Database Users

nandroid + flashing/restoring across roms

I'm having a little trouble understanding nandroid vs. other forms of backup and would appreciate some clarification. I'm running CM nightly on my Fido (Canada) G4. I took a nandroid as well as titanium backup of the factory stock image before I flashed CM.
A poster in the last thread I made suggested if I wanted to restore to stock, I could simply restore the nandroid, but I've also seen people say you shouldn't use nandroid to go across ROMs. My understanding is that nandroid is like having a filesystem backup, which would obviously not react well if you restored it over a new operating system (e.g. two different versions of windows). Or is nandroid more like say Acronis, which takes an entire disk image and overwrites everything?
Other misc questions:
- If I do restore via nandroid, do I need to wipe all data / cache / system data before or after the restore?
- I assume I can use titanium to restore SMS + all non-system apps across ROMs, which would save a lot of time.
- If I'm going from one CM nightly to another, would titanium work for system apps (e.g. all my settings, or contacts, etc)
- If I want to flash a new CM nightly, do I need to follow the entire wipe procedure just as if it were going from one ROM to a completely different one?
Thanks!

always make a nandroid in recovery. i recommend keeping it on your micro sd card. in the event you need to return your device to it's previously functioning state, restore the nandroid in recovery. if you are running an aosp rom and your nandroid is touchwiz, wipe data, cache & dalvik before restoring the nandroid. if the backup is on your micro sd then feel free to wipe system as well.
if you want to flash a nightly or update to a rom you are currently running, simply wipe cache and dalvik then flash the update, gapps and any custom kernel that you may be running.
i cannot answer your titanium backup questions because i do not use that program

xBeerdroiDx said:
always make a nandroid in recovery. i recommend keeping it on your micro sd card. in the event you need to return your device to it's previously functioning state, restore the nandroid in recovery. if you are running an aosp rom and your nandroid is touchwiz, wipe data, cache & dalvik before restoring the nandroid. if the backup is on your micro sd then feel free to wipe system as well.
if you want to flash a nightly or update to a rom you are currently running, simply wipe cache and dalvik then flash the update, gapps and any custom kernel that you may be running.
i cannot answer your titanium backup questions because i do not use that program
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Click to collapse
yes, that's about what I have. ok, thank you for the clarification of what to wipe! that's good to know.
re flashing a nightly/update: using your method should preserve system data yes? so no need to reinstall all apps or system data?
and thanks, I'll hold out hope that someone with titanium expertise will be able to answer that one

kabutar said:
re flashing a nightly/update: using your method should preserve system data yes? so no need to reinstall all apps or system data?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, system/user data will remain. understand, however, that if you perform one of these dirty flashes and you have a problem with the functionality of the ROM, you'll need to do a full wipe and flash to see if this clears the issue before you report the problem in the development thread.

kabutar said:
yes, that's about what I have. ok, thank you for the clarification of what to wipe! that's good to know.
re flashing a nightly/update: using your method should preserve system data yes? so no need to reinstall all apps or system data?
and thanks, I'll hold out hope that someone with titanium expertise will be able to answer that one
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your right on both titanium questions.. However its not recommended to restore system apps you backed up on a aokp/aosp ROM to a touchwiz ROM and the other way around... Other than that like I said your fine
Sent from my WANAM'ED AT&T S4

N9005 TWRP restore fails

Hi everyone,
Im having trouble restoring a TWRP backup. I was on Morningstar's unofficial CM13 rom, first release. Since development has stalled a bit I decided to switch to Slim ROM by Sparx. I did a TWRP backup of evwrything, only excluding internal and external SD memory. I had some trouble so I tried to restore my Morningstar backup. Then the trouble started.
When I restore the backup, nothing happens after TWRP is done with redefining space or something like that (can't rmemeber exactly what it says) so I have to remove battery to get my phone to reboot. Not to bad. My phone reboots into CM13, but it reboots like it is the first time I turn my phone on. Only stock apps appear. None of my downloaded apps appear, which I don't understand at all. Also, root access is gone.
I'm using TWRP 2.8.7.0 on my N9005. Any hints on what might be going on? My backup is around 1.3 GB BTW.
TL;DR: did full backup, restoring it looks like clean install, no root.

