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!
Related
I'll tell you...basically not good things
After updating lots of apps, I decided to run the command to remove the boot-cache through a terminal app on my phone, rather than through adb shell (sprint needs to hurry up and fix this bug.)
Unfortunately, the terminal app doesn't like landscape, so when hitting the front slash after the data directory, my finger instead (to my absolute horror) hit the enter key.
Hilarity did NOT ensue. Basically everything started FC'ing. I rebooted into recovery, did a wipe, and started over. Everything seems to be fine, but for those that are more familiar with the filesystem than I, could there be any residual effects, or would the wipe/factory reset basically take me back to step 1? Thanks!
I'm going to try and write an app that not only clears the boot cache, but also turns on net sharing, kinda like a "utilities" app in the interim until Sprint can fix our stuff. Should be simple enough.
Factory reset should take you back to step 1.
Have you installed the recovery ROM? It doesn't modify your actual OS at all, but it enables you to do "whole phone" backups via Nandroid. Very handy for just such an occasion.
jonnythan said:
Factory reset should take you back to step 1.
Have you installed the recovery ROM? It doesn't modify your actual OS at all, but it enables you to do "whole phone" backups via Nandroid. Very handy for just such an occasion.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do believe so. I followed our five star "how to root the CDMA Hero" thread, and I think the RA-Recovery part was included there.
I'm assuming since I can reboot into recovery mode, this is, in and of itself, the recovery ROM you're talking about. I have the option of a nandroid backup in there.
So, then let me ask you this. If I get my phone how I like it, can I do a Nandroid backup, and always be able to restore to that point, similar to commercially available backup apps? Thanks for the quick reply!
a Nandroid backup will restore everything on your phone (not your SDCard) so it should work to restore even if you delete the whole /data directory. It's not tested but it seems like it should work since it's an image of the whole freaking thing.
Here is my situation. I acidentally installed a custom rom over my stock JB 4.2.1 installation and I want to know if there is a way to restore my original JB rom without loosing my root and recovery. My current plan is to use TWRP recovery to wipe all caches and internal memory. I have a stock JB rom and after clearing everything I will reflash the stock rom.
I know I should have made proper backups, but I guess this is how I will learn. My goal is to make my nexus 7 the same as when I bought it, but I want it to still be rooted. Will my plan work?
Thanks in advance for any replies.
I'd say use mskip's Google Nexus 7 Toolkit (found here) or Wug's Nexus Root Toolkit (found here) and be done with it. I use mskip's toolkit (personally) and have no issues with it. Use it to restore the N7 to factory shape (4.2.1 is the JOP40D build, the latest, if that's your intention), then boot it up, enable the USB debugging, get back into fastboot mode then use the toolkit to root it, you're done.
If it takes more than a few minutes to do this (which I've done several times in the past week) then you're doing it wrong.
A clean wipe is going to kill the root which must be redone and only takes about a minute itself.
OR, another alternative:
1) Flash full factory ROM
2) Unlock bootloader if not already in that state
3) soft-boot any custom recovery you want to use with fastboot:
fastboot boot recovery-image-file.img
4) Overflash a minimal root package (Superuser.apk + su OR SupserSU + su)
Moral of the story is that even if you flash a completely stock ROM with no root, because you have an unlocked bootloader you can install whatever you want right over the top of it without ever having booted it once.
I suppose that a toolkit might also be able to assist you with such things, but doing things from the command line tends to be better for learning how things work under the hood.
Wug's toolkit will help you do just that. You can even put back a stock rom and root it again
Thank you. It worked perfectly and now I have a brand new clean installation.
I have one last question though. After I logged in with my g-mail, my device started to download all my applications automatically. I had a titanium backup that contained about 70% of my apps and so cancelled the downloads so that I could restore the backup. (I have capped internet so downloading apps that I had backed up seemed like a waste). So now I want to know if it is possibile to download the other 30% of my apps from the store automatically because would prefer to avoid pressing the install button multiple times. I've been looking for some kind of option but I was unable to find it.
