Database Users

Rooting and Backing up Phone

This is my first Android phone, so I'm not sure how the backing up procedure works. Is there a way to back up all settings and apps (including paid apps) so I can restore it afterward?
I've rooted my phone when I first got it, through the unrevoked v1 method. Updated when Sprint gave me the option. Found out I shouldn't have done that, as I lost root access. I've been reading threads on how to set my EVO back to stock and hopefully this will restore everything. Thereby also being able to root once again.
If it means, I can root which method is recommended to also receive the latest updates.
I hope that I didn't lose root access for good.

Also curious, don't want to have to reinstall all the apps and lose the paid ones.

This has been a big question for me too.
Never rooted or modded a phone at all until yesterday, just made my first post here a minute ago.
I rooted and unlocked nand with simpleroot, then installed the damagecontrol rom, everything went ok. Got a lot of help by watching the video links. The biggest thing I was after was the wireless tether, which I have now. I've flashed the rom a couple time since and loose all my apps, contacts, and history every time. I get the contacts back easy through google sync. The apps I have been able to reinstall, the market has remembered my paid apps and lets me re-install no problem. This is still a hassle though. After doing some reading it seems people are using Titanium backup for the apps, and handy backup for the call history. I just installed and backed up everything, haven't tested out the restore yet.

[Q] Did I f* up my Play?

Hey guys. I hate making my first post a really noobie question but here it goes.
I just updated my rooted Xperia Play to 2.3.3 and it erased and/or re-wrote all of my system apps. I stupidly converted some of my downloaded apps into system apps using Titanium (because system apps turn red on the list. It helped me quickly figure out what was external and what was internal. Stupid, yes, and more trouble then it was actually worth.) so those apps were lost. Didn't matter, I had backups but I lost my root so I couldn't access them.
Forgetting what I used to root my phone originally I decided to use z4root after reading about it somewhere. The site I got it from is usually trust worthy but when I downloaded the file my OfficeScan (its a school bought computer) warned me of a potential virus threat. I wrote it off as just the pop-up ad and un-zipped and transferred the file to my phone. I still am not sure if it was a virus or not... Running z4root it got up to "acquiring shell root..." or something like that before kicking me back to the home screen with no change. I, again, stupidly, re-ran it several times without rebooting between each attempt. Giving up I then realized to reboot. Strangely rebooting was A LOT faster then it was usually is and I don't know if that was z4 or 2.3.3.
Anyway I remembered that I used Gingerbreak last time and re-installed that. I made several attempts with that with no change either. Too many to count, but at least more than 8. Several attempts I got a call or a text and, checking them, ended the process. 2 attempts I left running for about half an hour (I know that the instructions say it will never take more then 10 minutes) and some I ended with a battery pull after more then 10mins(as per instruction).
So I guess I have several questions:
1. How bad did I f* up, If I did so?
2. Any suggestions on how to re-root/fix it?
3. Will switching to an empty SD card, successfully rooting it, and switching back to the full card still keep the root?
4. Does an in phone factory reset work the same as flashing the same rom or will I need to actually flash that new rom?
5. If I do need to flash, where can I find a regular Play rom? Or do you have suggestions about a better rom?
6. Is the fast reboot the work of the half done, possibly a virus, z4root process or just the 2.3.3 update?
7.Lastly Was this tl and you ;dr?
Normally, I wouldn't care if there was no fix; My phone boots much faster, I didn't lose all my apps and only some apps launch a little slower then before. But I made tons of progress on Zenonia 2 and I want my back ups for that... lol.
Any help appreciated. Also thanks for putting up with a noob that's writing way to formally

