Database Users

Root Nexus 7 without erasing/losing data?

Hello, I have had my nexus 7 for about 2 days and have set everything up how I want it. From what I've read you can't root without erasing everything. If this is the case are there any apps that will back up my applications + app settings?
Thanks

dizzdiamonds said:
Hello, I have had my nexus 7 for about 2 days and have set everything up how I want it. From what I've read you can't root without erasing everything. If this is the case are there any apps that will back up my applications + app settings?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
titanium backup ftw

funkyboy1281 said:
titanium backup ftw
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I was under the assumption that TB only works on rooted devices. I will give it a shot anyways.

tb only does work on rooted devices.. u should of rooted it right out of box so u wouldnt have to erase anything

dizzdiamonds said:
Thanks, I was under the assumption that TB only works on rooted devices. I will give it a shot anyways.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
probably would've helped if I actually read the question word for word...oops

dizzdiamonds said:
If this is the case are there any apps that will back up my applications + app settings?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can backup most of your device with 'adb backup' before you do the unlock and then 'adb restore' it afterwards. It seems to miss certain things, like paid apps (or it did for me), so if those apps have options to dump config backups to /sdcard that would help in case you have to restore them.

movieaddict said:
tb only does work on rooted devices.. u should of rooted it right out of box so u wouldnt have to erase anything
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doh! I've made the same mistake as wel!

Harry GT-S5830 said:
ADB Backup & ADB Restore
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nvm, already posted.

It's not rooting that causes you the wipe, it's unlocking.
However no one has made a way to root without unlocking first.
So if someone figures out how to just root, it would be fine.

Cryingmoose said:
It's not rooting that causes you the wipe, it's unlocking.
However no one has made a way to root without unlocking first.
So if someone figures out how to just root, it would be fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So, I rooted my Nexus 7 a while back (using the Nexus Root Toolkit), then when Google pushed out the JB 4.1.2 Update, the root access vanished, should just clicking the root button re-root it without wiping everything?

hydroxyde said:
You can backup most of your device with 'adb backup' before you do the unlock and then 'adb restore' it afterwards. It seems to miss certain things, like paid apps (or it did for me), so if those apps have options to dump config backups to /sdcard that would help in case you have to restore them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. adb backup
2. unlock
3. adb restore
Or do I need to root as well and restore at last?

mgutt said:
1. adb backup
2. unlock
3. adb restore
Or do I need to root as well and restore at last?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anybody answering?
I also have a Nexus 7 well setup and would like to understand how to root it without scratching data on it...
if eventually this could work, it would be great. SO, adb backup and then adb restore after unlocking?:crying:

1. adb backup
2. unlock
3. adb restore
Or do I need to root as well and restore at last?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't matter.
Unlocking is what erases the data, what you do afterwards doesn't make any difference.
But since you're already hooking up N7 to PC and booting it in all these weird modes, you might as well finish what you start.
I also have a Nexus 7 well setup and would like to understand how to root it without scratching data on it...
if eventually this could work, it would be great. SO, adb backup and then adb restore after unlocking?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't unlock the bootloader without erasing data.
You can use adb backup, but I just manually backed up what I needed (launcher settings, apps are downloaded automatically from play store, 'sd card' stuff, you don't really need anything else.) Besides, you're gonna be playing with all the settings all the time anyway for next couple of weeks , it doesn't really matter if they get erased.

Ramstein said:
Anybody answering?
I also have a Nexus 7 well setup and would like to understand how to root it without scratching data on it...
if eventually this could work, it would be great. SO, adb backup and then adb restore after unlocking?:crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did that and it worked. I wanted the savegame of Final Fantasy III that is located in data/data/... after restoring the data the Nexus was still unlocked.

[Q] Help! I deleted twrp backup

I accidently deleted my twrp backup while I was flashing a rom and is there anyway to recover my twrp backup because its very important

No.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Another answer than no,I think there some ways to restore data on android

xmagiicsx said:
Another answer than no,I think there some ways to restore data on android
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no, youre not restoring it. might as well take it out of your head. if it was a photo, or a small file, id say you had a chance. not a file as large as a nandroid, sorry.

