Database Users

[Guide] The quickest way to switch ROMs using xRecovery (Backup/Restore)

Here is a small step by step guide explaining how to quickly switch ROMs on the xperia x10, for people that don't know how to.
As far as I know, this is the closest thing to a dual-boot, as dual-boot isn't possible atm, but it is very easy and quick to do
1) Boot xRecovery
2) Go to backup/restore
3) Choose Backup and wait for the backup to complete
4) On your SD Card, locate to xrecovery/backup and rename your backup to something you will remember, making sure not to have any spaces in the name, as this will show a mismatch error.
5) Now you can wipe the phone and install whichever other ROM you want.
Setup your new ROM with all your contacts, apps, etc.
6) When you want to go back to your original ROM that you had in the first place, follow steps 1 to 4 above to backup your new ROM
7) Then wipe your phone in xrecovery again, and go to backup/restore, choose restore, and choose the folder you backed up earlier
8) Now your phone will be back to the way it was before you wiped it in the first place.
9)now you can use these 2 backups, and easily switch between the two, by restoring a ROM when you need to
That is what I do and its very quick, and easy to do

Thanks, i dont find it that fast, back up takes like 10 min, not sure about restore.
Good guide
Sent from my X10i using XDA App

This isn't dual booting at all

robbyf66 said:
Thanks, i dont find it that fast, back up takes like 10 min, not sure about restore.
Good guide
Sent from my X10i using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well it does take 5 - 10 mins, but that's fast to me lol (i'm a very patient guy lol)

Brent87 said:
This isn't dual booting at all
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which is why I put this is the closest thing to dual-boot
I have changed the topic title, to save confusement

dual boot lol. Thats jus backing up then restoring!

cuddles100 said:
dual boot lol. Thats jus backing up then restoring!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which is why it says "THE CLOSEST THING TO DUAL-BOOT" It doesn't say it is dual boot!

Now it makes sense, good guide

could you move the back up file on your sd card to your computer if you need more space on your sd card and then move it back when you want to switch or would this create too many problems with xrecovery

miniGT said:
could you move the back up file on your sd card to your computer if you need more space on your sd card and then move it back when you want to switch or would this create too many problems with xrecovery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, you can transfer the folder of your backup to your computer, and transfer it back again when you need it

Hi,
Maybe a good idea to explain the re-naming of backups abit further as xrecovery is wel known to produce md5 mismatch errors when there is spacing between the letters.
Good idea too-well done.

This is great news, I've been reluctant on trying new roms but when restoring is this easy I will finally give them a try!

when you do a backup, does it backup everything? contacts, apps and apps' data? (things stored in phone memory, not SD card)
and the same, does it restore everything?

Jesus if you didn't know this stuff you shouldn't even be using xrecovery or flashing ROMs.. pointless noob thread IMO

fiscidtox said:
Jesus if you didn't know this stuff you shouldn't even be using xrecovery or flashing ROMs.. pointless noob thread IMO
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a good idea mate as if it stops one person spamming a thread with a question about xecovery then its worth the effort in my eyes, better to help than not to help.

fdomartineza said:
when you do a backup, does it backup everything? contacts, apps and apps' data? (things stored in phone memory, not SD card)
and the same, does it restore everything?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it backs up everything on the phone memory, so that when you restore it, it is exactly the way it was before you backed it up

fiscidtox said:
Jesus if you didn't know this stuff you shouldn't even be using xrecovery or flashing ROMs.. pointless noob thread IMO
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The reason I made this post was because not everyone knew they could do this, and they wanted to try other ROMs but thought they'd have to start from scratch after they'd tried another ROM

agreed! good post man! thanks.

so do you have to wipe? or can you just restore the other ROM?
thanks

Good guide for a n00b like me.
so.. if I can just switch between roms using xrecovery backups, suppose theres really no need for Flashtool and apps such as Titanium?
or do people still use Flashtool because certain custom roms can only be flashed using Flashtool or to modify their basebands...etc?

