I am giving away my phone to a friend, but how do I "clean" the phone?
Like, I want to erase/uinstall all the apps I've downloaded and installed, empty my messages, folders and camera files... Make it look like "new"..
Can I save my sms/text messages + contacts and their details on my PC or something? Or can I perhaps put them on my sim-card as I won't be giving away the sim-card?
I will be using another android phone, of course.
There are various programs on the market that perform sms backups/restores. I use SMS backup+ to backup my sms every few hours automatically to my gmail account under a label entitled "SMS." I think there is an option to restore SMS in that app too.
As for contacts, they should be backed up with your google account (email). Log into your google account on a computer and under contacts will be various groups. I've created a group specifically with phone numbers to appear under my contacts on android (Contacts [push menu]> display>click google account.and check the contact group you want on the phone).
By default, google will back up your contacts. Under settings, push accounts and sync, and manage your google account. There, the Sync contacts should be enabled and all of your contacts will sync to the google account (where you can edit the groups I've outlined above).
I would connect the phone to a computer, create a folder, and copy all of the contents of your SD card into that folder just in case. When you're ready to pass on the phone, wipe the sd card (on the computer or on the phone by settings>storage>erase sd card).
Reboot into recovery and wipe data, cache, etc. There might be a factory reset option as well. If you aren't rooted, I'm not sure, but there might be a key sequence that does the wipes for you. Try a google search for that.
elgy said:
I am giving away my phone to a friend, but how do I "clean" the phone?
Like, I want to erase/uinstall all the apps I've downloaded and installed, empty my messages, folders and camera files... Make it look like "new"..
Can I save my sms/text messages + contacts and their details on my PC or something? Or can I perhaps put them on my sim-card as I won't be giving away the sim-card?
I will be using another android phone, of course.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
market - smsbackup - works great here, puts all your sms on your sdcard. then email them to yourself.
then
settings - factory reset (wipes everything you ever did off the phone)
if you make a TiTanium Backup of the device first, you can just move everything from the sdcard to your new phone, or let google take care of the settings (online backup). either way, it's pretty painless.
what are you getting next ?
should take
If you're rooted you can data wipe from within CWM and format your sd card and also for backing up you can use mybackup very handy application. It'll backup your apps, sms, call logs, contacts and your media(camera pictures, videos)
Menu -> Settings -> Privacy -> Factory Data Reset
DISCLAIMER : This guide assumes that you already know how to flash a custom ROM. Also, these instructions work well on my Desire HD running ICS. They should ideally work on any device/ROM/Recovery combination, just that you may have to figure out the system settings/apps that correspond to the ones that I'm referring to. But remember that if you choose to follow these steps, you are doing it at your own risk, and you assume any and all potential consequences, including (but not limited to) loss of data, corrupting your sdcard, bricking your device, physical damage to your phone or self, and/or loss of bladder control.
WARNING : Following this guide may lead to ORD, or worsen your condition of ORD.
When you flash a custom ROM, a full wipe is always recommended. And it definitely is a stressful process, especially if you like to try out a lot of different ROMs. I now follow a method which I find is quite reliable, not as stressful and is fast, so I thought i should share it. I must warn you though, that this is quite an organized approach, so it will require patience from your part to set it up. But I assure you, once you've done it, your ROM wiping and flashing process becomes much easier
I'm going to detail this out in both offline and online methods. With the "Offline(OFF)" method, you will not require an Internet connection to restore all your data. Everything is backed up using Titanium Backup. With the "Online(ON)" method, part of your data will be restored from the amazing "Cloud"
Most of this guide is common to both methods, so I've highlighted the specific methods accordingly. If you're following the offline(OFF) steps, then you dont need to follow the online(ON) steps, and vice versa
APPS YOU'LL NEED
1) Titanium Backup - The free version will serve the purposes of this guide, but its just easier and faster to restore using the Pro version. The Pro version doesnt ask you to tap "Install" every time you restore an app. And if you forget to backup something, you can retrieve it from your Nandroid Backup(provided you remembered to do that ).
2) ES File Explorer - This app allows you to backup an app to the sdcard. Any other file manager/app that can do the same thing will work too..
(ON) 3) SMS Backup+ - This app allows you to backup all your call logs and sms/mms to your Gmail account.
INITIAL SETUP
1) Open Titanium Backup
2) Choose Menu->Filters
3) Tap the "Create Label" button, name your label, and then tap the "Add/Remove elements" button to pick which apps this label will be assigned to.
I have an "Important" label - for apps that I absolutely need on every flash, an "Extras" label - for more occasionally used apps, and a "Games" label. Make sure you dont add any system settings like Accounts, Application widgets, Bluetooth Pairings etc. to any of these labels. We will be handling them separately.
