Database Users

[Q] Doing a complete backup and restore

Hey everyone,
I'm pretty new to Android and purchased a Nexus 7 not too long ago and have recently discovered a dead pixel on it. It drives me crazy enough for me to take it back to Best Buy and do an exchange which shouldn't be a problem.
My only concern is performing a complete backup of my current device (Apps, Settings, Maybe even my widgets/home screens), do the in-store exchange, and then do a complete restore on my new Nexus 7.
I am savvy enough to root the device so I have no issue using any community created apps to perform this.
I see a few threads regarding this but I am unsure if they are the correct ones.
Guide Backing up my Nexus 7 from total loss
Google Nexus 7 TOOLKIT V2.0.0 Drivers, Backup, Unlock, Root, CWM, Flash + MUCH MORE
It seems like the Google Nexus 7 toolkit is what I need but I'd like to confirm what the easiest and correct route is.

You are right, the second link Google Nexus 7 Toolkit is what you need, its pretty simple just follow the instructions given.
You can do nandroid backup which backs up pretty much everything system + user apps and save it on your pc.

Thank you! The full NANDROID backup worked.
Another question for anyone. I'm not receiving the 4.1.2 update on my device but when I did a factory reset, I got the update right away. Is this because my Nexus is rooted? I have the stock ROM. All I had done was root the device but I am not receiving the update after doing my NANDROID restore.

[Q] Downgrade from 4.2 to 4.1.2

Some apps not working after updated to 4.2, so I'm considering back to 4.1.2.
Though I never done this before since the day I get Nexus 7,
I think use Wug's Nexus Root Toolkit should get it done.
But just for sure:
1. Do I need to unlock/root to flash factory 4.1.2 image? (I think it is not but not so sure)
2. Directory structure seems different from 4.1.2, is it OK just using Toolkit to backup/restore settings?
(Sorry for my English if anything looks impolite)

1) unlock bootloader yes; root no, as you're going to overwrite the system anyways.
Also I'd suggest not using a toolkit, just download the factory image off google's page and run the "flash-all.bat"
2) Use Titanium Backup to backup all app data, wipe after flashing 4.1.2 and then restore apps + data with Titanium again

I just downgraded this morning. All your data will be wiped .. ALL YOUR DATA ... meaning, after I got back to 4.1.2 I was having 13GB of free space on the tablet (out of 13 possible) .
So, if you HAVE a nandroid from the 4.1.2 days, save it to your computer (along with all your files).
If you don't have a 4.1.2 nandroid, at least create now a backup repository with whatever tool you prefer and then save the respective files to PC.
Then, flash the factory image for 4.1.2.
Then copy all your files back to the internal memory, install the backup tool and restore your apps.
The reason behind this is that the update from 4.1.2 to 4.2 has some scripts that are porting the original /data and /sdcard mounts to the new structure used in 4.2
When downgrading, you no longer have scripts to do that for you so the newly installed 4.1.2 will not recognize anything so it will bootloop like crazy (I tried first to restore just the /system ... but all the other data was already affected by the update so was no longer usable).

My thoughts:
If you got the ota, and things messed up, try flashing the 4.2 factory image. That seemed to help me. If you're not rooted already, I would recommend becoming familiar with the adb backup command to backup apps before doing anything else. You have to unlock the boot loader to downgrade or flash the factory 4.2 image, and this will wipe the device.
Once you update either way, definitely take the time to root. You can then use adb restore or titanium backup to restore from the adb backup you made before unlocking.
Just be aware that adb backup doesn't seem to backup all apps, and that titanium backup isn't exactly fast parsing through a big adb backup file.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2

