Develop Bugs

titanium backup - difference between user and system data

I just installed the Virtuous ROM and am using TB to get my apps back.
I was just curious, as I don't want a bunch of random system stuff I never used to get re-installed, what is the 'system data' referring too? Obviously user apps are pandora etc, but what is the data? Should I restore this as well?
thanks for the clarification!

How to restore your backups after installing a ROM (if you wiped your phone)
the14thgod said:
I just installed the Virtuous ROM and am using TB to get my apps back.
I was just curious, as I don't want a bunch of random system stuff I never used to get re-installed, what is the 'system data' referring too? Obviously user apps are pandora etc, but what is the data? Should I restore this as well?
thanks for the clarification!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I often wonder the same thing, and come back to this each time. Opinions differ, on what all to restore.... that said, you may need some of that 'system data' at some point , so .....I go with what the maker says - look in this section: How to restore your backups after installing a ROM (if you wiped your phone)
http://www.matrixrewriter.com/android/index.html
While not a direct answer to your question, hth!

I only back up certain apps + system data.
for example if you want all your profiles saved in SetCPU when flashing to the next ROM you run the "Backup all user apps + system data"... uncheck select all and select SetCPU
if you use NewsRoom and want to save all your feeds when flashing to the next ROM you run the "Backup all user apps + system data"... uncheck select all and select NewsRoom

Notice to people using Titanium Backup to restore

Please stop using Titanium Backup to restore system files when you upgrade you ROM! Some system apps and settings are incompatible when newer ROMS. When I do backups I backup my user apps to one folder and system apps in another. This way I can just restore my user apps and their data in a batch restore but with the system files I only restore data to apps with the same version.
I make this thread because n00bs keep restoring everything including their incompatible system files and start to whine about the ROM being slow, apps FCing, and other assorted mishaps. I've already helped 2 n00b friends who had phones stuck in bootloop after doing full restore.

Which program would you suggest?
This is an interesting argument

I use Titanium Backup, I just don't restore system app data to incompatible apps.

I backup using apps + system data option.
In this case, system data refers to data that are related ONLY to apps right?
When I upgrade to gingerbread, you think it will cause problem??
Or, Should I only back up apps?
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App

[email protected] said:
I backup using apps + system data option.
In this case, system data refers to data that are related ONLY to apps right?
When I upgrade to gingerbread, you think it will cause problem??
Or, Should I only back up apps?
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you backup user apps (the ones in white), you will backup the app + its settings and data.
When you backup system data (the ones in green), you are backing up only system settings, like SMS/MMS, Accounts, Calendar, Timezone, Phone logs, Wifi APN, etc.
When you backup system apps (the ones in red), you are backing up ONLY the settings and data for that app, not the app itself. THIS is what Intratech it asking you to NOT backup.
Why? Because the next ROM you install, will most likely have a different system app version than the one you previously had.
Usually:
Different apps == Different settings === problems

Heritz said:
When you backup user apps (the ones in white), you will backup the app + its settings and data.
When you backup system data (the ones in green), you are backing up only system settings, like SMS/MMS, Accounts, Calendar, Timezone, Phone logs, Wifi APN, etc.
When you backup system apps (the ones in red), you are backing up ONLY the settings and data for that app, not the app itself. THIS is what Intratech it asking you to NOT backup.
Why? Because the next ROM you install, will most likely have a different system app version than the one you previously had.
Usually:
Different apps == Different settings === problems
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So restoring the green ones should work fine? Especially the Application Widgets is important for me as it is much work to restore.
How to restore the red ones? Market + Samsung Apps?
If I do minor updates 2.2->2.2.1 is there the same recommendation to only restore user apps/data?
Thanks.

Why would you want to backup market and samsung apps?

I restore things like my APNs, contacts and SMS from system data using Titanium backup. Across a range of ROMs I've never had any issues, although I'm not restoring every bit of system data- just a select few.

Mikulec said:
Why would you want to backup market and samsung apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is faster to restore app's data than waiting for market to come up with updates and configure all manually.
Does system backup do a backup of new versions of system apps?

rickg99 said:
It is faster to restore app's data than waiting for market to come up with updates and configure all manually.
Does system backup do a backup of new versions of system apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the market automatically downloads apps when you open it. personally, i do not back up my apps but instead use my internet connection to access the market and sownload all the apps back at one go. Q: Is the same service(auto download downloaded apps) on samsung apps?

