Database Users

Basic FAQ for Noobs Of Rooting, ROMs, Odin and Kernels

A basic guide for those new to XDA and Android in relation to the essentials of improving your phone. Really just pulling together a few guides already done and a few basic essentials.
Rooting
Allows write access to system files. Similar to administrator mode in windows. You need this to flash custom firmware (ROMs) and certain apps. It wont wreck your phone, but it does void your warranty.
Best place to start with this is Chainfire’s kernels. The kernel is the central software component of Android. Chainfire has taken the basic Samsung kernels and modified them to allow root access and additional functionality. With this you also get an enhanced pre boot recovery menu.
Flashing custom kernels requires you to use ODIN – Chainfire has links to this program and detailed instructions THAT YOU NEED TO FOLLOW TO THE LETTER. Not to unduly worry you but really, you need to do this.
See here for Chainfire's goodies - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1103399
The different versions reflect the different releases by Samsung. You can match to your own (Settings - About Phone - Kernel Version) or choose one of the newer ones.
ODIN
Software that runs on your PC that allows you to flash your phone with new software. It’s safe if you use it properly but has options you don’t want to touch. Intratech has compiled a selection of stock (ie official Samsung firmware) with detailed instructions about how to use ODIN to apply them. See http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1075278 for carrier specific versions see here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1113928. The first post has the detailed instructions and also includes are rooting guide.
Recovery
A textual pre boot menu that allows certain key functions – principally allows updates to software and clearing data from your phone. The phone ships with one with limited functionality. If you apply a custom kernel like Chainfires you get an enhanced one called Clockworkmod together with an app installed on your phone to allow easy use. This has more functionality and allows you to apply more software updates and even flash ROMs. Pulsar 2G has info http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1134290 in relation to that.
What the heck are Custom ROMs
Modified operating systems to allow greater functionality and style. Basically the developers take and add from the basic Samsung ROMs and save you a whole bunch of time in modifying your system to improve it. It only takes a few minutes to flash a ROM but there are a few things you want to do before flashing one. There is more to it than this but at this stage, enough to know.
Also, you’ll see development of completely custom Roms that are built without using Samsungs Roms. Miui for example (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1130951). There are Alpha stage at the moment so maybe leave those now.
Hosts of them in the Android development section. Each to their own in relation
to ROMs. Some you like, some you dont. But it doenst really matter, as if you dont like one, just flash another. Currently I’m liking Pursar G2’s Villian Rom (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1081368) and Novek’s TK Rom (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1125140). But that’s just me.
Post Rooting Pre Flashing Essentials
EFS Folder
After you root your phone a key task is to take a backup of your EFS folder. Seriously essential - this stores both the IMEI number and carrier locking software. If you lose this you lose your IMEI. You dont need to know whats in it – just backup the whole folder. Put a copy on your SD card, your PC and your dogs PC. I lost my IMEI on my SGS, had formatted the SD card with the backup, had changed my computer and found a copy on a USB flash.
You need a program like Root Explorer (paid) or super manager (free) to do this. The EFS folder is a separate directory in the highest level directory.
APNs
In Settings – Wireless – Mobile Networks – Access Point Names. This is the access info for your data connection to your carrier. Note all details. You may lose them when you flash a ROM. Saves you hassle in having to google them afterwards.
Backups
When you flash a custom ROM you will likely lose all data (you should actually clear data) – that is your phone data AND all programs you installed. You can back this up using Chainfires CWM app that is installed on your phone when you flash his kernel.If you flash another kernel, you can backup and restore in recovery mode. Alternatively you can use a program like Titanium backup from the market to do this.
Personally I do both and Titanium backup is worth purchasing the full version as you can batch restore without having to accept the permissions for each app you are restoring.
I’d also recommend using a program like SMS Backup+ which backs up call logs and SMSs to your google account.
Your Firmware Version
If you want to return to your original firmware, take a note of the exact version in Settings – About Phone – down the bottom Baseband version. You will find a copy of this in Intratech’s post. Be aware you may some some specific carrier customisations in doing so. These are held in CSC files - also in Intratechs post. Yours might not be there so be aware. Mostly bloatware but also things like APNs etc. If you like your carrier specific apps, make sure to back them up using Titanium backup.
Questions/Problems
Go to the Q&A forum. Search. Trust me it’s likely already happened. If not, structure a query with detail in the thread title. “A problem with XYZ” will get a better response than “Help me Pleeze” with a tearful emoticon.
Most problems are ultimately solvable by resetting your software with a data wipe or going back to Samsung firmware. Just dont flash when drunk, on your bike etc.
Themes and Apps
The section that does what is says. Quick tip – you may find downloading apps fails. If you, get Astro file manager from the market and in preferences tick “enable browser downloads”.
Worth also checking out the general XDA apps dev section http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=564

LG G2. I just rooted, what now?

