Develop Bugs

[Guide] How to Backup your Phone Between Wipes [Updated 24/04]

Just a quick guide for those of you who are unaware. It assumes no previous knowledge and you are running the program for the first time.
Contents
General Setup (Titanium Backup)
Backup Program Settings
Backup System + Program Settings
Restore Program/System Settings
SMS Backup + Restore - coming soon
Backup ROM (Nandroid)
Restore ROM (Nandroid)
General Setup
This will need to be done before wiping (for backup) and after installing the new ROM (for restore)
1. Download Titanium Backup from the market
2. Open Titanium Backup & wait
3. Select "Always Allow" when the SU request pops up
4. Press OK until you reach the main screen "Overview"
5. Select the "Backup/Restore" tab
Backup Program Settings
For those who don't want to save system settings (simpler).
1. Press Menu & Select Batch
2. Click "Run" next to "Backup all user apps"
3. Select the apps you wish to be backed up, and deselect any you don't use
4. Click "Run the batch operation" from the top of the screen
5. Mount your SD card and backup the "TitaniumBackup" folder onto your computer (just in case).
Backup System + Program Settings
For those who want to save system settings as well as your programs (more complex).
1. Press Menu & Select Batch
2. Click "Run" next to "Backup all user apps + system data"
3. Select the apps + data you wish to be backed up:
The green ones are things like calandar notes, sms messages, system settings etc
The red ones are generally crap and don't need to be backed up
The white ones are your programs
4. Click "Run the batch operation" from the top of the screen
5. Mount your SD card and backup the "TitaniumBackup" folder onto your computer (just in case).
Restore Program/System Settings
1. Press Menu & Select Batch
2. Click "Run" next to:
"Restore missing apps + all system data" (for System + Program settings)
"Restore missing apps with data" (for just Program settings)
3. Select the apps you wish to be restored, and deselect any you don't really want
4. Click "Run the batch operation" from the top of the screen
5. OK and Done on any confirmation screens.
Backup ROM (Nandroid)
1. Turn off your phone
2. Hold Home + Power to turn it on into Recovery Mode
3. Press the following:
Backup/Restore
Nand Backup
Home
4. Wait until you see the confirmation message: "Backup Complete!"
Restore ROM (Nandroid)
1. Turn off your phone
2. Hold Home + Power to turn it on into Recovery Mode
3. Press the following:
Backup/Restore
Nand Restore
4. Select the folder and then the latest backup (date is backwards in the name). Press Home to confirm and wait for confirmation message: "Restore Complete!"

Thanks for the guide! One question.. Backup all your apps + system data, what's that do? Is that backing the actual ROM up?

scouzer said:
Thanks for the guide! One question.. Backup all your apps + system data, what's that do? Is that backing the actual ROM up?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, to backup the ROM use Nandroid. I'll add that section to the guide, though it's pretty self explanatory.
To be quite honest i don't know the differences between the backup processes. If you want to do it with the system data to go for it, i'll try n research the differences.
Edit: updated with newer details, hopefully this should clarify things!

Great guide, but i want to add other 2 backups that i always do: sms and call log...for the contacts google does prefeclty its work!
for sms i use Sms Backup and Restore
for call log details i use Android backup tool...with this tool you can also backup bookmarks and dictionary info and sms, but i don't suggest you use this tool for the sms because it never woked for me

bookmarks
thanks never used titanium will try it.
Does it backup Bookmarks?
Google chrome allows you to sync bookmarks, any way to enable this on android?

magokh said:
Great guide, but i want to add other 2 backups that i always do: sms and call log...for the contacts google does prefeclty its work!
for sms i use Sms Backup and Restore
for call log details i use Android backup tool...with this tool you can also backup bookmarks and dictionary info and sms, but i don't suggest you use this tool for the sms because it never woked for me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll check that out. I think Titanium Does that too, but i've never tested it properly.
blueflash said:
thanks never used titanium will try it.
Does it backup Bookmarks?
Google chrome allows you to sync bookmarks, any way to enable this on android?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Possibly, i've never tried.

