I'm new to the rooting, rom'ing, etc and was wondering what the best way is to try a new ROM and minimize setup of all my apps(and their settings) again on the new ROM??
I tried the Warm Z 2.2 ad reloaded my installed apps with Astro but I had to redo all the settings for the apps and where they were on the screens. is thre any way to avoid this and make switching ROM's fast and easy?
THANKS !!
-Chuck
You can use apps like Titanium Backup to backup not only the apps themselves, but their settings. That said, it's generally not a good idea to restore data (i.e. settings) between ROMs. You can introduce some buggy behavior by doing so.
As for backing up your home screens, that is trickier. Widgets? Forget about it. Shortcuts: maybe. Some programs like MyBackup Pro can backup home screens. Some launchers (like LauncherPro) have their own backup features built in for homescreen shortcuts. But even these methods of backing up will be unlikely to restore widgets unless the framework between the ROMs is almost identical.
byrong said:
You can use apps like Titanium Backup to backup not only the apps themselves, but their settings. That said, it's generally not a good idea to restore data (i.e. settings) between ROMs. You can introduce some buggy behavior by doing so.
As for backing up your home screens, that is trickier. Widgets? Forget about it. Shortcuts: maybe. Some programs like MyBackup Pro can backup home screens. Some launchers (like LauncherPro) have their own backup features built in for homescreen shortcuts. But even these methods of backing up will be unlikely to restore widgets unless the framework between the ROMs is almost identical.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, so I shouldn't restore my apps w/ settings if I load a different ROM, only the downloaded apps..and then set them all up again?
Would I be OK to continue with Astro or is Titanium any better for this purpose, I have both now... Or should I dump Astro and just use Titanium Pro?
Thanks !!
KB3MMX said:
Ok, so I shouldn't restore my apps w/ settings if I load a different ROM, only the downloaded apps..and then set them all up again?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can always take a gamble if you want, but yes: only restoring the apps themselves is the safest bet.
If you want to think of it as a spectrum...
Safest > Download apps again from market
Still very safe > Restore apps from Titanium (or Astro, or whatever), but don't restore data
Moderately risky > Restore apps with their data, but don't restore system settings
Very risky > Restore all apps, all data, all system settings
KB3MMX said:
Would I be OK to continue with Astro or is Titanium any better for this purpose, I have both now... Or should I dump Astro and just use Titanium Pro?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Been a very long time since I used Astro, so I don't know what the functionality is like. That said, backing up apps is not a hard task, so if Astro is working, I'd say there's no harm in continuing to use it.
byrong said:
You can always take a gamble if you want, but yes: only restoring the apps themselves is the safest bet.
If you want to think of it as a spectrum...
Safest > Download apps again from market
Still very safe > Restore apps from Titanium (or Astro, or whatever), but don't restore data
Moderately risky > Restore apps with their data, but don't restore system settings
Very risky > Restore all apps, all data, all system settings
Been a very long time since I used Astro, so I don't know what the functionality is like. That said, backing up apps is not a hard task, so if Astro is working, I'd say there's no harm in continuing to use it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome! That help me alot, thanks !!
Not that I have discovered for initial set up of a new rom, but if you make a backup of that rom when switching between ones you have already set up, switching between backups is quick and easy, no additional set up required
0soPolar said:
Not that I have discovered for initial set up of a new rom, but if you make a backup of that rom when switching between ones you have already set up, switching between backups is quick and easy, no additional set up required
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great idea, thanks !!
Related
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
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.
Hello,
I use CM7 + LordModUE
but I want to change to an other CM7 based ROM
With the time, some bugs left on the phone
I want to Backup All programms WITH datas (game saves, options in progs, etc...), backup the phone settings (in parameters), and all datas about messaging
This for make a Full wipe, and change the ROM
Whar Can I use (juste Titanium) ? or somethine else are easier ?
Titanium works.
#flizr said:
Titanium works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
http://www.appbrain.com/app/titanium-backup-★-root/com.keramidas.TitaniumBackup
I prefer My Backup Root. I have one backup of my used programs and renew only the program data backup every two days. Also i can make a seperate backup of User Data and choose between options. It´s free.
Another vote for MyBackup here, it can backup and restore everything selectively. Also don't forget for the ultimate backup make sure you've got an up-to-date Nandroid.