So I just rooted using this tutorial on theunlockr
This is my first time rooting an android phone. I used to root the old iphones way back in 07 and 08 and it would put an app on homescreen to access apps.
I have no idea what to do now on the LG. Is there something else I download.
Where can I get apps?
What is this ROM Gummy stuff I keep reading about?
Thanks again

Rooting on Android is basically like getting 'administrator access'. Some applications require root access to perform certain functions. It doesn't really add a new 'app store' like Cydia. You can find applications in the form of .apk files and install them by copying them to your phone and running them (Google is your friend). You don't need root to actually install the application, but some apps require root access to function.
Some apps that need root access are Titanium Backup (for hiding/deleting un-installable apps like the AT&T/Verizon junk) or Xposed Framework. Xposed framework, along with the G2 Xposed app lets you tweak certain aspects of the UI - something that normally LG doesn't allow. You can change the Menu button to a Recent Apps button (more like stock Android) or remove the Volume/Brightness sliders from the Notification Slider since they take up a lot of visible space.
Alternatively, you can now follow the tutorial for installing TWRP recovery on your phone. TWRP is an enhanced recovery mode that will let you flash custom ROM's or other mods to your phone. It also has a handy backup function (commonly called a Nandroid backup) which basically saves an 'image' of your phone in its current state. This way if you screw up flashing a new ROM and end up on a blank screen with Android not loading, you can always boot into Recovery mode and restore the Nandroid backup to get your phone working again.
Flashing something through TWRP requires getting a zip file of the ROM/Mod, copying it your phone's storage and then booting into Recovery. From here you'll be able to flash the zip. You can find custom ROM's in the appropriate Android Development subforum. You can also find certain mods like the SplitWindow mod - which has been ported from another LG phone (and requires Root access). It basically lets you run two applications side-by-side in a split-screen view.

get exposed framework and add modules to change apps native dpi, change privacy options off apps.
Search on safe to delete bloatware and slim phone down.
but before all this nandroid plus backup efs everywhere.
if feeling daring, go custom roms and void warrantee even more
Sent from my LG-D802

Boot Loop because of editing the stock ROM

Hello!
At first, I am sorry that I have so many questions this week, but I need a final solution with my phone.
I used to use some custom ROMs which didn't satisfy me, so I decided to stay on rooted stock rom and just delete the apps I don't need, as I did on my former phones.
Everything runs fine until I start deleting unnecessary apps.
I get a boot loop everytime I deleted apps, even if they are non system apps (like flashlight etc).
I stucks on the motorola logo and stays there, no matter what I deleted.
Anyone who made the same, without boot loop?
And because of that I have a second question, when I backup my system with TWRP, will everything be saved including Whatsapp Messages etc?
Or do I have to re-register my Whatsapp Account after restoring backup?
Thanks in advance

For, 2nd question, Whatsapp account and messages are saved on /DATA Partition, restoring /data will probably Restore your Google/Whatsapp/Other accounts as well installed user apps and their data too,.... Your saved games and whatever it was before backup, you will get same....
And why you are removing System apps..? If it gives you bootloops, Simply just disable them in settings > Apps....

__Madddy said:
And why you are removing System apps..? If it gives you bootloops, Simply just disable them in settings > Apps....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you!
Because I want a simple rom, I don't want data of unused apps left on my phone, just of personal reasons.
It's like you have a keylogger or virus on your computer and just saying, "yeah I juxt disable it, that's enough"
I don't care about free space by deleting system apps, I just want to get rid of them because I don't like them
That's why I delete them with a root file manager, and I was always driven good with that way, but since I got the Moto G4, it ain't working no more without boot loop.

