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
Click to expand...
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
Related
Question, how does backing up Apps with programs like Astro and TI or whatever work? Does it just keep you from having to re-download them from the market when you do a full wipe and flash a ROM? If so, does it restore their market link so that they are updateable? Or do they just do app data?
Sorry, I'm confused. I don't normally have much app data, so I just re-download all my apps each time, and was wondering if I was 'doing it wrong'.
And which program is recommended for backups?
I recommend Titanium Backup, but with the caveat that you should do some research to see how it works. It will back up apps, user settings, and even system settings - but that doesn't mean you can just restore them willy-nilly. For instance, if you backup your apps and app settings, then flash a new ROM, then restore those apps and settings, there may be conflicts between the new ROM and the old programs. It's really more of a just-in-case way to back things up. People have also reported that MyBackup works well. I use TI myself.
In fact, please read this article by flipz (he developed the Fresh ROMs).
All it does is basically takes a snapshot of your system. It copies app files and settings databases. Later, you can restore the apps and data (and even things like account settings and scenes if you know what you're looking for) and be back where you were, as long as things work correctly. There are batch operations, but it all still takes a while to be safe and know that you're not restoring things that will break your system.
It's good, but I recommend a complete nandroid backup (ClockworkMod or Amon RA) if you're not jumping around between ROMs. That's really a better "everything" backup method.
Hope that helps.
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.
My understanding is that GingerBread (2.3.x) will handle automatically restoring your apps after a wipe or you switch between ROM (each with clean wipe).
It asks about "backing up google".
I'm currently using MikG 0.5 and was using MikG RC1 for quite a while (since it was released 3 weeks?).
I was hoping starting with a fresh wipe it would restore my apps but it does not.
I think on one of these gingerbread ROMs (I've tried a bunch) I think it did partially restore apps. Not just paid ones. I forget if it was complete or not.
Is there something explicit you have to do to make this all work?
mswlogo said:
My understanding is that GingerBread (2.3.x) will handle automatically restoring your apps after a wipe or you switch between ROM (each with clean wipe).
It asks about "backing up google".
I'm currently using MikG 0.5 and was using MikG RC1 for quite a while (since it was released 3 weeks?).
I was hoping starting with a fresh wipe it would restore my apps but it does not.
I think on one of these gingerbread ROMs (I've tried a bunch) I think it did partially restore apps. Not just paid ones. I forget if it was complete or not.
Is there something explicit you have to do to make this all work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That still seems to be hit or miss. Is there any reason you're not using Titanium Backup?
-viperboy- said:
That still seems to be hit or miss. Is there any reason you're not using Titanium Backup?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because I don't like it. Recently I wanted to use it for a piece of software for TTS I bought and was no longer available in the Market. And it completely fell on it's face. All I did was copy the APK from system from a restored back up and it installed fine.
I also don't want to restore potentially incompatible apps. I assume Google will trigger Market to install latest right from the start.
I also don't have to explicitly choose what to back up and what to restore.
I've seen the Google Stuff work, and it works well when it works.
mswlogo said:
Because I don't like it. Recently I wanted to use it for a piece of software for TTS I bought and was no longer available in the Market. And it completely fell on it's face. All I did was copy the APK from system from a restored back up and it installed fine.
I also don't want to restore potentially incompatible apps. I assume Google will trigger Market to install latest right from the start.
I also don't have to explicitly choose what to back up and what to restore.
I've seen the Google Stuff work, and it works well when it works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the problem. Honestly, TB can be complicated to use but what you're describing sounds like user error. You also don't have to explicitly choose what to backup and restore in TB either. Just go into Menu > Batch > Backup all user apps to backup and then Restore all user apps when you want to restore. Then just use the Market to update any out of date apps. It takes forever for the Market to get your apps back anyway, I always use TB and so does almost anyone else on a custom ROM.
Call me a purist, but I don't like Titanium Backup either. Granted, I don't use a ton of market apps, only about a dozen or so ... just not a problem. To get back to the original question, Google has always restored my apps on CM6/7, up to and including the 3-7 gapps. The newer gapps used with Android 2.3.4 are where everything began to break down.
-viperboy- said:
That's the problem. Honestly, TB can be complicated to use but what you're describing sounds like user error. You also don't have to explicitly choose what to backup and restore in TB either. Just go into Menu > Batch > Backup all user apps to backup and then Restore all user apps when you want to restore. Then just use the Market to update any out of date apps. It takes forever for the Market to get your apps back anyway, I always use TB and so does almost anyone else on a custom ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't want to back it up like that. I think it causes problems.