Thank you for replying so quickly, it is great to have an operating nexus 7 again.
Fallen9900 said:
Thank you. It worked perfectly and now I have a brand new clean installation.
I have one last question though. After I logged in with my g-mail, my device started to download all my applications automatically. I had a titanium backup that contained about 70% of my apps and so cancelled the downloads so that I could restore the backup. (I have capped internet so downloading apps that I had backed up seemed like a waste). So now I want to know if it is possibile to download the other 30% of my apps from the store automatically because would prefer to avoid pressing the install button multiple times. I've been looking for some kind of option but I was unable to find it.
Thank you for replying so quickly, it is great to have an operating nexus 7 again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had mixed results with the auto restore. Sometimes it works, sometimes not so much. Can't say that I blame it though, what with flashing different ROMs, restoring old backups of different ROMs, having the backup feature turned on sometimes & sometimes not...
At this point, the Play Store app on the N7 seems to show me (in the My Apps section, "ALL" listing) every app I have ever installed on any of my devices linked to the same account (including a Google TV device). Not quite what you are asking, but it's certainly better than a few generations ago where - if the auto-reinstall failed - you would have to try to do the same task from nothing but your memory. (Or restore an old backup and have a look-see what was in there)
good luck and enjoy your tab
Just got a GTab 2 7.0 a few days ago. A P3113, so only 8GB of storage, about half of which is the ROM and crap apps. I've rooted before (had a KF 1st gen when it came out), and just wondering about a few things with the GTab:
Right now, I don't mind the stock ROM so much. There are problem things that would be "nice to have", but right now, would like to generally stay as "stock" as possible. That being said, I'd still like to "de-crap" the ROM to free up some storage space, and I assume that might lead to it running a bit better, since so much seems to just pop-in while running other apps. So:
I know I need to root first, so my first question - how reliable is that? I'm on a Mac, but have access to a netbook running Win7, so could run Odin to "get things done". I'd hate to brick the thing, still having 51 weeks of warranty left. (I also understand that I might want to install something else to keep the flash count from showing it's been flashed).
Once root'ed, is it better to use one of the "de-crapped" ROMs floating around? And if so, which seems "best" (yeah, I know the moderators hate the "which is best" - I'm looking for stock - and STABLE)
Or, is it better to eliminate the apps myself? (Not sure if this is a wholesale "rm" to remove certain apps from a terminal app, using adb, or if they have some uninstallers embedded somewhere, or...) - so better to use one of the ROMs floating around?
Is the GTab 2 "stable", so even if you trash a ROM, you can still get into the ROM manager to restore a previously working, or stock, ROM?
I'll probably come up with a couple more questions, especially depending on the replies... TIA
Hi..
I can answer some of your questions. I hope that helps!
1- Rooting is easy and reliable. you may use "CF-Auto-Root" tool (search for it in XDA forum).
But you need to remember that rooting and custom ROMs void your warranty.
2- If you just need to free some storage space, you may use an app such as "Clean Master" to uninstall system apps and get rid of temp and junk files.
3- If you opt to use a custom ROM make sure it is very well supported and maintained.
aisais said:
Hi..
I can answer some of your questions. I hope that helps!
1- Rooting is easy and reliable. you may use "CF-Auto-Root" tool (search for it in XDA forum).
But you need to remember that rooting and custom ROMs void your warranty.
2- If you just need to free some storage space, you may use an app such as "Clean Master" to uninstall system apps and get rid of temp and junk files.
3- If you opt to use a custom ROM make sure it is very well supported and maintained.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks - but prior to using Clean Master I assume I better either get a stock image to reload, or use CWM so I can make a backup of the ROM before messing something up?
tundrwd said:
Thanks - but prior to using Clean Master I assume I better either get a stock image to reload, or use CWM so I can make a backup of the ROM before messing something up?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Taking a backup is always good thing to do. I suggest you try clean master to know how it works and what does it do.
aisais said:
Taking a backup is always good thing to do. I suggest you try clean master to know how it works and what does it do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks - I plan to use Clean Master. Allows me to be selective about what I remove/move, instead of getting a ROM from someone and they removed the ONE THING I really wanted.
