just because its a nexus and knowing I havuse en't modded it in the least is starting to semi bother me. However now I only have 8GB free on a 32GB version and really don't want to lose all my data. So I'd recommend it so you don't regret not doing it down the road.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
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Click to collapse
I don't think rooting will wipe SD. It will wipe os. I just went to install button savior and saw it needed too so I'm pretty much decided. I turned on backup through google so hopefully when i root i can just use Google to restore my data for me and just use apex to restore may desktop

tevil said:
GF bought me a N7 for xmas (love abbreviations) and it was to upgrade from a kindle fire from previous.
I of course rooted the KF in about 5 minutes and its been running full android since first boot but with my N7 I almost feel I dont have to root for some reason. My NS phone is of course rooted but after setting up the N7 its almost so functional after that it seems to much work since rooting will wipe the device.
Anyway if you guys were in my position would you root or no?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would at least unlock the bootloader since it will wipe your tab completely. Then later on if you want to root you won't need to unlock it.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium

I got mine for christmas too. Rooted it on the same evening and it's a total different experience. Try flashing Paranoid Android and use Action Launcher. It's the ultimate tablet experience for me because both ROM and Launcher use the 7" display the best.

I root because I know I'm going to need root apps even if I don't feel like using a custom ROM.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app

I really think there is no reason to root. Stock on the n7 is flawless IMO. I rooted mine just to familiarize myself with the manual process but I have no intention of changing anything. I even got rid of custom recovery and re locked my bootloader.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium

root
I would root for the access

tevil said:
GF bought me a N7 for xmas (love abbreviations) and it was to upgrade from a kindle fire from previous.
I of course rooted the KF in about 5 minutes and its been running full android since first boot but with my N7 I almost feel I dont have to root for some reason. My NS phone is of course rooted but after setting up the N7 its almost so functional after that it seems to much work since rooting will wipe the device.
Anyway if you guys were in my position would you root or no?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Always ROOT.
I would root my electric toothbrush if I could.

tevil said:
I don't think rooting will wipe SD. It will wipe os. I just went to install button savior and saw it needed too so I'm pretty much decided. I turned on backup through google so hopefully when i root i can just use Google to restore my data for me and just use apex to restore may desktop
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Click to collapse
Your right, I just mean in my case since I didn't unlock bootloader or anything in order to obtain root I would lose all my data. But actually just the rooting part shouldn't wipe anything.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium

[Q] Accidently formatted sd card ... on CWM

My heart litterally stopped at that point .. What can i do to get it back? ... never again CWM even if i enjoy it.. right now im enjoying team win recovery more... Anyone can help get me bak my data? MY MUSIC PROJECT WAS INSIDE!!!
NExt time ill back up if i really cant get it bak

lokenok said:
My heart litterally stopped at that point .. What can i do to get it back? ... never again CWM even if i enjoy it.. right now im enjoying team win recovery more... Anyone can help get me bak my data? MY MUSIC PROJECT WAS INSIDE!!!
NExt time ill back up if i really cant get it bak
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not CWM's fault! It's your own stupidity! There is no such a thing as accidentally formatting! Your music project is gone for good...
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

i mean but on cwm the format sd data is ever so close to fomat system and other stuff no way of getting it back?

lokenok said:
i mean but on cwm the format sd data is ever so close to fomat system and other stuff no way of getting it back?
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Click to collapse
No its all gone now.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

If this project was so important to you why didn't you back it up off of the phone somewhere? Dropbox or the free 50GB Box account most got with the Nexus 4 come to mind. I'm not sure if a full nandroid backup includes the contents of the sdcard on the nexus 4 but that might be a place to start looking, that is if you ever bothered to do a full backup of your phone.

You can get your files back, the same thing happened to me, my pocket somehow formatted my sdcard. Look for software that recovers deleted files
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

kzoodroid said:
I'm not sure if a full nandroid backup includes the contents of the sdcard on the nexus 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't.
inf3rno1 said:
You can get your files back, the same thing happened to me, my pocket somehow formatted my sdcard. Look for software that recovers deleted files
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why not share that precious secret then..? What is the point of your post unless you share the name of that software..???
Difficult to understand xda sometimes..

OP try this method. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1994705
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

tried that method but it hangs when making the image file..