I normally do a Nandroid + Ext back-up. That way I can wipe my Ext partition between roms

I additionally use "SMS Backup & Restore" from the market.
It exports all SMS into an XML file on the sd-card and can re-import them again on every ROM. So you can even switch from 1.5 to 2.1 without loosing any sms.

paul9619 said:
I normally do a Nandroid + Ext back-up. That way I can wipe my Ext partition between roms
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have only just started using Ext, i'll add this section to the guide in the future (once I have added the A2SD section in my other guide )
androcheck said:
I additionally use "SMS Backup & Restore" from the market.
It exports all SMS into an XML file on the sd-card and can re-import them again on every ROM. So you can even switch from 1.5 to 2.1 without loosing any sms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There seems to be a lot of support for this. I'll add a section in when I get the chance to test it.

non-rooted backup
Titanium needs root. But I just want to root my phone first time. So Titanium doesn't work
How can I backup all my apps, sms, contacts, phone history, bookmarks, etc... ?

Try SMS Backup & Restore for messages
Contacts - sync with google automatically & you can manually sync others with htc sync
Apps - write them down... (purchased ones will show up automatically)
Bookmarks - not sure
Phone History - (like calls?) not sure
I'm still working on finding a program which will do them all.

zxcat said:
Titanium needs root. But I just want to root my phone first time. So Titanium doesn't work
How can I backup all my apps, sms, contacts, phone history, bookmarks, etc... ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
backup apps using astro backup function.
smsbackup for sms
google for contacts and bookmarks

There is a much easier way.
Most of what you need is kept in /data/data, subdivided by applications/classes
Just do a tar to your sdcard for example, and that's it.
Just remember to preserve file permissions.
This comes in handy when you're changing roms often, for example. like I do when testing new versions of my rom. Especially changes pertaining to framework, which most of the time require re-odexing.
Just do a tar cpf /sdcard/data.tar to backup and tar xpf /sdcard/data.tar to restore.
If your tar supports gzip, you can also pass it through gzip via tar czpf / xzpf.
You don't need any additional programs. Just adb access.

btdag, poddo, adwinp thank you!
I've tried something from the Market, but there is much really useless "backup" software. Now I'll check this. ASTRO is good, I see.
But I don't remember Google pass Restored it once, but again don't remember.
adwinp, I have "tar: permission denied", so simple ADP access is not enough. Btw, ASTRO can't show /data contents - it's empty. So looks like this method not working in non-rooted Hero.

adwinp said:
There is a much easier way.
Most of what you need is kept in /data/data, subdivided by applications/classes
Just do a tar to your sdcard for example, and that's it.
Just remember to preserve file permissions.
This comes in handy when you're changing roms often, for example. like I do when testing new versions of my rom. Especially changes pertaining to framework, which most of the time require re-odexing.
Just do a tar cpf /sdcard/data.tar to backup and tar xpf /sdcard/data.tar to restore.
If your tar supports gzip, you can also pass it through gzip via tar czpf / xzpf.
You don't need any additional programs. Just adb access.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand what you're saying, but I think my guides are designed to avoid all the command typing if at all possible and provide really inexperienced users with the ability to do this stuff - try telling a newbie to "tar" something and "preserve file permissions" - they'll have no idea what you're on about - i'll add it in if I can find a newbie friendly way of writing it

btdag said:
Try SMS Backup & Restore for messages
Contacts - sync with google automatically & you can manually sync others with htc sync
Apps - write them down... (purchased ones will show up automatically)
Bookmarks - not sure
Phone History - (like calls?) not sure
I'm still working on finding a program which will do them all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AGREE with ABOVE
also, not sure about Bookmarks but
Phone History - (like call log) Call Logs backup and restore from the same dev as SMS Backup and Restore
what about
user dictionary? - that's one thing I can't figure how to backup still.