Yupp, i also did it with root File Manager.... It was simple to remove system apps till Android 4.4 KitKat, just navigate to System > apps find .apk and delete... But after it, in 5.1 Lollipop, they did change that structure and it became hard...
What i did till now is flash ROM and directly Remove system apps from Custom Recovery, then go for first boot.... During First boot it does optimization of system apps, so remove app before it get optimized or whatever process being done.....

__Madddy said:
Yupp, i also did it with root File Manager.... It was simple to remove system apps till Android 4.4 KitKat, just navigate to System > apps find .apk and delete... But after it, in 5.1 Lollipop, they did change that structure and it became hard...
What i did till now is flash ROM and directly Remove system apps from Custom Recovery, then go for first boot.... During First boot it does optimization of system apps, so remove app before it get optimized or whatever process being done.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, that's what I'm doing to.
Flashing stock rom, rooting, downloading root file manager, delete apps from /system/app and /system/priv-app, but whatever I delete there, the stock rom stucks in a boot loop, at first I thought it was build in by motorola, but that wouldn't even make sense..

Currently Running busy, will try removing system apps in my device and tell you what to do....?

HE4VYCR0WN said:
Thank you!
Because I want a simple rom, I don't want data of unused apps left on my phone, just of personal reasons.
It's like you have a keylogger or virus on your computer and just saying, "yeah I juxt disable it, that's enough"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Removing system apps is always iffy and sometimes not recommended. And no it's not like a keylogger or virus at all. I know you don't want them but you can expect problems on your quest.

Which Apps are safe to remove after Root

I couldnt find anything regarding this topic for our phone. Which Apps are safe to uninstall/freeze after gaining Root?
Can anyone provide a list? Especially I would like to remove the following apps:
- What's New
- Swiftkey
- Xperia Tips Service
- Xperia Tips
- Xperia Services
- Xperia Lounge pass
- Xperia Resource Extension
- my Xperia
- the Messaging App (I am using the app Messaging by google instead)
- Lounge
- Recommendation Engine Extension

I removed all those and then some. The only exception being Swiftkey - I use AFWall to block it from uploading everything I type to the creeper servers.
Special mentions:
- Amazon Shopping
- AVG Protection
- All facebook ****
- Google App, Play Movies, Play Music
- Hangouts
- Lifelog
- YouTube
All running smoothly.

