Database Users

best back up method

i am about to try another rom, so which back up method will restore the most info
looking at apps/ accounts/ contacts/ games saves etc etc
i have titainuim back up also have clockwork or is there a better back up method that will make my phone like it is now but on a new rom(where i will most likley have to do data/cache wipes before i install it)
thanks for any help

combat goofwing said:
i am about to try another rom, so which back up method will restore the most info
looking at apps/ accounts/ contacts/ games saves etc etc
i have titainuim back up also have clockwork or is there a better back up method that will make my phone like it is now but on a new rom(where i will most likley have to do data/cache wipes before i install it)
thanks for any help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
short answer, no. The problem is if you restore the system settings and the framework is significantly changed you will end up with multiple Force closes, titanium backup will allow you to restore your apps with data but avoid restoring system data if possible (it is possible to create a flashable zip of titanium to flash from recovery so it's installed when you boot your new ROM) also ADW can save your desktop configuration and restore it and I use SMS backup/restore to restore my SMS's, your contacts etc should be catered for by google which will also try and restore some other settings and your apps.
BTW: Do a NANDROID backup before installing your new ROM, this is a snapshot of your system state which can be used to restore it to it's current state should the new ROM not be to your taste

with a new rom, i suggest just installing everything afresh so there are no compaibility problems. I imagine with titanium backup you could restore savegames

ghostofcain said:
short answer, no. The problem is if you restore the system settings and the framework is significantly changed you will end up with multiple Force closes, titanium backup will allow you to restore your apps with data but avoid restoring system data if possible (it is possible to create a flashable zip of titanium to flash from recovery so it's installed when you boot your new ROM) also ADW can save your desktop configuration and restore it and I use SMS backup/restore to restore my SMS's, your contacts etc should be catered for by google which will also try and restore some other settings and your apps.
BTW: Do a NANDROID backup before installing your new ROM, this is a snapshot of your system state which can be used to restore it to it's current state should the new ROM not be to your taste
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
whats nandroid?
so when people are flashing a rom every other day they are having to reinstall everything???

panyan said:
with a new rom, i suggest just installing everything afresh so there are no compaibility problems. I imagine with titanium backup you could restore savegames
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is what i want to do too. Install all apps from the market fresh, but use titanium to restore any data associated with the apps.
However im not sure which setting to use in titanium. When i click batch, there's 100 options. If i choose "Backup all system data", will this restore only the data like gamesaves etc?

combat goofwing said:
whats nandroid?
so when people are flashing a rom every other day they are having to reinstall everything???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, as a rule if you are installing the same type of ROM ie aosp you don't have to wipe so everything should be retained, if swapping between different types of ROM ie aosp - sense then a wipe and subsequent reinstall is required
As for Nandroid its the backup option in recovery console and it takes a snapshot of the current ROM which if you where to restore would put your system back to its current state

[Q] What do i have to backup before changing rom?

Applications backup but not cache or data?
System backups?
Sms and call logs?
And system backups?
Are those all to do? If i backup those, when i restore, will i be able to have my desktop widgets, desktop icons sorted correctly ?

I think the best answer is "it depends on what you want to restore to".
When I change roms, I make a full backup using CWM, that way, no matter what the new rom breaks, I can go back to exactly where I was before.
But if you really want the new rom and think the problem is in one app or setting, you can backup only the apps .apk, the apps data and the rom settings, then you can restore everything individually and see where the problem is.
This all assuming you are not changing major android versions (like from froyo to gingerbread) or not changing roms "types" (like from stock to CM or to miui). If you are, then the partial backup is not recommended since it may not work.
In this last case, your best hope is to backup the apps .apk and store all other data somewhere where you can import to android (like storing the contacts in google account), since you shouldn't really restore anything else.

paulo_andre said:
I think the best answer is "it depends on what you want to restore to".
When I change roms, I make a full backup using CWM, that way, no matter what the new rom breaks, I can go back to exactly where I was before.
But if you really want the new rom and think the problem is in one app or setting, you can backup only the apps .apk, the apps data and the rom settings, then you can restore everything individually and see where the problem is.
This all assuming you are not changing major android versions (like from froyo to gingerbread) or not changing roms "types" (like from stock to CM or to miui). If you are, then the partial backup is not recommended since it may not work.
In this last case, your best hope is to backup the apps .apk and store all other data somewhere where you can import to android (like storing the contacts in google account), since you shouldn't really restore anything else.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I want a full back up; calendars sms call logs applications data system data etc. For sms i use go-sms backup, i hope it will restore without any problem. When i backup with cwm and restore, will my settings (system( be protected as before?