Heritz said:
When you backup user apps (the ones in white), you will backup the app + its settings and data.
When you backup system data (the ones in green), you are backing up only system settings, like SMS/MMS, Accounts, Calendar, Timezone, Phone logs, Wifi APN, etc.
When you backup system apps (the ones in red), you are backing up ONLY the settings and data for that app, not the app itself. THIS is what Intratech it asking you to NOT backup.
Why? Because the next ROM you install, will most likely have a different system app version than the one you previously had.
Usually:
Different apps == Different settings === problems
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do backup system data however I'm careful when restoring stuff. I check app version number and if they are different then I don't restore any app data for that.
The market doesn't automatically restore your user apps, that's why I restore those.

The market does auto download those apps that you have downloaded before but are not on your phone.

hello,
I know it's off topic, but can i just ask you a simple question?
when restoring with TB, does screen has to be on all the time?
because for me, when screen goes off, whole process stops and when I turn it back on, it resumes..
Is there an option available in TB where you can set to have screen off while restoring?
cheers

[email protected] said:
hello,
I know it's off topic, but can i just ask you a simple question?
when restoring with TB, does screen has to be on all the time?
because for me, when screen goes off, whole process stops and when I turn it back on, it resumes..
Is there an option available in TB where you can set to have screen off while restoring?
cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure - in Settings or Options you can specify exactly this issue "WakeLocks Mode".
Kind regards,
ww

lamacow123 said:
The market does auto download those apps that you have downloaded before but are not on your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I never observed that

webwude said:
Sure - in Settings or Options you can specify exactly this issue "WakeLocks Mode".
Kind regards,
ww
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's a bug with SGS and WakeLocks commands that TB never sorted and never supported or even gave feedback.
ScreenOn: will hang your screen On unless you reset phone
Keep CPU: screen bug is solved, but scheduled backups won't start in standby. They'll start later when you turn screen on. When screen is off, the will keep running (preferred setting for me)
Disbled: you'll have Keep CPU bug added with the pause of jobs when screen auto Off, as you expierience
To be on topic again, restoring green data is safe. Especially SMS, MMS, calendar and contacts data

For myself i duplicate apps folder on phone in case backup fails .
Root Explorer and copy APP file to sd card and or PC .
Backup fails then it just requires each app installing from the sd card .
jje

I don't think something so painfully obvious needed a thread.

lamacow123 said:
The market does auto download those apps that you have downloaded before but are not on your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not on SGS roms
when you install CM7, it does

Furry Atom said:
I don't think something so painfully obvious needed a thread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I disagree because many guys get confused as to what system apps mean. I had this problem after I restored system apps a long time ago. Since then I don't backup my system apps at all but chose individual system apps like Maps, Gmail etc. to back up.

What is the proper way to rom hop?

Greetings,
I want to be able to seamlessly switch from CM7 to MIUI to Sense, etc., keeping all of my settings, apps, etc for each setup. I assumed that I can do this by simply configuring each and doing Nandroid backups. But, when I try to restore my Myn's backup, I get an error.
Anyone know the proper procedure rom-hopping like this?
Thanks!
mike

1. Backup current apps and data in titanium backup
2. In recovery, backup current rom
3. Full wipe [factory/data, cache, dalvik]
4. Flash rom, reboot.
5. When booted into new rom, restore apps and data, NOT system settings.
6.
And if you want to switch back, go to recovery, backup current rom, then restore the backup you want; no need to wipe.
Also you'll get restore errors if you renamed the folder using invalid characters, or its corrupted.

Yes, you can just keep nandroid backups of each ROM you like after you get them set up and running how you want. Then you can restore whatever setup you feel like that day.
You can also back up your apps w/ titanium, that way if you install any new apps, when you restore another ROM, you can use ti to restore any missing apps that you've installed since the backup was made.

To the OP, your post is incomplete without the error message
Your steps seem like the proper way to go between roms. What you need to be aware of is, some apps store their data on the sdcard. Depending what is stored, you may get issues. Beautiful wigets comes to mind. It stores the skins on the sd card.
Are you getting error messages restoring from the backup image itself? What error. Are your image files intact?