Does android have that feature? In the settings in 2.1 roms you can backup your user dictionary from there. Can someone check this on 1.5?
Edit: Ignore me, this is a feature of HTC_IME mod - though in theory if you could install that without needing root then you would have access to the backup features

astro can only explore SD.
BTW you can use its backup function to save all the apps you have installed. backup apps, not apps data.
in astro go to tools, app manager, backup

Yeah titanium backup is awesome BUT when it comes to restoring its not so good. It takes ages and need to press ok every app we wanna restore. It would be grate if we click once and it will install all of them!

Foka002 said:
Yeah titanium backup is awesome BUT when it comes to restoring its not so good. It takes ages and need to press ok every app we wanna restore. It would be grate if we click once and it will install all of them!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then pay for it. The paid version does precisely that.

[Q] Titanium restore help pleaseeee!!!!!!

I installed CyanogenMod 6.1.0-RC1 on my Android 2.2.1 HTC Evo. I backed up everything using Nandroid and Titanium backup before flashing Cyan6. After flashing the ROM, I cannot find how to restore Titanium backup to Cyan6.
What am I missing here? I did a full wipe when I flashed the Rom. Titanium was wiped out in flashing but I kept a copy on my desktop.
Bstok001

After you open up Titanium Backup press the Menu button. Then, select "Batch" and you will be presented with a number of options. Look for "Restore Missing Apps with Data" and press "Run."
You will then be presented with a list of all your apps with checkmarks next to them. Choose "App Only" at the top, deselect anything you don't want installed on CM and press "Run Batch Operation."
IMPORTANT: Until you become familiar with Titanium I would advise against selecting "Apps with Data" in that final step. It is not uncommon that trying to restore the data causes problems.

