Database Users

Flashing questions

Hello, I'd like to flash Cyanogenmod 10.1.3 to my Sprint Galaxy S4. SPH-L720. I've installed TWRP. I understand Nandroid is the recommended backup. I've installed nandroid, busybox, granted SU permissions etc. Now before backing up via Nandroid I have a couple questions.
1.) Is it acceptable to save my Nandroid backup to dropbox?
2.) There are 3 options I can select Yaffs2 as Tar. Exclude Dalvik Cache. Exclude Google Music Files. I am guessing I don't need to save Google music files because I don't have anything in there as of now but I don't know what the first two options do. Could someone explain to me the purpose of these options and whether I may want to check them? Do I want to disable MD5 generation or compress the backup?
3.) After saving the backup am I ready to flash Cyanogenmod?
4.) To flash the ROM I just boot TWRP and tap to install the zip then let the phone work its magic? The ROM I will be installing is the Stable option on this page.
^^ I suppose it won't let me post the url but it's the jfltespr stable ROM from Cyanogenmod
Thanks in advance for the help!

2 Days later
Dalisword said:
Hello, I'd like to flash Cyanogenmod 10.1.3 to my Sprint Galaxy S4. SPH-L720. I've installed TWRP. I understand Nandroid is the recommended backup. I've installed nandroid, busybox, granted SU permissions etc. Now before backing up via Nandroid I have a couple questions.
1.) Is it acceptable to save my Nandroid backup to dropbox?
2.) There are 3 options I can select Yaffs2 as Tar. Exclude Dalvik Cache. Exclude Google Music Files. I am guessing I don't need to save Google music files because I don't have anything in there as of now but I don't know what the first two options do. Could someone explain to me the purpose of these options and whether I may want to check them? Do I want to disable MD5 generation or compress the backup?
3.) After saving the backup am I ready to flash Cyanogenmod?
4.) To flash the ROM I just boot TWRP and tap to install the zip then let the phone work its magic? The ROM I will be installing is the Stable option on this page.
^^ I suppose it won't let me post the url but it's the jfltespr stable ROM from Cyanogenmod
Thanks in advance for the help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since nobody replied I worked it out by trial and error. Here's what I came up with.
1.) You can save nandroid to dropbox but it takes FOREVER. it was much quicker to just copy the whole TWRP save file over to my desktop. Think 4 mins vs 4 hours quick. P.S. Something I couldn't find ANYWHERE was whether the Nandroid files should be separate. I expected a zip. My Nandroid manager recognized them as separate files as a backup so we're good to go.
2.) I didn't select Yaffs2 as Tar. I didn't exclude the Dalvik Cache, but I did exclude Google Music Files because it was empty anyway. I did not disable MD5 generation. A friend suggested I keep it. Also the backup was not compressed. I did a compressed and an uncompressed, the difference was only maybe a half a gig. If you have the storage space don't compress.
3&4.) With the backup saved safely off the phone I navigated to TWRP and installed the zip. It didn't work so I wiped the Dalvik and tried again without MD5 and it flashed right on. The first time It got stuck on the loading screen so I reinstalled the zip after wiping the Dalvik again and now it works like a charm.
**Something you may want to be aware of is not all ROM's come with Google services which is something I wanted, so you may have to do some digging to find the right google zip to flash but you flash that the exact same way you flashed the other zip.
**I'd be happy to do an actual writeup or help anyone with their issues on a Sprint SG4 since it appears that help in this part of the forum is kinda missing. Feel free to PM me!
~Dalisword

Watch "Install CyanogenMod on your Android Device with the CyanogenMod Installer" on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViVi4GAI0Sk&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app

joshuadub said:
Watch "Install CyanogenMod on your Android Device with the CyanogenMod Installer" on YouTube
Sent from my SPH-L720 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The one click installer wasn't working due to driver issues. I figured out the manual install.

[Q] Understanding Directories, and Backing Up

I want to make a backup of my Android I9505 by copying all the files to my laptop.
I don't understand the directories
Using ES3 I see
/ Device (Which I guess is root.)
0
extSdCard
I assume that exdSdCard is (as it almost says) the external SD Card.
So what are "/" and
"0"
I guess I should back up all directories. What do you think?