step by step?
srry, very nooby questions:
how do i flash my nexus?
where do i find the factory image?
what is the backup tool?
ro_explorer said:
I just downgraded this morning. All your data will be wiped .. ALL YOUR DATA ... meaning, after I got back to 4.1.2 I was having 13GB of free space on the tablet (out of 13 possible) .
So, if you HAVE a nandroid from the 4.1.2 days, save it to your computer (along with all your files).
If you don't have a 4.1.2 nandroid, at least create now a backup repository with whatever tool you prefer and then save the respective files to PC.
Then, flash the factory image for 4.1.2.
Then copy all your files back to the internal memory, install the backup tool and restore your apps.
The reason behind this is that the update from 4.1.2 to 4.2 has some scripts that are porting the original /data and /sdcard mounts to the new structure used in 4.2
When downgrading, you no longer have scripts to do that for you so the newly installed 4.1.2 will not recognize anything so it will bootloop like crazy (I tried first to restore just the /system ... but all the other data was already affected by the update so was no longer usable).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

HellcatDroid said:
1) unlock bootloader yes; root no, as you're going to overwrite the system anyways.
Also I'd suggest not using a toolkit, just download the factory image off google's page and run the "flash-all.bat"
2) Use Titanium Backup to backup all app data, wipe after flashing 4.1.2 and then restore apps + data with Titanium again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
restoring my apps with Titanium Backup is unsuccessful , when i first tried a full app+data restore it freezes at 0 percent
and when i tried backuping app the missing apps , it worked but after i rebooted it . It went into a bootloop

Youssef Hossam said:
restoring my apps with Titanium Backup is unsuccessful , when i first tried a full app+data restore it freezes at 0 percent and when i tried backuping app the missing apps , it worked but after i rebooted it . It went into a bootloop
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Assumed you are referring to downgrade from 4.2.1 to 4.1.2 and rooted to run TB, so the basic stock rom is up & running otherwise, correct?
Let's try Plan B instead - go into (Custom) Recovery and wipe dalvik cache first, then reboot. Give it a few minutes to settle and try to do your TB restore WITHOUT data, and see if it works. The /SD and/or /SD/0 directory structures are setup differently on the N7 and trying to retore with your custom settings will just make it more difficult & complicated. If this works, you can then try to selectively restore one or more with data and hopefully without going into endless bootloop again.
Plan C - go to Play Store, then Settings and "All" - you should see all of your Apps and what's installed, etc. - and install from there, it's semi-manual but it works for me 99.8% of the time when it would otherwise freeze within TB, especially true when switching custom Rom & kernels.
I usually manually copy & move back items such as documents, pictures & mp3's, etc. from standalone/usb backup drives or cloud storage back into the device once everything else are up & running properly.
Let us know if this helps & working for you or not.

Thankss !
Letitride said:
Assumed you are referring to downgrade from 4.2.1 to 4.1.2 and rooted to run TB, so the basic stock rom is up & running otherwise, correct?
Let's try Plan B instead - go into (Custom) Recovery and wipe dalvik cache first, then reboot. Give it a few minutes to settle and try to do your TB restore WITHOUT data, and see if it works. The /SD and/or /SD/0 directory structures are setup differently on the N7 and trying to retore with your custom settings will just make it more difficult & complicated. If this works, you can then try to selectively restore one or more with data and hopefully without going into endless bootloop again.
Plan C - go to Play Store, then Settings and "All" - you should see all of your Apps and what's installed, etc. - and install from there, it's semi-manual but it works for me 99.8% of the time when it would otherwise freeze within TB, especially true when switching custom Rom & kernels.
I usually manually copy & move back items such as documents, pictures & mp3's, etc. from standalone/usb backup drives or cloud storage back into the device once everything else are up & running properly.
Let us know if this helps & working for you or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your help , but I think the problem was that there were apps in the backup only compatible with the custom ROM I had and android 4.2.1 xD
I restored the apps one by one , but I think if I deleted the extra custom rom apps , the process would have finished without any problems

