[Q] Factory reset vs. Format data - AT&T, Rogers, Bell, Telus Samsung Galaxy S III

Can someone tell me the difference between "factory reset" and "format data" on the recovery options (CWM or Team Win)? I've googled but I can't find anything. Some ROMs call for one or the other.
I was also wondering if "format data" is safe if I have everything backup up with TiBu on my external SD card. Will it wipe everything on my internal storage?
Thanks!

Last weekend I did a factory reset in stock recovery and lost all my custom ring tones and notification sounds. I discovered that neither TWRP nor CWM backed up /data/media when I made a backup. I subsequently noticed a message from TWRP during a factory reset that it was leaving /data/media.
So that's at least one difference: format will remove /data/media while factory reset will not.
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Related

Quick question on wiping data & "SD"

Will wiping the phone in CWM delete files on the "SD" space of the phone? I've read it is all apart of the same partition, so I wanted to make sure before awkwardly deleting the ROM I am about to install..
I have wiped tons of times in CWR and it hasn't touched the /sd yet. All my files are safe and sound.
Sent from my GNex
Grims said:
Will wiping the phone in CWM delete files on the "SD" space of the phone? I've read it is all apart of the same partition, so I wanted to make sure before awkwardly deleting the ROM I am about to install..
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Yes, it clears *all* internal storage.
So...which is it?
Maybe I misunderstood but are you talking about wiping /data and /cache? Because when I do this it does NOT wipe the /sd but does wipe all other user data, just like on every other android phone I have had.
Sent from my GNex
Grims said:
So...which is it?
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Wipe data/factory reset on CWM wipes your WHOLE phone, including "SD" card. I advise you to use the Super Wipe Lite script from the Android Revolution ROM, get it here. This will do a complete wipe, except SD card.
A bit of more info, in case you're interested: the SD card is the folder /data/media mounted as /sdcard. When you wipe in CWM, the data folder is emptied as well.
EDIT: i havent actually tried to do a normal full wipe from CWM, im stating the above just from reading other reports here. Maybe the last version from CWM has fixed this, i dont know
EDIT2: You can wipe cache and dalvik as usual from CWM without any problems.
flakz0r said:
Wipe data/factory reset on CWM wipes your WHOLE phone, including "SD" card. I advise you to use the Super Wipe Lite script from the Android Revolution ROM, get it here. This will do a complete wipe, except SD card.
A bit of more info, in case you're interested: the SD card is the folder /data/media mounted as /sdcard. When you wipe in CWM, the data folder is emptied as well.
EDIT: i havent actually tried to do a normal full wipe from CWM, im stating the above just from reading other reports here. Maybe the last version from CWM has fixed this, i dont know
EDIT2: You can wipe cache and dalvik as usual from CWM without any problems.
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I figured that was how it was setup, but didn't know if CWM had any logic built into it to filter out the folder. I'll take a look at the script, thanks.
The built-in factory reset in Android will also wipe everything.
I did data,cache,dalvik wipe and formatted system going from 4.0.2 to 4.0.3.
I did NOT lose my SD card
The default wipe in ICS clears *all* internal memory. The default Factory Reset feature of CWM does the exact same thing. I've done it twice and it wiped fully both times.
Very interesting direct contradictions going on in here..
Wiping data in CWM DOES NOT WIPE THE VIRTUAL SDCARD. People need to stop saying it does.. it is all one partition but the virtual SD card is not wiped when you wipe data in cwm.. Factory resets in settings will wipe your virtual SD card but cwm WILL NOT.
Edit: sorry I had a long night, but I will leave the caps so people actually read it.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
It is quite troubling to read how many people are saying that wiping in CWM will erase the SD card.
It 100% DOES NOT. I have wiped in CWM dozens of times already. I can not say the same for Factory Reset in Android...but in CWM wiping data DOES NOT wipe your SD.

Complete Wipe (including SD Card)

