Develop Bugs

[Q] How to back up entire phone before downgrade for root

Hey guys,
I've searched the forums to no avail regarding this.
I'm currently on a newer sense rom on my desire z: 1.82. Which means if I want to root I need to downgrade. Every guide I read always starts with: make a backup. Good idea, but all the "complete backup" tools (titanium backup, rom manager, ...) require root to do their work.
So how the hell can I get a complete system image (preferably all partitions) without root so I could later return to my current stock rom with all my settings? Clearly I seem to be missing something here. I tried to start rom manager and titanium backup with psneuter temp root but that didn't work either.
Thanks for your help.
Cheers,
elitem0b

You can't, actually.
Sent from my HTC Desire Z(etta Awesome) using XDA App

Well since there is no other answer yet I assume that you simply can't do it ... what a shame. Anyway, to answer my own question there is a way to at least back up the apps, settings and system apps.
In case anyone else may need this:
Code:
adb pull /system/app/ c:\backup\destination\system\app
adb pull /data/app/ c:\backup\destination\data\app
adb pull /data/data/ c:\backup\destination\data\data
adb pull /data/misc/ c:\backup\destination\data\misc
First line backs up system apps
Second line backs up custom apps
Third line backs up custom apps' data
Fourth line backs up settings (e.g. wifi settings)
I put the apps in exactly the same folder structure so I know what to restore to which location in case I want to.
PS: You end up backing up more than you are probably able to restore (e.g. system apps) but it can't hurt
Cheers,
elitem0b

You can use titanium backup after temp root. If gyou use the rage method there is very low risk of damaging anything or even try using visionary for temp root ONLY then delete it after your done backing up and getting work root. This will allow you to save apps and data. Looks like you figured out a way to save system data but I wouldn't bother if I were you. All your contacts are backed up on Google anyway. There's not a whole lot of data to save that's worth risking a brick after.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App

elitem0b said:
Well since there is no other answer yet I assume that you simply can't do it ... what a shame. Anyway, to answer my own question there is a way to at least back up the apps, settings and system apps.
In case anyone else may need this:
Code:
adb pull /system/app/ c:\backup\destination\system\app
adb pull /data/app/ c:\backup\destination\data\app
adb pull /data/data/ c:\backup\destination\data\data
adb pull /data/misc/ c:\backup\destination\data\misc
First line backs up system apps
Second line backs up custom apps
Third line backs up custom apps' data
Fourth line backs up settings (e.g. wifi settings)
I put the apps in exactly the same folder structure so I know what to restore to which location in case I want to.
PS: You end up backing up more than you are probably able to restore (e.g. system apps) but it can't hurt
Cheers,
elitem0b
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I just finally managed to downgrade. Here is what I did to back up.
I used Astro to back up apps. I can easily restore apps after downgraded (but I have to firstly download Astro in order to restore apps)
Contact and calendar was backed up with Gmail.
Navigation map was saved in SD, so I didnt need to do anything.
But I lose my emails in hotmail account. I cant download the older mails (unlike GMAIL)
Now, my next step would be to gain permaroot
Cheers...

[Q] Unlock bootloader + root without data wipe?

Is their a method of unlocking the bootloader and rooting the phone (Verizon LTE Version) without losing my data and settings? I want to install cwm and flash a few tweaks but at his point do not want to have to set the phone back up again. Not having root and cwm prevents the back up I need. Is their a way to back up the data partition without root and restore it later after the unlock and root?

You only lose data when you unlock the bootloader and from what I have read you need to unlock the bootloader to get root. You can backup the contents of your /sd card/ so you can backup your app data but I don't think you'll be able to keep system data. If you have a Google account synced it keeps most of this backed up anyway though.

That is the way I understand it as well, was hoping that their would be a better way to do it. I have transferred over 10 gigs of pictures and music t the phone and with mpt it took loooooong time to transfer all that stuff. I know google will restore the apps and some settings like wifi, but then one has to open all the apps you need a log in for and set them up as well.

havent really used MTP much so i dont know whats faster that or transferring over FTP.. maybe that could help you a bit

No. Bootloader unlock = wipe. No questions, no two ways around it.
adb pull /mnt/sdcard *
Back up the whole sdcard partition.