Try lower version of twrp. 2.8.7 has some issue sometimes in restoring nandroid.
Sent from my SM-N920C

Rosli59564 said:
Try lower version of twrp. 2.8.7 has some issue sometimes in restoring nandroid.
Sent from my SM-N920C
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As it seems. Though I might have accidentally only backed up the rom itself without apps, or is that impossible?

When selecting the backup option in twrp, you select what to backup, including efs, cache, data, system, etc. so it is possible you unchecked data?

audit13 said:
When selecting the backup option in twrp, you select what to backup, including efs, cache, data, system, etc. so it is possible you unchecked data?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yesterday I tried again and noticed the 'data' option. I'm indeed an idiot. Good thing I did Titanium Backup so I didn't lose anything.

Help with TWRP Restore !

I just got a s5. And I got it succesfully rooted and also got TWRP working on it.
All the data from my previous phone was transfered to the s5.
Now I made some backups with TWRP with the default settings: Partitions boot, system and data.
With the backups in mind I was thinking I could easily restore it to a previous state.
Thinking I backed up all the data and wanted to make it fresh again, I wanted to restore it.
In the menu I chose the restore option with the same settings as the backup: Partitions boot, system and data.
And it gives a message restoring system succesfull.
But when rebooting, it keeps hanging and at the moment of loading the android system every bit of the system keeps 'hanging'
It keeps saying
'Unfortunately touchwiz startup unsuccesfully'
'Unfortunately youtube startup unsuccesfully'
'Unfortunately greenify startup unsuccesfully'
'Unfortunately app whatever startup unsuccesfully'
And so on and so on
Eventually it starts with a black screen with nothing loaded. Complete blackout.
So this backup doesn't work. And I try my second backup.
Unfortunately also the second backup gave these errors.
And also the third backup!
So the backup files seem the right size, it's some gigabytes, and it alway's keeps saying backup/restore succesfully.
But now it fails to restore and boot the backup
The things I tried.
-Trying three different backups
-Wiping cleaning data/dalvik/cache etc etc
-Restoring a part of the backup. First system, then data, then boot, no succes.
So i'm totally lost! Does somebody know how to fix this? Or have some tips to try??

You can't restore system and boot from a different model phone
That would be like trying to flash a ROM for one model phone to another without porting it
If it was an S5 you backed up, was it the exact same model (ie: G900F etc?)
Flash back to stock, then try restoring only DATA
Or use TiBu to restore your apps from the TWRP backup

*Detection* said:
You can't restore system and boot from a different model phone
That would be like trying to flash a ROM for one model phone to another without porting it
If it was an S5 you backed up, was it the exact same model (ie: G900F etc?)
Flash back to stock, then try restoring only DATA
Or use TiBu to restore your apps from the TWRP backup
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply! It was a backup and restore on the same phone. So that is why I thought it was supposed to be a easy restore.
But I found the solution hidden somewhere in one message on XDA:
"Originally Posted by Dr. Fed
Would you happen to know why, when restoring a TW 4.4.2 nandroid using TWRP 2.8.1 or 2.8.4, after running an AOSP lollipop ROM like CM12, the TW ROM boots but then the whole system force-closes? Before restoring the nandroid, I advance wipe system, data, cache, and dalvik. Then I restore the nandroid. It boots, but then some daemon crashes. Then all processes and apps. The screen goes black after a few crashes.
So, what I do is pull out the battery, boot into recovery, advance wipe system, data, cache, dalvik, flash a CM11 ROM, reboot. I let CM11 start up, skip the set-up, then I boot back to TWRP (2.8.1 and now 2.8.4), advanced wipe, restore TW nandroid, and now it works just fine.
It seems like TWRP doesn't fully wipe."