webmanoffesto said:
I want to make a backup of my Android I9505 by copying all the files to my laptop.
I don't understand the directories
Using ES3 I see
/ Device (Which I guess is root.)
0
extSdCard
I assume that exdSdCard is (as it almost says) the external SD Card.
So what are "/" and
"0"
I guess I should back up all directories. What do you think?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
0 is your internalSD ( /storage/ emulated/0/ )
/ is root directory
If you just copy folder like that , yes you will make a copy of the folders and the data inside of them but it will not work to restore your system , for that you will need something like a Nandroid copy or use Titanium Backup to be re install after you restore your rom

webmanoffesto said:
I want to make a backup of my Android I9505 by copying all the files to my laptop.
I don't understand the directories
Using ES3 I see
/ Device (Which I guess is root.)
0
extSdCard
I assume that exdSdCard is (as it almost says) the external SD Card.
So what are "/" and
"0"
I guess I should back up all directories. What do you think?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are WAY overthinking this.
Install custom recovery. Use it to make a Nandroid backup.
That's a single zip file that you can later use to restore everything in exactly the same state as it was the day you made the backup. (Takes all of 5 minutes.)
Then if you want to store that backup zip file on your PC you can easily copy it to the computer and store it there for as long as you need.
Your way of doing this will take a lot longer to copy the files and won't ultimately work to restore the system.

Skipjacks said:
You are WAY overthinking this.
Install custom recovery. Use it to make a Nandroid backup.
That's a single zip file that you can later use to restore everything in exactly the same state as it was the day you made the backup. (Takes all of 5 minutes.)
Then if you want to store that backup zip file on your PC you can easily copy it to the computer and store it there for as long as you need.
Your way of doing this will take a lot longer to copy the files and won't ultimately work to restore the system.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Using ROM Manager, I boot to Recovery mode. I only see
- Reboot system now
- apply update from ADB
- Apply update from external storage
- wife data/factory reset
- wipe cache partition
- apply update from cache
No Backup option.

webmanoffesto said:
Using ROM Manager, I boot to Recovery mode. I only see
- Reboot system now
- apply update from ADB
- Apply update from external storage
- wife data/factory reset
- wipe cache partition
- apply update from cache
No Backup option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi ,
Then i guess you are 100% stock , no root , no Custom recovery?
if so then you need an app that does not need root to back up your app , Titanium is good but you need at least to be root.

MAX 404 said:
Hi ,
Then i guess you are 100% stock , no root , no Custom recovery?
if so then you need an app that does not need root to back up your app , Titanium is good but you need at least to be root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have Root and I use Titanium Backup.

webmanoffesto said:
I have Root and I use Titanium Backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you are root but you do not wish to install a Custom recovery or custom rom , right?
If so use titanium to make a back up of your apps , contacts , settings , email , sms ..etc etc
If you want to make a nandroid you need to install a Custom Recovery

Just install a custom recovery.
It won't affect the operation of the ROM at all if you're completely happy with the stock rom.
Root and Recovery are mutually exclusive things. One has nothing to do with the other. Each exists independently of the other.

Skipjacks said:
Just install a custom recovery.
It won't affect the operation of the ROM at all if you're completely happy with the stock rom.
Root and Recovery are mutually exclusive things. One has nothing to do with the other. Each exists independently of the other.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1

android 5 and titanium backup problem!

I backed up everything with titanium backup in kitkat and then wiped and flashed lollipop !
I used newest version that is compatible with android 5.0!
then tried to restore my apps but ...
after restore, all of the restored apps crashing! aaaalllll....!!!!!
also tried clear cash and data but crashing anyway!
anybody else tried that?
any idea what should I do?

hrh_fourtyseven said:
I backed up everything with titanium backup in kitkat and then wiped and flashed lollipop !
I used newest version that is compatible with android 5.0!
then tried to restore my apps but ...
after restore, all of the restored apps crashing! aaaalllll....!!!!!
also tried clear cash and data but crashing anyway!
anybody else tried that?
any idea what should I do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not trying things without assuming would be my first suggestion
oh and asking in only one place on forums (Q&A)
instead of two different threads in general section

How did you guys attain root?

hrh_fourtyseven said:
I backed up everything with titanium backup in kitkat and then wiped and flashed lollipop !
I used newest version that is compatible with android 5.0!
then tried to restore my apps but ...
after restore, all of the restored apps crashing! aaaalllll....!!!!!
also tried clear cash and data but crashing anyway!
anybody else tried that?
any idea what should I do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Chainfire talked about this problem in his thread for CF AUTO ROOT, try wiping everything, do not restore the backup yet, and wait till the new SUPERSU update is released, probably by tomorrow, then restore and report back.

hunter2k said:
How did you guys attain root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CF Auto root
aguarello said:
Chainfire talked about this problem in his thread for CF AUTO ROOT, try wiping everything, do not restore the backup yet, and wait till the new SUPERSU update is released, probably by tomorrow, then restore and report back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
really?! supersu?! im talking about titanium backup!
chainfire:
"There's a race condition between SELinux policy reloads between SuperSU and Samsung's security service.
That is why on one reboot you'll have root while you won't on another.
This was an expected case during development, but there was no way to test it. There is now. SuperSU will be updated ASAP with a fix."
tnx anyway

hrh_fourtyseven said:
CF Auto root
really?! supersu?! im talking about titanium backup!
chainfire:
"There's a race condition between SELinux policy reloads between SuperSU and Samsung's security service.
That is why on one reboot you'll have root while you won't on another.
This was an expected case during development, but there was no way to test it. There is now. SuperSU will be updated ASAP with a fix."
tnx anyway
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Soo you're not rooted?