1. Messing with the system apps, and not backing them up probably caused you to not have an OTA update. I'm guessing you flashed it? Not restoring anything and not doing an OTA was mistake number one. Trying to use z4root was mistake number 2.
2. Get the generic UK firmware from here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1097591
-Flash that with Bin4ry and Androxhyde's flashtool
-Put in your carrier's APN settings, configure your google account, wifi etc. etc.
-Get Gingerbreak 1.2, run it(I used Astro to open the apk, and you need uunknown sources enabled).
Gingerbreak only worked for me when I formatted an SD card right before running it. I used a spare that was lying around, not the usual one with all my data, and I suggest you do the same if you kept your titanium backups. Hopefully you'll get rooted after about 3-5 minutes. Do not mess with any apps/bloatware after you have the root.
-After you have root, go into the settings menu and start an OTA update.
You should now have 2.3.3 WITH root.
-Once the phone is updated, install Titanium Backup and start backing up your old apps from before you messed up the phone and lost root.
-At this point feel free to remove the bloatware, but make sure you back it up in titanium for later.
3. Switching SD cards won't affect root at all.
4. A factory reset will reset whatever ROM was installed last. In other words, you can't revert back to 2.3.2 with a reset, it'll just reset 2.3.3 - It's really just for wiping data and settings.
5.The regular play ROM is the UK generic I posted above. The only "better" roms are customs that you need an unlocked bootloader to install. Currently they're still buggy and in development and not worth getting unless you like incomplete ROMs with bugs, and wanna lose the ability to update normally. Both OTA updates and the Sony Ericsson Update Service will brick your phone once the bootloader's unlocked.
6. My phone was booting a bit faster after updating to 2.3.3, and became even faster after removing some bloatware.
-Root doesn't speed up the boot process.
-I highly doubt an Android phone would have a virus that makes it boot faster, it's probably just from the update.
7. No, it wasn't. No, I didn't.

Thanks for the (semi-)quick response. Been browsing around the web with this tab open, constantly refreshing like a creep. I'll try your advice soon but its like 3am, just wanted to say thanks and love your Stocking pic.
Btw is there a difference between A US, UK or CAN rom or do those even exist?

The only real differences are carrier specific apps, and some versions have different games installed.
Sent from my R800

Seems like I was to late to flash and the link to the rom you gave me may have been updated to 2.3.3 as well. I was looking for a Canada/Rodgers rom anyway but the forum search isn't turning up anything and google seems to hate me...
Help anyone?

The link was for 2.3.2 in the generic.
The only rogers rom available is for 2.3.3 so you won't be getting root without an unlocked bootloader with that one.
Just follow the directions and it should be fine.
The rogers apps are available in the android market separately.
Sent from my R800

[Q] Can't install latest OTA update after unroot

Hey guys,
So I've googled around for this issue but I still have a question that no other thread I've found seems to answer.
A few weeks ago I rooted my Razr M. I froze a couple of the verizon apps (like the google chrome bookmarks) and backed up and deleted the amazon apps, IMDB, and Audible apps with titanium. When the new OTA was released this week I restored and thawed all of those apps, but the OTA wouldn't install. It reached about 1/4 through the bar of Andy and then he would be on his side with the caution sign. The phone would reboot and say that the installation failed. I decided to unroot, thinking that may have been the cause, but I still got the same error. From there I did a factory reset, and I'm still getting the same error.
Here's my question: I saw on a couple threads that a factory reset doesn't restore everything in /system, which is where I'm worried there's a discrepancy that isn't allowing the update. Is there a way to do a harder reset that will completely bring the phone back to stock?
I'm currently on System version 98.12.4.XT907.Verizon.en.US if that helps. Android 4.1.1. Baseband version is SM_BP_1139.000.32.62P.