FYI w/o root you can disable apps using the ADB interface and using the following command:
pm disable-user com.touchtype.swiftkey
*disabled swiftkey without root
Below is the list I disabled without any adverse effects on stock nougat (output of "pm list packages -d"):
package:com.amazon.mShop.android.shopping
package:com.sony.nfx.app.sfrc
package:com.sonymobile.intelligent.iengine
package:com.sonymobile.sketch
package:com.sonymobile.getmore
package:com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox
package:com.sonymobile.getmore.client
package:com.sonyericsson.textinput.chinese
package:com.sonymobile.xperiatransfermobile
package:com.sonymobile.music.youtubeplugin
package:com.touchtype.swiftkey
package:com.google.android.apps.docs.editors.docs
package:com.sonymobile.lifelog
package:com.sonymobile.android.addoncamera.soundphoto
package:com.sonyericsson.conversations
package:com.sonymobile.rcsvideoprovider
package:com.sonymobile.advancedwidget.topcontacts
package:com.sonymobile.coverapp2
package:com.sonymobile.moviecreator
package:com.sonymobile.android.externalkeyboardjp
package:com.google.android.apps.docs.editors.sheets
package:com.google.android.apps.docs.editors.slides
package:com.sonymobile.enterprise.service
package:com.sonymobile.deviceconfigtool
package:com.sonymobile.androidapp.cameraaddon.stickercreator
package:com.realvnc.android.remote
package:com.sonymobile.phoneusage
package:com.sonymobile.tvout.wifidisplay
package:com.sonymobile.deqp
package:com.sonymobile.dlna
package:com.sonyericsson.wappush
package:com.sonymobile.demoappchecker
package:com.google.android.marvin.talkback
package:com.sonymobile.music.youtubekaraokeplugin
package:com.sonymobile.xperiaservices
package:com.sonymobile.exchange
package:com.google.android.gm
package:com.sonymobile.rcs.settings
package:com.sonymobile.entrance
package:com.s.antivirus
package:com.google.android.music
package:com.android.dreams.basic
package:com.sonymobile.susrescheck
package:com.sony.tvsideview.phone
package:com.google.android.apps.docs
package:com.google.android.apps.maps
package:com.google.android.webview
package:com.sonymobile.crashmonitor.system
package:com.google.android.syncadapters.contacts
package:com.android.facelock
package:com.google.android.tag
package:com.google.android.tts
package:com.sonyericsson.xhs
package:com.google.android.videos
package:com.sonymobile.runtimeskinning.picker
package:com.sonyericsson.crashmonitor
package:com.sonymobile.mx.android
package:com.sonymobile.support
package:com.google.android.feedback
package:com.google.android.apps.photos
package:com.google.android.calendar
package:com.swiftkey.swiftkeyconfigurator
package:com.sonymobile.xperiaweather
package:com.sonymobile.gettoknowit
package:com.sonymobile.synchub
package:com.facebook.katana
package:com.sonymobile.moviecreator.rmm
package:com.sonymobile.xperialounge.services
package:com.sonymobile.androidapp.cameraaddon.areffect
package:com.sonymobile.email
package:com.sonymobile.pobox
package:com.scee.psxandroid
package:com.sonymobile.advancedwidget.worldclock
package:com.facebook.system
package:com.sonyericsson.android.socialphonebook
package:com.sonyericsson.album
package:com.sonyericsson.music
package:com.sonymobile.retaildemo
package:com.sonymobile.anondata
package:com.sonymobile.pip
package:com.sonymobile.sso
package:com.sonymobile.usm
package:com.android.bookmarkprovider
package:com.sonyericsson.startupflagservice
package:com.sonymobile.advancedlogging
package:com.google.android.talk
package:com.sonymobile.music.wikipediaplugin
package:com.facebook.appmanager
package:com.sonymobile.music.googlelyricsplugin
package:com.sonymobile.dualshockmanager
package:com.sonymobile.mwutil
package:com.sonyericsson.advancedwidget.clock
package:com.sonymobile.android.addoncamera.timeshift
package:com.sonyericsson.advancedwidget.photo
package:com.sony.tvsideview.videoph
package:com.gsma.rcs

To the above post I would like to add something for newbies:
1) Type "adb shell" before you use the commands above, otherwise it won't work.
2) instead of the disable command (which doesn't work on my phone, apparently because you need to be rooted), i used the command hide, which also deactivates the app.

To removing SwiftKey :
Be aware, that if your phone is encrypted or uses PIN or password authentication before it boots, you must install another keyboard as SYSTEM app, or you will not be able to boot your phone.

Some more that can be removed
com.android.chrome (I use Pale Moon for Android)
com.android.partnerbrowsercustomizations.chromeHomepage
com.android.dreams.phototable
com.android.galaxy4
com.android.noisefield
com.android.phasebeam
com.android.wallpaper.holospiral
com.android.wallpaper.livepicker
com.android.wallpaper
com.sonyericsson.idd.agent
com.sonyericsson.startupflagservice
com.sonymobile.experienceflow2
com.sonymobilemusic.googlelyricsplugin
com.sonymobile.slideshow
com.sonyericsson.warrantytime

After "hiding" most of the above apps, I have around 1100mb of free ram left instead of 600mb before debloating. The phone feels much snappier too.