Might be your version of recovery. I had a problem going from CM7 to anything else. I switched the recovery version in Rom Manager and fixed it

Sorry, I overlooked that. What error are you getting?
1. What % was your battery at? If it's below 30-40%, it won't restore or backup.
2. Have you renamed the backup? You can only use certain punctuation in the names or it won't work.

teh roxxorz said:
1. Backup current apps and data in titanium backup
2. In recovery, backup current rom
3. Full wipe [factory/data, cache, dalvik]
4. Flash rom, reboot.
5. When booted into new rom, restore apps and data, NOT system settings.
6.
And if you want to switch back, go to recovery, backup current rom, then restore the backup you want; no need to wipe.
Also you'll get restore errors if you renamed the folder using invalid characters, or its corrupted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good advice. One thing I'm curious about though. When you do a rom backup, it saves your apps/data etc. anyway, right? When you "restore" a ROM everything is exactly like you had it. So why is it necessary to do a Titanium Backup of all your apps/data (other than prudent good practice obviously) when your ROM backup will have the same. Is there another reason I'm missing?
Second, when you say backup "apps + data" but NOT system settings, what exactly do you mean? When you do a batch backup w/ Titanium Backup you can choose to do Apps or Apps + all system data. How can you quickly and easily backup apps + app data without all system settings? Manually go in and select certain (green) system data?

I do it in case I download any new apps while on one ROM that may not be included in my nand backup.
I don't restore app data, but theoretically you could restore the newer app data as well.

Alpine- said:
Good advice. One thing I'm curious about though. When you do a rom backup, it saves your apps/data etc. anyway, right? When you "restore" a ROM everything is exactly like you had it. So why is it necessary to do a Titanium Backup of all your apps/data (other than prudent good practice obviously) when your ROM backup will have the same. Is there another reason I'm missing?
Second, when you say backup "apps + data" but NOT system settings, what exactly do you mean? When you do a batch backup w/ Titanium Backup you can choose to do Apps or Apps + all system data. How can you quickly and easily backup apps + app data without all system settings? Manually go in and select certain (green) system data?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The reason for backing up your apps and data is because when you install a new rom, like going from CM7 > MIUI, you should always do a full wipe, which will erase your user apps; erases all phone content. When you boot into the new rom, the titanium backup data is on the sdcard, and can be restored from there; that's why. And doing a full wipe when flashing a new rom kills off a lot of problems, like random fcs, ect.
No, you do the batch operation for backup user apps + system data, just to be safe that you get the data for the apps. That makes it easiest. When you RESTORE, you go into batch, there's an option for restore only user apps and data, right above apps + system data.

[Q] Best way to back up your phone when switching roms?

What are you guys using to back up your phones when switching Roms? I want to back up contacts, wifi settings, APPs etc.

If I'm switching ROMs I set them up from scratch again, after doing a Nandroid of the current one

Titanium Backup works really well. It's on the market. Probably on here somewhere also.

Will Titanium restore your screens? Its a bit tiring getting them alls setup and then starting from scratch on my droid incredible I never really set up the phone because I switched Roms so often.

veli69 said:
What are you guys using to back up your phones when switching Roms? I want to back up contacts, wifi settings, APPs etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use google for contacts and wifi settings, apps Titanium Backup
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App

veli69 said:
Will Titanium restore your screens? Its a bit tiring getting them alls setup and then starting from scratch on my droid incredible I never really set up the phone because I switched Roms so often.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright, so for backing up your system you're going to want to use CWM and make a NANDROID backup. After you're done with that you will probably want to back up your apps. To back up app as well as data (such as angry birds scores) you will want to use Titanium Backup. Just remember not to restore system data, just apps/app data after flashing your ROM/Kernel.
For contacts (assuming you are on verizon) you had the option to chose where you store your contacts. Those options were either in your Gmail account or in "Backup manger" if you cant figure out where they are you can always make a file with all your contacts and place it on your SD card by going to the People App>menu>import/export>Export to storage.
As far as wifi settings go i am not aware of a way to do so.
And if you wanted to keep the launcher as it is (like where your apps are, folder, widgets, etc.) you will have to be on a custom launcher such as ADW or GoLauncher. This happens because the launcher is an app and when the app data is restored (from titanium backup) the placement of things are exactly how they were when you made the backup!

1) Nandroid. Always nanroid just to be safe - if something breaks, you need to have a working build to fall back on .
2) Contacts - I don't worry about it - they should all be synced with your Google account anyhoo.
3) Wifi settings - should also be synced with your Google account, and will be automatically restored when you set up the new ROM (assuming you tick the "restore data to my device" option in the google account setup screen).
4) Apps - TitaniumBackup for apps and data - not for system data though.
5) Launcher - some launchers will have an option built-in for backing up and restoring your screen layouts, folders, etc. Widgets will rarely be able to be restored no matter what method you use. You can also use Titanium to explicitly back up and restore your launcher's data - if you're still on the stock launcher, filter for System apps and look for an entry that starts out "[DESKTOP] Launcher ..." (it'll be in green) and backup/restore the data for that.

