Database Users

[Q] Any way to do a full offline backup?

I just noticed that the current clockworkmod for the Nexus 4 generates backups that only include images for boot and recovery.
Is there any way to get a full backup of everything on the device, which can be restored to return the phone to exactly the same state it was in? Having all files in formats that can be restored via fastboot would be ideal (just reflash boot/recovery/system/userdata).
Typically the solution is to dump all of this to the sd card, but since this phone doesn't have an sd card it would probably make sense to just send it over adb to be written to a PC (which is how I believe nandroid used to work when I first started using it on my G1).
If nothing exists I guess I can probably just whip up a script that runs over adb from an insecure recovery.
Why not just use titanium/etc? Well, I do, and that would be my solution for restoring individual apps/etc. However, if I want to mess with an experimental ROM for a few hours I'd rather just do a full image of the whole device and then restore it when I'm done. If I have image files I can restore via fastboot then I know that the phone is restored to the exact state it was in when I started.

I just use TWRP once a month or anytime I make critical changes to my system. (aka NANDROID backup) And also Titanium Backup Pro for individuality of app storage.
Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2

Hate to self-reply, but the other reason I don't like Titanium is that it isn't atomic. Time passes between the first and last backup, so the phone might not be restored to a consistent state. It is better than nothing, and it is as good as you can do for an online backup without converting the phone to something like btrfs, but I'd really prefer an atomic backup, which is best done offline unless the OS is designed for it.

chinchillables said:
I just use TWRP once a month or anytime I make critical changes to my system. (aka NANDROID backup) And also Titanium Backup Pro for individuality of app storage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Believe it or not I hadn't heard of TWRP. That seems to work better - I'll see if I prefer it to clockworkmod - if nothing else I'll just boot it from fastboot for backups.
I also use Ti Backup Pro for individual apps. I think that there is a place for both.

[Q] Smooth Rom 4.4

Hi
As you've prob guessed I'm a noob, hence the help.
Ive just recently rooted and unlocked my nexus 7 with wugfresh 1.6.2 and am now looking at putting a custom rom on it.
Ive followed the advice and put titanium backup on and backed up my apps and system data.
Having read the instructions for installing Smooth Rom 4.4, it states 'Please do not restore a 'system' data backup as it would overwritte some important files'
does this mean I cannot restore my apps from titanium backup as I cant restore system data as they where backed up together or is there some other way for me to do it ?
does titanium backup get wiped as well ?
All Help appreciated, this is my first rom install and I dont wanna **** it up.

Robbie_UK said:
All Help appreciated, this is my first rom install and I dont wanna **** it up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The most important thing to do is to make a FULL nandroid backup before you begin.
The 2nd most important thing to do is to get that backup copied someplace else besides the tablet. (PC, USB key, etc) Screw-ups involving accidental erasure of the psuedo- SD card area on the tablet are commonplace with folks that are new to this. It won't do you any good to make a backup if you immediately erase it while fooling around with a custom recovery (or toolkit) that is new to you.
I suggest you learn to make backups using the custom recovery rather than relying on a toolkit.
If you are happy with the tablet in it's current configuration, then a back-up allows you to survive any ****-ups that inevitably follow as you can return back to a known state and proceed again having learned from your mistakes.
FULL NANDROID BACKUPS. COPIED SOMEPLACE SAFE (OFF THE TABLET)
As for TiB, the only thing that is 100% safe is to only restore apps & their data that are NOT pre-installed in whatever ROM you are installing. Note this means not restoring any of the Google gapps as well, as you may have had a different versions of those apps running on your current ROM than on the to-be-installed ROM, whether pre-installed or updated later.
Yeah it's a bit of work restoring apps one by one and re-configuring things. There probably are System apps that can have their data safely restored to the wrong version of the app - but there are absolutely no guarantees that correct operation of the app will follow that.
cheers and good luck

[Q] Please help, S4 Complete Backup (Nandroid) tool/ dicerctions needed

Hey everyone, I'm new to android game, I've been cracking iPhones since 1st gen, decided to challenge myself. I have an S4, rooted, but no CWM installed. I want to save the recovery so if any issues ever occur, I can just flash it and have it covered under warranty, and also to be ble to return to stock wen I sell the phone.
Is there a tool i can use to make a nandroid backup? On my Nexus 7, There is an all-in-one tool and I can make a nandroid straight from my PC. Is there anything similar for the s4? If not, how to I make a nandroid backup? thank you everyone for your help, I appreciate it

Odin back to stock if you ever need to.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda app-developers app