[Q] Migrating apps to a new ROM

When migrating to a different Android ROM, what is the easiest way to migrate over the apps? Would doing a data restore from the old rom work or maybe titanium? I would hate to have to do a list of all the apps and find them all over again...
Thanks!

titanium and / or astro will actually let you back up your apps (the apks). i use astro (tools > backup i believe - and is free. or if you used markets, etc. will work too of course.

sebasmiles said:
When migrating to a different Android ROM, what is the easiest way to migrate over the apps? Would doing a data restore from the old rom work or maybe titanium? I would hate to have to do a list of all the apps and find them all over again...
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use Super Box (download it from market, its free)
First you have to back up all apps into SD card.
Then, everytime you change android,
Firstly reinstall Super Box, and then choose menu "Installer"
Then you can see all your apps (in the form of installer file .apk)
Just click what ever you want to install in the new android rom..
Cheers...

If you are on nand rom wipe data in cwm, install new rom then dovan advanced restore with data and if u used a sd-ext also restore the sd-ext.
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA Premium App

jsmccabe78 said:
titanium and / or astro will actually let you back up your apps (the apks). i use astro (tools > backup i believe - and is free. or if you used markets, etc. will work too of course.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will the google apps market save the info of the apps I have? so that it just reloads all my apps into my next rom?

silverwind said:
I use Super Box (download it from market, its free)
First you have to back up all apps into SD card.
Then, everytime you change android,
Firstly reinstall Super Box, and then choose menu "Installer"
Then you can see all your apps (in the form of installer file .apk)
Just click what ever you want to install in the new android rom..
Cheers...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why do you have to individually re-install each apk? When I used WM and SPB Backup and did a restore, it restored all my apps back without doing an individual re-install. Isn't there an app (Backup/Restore) that will do that in Android?

sebasmiles said:
Will the google apps market save the info of the apps I have? so that it just reloads all my apps into my next rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes but that only installs apps you have installed via market, It doesnt install apps that you side loaded and it doesnt restore the app data, only the apk file.
asctony said:
Why do you have to individually re-install each apk? When I used WM and SPB Backup and did a restore, it restored all my apps back without doing an individual re-install. Isn't there an app (Backup/Restore) that will do that in Android?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, what you need is Titanium Backup Pro, It is THE best backup solution on Android for apps/data.
You can do anything in batch (pro version).
Trust me when I say that this is what you need!

TheATHEiST said:
Yes but that only installs apps you have installed via market, It doesnt install apps that you side loaded and it doesnt restore the app data, only the apk file.
Yes, what you need is Titanium Backup Pro, It is THE best backup solution on Android for apps/data.
You can do anything in batch (pro version).
Trust me when I say that this is what you need!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have been using TB V3.8.8.1 and it requires a re-install of each apk. Still looking for a way to re-install/recover without the individual re-install.

asctony said:
I have been using TB V3.8.8.1 and it requires a re-install of each apk. Still looking for a way to re-install/recover without the individual re-install.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you even bother to read what I said properly?
You need the "pro" version, then you can use the "batch" option in backup/restore. I use this all the time, I can restore ALL apps in 1 go, Absolutely no need to restore individually!!!!!
You can even create a update.zip and flash via recovery instead if you wish

TheATHEiST said:
Did you even bother to read what I said properly?
You need the "pro" version, then you can use the "batch" option in backup/restore. I use this all the time, I can restore ALL apps in 1 go, Absolutely no need to restore individually!!!!!
You can even create a update.zip and flash via recovery instead if you wish
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yah! I read what you wrote. I just told you what I am using. It is a piece of dung. I am glad that you have such a good disposition. Maybe you should take some time off and try to learn how to communicate with others. You are much to blunt! If you can't hack it, move on. Tell me, what is the purpose of TB.

asctony said:
Yah! I read what you wrote. I just told you what I am using. It is a piece of dung. I am glad that you have such a good disposition. Maybe you should take some time off and try to learn how to communicate with others. You are much to blunt! If you can't hack it, move on. Tell me, what is the purpose of TB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What are you talking about?
You said....
asctony said:
I have been using TB V3.8.8.1 and it requires a re-install of each apk. Still looking for a way to re-install/recover without the individual re-install.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im going to tell you this one LAST time..
TB DOES support batch and DOESNT need to do it individually. If you are having to do them individually then you do NOT have the "Pro" version, You need to purchase (or get elsewhere) the Pro ticket to update your version before you get all the extra features.
Once you have the Pro version you can restore ALL your apps in one click without having to restore them individually.
Also why the fook are you trying to insult me for you ungrateful p.o.s, I'm here trying to help you!!
TB is the best program in its field, It has the most features and its the most advanced aslong as you have the Pro version, If you are looking for something more then you are simply out of luck so get over it and upgrade.
Also as I said before, TB also allows you to create a update.zip so you can also flash them via recovery and not via Android.
You understand now??