Thanks,
It worked.
bstok001

[HOWTO] restoring settings and apps using titanium backup

(btw, this is NOT my tutorial. this is from a thread from team whiskey's board saved through teh google cache. i am doing a straight copy and paste from that thread. if you have any questions, sorry i can't help you. it was last updated Nov 18, 2010. all i did was add links, otherwise this is unchanged.)
I have seen a lot of questions regarding proper backup techniques and restore techniques when getting ready to flash a new ROM. I know a lot of people see a full wipe update as unnecessary and cumbersome due to data loss, let me tell you though, a full wipe update is the most efficient and least problematic solution for ROM revisions.
This tutorial will help show you that it is indeed quite easy to backup and restore your system (and a lot less time consuming than you may think) prior to and following a new ROM installation.
Step 1 - Pre-requisites:
These are steps or apps that are going to be required to follow this tutorial to it's fullest.
1 - Rom Manager:
2 - Titanium Backup:
3 - Titanium Backup Pro License (unlocking the full featured, much faster version of the program):
Recommended way to go pro!
If you are like me and are unable to purchase the Pro license from the market, or want a streamlined way to have the pro version unlocked every time you flash, visit this site: http://matrixrewriter.com/android/ and select "Just the license $5.99" in the drop down box and follow the directions. You will receive an email from the developer that contains your license file with instructions on how to use it. The upside to this method, and the reason I recommend doing it this way is that when you load a new ROM, you only have to download Titanium backup and it automatically recognizes your pro status. In the case of Team Whiskey ROM's that include Titanium Backup, you have no additional steps to unlock pro, saving you time! Trust me, the Pro version is well worth the 6 bucks!
4 - LauncherPro:
This isn't a requirement per-se. However, using LauncherPro as your launcher creates an easy way to restore your launcher just the way it was before a wipe. LauncherPro is highly customizable and if you take the time to learn it, you will likely come to prefer it. If however you prefer a different launcher you will need to restore your launcher manually.
5 - Backup your contacts to Google: NOTE: Use the same Gmail account you use to log in to the Market with for this step.
This process is actually quite simple and saves some hassle later. You should not have to do this more than once as long as you save new contacts to your Google account. If you already use Google for your contact's you can skip this step.
A: On your phone, open your contacts list.
B: Press Menu > Import/Export > Export to SD card > Ok (Be sure and have an external sd card installed as it will place the file there)
C: Transfer the .vcf file created in step B to your PC
D: Login to your gmail account @ http://www.gmail.com
E: On the left hand side of the screen there is a link labeled: "Contacts", click it.
F: At the top of the screen there is a pull down menu labeled: "More actions", click it and select "import"
G: Click on the "Browse..." button and navigate to where you placed the .vcf file on your PC and select it.
H: Click "Import".
That's it. You have now backed up your contacts to Google's servers. When adding future contacts simply make sure and select Google as your "Save contact to" location to keep this list up to date.
Step 2 - The Backup Plan:
You have seen the Tweet stating that the new Kernel you want to try is almost ready, you saw on the forums that the new ROM is being uploaded and will be ready shortly, you gotta get ready for it!
1 - Create a nandroid backup of your entire system as it is now:
This step isn't really used in restoring your system after a wipe, but it is still essential in case you ever want to revert back to your old setup exactly as it was before the wipe. Please note that this WILL NOT back up your kernel, however, everything else is backed up with this process.
A: Open Rom Manager on your phone.
B: Ensure that you have the Latest Recovery flashed by looking at the top item on the main menu.
C: Click "Backup Current Rom"
D: Rename the file to whatever you like so you can know what the backup is later.
E: Press Ok. (If you are prompted for SU permission, say yes.)
F: Your phone will reboot into Recovery, if it boots into stock recovery (Blue text), press "Reinstall Packages" and the backup should start.
G: Leave your phone alone until the backup completes, interrupting it during this process could brick your phone.
H: When the backup completes your phone will reboot.
That's it. You now have a complete backup of your current system (excluding kernel) stored on your internal sdcard which can be used for restoration if you decide you want to revert back.
2 - Backup your apps and system data via Titanium Backup:
I backup all system data and user apps/data due to some system data being "safe" to restore and can be very convenient should you delete something you shouldn't have.
A: Open Titanium Backup
B: Press Menu > Batch.
C: Press "RUN" next to Backup all user apps + system data (4th item down).
D: Leave the default settings and press "Run the batch operation" at the top of the screen.
E: Allow the backup to run it's course, when it is done, Titanium Backup will go back to the main menu and will notify you that "Batch backup finished" in the notification bar.
Easy as that. All your system data and personal apps/data are now backed up and stored on your phone's internal sd card.
3 - Backup your LauncherPro settings and layout:
A: Press Menu > Preferences > Backup homescreen & settings > Yes