OKay, I know its been asked in many thread and I am posting here because there are confusing answers floating around.
I am currently unlocked (bootloader), have CWM 5.5.0.2 recovery running and run a flavor of AOKP with my choice of kernel.
Now, when I perform a factory reset via the backup and restore menu in settings, it doesn't erase the sdcard contents. Why are people stating that this "factory reset" will erase everything, when in my case it doesn't?
locking the bootloader and then unlocking will do it, but then why are people stating that factory reset should also wipe sdcard partition in the galaxy nexus.
Is it because im running CWM instead of the stock recovery? Or is the above assumption about factory reset erasing everything (including photos/downloads, etc) simply incorrect?
thanks
cchhat01
if i'm not mistaken, CWR will never erase the /sdcard partition because if you wipe everything before installing a rom, you then delete the /sdcard partition where the rom .zip is stored.
stock recovery might be different and might wipe everything out and revert everything to stock, but i'm not 100% on that.
Maybe because Factory Reset from Settings normally does this. Perhaps Google wised up and fixed it with ICS 4.0
That said, CWM won't erase your SD card partition. And if you say a Factory Wipe doesn't either, you can try going to CWM and Format SD Card partition. If that doesn't work then you really only have 1 choice ATM.
Just relock/unlock/relock your phone.
There should be other FULL FORMAT methods that erase everything. Perhaps an update.zip file... Or ADB commands?
But why make it harder then you have too? Just do the unlock method. Boom! Done.
player911 said:
Maybe because Factory Reset from Settings normally does this. Perhaps Google wised up and fixed it with ICS 4.0
That said, CWM won't erase your SD card partition. And if you say a Factory Wipe doesn't either, you can try going to CWM and Format SD Card partition. If that doesn't work then you really only have 1 choice ATM.
Just relock/unlock/relock your phone.
There should be other FULL FORMAT methods that erase everything. Perhaps an update.zip file... Or ADB commands?
But why make it harder then you have too? Just do the unlock method. Boom! Done.
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Well, because while I am already unlocked, I shouldn't have to lock the bootloader and re-unlock it again just for the purpose of erasing SD Card.
CWM doesn't have an option to erase SD Card
But Factory Reset through the settings menu certainly doesn't wipe everything while I'm rooted and running CWM with AOKP.
cchhat01

[Q] For those that swap roms

How are you backing up the files on your phone easily (pics, documents, music, etc.....)? I know whenever I do a factory reset my phone is wiped clean.
Sent from my LG-LS970
sanity29 said:
How are you backing up the files on your phone easily (pics, documents, music, etc.....)? I know whenever I do a factory reset my phone is wiped clean.
Sent from my LG-LS970
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I use a combo of dropbox and snapseed
I figured it was something along those lines. Wasn't sure if there was a way to protect that partition from getting wiped. Ill just assume it's all one partition then.
Sent from my LG-LS970
i believe our "/sdcard" partition is really /data/media. when you do a factory reset in stock recovery or the phone settings.. all of /data is wiped.. including /data/media ("/sdcard")
but why are you doing a factory reset? if you're unlocked you can use TWRP to do a "Wipe > Factory Reset" that will ONLY wipe /data.. while not touching /data/media("/sdcard").
the only reason to do a factory reset thru the stock recovery or thru the stock rom is if you're having sdcard issue or you actually wanna wipe the /sdcard clean.

[Q] TWRP Question

Hi, my question is, what of way do you format device to flash a ROM. In picture A there is swipe to factory reset and in picture B you have to type yes to start. While flashing a ROM which option do you choose? Factory reset or Format data. I forgot which one I used to format data.
With TWRP if you wipe "factory reset" clears, / data, cache / and / dalvik but in / data does not erase / data / media / or your internal storage.
But is you wipe /data from Advance wipe, it will delete everything in data partition including internal storage.
:good:
Format Data now what
I used TWRP to "format data" on my phone and then loaded CyanogenMod from an external sd card, but it is stuck in the load screen. Do I have to use a different ROM after a "format data"?
CAMM