TheATHEiST said:
What are you talking about?
You said....
Im going to tell you this one LAST time..
TB DOES support batch and DOESNT need to do it individually. If you are having to do them individually then you do NOT have the "Pro" version, You need to purchase (or get elsewhere) the Pro ticket to update your version before you get all the extra features.
Once you have the Pro version you can restore ALL your apps in one click without having to restore them individually.
Also why the fook are you trying to insult me for you ungrateful p.o.s, I'm here trying to help you!!
TB is the best program in its field, It has the most features and its the most advanced aslong as you have the Pro version, If you are looking for something more then you are simply out of luck so get over it and upgrade.
Also as I said before, TB also allows you to create a update.zip so you can also flash them via recovery and not via Android.
You understand now??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You just confirmed your 'knacker' attitude. You did not read my posting and understand what I said. So, move on dude. TB can't be the best if you must use the PRO version. The non-pro version implies that you can do a BATCH restore and it does not allow a Batch restore. I got over it before I posted.
BYE BYE!

(Q) transfering apps from rom to rom?

when im flashing from rom to rom i hate losing all the apps i have installed, if i make a backup of just data for instance (im not sure if i would need to include more) then when i go from one rom to another could i just restore the backup of my data and get all my apps and settings back? so i dont have to reinstall 100 different things each time i set up a new rom...

Trippinshrumes said:
when im flashing from rom to rom i hate losing all the apps i have installed, if i make a backup of just data for instance (im not sure if i would need to include more) then when i go from one rom to another could i just restore the backup of my data and get all my apps and settings back? so i dont have to reinstall 100 different things each time i set up a new rom...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google Back up/restore does all this for you...

LenAsh said:
Google Back up/restore does all this for you...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can you give me a brief tutorial on how to get to google backup/restore, i've only used it with contacts

Trippinshrumes said:
can you give me a brief tutorial on how to get to google backup/restore, i've only used it with contacts
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you go through the setup after flashing a new ROM and gapps, it'll ask you if you want to restore and backup apps to your Google account
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

ty very much

Google only restores app data for a very small percentage of apps and is definitely not the most efficient way to do this. Titanium backup is THE app for this. You'll need to do some research, but once you learn it, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it.
-VZW LG G2 VS980

annoyingduck said:
Google only restores app data for a very small percentage of apps and is definitely not the most efficient way to do this. Titanium backup is THE app for this. You'll need to do some research, but once you learn it, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it.
-VZW LG G2 VS980
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats amazing. this is the answer i was looking for, thank you so much for your time and your response

Trippinshrumes said:
thats amazing. this is the answer i was looking for, thank you so much for your time and your response
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try ADB Backup/Restore Method, it's what i use for my ROMS.
Open CMD with adb/fastboot located, and just type in "adb backup -apk -all -f BACKUPNAME.ab" while my phone is connected with debugging enabled. To restore "adb restore BACKUPNAME.ab", i think it's more efficient than using Google's instore method, takes longer to reload while you could just copy all the apps back with every apps data.

When you switch ROMs, what's the easiest way to restore everything else?

When you switch ROMs, what's the easiest way to restore everything else? Android will restore apps (and their data?) but how do you restore all your shortcuts, folders and such?
There are so many cool ROMs on here to try but it takes me hours to restore everything, I usually just try one and end up keeping it.

Titanium Backup Pro, take a full system backup, after flashing a new ROM just restore the install missing apk option only, and other than text messages and call logs, everything will be restored.