With CWM if you restore you will get all data, including Rom, Kernel, sms, calls, etc All you data that is in internal memory. Don't worry. If you restore it, you will get the phone like it was when you made the backup.

Titanium capabilities
I was wondering if it is possible to backup app (with their data), sms and contacts....all in one go using Titanium (non-pro version) (I think we call it batch backup)? I am totally new to the ROOTING and CUSTOM ROM worlds and I am literally freaking out with all the huge info on this topic on the internet. I am using a CM10 on I9000. Please help!

Yes i wonder too.

Boot in recovery
select backup to ext sd
run...
you have back up everythin like ghost in pc....
( so you can try another rom and if you dont like it restore your back up and you have you old rom
working with all data app contacts etc )
you must youse the same cwm version for restore with the one that you use for backup

Cursed Chico said:
Applications backup but not cache or data?
System backups?
Sms and call logs?
And system backups?
Are those all to do? If i backup those, when i restore, will i be able to have my desktop widgets, desktop icons sorted correctly ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you attempting to backup so that you can move the apps/sms/settings to the new ROM or backing up in case you want to restore? Titanium backup is probably the thing you want in the former case and either with cwm backup or with linux dd backup in the latter. Personally I had problem moving system settings between roms, but apps should work just fine.

[Guide] Back up your data before moving to a new rom

Back up your data before moving to a new rom​
This guide is for rooted phones, and all work on my galaxy s2 but should work with most phones.
So you have decided to go for a new rom, but are worried about loosing all your apps, game saves, data, contacts, sms etc.. Well here is my little guide to restoring most of it. (Why only most, well moving to a new rom means that some apps and data are not compatible). We are going to break it down into apps to use and then the process.
Install App Extractor after you have flashed your new rom
Just a note all software that uses access the root of your phone can come with problems, although i have not experienced them my self it can still happen.
Apps
1. Rom Manager
Must have app for any root user. Make backups, flash ROMs, and own your device.
ROM Manager is THE MUST HAVE APP for any Android root user. (Over 3 million downloads and counting!)
(You can back up your rom through recover boot)
2. Titanium Backup root
Titanium Backup is the most powerful backup tool on Android, and then some.
You can backup, restore, freeze (with Pro) your apps + data + Market links. This includes all protected apps & system apps, plus external data on your SD card. You can do 0-click batch & scheduled backups. Backups will operate without closing any apps (with Pro). You can move any app (or app data) to/from the SD card. You can browse any app's data and even query the Market to see detailed information about the app.
3. App Extractor
AppExtractor is a tool which will allow you to restore individual applications, data, SMS, and MMS messages from your ROM Manager backups.
AppExtractor is compatible with ClockworkMod Recovery 5 backups as well as backups created by previous versions of ClockworkMod Recovery.
The process
1. Ok the process. First you will need to backup your whole rom, so go into Rom Manager and click on backup current rom, once it have backed up your rom you phone will reboot. ( Backing up your rom means you can revert back to it if you are not happy with your new rom)
a. You can also do a full rom backup straight from recovery mode (safer), to do this boot into recovery mode (hold - power,home and volume up). Then use the volume buttons to scroll to backup and restore (press power button to select), then click backup, it should start a full back up of your rom for you (2-3 mins to back up), once it has finished click reboot system now. Done - Thanks to MistahBungle for prompting this edit