Flashing roms without external sd

Just thought I'd throw this out there since I'm thinking about getting this phone.
How is everybody flashing roms without the external sd? Is it all done thru adb?
Looks like I'll have to learn about the alternatives to using sd's as Google seems determined to abolish them
Download the rom to the phone, boot into recovery and flash
Sent from my SM-N910C using Tapatalk
to further clarify, when you wipe your internal memory with a custom recovery (TWRP, for example), the "sd card" portion of the internal memory is not wiped. So you'll be able to access the ROM .zip files to flash even after a wipe.
Or get a type C USB flash drive or micro SD adapter and copy the ROM to that. Then flash it from recovery from there. I bought the cheap $16 32gb Kingston one that I use to create backups to.
jss2 said:
to further clarify, when you wipe your internal memory with a custom recovery (TWRP, for example), the "sd card" portion of the internal memory is not wiped. So you'll be able to access the ROM .zip files to flash even after a wipe.
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Click to collapse
-_- This isnt the case on other phones. Anyone else want to second this guys claim?
jss2 said:
to further clarify, when you wipe your internal memory with a custom recovery (TWRP, for example), the "sd card" portion of the internal memory is not wiped. So you'll be able to access the ROM .zip files to flash even after a wipe.
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Click to collapse
Yup!
PiousInquisitor said:
-_- This isnt the case on other phones. Anyone else want to second this guys claim?
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Click to collapse
TWRP on my S3 has worked exactly how the above user states and that's from 2012. There's a "Wipe Internal Storage" option on my S3 under "Wipe" that formats the entire storage and leaves nothing behind. Separately, there's a "Factory Reset" option that wipes everything except /sdcard where my pics/vids/files are located. I'm not on the 5X just yet (mine arrived this week) but that's how it should work.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk
SlimSnoopOS said:
Yup!
TWRP on my S3 has worked exactly how the above user states and that's from 2012. There's a "Wipe Internal Storage" option on my S3 under "Wipe" that formats the entire storage and leaves nothing behind. Separately, there's a "Factory Reset" option that wipes everything except /sdcard where my pics/vids/files are located. I'm not on the 5X just yet (mine arrived this week) but that's how it should work.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk
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Can you direct me to the option to wipe "internal memory"? Ive never seen that option in TWRP. I understand what a "Factory Reset" is, but wtf is wiping "internal memory"?
I think I remember you from my SIII days. My previous account was mentose457. I made a fair amount of mods for Jelly "Beans" ROM.
PiousInquisitor said:
Can you direct me to the option to wipe "internal memory"? Ive never seen that option in TWRP. I understand what a "Factory Reset" is, but wtf is wiping "internal memory"?
I think I remember you from my SIII days. My previous account was mentose457. I made a fair amount of mods for Jelly "Beans" ROM.
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Oh, I remember you! I think I used your nav bar mod on the S3 haha and sorry, autocorrect messed up. I meant to write my 5X "arrives" this week. I have not received it yet.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk
PiousInquisitor said:
Can you direct me to the option to wipe "internal memory"? Ive never seen that option in TWRP. I understand what a "Factory Reset" is, but wtf is wiping "internal memory"?
I think I remember you from my SIII days. My previous account was mentose457. I made a fair amount of mods for Jelly "Beans" ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the "wipe" option there is an "advanced wipe" option, in there you can select which partition you want to wipe. "Internal storage" is an option, leave it blank so as to not wipe your internal storage in order to flash a downloaded ROM. After flashing a ROM do a factory reset
k.s.deviate said:
In the "wipe" option there is an "advanced wipe" option, in there you can select which partition you want to wipe. "Internal storage" is an option, leave it blank so as to not wipe your internal storage in order to flash a downloaded ROM. After flashing a ROM do a factory reset
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I know, I'm looking for the "internal memory" option that doesn't wipe internal storage. Anyway, I'm not having fun trolling jss2 anymore. Good day.
Sent from my LG-VS985 using Tapatalk
I have been using TWRP since version 2.1 I think and it's always been like this:
Factory Wipe (default under " Wipe") = wipe /data except /data/media/ where your personal files live
Wipe > Advanced > select Data = same as above
Wipe > Advanced > select Internal Storage = wipe the entire data partition including /data/media/
Wipe > Advanced > Format data = entire data partition will be formatted
PiousInquisitor said:
-_- This isnt the case on other phones. Anyone else want to second this guys claim?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is how a custom recovery(like twrp) will do it. If you do it from the phone's normal recovery, it will wipe internal storage, I believe. If you hit Factory Reset from twrp, internal storage isn't wiped. If you do that with a stock recovery, everything is wiped.
jackdubl said:
This is how a custom recovery(like twrp) will do it. If you do it from the phone's normal recovery, it will wipe internal storage, I believe. If you hit Factory Reset from twrp, internal storage isn't wiped. If you do that with a stock recovery, everything is wiped.
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Click to collapse
When did "internal memory" = "factory reset"? That is my the issue with jss2's statement.
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
PiousInquisitor said:
When did "internal memory" = "factory reset"? That is my the issue with jss2's statement.
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
Yeah, I don't know, I'm just giving you the terms that twrp and the phone uses. Usually in twrp anything that will wipe your internal storage has a lot of warnings in red before you actually wipe anything. Here's the gist: it's pretty hard to wipe your internal storage from twrp by mistake, but easy to do with a stock recovery.
jackdubl said:
Yeah, I don't know, I'm just giving you the terms that twrp and the phone uses. Usually in twrp anything that will wipe your internal storage has a lot of warnings in red before you actually wipe anything. Here's the gist: it's pretty hard to wipe your internal storage from twrp by mistake, but easy to do with a stock recovery.
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Lol. I have a bit of experience with twrp and with android. No one reads threads anymore do they?
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