B: It will back everything up and than pop up "Success!" informing you of completion.
Now your Launcher layout and preferences are stored on your internal sd card.
4 - Backup your internal sd card to your pc:
This step is not required, nor do I recommend performing this step before every flash, but it is an important step to do every once in awhile. This will ensure that if you happen to have a mishap during flashing that wipes your internal sd card, you have a backup of your backups!
A: Connect your phone to your PC.
B: Pull down your notification bar and press the "USB connected" notification to mount your phones internal/external sd cards to your PC.
C: Create a folder anywhere you choose and name it whatever you like.
D: Select all the files stored on your internal sd card and copy them to the folder on your PC.
E: Un-mount the phone from your PC.
You have now backed up all your important apps/data and are ready to flash that ROM!
Step 3 - The Restoration:
You got your hands on that new ROM, you flashed it, and are now looking at a barren wasteland of a phone with none of your apps or customization. No worries, you have a plan! (This section is for after you have flashed the ROM and have waited the customary 15 minutes after first boot and than re-booted).
1 - Log in to your Google Account:
The easiest way to do this step is to simply log in to your Market app.
A: Open Android Market
B: Follow the on screen instructions to log in to your Google account.
C: After finishing the log in, allow your phone to sit for around 5 minutes to sync data. During this time, your phone is downloading and updating your contact list among other things.
D: After the waiting period, reboot your phone.
E: Your contact list is now populated with all your contacts, you may want to enter the Contacts app and select: Menu > More > Display Options to set only Google contacts or whatever you like.
Part 1 Complete.
2 - Restore with Titanium Backup:
Part A - Restoring User Apps/data:
A: Open Titanium Backup
B: Press Menu > Batch
C: Scroll down a little until you see the "RUN" in blue.
D: Press the "RUN" button next to: "Restore missing apps with data" (DO NOT RESTORE SYSTEM DATA)
E: All user apps will be selected by default, if you do not wish to include some apps in the restore, un-check them from the list.
D: Press "Run the batch operation" at the top of the screen.
F: Allow the process to complete, at which point you will back at the main screen, immediately proceed to part B:
Part B - Restoring Select System Data:
This step is optional and can create some issues if done incorrectly. (Even if done correctly, it can sometimes cause issues.)
A: From the main screen of Titanium Backup press the button labeled: Backup/Restore at the top of the screen.
B: You will see a list of all the User Apps, System Apps, and System Data that are currently present on your phone. (The bottom of the list will have grayed out and striked items that are representative of data/apps that Titanium has backups of, but are not currently installed on the phone)
C: You will see different colors: RED - System App or Data (You Never want to restore these items); WHITE - User App/Data (These are almost always fine to restore, since they are not system dependent); GREEN - System data that is relatively safe to restore. I cannot say whether all the "Green" items are safe, but the Items I restore after a wipe are:
[BOOKMARKS]Browser - This will restore your bookmarks in the web browser.
[CALENDAR]Calendar Storage - This will restore your calendar appointments if they aren't saved to your Google Calendar.
[USER DICT] - This will restore the user learned words stored in your keyboards.
[SMS/MMS/APN]Dialar Storage & [SMS/MMS PREFS]Messaging - These will restore your messaging settings and conversations.
Wi-Fi Access Points - This will restore your "memorized" Wi-Fi access points, including password and log in credentials.
D: Feel free to play around with these and restore what "green" items you wish. But do so with caution and I recommend doing one at a time to ensure that you don't run into issues. Once you know what one's play nice, it will be a breeze to go through them in the future and restore the ones you want.
E:Restore an item by short pressing it. It will pop up a menu, and you select "Restore".
F: Reboot your phone!
Part 2 Complete.
3 - Restore LauncherPro:
A: From the Home screen press Menu > Preferences > Restore backup > Yes
B: Wait for it to finish.
Part 3 Complete.
At this point, your system should be almost exactly as it was before you flashed your new ROM. There are only a handful of things to do now.
4 - Restore system settings that can't be backed up:
Navigate to the Settings menu and restore any custom settings you may use, some of these settings may be: (I will give examples based on what I usually set, you will know what settings you want to set)
- Wireless and network > Mobile Networks > Network Mode
- Call Settings > All Calls > Call status tones
- Sound > Volume of Media, System, Notification, Ringer
- Sound > Voice and Notification Ringtone
- Sound > Feedback Settings
- Display > Font Style
- Display > Screen timeout
Once done with those minor settings, you're set! This is not an all encompassing tutorial for every program or setting out there, but it should have you back up and running in a system that is close to 100% exactly how you were before the wipe and in very little time (especially once you have some practice!). Hope you find this helpful and if you have any suggestions that or information you think I should add, please feel free to post it or shoot me a PM! (I will be adding pictures for some of these steps at a later date)