Ok, got it rooted and CWM installed.
HOWEVER, when I boot into CWM, I DON'T see an option to backup my ROM (I've used TWRP before on my KF, so the menu is different).
What I've got on my screen in CWM:
Android system recover <3e>
Volume up/down to move highlight;
power button to select.
reboot system now
apply update from ADB
apply update from external storage
wipe data/factory reset
wipe cache partition
apply update from cache
That's it. Where's the option to do a ROM backup? Oh, used file P3113_SAMSUNG_RECOVERY_SUPERSU-0.96_BUSYBOX-1.20.2.tar.md5.zip Had CWM and Root all in one. I do have GT-P3113_ClockworkMod-Recovery_6.0.1.0.tar as well. Should I just go through procedure again to flash this CWM? Will it still retain SU?
nandroid backup ok to use? Seems it's just a wrapper for a backup script...
Ok - I'll reply to myself.
I don't know what was wrong with the CWM I installed via the aforementioned file (P3113_SAMSUNG_RECOVERY_SUPERSU-0.96_BUSYBOX-1.20.2.tar.md5.zip), but I went to the CWM site, D/L'ed the latest touch enabled CWM for the P3113 (6.0.2.3, I believe), and installed it over the existing recovery image on the device (I had to create my own .tar.md5 - easy with *nix).
Anyway, I now have access to the backup options by scrolling down. The image from P3113_SAMSUNG_RECOVERY_SUPERSU-0.96_BUSYBOX-1.20.2.tar.md5.zip, simply wouldn't scroll beyond what I listed earlier. Now can scroll down, make backups, etc.
Haven't tried yet to re-install the image I made with nandroid - I'm a bit leery of that - so I'll just get the stock 4.1.1 ROM from sammobile, and keep it around....
tundrwd said:
Ok - I'll reply to myself.
I don't know what was wrong with the CWM I installed via the aforementioned file (P3113_SAMSUNG_RECOVERY_SUPERSU-0.96_BUSYBOX-1.20.2.tar.md5.zip), but I went to the CWM site, D/L'ed the latest touch enabled CWM for the P3113 (6.0.2.3, I believe), and installed it over the existing recovery image on the device (I had to create my own .tar.md5 - easy with *nix).
Anyway, I now have access to the backup options by scrolling down. The image from P3113_SAMSUNG_RECOVERY_SUPERSU-0.96_BUSYBOX-1.20.2.tar.md5.zip, simply wouldn't scroll beyond what I listed earlier. Now can scroll down, make backups, etc.
Haven't tried yet to re-install the image I made with nandroid - I'm a bit leery of that - so I'll just get the stock 4.1.1 ROM from sammobile, and keep it around....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's exactly what I did today, grabbed the stock image for a backup, rooted with Odin and CWM then flashed a CM based 4.3 ROM. Piece of cake.
Ok so after rooting and using Flashify to install Loki'd TWRP 2.3.6.2, I backed up my stock rooted. Then, I wiped and flashed PA 3.99. Other than this phone taking forever to do anything in TWRP, everything seemed fine. I booted into PA, installed my normal software setup, rebooted to recovery, and made a backup.
Now, if I try to restore (either stock rooted or PA, it fails. It says something about unchecking the MD5 verification option, which I have done in the general TWRP settings, as well as making sure it stays unchecked in the restore preferences. Have tried restoring to both stock rooted and PA from both a PA install, and a fresh stock rooted install. Both fail with the same error.
I'm backing up/restoring to/from the internal SD, not an OTG cable. my cable that worked fine for my Note 2 and HTC One does not work with my G2. I have also tried re-flashing TWRP in case it was a bad install or something.
Does anybody have any thoughts/suggestions on what I can do to be able to restore roms? I've never had any issues like this with any other device.
