Question about rooting and the loss of data - Nexus 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi, I have a Nexus 4 and it is not rooted.
I want to root it, the problem:
I have many apps and emails accounts configured and dont want to make the whole procedure again.
I know that, if I root, will loose all my data.
Is there any way to make it like this:
1. backup all my configurations and apps
2. root
3. restore, and all will be working?

Download the ToolKit and do an ADB Backup.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1420351
Follow the guide. First time I used it... I made a few backups with different configs incase I needed to put it on different phones.
Works like a charm

Serious_Beans said:
Download the ToolKit and do an ADB Backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't use a toolkit. Figure it out on how to do it on your own because when something is wrong with your phone a toolkit won't fix your problem because op doesn't know how fast boot flash work
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

If you use ADB BACKUP or a toolkit that uses it, be prepared. Some apps will likely NOT be backed up. See http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=35270239#post35270239
I agrree, though, you're better off if you can do it without using a toolkit.

I use the app DataSync to backup app data to dropbox. Once you have the phone setup again and the apps downloaded you just sync it with your DataSync files in your dropbox account and the data will be restored. I would not try and sync system apps just user apps.
Unfortunately there currently is no way to root without unlocking the bootloader.

Related

How to restore form Google Backup after rooting?

Nexus 7, rooted, back to OEM/Stock~~factory, prior to rooting, read all available documentation regarding backups, said everything was on Google "cloud".....now that I am OEM w/root, how do I get back everything I setup installed and configured for the last week?
guruuno said:
Nexus 7, rooted, back to OEM/Stock~~factory, prior to rooting, read all available documentation regarding backups, said everything was on Google "cloud".....now that I am OEM w/root, how do I get back everything I setup installed and configured for the last week?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I understand the process correctly - it saves settings regarding Google services. That is apps such as Currents, Play Store, Google Now, etc. It shouldn't backup things such as random app data (IE Angry Birds) - you'll need to use a third party app such as Titanium Backup or App2Zip. For a full system image of apps/settings you'll have to do a nandroid backup through a recovery program (IE ClockworkMod).
Hope that cleared things up a bit. You're gonna be SOL for most of your stuff for this time, but for next time just make sure to double and triple check everything because backups make the going-to-stock process so much nice
Mine did it as soon as I signed into my account on setup.
Some apps had to be installed again from My apps at Google play but the data also was there after they installed. I had some list and such from a notepad app and they were replaced with the app.
So then, the preferred application-procedure is?
James-NC said:
Mine did it as soon as I signed into my account on setup.
Some apps had to be installed again from My apps at Google play but the data also was there after they installed. I had some list and such from a notepad app and they were replaced with the app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So then, to be clear, to have a similar procedure, like iPad/iPhone syncing, there is nothing "built in", and 3rd party applications need to be purchased or obtained free.......so what is the clear winner (easiest, best, most preferred)?
So which process?
guruuno said:
So then, to be clear, to have a similar procedure, like iPad/iPhone syncing, there is nothing "built in", and 3rd party applications need to be purchased or obtained free.......so what is the clear winner (easiest, best, most preferred)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe not clear. I already did my N7 and was lost. Wife has hers all tweaked, wants me to root. I just want to restore exactly like an iPad so nothing is lost. Preferred method being search foe. Would like advice.
guruuno said:
So then, to be clear, to have a similar procedure, like iPad/iPhone syncing, there is nothing "built in", and 3rd party applications need to be purchased or obtained free.......so what is the clear winner (easiest, best, most preferred)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google Play can redownload the apps you previously got from them. It will also sync certain (but probably not all) settings, wifi passwords, etc. However, the process of downloading takes around 30-60m and usually app data is not part of this sync.
This, I prefer to use titanium backup to backup all user apps and data (as a rule of thumb, you generally don't want to do the same for system apps/data). The backup is stored on your sd card (so, for example, after wiping data you can restore all your apps within around 15m, asynchronously) and you can also have it backed up to the cloud. Tit backup requires root and the pro version costs around $7.
You can use it to backup system data (your settings and all that) but this is a bad idea when you use custom roms. I usually restore my apps and set the rest manually, the whole process takes around 20m.