Vangelis13 said:
It doesn't.
Why not share that precious secret then..? What is the point of your post unless you share the name of that software..???
Difficult to understand xda sometimes..
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Click to collapse
What secret? I said there is software that recovers deleted files. Have you heard of Google? Search for software that recovers deleted files and voila, you'll have your dats back. There are hundreds of programs that can handle your problem.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

lokenok said:
My heart litterally stopped at that point .. What can i do to get it back? ... never again CWM even if i enjoy it.. right now im enjoying team win recovery more... Anyone can help get me bak my data? MY MUSIC PROJECT WAS INSIDE!!!
NExt time ill back up if i really cant get it bak
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know if it works for our phones, but I accidentally formatted an external hard drive before and used the Easeus data recovery wizard software. It recovered everything. Worth a shot
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

That happened to me on TWRP. I am glad I had a backup on my Google Drive so I could just redownload
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

inf3rno1 said:
What secret? I said there is software that recovers deleted files. Have you heard of Google? Search for software that recovers deleted files and voila, you'll have your dats back. There are hundreds of programs that can handle your problem.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No offence but he could've searched on Google without anyone telling him to. that's why people come here on xda to get help from fellow members.. what's the point of replying if someone asks for help here and in reply what he all gets is 'go search Google'..
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

Sak3ater said:
No offence but he could've searched on Google without anyone telling him to. that's why people come here on xda to get help from fellow members.. what's the point of replying if someone asks for help here and in reply what he all gets is 'go search Google'..
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
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Click to collapse
XDA also encourages users to search for answers before asking for help. This place is for learning new things and expanding current knowledge. People won't really learn if they're spoon fed what they want to know.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

Sak3ater said:
No offence but he could've searched on Google without anyone telling him to. that's why people come here on xda to get help from fellow members.. what's the point of replying if someone asks for help here and in reply what he all gets is 'go search Google'..
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Boy do you have it wrong. XDA is not a place to come and get help. IT is not a support site. This is a developers site. You are EXPECTED to put in the time and effort to fix your own issues first. Then spend some time searching. (and do search outside your own devices forum) Then you try some things you have seen. If that doesnt work then you can post a thread but dont expect a solution.

inf3rno1 said:
What secret? I said there is software that recovers deleted files. Have you heard of Google? Search for software that recovers deleted files and voila, you'll have your dats back. There are hundreds of programs that can handle your problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd love to here about the hundreds of software that recovers deleted files from MTP devices (MTP is not direct hardware access like plugging a flash drive into your computer)

espionage724 said:
I'd love to here about the hundreds of software that recovers deleted files from MTP devices (MTP is not direct hardware access like plugging a flash drive into your computer)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you mean the software like PC Inspector or Recuva or any other file recovering software will not work on our Nexus 4..??
once i deleted my photos from my old desire HD and i recovered it using PC inspector...now Nexus does not have SD card so i am not sure weather that will work or not..

ramkumar2000 said:
So you mean the software like PC Inspector or Recuva or any other file recovering software will not work on our Nexus 4..??
once i deleted my photos from my old desire HD and i recovered it using PC inspector...now Nexus does not have SD card so i am not sure weather that will work or not..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't tested such software, and I could be wrong, but when you connect (most) newer Android devices to a computer, you get access to the files via MTP. You don't have direct access to the filesystem (which I think is ext4), and because of this, you can't do the "advanced" stuff needed for file recovery (I guess checking sectors, free space, and etc.)
Older (and some newer) Android devices when hooked to a computer let you do USB Mass Storage (essentially the same kind of access you have when you plug a flash drive in), which is giving you direct access to the file system (FAT32), and in-theory, should work fine with file recovery software.

so can we mount the nexus 4 as fat32 or ext4? because on mine it just shows up in device section with no name

Backup via ADB?

Hey everyone
My Nexus 4 screen cracked, I'm sending it to LG for repair, they explained it will be factory wiped.
Before i send it, can someone explain to a n00b how I can back up my phone's data? I can't use the phone at all, the digitizer is cooked.
Thank you!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium

For the SD card, use adb pull. Your apps should be backed up with your Google account
Please disregard typos.... Sent from my NeXuS 4

Read here. 2nd post. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=34744848
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

El Daddy said:
Read here. 2nd post. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=34744848
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
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Click to collapse
When I get home, I will look into this. Thank you,!
Sent from my LG-P999 using xda premium

New Jer-Z said:
When I get home, I will look into this. Thank you,!
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Click to collapse
Note that adb backup can be unreliable. I suggest making several types of backups--with APK, without APK, with system, without system, etc. Because you don't know which one will restore properly. Also do the more traditional backups, like SMS backup.

fenstre said:
Note that adb backup can be unreliable. I suggest making several types of backups--with APK, without APK, with system, without system, etc. Because you don't know which one will restore properly. Also do the more traditional backups, like SMS backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Truthfully, i'm interested in saving my pictures - everything else is salvageable.

New Jer-Z said:
Truthfully, i'm interested in saving my pictures - everything else is salvageable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's easy if they're in /sdcard/DCIM. ADB could theoretically back up your photos ("adb backup -shared"), but I wouldn't trust something so important to a tool that didn't appear quite reliable when I tested it.

fenstre said:
That's easy if they're in /sdcard/DCIM. ADB could theoretically back up your photos ("adb backup -shared"), but I wouldn't trust something so important to a tool that didn't appear quite reliable when I tested it.
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Click to collapse
I appreciate the input!
I totally just realized, I can just plug my phone into the computer and copy and paste. The phone works - the screen just won't register touches. Very silly of me!