Dimon1990 said:
Hey everyone, I'm new to android game, I've been cracking iPhones since 1st gen, decided to challenge myself. I have an S4, rooted, but no CWM installed. I want to save the recovery so if any issues ever occur, I can just flash it and have it covered under warranty, and also to be ble to return to stock wen I sell the phone.
Is there a tool i can use to make a nandroid backup? On my Nexus 7, There is an all-in-one tool and I can make a nandroid straight from my PC. Is there anything similar for the s4? If not, how to I make a nandroid backup? thank you everyone for your help, I appreciate it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not entirely sure it's possible to do a nandroid backup without first having a custom recovery. However, it is "always" possible to use the Odin method to return to stock (including stock recovery). Personally, I installed TWRP and immediately did a full nandroid (including system, boot, cache, etc...) and I've frequently found myself restoring pieces of it as I manage to screw up different things. I did return my recovery back to stock once by using the "dd" method to flash the stock recovery.img onto the correct emmc block. There's instructions how to do this exactly on the TWRP homepage (make sure you get the correct phone - block numbers are different for different devices) - but instead of re-flashing TWRP, I pulled the recovery.img from the giant Odin image available here on XDA.
It may also be possible to use "dd" to pull a copy of your existing recovery image as well, but I've never tried it.

Aou said:
I'm not entirely sure it's possible to do a nandroid backup without first having a custom recovery. However, it is "always" possible to use the Odin method to return to stock (including stock recovery). Personally, I installed TWRP and immediately did a full nandroid (including system, boot, cache, etc...) and I've frequently found myself restoring pieces of it as I manage to screw up different things. I did return my recovery back to stock once by using the "dd" method to flash the stock recovery.img onto the correct emmc block. There's instructions how to do this exactly on the TWRP homepage (make sure you get the correct phone - block numbers are different for different devices) - but instead of re-flashing TWRP, I pulled the recovery.img from the giant Odin image available here on XDA.
It may also be possible to use "dd" to pull a copy of your existing recovery image as well, but I've never tried it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you! I'll be installing TWRP today, what is Odin if I can ask? I've never heard of any of it from Nexus 7.
Also, If i do a titanium backup, can I easily restore apps with setting and save games while I'm running CM10.1?

Dimon1990 said:
Thank you! I'll be installing TWRP today, what is Odin if I can ask? I've never heard of any of it from Nexus 7.
Also, If i do a titanium backup, can I easily restore apps with setting and save games while I'm running CM10.1?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You better find out what odin is because it's the only way you'll be installing twrp. And don't count on tibu restoring all your apps seamlessly. Never reinstall system apps.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda app-developers app

jd1639 said:
You better find out what odin is because it's the only way you'll be installing twrp. And don't count on tibu restoring all your apps seamlessly. Never reinstall system apps.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I installed TWRP through GooManager. I looked up ODIN and got general info, hopefully I won't get stuck, but I'm sure I'll find my way around. Thank you so much for your help! I figured that sys apps will just be for stock, but i have a MC4 save that i don't want to lose ::cyclops: it looks like it's CM10.1 time for me!

Dimon1990 said:
Thank you! I'll be installing TWRP today, what is Odin if I can ask? I've never heard of any of it from Nexus 7.
Also, If i do a titanium backup, can I easily restore apps with setting and save games while I'm running CM10.1?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's the thread that explains how to return to stock using Odin. Be prepared for a large download.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2261573
In short, "Odin Mode" is the download mode that's built-in to just about every modern Samsung device, beginning as far back as the Captivate, afaik. Each device has a button combination to enter "download mode" or "odin mode". This special mode sometimes requires specific drivers to connect to your PC. Flashing stock firmware using this method is common, but with an unlocked bootloader, it could be used to flash about anything. It's like a secondary recovery in a sense. It's harder to destroy download mode, but still possible if you mess up the bootloader somehow.
For our device the easiest methods to get to download mode are:
- Hold down the power button until the device force-resets itself. The moment the device turns black, release the power button and begin holding down the Vol-Down button. The device with vibrate once as usual, but then you'll see a screen that you've never seen before (begins with "Warning!!").
- Using any shell, such as ADB Shell or a terminal emulator, give the command "reboot download". This may require root privileges, I'm not sure.
- There's apps for this - haven't tried them yet.
As for Titanium backup - I love this program and have purchased Pro (totally worth it). As others have said, it's a bad idea to backup/restore System apps. Only do so with extreme caution. It is possible to restore only the data from system apps, but again do so with caution.
While Google does its own job at re-installing apps after a factory reset (if you allow it to), it usually doesn't backup data for each app. I have a couple authenticator apps that I backup this way, and it works great for this. I've also managed to keep my copy of Angry Birds Samsung Edition from my Infuse. Other applications that have since disappeared from Google Play are still backed up and get migrated to each new device I purchase.
And for that matter, with almost every User application, you can easily back it up (with data) and restore it on a completely different ROM. When changing major android versions, you sometimes will find apps force-closing on you, requiring that you wipe their data... but I haven't had that problem in a long time.
You'll see some other things that you can backup, like SMS, Access Points, Bluetooth Pairings, etc. .... I recommend only restoring these with caution - especially cross-ROM or cross-device.
Okay, I'm done being long-winded. Good luck, have fun.