Backup and Restore Tutorial
Thank You So Much its really very Helpful and very easy way explained i m really appreciate your efforts and help Thanks

Thanks a lot. This was exactly what I was looking for!

Whoa old thread with old but useful info. However, there are a couple easier ways to do things.
1.
can't you just backup your contacts to google by simply going to contacts > menu > merge with google?
2.
another way to backup user apps with data in case you don't have TB pro is using mybackup root.
it only shows user apps so that makes things a tad easier.
mybackup roots also saves your sms and mms, but it has been glitchy lately because i can't delete those conversations that i restored... not sure why.. it worked before so I say avoid doing that option for now.
3.
they also have the option to backup and restore homescreen for your stock launcher (TW). if you use a different launchers, those usually have that option built in. ICS launchers definitely have those.
4.
MBR also backups settings, but of course only do this if the ROMs are on the same builds.

How long does it take to restore an app with Titanium Backup?
I am trying to restore camera from titanium backup. I did restore app with data. but it seems keep restoring App+Data without ending. how should I do?

Hey Ctkatz,
Thanks for the post. I really appreciate it!

Thanks it answers some of the most common confusions I am sure many others would have including myself.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium

Must have been very bored that day lol
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium

thanks
Thanks:good::laugh:

hi
I have nova launcher and Titanium Backup ★ root pro.
and I got 2 same model tablets [p6800]
I would like to know how to restore all the widgets on other tablet?
I would like to have 2 tablets as same

You can turn titanium backup into a..zip file that can be flashed along with the new rom.. It's extremely handy because the app is already there after first boot
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium

rymanh said:
You can turn titanium backup into a..zip file that can be flashed along with the new rom.. It's extremely handy because the app is already there after first boot
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hello. Not reAlly a noob but also not a pro. Can u explain how I can Go about turning my Titanium backup file to a .zip and then flASh to my t999v?
⌣»̶·̵̭̌·̵̭̌✽̤̈̊Ŧђɑ̤̥̈̊п̥̥̲̣̣̣kƨ̣̣̣̇̇̇̇✽̤̈̊·̵̭̌·̵̭̌«̶⌣

done google synch. of calander events but its not restoring all the events.. even titanium backup is not restoring the events as i've moved from ginger bread to jelly bean... please help !!!

ashburton said:
hello. Not reAlly a noob but also not a pro. Can u explain how I can Go about turning my Titanium backup file to a .zip and then flASh to my t999v?
⌣»̶·̵̭̌·̵̭̌✽̤̈̊Ŧђɑ̤̥̈̊п̥̥̲̣̣̣kƨ̣̣̣̇̇̇̇✽̤̈̊·̵̭̌·̵̭̌«̶⌣
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey sorry it took soo long to reply.. If you have the pro version. Press munu and scroll down and select "create update zip" then follow the directions.. I hope I was still able to help you

Problems!!!
Thank You So Much its really very Helpful but is not working!
After an update for my Samsung GT9100 Sii (ICS 4.0.1 -> 4.0.4) i needed again root access. So did that as i did before en after that all most all my app's where gone ...
I reinstalled titanium and followed your instructions ... and now i comes ...
2 - Restore with Titanium Backup:
Part A - Restoring User Apps/data:
A: Open Titanium Backup
B: Press Menu > Batch
C: Scroll down a little until you see the "RUN" in blue.
D: Press the "RUN" button next to: "Restore missing apps with data" (DO NOT RESTORE SYSTEM DATA)
E: All user apps will be selected by default, if you do not wish to include some apps in the restore, un-check them from the list.
D: Press "Run the batch operation" at the top of the screen.
F: Allow the process to complete ... restoring 0/348 app's ... nothing happens?
What is going wrong?
Can somebody help me?
Would it be better to reset my to de factory setting and then restoring ... i don't know anymore ... tried everyting
Tnx.

improper explanation
nobody explains anything well on this site.

azidogen said:
nobody explains anything well on this site.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Others and I understand just fine, maybe it's not the explanation that's not well.

if i am going from omega 7.3 to 8 in note 2 i have back app + system data in 7.3 and now in 8 how to actually restore everything? i dont really under this thread and the wiki. i know red is system file, green is app. but can i restore everything one shot or ?

shawnhalu said:
if i am going from omega 7.3 to 8 in note 2 i have back app + system data in 7.3 and now in 8 how to actually restore everything? i dont really under this thread and the wiki. i know red is system file, green is app. but can i restore everything one shot or ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. Don't restore system data or app data. It causes issues.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using xda premium

sirdowski said:
No. Don't restore system data or app data. It causes issues.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats mean when i click the batch restore -> run -> ONLY check those white, green color? all red color uncheck?
ps. how can i restore the folder and grouping of apps when in previous rom i already move properly and backup. coz i dont know what path it is under.