I'm interested in this as well. But honestly I haven't been able to restore a damn backup in quite some time using my Galaxy Nexus using TWRP and CWM. It just seems like it tries to, but fails toward the end.
I did a backup of my stock/unrooted but haven't tried to restore it yet. Have you thought or tried to use one of the GUI Apps from the Play Store that does Restore/Backups? I would also pull those backups off of your phone and onto a PC. You can always copy them back later but I've erased everything using TWRP a few too many times.
I would also suggest trying to use CWM to restore the backups. I've never tried to restore a Nandoid from one recovery using another, but it may work.
Sadly with restore not working, it is kind of scary to even attempt it. I would make sure I have some stock images laying around with the ability to adb push if need be. Keep this updated please with either findings or solutions. If I knew 100% that my Nandroid backup was able to be restored, I would attempt to try some of the custom roms out there.
player911 said:
I'm interested in this as well. But honestly I haven't been able to restore a damn backup in quite some time using my Galaxy Nexus using TWRP and CWM. It just seems like it tries to, but fails toward the end.
I did a backup of my stock/unrooted but haven't tried to restore it yet. Have you thought or tried to use one of the GUI Apps from the Play Store that does Restore/Backups? I would also pull those backups off of your phone and onto a PC. You can always copy them back later but I've erased everything using TWRP a few too many times.
I would also suggest trying to use CWM to restore the backups. I've never tried to restore a Nandoid from one recovery using another, but it may work.
Sadly with restore not working, it is kind of scary to even attempt it. I would make sure I have some stock images laying around with the ability to adb push if need be. Keep this updated please with either findings or solutions. If I knew 100% that my Nandroid backup was able to be restored, I would attempt to try some of the custom roms out there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply.
I have only tried directly through TWRP. I've been flashing phones and tablets for years, but only using TWRP and CWM. I've been using TWRP lately because it's gui is nicer and until now, I've never run into any problems with it.
And yes, restore not working scares me. I know I can adb stock if I screw things up, but I hope it doesn't come to that. I guess for now I'll keep running stock rooted (despite it's horribly ugly unlock animations) and just wait for official AOKP with 4.4...
My apologies if this has been covered. I've successfully rooted and unlocked the bootloader. I've tried my best to do a lot of reading including going through item by item in the xda wiki glossary but I'm still a little confused/want clarification before I actually do anything with my phone.
My goals are:
1) To create a full .img backup of my current system so I can always go back to it if needed/worst case scenario
2) Create a list of all my installed apps. Backup a few select apps that contain data within them that does not get backed up in the cloud or appear in a copyable source anywhere when i browse the phone directories (an app called Pattrn specifically that stores favorited background images..)
3) wipe/clear the my current incarnation of kitkat and re-install it 'fresh' (possibly without the bloat?), then reload desired apps.
4) create a backup .img of this new instance.
-----------------
I'm generally pretty quick to learn technical content but I've honestly tried to fully grok the steps for the last two weeks and haven't gotten there/understand enough to be confident to do what I think I need to do.
can take this to PM if anyone has some patience to work with me. Gladly donate to any app you make or paypal a few bucks if you can help walk me through this..
My understanding is that I need to get TWRP or CWM installed in order to get a custom recovery (as opposed to a stock recovery process)---which will allow me to do step 3. But even getting TWRP going I'm confused..
Thanks
water- said:
My apologies if this has been covered. I've successfully rooted and unlocked the bootloader. I've tried my best to do a lot of reading including going through item by item in the xda wiki glossary but I'm still a little confused/want clarification before I actually do anything with my phone.
My understanding is that I need to get TWRP or CWM installed in order to get a custom recovery (as opposed to a stock recovery process)---which will allow me to do step 3. But even getting TWRP going I'm confused..