When you boot after first wipe it asks you for Google account details, then it will pull down your contacts, wifi settings etc. which we want.
But it also starts re-downloading all your Market apps, which we don't want because we've got them in Titanium Backup and we want to restore them with data (save games) and be linked to the Market for updates.
What's the correct way to handle this?
I've created issues before where some apps don't list in 'My apps' in the Market, and don't auto-update unless I search for them at which point it says 'Installed'.

I usually enable airplane mode immediately after the Google account setup, reboot, restore from titanium, reboot, and then turn the radios back on.

ClockworkMod Rom Manager. Its the best tool there is. yu can flash roms by pressing a simple button.

make sure you understand the difference between clockworkmod and titanium backup before you start modding your device. CWM will restore your phone exactly to how it was when you made the backup, everything from your screens, apps, setting, contacts, call and text logs. When you restore with CWM it will erase everything that was done after the backup point. Another thing to keep in mind is that you cant choose to restore specific things in CWM like you can with TB, you have to restore it all in one shot.
TB will restore apps, system apps and data associated with those apps. TB can also be used to backup settings, wifi access points and bluetooth pairings.
So if you get a bootloop or softbrick you have to use CWM. You need to do a factory reset/wipe before you flash a new rom, this is when you would use TB. Use TB to restore the apps, data and settings.
SMSbackup and calllogbackup in the market is also good for backing up or texts and call logs if you want to keep them. google will backup your contacts if you allow google to do this but you can always just save your contacts on your sim card

never ever restore system apps and data.
Especially if it was meant to be a full wipe.
Even then, clean start is always best so wipe and stop reporting bugs if you didn't do a wipe.

s2d4 said:
never ever restore system apps and data.
Especially if it was meant to be a full wipe.
Even then, clean start is always best so wipe and stop reporting bugs if you didn't do a wipe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On that note, some data for system apps can be safely restored - just never do it as a batch process. If I'm going to try restoring any system data, I do another full nandroid first (just in case) and then restore data one at a time.

I'm shocked no one has mentioned this app yet. Appextractor let's you restore things from your nandroid, Obviously some things shouldn't be restored, but many things can be safely restored.

EKnofsky said:
I'm shocked no one has mentioned this app yet. Appextractor let's you restore things from your nandroid, Obviously some things shouldn't be restored, but many things can be safely restored.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only problem I had with app extractor is the amount of SD storage space it uses - and doesn't automatically clean up. My nandroids are already ~2.7GB - I don't really want the whole thing also stored uncompressed. I quickly run out of storage space that way.
Oh, and it's painfully slow.
AppExtractor is useful if there's an important app you forgot to back up in Titanium, but doesn't really make sense to me as your primary restore method.

Isn't the Titanium data wiped when a new ROM is flashed? I assume that before flashing anything, copy the /sdcard directory to another computer?
And after flashing a new ROM, I assume that Ti has to be downloaded first in order to restore the other apps

thereddog said:
Isn't the Titanium data wiped when a new ROM is flashed? I assume that before flashing anything, copy the /sdcard directory to another computer?
And after flashing a new ROM, I assume that Ti has to be downloaded first in order to restore the other apps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unless you're using the factory recovery, the Titanium data will remain intact. You will have to reinstall Titanium from the market - or use the tool built-in to Titanium to create a flashable *.zip. Just flash that *.zip before you boot your ROM the first time and you'll have Titanium pre-loaded.

use adb! works without root
adb backup [-f ] [-apk|-noapk] [-shared|-noshared] [-all] [-system|-nosystem] []
- write an archive of the device's data to .
If no -f option is supplied then the data is written
to "backup.ab" in the current directory.
(-apk|-noapk enable/disable backup of the .apks themselves
in the archive; the default is noapk.)
(-shared|-noshared enable/disable backup of the device's
shared storage / SD card contents; the default is noshared.)
(-all means to back up all installed applications)
(-system|-nosystem toggles whether -all automatically includes
system applications; the default is to include system apps)
( is the list of applications to be backed up. If
the -all or -shared flags are passed, then the package
list is optional. Applications explicitly given on the
command line will be included even if -nosystem would
ordinarily cause them to be omitted.)
adb restore - restore device contents from the backup archive
example: adb backup -all -system -shared -apk

nitramz said:
use adb! works without root
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for this. I had seen adb backup alluded to elsewhere but not a concise post detailing the usage. I'd rather not have to use my computer to handle backups, but it sounds like a pretty cool option.

Try MyBackup PRO. It does exactly what you need. I have used it before and it is good.

[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