JadedRescue said:
Hey guys,
So I've googled around for this issue but I still have a question that no other thread I've found seems to answer.
A few weeks ago I rooted my Razr M. I froze a couple of the verizon apps (like the google chrome bookmarks) and backed up and deleted the amazon apps, IMDB, and Audible apps with titanium. When the new OTA was released this week I restored and thawed all of those apps, but the OTA wouldn't install. It reached about 1/4 through the bar of Andy and then he would be on his side with the caution sign. The phone would reboot and say that the installation failed. I decided to unroot, thinking that may have been the cause, but I still got the same error. From there I did a factory reset, and I'm still getting the same error.
Here's my question: I saw on a couple threads that a factory reset doesn't restore everything in /system, which is where I'm worried there's a discrepancy that isn't allowing the update. Is there a way to do a harder reset that will completely bring the phone back to stock?
I'm currently on System version 98.12.4.XT907.Verizon.en.US if that helps. Android 4.1.1. Baseband version is SM_BP_1139.000.32.62P.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like you did not defrost those system apps using titanium backup before you factory reset. I would restore from your stock backup and unfreeze those apps with titanium and try the ota again. The OTA checks for certain bloatware apps before it will allow it to install the update.

slogar25 said:
Sounds like you did not defrost those system apps using titanium backup before you factory reset. I would restore from your stock backup and unfreeze those apps with titanium and try the ota again. The OTA checks for certain bloatware apps before it will allow it to install the update.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I definitely did defrost those apps.

I'm having the same issue. Stops at about 1/4 of the way and then restarts. I'm gonna try it again without my Rogers(non-verizon) sim card and see if it works. Maybe it checks which sim card is being used.
EDIT: Didn't work, sim card irrelevant.

If you really want the ota then why don't you try mattlgroff's utility here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=39576818
It will return you back to completely stock with one click and then you should be able to take the ota and reroot unlock if desired
Sent from my XT907 using Xparent BlueTapatalk 2

RSD
vLegend said:
I'm having the same issue. Stops at about 1/4 of the way and then restarts. I'm gonna try it again without my Rogers(non-verizon) sim card and see if it works. Maybe it checks which sim card is being used.
EDIT: Didn't work, sim card irrelevant.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried using Mattlgroff's method (which i'm sure is fine for most) but seems to be geared towards linux users mostly, and I ran into some issues. I have always used RSD to get back to stock and never had an issue. Check it out How To Restore Stock Firmware on Razr M. This will hard restore your phone to the factory image, as well as unroot it, no need to unfreeze or reinstall bloat. It will also obviously erase the internal SD card contents so make sure you back those up.

Yeah looks like slogar25 and cliMAKtic are right. I tried a few more things and its not working. I'll do an rsd in the next couple days and try the ota again.

I'm going to try rsd sometime tonight, I'll let everyone know how it goes. Thanks for all the help!!

I like rsd too. The point is to return too stock.
Sent from my XT907 using Xparent BlueTapatalk 2

Same issue, stops 1/4 of the way through.
Flashing back to stock with the RAZR M utility 1.10 once my phone hits 100% battery (at 93% now). Will let you know if I can take the update after.

Keep in mind
RSD is great to get back to clean stock, but keep in mind that it will remove your root. After taking the OTA update, you will be running firmware v4.1.2. If you used MotoFail2Go exploit to root your phone originally you should note that the exploit apparently does not work for the updated firmware. Instead you should use motochopper, an updated exploit that works on 4.1.2 to root your phone, developed by Drjbliss over at Droidrzr.

I honestly don't care too much about being unrooted at this point anyway, having root wasn't doing too much for me. I managed to get back to the original stock ICS using RSD and everything worked out! Downloaded one update to 4.1.1, then the second update to 4.1.2, and everything went swimmingly.
Thank you so much for all your help everyone!

[Q] what 4.2.2 to get OTA updates? and some questions

so i was gonna go with a custom 4.4.2 rom but decided otherwise
so since my phone didnt get the 4.2.2 update yet n900xxucmk2 i thought getting one for another country russia decided
will i get ota updates even if i dont live in russia?
2-is there a way to root the phone 4.4.2 AND still get ota updates?
3-anyone found a way to remove mymagazine from 4.4.2 without causing the touchwiz to crash?
4-im backing up all my important apps using titanium backup, after i flash the phone with 4.4.2 will i loose all the apps? and if i loosed them will i loose the back up since titanum will be removed?
thanks