I use magisk to hide the following apps from system. So i'm not actually touching the system partition. Although you need unlocked bootloader and custom kernel (genesis) for that so the OTA updates won't install anyway. Thats why I removed the update-center as well. Use at your own Risk.
/system/app/CrashMonitor
/system/app/CrashMonitorsystem
/system/app/EditorsDocs
/system/app/EditorsSheets
/system/app/EditorsSlides
/system/app/Exchange2
/system/app/ExternalKeyboardJP
/system/app/FaceLock
/system/app/GetMoreClient-standard-release
/system/app/Gmail2
/system/app/GoogleLyricsPlugin
/system/app/GoogleTTS
/system/app/IddAgent
/system/app/Iengine
/system/app/KerberosService
/system/app/Lifelog-3.0.B.4.15-6295567-googlePreloadLive-release
/system/app/OmaDownload
/system/app/PartnerBookmarksProvider
/system/app/PhotoWidget-release
/system/app/PrintSpooler
/system/app/RcaHandler
/system/app/RemoteControlService
/system/app/SemcAutoPowerOff
/system/app/SemcEmail
/system/app/SemcSimDetection
/system/app/SemcWarrantyTime
/system/app/SmartcardService
/system/app/SomcDualshockManager
/system/app/SomcMovieCreatorRmm-release
/system/app/SomcPOBox
/system/app/SomcSketch-live
/system/app/SyncHub-release
/system/app/TopContactsWidget-release
/system/app/WikipediaPlugin
/system/app/WorldClockWidget-release
/system/app/XperiaTransferMobile-release
/system/app/YouTube
/system/app/YouTubeKaraokePlugin
/system/app/YouTubePlugin
/system/app/com.facebook.appmanager
/system/app/com.facebook.katana
/system/app/com.s.antivirus
/system/app/com.sonyericsson.xhs
/system/app/com.sonymobile.xperialounge.services
/system/app/device-monitor
/system/app/fota-service
/system/app/newssuite
/system/app/photoslideshow-release
/system/app/playstationapp
/system/app/weather-release
/system/priv-app/BackupRestoreConfirmation
/system/priv-app/CameraWearableBridgeHandheldServer
/system/priv-app/EnterpriseService
/system/priv-app/GetMore-standard-release
/system/priv-app/GoogleBackupTransport
/system/priv-app/GoogleFeedback
/system/priv-app/MyXperia-release
/system/priv-app/OMAClientProvisioning-release
/system/priv-app/SharedStorageBackup
/system/priv-app/SomcMovieCreator-release
/system/priv-app/StartupFlagV2
/system/priv-app/Velvet
/system/priv-app/com.sonymobile.retaildemo
/system/priv-app/somc-get-to-know-it-release
/system/priv-app/textinput-chn-xhdpi
/system/priv-app/usb-mtp-backup-transport
/system/priv-app/usb-mtp-factoryreset-wrapper
/system/priv-app/usb-mtp-fotaupdate-wrapper
/system/priv-app/usb-mtp-update-wrapper
/system/priv-app/usb-mtp-vendor-extension-service
/system/vendor/app/ChromeCustomizations
/system/priv-app/RcsVideoShare
/system/app/com.sonymobile.deqp
/system/app/talkback
/system/priv-app/rcs-settings
/system/app/SusResCheck
/system/app/videotvsideview
/system/app/Drive
/system/app/Chrome
/system/app/Videos
/system/app/Photos
/system/priv-app/SocialphonebookStub
/system/priv-app/album-albumLive-release
/system/app/pip
/system/priv-app/USMHome
/system/app/Hangouts
/system/app/videoplaceholder
/system/priv-app/rcs-core
/system/priv-app/sonyentrance2-release
/data/app/com.sonymobile.entrance-1
/system/priv-app/album-albumLive-release
/system/app/com.amazon.mShop.android.shopping
/oem/app/com.lookout
/oem/app/uk.co.ee.myee
/data/app/com.sonyericsson.updatecenter-1
/oem/overlay/com.sonyericsson.updatecenter
I also disabled the following apps on top of that:
AR effect
Creative Effect
Messaging ( I text with Signal)
Sound Photo
Spotify
Sticker Creator

tempurastyle said:
After "hiding" most of the above apps, I have around 1100mb of free ram left instead of 600mb before debloating. The phone feels much snappier too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wow. you must have a lot of bloat. I had ~1GB free as stock with only disabling a lot of apps and a few services just through the app manager I have ~1.5GB free. (around 100-200MB more on both at fresh boot, I check the usage frequently) I do not have the amazon stuff and a lot of other things I see though. I am gonna have a look again now as there definitely is more to disable.

After disabling some apps listed above, i figured out that the qnovo battery care stopped working. Does anybody know which apps i need to enable to make it work again?

Battery care can be a little unstable. For me it works most of the time. It seems to work more often with the February security update. It works with the charging intelligent service (CIS). My list doesn't disable it.