[Q] Titanium Backup: restoring after wiping

I have the premium version of Titanium Backup which I have been using for over a year with much success.
I have one query which would make it really awesome if it can be accomplished.
I normally only use it when doing a ROM upgrade. When I am getting ready to upgrade, I delete all my old backups, do a new set of backups on all user apps + system data, and wipe and flash the ROM. Then, when I'm back inside, I go into the Market and download Titanium plus the Pro unlock, and restore the backup.
(First of all, is this what you guys do? restoring all system data shouldn't screw up the features of the new ROM from the old one, right?)
The question is: Is there any way to have Titanium run without having to first go into the Market, find the app plus the unlock, download it, and install it? i.e. If I could just run it straight off the SD card, or install it straight off the SD card without having to use the Market.
Ideally, it would be even better if I could have a startup script on first run where it just restores the full set of apps + system data after I've flashed the ROM.
Is this at all possible?

download or extract from a rom the titanium.apk, put it on sd-card an install the apk after flashing new rom and it´s done.

Ozzah said:
I have the premium version of Titanium Backup which I have been using for over a year with much success.
I have one query which would make it really awesome if it can be accomplished.
I normally only use it when doing a ROM upgrade. When I am getting ready to upgrade, I delete all my old backups, do a new set of backups on all user apps + system data, and wipe and flash the ROM. Then, when I'm back inside, I go into the Market and download Titanium plus the Pro unlock, and restore the backup.
(First of all, is this what you guys do? restoring all system data shouldn't screw up the features of the new ROM from the old one, right?)
The question is: Is there any way to have Titanium run without having to first go into the Market, find the app plus the unlock, download it, and install it? i.e. If I could just run it straight off the SD card, or install it straight off the SD card without having to use the Market.
Ideally, it would be even better if I could have a startup script on first run where it just restores the full set of apps + system data after I've flashed the ROM.
Is this at all possible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never restore system data as it can and has causes issues. It is only advised to restore user apps and data never system data.
As for your other question no not that I know of. Most roms worth anything already include TIBU so all you have to do is install the pro key and run it.

Start Titanium backup
Goto menu/more/create update>zip
scroll down and hit "create update.zip"
when you install a new Rom just use "add another zip" when in Rom manager or 4EXT recovery
Goto SD card and select "update.zip" from root of SD card
Hope that helps

alchopop said:
Start Titanium backup
Goto menu/more/create update>zip
scroll down and hit "create update.zip"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, that's great!
Do you know if it is smart enough to bundle the Pro unlock into the update.zip? I opened the zip file up and there only appears to be 1 APK in there.
Would it be difficult (or even possible?) to manually adjust the update.zip so that it includes the Pro unlock APK?

Ozzah said:
Thanks, that's great!
Do you know if it is smart enough to bundle the Pro unlock into the update.zip? I opened the zip file up and there only appears to be 1 APK in there.
Would it be difficult (or even possible?) to manually adjust the update.zip so that it includes the Pro unlock APK?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pro unlock is stored on the SD card, no need to worry about it
Sent from my Desire HD using xda premium

restoring
So I'm returning my nexus for a replacement today. Some kind of battery issue that makes it keep turning off every night:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=34923533#post34923533
On restoring, if I understand right, I'm going to move my titanium folder back to the new nexus to the SD card area.
Run my TiBU apk and just restore my apps and associated files.
If I understand right, I Should Not restore my system files right? (Although i did a lot of customizing i was hoping could come right over).
Then when i have it all customized again, I'll back up the new system and hopefully it won't have any issues anymore.
Just an android noob talking it through, sound good?
I'll be installing the rom and CM10 again of course before doing this.

zelendel said:
Never restore system data as it can and has causes issues. It is only advised to restore user apps and data never system data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, i take this opportunity to ask a question i had in mind for a long time: what exactly do you mean by "system data"?
I mean, can i restore stuff like "Settings", or "Wireless network", "Bluetooth associations", "SMS", "Wallpaper" and stuff like this? Is really annoying to have to re-customize from scratch the CyanogenMod settings and similar stuff, everytime i do a full wipe...

sberla54 said:
Sorry, i take this opportunity to ask a question i had in mind for a long time: what exactly do you mean by "system data"?
I mean, can i restore stuff like "Settings", or "Wireless network", "Bluetooth associations", "SMS", "Wallpaper" and stuff like this? Is really annoying to have to re-customize from scratch the CyanogenMod settings and similar stuff, everytime i do a full wipe...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can restore these, they're not system level files (i.e. make the system run)

GuyInTheCorner said:
You can restore these, they're not system level files (i.e. make the system run)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you!
So....what's the stuff i DON'T have to restore, because messes up my system?