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can't help with everything..but with custom recovery..the easiest way is download flashify from play store and flash recovery image with itfrom here http://androidhosting.org/Devs/Dhacker29/msm8960/ you have a Razr M on kitkat use this one http://androidhosting.org/Devs/Dhacker29/msm8960/TWRP2710-RAZR_M-KITKAT.img
copy it to sdcard or internal storage...open flashify and select recovery image then choose the downloaded file..flash it and restart
water- said:
My apologies if this has been covered. I've successfully rooted and unlocked the bootloader. I've tried my best to do a lot of reading including going through item by item in the xda wiki glossary but I'm still a little confused/want clarification before I actually do anything with my phone.
My goals are:
1) To create a full .img backup of my current system so I can always go back to it if needed/worst case scenario
2) Create a list of all my installed apps. Backup a few select apps that contain data within them that does not get backed up in the cloud or appear in a copyable source anywhere when i browse the phone directories (an app called Pattrn specifically that stores favorited background images..)
3) wipe/clear the my current incarnation of kitkat and re-install it 'fresh' (possibly without the bloat?), then reload desired apps.
4) create a backup .img of this new instance.
-----------------
I'm generally pretty quick to learn technical content but I've honestly tried to fully grok the steps for the last two weeks and haven't gotten there/understand enough to be confident to do what I think I need to do.
can take this to PM if anyone has some patience to work with me. Gladly donate to any app you make or paypal a few bucks if you can help walk me through this..
My understanding is that I need to get TWRP or CWM installed in order to get a custom recovery (as opposed to a stock recovery process)---which will allow me to do step 3. But even getting TWRP going I'm confused..
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, with TWRP, there is an option to back up your current system, data, and boot image.
So, let's say you make a backup your stock kitkat rom, you can wipe that, install a compatible rom. And if that fails or you do not like it, you can boot back into TWRP and restore the backup you made with the restore option.
I'm not too sure what you are asking about your apps, but with titanium backup, you can backup any app + their current data. For example, lets say you backup your favorite browser and it has everything just the way you want it, you can back it up with titanium backup, flash your rom, and restore it with titanium backup.
Not sure if that was what you were asking with #2, but if you have another question, ask away. I'm on a road trip so I have plenty of time.
Sent from my DROID RAZR M using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
crazy4android said:
can't help with everything..but with custom recovery..the easiest way is download flashify from play store and flash recovery image with itfrom here [link] you have a Razr M on kitkat use this one.. [link]
copy it to sdcard or internal storage...open flashify and select recovery image then choose the downloaded file..flash it and restart
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you for your fast response, I appreciate it. I can do this--can you just clarify for me to define specifically what 'custom recovery' means?
I might be over-thinking it but I'm still trying to actually understand what custom recovery means-I assume it is in contrast to the current recovery which is still whatever shipped with the phone from verizon/motorola? So the above .img is a kitkat-base recovery (possibly without verizon bloat?)
Thanks
poppers162 said:
Well, with TWRP, there is an option to back up your current system, data, and boot image.
So, let's say you make a backup your stock kitkat rom, you can wipe that, install a compatible rom. And if that fails or you do not like it, you can boot back into TWRP and restore the backup you made with the restore option.
I'm not too sure what you are asking about your apps, but with titanium backup, you can backup any app + their current data. For example, lets say you backup your favorite browser and it has everything just the way you want it, you can back it up with titanium backup, flash your rom, and restore it with titanium backup.
Not sure if that was what you were asking with #2, but if you have another question, ask away. I'm on a road trip so I have plenty of time.
Sent from my DROID RAZR M using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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Thank you too for your response!
So yes, I would like to use TWRP for that--make a backup of my current stock rom in all aspects, then start with a fresh instance. Does doing the step the above poster linked basically get TWRP installed as a custom recovery---which then gives me the options to create those backups in the bootloader menu? again sorry for my confusion, I've read the guides and how-to but I'm getting tripped up on some of the lingo/definitions.
On #2 Yes, that is basically what I wanted--I've got titanium backup installed and have backed up a few of these programs to my SD card already. Only have a handful of programs that have any customization that I care to retain.
water- said:
thank you for your fast response, I appreciate it. I can do this--can you just clarify for me to define specifically what 'custom recovery' means?
