Develop Bugs

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

Titanium backup question, please halp meh...

Ok I have a lot of backups stored in TI, but I am wanting to re flash my ROM and wipe data ect..
My question is can I somehow make a backup of just the apps that are installed on my phone right now, so when I start to put the apps back I can flash all the apps I have now instead of going and unchecking all the apps I don't want installed right now?
I hope that makes sence, I'm not good at expressing what's in my brain onto txt...
Thx for help.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk

Would be good if there was a question lol
Sent from my Samsung Legendary 4G, a Universe UTES phone, running "two.three.five"

There is a question..
And the answer is yes, select batch back up and only select the files you want to install, instead of just selecting all.
Sent from Cloud 9

I know how to do that. But I have a lot of apps that are backed up but not installed so it would take a while.
I just want to know if there is a quicker way.
I guess I could ask like this;
Is there a way to backup all current installed apps, then flash a new ROM or wipe data, and then re-install just the apps that u just then backed up? Completly ignoring all other backups of apps that are stored there.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk

evilsock said:
I know how to do that. But I have a lot of apps that are backed up but not installed so it would take a while.
I just want to know if there is a quicker way.
I guess I could ask like this;
Is there a way to backup all current installed apps, then flash a new ROM or wipe data, and then re-install just the apps that u just then backed up? Completly ignoring all other backups of apps that are stored there.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you can backup the current apps installed. There's an APP in the market called App Backup & Restore. This backs up all apps in your phone (giving you the option to check/uncheck which ones you dont want) and allows you to restore those apps with ease.
Check it out...I hope this is what you're looking for!

You could also back them up with a nandroid and do an advanced restore data and get all your current apps back.

kennyglass123 said:
You could also back them up with a nandroid and do an advanced restore data and get all your current apps back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You and I seem to think alike kenny, but you're always a bit ahead of me! I was thinking this same thing, or the other option, still in TB, would be to batch restore and then click the box "deselect all" so then you only have to go through and check the ones you want instead of unchecking the ones you don't. I think this was mentioned before as well.

I was wondering if you could provide a bit more info on the advanced restore data. I know it's an option available in CWM, but I'm wondering if there are situations where it wouldn't work as well as using some backup app. I think I read that if you were switching versions, like Froyo to Gingerbread, it probably wouldn't work well. But I've got the nandroid backup from EI22, just after I rooted and applied the GPS fix and silent camera mod, and I think the custom ROMs I've seen lately are all based on that, so would it work OK? The advanced restore of data seems like it would be a bit easier (or at least simpler) than using an app, but I don't know too much about how it works. Any clarifications about this would be appreciated. Thanks.

Dronak said:
I was wondering if you could provide a bit more info on the advanced restore data. I know it's an option available in CWM, but I'm wondering if there are situations where it wouldn't work as well as using some backup app. I think I read that if you were switching versions, like Froyo to Gingerbread, it probably wouldn't work well. But I've got the nandroid backup from EI22, just after I rooted and applied the GPS fix and silent camera mod, and I think the custom ROMs I've seen lately are all based on that, so would it work OK? The advanced restore of data seems like it would be a bit easier (or at least simpler) than using an app, but I don't know too much about how it works. Any clarifications about this would be appreciated. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It should work fine. It only restores 3rd party apps and data and the data folder of your phone. The other stuff should be in your phones system folder.

Well personally I would just do a clockwork backup like the previous guys said, and then advanced restore my data onto the new rom. I've been doing this with Rom installs for 2 years and it's always worked pretty well.
Anyways, if you really wanted to use TB that bad to do it, I would go into your SD card folder, copy the TB folder onto the computer (All your old backups you don't want to get rid of would be in here) Delete the TB Folder on your SD card, then re-run TB again. Do a batch backup of all your apps (that you have currently installed). If you ever want any of the old backups of apps you don't currently use, they'll always be on the computer.

Make a new label & add all the apps you have installed right now & and that you want to restore on your new rom. Then when your new rom setup is ready to restore apps just filter that label you made & bach restore
Sent from the Drivers Seat of my Suby txting and Driving doing 100MPH+ in a school zone! Ha.

OperationMove said:
Anyways, if you really wanted to use TB that bad to do it, I would go into your SD card folder, copy the TB folder onto the computer (All your old backups you don't want to get rid of would be in here) Delete the TB Folder on your SD card, then re-run TB again. Do a batch backup of all your apps (that you have currently installed). If you ever want any of the old backups of apps you don't currently use, they'll always be on the computer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Heh, exactly what I was getting ready to recommend, as this is a very easy way to do exactly what he wants
Thanks for saving me from having to type it out

[Q] Quickest way to backup apps+data before flashing a new ROM?

Question is in the thread title.
In the past, when I had a Samsung Infuse 4G, MyBackupPro worked wonderfully for backing up apps and data before flashing a new ROM, and painlessly restoring apps and data after flashing a new ROM (by painlessly I mean all at once, as opposed to having to go through and click "restore" for each app and data). However, for whatever reason, MyBackupPro is not playing nicely with my Note 2. I can backup and all that, but restoration never occurs. In fact, most times it won't find the backup to even restore!
So, what is everybody's favorite/easiest way to backup before flashing a new ROM, and restoring after flashing a new ROM? Preferably a free option.
When I was working with the Infuse, I seem to remember lots of developers saying to NEVER restore data after flashing a new ROM. I don't understand why that is. I know people aren't starting their games and stuff over from scratch when they flash a new ROM, especially since many people change ROMs every couple of days.
Thanks in advance! :highfive:

