Backing up our phones? - OnePlus 6T Questions & Answers

Any solid way to make a full backup of our phones yet? I know TWRP backups did not work at one point, and I am not sure if that was ever fixed. I want to install a custom ROM but I want a good way to make a backup so I can revert if necessary.

The way I've always done it is backup apps with Titanium Backup, create a backup file for my Nova home screen setup and upload my media (/sdcard) to GDrive via FolderSync Pro.
For switching ROMs, I just wipe and flash the zips in TWRP and go ahead and restore call logs, texts and apps from Titanium, download my stuff from GDrive and restore my home screen setup from the backup file I create with Nova.
I basically just have to reconfigure any system settings and I'm good to go.
I've heard good things about this app called Migrate on the Play Store but I'm going to stick with Titanium Backup for now as I know it works well for me. Maybe I'll give Migrate a shot one day.
That's pretty much how I do it!
Also, I never restore during the initial setup screen. I always setup device as new as I've heard there can be issues with that when switching between ROMs, especially OOS -> AOSP for example.

U must remove screen unlock before making twerp backup or else you get error when u restore. Also must be sure to select vendor_image and system_image instead of vendor and system.
Funk wizard say so https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=77982197&postcount=7

I always used Titanium backup as well but since I've tried Swift Backup I'm using that. It's so much quicker and more convenient. It backups apps + data, wifi Networks, call logs, Messages etc. You can even sync it with your Google drive.

Related

[Q] What do i have to backup before changing rom?

Applications backup but not cache or data?
System backups?
Sms and call logs?
And system backups?
Are those all to do? If i backup those, when i restore, will i be able to have my desktop widgets, desktop icons sorted correctly ?
I think the best answer is "it depends on what you want to restore to".
When I change roms, I make a full backup using CWM, that way, no matter what the new rom breaks, I can go back to exactly where I was before.
But if you really want the new rom and think the problem is in one app or setting, you can backup only the apps .apk, the apps data and the rom settings, then you can restore everything individually and see where the problem is.
This all assuming you are not changing major android versions (like from froyo to gingerbread) or not changing roms "types" (like from stock to CM or to miui). If you are, then the partial backup is not recommended since it may not work.
In this last case, your best hope is to backup the apps .apk and store all other data somewhere where you can import to android (like storing the contacts in google account), since you shouldn't really restore anything else.
paulo_andre said:
I think the best answer is "it depends on what you want to restore to".
When I change roms, I make a full backup using CWM, that way, no matter what the new rom breaks, I can go back to exactly where I was before.
But if you really want the new rom and think the problem is in one app or setting, you can backup only the apps .apk, the apps data and the rom settings, then you can restore everything individually and see where the problem is.
This all assuming you are not changing major android versions (like from froyo to gingerbread) or not changing roms "types" (like from stock to CM or to miui). If you are, then the partial backup is not recommended since it may not work.
In this last case, your best hope is to backup the apps .apk and store all other data somewhere where you can import to android (like storing the contacts in google account), since you shouldn't really restore anything else.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I want a full back up; calendars sms call logs applications data system data etc. For sms i use go-sms backup, i hope it will restore without any problem. When i backup with cwm and restore, will my settings (system( be protected as before?
With CWM if you restore you will get all data, including Rom, Kernel, sms, calls, etc All you data that is in internal memory. Don't worry. If you restore it, you will get the phone like it was when you made the backup.
Titanium capabilities
I was wondering if it is possible to backup app (with their data), sms and contacts....all in one go using Titanium (non-pro version) (I think we call it batch backup)? I am totally new to the ROOTING and CUSTOM ROM worlds and I am literally freaking out with all the huge info on this topic on the internet. I am using a CM10 on I9000. Please help!
Yes i wonder too.
Boot in recovery
select backup to ext sd
run...
you have back up everythin like ghost in pc....
( so you can try another rom and if you dont like it restore your back up and you have you old rom
working with all data app contacts etc )
you must youse the same cwm version for restore with the one that you use for backup
Cursed Chico said:
Applications backup but not cache or data?
System backups?
Sms and call logs?
And system backups?
Are those all to do? If i backup those, when i restore, will i be able to have my desktop widgets, desktop icons sorted correctly ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you attempting to backup so that you can move the apps/sms/settings to the new ROM or backing up in case you want to restore? Titanium backup is probably the thing you want in the former case and either with cwm backup or with linux dd backup in the latter. Personally I had problem moving system settings between roms, but apps should work just fine.