sberla54 said:
Thank you!
So....what's the stuff i DON'T have to restore, because messes up my system?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do not restore data from SYSTEM apps.

dalanik said:
Do not restore data from SYSTEM apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you tell me a couple of examples?
I'm sorry but i really can't figure out which ones are the system apps. In my opinion, even Settings and Wireless networks are system apps.
Do you mean all the services, frameworks, sms and contacts apps and stuff like this?

sberla54 said:
Could you tell me a couple of examples?
I'm sorry but i really can't figure out which ones are the system apps. In my opinion, even Settings and Wireless networks are system apps.
Do you mean all the services, frameworks, sms and contacts apps and stuff like this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think he's talking about app names that are red-colored while you're doing the backup in Titanium BackUp.
Am I right?
Cheers

Please delete

[Q] N7100 adb backup problems, and potential alternatives without rooting?

Yes, I'm a noob. No, I can't keep things brief. I'm sorry video, I just can't do it. Hello XDA. Here's my pickle:
So, my camera's faulty, and I'm going to have to send my Note II back to Kogan. This is my first Android handset, and my first time properly experiencing and using Android (I moved here from a Blackberry Pearl 9100). I don't consider myself a base-line user, I'm competent with many forms of electronics and computing so I quickly settled into Android nicely. Thus far I've rooted, flashed recovery and flashed CyanogenMod 9 for one Android phone (I was the first in my family to make the switch, my sister got a Galaxy Wonder for Christmas and I flashed CM9 so she could have at least ICS for her phone) and it was a fairly straight-forward process, nothing too difficult (although it seems my father's Motorola Defy+ might be a bit trickier).
I'll get to the point, due to the camera being basically dead on arrival, I've got to send it back. I don't want to send it back with all of my personal information intact however, I'd prefer to take a full backup of it and then factory reset the device before sending it away. This is where the warranty clause comes in.
I can't root the device (this action breaks warranty) and therefore can't flash CWM to do a nandroid backup. After some reading, a nandroid sounded like the ideal solution but obviously I can't do that. See, I wanted to backup all of my data, including (if possible) apps, settings, accounts, the works. I really don't want to have to go through the process of re-downloading all of my apps (my internet connection isn't the quickest around) and setting everything up just the way I want it again.
I stumbled across the adb backup technique, and considering the N7100 shipped with Jellybean 4.1 and adb backup requires ICS 4.0+, I thought "Hey, why not. It seems pretty straight forward." I also figured it'd be a small learning experience, I'm thinking about getting into android app development sometime in the near future and needed the SDK anyway so I downloaded and installed that, fired up adb and ran the backup with the following parameters:
Code:
adb backup -f <FILE PATH> -apk -shared -all -nosystem
And it seemed to get stuck on the apk for GTA Vice City. So, after about an hour of sitting, I pulled the plug and tried again. This time it got to Angry Birds and got stuck once more. I decided to run it again, but with a different set of parameters, I thought "Maybe it's getting stuck with the SD card data."
Code:
adb backup -f <FILE PATH> -apk -all -noshared -nosystem
This time it got stuck on Bad Piggies. I pulled the plug once more and started searching for answers, but there's not a huge amount of discussion about the backup function, let alone specific to the Note II. I read some stuff about the One X getting stuck on certain parts, but they certainly weren't games like this.
And that's the thing that links them all, they're games. I'm not sure if that specifically has any effect on the process, but I'm beginning to think that trying to back up EVERYTHING so that I can restore my device to the same state it is in now is a futile effort. Without the ease of a nandroid 'snapshot', I'm running out of ideas. I could go through and delete every game I've installed and try the backup again, but I'd like to see if anyone else has any alternatives or explanations.
Here are my queries, don't feel like you've got to answer them all, they're just the questions I've got in my head right now.
1. Is there any known reason as to why adb backup gets stuck on these apks?
2. Is there a better way of creating some form of 'snapshot' of my device without rooting it?
3. Would Samsung Kies' backup utility keep my app and system settings after a factory reset (in that it'd load up Nova Launcher with all of it's settings, along with the few widgets I have, intact)?
4. Are there any apps that would do this? I've heard Titanium Backup will, but you need to be rooted to use that.
I'm starting to feel that just doing it the manual way is going to be easier in the long run.
With question three, I'm assuming that Kies won't backup any apks, and therefore when my phone is sent back to me I'll have to set it up again, download my required/desired apps and then restore my settings through Kies (which will hopefully also restore settings for apps like Nova Launcher, and even better, for widget applications like HD widgets). However, if I'm wrong and Kies DOES backup apks, I'll just do that, it's so much less screwing around and it does what I wanted it to do but didn't think it did in the first place.
Thanks XDA,
-svdkillswitch
(Also, first post!)
Other information:
Device: GT-N7100 (international)
Carrier: Unlocked, Telstra
Android version: 4.1.1, 'Jelly Bean'
Baseband version: N7100UBALJ1
Build number: JRO03C.N7100UBALJ1
Rooted: No