[GUIDE] How to use Titanium backup - Basic steps

Below is a thread that I original started in the Desire section.... Thought it might help some One-X users who are starting out.
Here is the official user manual as written by the app developer: http://www.titaniumtrack.com/kb/titanium-backup-kb/titanium-backup-user-guide.html
Hi, Call me blind but i could not find any guides on XDA...strange soo maybe someone will correct me (my wife does it all the time!). As you can see by the way i have uploaded the photo screen shots...I'm also a No0b but trying to learn and share as well.
Here is my attempt at a No0b's guide to using basic Titanium features of backing up and restoring. Let's face it this program does so many things but me, for one, I just use the basic functions, so if there are some "Super users" out there please come forward and share your knowledge!
Getting started, I'm using the PRO version so if you are only using the FREE version your guide may be different.
From the user "Preferences" (Menu/Preferences) make sure that you change the "Max backup history to more than 1" this will allow you to have more than one back up version before the app overwrites the previous backup.... useful if you upgrade an app then realise that it was not such a good idea.
Another tip is that if you have a certain app that you want to retain the backup and user data for then you can simple go the the main app window, select the "Backup / Restore" button then tap on the app that you want to permanently keep a back up of, then tap on one of the backups, then select "Protect this backup". now this version of your back up will always be kept and never over written.
BACKING UP
Lets assume that you have installed Titanium Back up (PRO) and that you now need to make your first system and user apps back up. Then open the app and then press the icon at the top right of screen which looks like a page with a tick mark on it, then choose "Backup all user data + system data" from the list and hit the "RUN" button to the left of it. (Image #1). For backing up you are now done. (Note that if you are a frequent ROM flasher then you might only want to ever back up the USER APPS and data as restoring System apps across ROM is the main culprit of errors from using TItanium Backup. If you decide only to make user app back up then follow this by selecting the "Backup all system data" and on the next screen select the "Deselect all" button, next go through the list of system apps and select only the green coloured items (see below the list of system apps/settings that I recommend you ONLY restore across ROMS).
RESTORING after ROM change
After you have done a full wipe and then installed a new ROM you now want to RESTORE your applications and all of their user data, things like settings and user information. Titanium back up is an excellent tool for this but you MUST be careful not to restore any SYSTEM apps or data otherwise you can run in to trouble and it will cause many "FC's". According the the Official TB user guide: Again, if you’re restoring them from a different phone/ROM, enable the “System data migration” option (found under Menu/Preferences and half way down the screen list to the "Restoration Settings" section).
Then open the app and then press the icon at the top right of screen which looks like a page with a tick mark on it, then select BATCH and then scroll down to the RESTORE section and select "Restore missing apps with data". by default the "App+Data" will be checked, leave this option as is for this BATCH task (Image #3). Or you can review the list and manually Deselect one by one any apps that you did not want to restore on this occasion.
Or you can review the list and manually Deselect one by one any apps that you did not want to restore on this occasion. Or if you only want to restore a few of the apps then "Deselect All" and then manually add each app that you want to restore when you have completed your selections then hit the "Run the batch operation" button at the top. (Image #4).
It will take some time for the BATCH to run and re install all of your user installed apps. after the batch has completed then you are ready to install just a few of the other GREEN coloured items from the main menu.
This time from the main application window select the top middle "Backup / Restore" button. (Image #5). Now BE CAREFUL here, i ONLY RESTORE the following options and have never had any problems HOWEVER if you try to restore Accounts and Settings and some other green coloured items you can run in to trouble with FC's....you have been warned but test this out for yourself and report back if you have any success:
What to RESTORE safely:
Bluetooth pairings (User data only)
[Calandar] (User data only)
[Alarms] Clock (User data only)
[Desktop] HTC Sense (User data only) - NOTE it must be the same version as the previous ROM check the currently installed version against your last back up version number, if they match then you can restore and it will put back ALL your old desktop short cuts and screens (but NOT any of your widgets)....very handy one. (Image #12 & #13)
[Bookmarks] (User data only)
[User Dict HTC] (User data only)
[User Dict] (User data only)
Wi-Fi Access Points (User data only)
What NOT to Restore
Accounts
Application Widgets
[Contacts/Cal...]
Country, Language, Time zone
[SMS/MMS/APN...]
[E-Mail Accounts]
[Playlists]
[SMS/MMS Pref....]
[Voicemail]
[Wallpaper/Se...]
[Settings/Blu...]
You will now need to REBOOT your device for the system items to take effect.
Now a little tip that i use, as you will be updating your apps and settings will change almost daily why not set up the Schedule feature so that your apps and also your changed settings data are all backed up every night?
Here is how:
Open the application then select the top right button "Schedules" (Images #22-#24)
now enable the first option and select "Redo backups for modified data" select every day and also change the time to during the nighttime or other suitable time for you when you are not going to be using your phone.
Select the second option and change it to "Backup all new apps & newer versions" and again select the best time for yourself.
That's it, you are done so now you can rest assured that every night your current apps and user data will be backed up and ready for the next days flashing of new ROM's.
And one final tip that i use.........when setting up a ROM from scratch, do not sign in to the Google account until AFTER you have RESTORED all the user Apps with Titanium as the Market will try to restore all your apps from your Market user history, which is OK but will conflict with your BATCH RESTORE using TItanium Backup.
YOu should also make a copy of your installed version of Titanium Backup App to allow you to restore it on the new ROM without having to go to the Market for the reason detailed above. (Folder: /data/app/com.keramidas.TitaniumBackup-1.apk)
enjoy.
Sent witH desire from One X