EFS Backup

How are we backing up EFS? TWRP? Some other app?

You don't need to backup efs,
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

but yes you can back it up with twrp

Have things changed from the Nexus 5 days? I recall the recommendation with the N5 was to make an EFS backup in case of IMEI problems. Different now on the N6P?

I do it no matter what but didn't have a problem with corrupted EFS until OnePlus One.
During flashing to stock on OPO, EFS got messed up. Luckily I had a EFS backup handy so I flashed it back and my phone was good to go again. I tried restoring EFS backup I made in TWRP but it did no good. Since I always make backup using terminal (which gives you two files). I restored the two files to get working EFS and IMEI back.
However on N6P, I couldn't use the same method. Either the EFS partition is different than before or there was something else since I got "permission denied" error. I am also looking for method to backup EFS before its messed up.

Looks like a poor soul already ran into a corrupted EFS
http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6p/help/efs-corrupted-stock-unrooted-t3236513

Should be fine for him to refresh stock, efs was only an issue on Samsung devices because they were stupid enough to have the entire part in an area that could be wiped, no other manufacturers do or did that. I found out first hand with the Nexus s, but the 5 and so on were fine if you just refreshed the system image
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

enaybee above says he had problems on a 1+1 too. I don't plan on restoring EFS ever, but I'd still like to take a backup if possible, just in case. I just don't know what's reliable, I know TWRP has an option and I used it on my old N5 but who knows if you can actually restore from it should you ever need to.

italia0101 said:
You don't need to backup efs,
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why on earth would you say that? An EFS backup should be made on any device where it is possible.

Heisenberg said:
Why on earth would you say that? An EFS backup should be made on any device where it is possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read my second post.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

italia0101 said:
Read my second post.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It isn't a matter of the EFS partition being wiped, it's a matter of it becoming corrupt, which can happen randomly. You shouldn't be giving advice like this if you don't fully understand the situation.

Heisenberg said:
It isn't a matter of the EFS partition being wiped, it's a matter of it becoming corrupt, which can happen randomly. You shouldn't be giving advice like this if you don't fully understand the situation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK fella. Had all the Nexus devices since the S, but OK, can't be bothered to argue with you. Have a nice day
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

How do we backup efs on the 6p?

nyjumpman said:
How do we backup efs on the 6p?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use TWRP to back it up, I have instructions in my guide:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6p/general/guides-how-to-guides-beginners-t3206928

Heisenberg said:
You can use TWRP to back it up, I have instructions in my guide:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6p/general/guides-how-to-guides-beginners-t3206928
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope a restore works, but I'm not brave enough to try it. There's a report above that a restore in TWRP didn't work on a 1+1 phone. Still good to have this TWRP backup, until we learn more.

Heisenberg said:
You can use TWRP to back it up, I have instructions in my guide:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6p/general/guides-how-to-guides-beginners-t3206928
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, twrp says it cant mount storage
Do I need to be decrypted to do this?

nyjumpman said:
Hmm, twrp says it cant mount storage
Do I need to be decrypted to do this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you just need the latest TWRP 2.8.7.2 it can decrypt fine. If you have this version, does it not prompt you to enter a pin/password?

sirxdroid said:
No, you just need the latest TWRP 2.8.7.2 it can decrypt fine. If you have this version, does it not prompt you to enter a pin/password?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oooh, it does, I was just hitting cancel
Thanks so much, entered my pin to decrypt and efs backed up without a hitch
Now to just pray I never have to use it!!

nyjumpman said:
Oooh, it does, I was just hitting cancel
Thanks so much, entered my pin to decrypt and efs backed up without a hitch
Now to just pray I never have to use it!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I suggest making a copy of that backup to your computer or dropbox, gdrive, not just on the phone. The sdcard may end up wiped by accident when you play with TWRP, etc.

sirxdroid said:
I suggest making a copy of that backup to your computer or dropbox, gdrive, not just on the phone. The sdcard may end up wiped by accident when you play with TWRP, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is advice to live by, make a backup of your backup!