Hi fellow people,
i'm a noob just made my xda account like 5 mins ago. I've been trying to search for my problem but I haven't really a found a direct answer. So yesterday I just got my Samsung Galaxy nexus update to 4.2.1. I was really excited until I started having the battery issues, screen lock issues, and overheating problem. I really don't like 4.2.1 and want to downgrade my version back 4.1.2. My carrier is the Mobicility (Canadian). I did not do anything previously with this phone such as rooting it, doing all the funky stuff that will void my warranty. I heard about flashing some google images to get back 4.1.2 but I'm not sure if I need to root or how to like do it through the gnex toolkit that mskip made. As well what if the difference between yakju and maguro? I heard if you flash the wrong image it will brick your phone or something like that. If there is a method without having to root it and lose all my contacts, then I would prefer that a lot.
Thanks,
mleung754

mleung754 said:
Hi fellow people,
i'm a noob just made my xda account like 5 mins ago. I've been trying to search for my problem but I haven't really a found a direct answer. So yesterday I just got my Samsung Galaxy nexus update to 4.2.1. I was really excited until I started having the battery issues, screen lock issues, and overheating problem. I really don't like 4.2.1 and want to downgrade my version back 4.1.2. My carrier is the Mobicility (Canadian). I did not do anything previously with this phone such as rooting it, doing all the funky stuff that will void my warranty. I heard about flashing some google images to get back 4.1.2 but I'm not sure if I need to root or how to like do it through the gnex toolkit that mskip made. As well what if the difference between yakju and maguro? I heard if you flash the wrong image it will brick your phone or something like that. If there is a method without having to root it and lose all my contacts, then I would prefer that a lot.
Thanks,
mleung754
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You dont have to root but you need to UNLOCK the bootloader which will obviously erase all your data(and VOID your warranty). you can find the factory image here https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images . just flash the appropriate image and you should be as good to go.

mleung754 said:
Hi fellow people,
i'm a noob just made my xda account like 5 mins ago. I've been trying to search for my problem but I haven't really a found a direct answer. So yesterday I just got my Samsung Galaxy nexus update to 4.2.1. I was really excited until I started having the battery issues, screen lock issues, and overheating problem. I really don't like 4.2.1 and want to downgrade my version back 4.1.2. My carrier is the Mobicility (Canadian). I did not do anything previously with this phone such as rooting it, doing all the funky stuff that will void my warranty. I heard about flashing some google images to get back 4.1.2 but I'm not sure if I need to root or how to like do it through the gnex toolkit that mskip made. As well what if the difference between yakju and maguro? I heard if you flash the wrong image it will brick your phone or something like that. If there is a method without having to root it and lose all my contacts, then I would prefer that a lot.
Thanks,
mleung754
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mleung754,
You are posting in the wrong forum.
Asus Nexus 7 is not the same thing as a Samsung Galaxy Nexus.
Ignore mmystere68's remarks.

[Q] Questions about Nexus 7 rooting

Hello!
I have a couple of questions about rooting the Asus Nexus 7.
1. Will just a root alone wipe the device?
2. If I use Titanium Backup before unlocking the device bootloader, can I save a backup of everything (apks, app data, photos, videos e.t.c) on to my Windows 8 laptop and then restore it afterwards (like a disk image of Windows)?
3. If I install the Paranoid Android 3.x ROM, would that wipe device data again or not?
4. If I brick it (which I have done before with other phones, RIP LG Optimus Me), how easy is it to restore the original device firmware?
5. How would I go about updating my tablet whilst it is rooted/ParanoidAndroided and what would be the consequences of it?
6. What on earth does ROM actually stand for!?
Thank you!
-Orange