BTW be careful restoring the data to system apps, as this often causes unforeseen circumstances, like alarms not working, that it's best to avoid.
I'm looking for a software that can backup everything on my phone. Actually I use AppBacup&Restore. But I want something that restore my application, widget, and folder on my homescreen. I tryed Titaniu but I'm not familiar with it.
Any suggestion?
I've always preferred my backup root over titanium. From memory it backs up widgets and home screen shortcuts but I haven't used it in months and not 100% certain
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda premium
Titanium Backup is supposed to be the best there is but you need root as far as i know
I got root. But does titanium backup my home screen with my widgets
loscamos said:
I got root. But does titanium backup my home screen with my widgets
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nothing can beat titanium backup,but n if u r using a third party launcher then it will backup ...
loscamos said:
I got root. But does titanium backup my home screen with my widgets
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your screen layouts should be determined by your launcher. Which means if you restore your launcher data, everything should be as is. I know some of the launchers have their own backup/restore, but how much of that is just basic configuration (themes, actions) vs screen\widget layout may vary.
-----
I would love to help you, but help yourself first: ask a better question
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
Ok. Thanks.
If you're looking to back up your apps +their data, then titanium backup is your answer. If you search "top root Apps for Android" in Google, you will undoubtedly see it in the top of every list, and there's good reason for that. It's extremely reliable and works well. If you have a rooted phone and don't mind shelling out 6 dollars for all the features, then go for it. Some other features that the app gives you are: freezing apps, un installing apps including system apps, backing your backups to a cloud, backing up your sms/mms/call logs/Internet bookmarks/wifi aps, extracting from nandroid backup, destroying market links/re-linking, converting apps to system apps and more.
If you want to backup everything (apps, data, your rom and kernal etc), then you use nandroid backup, which is free but requires you to flash cwm recovery.
Titanium backup will backup home screen , folder, short cut except widgets ( I think no SW backup widgets and it just matter of few seconds)
Here is detail guide how to use titanium
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1837984
It's been awhile since I've dabbled with messing with my phone much (on the 2XL, had a 6P before that and unlocked it but that was it). I am thinking it might be time to wipe the device and start fresh, but wondering what the "best" method for backing up and then restoring is for the wipe. I was never great with making the proper backup to restore from so usually ended up re-adding stuff manually and setting everything up again - would love to avoid that. Is the android/google drive backup and restore option sufficient? Is there a better method out there? I don't have a ton of customizations on this phone this time around but avoiding the hassle would be sweet. All photos are backed up to drive, and I can turn on to backups a few other folders as well. Otherwise its just passwords, wifi networks, bluetooth devices, home screen setup, app settings, etc, etc that I hope to maintain.
Also, this phone is NOT unlocked yet but I will probably do that when I wipe it.
I've never used the native backup and restore method, so I can't really comment on that.
- I use Titanium Backup for all my apps
- I create a Nova backup for my launcher (Nova Launcher)
- I transfer my internal storage to my computer (music, photos, videos and so on)
- once I wipe, I restore all that and the only thing I need to setup from scratch is basically everything in system settings, which I've gotten pretty quick at doing now that I've done it several times.
Unfortunately, Titanium Backup requires root, something I guess you can't achieve without unlocking your bootloader first (which requires a wipe).
I guess the best thing would be to try the native backup and restore option or wait for someone else to provide you with better non-root alternatives.
Norcalz71 said:
It's been awhile since I've dabbled with messing with my phone much (on the 2XL, had a 6P before that and unlocked it but that was it). I am thinking it might be time to wipe the device and start fresh, but wondering what the "best" method for backing up and then restoring is for the wipe. I was never great with making the proper backup to restore from so usually ended up re-adding stuff manually and setting everything up again - would love to avoid that. Is the android/google drive backup and restore option sufficient? Is there a better method out there? I don't have a ton of customizations on this phone this time around but avoiding the hassle would be sweet. All photos are backed up to drive, and I can turn on to backups a few other folders as well. Otherwise its just passwords, wifi networks, bluetooth devices, home screen setup, app settings, etc, etc that I hope to maintain. Also, this phone is NOT unlocked yet but I will probably do that when I wipe it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google Backup has improved vastly over the past year or two, so make sure you have it switched on and actively working (including Photos). It's great. I use TiBu also but I don't use it for any System/GApps- usually only "non-market" and root apps so if you don't have those, you don't necessarily need it, but if you do store it OFFLINE. If you use a 3rd party launcher (eg. Nova), backup your "shortcuts" and settings beforehand OFFLINE. Here's one suggestion:
Disclaimer: Before you start, make sure you have the very latest fastboot/adb binaries installed (August 2018). A standalone version is available you just dump into one folder and verify it is working.