I don't know how well itunes backs up app data, so I can't answer the comparison question.
Unlocking is what wipes the data, not rooting. You are already past the point of no return as the restore info you get back from google does not deal with a lot of app data. You could have before unlocking, done a process which would have saved it, but it is not a normal process and certainly not automatic.
you are past that however already.
Now you are rooted, you can use Titanium Backup to do a real backup and you can also do a nandroid backup using Recovery so you don't have to deal with this in the future.
HOWEVER, just doing those backups doesn't guarrantee you can access them if your device is lost/stolen or damage beyond repair. So you need to come up with a method to copy those backup files occasionally to workstation off from time to time so, you have something to restore.
Then if you have to setup a new device, you can unlock, root, load TB, copy the backup files to the device and then restore the system back to where it was when you did the last backup.
guruuno said:
Maybe not clear. I already did my N7 and was lost. Wife has hers all tweaked, wants me to root. I just want to restore exactly like an iPad so nothing is lost. Preferred method being search foe. Would like advice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need root (and an app like Titanium Backup) to back up your app data, and you need to have an unlocked bootloader to root. If you didn't already unlock the bootloader on the Nexus 7, then there's nothing you can do to back up all your app data because unlocking the bootloader essentially resets the device. Without a backup program, the most you can do is sync your device with Google Play and have it reinstall your missing apps after you wipe your device (but it won't restore your app data).
But......
AZImmortal said:
You need root (and an app like Titanium Backup) to back up your app data, and you need to have an unlocked bootloader to root. If you didn't already unlock the bootloader on the Nexus 7, then there's nothing you can do to back up all your app data because unlocking the bootloader essentially resets the device. Without a backup program, the most you can do is sync your device with Google Play and have it reinstall your missing apps after you wipe your device (but it won't restore your app data).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But I did "root", and I did lose all my data, like it was OEM out of the box, but rooted....
Unlocking? Why would I 'unlock'? If I only want to use USB memory stick isn't rooting all I want?
Therefore, I'd get which program to root only to preserve everything.
The confusing part is "You need root (and an app like Titanium Backup) to back up your app data"
How can I have Titanium if I don't root, and if I root, I lose everything?
(or did I maybe also unlock mine..... I'm really confused, all I want is a 1-2-3 root app to install the Stick Mount. Period)
Thanks again for the replies, I'm hopefully getting this Android stuff
guruuno said:
Unlocking? Why would I 'unlock'? If I only want to use USB memory stick isn't rooting all I want?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to unlock in order to root (though you can relock it after if you want, I wouldn't recommend it in case you need to do so again) and flash stuff.
If you didn't relock it from earlier (i.e. if you still have that "unlocked" symbol on boot), you'll be able to root again just by flashing the superuser program.
guruuno said:
The confusing part is "You need root (and an app like Titanium Backup) to back up your app data"
How can I have Titanium if I don't root, and if I root unlock, I lose everything?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wug's root toolkit has a backup/restore option.
In general, however, the answer is yes. You are not able to (at least without expertise) backup data from prior to your first unlock. That's why it's recommended to unlock your device asap if you decide to do so.
(The OEMs wipe everything upon unlock for security reasons - the only way to get around this is to use an exploit rather than the "fastboot oem unlock" command, but the discovery of such exploits is unpredictable.)
OK, here I go
thebobp said:
You need to unlock in order to root (though you can relock it after if you want, I wouldn't recommend it in case you need to do so again) and flash stuff.
If you didn't relock it from earlier (i.e. if you still have that "unlocked" symbol on boot), you'll be able to root again just by flashing the superuser program.
Wug's root toolkit has a backup/restore option.
In general, however, the answer is yes. You are not able to (at least without expertise) backup data from prior to your first unlock. That's why it's recommended to unlock your device asap if you decide to do so.
(The OEMs wipe everything upon unlock for security reasons - the only way to get around this is to use an exploit rather than the "fastboot oem unlock" command, but the discovery of such exploits is unpredictable.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the attention to detail, I appreciate it.
I just install cm10 and I noticed that the settings such as wifi passwords etc have not been restored. Any ideas on how to restore them? I'd post on their thread but they don't have one for the N7 and I still don't have the privileges.

Backup apps to cloud?

