Develop Bugs

Upgrading builds question

Hi all,
I started using android from build 5/10 onwards and can notice the improvements substantially till 6/16.
My problem is that each time a new build comes out I have to delete my data.img thereby losing all my installed apps and their data. The apps can be re-installed easily but the data is lost.
My question/solution is that is it possible to buy one of the backup apps available on the store (titanium backup or mybackup pro) and then back up the data to the sd card and when a new build comes along just restore the data from the backup.
If anyone has experience with using these apps for upgrading builds easily I would like to use this experience before spending money on these apps.
thanks,
tovarish.

I can't imagine a backup program not introducing even more problems than before. Can't you just backup the .apk files in the Android apps folder?

I am more concerned with saving my data and settings than the actual apks. They can always be installed easily.
It is a pain to re enter all my detialed setup again.

tovarish said:
Hi all,
I started using android from build 5/10 onwards and can notice the improvements substantially till 6/16.
My problem is that each time a new build comes out I have to delete my data.img thereby losing all my installed apps and their data. The apps can be re-installed easily but the data is lost.
My question/solution is that is it possible to buy one of the backup apps available on the store (titanium backup or mybackup pro) and then back up the data to the sd card and when a new build comes along just restore the data from the backup.
If anyone has experience with using these apps for upgrading builds easily I would like to use this experience before spending money on these apps.
thanks,
tovarish.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ummm I dont seem to have this problem at all
I just use the uninstall menu in WM then install the new cab and its great, apps settings etc all OK. When you use the uninstall it leaves the required files AFAIK.

I am speaking about installing apps in android when a new build comes out. How can the old settings and data be migrated to the new android build.
I see that we have a new build already 6/23.
tovarish

Why not just download the latest rootfs, zimage and modules and replace them? I'm doing that since a few months and this way your settings etc will be saved.
Maybe this has disadvantages aswel but it works for me
ps this is just a work around of your question and I would still like to know if there is such a program.

tovarish said:
I am speaking about installing apps in android when a new build comes out. How can the old settings and data be migrated to the new android build.
I see that we have a new build already 6/23.
tovarish
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So am I.
I install the XDandroid cab, install my apps etc. Then when a new Cab is released I boot in to Windows and use the uninstall function, uninstall Android and then install the new xdandroid cab all previously installed app etc are still there.

Ah so the data.img file that is created need not be deleted when a new build comes along.
I use the rar file instead of the cab file.
Thanks for all you answers,
tovarish

Titanium Backup - Two Questions

1) When running Titanium backup on a rooted phone; what is the appropriate batch file to use so that when/if you flash a new custom rom, you can restore your phone. I suspect "all apps and all data" is a really bad idea because it seems to include system apps as well (e.g., EPST v2.1-update; Field Trial v2.1-update, etc). I definitely want app data if I can get it (e.g., MyCollectionPro where I scanned a ton of DVDs) to be backed up.
2) I am running the busybox that came with the 'final payload' from unrEVOked. I have no errors from Titanium Backup. Should I still hit the problems button to download a new busybox? Is it new? Will it affect anything else in a negative fashion?
Thanks!

I just followed these steps listed here and everything has been fine for me.
http://forum.legendroid.com/titaniu...n/?PHPSESSID=6c5e18e2e9070d2282d36a633688aaeb
2) It should not matter or affect anything as I have done TI backups with that same version of busybox.

still can't understand the deal with TitaniumBackup

Ok, so to me this program seems great - backs up pretty much EVERYTHING for me, so that if I flash and wipe a new rom, it restores everything to a usable level. Now my issue is I can't understand what people mean when they say you might as well not wipe at all. If you can't use TB to restore after a wipe, what is the point of using TB at all???
Is there a way to select parts that are "ok" to restore after a wipe? or is TB pretty much pointless?
Thanks

Read this it will help explain how TB can mess with your ROM.
http://geekfor.me/faq/why-you-shouldnt-be-using/

P_Dub_S said:
Read this it will help explain how TB can mess with your ROM.
http://geekfor.me/faq/why-you-shouldnt-be-using/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks I read that but his post didn't really make it clear for me:
problem is that when a user makes the backup on one rom/build/version and imports it on another
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?

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.

How do you get Google Backup to Restore Apps (on gingerbread)

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