lhikari said:
so i was gonna go with a custom 4.4.2 rom but decided otherwise
so since my phone didnt get the 4.2.2 update yet n900xxucmk2 i thought getting one for another country russia decided
will i get ota updates even if i dont live in russia?
2-is there a way to root the phone 4.4.2 AND still get ota updates?
3-anyone found a way to remove mymagazine from 4.4.2 without causing the touchwiz to crash?
4-im backing up all my important apps using titanium backup, after i flash the phone with 4.4.2 will i loose all the apps? and if i loosed them will i loose the back up since titanum will be removed?
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1 yes
2 yes, but some users reported error occurs in the installation process.so just use sammobile and odin.
3 i don't know.
4 no you won't lose any apps if you flash it dirty(but you will lose your root) , but if you want to make a clean flash(recommend) just move your titanium backup folder from internal sd to external sd, then after you flashed the new rom move it back to internal sd then root your phone and restore your apps.
I just did the same when I updated to kitkat and everything works well.

[Q] Root and update software manually

Hey Guys,
I have a question.
i used to have the Galaxy Note 3 , rooted it and did alot with it. Now i have a Note 4 and i want to root it. But my problem is this :
When i am going to root it can i also update my firmware manually without making backup? cause i am gonna stay on Stock Touchwizz. I want to Root it and if For example Android 5.0 comes out i want to update it without losing data or without resetting the whole phone.
Cause without root you can just accept your update through OTA or through Kies without losing any data and you dont need to master reset the phone nor make any backup. I want this method rooted through ODIN also, and is it possible. Cause on my note 3 i always made a backup and than needed to flash the new firmware and than restore backup.
help me out with step by step method if it possible

I'm sorry, but otas aren't clean either my friend. Conuntless people experience weird battery drain, force closes etc following an ota.
With in days of the 5.0 update hitting note 4s, there will be hoards of people wanting too know how they can go back to 4.4.4... Mark my words.
The fact that it includes a move from dalvik to art is only going to make the whole process more troublesome than it usually is.
Just individually back up your data through the specific apps if they have the capability, and uses sms and call back up apps if you really need to keep that stuff too, and just clean install yourself for the smother experience

dannstarr said:
I'm sorry, but otas aren't clean either my friend. Conuntless people experience weird battery drain, force closes etc following an ota.
With in days of the 5.0 update hitting note 4s, there will be hoards of people wanting too know how they can go back to 4.4.4... Mark my words.
The fact that it includes a move from dalvik to art is only going to make the whole process more troublesome than it usually is.
Just individually back up your data through the specific apps if they have the capability, and uses sms and call back up apps if you really need to keep that stuff too, and just clean install yourself for the smother experience
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the tip that it will be dalvik to art.
didnt knew about that.
So lets say for example if a 4.4.5 comes out and i am rooted on 4.4.4 stock samsung, is it possible to download the stock 4.4.5 and flash it through Odin without losing data?
normally i used to make backups through Titanium and restore it. But i am bit tired of flashing a new stock and than restore backup.

InVez said:
Hey Guys,
I have a question.
i used to have the Galaxy Note 3 , rooted it and did alot with it. Now i have a Note 4 and i want to root it. But my problem is this :
When i am going to root it can i also update my firmware manually without making backup? cause i am gonna stay on Stock Touchwizz. I want to Root it and if For example Android 5.0 comes out i want to update it without losing data or without resetting the whole phone.
Cause without root you can just accept your update through OTA or through Kies without losing any data and you dont need to master reset the phone nor make any backup. I want this method rooted through ODIN also, and is it possible. Cause on my note 3 i always made a backup and than needed to flash the new firmware and than restore backup.
help me out with step by step method if it possible
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you root you still can upgrade your note to android 5.0 via odin but it will not eraser your data, only lost root acces. I have try in my tab long time ago , the day honeycomb upgrade to ics so you dont have to worry
Cheer.