Good write up
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda app-developers app

Aou said:
Here's the thread that explains how to return to stock using Odin. Be prepared for a large download.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2261573
Thank you so much!
In short, "Odin Mode" is the download mode that's built-in to just about every modern Samsung device, beginning as far back as the Captivate, afaik. Each device has a button combination to enter "download mode" or "odin mode". This special mode sometimes requires specific drivers to connect to your PC. Flashing stock firmware using this method is common, but with an unlocked bootloader, it could be used to flash about anything. It's like a secondary recovery in a sense. It's harder to destroy download mode, but still possible if you mess up the bootloader somehow.
For our device the easiest methods to get to download mode are:
- Hold down the power button until the device force-resets itself. The moment the device turns black, release the power button and begin holding down the Vol-Down button. The device with vibrate once as usual, but then you'll see a screen that you've never seen before (begins with "Warning!!").
- Using any shell, such as ADB Shell or a terminal emulator, give the command "reboot download". This may require root privileges, I'm not sure.
- There's apps for this - haven't tried them yet.
As for Titanium backup - I love this program and have purchased Pro (totally worth it). As others have said, it's a bad idea to backup/restore System apps. Only do so with extreme caution. It is possible to restore only the data from system apps, but again do so with caution.
While Google does its own job at re-installing apps after a factory reset (if you allow it to), it usually doesn't backup data for each app. I have a couple authenticator apps that I backup this way, and it works great for this. I've also managed to keep my copy of Angry Birds Samsung Edition from my Infuse. Other applications that have since disappeared from Google Play are still backed up and get migrated to each new device I purchase.
And for that matter, with almost every User application, you can easily back it up (with data) and restore it on a completely different ROM. When changing major android versions, you sometimes will find apps force-closing on you, requiring that you wipe their data... but I haven't had that problem in a long time.
You'll see some other things that you can backup, like SMS, Access Points, Bluetooth Pairings, etc. .... I recommend only restoring these with caution - especially cross-ROM or cross-device.
Okay, I'm done being long-winded. Good luck, have fun.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much!

Transfert App & Data between devices

Hi,
Tomorow or the day after I will get my Moto x pure, don't want to root it yet, I prefer to wait 2 or 3 months.
So my question is can I backup all my app and setting from my Galaxy S5 rooted with adb backup and then restore the backup without get any trouble or bootloop ?
Or do you have another idea without rooting ?
Thanks

Titanium Backup will do exactly what you want... Archive applications, app data, and settings from your old phone, and allow you to restore those into your new phone. The catch is that you DO need root.
You can't use adb or nandroid backups like you were thinking, because you are moving those files to different hardware. Nandroid backups only work when you are moving to the same hardware (e.g. you received a new replacement phone because your old phone got damaged, and you want to move over all of your data and settings).
If you are familiar with computers, Titanium Backup is like running a backup program (for tape backups). Nandroid is like doing a drive image. A Nandroid (drive image) will capture and restore a lot more data that a backup program, and will be easier to restore. But it only works if you are restoring to exactly the same hardware.
If you are considering root, I actually recommend you just do it on day 1. Getting root (and unlocked bootloader) on this phone will wipe your device. So you might as well do it when your phone is unused. Plus, you get the benefits of root on day 1, such as being able to run Titanium Backup to easily port over your apps and data; and being able to run GravityBox (an XPosed module) to tweak the UI however you would like.
Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk

kent1146 is right that the unlocking the bootloader will totally wipe your phone, including the internal SD card. I had already set up my phone before unlocking and expected to lose my apps and settings, but was shocked to also lose everything on the internal SD.
When I transferred over from my GS3 the first time, I used the NFC/WiFi Moto Migrate app during initial setup. That was a mistake. It took forever and stuff didn't end up where I wanted it, plus is only works for some of your data. After unlocking my bootloader, I simply copied my GS3 internal SD contents to my computer over WiFi, then copied what I wanted over to the MXPE internal SD via WiFi. That was faster and I got exactly what I wanted and how I wanted it set up.
As for your apps, Google will take care of that by downloading (over WiFi) all the apps that you have on your current account to the new device, along with your contacts and a few settings. I recommend that approach to get a clean start with the new phone. Garbage accumulates over time, and it helps both performance and SD space to start fresh. I use TiBackup religiously, but chose to restore only a few app settings with it on the MXPE.