Easiest way
Root with exynos abuse exploit (method 3 in link)and install titanium backup and backup all data using it. I recommend to save backup folder in Ext SD card.
After finishing this you can unroot from application itself.

dr.ketan said:
Easiest way
Root with exynos abuse exploit (method 3 in link)and install titanium backup and backup all data using it. I recommend to save backup folder in Ext SD card.
After finishing this you can unroot from application itself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your help,
You say in the linked post that while it doesn't trigger the flash counter, it can cause problems with the camera. If I'm just temp-rooting, backing it up with Titanium, and then un-rooting it again, none of these effects will remain I assume. I guess it doesn't matter too much anyway actually, because my camera is the reason I'm sending it back in.
And once I get my device back, it's as simple as installing the apk, rooting the device, installing Titanium and restoring my backup from the ext SD.
Sounds good. I'll give it a whirl and let you know how I go. +1'd.
-svdkillswitch

It cause camera issue only if you disable exploit, here you need not to do anything rather thn just root.
-Install that apk file, get device rooted.(there is option to root device in application), you need not to check disable exploit
-Install titanium Pro from market and backup (first select backup location to Ext sd card)
- Once finish, uninstall titanium and unroot device from exynose app
You can also factory reset and send to service centre.

dr.ketan said:
It cause camera issue only if you disable exploit, here you need not to do anything rather thn just root.
-Install that apk file, get device rooted.(there is option to root device in application), you need not to check disable exploit
-Install titanium Pro from market and backup (first select backup location to Ext sd card)
- Once finish, uninstall titanium and unroot device from exynose app
You can also factory reset and send to service centre.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, that's all I did. Rooted, installed Titanium and backed-up my data to the external SD card. I've un-rooted the device, all I need to do now is factory reset.
Thanks for your help, much appreciated.
-svdkillswitch

but adb doesnt work

Best way to backup data before rooting

Hi guys! What is the best way to backup as much data as possible before rooting? I'm coming from an iPhone but prior to it I was on Android so I'm a little rusty. I'm aware of TiBu backups but if I recall correctly you need root to get a full backup. What I'm doing now is backing up everything through Google Drive backups and Google Photos. Is there an app that can maybe batch backup/restore apks along with their data without root? I'd like to keep as much data as possible like app data and MMS before I wipe and root.
One more thing, I'm currently on the 8.1 official firmware but came from the DP2 OTA. If I were to unenroll from the beta program, will it force a wipe? I know it forces a wipe when unenrolling and going down to the 8.0 firmware but since it's on the same version of Android, will it still require a wipe?
Thanks in advance for any help.

I hope someone has a better one. But one that is clunky but works without root is Helium by clockworkmod. Need a PC since you run a program on the PC as part of the process. Not all apps will backup with it, but it does lots of apps. I can pretty much do all the apps I need to do that aren't already backed up by Google backup. Most of the apps that won't allow backup will be financial ones and others that you just log back into your account, and you're back in business that way.
You download the Helium app from the playstore. When you run the app, it'll tell you to connect to a PC. And it'll show you a link to download a program for the PC. The program on the PC is what allows the app on the phone to do backups. I don't know if ADB or Android tools have to also be installed, but I think it stands alone. You have to run the PC program every time to do backups. After the first time, you just start the program, plug the phone to the PC and start the app, or any change in order of those steps you want.
The clunky part for me is the password. You have to set a password for the phone since the app can't access the data without the password. So it can't be a pattern lock or pin.
That's no big deals since you only need to do this when backing up so can just temporarily change it, and is not the clunky part.
Here's the clunky part. When you go to backup, It makes no difference whether you've saved the password or not. When you get to the password field It'll autofill the password (with any characters saved or not) in addition to anything you started filling and the start backing up. Then may finally say backup failed. If you wait enough time it will not auto enter stuff, then you can manually enter the password. And it'll backup just fine. But it will show a prompt that the device is protected so enter the password. So you enter it all over again. Except this time it has some data to autofill in. So if you want to select another app to backup, it'll seem to backup better. Except it often will give an error.
For me, the best approach seems to be don't save the password in the app. Wait for a few seconds to make sure it isn't going to try to auto-enter. Manually enter the password. When it prompts the second time, just cancel instead of entering anything.
And after I just typed all that, I kept getting backup failed trying to do a backup. I finally managed to do it, but it is like that every time I try. some days it just works first time. Some days it takes trying different things. Once it a while it is better to save the password.
Anyway, the backups are good. Oh, after you've selected the apps/data to backup. Go to the bottom and kinda pull up below the green line and it'll show a check box to just save the data and not the app apk if you want a smaller size backup. I think it is faster just saving the app with it if you are moving or backing up to restore. Otherwise you have to wait for the download and install from the playstore.
The backups end up in their own folder in a folder named Carbon.