4) Choose Menu->Preferences and enable Auto-sync TB settings
(ON) 5) Now open SMS Backup+
(ON) 6) Set it up to backup your call logs, sms and mms to your Gmail account. You can assign labels to each of them so that they are neatly categorized in your GMail. You can also setup auto-backup for convenience.
1ST BACKUP
1) Open Titanium Backup
2) Choose Menu->Filters, scroll down, select all your labels and tap Apply.
3) Choose Menu->Batch->Backup all user apps + system data.
You'll need to backup system settings separately -
4) Choose Menu->Filters, and in Filter by type, choose System
5) Scroll down and make sure none of your custom labels are selected and then tap Apply.
6) Backup the following, these are the ones important to me, you may want to add more to this -
i) Accounts
ii) Application Widgets - Widgets placed on the homescreen of your favorite launcher.
(OFF) iii) Calendar Storage
(OFF) iv) Contacts Storage - Your contacts and call logs.
(OFF) v) Phone/Messaging Storage - Your sms/mms
vi) Settings Storage - Be careful when you restore this. For eg: its not a good idea to restore CM9 settings to an AOKP ROM or vice versa. This is best used when you know exactly what you are doing. Also, a lot of differences between ROMs will probably be the fact that it provides some new customization options in the settings. So restoring this doesnt make sense unless you know for sure that they are the same. Handle with care.
vii) User Dictionary
viii) Wi Fi Access Points
(OFF) Now you need to backup Titanium Backup itself, since thats the first app you will want to install, after a ROM flash.
(OFF) 8) Open ES File Explorer,
(OFF) 9) Choose Menu->Manager->App Manager.
(OFF) 10) Press and hold Titanium Backup and then choose Backup(the apk will be saved in /sdcard/backups/apps)
(ON) 11) Now open SMS Backup+ and tap Backup
Thats it !! You're all set now !
See post #2 for info on how to easily backup and restore your data.
Hope this helps in making ROM flashing an easier task
If you thought this was helpful, hit "Thanks" !
If you have any suggestion that might make this an even easier process for everyone, please do share !
And Happy Flashing !
Now before you flash any new ROM, just follow these steps.
BACKUP
1) Open Titanium Backup, make sure none of your filters are selected, then choose Menu->Batch->Redo backups for modified data
(OFF) 2) You can optionally backup Titanium Backup's apk again using ES File Explorer. This is only to ensure that when you install it in the new ROM, you have the latest version
3) Take a Nandroid Backup if you wish to(recommended).
Perform a full wipe, flash the new ROM, and reboot.
When the startup wizard pops up -
(OFF) Skip the sign in to Google part, but complete the wizard.
(ON) Sign in using your Google account, and complete the wizard.
RESTORE
(OFF) 1) Open the File Manager that came with the ROM, and go into backups/apps(or wherever you saved your apk) and tap on the Titanium Backup apk to install it
(ON) 1) Open Play Store, and download Titanium Backup
2) Open Titanium Backup, and go to Backup/Restore
3) Choose Menu->Filters, scroll down, select your label("Important") and hit Apply.
4) If any of your "Important" apps are already installed, tap it and choose Restore->Data Only.
5) After that Menu->Batch->Restore missing apps with data
6) Deselect the apps that you dont need and tap "Run the batch operation"
7) You can repeat steps 3,4,5 and 6 for all your labels now or at a later time.
(OFF) Before proceeding, you need to make sure that all the apps that were added to the Accounts & Sync section in the previous ROM, are now installed in the current ROM. Apps like Google+, Facebook, HaxSync, LinkedIn, Twitter, Whatsapp etc. This is because we are about to restore the Accounts, and these apps need to be there if you want their "Accounts" to get restored correctly. Also, when we eventually restore Contacts, the restoration will be more complete if the accounts related to those contacts already exist. So we need to set this up beforehand.
This is where you start restoring System data. Now you need to be careful with this. ROMs that are completely different from each other may start acting buggy if you restore this data. I would suggest not doing this across different versions of Android. And if you know that the 2 ROMs are from different bases then you should definitely pick what you're restoring here.
8) Choose Menu->Filters.
9) In Filter by status, choose Backed up
10) In Filter by Type, choose System and hit Apply
11) And then Menu->Batch->Restore all system data. Now before you run the operation, deselect Contacts Storage. If your new ROM is very different from your old one, then deselect Settings Storage too. If you see anything else that you feel may not be compatible, deselect those too.