Different Backup Methods

I was hoping to learn the differences between certain backup methods. The most common i saw is via recovery (in my case twrp), via titanium backup and another via adb command even without root which i saw in one of the threads here in xda.
First, in terms of "backup coverage" how do they compare to one another? Secondly, which among the three would most put ur phone back the way it was before u wipe or factory reset it
I hope you could input your opinions on this and suggestions.
Thanks in advance!
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
A backup through recovery is a called a nandroid. This backs up everything on your phone including your ROM, kernel, apps, settings, etc. This will allow you to restore back to the previous state of your phone after doing a full wipe.
Titanium backup only backs up your apps and app data. This is useful when you want to switch ROMs and restore your apps in the new ROM.
Usually when switching ROMs I first use titanium backup, then I create a nandroid backup, and finally I flash the ROM. If I like the ROM I use titanium to restore the apps that I previously backed up, and if I don't like the ROM I restore my nandroid
Sent from my HTC Desire using xda app-developers app
Doing a backup with twrp, cwm or thru adb (nandroid backups) are basically image files of your phone at any given moment in time. If you restore one of these backups your restoring your phone to exactly how it was at that moment in time. Titanium backup and Helium backup just backup cached data at that particular moment in time. Using these apps will only restore the data you specified when you did the backup and nothing else. Say you borked an install of a ROM, Titanium backup would be of no use in getting your phone working again as it only has data and not a system image. You would need the images backed up by twrp to get the phone working again then you could use the titanium backups to restore any newer data saved if say you used an old twrp backup.
whoah! thanks guys! I was supposed to quote you but since both of you really helped me understand it now, this thanks goes to the both of you.
I've hit the thanks button on both you guys.
Thank you very much for explaining this.
One last thing, when using a Titanium backup ( im using the pro version), how do i backup to make sure I cover all that needs to be backed up? There are a lot of options im not sure which to select and what to do. I hope you could enlighten me on this one as well.
Thanks again in advance!
vinz_bangiz said:
whoah! thanks guys! I was supposed to quote you but since both of you really helped me understand it now, this thanks goes to the both of you.
I've hit the thanks button on both you guys.
Thank you very much for explaining this.
One last thing, when using a Titanium backup ( im using the pro version), how do i backup to make sure I cover all that needs to be backed up? There are a lot of options im not sure which to select and what to do. I hope you could enlighten me on this one as well.
Thanks again in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With the pro version u can run a batch backup of all apps.
To do this open the app, press the menu button in the top tight corner, and select Batch.
Then choose Backup all user apps. From there you can select/deselect apps. When you are done choosing the apps that you would like to backup, click on the green check mark in the top right corner to start the backup.
vinz_bangiz said:
whoah! thanks guys! I was supposed to quote you but since both of you really helped me understand it now, this thanks goes to the both of you.
I've hit the thanks button on both you guys.
Thank you very much for explaining this.
One last thing, when using a Titanium backup ( im using the pro version), how do i backup to make sure I cover all that needs to be backed up? There are a lot of options im not sure which to select and what to do. I hope you could enlighten me on this one as well.
Thanks again in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I stopped using Titanium and switched to Helium a while back and can't really remember how Ti works exactly. I do know you should never restore system apps data just user apps data so I don't even bother backing up systems apps. I think with Ti I would just do an initial backup of all user data and apps and then periodically do a backup of newer user data and apps, or something to that effect in the menu. I do like Helium better as its interface is better, never could figure out how to backup or restore sms, call logs and the dictionary using Ti. Helium is much more straight forward and simpler (not as many options) and it does backups on a set schedule to my box account. I'm sure you can do all that with Ti too it was just not a very clean app.
thanks again for the replies..
@ chromium96
i think it is the same as clicking the box with check icon beside the menu, it brings me to the page the same as where you are leading me to but in just one click. Though im not so sure if it is really the same one.
I did a backup now but made a user app + system data.
kzoodroid mentioned not to backup system. Should I really not backup the system? Im quite confused with the terminologies of TI coz it says backup "user apps". Does this only refer to the apps and not the settings or data in my phone? does the backup "system data" refer to the settings and other data on my phone? if I choose only backup "user apps", would this only backup the apps and nothing else?
@ kzoodroid
could you explain further why I should never backup systems apps?
Lastly, is Helium really better than TI? or it depends on user preference?
Thanks again!
there are 2 kind of apps stored in your phone, system apps, only accesible with root privilege, and user apps,
system apps are phone, browser,wallpapers, etc, this are the basic apps to make your phone to work
user apps are all the stuff you, the user, install on your phone
the first one can be found, via file managers on /system/app
user app in /data or in sdcard for apps can use this option
the user app back-up, via Tb or others create a back-up of /data and apps you choose to install
restoring a system app via Tb is dangerous cause if you've switched rom the /system/app can be different, so restoring can cause trouble or misbehavior on your phone
/system/app back.up can be used only if you, before deleting a system app, want to have a copy to restore in future, but only if you still on the same rom
stremax said:
there are 2 kind of apps stored in your phone, system apps, only accesible with root privilege, and user apps,
system apps are phone, browser,wallpapers, etc, this are the basic apps to make your phone to work
user apps are all the stuff you, the user, install on your phone
the first one can be found, via file managers on /system/app
user app in /data or in sdcard for apps can use this option
the user app back-up, via Tb or others create a back-up of /data and apps you choose to install
restoring a system app via Tb is dangerous cause if you've switched rom the /system/app can be different, so restoring can cause trouble or misbehavior on your phone
/system/app back.up can be used only if you, before deleting a system app, want to have a copy to restore in future, but only if you still on the same rom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply! kinda getting an idea what you mean.. if I backup the system also, then i put a new rom and it may be different from my current roms system so it might mess it up. so just backup user app and restore this after installing new rom then it would be ok and back to how it was before i installed a new rom? Do i understand it right?
vinz_bangiz said:
Thanks for the reply! kinda getting an idea what you mean.. if I backup the system also, then i put a new rom and it may be different from my current roms system so it might mess it up. so just backup user app and restore this after installing new rom then it would be ok and back to how it was before i installed a new rom? Do i understand it right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
right man,
only back-up user apps and data, if you like you can also back-up call log and messages, I usually do this, so when I flash a new rom I usually restore apps +apps data, messages and call log via Tb
vinz_bangiz said:
another via adb command even without root which i saw in one of the threads here in xda.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I found the ADB backup doesn't work as well as the other methods. I found some apps didn't seem to get backed up, and at least one didn't work after restoring (though this could be because I used Titanium Backup to restore the app from the ADB backup file).