lacaprjc said:
Hi guys! What is the best way to backup as much data as possible before rooting? I'm coming from an iPhone but prior to it I was on Android so I'm a little rusty. I'm aware of TiBu backups but if I recall correctly you need root to get a full backup. What I'm doing now is backing up everything through Google Drive backups and Google Photos. Is there an app that can maybe batch backup/restore apks along with their data without root? I'd like to keep as much data as possible like app data and MMS before I wipe and root.
One more thing, I'm currently on the 8.1 official firmware but came from the DP2 OTA. If I were to unenroll from the beta program, will it force a wipe? I know it forces a wipe when unenrolling and going down to the 8.0 firmware but since it's on the same version of Android, will it still require a wipe?
Thanks in advance for any help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
learn: adb backup
when unenrolling from the beta, and you are already on current stable, it will not wipe, nor update.

Voicebox said:
I hope someone has a better one. But one that is clunky but works without root is Helium by clockworkmod. Need a PC since you run a program on the PC as part of the process. Not all apps will backup with it, but it does lots of apps. I can pretty much do all the apps I need to do that aren't already backed up by Google backup. Most of the apps that won't allow backup will be financial ones and others that you just log back into your account, and you're back in business that way.
You download the Helium app from the playstore. When you run the app, it'll tell you to connect to a PC. And it'll show you a link to download a program for the PC. The program on the PC is what allows the app on the phone to do backups. I don't know if ADB or Android tools have to also be installed, but I think it stands alone. You have to run the PC program every time to do backups. After the first time, you just start the program, plug the phone to the PC and start the app, or any change in order of those steps you want.
The clunky part for me is the password. You have to set a password for the phone since the app can't access the data without the password. So it can't be a pattern lock or pin.
That's no big deals since you only need to do this when backing up so can just temporarily change it, and is not the clunky part.
Here's the clunky part. When you go to backup, It makes no difference whether you've saved the password or not. When you get to the password field It'll autofill the password (with any characters saved or not) in addition to anything you started filling and the start backing up. Then may finally say backup failed. If you wait enough time it will not auto enter stuff, then you can manually enter the password. And it'll backup just fine. But it will show a prompt that the device is protected so enter the password. So you enter it all over again. Except this time it has some data to autofill in. So if you want to select another app to backup, it'll seem to backup better. Except it often will give an error.
For me, the best approach seems to be don't save the password in the app. Wait for a few seconds to make sure it isn't going to try to auto-enter. Manually enter the password. When it prompts the second time, just cancel instead of entering anything.
And after I just typed all that, I kept getting backup failed trying to do a backup. I finally managed to do it, but it is like that every time I try. some days it just works first time. Some days it takes trying different things. Once it a while it is better to save the password.
Anyway, the backups are good. Oh, after you've selected the apps/data to backup. Go to the bottom and kinda pull up below the green line and it'll show a check box to just save the data and not the app apk if you want a smaller size backup. I think it is faster just saving the app with it if you are moving or backing up to restore. Otherwise you have to wait for the download and install from the playstore.
The backups end up in their own folder in a folder named Carbon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the help! I'm gonna try this method now and let you know if all is well.

lacaprjc said:
Hi guys! What is the best way to backup as much data as possible before rooting?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like you've done all you can... except for unlocking the phone as soon as you got it. Just make sure you use both separate unlock commands and get unlock and unlock_critical done properly. I think you'll find the phone will be pretty much back where you left it. Just get on with it ffs! Not a big deal.