12) Tap "Run the batch operation"
13) Reboot(or Hot Reboot)
(OFF) 14) Now open Titanium Backup, Backup/Restore, tap Contacts Storage and restore Data Only
(OFF) 15) Reboot(or Hot Reboot)
(ON) 14) By now, your Calendar and contacts should have gotten sync'ed automatically. Just add other accounts to your Settings->Accounts&Sync section, and the rest of your data should get sync'ed up
(ON) 15) Open SMS Backup+ and Restore your call logs and sms/mms.
wow. after posting it feels like a really really long process !
but trust me, its just how i've explained it. Once you set it up, its a piece of cake
Ha ha quality post for persons that are unaware of how simple this is.
I use MyBackup pro myself for apps and data. Does the same thing imo. But also does a great job of everything else. Sms, bookmarks, dictionary, ect ect all in one application
Sent from my Desire HD using xda premium
Guys when I was on Sense roms I was able to restore my syncs accounts and all my emails accounts with Titanium... but since I'm on ICS, no matter what I do, I can't seem to restore those two things....
I restore data from Accounts (something backed up from TB itself) and data from Email but no go...
Anyone?
Restoring Accounts has worked for me on ICS. There are 2 things you need to do.
1)Before restoring, make sure all the apps needed for those sync accounts are already installed/restored. For eg: Facebook, Google+, Whatsapp, HaxSync, etc...
2) After restoring Accounts, reboot/hot reboot your phone.
crazyjc81 said:
Restoring Accounts has worked for me on ICS. There are 2 things you need to do.
1)Before restoring, make sure all the apps needed for those sync accounts are already installed/restored. For eg: Facebook, Google+, Whatsapp, HaxSync, etc...
2) After restoring Accounts, reboot/hot reboot your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Normal sync accounts, ie FB Twitter Google etc, I also can restore...
The problem is restoring email and exchange accounts... no matter what I do, cannot seem to restore them... they don't appear on the sync accounts nor inside the email app...And of course, I reboot the phone...
I guess the problem is probably from Titanium...
Too bad that the support for the TB is crappy as hell...
Strange. Not sure why it is not working for you.
I got a chance to test this out today, and it worked.
1) Restore Accounts. reboot
2) Restore Email app - Data only.
Assuming exchange accounts would work the same way.
Next time I'm going to try again... thkx for the feedback...
This can't be the first guide for how to backup before flashing can it?
rootingdestroyer said:
This can't be the first guide for how to backup before flashing can it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sure you'll find other "how to backup" topics, but I've not found one as in-depth as this one. This is just the way I feel is the easiest to do it, specially because I like to flash ROMs a lot, and am very particular about my data. If that is the case, this is a really good way to do it.
Sent from my HTC Desire HD using XDA
Thanks for the tutorial.
After restore the apps that should auto launch after reboot only start auto launch after I open them once. After that everything runs smoothly. Is there any option I'm missing in order to prevent having to open this apps one by one?
Thanks in advance.
I'm not sure I understand the question. Are you asking about the app defaults? Like say of you have 2 browser apps and you set one of them as the default, you want that to be restored? I'm not sure how :-(
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA
Nope that's not the question. For example tasker or accuweather when i restore them they will only start working on the background after i open each of them manually first.
That's a good point. I'm not sure where the "start at boot" data is stored. SystemUI maybe? Something to try for my next ROM flash
Sent from my A500 using XDA
If you find out, please let know
Sorry i havent tested this out yet, but if it is in the system settings or SystemUI, I wouldn't recommend restoring it, since most ROMs differ from each other in these areas. It might just screw things up.
Will let you know once I find out.
Sent from my A500 using XDA
Tested it out.
1) Restore the app.
2) Restore settings storage
3) Reboot twice.
I dont know the reason. But when you reboot the second time, the app automatically starts.
Try it out and let me know.
Sent from my A500 using XDA
Just happen to have found this post via search. Just a quick question.
Any way we can manage batch restores without the hassle of tapping "install" and "done" for almost every app? Thanks.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
wEgGiE_wORm said:
Just happen to have found this post via search. Just a quick question.
Any way we can manage batch restores without the hassle of tapping "install" and "done" for almost every app? Thanks.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you buy titanium you don't have to do that.
Sent from my HTC Desire HD using xda app-developers app
I want to transfer my game progress from my S III (i9300) to my new S4 (i9505).
Is this possible without rooting the S4?
re: restore data
King Mustard said:
I want to transfer my game progress from my S III (i9300) to my new S4 (i9505).
Is this possible without rooting the S4?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sadly without root you cannot simply transfer data unless you follow the instructions below.
However there is an option in the S3 Settings if I recall correctly which
backs up all user data from your phone to your google account (gmail).