2. once you have done that go into Titanium Backup and click menu and go into Batch. Then click on Run for Backup all user apps (dont back up system data we will soft that out later), then click run batch operation.
3. You can now flash your new rom, i am not going to tell you how to that.
4. Once your new rom is up and running then it is time to receive all that data, apps, setting, contacts etc.
5. First go to the android market and download Titanium backup and App recovery again
6. now open Titanium Backup and go back into Batch scroll down to restore and click run on restore missing apps with data. ( not all the apps will download as some won't be compatible). There you go most of your apps are now restored with their original data
7. Now go to App Extractor and open that, you will see the choice to restore things like, apps, sms and mms, contacts, wifi etc. Just click which ever you want to restore and then select the correct back up (the one you made with rom manager). You can only restore 5 items a day, and yet again not all you setting and data can be restored because of the different rom types.
8. Enjoy your new rom
If anyone thinks i have missed anything ir has more they would like to add then let me know.
Backing up EFS folder
Ok so backing up your efs folder, i am not expert in this area but everyone should know that this file is very important and rooting and flashing roms could cause it to become corrupt. So the fix trying to keep it as simple as possible like the rest of the guide, you need to download Ktook by Hellcatdroid here is a little somthing from Google Play - Tool for a few functions after rooting. Kernel dump/flash, EFS backup/restore...
/!\ Requires Root /!\
/!\ Works on the >Galaxy S2< and >Galaxy Note< *ONLY* /!\
(i) the "lock pattern bug" is currently being investigated and worked on!
kTool is a small tool originally bundled with Hellcat's Root-Kernel for the Galaxy S2.
It offers a few functions usefull after rooting the device:
- Dump current kernel to /sdcard/zImage
- Flash kernel from /sdcard/zImage
- Backup the phone's EFS (sensitive storage are holding the IMEI and other vital data) as a raw .IMG dump and a .tar archive
- Restoring EFS from the raw .IMG or the .tar backup
- Format EFS (create fresh filesystem for cases where you want to restore seperate files or a .tar backup, but the filesystem is stuck/locked in read-only due to corruption)
- Reboot (normal, directely to recovery or directely to downlaod mode)
If you encounter any problems or issues, or if you have any questions or suggestions, visit the release thread on XDA
Some people don't like this app and some like myself love it, as it says above it will only work on Galaxy S2< and >Galaxy Note, but if you check out the thread it might work for other devices.
Other apps
Backdrop Root - BackDrop Root allows you to backup and restore your applications, data, SMS / MMS messages, Wifi settings, Bluetooth pairings, and more to and from from Dropbox.
Backdrop Root provides a simple and intuitive interface for managing your backups.
The free version of BackDrop Root will let you backup and restore 5 applications / data backups at a time.
Thanks - albsat
Nandroid Browser - Nandroid Browser has a really simple purpose: Extract and use single files from your nandroid backups.
* Browse your nandroid backups
* Save files anywhere
* Send files
* Open Files
Rom Toolbox - ROM Toolbox is the MUST HAVE app for any rooted user. Easily email single apps and files from your nandroid backups or send them to your dropbox or wherever...
ROM Toolbox combines all the great root apps all tied up into one monster app with a beautiful and user-friendly interface. It also adds many more unseen features!
This app requires root permission. For fast and friendly support please email us at [email protected]. We will be glad to help answer your questions and troubleshoot with you.
Some of the extra features in the pro version:
☆ Backup/restore data
☆ Batch operations enabled
☆ Remove ads
☆ Preview boot animations
☆ Customize your status bar by installing battery, 4g/3g/1x, wifi, gps, signal icons.
☆ Advanced app freezer
☆ Remove ads
☆ Unlock Root Browser features
☆ Much More....