Here the steps for if other people will run into the same problem:
Problem: Android 5 is running, with twrp 2.7 performed a back up = Restoring the backup is difficult because it problably doesn't do a clean wipe somehow.
1. I downloaded a cyanogen 11 rom, a Android 4 version.
2. Installed it with TWRP. Somehow it 'wipes' it more efficiently.
3. From cyanogen 11 back to booting TWRP.
4. In TWRP trying the Android 5 restore.
And Amazingly this worked!! = Celebrate!!

chokolademan said:
Thanks for the reply! It was a backup and restore on the same phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Confused me with this line
chokolademan said:
All the data from my previous phone was transfered to the s5.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to see you solved it

Problem with LineageOS

Hi all,
I'm with problems in Lineage OS.
I'm trying install Unofficial version under Official, but when I try usying TWRP, they show me this error:
" Can't install this package on top of incompatible data. Please try another package or run a factory reset"
I delete the "assert" section but the error persist.
Can any people help with this?
Thanks in advanced!
Rodrigo Possi

possi.rodrigo said:
Hi all,
I'm with problems in Lineage OS.
I'm trying install Unofficial version under Official, but when I try usying TWRP, they show me this error:
" Can't install this package on top of incompatible data. Please try another package or run a factory reset"
I delete the "assert" section but the error persist.
Can any people help with this?
Thanks in advanced!
Rodrigo Possi
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you wipe cache/data/system/Dalvik prior to installation of the unofficial Lineage OS-OMS? The unofficial and official builds don't mix - if you wish to switch between the two, you must wipe your device (unless you're dualbooting). Of course, by doing this, all data and your official Lineage OS system apart from your internal storage/SD card will be erased, make backups before you proceed. Your TWRP backup will live on your internal storage btw.

echo92 said:
Did you wipe cache/data/system/Dalvik prior to installation of the unofficial Lineage OS-OMS? The unofficial and official builds don't mix - if you wish to switch between the two, you must wipe your device (unless you're dualbooting). Of course, by doing this, all data and your official Lineage OS system apart from your internal storage/SD card will be erased, make backups before you proceed. Your TWRP backup will live on your internal storage btw.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't, only cache and dalvik. I would like install without lost my data and settings Have any way for I install changing the updater-script?
I would like try install only change this script first if I have any problem, there yes I'll do a clean install.
Thanks in advanced!

possi.rodrigo said:
I didn't, only cache and dalvik. I would like install without lost my data and settings Have any way for I install changing the updater-script?
I would like try install only change this script first if I have any problem, there yes I'll do a clean install.
Thanks in advanced!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know of a way to modify the update script, and in any case, I still would suggest your data (this is your app data and settings, not your photos and other media stored on your internal storage) be wiped along with your system. As I mentioned above, the official and unofficial builds are quite different, and trying to flash one on top of the other without performing a wipe of your system, (app) data, Dalvik and cache (no need to wipe your internal storage for most cases) will give you problems. It's even mentioned in the instructions for installing Lineage OS OMS https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g4-plus/development/xt16xx-cyanogenmod-14-1-alpha-t3492274
If you don't wish to wipe your device, then staying on the official Lineage OS might be a wise option.

echo92 said:
I don't know of a way to modify the update script, and in any case, I still would suggest your data (this is your app data and settings, not your photos and other media stored on your internal storage) be wiped along with your system. As I mentioned above, the official and unofficial builds are quite different, and trying to flash one on top of the other without performing a wipe of your system, (app) data, Dalvik and cache (no need to wipe your internal storage for most cases) will give you problems. It's even mentioned in the instructions for installing Lineage OS OMS https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g4-plus/development/xt16xx-cyanogenmod-14-1-alpha-t3492274
If you don't wish to wipe your device, then staying on the official Lineage OS might be a wise option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much, I'll do a nandroid backup and try install following this tutorial. Other doubt, Can I use in this unofficial version the kernel elemental x or is better keep the original?

possi.rodrigo said:
Thank you so much, I'll do a nandroid backup and try install following this tutorial. Other doubt, Can I use in this unofficial version the kernel elemental x or is better keep the original?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I recall from what Silesh has mentioned is that the commits from ElementalX are present in his kernel, thus the benefits should be seen in the unofficial stock Lineage OS kernel and so you don't necessarily need the ElementalX kernel. If you wish to use the ElementalX kernel with the latest builds of Lineage OS-OMS, and there is nothing stopping you doing so, you need to flash the sensorhub firmware, else you'll lose sensors like your fingerprint sensor (if you have a G4 Plus, that is - I don't know if other sensors are affected on non-Plus models as well if you don't flash this). The firmware can be found here https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=71360979&postcount=2723
To install said firmware if you need it (credit to rahulsnair for the procedure https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=70716729&postcount=170):
Download the zip and extract, you should get a sensorhubfw.bin file. Copy this .bin file to your adb directory.
Connect your device to your computer and check adb can detect your device using 'adb devices'
Staying in adb, execute the command 'adb push sensorhubfw.bin /etc/firmware' (without the quotation marks). This will copy the sensorhub file to the /etc/firmware directory on your phone.
Reboot and hopefully you should have sensors back.