Thanks for tutorial :thumbup: now some options are more clear
Sent from HOX with ARHD 13

Just wanted to say thank you for these instructions. They helped and made it a very easy process for me. :good:

For moderators:
In my opinion, to be more useful, the guide must be moved to Q&A

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1480343
One thread seems enough huh.

[Q] Can't restore Gio with clockworkmod backup.

So my phone didn't go past the Cyanogenmod loading arrow (it just froze at one point, and then started again till next freeze) and I had to ''wipe data/factory reset'' and now phone functions OK, but before that I made backup from recovery screen. When i try to restore from recovery screen same thing happens and it wont go anywhere past the loading arrow. I'd like to know if it is possible to get my phone files back somehow from the backup?

Apps & data can be extracted from Nandroid backup via Titanium backup.

Galaxy_Rohit said:
Apps & data can be extracted from Nandroid backup via Titanium backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would like to mostly recover my ColorNote notes and vanilla calendar, had couple of important ones, but titanium backup says no backup yet.

I used this method to restore "Contract killer" game onto my newly flashed rom from a previously made clockworkmod/nandroid backup. & request u to strictly follow the steps in order & you'll be good to go:sly::
* Use titanium backup pro version.
Now,
* Install the two apps which u want to restore.
* After installing, take their backup via Titanium backup straightaway.
* Now, goto "Menu" & select "Extract from Nandroid backup".
* Select ur backup from which u want to restore.
* Now in the next screen: First tap on "Deselect all" button. Next tap on "Data only" button(to restore data of the apps). Then scroll to the two apps in the app list & mark tick before them.
* Now press "RUN" at the top of the screen to begin the restoration process.
* Done!!:victory:
Now u have ur apps with the important data!!
Hope this helps...!!

Any other app that does the same, but doesn't cost. titanium backup pro is like 5$.

Christian101 said:
Titanium backup pro is like 5$.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want Titanium Backup Pro without spending money, you know where to find it :silly: . I can't tell you that as it is against xda rules.
BTW you can easily extract your data from backup archives on a PC.

Thank you all, got my stuff back, always backup!!