1. Rom Manager
Must have app for any root user. Make backups, flash ROMs, and own your device.
ROM Manager is THE MUST HAVE APP for any Android root user. (Over 3 million downloads and counting!)
An app that is known to give problems on CWM rooted SGS2 .
jje

I have used rom manager for many things and never had any problems with it, maybe I am lucky but not heard anything about anyone have problems with it
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App

s.d.oconnor said:
I have used rom manager for many things and never had any problems with it, maybe I am lucky but not heard anything about anyone have problems with it
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Search the forum then is all i can say multiple help posts where rom manger has been the root of problems .
jje

JJEgan said:
Search the forum then is all i can say multiple help posts where rom manger has been the root of problems .
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Surely any software that exploites the root of your phone could have problems, although i will make a chasnge to the post adding that you can back up your rom from boot and that all software that uses root access can come with problems.

Everything was going great until I got to the last step, restoring sms(the only thing I cared about) with app extractor. It turned the sreen black and then it went on again, but it didn't do anything else, the sms still were not restored =(

if you ask me titanium back up does the job for it all, and if you want to make sure you get all of your apps back, just backup the apps listed in the data folder in the root of your phone.
And when your on CWM recovery might be better of using CWM manager.

JJEgan said:
An app that is known to give problems on CWM rooted SGS2 .
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
^^
+ lots this. Rom Manager *will* cause you problems if you continue to use it/have it installed with CWM. It will either break CW or cause you bootloops.
Use one or the other.
You may get away with it for a while, but when you least expect it (maybe that time you don't do a Nandroid of your last good config when you should have), it will bite you on the arse.
Edit to add - OP, I like the idea of what you're doing. Great to see a n00b having a bash But if you've rooted your phone with CFRoot or are running a kernel with CW, you're much better off using it to do your Nandroid backup than potentially causing problems with Rom Manager, which is popular because it's *easy* (apparently, I never found anything difficult about using CW). If anyone doesn't like/is too lazy to boot directly into recovery to do backups, use the CWM app. Same diff as Rom Manager without all the dramas. Other than this, good job

Great idea. I love these kind of posts no matter what others say. Knowledge sharing makes people, a better one.
My tips, but here you don't save data and use CWM and Backdrop Root aps only:
1) Do a Nandroid back from CWM.
2) Export Contacts as a VCF file. There is a new program recently Backdrop Root that backup sms, contacts, mms, bluetooth, etc in Dropbox. Try it. There is also a nice program called SuperBackup which does a similar thing.
3) Save your Apps through a File Manager as apk and save in external sd, computer or Dropbox.
4) Forget data... Many people use Titanium but I need to buy it.
5) Install new Rom, restore sms+contacts, install apps from beginning.
Apps extractor in conjunction with Nandroidback would had been the best solution, but unfortunately I didn't get a lot of success with this app.

MistahBungle said:
^^
+ lots this. Rom Manager *will* cause you problems if you continue to use it/have it installed with CWM. It will either break CW or cause you bootloops.
Use one or the other.
You may get away with it for a while, but when you least expect it (maybe that time you don't do a Nandroid of your last good config when you should have), it will bite you on the arse.
Edit to add - OP, I like the idea of what you're doing. Great to see a n00b having a bash But if you've rooted your phone with CFRoot or are running a kernel with CW, you're much better off using it to do your Nandroid backup than potentially causing problems with Rom Manager, which is popular because it's *easy* (apparently, I never found anything difficult about using CW). If anyone doesn't like/is too lazy to boot directly into recovery to do backups, use the CWM app. Same diff as Rom Manager without all the dramas. Other than this, good job
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks i have made some changes based on your recomedation

You are restricted to 5 bits of data a day on app recovery, it could also be a compatible issue.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App

Step 7 says "App recovery", do you mean "App extractor"? Sorry just want to confirm.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium

Yes I do,
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App

Wiki: Android ROM Update
Wiki: Android ROM Update
How to restore your apps, data and settings after Android ROM Update using Titanium Backup (TB).
forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/Android_ROM_Update
Cheers
Tom

Sorry but can I ask why that has been put their
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App

Thanks for this guide, it's great.
Kaiser Z

Happy to help
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App

s.d.oconnor said:
Sorry but can I ask why that has been put their
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
s.d.oconnor said:
Could you made this a sticky as you dont have anything like it yet - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1502526
Guide on how to back up and restore your data before moving to a new rom
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You said that you don't have anything like your guide on how to back up and restore. The wiki is just that so I shared it.
Cheers
Tom
Sent from my HTC HD2 using Tapatalk

Thanks for the guide. Does it work on ics? I've heard titanium backup have some issues with it
Enviado desde mi GT-I9100 usando Tapatalk

Angel.CT said:
Thanks for the guide. Does it work on ics? I've heard titanium backup have some issues with it
Enviado desde mi GT-I9100 usando Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It should work with ICS, it's only a matter of time before the apps catch up with it and they should run a smooth as they do on GB

[I9505-MH8] Restore data app will break the app

Like I asked to Stock Rom thread I have a little problem.
I restore the app data and after some app (not all) crash righ after start.
I also tried to delete data/cache of the app but I have to uninstall and reinstall from zero.
chubby65 said:
Try avoid restoring data if possible mate
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
worms said:
It's a lot of app.. this night I will try to install from zero and restoring only data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
kafej666 said:
Restoring applications data via titanium backup from the same ROM base is SAFE !!!
Don't spread panic !!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
chubby65 said:
But not system data
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ooook,
I make a full wipe of MH8.
Install by myself all my old app, without titanium.
After I tested to restore only app data (to have back my old progress with some games ) and I have problems only with angry birds (ever version except for bad piggies), Fruit ninja, plant vs zombies.

