Develop Bugs

[Q] Problems with backups, how to restore missing apps

Dear All
Having a rooted Desire with Froyo and Apps2SD+, i needed to migrate to a bigger 16 GB card. In that (failed) effort I decided to remove all apps and then restore them.
I backed them up via MybAckup Pro and Titanium Backup. Then, after reboot, no backups were detected by TB. I even wrote to the support but no answer. I had to revert to MyBackup Pro which apparently had a mind of its own regarding which apps to restore. Now Google Maps is missing on my phone and neither will it install. Also, com.gapps are closing on me every minute.
I have decided to do a factory reset but it'd be nice if a few questions are answered first:
1) I understand that NANDROID is the best way to back up; however, it doesn't provide me a way to restore apps one by one or in batches. Any solutions?
2) When I do a factory reset, will I end up with a clean phone with root and my current custom ROM, or the phone as it came from Orange?
3) Is there a way to install Google Maps and to remove the gapps errors without factory reset?
4) If I restore from NANDROID after factory reset, will all the errors/instability come back as well?
Thanks

1) Nandroid does an image of your custom phone, like for example Norton Ghost would do. Its like saving the setup/state of the phone at the time you do the backup.
2) A factory reset deletes all user data. You end with your current ROM as it was a clean install, it will not change the ROM you're using. If you're using a custom ROM you will still be with that custom ROM.
3) Can't Google Maps be downloaded from Market? Also you can try to extract the .apk from a ROM and copy it to yours via adb for example. As for the errors I dont really know if they're because data corruption and a reset will fix them or its the apk that isnt working as intended.
4) As I said earlier, doing a Nandroid is doing an image of the current state of the phone. If you do a Nandroid of a phone that has errors and you restore it, the errors wont disapear.
If you want to have a backup of the list of apps you already have you can use AppBrain. Its a little app that syncs your list of apps from the phone into a google account so when you do a full wipe you have only to install that app again and sync with the saved google list of apps. It wont save the data of the aplications but it will save the list of the ones you've installed.

Azureus: That is a most helpful reply, I sincerely appreciate it.
Google maps is not appearing in the market. I tried to sideload it and it still doesn't install. Thanks for the GREAT AppBrain trick.
I would appreciate if you could answer:
1) Which is the best, most stable custom ROM to use with official Froyo+Sense, Apps2SD+ ? I have doubts about stability of current ROM.
2) Which app can enable me to back up apps and then restore them one by one, given that Titanium Backup is not working for me somehow?

1) I personally use OpenDesire and its a non Sense UI ROM, so I dont really know what Sense UI ROM is the best. I've tryed several Sense UI ROMs and two that gave me a good feeling where LeeDrOiD Mod and the official Sense ROM of OpenDesire Team.
2) I've tryed several apps for data backups and the one that I liked most was Titanium Backup... May I ask why isnt working for you? I've tested both the free and donate version and they seem to work pretty well...

Thanks. Will try Leedroid now.
As for titanium, or backs up everything all right but when I try to restore it shows nothing. Don't know why is that

Titanium Backup saves the backups by default in a folder as the same name as the app in your SD. Have you tried deleting all the folder and doing backups again to see if the restore works? You can also go to settings and change the default folder in which it saves the backup to see if its a problem with de folder/SD or its the app.

Anyone have a clean backup/restore for ROM changes?

I used to have a WinMo device that I would flash new roms to a couple times a month. I had a procedure down to backup contacts, SMS, and CallLogs with some other info. Then after, the flash i would restore the SMS, contacts, and Call logs and an auto installer (Sashimi) would redo all my settings (email, registry, etc) and then install a couple apps I used regularly. I used this method because the ROMs would change the software on the device around and I didn't trust a standard app backup since it might restore old files onto a newer build app.
I know with Android, there's a ton of apps (Titanium, sprint, etc) to do backups but some seem more purpose built than others. Plus, the contacts get backed up on google, so they don't matter much.
Does anyone have a good method that they use to backup the data and restore between ROM changes on Android similar to the above?