Best way to backup everything before flashing new ROM?

Hi everyone, so I was wondering what was the best way to backup everything, apps, apps' data and system settings before flashing a new ROM or the same but with new base (which usually requires a clean install).
I've been told that the TWRP backup isn't that great because it'll bring over the "junk" from the previous version, and it doesn't really backup photos for instance.
Samsung's SmartSwitch, at least for me, doesn't backup applications at all. I've tried the phone version as well as the computer one, the phone one crashes once it gets to the app part, the computer one finishes but then there are no apps backed up.
I tried Titanium Backup but I don't know exactly which is the best option, should I be backup just apps and data? Or system data as well? If the correct way is both and let's say that the new ROM is "more" debloated", wouldn't I be putting back in the bloatware by backing up system data as well?
As far as system is concerned I just want to backup something like alarms, memo, system settings like brightness and I think that's more or less it.
Thanks a lot to anyone that helps me, I've been making tons of backup recently trying to find the best solution but couldn't.
Personally I use Titanium Backup, including unlimited external AppData (see in Settings). By that I get at least 80% of my apps back with all the settings done. My photos/videos are stored on my SD and backupped via google photos.
Always looking for a better and easier way to do all this, but for the moment that works pretty well. Still takes 1 - 1&1/2 hours to switch rom, restore backups and set up all my apps that could not be backupped completely.

[Question] How do you backup apps when moving to a new ROM/Phone?

I was wondering how you guys usually backup your phone when going from let's say stock to LineageOS? I was wondering this because I feel my way takes more time than it needs to and if there's a better method I'm glad to hear it.
I'll go first:
I backup first through Titanium backup which is a great app for restoring most data such as wifi passwords and app data for some apps. Secondly I'll make a backup using Helium because it backs up some apps that aren't compatible with TB's way of handling things such as Defenders III. Thirdly and most Important backup I make is through twrp in case I need to go back and get something I forgot or if "the **** hits the fan" on the new ROM.
j0nas_ said:
I was wondering how you guys usually backup your phone when going from let's say stock to LineageOS? I was wondering this because I feel my way takes more time than it needs to and if there's a better method I'm glad to hear it.
I'll go first:
I backup first through Titanium backup which is a great app for restoring most data such as wifi passwords and app data for some apps. Secondly I'll make a backup using Helium because it backs up some apps that aren't compatible with TB's way of handling things such as Defenders III. Thirdly and most Important backup I make is through twrp in case I need to go back and get something I forgot or if "the **** hits the fan" on the new ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
use titanium backup pro or helium app
You might try to backup apps in titanium backup, secondly for photos and videos and all other stuff what I do is connect my phone to a PC and copy paste all folders displayed latter I can swap them pretty fast
I don't back up my apps. I don't have many apps installed so it doesn't really matter.
For data, I use adb.
Backup - adb pull /sdcard/
Restore - adb push <WHAT> /sdcard/<LOCATION>
I backup with TBU - never had any problems backing up or restoring.
But how do you get Helium to work for your Moto G4? I've tried several times/methods but it just doesn't work. I am rooted with InvictaOS and Helium gets stuck on checking SuperUser. When I cancel that out and try to connect via the computer it fails to recognize the G4, whether I'm on MTP or PTP.
The only reason I'm trying Helium is that I recently got a great deal on a Verizon E4 and want to play around with it. But since it's Verizon...no bootloader unlock. I'm going crazy trying to transfer my app data to the E4, which, ironically, is recognized by Helium.
I have never been a fan of iPhone, but they at least have a method to transfer app data to to a new phone, an area that Android is lacking. If i ever get another new phone that can't be rooted, I'm screwed if I want to keep my app data, such as from my Memo app, etc...
Sorry for rant/hi-jack.