Install OTA update on rooted phone with TWRP without wiping data

Hello, I have rooted and installed TWRP in my nexus 6p and now I have received the OTA update but I can't install it. How can I install it without losing my data?
Thanks
Sent from my Nexus 6P using XDA Free mobile app

airmark said:
Hello, I have rooted and installed TWRP in my nexus 6p and now I have received the OTA update but I can't install it. How can I install it without losing my data?
Thanks
Sent from my Nexus 6P using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately you cant :/
Download TiBu that is the closest you can get...
If you download a custom rom that keeps it up to date, they will probably include the update and you can just flash over it. but stock rom there isnt much u can do.

airmark said:
Hello, I have rooted and installed TWRP in my nexus 6p and now I have received the OTA update but I can't install it. How can I install it without losing my data?
Thanks
Sent from my Nexus 6P using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Download the Google factory image for the 6p. Use fastboot to manually flash the system.img, boot.IMG, and recovery.IMG. take the ota then reroot.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

airmark said:
Hello, I have rooted and installed TWRP in my nexus 6p and now I have received the OTA update but I can't install it. How can I install it without losing my data?
Thanks
Sent from my Nexus 6P using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go to guide, instructions there:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6p/general/guides-how-to-guides-beginners-t3206928
raul4916 said:
Unfortunately you cant :/
Download TiBu that is the closest you can get...
If you download a custom rom that keeps it up to date, they will probably include the update and you can just flash over it. but stock rom there isnt much u can do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can.

I did that and after rebooting I got a message saying:
Encryption unsuccessful
and prompting me to do a factory reset!

please don't tell me i have to wipe data!? quick googling doesn't seem promising...

airmark said:
I did that and after rebooting I got a message saying:
Encryption unsuccessful
and prompting me to do a factory reset!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
airmark said:
please don't tell me i have to wipe data!? quick googling doesn't seem promising...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What did you do?

airmark said:
please don't tell me i have to wipe data!? quick googling doesn't seem promising...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Trying to undo the last steps by flashing back the modified boot.img and TWRP.
Booting into TWRP and it asks for a password to decrypt storage!!!
Is wiping the only option??
I followed the guide religiously. What went wrong?

Heisenberg said:
What did you do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I followed the guide (part 10. How To Take An OTA Update If You Have Root).
Then after rebooting (before installing the OTA that is) I got a message saying encryption unsuccessful and I needed to wipe my phone. I turned it off instead and tried to restore it as it was before. Screw the OTA, I just need my phone back. I flashed back boot and recovery, is system.img or vendor.img the culprit?

Any ideas? Do I need to wipe data?

airmark said:
Trying to undo the last steps by flashing back the modified boot.img and TWRP.
Booting into TWRP and it asks for a password to decrypt storage!!!
Is wiping the only option??
I followed the guide religiously. What went wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
airmark said:
I followed the guide (part 10. How To Take An OTA Update If You Have Root).
Then after rebooting (before installing the OTA that is) I got a message saying encryption unsuccessful and I needed to wipe my phone. I turned it off instead and tried to restore it as it was before. Screw the OTA, I just need my phone back. I flashed back boot and recovery, is system.img or vendor.img the culprit?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really don't know what went wrong here, other people have done this with no issues. In TWRP it should be able to decrypt as long as you enter the password/pin.

Heisenberg said:
I really don't know what went wrong here, other people have done this with no issues. In TWRP it should be able to decrypt as long as you enter the password/pin.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had a screen lock pattern, I entered the numbers that correspond to it (from what I read somewhere else, like a num keypad), no joy.
But then again, shouldn't actual booting into the system work as well? Why give this error msg?

