Possible to completely backup stock phone? - Desire Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I have a stock (2.1) Desire and am now considering rooting it for the first time. If possible, I would like to make a complete backup of the device before flashing a new rom, to be able to revert and restore my current apps/settings if I for some reason would like to do so.
Is this possible, and if so, can you point me to a guide?
If not, how much of my current settings/apps will be lost after rooting (with either a 2.1 or 2.2 rom), and how much is stored "in the cloud" and would be reapplied after flash?
Thanks in advance.

MyBackup Pro can do pretty good job with apps, settings and data

Thanks for the suggestion.
Looking at the product description, I don't really find any mention of what data is backed up, other than data from a short list of applications neither of which I use.. Also it seems to store the data on the developer's servers, which is not at all what I want.
Thanks anyway..

it allows you to choose where you want to store it, sd card or their servers...
Only few things will miss after restore, like market entries for apps... I can't remember all the details

Related

still can't understand the deal with TitaniumBackup

Ok, so to me this program seems great - backs up pretty much EVERYTHING for me, so that if I flash and wipe a new rom, it restores everything to a usable level. Now my issue is I can't understand what people mean when they say you might as well not wipe at all. If you can't use TB to restore after a wipe, what is the point of using TB at all???
Is there a way to select parts that are "ok" to restore after a wipe? or is TB pretty much pointless?
Thanks
Read this it will help explain how TB can mess with your ROM.
http://geekfor.me/faq/why-you-shouldnt-be-using/
P_Dub_S said:
Read this it will help explain how TB can mess with your ROM.
http://geekfor.me/faq/why-you-shouldnt-be-using/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks I read that but his post didn't really make it clear for me:
problem is that when a user makes the backup on one rom/build/version and imports it on another
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Click to collapse
What exactly does this mean? I am running CM6 nightlies. Should it be wiped and not restored via TB each time? What about going from RC1 to RC2?
If the situation is such that you can restore via TB, then why not just flash the new one and skip wiping altogether?
Well one nice thing about Cm rom's is you can have google backup all the programs you download from the Market so no need for TB there. Where the problems can lie with TB is the SQLlite database files when restoring your user settings. If something has changed from rom versions and you restore your old sqllite settings and now its missing some information thats needed for the newer version rom it can cause problems like force closes or reboots.
For nightly's I just upgrade without a wipe. If I do have any quirks then I try a wipe which usually fixes whatever quirk I'm having.
P_Dub_S said:
Well one nice thing about Cm rom's is you can have google backup all the programs you download from the Market so no need for TB there. Where the problems can lie with TB is the SQLlite database files when restoring your user settings. If something has changed from rom versions and you restore your old sqllite settings and now its missing some information thats needed for the newer version rom it can cause problems like force closes or reboots.
For nightly's I just upgrade without a wipe. If I do have any quirks then I try a wipe which usually fixes whatever quirk I'm having.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah, I've been skipping the wipe unless there is a quirk.
So basically it sounds like TB is a total waste of time if you are running CM6? Sorry... just hard for me to understand why people love the program so much if there is no real application for it? Or is it just outdated by the backing up with Google?
it's like this - TB allows you to backup apps and settings. You may want to use this in addition to the backup that google provides - what if you find a great app, but its removed from the market? I don't think that the google backup will help you then - it will only restore what's currently in the market (disclaimer - I don't use CM6, so I'm not 100% on that).
The waste of time thing comes into play with people who have issues with a rom, so they re-flash the rom and restore apps and settings with TB. It might have been some of the settings (that were just restored with TB) that were causing the issues in the first place.
fachadick said:
it's like this - TB allows you to backup apps and settings. You may want to use this in addition to the backup that google provides - what if you find a great app, but its removed from the market? I don't think that the google backup will help you then - it will only restore what's currently in the market (disclaimer - I don't use CM6, so I'm not 100% on that).
The waste of time thing comes into play with people who have issues with a rom, so they re-flash the rom and restore apps and settings with TB. It might have been some of the settings (that were just restored with TB) that were causing the issues in the first place.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
^what he said
I LOVE TB but I use it to restore my apps and their data ONLY, I do not use it to restore system data.
I think with tb....when you restore your apps you have the choice to restore the apps with out the user data. Also you can choose to wipe them of data Before you restore.
Powered By CM-6 + Snap
berardi said:
yeah, I've been skipping the wipe unless there is a quirk.
So basically it sounds like TB is a total waste of time if you are running CM6? Sorry... just hard for me to understand why people love the program so much if there is no real application for it? Or is it just outdated by the backing up with Google?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unlike Google's backup, TB backs up your /data/data folder, not just the APK's from your market-downloaded applications.
In other words, it backs up your application data, your apps you installed manually/downloaded, and all of your settings, such as Bluetooth name and pairings, WiFi networks (and security settings), etc.
My rule of thumb is, if going from one build to another (ie, Stock to CM6, etc.) then do NOT restore any system settings/apps. Just do a backup of YOUR apps, as-is, move over to the new ROM, restore apps and their settings, then go to the Market and update everything. Simple as that, and you shouldn't get any errors.
fachadick said:
it's like this - TB allows you to backup apps and settings. You may want to use this in addition to the backup that google provides - what if you find a great app, but its removed from the market? I don't think that the google backup will help you then - it will only restore what's currently in the market (disclaimer - I don't use CM6, so I'm not 100% on that).
The waste of time thing comes into play with people who have issues with a rom, so they re-flash the rom and restore apps and settings with TB. It might have been some of the settings (that were just restored with TB) that were causing the issues in the first place.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks that definitely helps. Market-removed apps seems like a good reason to have it. (I already bought it just trying to determine how to use it anyways)
Ok so is it fair enough to say it has a relatively "niche" market with the addition of market backups? I hate to be a bull in the ChinaShop but it seems like people really tip toe around the idea of TB being outdated by market backups. I get the general idea of what you guys are saying but I'm trying to decide what I want to do in personal practice.
I don't think I've experienced any issues but who knows if I've had less than optimal performance because of restoring previous settings. Are there any "safe" items that can be backed up and restored or is nothing really "safe" they all have entries in sqlite database that might be duplicated?
Thanks again guys for humoring me