Go into settings with your S3 "settings / accounts and find where it says: Backup and Reset
click that and you should see options for "backup my data" and "backup accounts".
There is also a "Automatic Restore" option.
This means that you can click on "backup my data", "backup my account" and "automatic restore (optional)".
Then be sure to SYNC your google/gmail account before anything else.
Now you will be able to restore all your apps/games/utilities and any gmail/twitter/skype type apps to the i9505.
Then on your i9505 go to that same screen and select "automatic restore"
and again sync your google/gmail account on the i9505 phone and it should
restore all your game data, contacts, calendar, notes, mms and other data to the i9505.
Good luck!
Misterjunky said:
Sadly without root you cannot simply transfer data unless you follow the instructions below.
However there is an option in the S3 Settings if I recall correctly which
backs up all user data from your phone to your google account (gmail).
Go into settings with your S3 "settings / accounts and find where it says: Backup and Reset
click that and you should see options for "backup my data" and "backup accounts".
There is also a "Automatic Restore" option.
This means that you can click on "backup my data", "backup my account" and "automatic restore (optional)".
Then be sure to SYNC your google/gmail account before anything else.
Now you will be able to restore all your apps/games/utilities and any gmail/twitter/skype type apps to the i9505.
Then on your i9505 go to that same screen and select "automatic restore"
and again sync your google/gmail account on the i9505 phone and it should
restore all your game data, contacts, calendar, notes, mms and other data to the i9505.
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Options are enabled on both phones, yet the i9505 isn't restoring any of my apps.
Is there a way to force this process to start?
Try helium. Its invthe playstore
Sent from my GT-I9505
ktetreault14 said:
Try helium. Its invthe playstore
Sent from my GT-I9505
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I try to open the app on the i9505, it fails on the "Checking Superuser" screen because Samsung blocks it (same notification bar message), so no good.
Trying the USB/desktop mode of the app now.
EDIT: Worked a treat, thank you!
Np
Sent from my GT-I9505
Hi, in these days my phone was sent to service repair. Now all data is cleared. Before repair I made a full backup via Samsung account.
Now I can't restore backup, also tried wipe data and re-flash firmware.
At first boot tried to restore backup, when it search for backups, it appear a loading bar with something like "Restore" and it looking for backups but it will disappear in few seconds.
I have minimum of 3 backups stored, tried to redo a backup manually and restore but I can't, same via Settings->Backup and restore.
What can I do? It seems that I can't restore my past and future backups.
Thank you
Hi, I have same problem, did you already solve it?
Not yet, I think that it's not a problem related with the smartphone but with the account. I think that we have to call Samsung support.
Same issue here with S7!
SOLVED! Resetted the app Samsung Cloud and then updated, reboot, wait 2/3 mins and restored backup successfully.
Did not work. How did you reset? Just cleared the data? And I see no updates..
Sent from my ZTE BLADE V0730 using Tapatalk
sudaltsov said:
Did not work. How did you reset? Just cleared the data? And I see no updates..
Sent from my ZTE BLADE V0730 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, cleared cache and data. It worked for me.
You may try to see logs.
1. Open dialer and compose *#9900#, clic on DEBUG LEVEL and select MID or HIGH, your device will reboot automatically.
2. Redo the procedure to try to restore backup(in this way you will generate the logs for your issue)
3. Open dialer and compose *#9900#, clic on RUN DUMPSTATE/LOGCAT/MODEM LOG, wait for the process to complete and select COPY TO SD CARD (include CP RAMDUMP)
4. Search for the log file and see if you can read something wrong.
Contacted Samsung Support. And that is exactly what they did - updated (some nontrivial way) Samsung Cloud app. Then I could do the restore! Hurray!
what should i do next after this?
If anyone still has this issue, what worked for me was to go to Galaxy Apps and update the Cloud app. (You have to display system apps.)
It's a tip I found here:
https://forums.androidcentral.com/s...rver-try-again-later.html?passport=1548204689
You can follow the steps to get back your Samsung data.
1. Recover the wanted data from Samsung Account. To get back your files, you need to go to Settings and elect Accounts once again. Next, choose Samsung account and tap on Restore. After that, you can select the file types that you want to restore and click on Restore now to start restoring.
2. Confirm your option. After taping on the Restore now option, a pop-up prompt will appear to ask you to confirm your action. Just tap on ok to proceed the process.
I had a problem with restoring my repaired phone. It turned out I had two Samsung Cloud accounts; one with one phone contact and approximately 6 photos. The two SC accounts were attached to two different emails. I found this out by logging in to Samsung Cloud on my PC. Then I had to do a hard restore on my phone and then I was able to sign in to the correct SC account and could restore my precious data.