Titanium backup is pretty much the gold standard for Android
It will back up ALL of your apps, their data, and your system data but you want to be careful about restoring system data. If you restore everything you're likely to get boot loops from something being incompatible, just be selective about what system data you restore and maybe only restore one thing at a time the first couple times so you can get a feel for what restores well and what doesnt.
Conversly I have had almost no problems batch restoring all my apps and their data. The only real problem you are likely to have is with apps that check to see if it's a restored copy or an install from the original apk. None of gameloft's games can be restored, for example. That has been my experience, hope it helps.

nebenezer pretty much got it, I'll just add a couple points
Invest in the donate version of Titanium. It automates the re-install process of apps. Otherwise, you will have to physically press Install, and then OK once an app is finished installing, for every app.
System settings items in green (includes SMS messages, call log, etc) are pretty much safe to backup/restore when switching ROMs, you just have to make sure you are switching between like ROMs.
For example:
2.2 Sense-based ROM <----> 2.2 Sense-based ROM - Ok
CyanogenMOD AOSP <----> 2.2 Sense-based ROM - Bad
Any 2.2 ROM <----> Any 2.1 ROM - Bad
Sense AOSP-lite ROM <----> 2.2 Sense-based ROM - You can probably get away with a few settings, but if you try to restore HTC Browser settings/bookmarks to AOSP browser, etc, or vice versa, it will likely cause issues.
That just goes for settings, as far as user apps, those are pretty much safe to restore to/from any ROM.

The big "how do you restore your apps and settings after flashing a ROM" thread?

The big "how do you restore your apps and settings after flashing a ROM" thread?
Hi all,
Just rooted my phone a couple of days ago and been playing around with some ROMS.
Now I've found one to my liking so I am installing configuring everything again but what if there's a new version of my ROM I want to install, I have to do everything all over again which is a bit silly in this modern time
As I see it
- you have apps installed from market
- you have manually installed apps (e.g. modded widgets, applications and stuff)
I currently use Astro to backup the apps, this works well but
- the market doesn't recognize the apps (to do with market cache I suppose)
workaround: you can use the atrackdog app to follow application updates
- it doesn't restore app settings
some of my apps have backup mechanisms of their own but not all
I've flashed a GB rom now and I've selected the google backup option, is this reliable? What does it exactly backup?
Any other tools available? I heard about titanium back but also read stories where it doesn't always work.
Anyhoew: what do you use? what works for you?
Would be great if we could consolidate everything here and figure out the best/easiest way.
Cheers
B

Titanium Backup - restores apps and data
Job done

EddyOS said:
Titanium Backup - restores apps and data
Job done
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do the apps show up in the market again?
Cheers
B

Titanium backup - backups apps dta/settings fo apps. and basically everythig (settings,sms etc.).

berre said:
Do the apps show up in the market again?
Cheers
B
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, they do.

ok great so how's the best way to use this?
I've downloaded the free version, and the busybox
I guess I have to use the filter for files of type "user" so I only see my apps?
which batch should I run then, backup all user data + system data?
*edit will this restore stuff like my launcher settings and design, email accounts in enhanced email and stuff like that too?
cheers
B

Don't know, just used it to backup my Angry Birds saves as the rest I do from scratch anyway

berre said:
ok great so how's the best way to use this?
I've downloaded the free version, and the busybox
I guess I have to use the filter for files of type "user" so I only see my apps?
which batch should I run then, backup all user data + system data?
*edit will this restore stuff like my launcher settings and design, email accounts in enhanced email and stuff like that too?
cheers
B
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Almost everything will be restored. Free version will prompt for each app
Swyped with my Starburst based Desire. Forgive any typos!

Be careful backing up system settings though as they often don't restore very well on different ROMs, i broke my first flash on Cyanogen by restoring bluetooth settings from a Sense ROM.

I use My backup Pro app for this
And I can backup and restore everything but the widgets

Open Titanium, click Backup/restore, hold down the menu key then go to batch, then backup all user apps. Don't back up system settings, as this will conflict with the new OS and cause instabilities. Android should auto backup Wi-Fi and calendars online for you, mine does, but it's Gingerbread 2.3.3 I'm not sure if this feature was around in the Froyo days.
Everything will be restored as it was, except widgets on the homescreen, you'll need to remove them and put them back on, all settings for them will save so you don't have to mess about customizing things.
You've probably worked it out by now, but just in case this is my 2 cents.

I'm using Titanium Backup for the Apps.
For the Messages I've got MyBackup and MIUI Backup but I prefer MyBackup because I've got different Roms.
But I never restore the System Settings.