Ikzy said:
I use magisk to hide the following apps from system. So i'm not actually touching the system partition. Although you need unlocked bootloader and custom kernel (genesis) for that so the OTA updates won't install anyway. Thats why I removed the update-center as well. Use at your own Risk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
I been thinking of installing magisk, but could not find a good reason yet, though when chainfire gives full control to the company that apparently bought supersu I am probably going to use the opensource solution by phh.
this is a good idea too! I read a little on how magisk modules works, and maybe I am lazy but do you mind sharing your module for reference and use? besides not inventing the spoon again, I think it could be of great help also to help understand the script structure faster/better.
best regards

realtuxen said:
Hi,
I been thinking of installing magisk, but could not find a good reason yet, though when chainfire gives full control to the company that apparently bought supersu I am probably going to use the opensource solution by phh.
this is a good idea too! I read a little on how magisk modules works, and maybe I am lazy but do you mind sharing your module for reference and use? besides not inventing the spoon again, I think it could be of great help also to help understand the script structure faster/better.
best regards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here you go. I like magisk for it in faking any system modification. By Uninstaller magisk and flashing stock kernel I should be able to get OTA's. After an update I don't have to re-uninstall all bloat system apps, just flash magisk and everything is hidden again. I'm hoping removing folders (debloating) someday will go have a Gui so that it's quicker then editing zips on pc

Ikzy said:
Here you go. I like magisk for it in faking any system modification. By Uninstaller magisk and flashing stock kernel I should be able to get OTA's. After an update I don't have to re-uninstall all bloat system apps, just flash magisk and everything is hidden again. I'm hoping removing folders (debloating) someday will go have a Gui so that it's quicker then editing zips on pc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot! That's another good idea, but you need to relock bootloader too as far as I know to receive OTA's again.
Would be really cool but probably near impossible if something could fake that most bothering step.
Loosing userdata and the devicekey with every upgrade would be a bummer although it can be restored too.

Ikzy said:
Here you go. I like magisk for it in faking any system modification. By Uninstaller magisk and flashing stock kernel I should be able to get OTA's. After an update I don't have to re-uninstall all bloat system apps, just flash magisk and everything is hidden again. I'm hoping removing folders (debloating) someday will go have a Gui so that it's quicker then editing zips on pc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got a newbie question: How do you flash the stock kernel, and where do you get it from? Is it in the FTF file?

Yeah extract kernel.sin from the ftf file (its just a zip) then use flashtool sin editor to extract kernel.elf. Then you can use rootkernel to build a boot.img you can flash with fastboot. That's one method.

realtuxen said:
Yeah extract kernel.sin from the ftf file (its just a zip) then use flashtool sin editor to extract kernel.elf. Then you can use rootkernel to build a boot.img you can flash with fastboot. That's one method.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! Useful information! Just out of curiosity, what are the other methods? Can you just choose what you want to flash in Flashtool?

Another list of apps that can be removed with some comments included. You'll have to use google translate or similar though:
http://blog.livedoor.jp/cn221283/archives/51218350.html

tempurastyle said:
Thanks! Useful information! Just out of curiosity, what are the other methods? Can you just choose what you want to flash in Flashtool?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can exclude/choose things to flash, so I guess you could exclude everything but kernel in Flashtool. But your system can not be modified or rooted so you might as well just flash the whole thing except/not wiping userdata. Both should return you to stock with unlocked bl and intact device key. (no ota though)
Play around with the options with your phone disconnected in simulation mode, it might help you to understand the process better once you get past the confusion.

Ikzy said:
Here you go. I like magisk for it in faking any system modification. By Uninstaller magisk and flashing stock kernel I should be able to get OTA's. After an update I don't have to re-uninstall all bloat system apps, just flash magisk and everything is hidden again. I'm hoping removing folders (debloating) someday will go have a Gui so that it's quicker then editing zips on pc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello,how can I use this Zip?

[Discuss] Modularize /data to prevent clean flash all the time

While Primary idea behind Project Treble allowing the OS layer to be updated independently - without relying on /vendor things (For starters/newbies https://www.xda-developers.com/project-treble-custom-rom-development/ )
Here at XDA we tinker around ROMs all the times. Irrespectively of ROM's stability, causal users always get stuck due to necessity to clean flash every time they want to try new ROM/new version of android
Dirty flash often creates conflicts with framework-res, System-Ui, etc etc such system apps data after a new ROM/Update and create unnecessary issues. Thus mostly considered as taboo. Whereas running Stock does not need to data wipe throughout device update lifecycle.
So, I would want discuss about the possibility of having /data modular to ROM as User App data is not going to change (Based on which root backup solutions like Titanium backup,etc work). This should enable the possibility of flashing any ROM, and User apps working smoothly on new ROM (just like device-specific blobs, etc in vender) unless major android version change is detected.
@ XDA Devs, Is this technically feasible?