So i was wondering if anyone has ever needed to back up all there apps to a location other then there phone/tablet. it would be cloud storage i would think. reason is i need to backup all my apps and have then to be restored apon receiving replacement nexus. I herd sandisk memory zone? thanks.
MyBackup Pro has an option to backup to online storage and restore. I'm not sure if the free version has that option but I know the paid version does.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
I use the following process to ensure I can restore my whole device to a brand new unit if necessary.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=29550640
I use my workstation rather than a Cloud for a Number of reasons. The best being that the workstation has a triple redundant backup, and if I really need access to it remotely I already have that ability.
I used this to create a restorable copy of a completely setup device to a brand new unit successfully already.
Sent from my Nexus 7
I create the same functionality with Dropsync. It basically lets Dropbox function the same on your tab as your computer. I run my backups with TiBu in the early morning, and although syncing can be slow, it easily finishes before I get up. I was already using Dropbox so this was the most convenient solution for me.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
I forgot to mention that i would like an option to do an entire backup without having to root first. From my understanding rooting it would wipe user data? so then there would be no point lol
Sofwhitewolf said:
I forgot to mention that i would like an option to do an entire backup without having to root first. From my understanding rooting it would wipe user data? so then there would be no point lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rooting doesn't wipe the data, Unlocking the Bootloader does. Why unlocking should be done before doing a lot of work.
You can use adb to do a backup of your system, but none of the other things I talked about will work. No point in moving it to a cyberlocker since it will already be on your computer/workstation.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1420351
spottedcatfish said:
I create the same functionality with Dropsync. It basically lets Dropbox function the same on your tab as your computer. I run my backups with TiBu in the early morning, and although syncing can be slow, it easily finishes before I get up. I was already using Dropbox so this was the most convenient solution for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While TB is something that I do and end up with a copy in my backup system, it is not what I use to restore to a new device. Instead I use the Nandroid Backup (created with TWRP). Much much faster and more complete. Only need to move over the Nandroid backup files after you have unlocked the new device and rooted, and put the recovery on the device. Then simply do a restore in recovery wipe Davik and Cache and you are right back where you were with the other device.
The sync to the workstation via the Cheetah Sync is much faster than syncing to dropbox and I am backing up more than just the TB files for a more useful backup.
Sofwhitewolf said:
So i was wondering if anyone has ever needed to back up all there apps to a location other then there phone/tablet. it would be cloud storage i would think. reason is i need to backup all my apps and have then to be restored apon receiving replacement nexus. I herd sandisk memory zone? thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TitaniumBackup+ has support for backing up to Dropbox, Box, and Google Drive.
I use App Backup & Restore to backup every app I install (automatically), then Dropspace to push it to my Dropbox (automatically). Then I relax with a cappuccino and carrot cake.

How to back-up unrooted device?

Hey guys, I'm trying to root my Desire HD with AAHK.
The problem is, it says that I'll need to downgrade and downgrading will wipe my data.
Now I don't have a problem with downgrading, but I'd like to keep my data.
So I was wondering WHAT data will it wipe and how do I back-up?
I have titanium back-up installed but it needs root access, so that won't work.
I've copied all the files on my SD card to my laptop, to keep my images and stuff...
Is there a way to back-up other important files (if there are any?) before rooting?
Thanks in advance!
Laatst said:
Hey guys, I'm trying to root my Desire HD with AAHK.
The problem is, it says that I'll need to downgrade and downgrading will wipe my data.
Now I don't have a problem with downgrading, but I'd like to keep my data.
So I was wondering WHAT data will it wipe and how do I back-up?
I have titanium back-up installed but it needs root access, so that won't work.
I've copied all the files on my SD card to my laptop, to keep my images and stuff...
Is there a way to back-up other important files (if there are any?) before rooting?
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Consider purchasing Titanium Backup. It just started letting you backup app data WITHOUT root using ADB. See: http://www.androidpolice.com/2012/0...-adb-backups-without-root-other-improvements/. It will also very much come in handy once you are rooted.
bananagranola said:
Consider purchasing Titanium Backup. It just started letting you backup app data WITHOUT root using ADB. See: http://www.androidpolice.com/2012/0...-adb-backups-without-root-other-improvements/. It will also very much come in handy once you are rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only works for 4.0+
marsdta said:
Only works for 4.0+
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ooh, good to know. I hadn't tried it; I just saw the bit about ADB backup.
Files and documents are stored on your SD, just copy that out.
What you do lose are all your apps, app data, accounts, desktop layout, etc. If you use a custom launcher (go, adw), then chances are the app supports backup. It's like having a factory reset, or like when you first got your phone. Nothing on it. the SD card isn't effected though. There's a small chance rooting will corrupt your SD card. You can always format it to make it working again, but you loose all your data.
I use a program called Android Commander. Allowing inter alia copies of APK's. So, I have created a folder on my SD with programs and then use a clean reinstall of the rom, added applications. So just lose data and accounts.
App manager pro, download it from play store, and backup all your app's
Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk 2
Try to use MyBackup Pro or Safe Backup. But anyway, you should know, data loss while rooting is inevitably. For example, your settings for email accounts, desktop layout and other data, stored inside system memory will be lost. Using semi-backup application (without root) will save for you all important information (SMS, Calls log, Contacts and Applications). I think there's no problem with downgrading and losing system data. After rooting process and installing a custom rom you will be able to restore your settings by manual assignment - this is very easy