I just don't factory reset, format, wipe or however you call it when I flash a rom, I lose the texts though.

Backuping before Super Wipe

Heya.
I want to backup my contacts, my SMSs and App Data before doing a super wipe and flashing a new rom. I'd also like to backup my phone settings and apps too, but that probably kinda removes some of the beneficial effects of the wipe.
I've used Titanium Backup to do these things before, but I've been getting more and more FCs that no one else using the rom have reported so I'm thinking my wiping hasn't been fully effective.
What are the best ways to backup these things? I want the backup methods to be easy to do and restore but should leave othing bad behind so I wouldn't get extra FCs.
Best for contacts: Google (?)
Best for SMS: ?
Best for App Data: ?
Thanks alot!

Diffler said:
Heya.
I want to backup my contacts, my SMSs and App Data before doing a super wipe and flashing a new rom. I'd also like to backup my phone settings and apps too, but that probably kinda removes some of the beneficial effects of the wipe.
I've used Titanium Backup to do these things before, but I've been getting more and more FCs that no one else using the rom have reported so I'm thinking my wiping hasn't been fully effective.
What are the best ways to backup these things? I want the backup methods to be easy to do and restore but should leave othing bad behind so I wouldn't get extra FCs.
Best for contacts: Google (?)
Best for SMS: ?
Best for App Data: ?
Thanks alot!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use mybackup root and dont have any problems there is a free version on the market to try first.
Hit the thanks if it helped
Ricey

Before flashing a new rom be sure to do backups if you don't want to have problems. But also be aware that some programs may perform different on different ROMs because of kernel, sense ans no-sense roms etc. Some programs I backedup on some roms worked like charm and on some roms they FC, but after uninstall and instal from .apk program works again.
For program and DATA I use Titanium. You can restore only APP, Only DATA or both APP+DATA (which can restore high scores in games or program settings you set).
Titanium backup can also restore screens and system datas like Wi-Fi settings, accounts, SMS messages...... With that system data I found most problems because roms have a different versions of stock programs, and restoring data for facebook old version while backup is made on new version can be a problem. Happened to me. It is best if you restore system data to exact same rom or an updated version of last used rom (my experience).
Contacts you don't have to backup, at least i don't, because they will be pulled back to your phone when you set your google account.
I take screenshots of homescreen and app drawer, just in case that I don't forget something to install.
Full wipe you have to do when you completely moving from one rom to another. If you just upgrading you don't have to full wipe (only if it is necessary, but it will be written on home page of a rom developer). Every rom come with detailed instruction how to install. Some of them have application (.zip) to full wipe and format system. It there is such application you have to use it, if you want FC free DHD.
Hope it helps,

Thanks, looks good. Is it okay to move settings from older rom with older kernel and other things to a newer rom or can these cause force closes? How about app data, I'd like to keep my progress on few games for example, does backuping app data and moving them to a wiped fresh rom cause force closes?
Thanks!
EDIT: Didn't see the last post before this reply, it clears up stuff, thanks!

App restore after flashing custom ROM (Leedroid)

Hello, i have a problem with the restore of my apps after flashing a custom rom (Leedroid, of course). I’m running Leedroid 2.5.0. I make a backup of my apps trough Titanium. Then I flash rom and restore all my apps with Titanium. Everything seems to be ok but when I try to restore my desk applications, contact list, accounts …. From Titanium, I have several problems such as Contact applications which get a Force Close error. HTC logo appears when I quit an application and come back to Home…
What do I make wrong?

A lot of system applications do not work with data restores as the formats mights be incompatible between ROMS. This is especially true when changing from Sense to Nonsense ROMS but it seems that this is not the case with you.
Fortunately, the contact list is usually backed up to your email account, and should be restored by a sync, so there is no need to use Ti for it. I think its best to enter the account information manually and then restore the other system apps one by one, checking for FCs each time.
I'm not sure by what exactly you mean by desk applications but to this day I have not successfully restored the entire home screen configuration (esp widgets) between installation of launchers and this goes for Rosie, ADW and Go.

if it helps MIUI rom has its own backup function and i feel its much more reliable.

do0b said:
if it helps MIUI rom has its own backup function and i feel its much more reliable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 But don't backup your contact list. Already backuped with your google account