[Q] Restoring Apps/Contacts After Flashing ROM

I've done a few searches on the forum and several on Google, but I can't seem to find what I'm looking for. I've been running a custom kernel with stock 2.2 for a while now, and the only thing keeping me from flashing another ROM (maybe deodexed stock 2.2? Not sure yet) is all the stuff I have on my phone right now. I guess it's not a lot compared to some of you guys. Around thirty or so apps and widgets from the market, along with all their settings, and all my contacts.
If I nandroid before wiping and flashing, how do I recover just my apps, settings, and contacts? Is that a good idea, or should I go with something like Titanium? Before I back up all that stuff, should I move my apps from my SD card to my phone? Sorry if you guys answer questions like this every day, but I can't find **** with the forum search.
tl;dr - Wanna know how to restore apps/settings after flashing new ROM.
Titanium is the way to go for that. It backs up all your apps, contacts, messages and settings. I never move my apps back to my phone from the SD before a backup and I haven't had any problems.
Ballin. Thanks for the suggestion. So I just go to "Backup all user apps + system data", wipe, flash, reinstall Titanium (?), and run the restore?
Sorta. I run two separate backups, one for user apps and one for system data. I only backup certain things in the system data list so doing the separate backups makes it easier for me to choose what I am and am not backing up. Only gotta do one restore though, and then a reboot.
Alright, cool. I'll give all this a shot. Appreciate the help, bro.
No prob, happy to help.