Obviously its possible, i use this trick since last year.
In this trick, the app wont deleted, but, the app-data will erase.
Also everything inside/data (excluding media) erase.
But, the large sized /data/app will be intact.
Btw, it wont work, if u rollback to previous android version.
Only works within same version of multiple roms/ upgrading Android version

afridi.shahriar said:
Obviously its possible, i use this trick since last year.
In this trick, the app wont deleted, but, the app-data will erase.
Also everything inside/data (excluding media) erase.
But, the large sized /data/app will be intact.
Btw, it wont work, if u rollback to previous android version.
Only works within same version of multiple roms/ upgrading Android version
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
People are ok to lose app data if they want to roll back to previous versions of android. My context is reg. Project Treble which is only supported from Oreo..
Btw., Senior developers/tweakers pls think about this. Lets discuss if implementation of this is possible down our ROMs lane!!

arvindgr said:
People are ok to lose app data if they want to roll back to previous versions of android. My context is reg. Project Treble which is only supported from Oreo..
Btw., Senior developers/tweakers pls think about this. Lets discuss if implementation of this is possible down our ROMs lane!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey. U don't need trebel/oreo to change ROM without deleting apps.apk, even i used this trick since......mmmm marshmallow 6.0.x

Is this referencing deleting /data/data/?
It works... But can have issues based on ART optimization...
Which is why the full wipe is recommended... Not for stability... But for troubleshooting
Sent from my PH-1 using Tapatalk

Maybe even just deleting /data/data for just the system apps, keeping the user app data in tact. Its definitely possible with a basic recovery script. Maybe we can look into that

rignfool said:
Is this referencing deleting /data/data/?
It works... But can have issues based on ART optimization...
Which is why the full wipe is recommended... Not for stability... But for troubleshooting
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thread is related to not deleting /data/data/ on ROM changes. Won't such ART Optimisation issues go off when cache is cleared?
This same is done on stock ROMs and even official Lineage OS updates don't require clean flash
tytydraco said:
Maybe even just deleting /data/data for just the system apps, keeping the user app data in tact. Its definitely possible with a basic recovery script. Maybe we can look into that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, when treble overcomes some major system partition shortfalls, /data shouldn't that hard.
Basically, this should ideally allow us switch between ROMs seemlessly...

I was able to do this about 3 years ago when I had an s3 mini, I had a custom rom available called Vibrant os but I wanted some apps to be pre-setup it included a data folder with data/app and data/data included along with data/system for wallpaper
took me a while and I had to find the folder permissions for each folder and do the set permissions command in the updater script but I was able to somewhat do this
I've taken the same code applied it but with set metadata changed to set perm
and I've reverted back to stock EMUI from resurrection remix project treble and all my apps have come across ( the data/data folder is next but atleast it is possible )
some google apps don't work if downgrading though
right now i'm copying data/app to my sdcard manually, wiping system, moving it back then doing my script
My goal is for the script to move data/app and data/data to the sd card, format data partition as f2fs, move data/app and data/data back then set the permissions

So basically, split /data/data into...
/data/data_system
/data/data_user
...?
I guess it's possible, but it would require changes at the ROM level. Maybe only framework, but possibly also in native code (e.g. zygote, not sure).
But... I don't think this really has anything to do with Treble.

CosmicDan said:
So basically, split /data/data into...
/data/data_system
/data/data_user
...?
I guess it's possible, but it would require changes at the ROM level. Maybe only framework, but possibly also in native code (e.g. zygote, not sure).
But... I don't think this really has anything to do with Treble.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i've managed to downgrade back from pixel experiece 8.1.0 to EMUI 8.0.0 and keep my apps ( data for the apps is tricky finding out the right read, write, execute permissions )

Livi-Tech said:
i've managed to downgrade back from pixel experiece 8.1.0 to EMUI 8.0.0 and keep my apps ( data for the apps is tricky finding out the right read, write, execute permissions )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not really, you just run restorecon command recursively on the tree - as long as file_contexts is intact then it will set permissions (and, more importantly, contexts) as they should be.