I'm going to format then...

unless your super comfortable with ADB and fastboot, flashing things through them is never a good idea, you will screw up allot of the time. its always easier for the average user to wait for a ota zip and flash that. Or never root and accept otas.
Im not saying never use adb, just dont use it when its super important to keep your data

TheAtheistOtaku said:
unless your super comfortable with ADB and fastboot, flashing things through them is never a good idea, you will screw up allot of the time. its always easier for the average user to wait for a ota zip and flash that. Or never root and accept otas.
Im not saying never use adb, just dont use it when its super important to keep your data
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only problem with that is even when an OTA zip is available you'd need to use fastboot to flash system etc to remove root anyway.

So I formatted, then set it up, then tried restoring my latest nandroid backup and now it doesn't recognise the pattern lock!

Heisenberg said:
The only problem with that is even when an OTA zip is available you'd need to use fastboot to flash system etc to remove root anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i meant a TWRP zip. unless im misunderstanding something, you can just flash those over your current rooted stock and be on your way
---------- Post added at 07:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:47 PM ----------
airmark said:
So I formatted, then set it up, then tried restoring my latest nandroid backup and now it doesn't recognise the pattern lock!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
known problem, read this

Thanks for that, although at first after reading the first few posts I thought there was no solution, luckily I kept reading until here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=63797741&postcount=34
I did that and it worked! so at least I got back my working phone. Back to square one (almost, I lost all my local copies of photos, with only cloud backup for the last 2 weeks or so) with no OTA installed. I may try it again at some other point or wait for a more safe method.

airmark said:
Thanks for that, although at first after reading the first few posts I thought there was no solution, luckily I kept reading until here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=63797741&postcount=34
I did that and it worked! so at least I got back my working phone. Back to square one (almost, I lost all my local copies of photos, with only cloud backup for the last 2 weeks or so) with no OTA installed. I may try it again at some other point or wait for a more safe method.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6p/development/rom-nexus6p-stock-roms-t3234067

TheAtheistOtaku said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-6p/development/rom-nexus6p-stock-roms-t3234067
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I've just overcome the trauma and gathered the courage needed to give it another go today
So, do I have this right? If I download and flash build MDA89D ROM will it upgrade in place over my currently installed build MDB08K without losing my data? (I asked in that thread as well)
Sent from my Nexus 6P using XDA Free mobile app

Note 3 - SM-9005 - How to root in 2018 - help needed!

Hello Gentlemen,
Let me try to keep this short.
I got a new Android phone recently and had planned to port all my app backups from the N9005.
As things happen, I ran the Samsung app for backup and did a factory reset before checking the same.
The backup made a fool out of me, nearly all the crucial stuff is missing.
So now I need to recover the settings from the post "factory reset" Note 3.
What would be the fastest and least painful way to-
a. Root the SM9005;
b. Recover the backup (XML files for tasker, Aquamail, Biz Calendar and so on);
c. Unroot the app and be done with it.
I need to unroot as the last step as I plan to have the phone loaded with a kid friendly UI and keep it for the kids for long trips. Do not want anything wary taking over it.
Any suggestions and help is welcome!
Thanks,
CKhurana

Your data were erased during the factory reset.

Agreed
zlazaar said:
Your data were erased during the factory reset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed.The data is gone.Poof removed from existance.Unless you have a Partition on your phone intact.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

Atifbaig786 said:
AgreedAgreed.The data is gone.Poof removed from existance.Unless you have a Partition on your phone intact.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I know. But a recovery is possible AFAIK until the free space is overwritten? Just like any disk based data recovery happens?
Can you help me with options on the root?
Thanks,
Chetan

Well the simplest one without hassle is either flashing recovery IMG and rooting via SuperSU.

Atifbaig786 said:
Well the simplest one without hassle is either flashing recovery IMG and rooting via SuperSU.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok, so this should work, right?

ckhurana said:
ok, so this should work, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hell yeah