Restore WITHOUT DATA restoring with app data causes crashes on a few KK roms and ALL 5.0 ROM's I've tried CM12, fusion ETC

hunter2k said:
How did you guys attain root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try this
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=57151905&postcount=248

Could this be to do with Art runtime which is default in lollipop (not sure if s5 lollipop is)

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2463116

aguarello said:
Soo you're not rooted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sure I am!
but chainfire never said that!
paintball23456 said:
Restore WITHOUT DATA restoring with app data causes crashes on a few KK roms and ALL 5.0 ROM's I've tried CM12, fusion ETC
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yea working without data but I use titanium just for data! apps can be reinstalled but data is important
anyway should be a way to convert data to new format!
silentattack said:
Try this
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=57151905&postcount=248
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so what is this?!!!

danieljamie said:
This fix solves force close issues with restoring apps with data in Titanium Backup.
This operation recursively fixes all SElinux file markers in /data/data, which are spoiled by titanium during data restore. (Quote from vodkinagdan)
User vodkinagdan found this solution:
Simply execute this from the terminal emulator:
su
restorecon -R -v /data/data
This has to be done after every restore (or batch of restores).
I take no credit for this but it works!
vodkinagdan has sent fix to Titanium Track.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

stevendeb25 said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2463116
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
restorecon -R -v /data/data command does not work!
stevendeb25 said:
danieljamie said:
This fix solves force close issues with restoring apps with data in Titanium Backup.
This operation recursively fixes all SElinux file markers in /data/data, which are spoiled by titanium during data restore. (Quote from vodkinagdan)
User vodkinagdan found this solution:
Simply execute this from the terminal emulator:
su
restorecon -R -v /data/data
This has to be done after every restore (or batch of restores).
I take no credit for this but it works!
vodkinagdan has sent fix to Titanium Track.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I even tried this:
su
mount -o rw,remount /system/ /system/
restorecon -R -v /data/data
restorecon -R -v /system
mounting and the last line work but restorecon of data does not work!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I cant find any option for switching to dalvik !
is it possible at all?
I want dalvik to test titanium again

hrh_fourtyseven said:
I cant find any option for switching to dalvik !
is it possible at all?
I want dalvik to test titanium again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
since 5.0 runs on ART there is no way to switch back

This is a problem with SELinux context on restored apps data. TB won't set it right so apps with restored data are force closed. Se context is set to "u: object_r:system_data_file:s0", but needs to be "u: object_r:app_data_file:s0".
This happening not only with android 5.0, but with android 4.3 and above, where SELinux was introduced. Normally this should be fixed by running this command from root shell on the phone: "restorecon -v -R /data/data"/
But on SM-G900F Polish rom I tnink restorecon is broken (it is crashed - segfaults), so I have to set security context instead of reset.
This can be done either by chcon command in shell, or by using Root Explorer's "change SE context" (+ option "also set on all sub-folders and files") on all folders of restored apps data. You should choose "select context from list" and then select "u: object_r:app_data_file:s0". Do not set context to this value for the whole folder "data", some subfolders needs to have a different security context!

xxakep said:
This is a problem with SELinux context on restored apps data. TB won't set it right so apps with restored data are force closed. Se context is set to "u: object_r:system_data_file:s0", but needs to be "u: object_r:app_data_file:s0".
This happening not only with android 5.0, but with android 4.3 and above, where SELinux was introduced. Normally this should be fixed by running this command from root shell on the phone: "restorecon -v -R /data/data"/
But on SM-G900F Polish rom I tnink restorecon is broken (it is crashed - segfaults), so I have to set security context instead of reset.
This can be done either by chcon command in shell, or by using Root Explorer's "change SE context" (+ option "also set on all sub-folders and files") on all folders of restored apps data. You should choose "select context from list" and then select "u: object_r:app_data_file:s0". Do not set context to this value for the whole folder "data", some subfolders needs to have a different security context!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont know why,but when I go to android/data , most of the folders are empty(just files and cache folders and both are empty)!
I tried to restore some apps+data and tried to change Se contexts of them(empty folders and non empty folders!) and force close again!
maybe I should change another thing! any Idea?