Backing up stuff

Hi. What do I need in order to backup my SMS, emails, gmail, google and samsung accounts settings, general phone settings, etc, as I assume they'll get wiped if I flash firmware? Apps I'm not to bothered, I'll make a list then redownload.
Clockwork mod..
Google account sync...
Titanium backup...
My backup pro...
SMS backup from market is free for SMS.
Thanks for the suggestions. Seeing as how Titanium backup and My backup pro are all in one backup apps, they interest me the most. My Backup Pro is most appealing to me, looks dead easy to use.
But the titanium one says I need to be rooted, is that right? But I'm not rooted, so I guess it won't back up my stuff?
My Backup Pro, according to someone, you need to pay to have extra online storage as it only gives you 100mb?
It also says it needs to be rooted: "NOTE: Data/setting of applications can only be supported if you have a rooted phone, or if the application integrates with us."
Depending on the rom, you may not need to wipe.
I would recommend Titanium backup, it can do everything you want.
You cant restore everything, in titamium backup, items in red are ones you shouldnt restore unless you are willing to risk things breaking, green is for useful+safe things (eg sms's, account settings, call history) and user apps can for the most part be back'ed up and restores however you wish (data+app, just data).
You will need a rooted phone, which means odin flashing a kernel.
veyka said:
Depending on the rom, you may not need to wipe.
I would recommend Titanium backup, it can do everything you want.
You cant restore everything, in titamium backup, items in red are ones you shouldnt restore unless you are willing to risk things breaking, green is for useful+safe things (eg sms's, account settings, call history) and user apps can for the most part be back'ed up and restores however you wish (data+app, just data).
You will need a rooted phone, which means odin flashing a kernel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks veyka. Ah well, I don't think I'll bother then since you confirmed i need a rooted phone, it's more hassle than it's worth. Guess I'll get the free SMS app which was suggested, redownload apps myself, transfer photos and movies manually to my hard drive, and re-do my phone settings. Not bothered about emails really since they're all duplicated on my pc anyway.
"Depending on the rom, you may not need to wipe." Well, all I want to do is upgrade from android 2.3.3 to 2.3.4 on my stock ROM to improve battery life.
Apparently I need to use ODIN which will wipe stuff, unless that's not the case or unless there's some other way to upgrade to 2.3.4 without losing stuff on the phone?
Roman5 said:
"Depending on the rom, you may not need to wipe." Well, all I want to do is upgrade from android 2.3.3 to 2.3.4 on my stock ROM to improve battery life.
Apparently I need to use ODIN which will wipe stuff, unless that's not the case or unless there's some other way to upgrade to 2.3.4 without losing stuff on the phone?
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Click to collapse
You can wait for the official Samsung 2.3.4 firmware upgrade to be rolled out via KIES for your phone .
jje
JJEgan said:
You can wait for the official Samsung 2.3.4 firmware upgrade to be rolled out via KIES for your phone .
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ye, I was considering that from a warranty pov amongst other things. Is there word on an approximate relase date? Also, I don't have WI-FI for Kies Air. Will it be a file I can download to PC then use kies to transfer to my phone, just like I do now when connecting the USB cable and Kies comes up on screen then shows my phone's internal storage on my PC screen?

[Q] New ROMs and Titanium Backup Pro restore apps/data

I'm pretty sure that this hasn't been covered specifically so I'm posting a new thread.
I backed up all my apps and data on a stock rooted Sprint 4.24.651.1, 2.3.3 ROM via TBU Pro. I also performed a backup of my current ROM with ROM Manager. I then installed Team Nocturnal _Shooter_RLS_2.3.(after, of course, all the recommended wipes and resets) When I went to restore my apps and data I wondered if some of the previous app versions (where both ROMs have same apps/diff versions) would hose things up. It did, I think. Maybe all that I needed to do was clear some app caches and reboot. Not sure, I couldn't get any of the HTC widgets to load but I did see in another thread that cache clearing may fix that. But other stuff was goofy after the restore too. It became buggy and horribly slow, so I think that there's more to it than just the HTC stuff. I wonder if something I restored and maybe shouldn't have hosed it up. What I'm wondering is if someone would be so kind as to scan down my app lists and tell me which apps and/or data that are obvious that I shouldn't restore? For example, this new ROM has a different dialer, it makes sense to me that I wouldn't restore that. Same with anything to do with Sense, since this particular ROM I believe has a newer version, but not sure. I am thinking that any time I install a different ROM this will be a consideration but maybe I have the wrong idea about the whole thing. I have attached 30 images captured (incl the Software info screen) of my app list in TBU.
Lastly, I'll add that since making the move to Android from WinMo about a year ago I am very glad I did it. I could not have possibly been able to learn and do the things (rooting, S-off, flashing ROMS) that I have done without XDA! You folks are brainiacs and I greatly admire what you all do. (blatant a**-kissing)Thank you, thank you!
You have to be very careful about what you restore using Titanium when you are moving from one ROM to another. I found this from personal experience (moving from Stock to Synergy RLS1 and then to MikG). There is some good info in the Titanium Backup Wiki.
The part that you need to be careful about is restoring system data that is incompatible with the newer system apps in your new ROM. Your best bet is to only restore the User Apps and their data. You can do this in Titanium by selecting Menu > Batch > Restore missing apps with data.
There is some system data that you can restore without getting into trouble (probably bookmarks, SMS Messages, Sprint Voicemail) but you are going to have to experiment. I restored my missing apps using the batch option and then went to the Backup/Restore screen to look at the System Apps and Data one by one to see if there was anything that I could restore. Sometimes I would restore some data that would cause a problem and I would have to Wipe that data (also in Titanium Backup/Restore screen) and move along. I know at least once I was forced to start fresh and Wipe and reflash the ROM.
gbweller said:
I'm pretty sure that this hasn't been covered specifically so I'm posting a new thread.
I backed up all my apps and data on a stock rooted Sprint 4.24.651.1, 2.3.3 ROM via TBU Pro. I also performed a backup of my current ROM with ROM Manager. I then installed Team Nocturnal _Shooter_RLS_2.3.(after, of course, all the recommended wipes and resets) When I went to restore my apps and data I wondered if some of the previous app versions (where both ROMs have same apps/diff versions) would hose things up. It did, I think. Maybe all that I needed to do was clear some app caches and reboot. Not sure, I couldn't get any of the HTC widgets to load but I did see in another thread that cache clearing may fix that. But other stuff was goofy after the restore too. It became buggy and horribly slow, so I think that there's more to it than just the HTC stuff. I wonder if something I restored and maybe shouldn't have hosed it up. What I'm wondering is if someone would be so kind as to scan down my app lists and tell me which apps and/or data that are obvious that I shouldn't restore? For example, this new ROM has a different dialer, it makes sense to me that I wouldn't restore that. Same with anything to do with Sense, since this particular ROM I believe has a newer version, but not sure. I am thinking that any time I install a different ROM this will be a consideration but maybe I have the wrong idea about the whole thing. I have attached 30 images captured (incl the Software info screen) of my app list in TBU.
Lastly, I'll add that since making the move to Android from WinMo about a year ago I am very glad I did it. I could not have possibly been able to learn and do the things (rooting, S-off, flashing ROMS) that I have done without XDA! You folks are brainiacs and I greatly admire what you all do. (blatant a**-kissing)Thank you, thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I had a feeling that there would be conflicts like that before I even restored. I never thought to read the TBU wiki...thanks for that tip! It looks like I have a lot more homework to do before I flash again. I really have to decide if the time investment is really worth the return. There are so many cool ROMs out there but what a lot of B.S. sorting out what works and what doesn't. It is excruciating to have to read through 50+ posts following a ROM release to find out what you're in for. What would be super-cool is if someone was able to construct a spreadsheet of the most popular ROMs in a column with all of the popular features (4G, Wifi Tether, Mirroring, etc), kernel compatibility, Sense or no Sense, etc in a row at the top, with check marks indicating whether or not the feature works or is baked in. I'd pay to see that. Especially if it were linked to the downloads to the ROMs and kernels.
Thank you very much for the reply!