Nova Launcher
Neo3D said:
When you switch ROMs, what's the easiest way to restore everything else? Android will restore apps (and their data?) but how do you restore all your shortcuts, folders and such?
There are so many cool ROMs on here to try but it takes me hours to restore everything, I usually just try one and end up keeping it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used to backup apps using ES and also install them back and finally after installing all apps, I used to recover my Nova backup, which would setup my homescreen, icons, widgets and shortcuts...
I'd recommend not to backup and restore app data for all apps as I see few people reporting issues with it

ithehappy said:
Titanium Backup Pro, take a full system backup, after flashing a new ROM just restore the install missing apk option only, and other than text messages and call logs, everything will be restored.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! So, is this something that has worked for you recently? Will it work on these new Lollipop ROMs?

nijom said:
I used to backup apps using ES and also install them back and finally after installing all apps, I used to recover my Nova backup, which would setup my homescreen, icons, widgets and shortcuts...
I'd recommend not to backup and restore app data for all apps as I see few people reporting issues with it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, you DO NOT recommended using an automated system to restore apps and data?
What do you do instead? Do you just re-install all of them manually? That's so time consuming, it takes me almost a whole day!

Neo3D said:
So, you DO NOT recommended using an automated system to restore apps and data?
What do you do instead? Do you just re-install all of them manually? That's so time consuming, it takes me almost a whole day!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll open the apk backup folder in ES and select all and click Install. I'll automatically show next app once the first one is installed. Just need to Click install and done. No need to manually go back to folder and install separately
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

Neo3D said:
Thanks! So, is this something that has worked for you recently? Will it work on these new Lollipop ROMs?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't tried on Lollipop ROMs, but it should work.

nijom said:
I'll open the apk backup folder in ES and select all and click Install. I'll automatically show next app once the first one is installed. Just need to Click install and done. No need to manually go back to folder and install separately
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does that method also restore the app's data?

Neo3D said:
Does that method also restore the app's data?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No it won't. Few developers recommend not to restore data as it may cause force closes
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

nijom said:
No it won't. Few developers recommend not to restore data as it may cause force closes
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it's not recommended to backup and restore app data, then isn't it easier just to use Android's built in app backup and restore?

Full backup phone

Hey! I was asking if you guys know a good way to fully backup a phone (like cloning it).
I would try some ROM like PA and some other but I also want to be able to good back to the state I'm right now (fully configured, with all apps I need, and when restoring this backup I would like to have exact same app data, configuration, account, everything in fact).
I don't even know if it's possible x)
In all case, thanks for your answer

https://www.technipages.com/how-to-backup-your-entire-android-device
You shouldn't need to install ADB tools though, they come included on the additional partition OnePlus adds with drivers, just copy those files over to your PC

Adb already installed
Thanks for it mate. I'll do this tonight and cross my finger hoping it would work as I think

TWRP. If you are installing ROMs TWRP would already be there and all you would have to do is create a backup.

Orion116 said:
TWRP. If you are installing ROMs TWRP would already be there and all you would have to do is create a backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This will not backup app data, but thanks anyway.

ShiiroSan said:
This will not backup app data, but thanks anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A nandroid backup through TWRP will backup everything mate.
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/what-is-a-nandroid-backup-and-how-exactly-does-it-work/

danjamand said:
A nandroid backup through TWRP will backup everything mate.
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/what-is-a-nandroid-backup-and-how-exactly-does-it-work/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
... Everything EXCEPT internal storage if using TWRP. I make a zip archive of all storage files and folders and copy it to my computer.

ShiiroSan said:
This will not backup app data, but thanks anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. It does.

lollyjay said:
... Everything EXCEPT internal storage if using TWRP. I make a zip archive of all storage files and folders and copy it to my computer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, ok thanks!
Orion116 said:
Yes. It does.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My bad so, I was thinking app data was included in Internal Storage :x

ShiiroSan said:
Oh, ok thanks!
My bad so, I was thinking app data was included in Internal Storage :x
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
App data IS backed up by TWRP but anything you see in internal storage is NOT backed up by TWRP.

The way I do it is:
Titanium Backup for all user apps
An app called pairs for Bluetooth and WiFi backup and restore
Create a Nova backup for my home screen setup
Transfer any media (such as photos and music) to my PC
And then I go about flashing a new ROM/clean flashing my current ROM.
I do end up having to go through my ROM settings over again, as well as setting up system apps again, but it's not a huge deal to me.
This feels like the "cleanest" way to backup and restore, so it's a small price to pay! (For me at least lol)

Can you confirm that even chrome app data is being saved and restored? Eg: cookies
Thanks!