The only thing that works on Titanium is uninstall, nor backup, nor freeze, nor restore work
Other than I am very happy with Lollipop :good:

hrh_fourtyseven said:
I dont know why,but when I go to android/data , most of the folders are empty(just files and cache folders and both are empty)!
I tried to restore some apps+data and tried to change Se contexts of them(empty folders and non empty folders!) and force close again!
maybe I should change another thing! any Idea?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you mean by "android/data"? Applications have their data in /data/data (you should go in Root Explorer to root folder, then select folder "data" and in folder "data" select subfolder "data" again), each in their subfolder. On each folder that relate to your restored apps (you could check it by app name - like com.amazon.kindle etc) you should change SE context to what I have told in previous post.
I have already restored over 300 applications from 4.4.2 with TB and after this action all of them are worked without a force close.

I used Helium works much better than ****ty TB

Help needed to remove Xposed from 5.0

Xposed for Samsung Lollipop is out. But I am having trouble installing apps since I installed xposed so I decided to remove it. I restored the system partitioned with a backup I've made before the installation but looks like xposed isn't removed. I still getting "Optimising app" at every start up and I cannot install apps from Play Store. Many of users that installed xposed reported these.
I even tried to wipe system (not data) and flashing the rom I'm using on it again but xposed is still there. (Stil getting "optimising apps" and error "-504" from play store. ) What can I do to totally remove xposed without wiping data or restoring data partition?

ImjuzCY said:
Xposed for Samsung Lollipop is out. But I am having trouble installing apps since I installed xposed so I decided to remove it. I restored the system partitioned with a backup I've made before the installation but looks like xposed isn't removed. I still getting "Optimising app" at every start up and I cannot install apps from Play Store. Many of users that installed xposed reported these.
I even tried to wipe system (not data) and flashing the rom I'm using on it again but xposed is still there. (Stil getting "optimising apps" and error "-504" from play store. ) What can I do to totally remove xposed without wiping data or restoring data partition?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
have you tried to clear the data from the playstore and let it rebuild the services ??

krazierokz said:
have you tried to clear the data from the playstore and let it rebuild the services ??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did, for many times

ImjuzCY said:
I did, for many times
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How about this?? thanks to @craigcrawford1988
Did you try this ?Simply boot into TWRP, and mount system, then Advanced -> File Manager then do the following:1.Go into /system/bin/ and delete app_process32 and app_process32_xposed
2.Rename app_process32_original to app_process32
3.Delete dex2oat and rename dex2oat.orig to dex2oat
4.Repeat the above step for oatdump and patchoat
5.Go up a directory and then into the lib directory
6.Delete libart.so and rename libart.so.orig to libart.so
7.Repeat the above step for libart-compiler.so, libart-disassembler.so and libsigchain.so
8.Delete libxposed_art.so
9.Go up a directory and delete xposed.prop
10.Go into framework directory and delete XposedBridge.jar
11.Reboot your device.

krazierokz said:
How about this?? thanks to @craigcrawford1988
Did you try this ?Simply boot into TWRP, and mount system, then Advanced -> File Manager then do the following:1.Go into /system/bin/ and delete app_process32 and app_process32_xposed
2.Rename app_process32_original to app_process32
3.Delete dex2oat and rename dex2oat.orig to dex2oat
4.Repeat the above step for oatdump and patchoat
5.Go up a directory and then into the lib directory
6.Delete libart.so and rename libart.so.orig to libart.so
7.Repeat the above step for libart-compiler.so, libart-disassembler.so and libsigchain.so
8.Delete libxposed_art.so
9.Go up a directory and delete xposed.prop
10.Go into framework directory and delete XposedBridge.jar
11.Reboot your device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried that too but that was for the "normal" official xposed alpha. The way the devs set xposed on samsung touchwiz is different. We flash a different version of xposed framework.
Many of the original files you listed I don't find it (almost all). I think the only way to totally remove it is a full wipe

well good luck with your problem bud , i tried Sorry we could not determine the issue.... Long weekend !