Hi, OrangeFlash81...
Taking your questions, one at a time...
---------------------
OrangeFlash81 said:
1. Will just a root alone wipe the device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ROOTING won't, but unlocking the BOOTLOADER as a prerequisite will.
OrangeFlash81 said:
2. If I use Titanium Backup before unlocking the device bootloader, can I save a backup of everything (apks, app data, photos, videos e.t.c) on to my Windows 8 laptop and then restore it afterwards (like a disk image of Windows).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can backup everything (granular) using Titanium , and via CWM/TRWP - nandroids (monolithic)... and adb pulled accordingly.
OrangeFlash81 said:
3. If I install the Paranoid Android 3.x ROM, would that wipe device data again or not?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't know about PA. But I would expect you would lose all your current 'user data'. So make sure you back everything up with Titanium or Carbon first.
OrangeFlash81 said:
4. If I brick it (which I have done before with other phones, RIP LG Optimus Me), how easy is it to restore the original device firmware?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depends if it's a SOFTBRICK (which are always recoverable).. and very easy to reflash back to STOCK using FASTBOOT. If it's HARDBRICKED (usually caused by a corrupted or erased BOOTLOADER), you're kind of screwed.
OrangeFlash81 said:
5. How would I go about updating my tablet whilst it is rooted/ParanoidAndroided and what would be the consequences of it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait for the developer to release an updated version. You won't loose ROOT, if that's what your alluding to... CUSTOM ROMS, Paranoid included, are generally ROOTED by default.
OrangeFlash81 said:
6. What on earth does ROM actually stand for!?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Erm... Read Only Memory...
---------------------
Right, that's as exhaustive as I can be... hope it helps.
Rgrds,
Ged.

1. the first time root will wipe the device while unlocking the bootloader. so make sure you back everything up, including the /sdcard directory.
2. not with titanium backup, as that requires root access to backup app data, the apps themselves and other things can be backed up without root.
3. you can choose if you want to factory reset or not when flashing a rom. it is not necessary, but recommended if you're switching roms or a major update.
4. as long as you dont screw up the bootloader, the toolkit in the dev section will be able to return it to the factory state, so no big worries there.
5. you will be able to download the rom from the thread and updates from there too, or you can download goomanager which takes care of things for you.
6. ROM stands for Read Only Memory, as a normal user doesnt have the privilege of modifying it.

GedBlake said:
ROOTING won't, but unlocking the BOOTLOADER as a prerequisite will.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply,
Is there any way to either:
1. Perform a full backup of the device (with apps, app data, photos, videos, everything) without root or
2. Root the device without unlocking the bootloader?
If it helps I have Android Developer Tools installed on my laptop so I can use adb commands. I'm aware of the adb backup command but I don't think that backs up all device data.
Thanks,
Orange

About question 2, no, you have to unlock boot loader then you can root. However, you can relock the boatloader after rooting the device. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Billchen0014 said:
About question 2, no, you have to unlock boot loader then you can root. However, you can relock the boatloader after rooting the device. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for telling me that!
It's the data wipe bit that's worrying me. What about question 1?

Well, you don't have access to the /data/data so yeah, maybe there is a way that I don't know, but as far as myself go, I rooted my devices on the day I bought it so I don't have to sorry about this problem

Billchen0014 said:
Well, you don't have access to the /data/data so yeah, maybe there is a way that I don't know, but as far as myself go, I rooted my devices on the day I bought it so I don't have to sorry about this problem
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So is that where everything is stored? Thanks.

For backing up *market* apps & their data on an unrooted device (that is, in preparation for rooting), check out the Carbon app. Apparently it uses an API provided by Android to perform this operation - it does not require privilege escalation techniques that root-aware apps (such as TiBu) use, but does require using a PC as a mandatory component of the process.
You can back up pictures/music/etc separately using MTP between the unrooted device and a PC.

bftb0 said:
For backing up *market* apps & their data on an unrooted device (that is, in preparation for rooting), check out the Carbon app. Apparently it uses an API provided by Android to perform this operation - it does not require privilege escalation techniques that root-aware apps (such as TiBu) use, but does require using a PC as a mandatory component of the process.
You can back up pictures/music/etc separately using MTP between the unrooted device and a PC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the method I'll use. Thanks!