Unlock your bootloader (twice) using sticky guides (Nathan). It's important to do the unlock_critical at the same time. You will be starting from a blank slate. Flash the latest full factory image from Google using the provided script (See the Guide). Once you log back into your account, let Google Backup do it's thing fully and completely. Once finished, run TiBu (OPTIONAL) and restore "missing apps" ONLY which are any apps remaining not already installed by Google Backup. Restore your launcher backup, and you are done. I did this last weekend and from a blank slate it took me about one hour to get back everything the way I had it (not a gamer). If you have no non-market / root apps you can skip TiBu be back up and running even quicker. Google Backups is your friend. In closing, don't under-estimate the value of using a 3rd party launcher and it's built-in backup file. Which ever launcher you choose will really pay dividends when you finish restoring from Google Backup. Your desktop icons, widgets, and all pages will be restored just like you had them before. Best of luck.
Appreciate the response, thanks. Is the desktop/home screen config only able to be backed up and restored with the 3rd party launcher? Haven't touched a different non-stock launcher since I think Nova on my Samsung S4, but sounds like there could still be a benefit there?
v12xke said:
Google Backup has improved vastly over the past year or two, so make sure you have it switched on and actively working (including Photos). It's great. I use TiBu also but I don't use it for any System/GApps- usually only "non-market" and root apps so if you don't have those, you don't necessarily need it, but if you do store it OFFLINE. If you use a 3rd party launcher (eg. Nova), backup your "shortcuts" and settings beforehand OFFLINE. Here's one suggestion:
Disclaimer: Before you start, make sure you have the very latest fastboot/adb binaries installed (August 2018). A standalone version is available you just dump into one folder and verify it is working.
Unlock your bootloader (twice) using sticky guides (Nathan). It's important to do the unlock_critical at the same time. You will be starting from a blank slate. Flash the latest full factory image from Google using the provided script (See the Guide). Once you log back into your account, let Google Backup do it's thing fully and completely. Once finished, run TiBu (OPTIONAL) and restore "missing apps" ONLY which are any apps remaining not already installed by Google Backup. Restore your launcher backup, and you are done. I did this last weekend and from a blank slate it took me about one hour to get back everything the way I had it (not a gamer). If you have no non-market / root apps you can skip TiBu be back up and running even quicker. Google Backups is your friend. In closing, don't under-estimate the value of using a 3rd party launcher and it's built-in backup file. Which ever launcher you choose will really pay dividends when you finish restoring from Google Backup. Your desktop icons, widgets, and all pages will be restored just like you had them before. Best of luck.
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Click to collapse
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
Norcalz71 said:
Appreciate the response, thanks. Is the desktop/home screen config only able to be backed up and restored with the 3rd party launcher? Haven't touched a different non-stock launcher since I think Nova on my Samsung S4, but sounds like there could still be a benefit there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are asking how complete the stock Pixel launcher backup is (or if it even offers a backup), I cannot answer. I have always used Nova on all my devices and can only speak to the backup/restore capabilities of it. I don't want to get up on a soap box here, but Nova is worth every penny. Once you restore all your apps, run the launcher backup/restore and you are DONE. Everything is back. Once, I lost my tablet launcher backup and used my Nova phone backup and it restored perfectly to my tablet. I would venture to say that if the launcher is not backed up, THAT is where all the time is in recovering an existing setup. Creating pages of shortcuts and widgets is a pain and that is even if you kept screenshots of them. I also know Nova will "import" your Google launcher settings, so you can easily switch over to Nova before your wipe and then backup your settings. Give it a whirl.
I always used Titanium Backup and still do as a backup but Swift Backup has become my main app for flashing and restoring between ROMs etc. Nicer interface and I don't have to pick and choose between stuff I want to restore as much compared to batch restore missing apps on Titanium.
Titanium Pro and TWRP nandroid...