Without root, if you're decide not to, helium backup worked amazing for me

Well I will try helium at first, because I realy want to test the phone before unlooking it. And in that case I think I could do a Nandroid BAckup with ADB and restore it in the same hardware after unlocking the phone.
I will root if I get a lot of battery drain to see what appened.
When we have the root do we are able to get the OTA upadte or we need a patch for it ?

psxmail said:
Well I will try helium at first, because I realy want to test the phone before unlooking it. And in that case I think I could do a Nandroid BAckup with ADB and restore it in the same hardware after unlocking the phone.
I will root if I get a lot of battery drain to see what appened.
When we have the root do we are able to get the OTA upadte or we need a patch for it ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We won't know for sure until the first OTA update is released, but I would guess so if that's all we do. My warranty still shows as valid on Moto's website and the fastboot screen shows the OS as "original." With that "original" designation, I'm guessing that OTA updates will probably work. We'll see for sure come Marshmallow.

psxmail said:
Well I will try helium at first, because I realy want to test the phone before unlooking it. And in that case I think I could do a Nandroid BAckup with ADB and restore it in the same hardware after unlocking the phone.
I will root if I get a lot of battery drain to see what appened.
When we have the root do we are able to get the OTA upadte or we need a patch for it ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You won't get OTA if you root.
Rooting will require you install a non-stock bootloader (TWRP), which wont automatically install OTA. Plus, root access will modify /system files, causing the OTA to fail.
Typical process for updating an unlocked and rooted phone is to restore your recovery and root access to stock, take the OTA update, then re-apply custom recovery and root. Or, just wait until someone has a flashable ROM that contains the OTA
Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk

HELP - Restoring backups to a new custom rom

SOLVED!

cheeseypi said:
I have been scouring the internet for over 2 hours, and I can't seem to find anyone who has done something similar to this, so here goes:
I currently have a Nexus 6P with the Pure Nexus Project Rom installed. I would like to switch to CyanogenMod. Normally, this would be no problem, however I am running into some difficulties with backups. Ideally, I would just do a NANDroid backup from TWRP, but I don't have enough space on my device. Right now I am running a full ADB backup to my computer, but in this instance I don't know if I'll be able to restore that backup to a new CyanogenMod installation.
TL;DR: Will an ADB backup restore to a new custom rom i.e. restore to CM from PureNexus? If not, is there a way to do a NANDroid backup directly to my computer?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You shouldn't be using TWRP to backup/restore data between different ROMs in the first place. That will not only back up your apps but all settings as well, which will cause problems on a different ROM. The only safe way is to use Titanium Backup to backup your user apps (not system apps) and then restore that backup on the new ROM.

Heisenberg said:
You shouldn't be using TWRP to backup/restore data between different ROMs in the first place. That will not only back up your apps but all settings as well, which will cause problems on a different ROM. The only safe way is to use Titanium Backup to backup your user apps (not system apps) and then restore that backup on the new ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that goes against everything I've seen... Thanks though.

cheeseypi said:
Well that goes against everything I've seen... Thanks though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you point me to where you've seen someone recommending to restore a nandroid /data backup on a different ROM? It's widely known that this is nothing but trouble, if it's on XDA it probably needs to be taken care of.

cheeseypi said:
I have been scouring the internet for over 2 hours, and I can't seem to find anyone who has done something similar to this, so here goes:
I currently have a Nexus 6P with the Pure Nexus Project Rom installed. I would like to switch to CyanogenMod. Normally, this would be no problem, however I am running into some difficulties with backups. Ideally, I would just do a NANDroid backup from TWRP, but I don't have enough space on my device. Right now I am running a full ADB backup to my computer, but in this instance I don't know if I'll be able to restore that backup to a new CyanogenMod installation.
TL;DR: Will an ADB backup restore to a new custom rom i.e. restore to CM from PureNexus? If not, is there a way to do a NANDroid backup directly to my computer?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Titanium backup is the only really viable solution in such a case. When you need to make a snapshot of your whole system in case of failure you use a Nandroid backup, however when you need to transfer data between /system formats then it's best if you use titanium backup.