I might be over-thinking it but I'm still trying to actually understand what custom recovery means-I assume it is in contrast to the current recovery which is still whatever shipped with the phone from verizon/motorola? So the above .img is a kitkat-base recovery (possibly without verizon bloat?)
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can do diff things like poppers162 mentioned you can backup ur entire rom with it...its very easy to flash nd very user friendly to navigate..no the above is a recovery img...you can boot ur phone into it once you flash it..then from there you can backup ur stock rom..and install/flash custom roms with bloat removed..
or another option is just freeze the apps you don't want with titanium backup..its almost as effective as uninstalling
Okay.. I've got TWRP going and creating a backup of my current system onto an external SD card. .. progress.
I've already backed up everything I desired in titanium.
Next up doing a 'clean' start in kitkat--or a slightly improved version. I realize at this point maybe things become more subjective to people's preferences.. I'm not looking to go to CM. I found some stock or a very-nearly-stock version of kitkat I can now 'start' fresh with--the google play edition? or do I need to download "Android 4.4.2 Blur_Version.183.46.10.XT907.Verizon.en.US"? I guess I need some more help at this point. Verizon is my carrier..
Thanks--do appreciate the help! :good:
water- said:
Okay.. I've got TWRP going and creating a backup of my current system onto an external SD card. .. progress.
I've already backed up everything I desired in titanium.
Next up doing a 'clean' start in kitkat--or a slightly improved version. I realize at this point maybe things become more subjective to people's preferences.. I'm not looking to go to CM. I found some stock or a very-nearly-stock version of kitkat I can now 'start' fresh with--the google play edition? or do I need to download "Android 4.4.2 Blur_Version.183.46.10.XT907.Verizon.en.US"? I guess I need some more help at this point. Verizon is my carrier..
Thanks--do appreciate the help! :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android 4.4.2 Blur_Version.183.46.10.XT907.Verizon.en.US is complete stock with all the verison bloatware...as for the google play edition..i don't know if theres a flashable rom..the one in the Droid RAZR M Android Development is for fastboot i think..not sure and i myself havent looked into how to fastboot a fxz
water- said:
Okay.. I've got TWRP going and creating a backup of my current system onto an external SD card. .. progress.
I've already backed up everything I desired in titanium.
Next up doing a 'clean' start in kitkat--or a slightly improved version. I realize at this point maybe things become more subjective to people's preferences.. I'm not looking to go to CM. I found some stock or a very-nearly-stock version of kitkat I can now 'start' fresh with--the google play edition? or do I need to download "Android 4.4.2 Blur_Version.183.46.10.XT907.Verizon.en.US"? I guess I need some more help at this point. Verizon is my carrier..
Thanks--do appreciate the help! :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's only a handful of roms compatible with the kitkat 3.4 kernel. I, personally, love cm11 test build. It's been going great. I would give it a try. If you don't like it, you have your backup!
Sent from my DROID RAZR M using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Kitstalk ran pretty smoothly minus the speaker phone issues I like it but I've always been a fan of beanstalk... that was a few days ago when I flashed it so it may be fixed now I haven't checked on it...
Sent from my XT907 using xda app-developers app
success..95% or so
wanted to follow up here.. some of the terms finally clicked in my mind to understand the functions of recovery/fastboot/bootloader/flashing..etc. I wonder if there is a flow-chart type diagram available out there--that type of thing would have really helped to understand--being able to visualize where these different aspects interact and where files etc line up with them.
Short version: successfully running GPE rom smoothly and enjoyably on a 'clean' system.
needless to say I used TWRP to backup my system. And Titanium for specific apps. Used rsdlite to flash the GPE rom from the forum here. Then I factor reset the rom, then I think I formatted internal storage space?? --at that juncture I was a little less clear what the specific sequence should have been to 'start fresh'. Should I have factory reset my device before flashing the rom? Or maybe it really doesn't matter.
Thanks for everyone's help. One thing that didn't migrate over through gcloud backups--embedded images in text msging program. relatively small loss though
cheers