[Q] Will my apps and data be saved when i root?

Hi. So I want to root my Nexus 7 but I've found mixed answers to this question. I was going to use this toolkit I found here.
When I root, will my apps and data (pictures and app data) be saved or can I save them? I use apps like Notes Lite and have games with data. So is there a way to backup all that data? I know there's the backup option in the toolkit but will it backup everything?
You will lose your userdata when you unlock the bootloader during rooting. You can try backing up those data using the Google Nexus 7 Toolkit before rooting, or by enabling Google's Cloud backup and restore, but don't count on getting it all restored flawlessly.
exglynco said:
You will lose your userdata when you unlock the bootloader during rooting. You can try backing up those data using the Google Nexus 7 Toolkit before rooting, or by enabling Google's Cloud backup and restore, but don't count on getting it all restored flawlessly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So what's the best way to save my data? I mainly have pictures, no music, and then the rest is app data like for MC4, Asphalt 6, and Real Racing 3. The rest I'm not terribly concerned about. I also just don't want to install my 100 apps back on individually. Pictures, I can just put on my laptop.
So is there a way to get all my apps back on without installing them again individually? Will the toolkit backup do that for me?
Titanium backup will do it, but you have to be rooted to use it, and you aren't yet.
Mark Skippen's Google Nexus 7 Toolkit should do it, since it backs up your userdata. I say should, because I haven't used that feature, since I've always been rooted, with Nandroid backups and Titanium backups. Also, that toolkit doesn't support Android 4.3 installing or rooting yet. He'll have to upgrade the SuperSU and Superuser managers he's currently using, to versions compatible with 4.3.
I didn't have to reinstall my 100 apps after upgrading, but I lost my game high score files. I had a Titanium backup, but so many apps were out of date, it was useless. I relied on Google's Cloud backup to restore my apps after upgrading to 4.3.
Ok i found an app called Helium to backup my app data. I'll just put my pictures on my laptop.
So i just realized at the same time read that you said the toolkit didnt support 4.3 yet and i had just updated to 4.3 this morning. Is there a way to go back to 4.2?

Backup before Root

I am completely new to rooting and, if I understand correctly, the process of rooting (specifically unlocking the boatloader) will wipe your apps and their data. What can I do, pre-root, to backup my app data? I have Google's backup on, but from what I can tell, it really doesn't do jack sneezle (I assume that's because Google doesn't require app developers to make their app data (settings, login, etc.) compliant with their backup system). Reinstalling the apps isn't a huge deal to me, but having to recustomize ALL my settings and login to everything again is a pain in the keister. Any suggestions? Is there any apps out there to facilitate this transition period? Let me know what you guys think. If possible, give multiple methods, and let me know which one you find the best. Thanks!
I don't know of any way to back up your apps and data without being rooted. I think you are just going to have to bite the bullet. You need root access before you can even access the folders that app data is stored in.
you havent unlocked the bootloader yet..
so probably no way to back up the data beforehand..
[edit]
you can use adb backup & restore commands to back up and restore, but im not sure if its possible to just restore the app data without overwrite the whole device..
Try Helium. Requires a PC.
There aren't many methods to backup on an unrooted phone.

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