Do u still need help?
From my s4 Powered by
Prism barebone v15

shiruuu.samad said:
Do u still need help?
From my s4 Powered by
Prism barebone v15
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I already did a clean install. But help is still welcomed to help those who needs help

ImjuzCY said:
I already did a clean install. But help is still welcomed to help those who needs help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had issues of FC with xposed i used this guide to disable it.https://plus.google.com/app/basic/stream/z13ecnpjtpirgbyn023sdjagnpmrzjarm04Check the last comment of google+ post it should disable it.Hope it works
From my s4 Powered by
Prism barebone v15

shiruuu.samad said:
I had issues of FC with xposed i used this guide to disable it.https://plus.google.com/app/basic/stream/z13ecnpjtpirgbyn023sdjagnpmrzjarm04Check the last comment of google+ post it should disable it.Hope it works
From my s4 Powered by
Prism barebone v15
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried this but I still can't install apps larger than 1mb. Apps that are smaller than 1mb installed perfectly. I don't get fc BTW. I got error -504 from play store. I Googled about it and the error is due to lack of space in /cache partition. I checked the partitions and proved it. Only 800kb free in cache partition but play store needs to download apks to cache before installing. Even restoring titanium backups made during xposed is installed to a clean installed rom can cause that. So I did a clean install without any backups restored.
I tried clearing cache before, it's emptied when I cleared it, but it fills up when optimising app and I don't think I can skip optimising app after clearing cache.

Try formatting system, data, cache then restore system and after first boot, restore data
If didnt work (this is impossible) that means you did the backup after installing xposed
Goodluck

RubbaBand said:
Try formatting system, data, cache then restore system and after first boot, restore data
If didnt work (this is impossible) that means you did the backup after installing xposed
Goodluck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I was lazy I backed up after installing the apk before flashing the zip. So that backup is somehow unusable. I already did a fresh install .

Bloatware?

Okay so recently I have rooted my E4 (Sprint) and can't seem to uninstall system apps. It comes with face book and all that other Sprint bloat. But when i use an app to try to uninstall them, they just stay there. Any help? I'm currently rooted with magisk 13.3 and have xposed installed along with busy box.

install root explorer app and try manually deleting apps (/system/app) (/system/priv-app)
This will work for sure

I mentioned this here https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-e4/how-to/how-to-disable-bloat-wear-qualcomm-t3655452

kartik verma said:
install root explorer app and try manually deleting apps (/system/app) (/system/priv-app)
This will work for sure
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried using ES file explorer pro and the Facebook or Sprint apps aren't in any of those folders for some reason...

amarc78 said:
I mentioned this here https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-e4/how-to/how-to-disable-bloat-wear-qualcomm-t3655452
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any way of doing this without a PC? I'm currently away from home and need something mobile

What app are you using to remove the apps? Titanium Backup? I've had TBU not uninstall some apps for whatever reason, but link2sd was able to remove apps. Might want to try it.

I've noticed some of the apps that are carrier installed are in the oem folder, deleted them and problem solved. This was on a metro PCS variant.

This is the oem folder, I used FX file explorer.

KyleBryant said:
This is the oem folder, I used FX file explorer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the Sprint version but when I try to erase any app from those folders the device freezes

It was freezing on me when I was using root explorer pro, that's why I ended up switching to FX. Also when you rooted your device did you do a wipe and then flash noverity and then su because if you didn't do the wipe your phone might still be encrypted and it won't allow you to modify system folders.

KyleBryant said:
It was freezing on me when I was using root explorer pro, that's why I ended up switching to FX. Also when you rooted your device did you do a wipe and then flash noverity and then su because if you didn't do the wipe your phone might still be encrypted and it won't allow you to modify system folders.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't get it to work with FX either. It just freezes the phone. I don't get why it works for you.
Sent from my LGLS755 using XDA Labs

You could try deleting them in the file browser on twrp

That is how I had said I to do it in the thread I started explaining how to do it. This users problem is they can't find the option to mount the OEM folder in twrp to be able to see the contents in the file manager to edit it.
Sent from my Moto E (4) using XDA Labs

KyleBryant said:
It was freezing on me when I was using root explorer pro, that's why I ended up switching to FX. Also when you rooted your device did you do a wipe and then flash noverity and then su because if you didn't do the wipe your phone might still be encrypted and it won't allow you to modify system folders.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I formatted the system, flashed magisk then noverity

In order to make it work for me I had to format data in twrp then reboot twrp and then flash noverity first then your root of choice and then it worked.

I REALLY don't want to format again only to find out it may not work..

KyleBryant said:
In order to make it work for me I had to format data in twrp then reboot twrp and then flash noverity first then your root of choice and then it worked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait what root options do I have? Does chain fire's root work?

thereallinkieishere said:
Wait what root options do I have? Does chain fire's root work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/magisk/official-magisk-v7-universal-systemless-t3473445 first post in this thread explains how to root without TWRP.

Anything other than Magisk??

thereallinkieishere said:
Anything other than Magisk??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pph superuser