Lineage stuck on boot loop on startup

Hi,
I have LineageOS 14.1 installed on my Moto G4 Plus. All of a sudden it rebooted and was stuck on the booting screen. I can get to TWRP. Things I tried that didn't help
wait 30 minutes
plug in phone to charger
clear cache
fully power off then on
If it comes down to it, I could flash a new ROM, but would like to save/backup the text messages/whatsapp messages.

@lightningglasses
Anything you installed/flashed before rebooting ?
try to dirty flash ROM and check if it boots or not.

____Mdd said:
@lightningglasses
Anything you installed/flashed before rebooting ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nothing.an mp3 player app
try to dirty flash ROM and check if it boots or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
will that loose the text messages etc?

lightningglasses said:
will that loose the text messages etc?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wiping "Data" deletes everything, dirty flashing does not not.
Just wipe delvik-Art and cache (*not data*), Then install ROM (plus gapps and root if you need), reboot, it will take around 10 minutes to re-generate delvik data, then it should boot..

____Mdd said:
wiping "Data" deletes everything, dirty flashing does not not.
Just wipe delvik-Art and cache (*not data*), Then install ROM (plus gapps and root if you need), reboot, it will take around 10 minutes to re-generate delvik data, then it should boot..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hmm didn't work, any other ideas?

lightningglasses said:
hmm didn't work, any other ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I forgot to mention in previous post, did you wipe system? Try with that and install rom.
Reinstalling ROM heals damage made to /system partition and to boot, but not to /data.
so if still doesn't boot, that means damage happened to /data and you need to clean it, result in lost of data of apps (whatsapp and message you mentioned in your post.)
Still if you know what apps you installed last, delete it from /data/app/xyz-app (boot TWRP > advance > file manager)

____Mdd said:
I forgot to mention in previous post, did you wipe system? Try with that and install rom.
Reinstalling ROM heals damage made to /system partition and to boot, but not to /data.
so if still doesn't boot, that means damage happened to /data and you need to clean it, result in lost of data of apps (whatsapp and message you mentioned in your post.)
Still if you know what apps you installed last, delete it from /data/app/xyz-app (boot TWRP > advance > file manager)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is still stuck in a boot loop after I
cleared cache, dalvic/art and system
used twrp's file manager to delete all recently installed apps from /data/app
flashed newest lineageos rom
clear davilink again
waited 15 minutes with phone plugged in
When should I wipe cache/dalvik/system? Before or after flashing rom?

lightningglasses said:
It is still stuck in a boot loop after I
cleared cache, dalvic/art and system
used twrp's file manager to delete all recently installed apps from /data/app
flashed newest lineageos rom
clear davilink again
waited 15 minutes with phone plugged in
When should I wipe cache/dalvik/system? Before or after flashing rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no other way to get your device back without losing data.
I have never used Titanium backup app but i know there is feature to restore data from TWRP backup, you can take backup of /data and restore backup of whatsapp.
I am still not sure about that feature, if you have time then i can test that feature, otherwise there is no way to keep data.
Edit: whatsapp makes chat backup every night at 2AM, if you haven't had any important chats after that, you can go for wipe.

If you can pay for titanium backup there might just be a way. I am not 100% sure but take a backup of the "data" partition(you can backup everything but data is most important) in twrp in internal storage only. Then clean flash everything. Then install titanium backup and buy the pro key. Then restore from twrp. If you find an option to restore only data then that's a better option. Downloading the app and restoring the data is better than restoring app and data. I'm not sure if it will work. But if nothing is working and your data is 100% vital you may wanna try this.
Another tip, don't restore blindly everything cuz bootloop may occur again