I backed up this app explicitly, went to restore explicitly and it didn't work. Pretty Simple.
I'd like the google feature. I want something that coordinates with the mark app and installs the instead if the backup is old.
mswlogo said:
I don't want to back it up like that. I think it causes problems.
I backed up this app explicitly, went to restore explicitly and it didn't work. Pretty Simple.
I'd like the google feature. I want something that coordinates with the mark app and installs the instead if the backup is old.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good luck
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!
Hello all,
I am thinking of flashing another rom to my Desire (currently have: Cool3D Aces v5 - but there's a lot of lag).
I want to keep some of my applications with their settings and data..in example, handcent (messages, settings), poweramp (settings), ColorNote notes, any.Do notes and etc..
Which program will help me do that?
I think titanium backup might be perfect for my needs. After flashing the new rom, can I restore each one of these apps at the exact state they were?
Am I going to experience any force-closes?
Thank you for your time!
You won't have FC's but depending on rom you might get slowdowns. It is recommended to restore just apps without data.
Sent from my GT-P3100 using Flashes and Thunders
there are several apps available which do the same thing, though i've never had a problem backing up and restoring apps with titanium
to restore them in the exact state, you have to restore app + data (again i've not had a problem with this). it should restore all your preferences, and also useful for things like games so you save your progress :victory:...
if this doesn't work, as above, just restore the app only, set everything else up manually (though this is not much different from downloading the app from scratch, sort of defeating the purpose of titanium)
i think titanium can now backup and restore sms as well, though not tried it. handcent may have the feature built in too.
do not restore system data with titanium, as it's very likely incompatible between roms, and that would cause FC's!
(backup your contacts through google if you haven't already)
I never had a problem in restoring user apps alongwith data. Saved me loads of homework everytime. If FC happens you can always clear that app data.
If you are moving from a gb rom to ICS or Jelly and restore app data it can cause issues. Moving from one gb rom to another is usually fine. I use my backup pro as I prefer it over titanium.
Thank you all for your replies!
nlooooo said:
You won't have FC's but depending on rom you might get slowdowns. It is recommended to restore just apps without data.
Sent from my GT-P3100 using Flashes and Thunders
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why slowdowns? :S
eddiehk6 said:
there are several apps available which do the same thing, though i've never had a problem backing up and restoring apps with titanium
to restore them in the exact state, you have to restore app + data (again i've not had a problem with this). it should restore all your preferences, and also useful for things like games so you save your progress :victory:...
if this doesn't work, as above, just restore the app only, set everything else up manually (though this is not much different from downloading the app from scratch, sort of defeating the purpose of titanium)
i think titanium can now backup and restore sms as well, though not tried it. handcent may have the feature built in too.
do not restore system data with titanium, as it's very likely incompatible between roms, and that would cause FC's!
(backup your contacts through google if you haven't already)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For sms I am using sms backup and restore (great app!). For handcent what I really care is to save my customizations to the interface, like theme, fonts, etc..
What does system data contain? (an example?)
I am usually backing them up by exporting them to the sd as .vcf..
handy5876 said:
I never had a problem in restoring user apps alongwith data. Saved me loads of homework everytime. If FC happens you can always clear that app data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great! So the data is making problems? :S
hans moleman said:
If you are moving from a gb rom to ICS or Jelly and restore app data it can cause issues. Moving from one gb rom to another is usually fine. I use my backup pro as I prefer it over titanium.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good thank you!
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Is there going to be any problem as the rom I am using has A2SD functionality?
I just saw in this thread that there is also a "Dalvik.Cache To SD-EXT"..should I use it for now, to temporarily get more space?
Apparently davik on sd is a bit slower. I have had davlik on sd on several different roms and can honestly say I have never noticed a slowdown so go for it if you need the space.
You should be fine restoring if using A2SD. As mentioned earlier by handy if you get probs you might have to clear your app data. Worst case uninstall the problem app and re-install. If you get force close issues after restoring apps try fix_permissions.
I've got FCs when I restore a bunch of apps or all my apps with Titanium. My solution was to remember what apps did FC and restore them one by one with Titanium, et voila no more FCs
Don't know why this happens, but as long as I now know a solution for this I am quite happy