I use titanium backup. Works great with the note 2.
When they are saying don't restore data they are talking about system data. If you backup everything including system apps and data and restore from that it can wreck havoc.
Just backing up user apps and data is fine to restore, at least I've never had a problem. I would just be wary going between touch wiz and aosp ROMs that could get a little dicey, but between the same type of ROMs(ice cm10.1 to aokp or pacman or aospa) should be fine.
Sent from my GT-N7105 using Tapatalk 2

i used Helium (used to be Carbon) by Koush, the creator of CWM and ROM Manager) recently when i switched ROMs. i have always used Titanium Backup, but thought i would try Helium. the process is super easy and went very smoothly.

lukas_s said:
Question is in the thread title.
In the past, when I had a Samsung Infuse 4G, MyBackupPro worked wonderfully for backing up apps and data before flashing a new ROM, and painlessly restoring apps and data after flashing a new ROM (by painlessly I mean all at once, as opposed to having to go through and click "restore" for each app and data). However, for whatever reason, MyBackupPro is not playing nicely with my Note 2. I can backup and all that, but restoration never occurs. In fact, most times it won't find the backup to even restore!
So, what is everybody's favorite/easiest way to backup before flashing a new ROM, and restoring after flashing a new ROM? Preferably a free option.
When I was working with the Infuse, I seem to remember lots of developers saying to NEVER restore data after flashing a new ROM. I don't understand why that is. I know people aren't starting their games and stuff over from scratch when they flash a new ROM, especially since many people change ROMs every couple of days.
Thanks in advance! :highfive:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe when it comes to backing up/moving apps + data, time, convenience or money saving should simply stay out of the decision making process. BUY the best there is, spend time to learn how to properly use the tool and that will give you the quickest, most convenient and money saving solution. In other words, this is where you shouldn't be cutting any corners. I would recommend either Titanium Backup Pro or ROM Toolbox Pro.

I bought Helium Premium and it worked beautifully. Now I have no reason not to try every ROM available for this phone. Thanks guys!

My backup pro + root will do the job nice. If you're not seeing your backups try going into settings and check that your backups are going to EXTENT sd.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using xda app-developers app

lukas_s said:
Question is in the thread title.
In the past, when I had a Samsung Infuse 4G, MyBackupPro worked wonderfully for backing up apps and data before flashing a new ROM, and painlessly restoring apps and data after flashing a new ROM (by painlessly I mean all at once, as opposed to having to go through and click "restore" for each app and data). However, for whatever reason, MyBackupPro is not playing nicely with my Note 2. I can backup and all that, but restoration never occurs. In fact, most times it won't find the backup to even restore!
So, what is everybody's favorite/easiest way to backup before flashing a new ROM, and restoring after flashing a new ROM? Preferably a free option.
When I was working with the Infuse, I seem to remember lots of developers saying to NEVER restore data after flashing a new ROM. I don't understand why that is. I know people aren't starting their games and stuff over from scratch when they flash a new ROM, especially since many people change ROMs every couple of days.
Thanks in advance! :highfive:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude I want the premium version of this app...Can you please provide me

I've been using titanium backup pro. It works pretty well, and it's pretty fast. Sometimes there are problems accessing my backup folder after a new flash, but restarting and fixing permissions will usually fix it.

yhzh said:
I've been using titanium backup pro. It works pretty well, and it's pretty fast. Sometimes there are problems accessing my backup folder after a new flash, but restarting and fixing permissions will usually fix it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
did you set the backup location under settings when you redownloaded the app to point to the location of your backup folder?

+1 titanium backup..when restoring after a rom install..make sure to restore only apps never restore apos wirh chemicals system data...you'll have conflicts then.
Titanium backup is the best in my opinion. .you can backup bookmarks, message sms, call logs and even send them to dropbox and restore them just as easy...

I agree that Ti Backup is a good option. I wont say its the best period, but it is the best that I have used.

Ishan16 said:
Dude I want the premium version of this app...Can you please provide me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Enjoy
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rerware.android.MyBackupPro&hl=en

Good App backup app.

Hello friends,
I'm kinda still new to the whole custom rom world and have a question. I really like flashing and testing new roms but the one thing I hate is having to download all the apps again from the play store, even though it syncs up and starts automatically downloading all of them it's way too time consuming and not to mention uses more data. I was going to see if you guys could recommend a good backup app that would back all my apps and their data up to my SD card so after flashing a new app I could just install the one backup app then use it to restore the apps/data/sms etc. from my SD card. I see several in the play store such as titanium but was wanted to get a few opinions from folks that have more experience. I'd prefer free but would not mind paying a few bucks ..say $3-5 for a good well rounded app.
Thanks and have a great day!
-Neal

Titanium is the overall best/most features IMO. Backup/Restore, Uninstall, Freeze apps, etc... I've used it for a long time, and I really like it.

wtrhzrd said:
Titanium is the overall best/most features IMO. Backup/Restore, Uninstall, Freeze apps, etc... I've used it for a long time, and I really like it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I give it a try...I noticed that it has the option to backup app+system. I have a followup question on this regarding backing up the "system info". If I was on rom sokp version 1.5 and made my backups that included the system file and then the sokp team released another version that had bug fixes in it ..lets say V1.7 and I installed it and then did a restore...would restoring the system contents onto the new rom change it back to what I had and end up breaking things that were fixed. Hope this makes since. Lets say bluetooth was broke on my current rom that I've made apps+system backups and then I install V1.7 which fixes the bluetooth...would me restoring the system folder break bluetooth again and whatever else they've fixed. Also, what if I want to kick around another rom...lets say carbon ...would restoring my backups cause it issues.
Thanks guys!

You can only restore system data to the same or updated versions of a ROM. In most cases, its best to start from scratch with things such as your settings. (Contacts/calendar data should restore ok regardless)

Thanks DOC!!