Backup??

As a recent convert from ios I am used to a rather simple method of backing things up. If i needed to restore my phone, replace the hardware, or upgrade to a new device I could just back up my current device and restore my information to the new one. That included apps and their individual data such as game saves. On android I haven't seen anything similar or as simple. I know thats because of the differences in the os from manufacturer to manufacturer. From what ive gathered Kies is crap. I have heard of Titanium Backup before but I don't know much about it. Does anyone recommend a backup and restore app/software that can help me manage my data/settings/game saves when i try new roms or have to reset my phone. Right now I need to reflash my phone because I'm having some problems, but I really don't want to have to reinstall all of my stuff again and go through all of my settings again. Not to mention I havent found a good way to backup my game saves.
The other question I have is if someone recommends a backup app and i install CM10 agian will I be able to restore all of my apps to cm10 becuase its 4.1 instead of 4.0. Does it affect the way the data is stored or how it is backed up?
thanks in advance for any responses.
bonzai6 said:
As a recent convert from ios I am used to a rather simple method of backing things up. If i needed to restore my phone, replace the hardware, or upgrade to a new device I could just back up my current device and restore my information to the new one. That included apps and their individual data such as game saves. On android I haven't seen anything similar or as simple. I know thats because of the differences in the os from manufacturer to manufacturer. From what ive gathered Kies is crap. I have heard of Titanium Backup before but I don't know much about it. Does anyone recommend a backup and restore app/software that can help me manage my data/settings/game saves when i try new roms or have to reset my phone. Right now I need to reflash my phone because I'm having some problems, but I really don't want to have to reinstall all of my stuff again and go through all of my settings again. Not to mention I havent found a good way to backup my game saves.
The other question I have is if someone recommends a backup app and i install CM10 agian will I be able to restore all of my apps to cm10 becuase its 4.1 instead of 4.0. Does it affect the way the data is stored or how it is backed up?
thanks in advance for any responses.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If going from stock to a stock rom you can use clockwork mod recovery or twrp to make a nandroid and do advanced restore data only. If going from stock to AOSP or CM10 then you should use titanium to backup all apps and data and then use it to restore apps and data but not system apps or settings.
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