Only games heh ...
First question you had app like app to sd on ROM from backup was taken ?
Second question those apps was moved (partialy) to sd via settings in ROM ?
Third question hardly connected to aboves - you switched USB modes ? (UMS <-> MTP) ?
Your kernel is ?
There is a lot of chance that backup was corrupted via 3 first aboves q.

kafej666 said:
Only games heh ...
First question you had app like app to sd on ROM from backup was taken ? No, I never had a MicroSD on my phone
Second question those apps was moved (partialy) to sd via settings in ROM ? like up
Third question hardly connected to aboves - you switched USB modes ? (UMS <-> MTP) ? maybe, i don't remember
Your kernel is ? stock odin package, only prerooted
There is a lot of chance that backup was corrupted via 3 first aboves q.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I change USB modes and restore my app again, there are any chance to get back.
Untill now I found only this app, maybe there are another.
ps: I used titanium backup.

In my opinion there is nothing wrong with ROM, but probably backup was corrupted by something ;D Im not on this ****ty sammy MGA+ ROMS with new knox, so I can be wrong !.
If I'm correct then there is no hope ;P if not then logcat could be helpful.
You can check if backup itself is corrupted. Send this one app backup (titanium backup folder -> app + app data zip) that doesn't work to some friend with android or (if you are not afraid of public way) here to test it on another ROM (you can back to your previous ROM and test it by-self but that will be HARDCORE ! )

kafej666 said:
In my opinion there is nothing wrong with ROM, but probably backup was corrupted by something ;D Im not on this ****ty sammy MGA+ ROMS with new knox, so I can be wrong !.
If I'm correct then there is no hope ;P if not then logcat could be helpful.
You can check if backup itself is corrupted. Send this one app backup (titanium backup folder -> app + app data zip) that doesn't work to some friend with android or (if you are not afraid of public way) here to test it on another ROM (you can back to your previous ROM and test it by-self but that will be HARDCORE ! )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I uninstalled broken aps, reinstalled, test and after restore a old backup (two month ago,that I'm sure was working).
Nothing, after restore I had app broken.
I'm pretty sure that is a firmware problem...

You are right !
Rom with knox changed the way of keeping data of apps, so backups will fail.
Creators of apps like Titanium Backup can in near future implement changes for knox ROMs, but I will not bet on this

Migratation from rooted Galaxy S2[android2.3] to non-rooted Galaxy S5[android4.4.2]

TLDR - rooted Samsung Galaxy S 2 android 2.3, I need apps' data backed up and restored on a non-rooted Samsung Galaxy S 5 android 4.4.2.
This is what I have tried so far:
I have Titanium on the older android, so its easy enough to back up everything that I want,
but since Titanium demands root and I have no desire to root my newer android (because I actually want to keep the warranty for a change)
I can not unpack my backups using Titanium on the newer device.
So I googled a little and found a great backup app called Helium (previously carbon) that can restore backups WITH DATA
on non-rooted devices with android 4 and higher. Looked perfect at first,
only catch is that it can only be installed on android 4 and higher, so it is useless for me for creating the backups on the first place on the older device.
Then I thought of combining Titanium and Helium this way:
I needed something that could restore Titanium backups (meaning having root)
and also being able to create Helium backups (meaning being android 4 and higher), so for this purpose
I added a new Android VM to my genymotion on my PC, it was a rooted android 4.4.
Then I successfully installed Helium on that VM, but when I tried to launch it I got the following popup message:
"Unfortunately, Helium has stopped."
Thought it was a bad rom, so I tried on newly created 4.3 and 4.1 but still got the same results.
Then I thought, these are my options:
1. Try a different android VM environment, maybe genymotion is too much under-developed for Helium (for example Helium needs usb communication to a 3rd party machine running a desktop application - I don't know if genymotion supports that virtual usb connection).
2. Try googling a different android backup app, that have both the Helium ability (restore backups WITH DATA on android 4 without root) and the Titanium ability (create backups on rooted android 2.3).
3. Research how to convert Titanium backup files to Helium format...
At this point, I felt like I have spent too much time and energy on this thing and for sure the solution exists and other people might know better then me.
So please, if you can help me, please do.

If your S2 is rooted, why not just flash to 4.1.2, restore from Titanium, and then create a backup with Helium? You can use Neat ROM.

haha123 said:
If your S2 is rooted, why not just flash to 4.1.2, restore from Titanium, and then create a backup with Helium? You can use Neat ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because some apps stop working properly or at all after I switch roms (worst case scenario I might attempt some sort of manual transfer of data)
I found a non-perfect solution which does not work very good so far (tried restoring a few apps, it failed installing them or the data restore did not restore any data)
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ccc71.at.free
its not very good, but its the first one I have found which says it is able to restore data on non root and create backups on android 2.3.
I need something else.