Best way to upgrade nexus10

Hi.
I have multiple user profiles on my Nexus 10, and as you know the is no good way to backup/restore multiple accounts.
I'm currently running stock 4.2.2, and is wondering what the best way to upgrade to 4.3 is? Should I just use the system update and reroot the device afterwards? Will this keep qll my profile data etc?
How did you do it?
Sent from my Nexus 10 using XDA Premium HD app

No one have any suggestions?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

ChosSimbaOne said:
No one have any suggestions?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was wondering the same thing

Upgrading to 4.3
I also would like to know what to do. I am currently on 4.22 rooted and running twrp as a custom recovery. Should I use the OTA upgrade to 4.3 and then root or flash the pre rooted AOSP 4.3. I don't want to lose my data or settings

rocky3 said:
I also would like to know what to do. I am currently on 4.22 rooted and running twrp as a custom recovery. Should I use the OTA upgrade to 4.3 and then root or flash the pre rooted AOSP 4.3. I don't want to lose my data or settings
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay so what I finally did was this: I don't know if you rooted+unlocked it with the wugfresh tool but I had done that a few months ago.
So I opened the nexus tool rootkit from wugfresh --> it updated to the latest version
After that I made a full back up of my data and my system
Then I pressed Flash Stock +Unroot after that it asked if I wanted to install the 4.3 after unrooting
I selected that and followed the orders etc etc
It all went pretty smoothly and now I have an unlocked + unrooted 4.3 nexus 10
You should first check whether fastboot is configured well and update some stuff in de Android SDK manager (I don't know which stuff and I'm not sure if that updating is something that you must do, I'm guessing it won't be necessary ) But the fastboot thing is really important I guess.
Also maybe you better wait till somebody with more computer knowledge answers your questions, because I don't know what I'm doing
I like to screw around with my devices and it hasn't had a bad consequence yet. Just try to google everything if your not totally sure about it.

Tangonaf said:
Okay so what I finally did was this: I don't know if you rooted+unlocked it with the wugfresh tool but I had done that a few months ago.
So I opened the nexus tool rootkit from wugfresh --> it updated to the latest version
After that I made a full back up of my data and my system
Then I pressed Flash Stock +Unroot after that it asked if I wanted to install the 4.3 after unrooting
I selected that and followed the orders etc etc
It all went pretty smoothly and now I have an unlocked + unrooted 4.3 nexus 10
You should first check whether fastboot is configured well and update some stuff in de Android SDK manager (I don't know which stuff and I'm not sure if that updating is something that you must do, I'm guessing it won't be necessary ) But the fastboot thing is really important I guess.
Also maybe you better wait till somebody with more computer knowledge answers your questions, because I don't know what I'm doing
I like to screw around with my devices and it hasn't had a bad consequence yet. Just try to google everything if your not totally sure about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did this method made you loose your data/settings? Think this is what i will try. Nandroid backup device, flash stock recovery run ota upgrade, and install custom recovery and root afterwards. Hope this woill work

Yes I lost all my data nut I also had backed up al my data with backup data+media of the wugfresh tool. Both backing up the data and retrieving it afterwards took a long time but I had patience and now I have almy data back again
Verstuurd vanaf mijn Nexus 10 met Tapatalk 4

I'm not sure restoring the data will be stable, since the directories structure has been slightly changed between 4.2 and 4.3.
I also has multiple accounts. I've tried to backup the users apps with Titanium backup. I thought I would be able to create myself the user profiles, then restore the apps with Titanium. However, this didn't work since Titanium is unable to correctly backup and restore apps for multiple user accounts.
I ended up installing manually the apps for the other user.
Also note that even for your main profile, restoring the apps may require restoring the device uid. Titanium is able to do that if you backup its settings.

So far my atempt left me with a nexus that wont boot, dont know if it is the updated bootloader, but it vibrates a lot at boot, and then goes to bootloader. Think i better just flash the 4.3 stock image and reroot and restore what i can :-/

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