TiBu sucks? am I doing something wrong?

Hi, after rooting my phone with Magisk and having installed TiBu I proceeded to backup all user app + system data then I installed System app remover and removed some system apps that supposedly were "safe" to remove (briefing) but after a reboot I end up in a bootloop. I had to wipe everything and start from scratch (install ROM + Magisk)
On my first try I did not restore my data using Google + Samsung backup. I tried to restore my apps + system data using TiBu but after several hours of waiting to restore, it did not progress and stuck at 0%
On my second try I restored my data using google+samsung backup. After everything was set and ready I used TiBu's "Restore missing apps + all system data". This time TiBU did progress and completed the restore. After a reboot I start to notice that most of my apps/system settings customization are not even there... To name a few:
I had Full screen gestures instead of the navigation buttons. TiBu did not restore this
I had several accounts that TiBu did not restore (google, outlook, twitter, steam, blizzard, twitter and the list keeps going)
Simple things like Gboard was not even restored as default input method
Settings like one hand mode, edge lightning, quick panel layout, adaptive brightness, screen resolution (the list keeps going) were not restored the way I had them
TL;DR: TiBu did little to nothing despite having the pro version and the appropriate backup
My device:
Galaxy S10+ (Exynos SM-G975F)
Android 10 (G975FXXU3BSKO_G975FOWO3BSKO_ARO) patched with Magisk v20.2-11b7076a (20109)
I feel like I wasted my money..... worst spent 6+ dollars of my life
TiBu is a powerful tool if you know how to use it, in a majority of the cases restoring any complete system backup is always a bad idea. If you ever want to restore system data, you need to use nandroid backup or selected apps in TiBu. When you restore user apps (missing apps in your case) all their data is restored and restored to the level of functionality they had before backing up.
For full-screen gestures, it's likely some mismatch between existing settings and restored system settings.
As for the accounts, it was likely because of restoring the app itself, they would have been there even before you backed them up.
Again, for system settings, you can't rely on TiBu in One UI, restoring system settings barely works in stock android.
My workflow is like this, If I am just tinkering with the system but my phone is stable, I do a nandroid backup (backup in recovery) and try out the mod/feature if it suits me, I continue with it, if not I restore back.
If I know I want to format, I generally need to do this when I've messed up in the system and need to start over. I install all I need in TWRP, setup the system only restoring call and SMS backup from Samsung Cloud, restore missing apps and go through the phone settings and set them up again. This ensures no ****ups from the previous install come back and now that I end up doing it regularly, I can do all this under 30 mins.
firesword14 said:
TiBu is a powerful tool if you know how to use it, in a majority of the cases restoring any complete system backup is always a bad idea. If you ever want to restore system data, you need to use nandroid backup or selected apps in TiBu. When you restore user apps (missing apps in your case) all their data is restored and restored to the level of functionality they had before backing up.
For full-screen gestures, it's likely some mismatch between existing settings and restored system settings.
As for the accounts, it was likely because of restoring the app itself, they would have been there even before you backed them up.
Again, for system settings, you can't rely on TiBu in One UI, restoring system settings barely works in stock android.
My workflow is like this, If I am just tinkering with the system but my phone is stable, I do a nandroid backup (backup in recovery) and try out the mod/feature if it suits me, I continue with it, if not I restore back.
If I know I want to format, I generally need to do this when I've messed up in the system and need to start over. I install all I need in TWRP, setup the system only restoring call and SMS backup from Samsung Cloud, restore missing apps and go through the phone settings and set them up again. This ensures no ****ups from the previous install come back and now that I end up doing it regularly, I can do all this under 30 mins.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for taking your time to reply this thread, I am clearly new at this and I am barely scratching the surface. Gonna try and search more info about this "nandroid backup" (not even know what this is and how it works) you mention and see how it works. As for "TRWP" I read something about it but per the offical site: "Long story short, TWRP support for Android 10 is going to take a while." and that is why I did not pay attention to this app

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