how to prevent messing up EFS/IMEI when flashing custom roms? - AT&T, Rogers, Bell, Telus Samsung Galaxy S III

?? im a bit paranoid though i have backed up the folder though never experience messing with it yet
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There isn't really anything you can do but be prepared for the worst. You have made your backups so either flash or don't lol. The only way to be sure is to not flash anything to your phone. There is no rhyme or reason for how people lose their imei.

Use TWRP, I hear most of the incidents happen with CWM.
I'm new to flashing as well and been using TWRP. So far have not lost IMEI and I flash CM10 daily.

Use EFS pro to make a backup / restore your imei
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1308546
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EFS doesn't store the IMEI, so it's not as important as it used to be.
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Related

Nandroid Backup

I've just made a nandroid backup, will I still need to download the stock ROM in case something happens? I'm taking the leap into custom ROMs and just want to know if I can skip that step.
Is the backup just in case you change your mind?
I'll be using the tutorials already on here to do the rest, I just wanted make sure exactly what the backup was before taking that leap.
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If you flash your nandroid, it will return your device to the exact state it was in when you made the backup, the only thing it does not restore is baseband (radio) and kernel.
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Will it work if something goes wrong? Or does that depend on how bad it goes wrong?
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No matter what you do, it will return you device to how it was when you created the backup. even if you went mad and deleted entire system folder
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flashing a back up on new phone

I had a case of sudden death and att replaced my phone.my question is can I root it and restore the back up from the one that got replace? the imei and seriel # aren't in a nandroid right? or should I root and start flashing all my mods from scratch?
I think you can and restoring it won't mess up anything with your imei or serial as that's not rewritten. I wouldn't though. I'm in the start fresh crowd.
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Just root it, install the custom recovery you used to make the backup. Put the backup on your phone and restore.
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yeah you can do this with no problems. just make sure you use the same recovery/version on both devices.
Ok I did it. Had to make a backup so that twrp could create the directory, then moved the preexisting backup into that directory and presto.
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Backing up a non-rooted device

I have the Epic 4G Touch. I'd like to proceed with rooting it and ultimately CM10. I'd like to back up all the random stuff that I've accumulated over the last few years of owning this phone before I do that. Titanium Backup is only for rooted devices, as I understand it. What is the preferred method for backing up a device before rooting?
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You can root it without losing any data.
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Ypu can also just use odin to flash the el26 kernel. Then go into recovery and make a nandroid. After that flash whatever rom after wiping. Then on your new rom use titanium backup pro to restore from nandroid. Choose your apps and the data and restore. Do not restore anything system.
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patrao_n said:
Ypu can also just use odin to flash the el26 kernel. Then go into recovery and make a nandroid. After that flash whatever rom after wiping. Then on your new rom use titanium backup pro to restore from nandroid. Choose your apps and the data and restore. Do not restore anything system.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That works too. Haha!
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If you haven't moved forward with yet you can also use Helium for your backup -- it is available in the Play Store for free and is one of the only suites that will let you backup apps and data without root. I think that it will require access to a PC for the non-root backup. Good luck!

Freegee Restore W/ Backups

Is this option going to relock my boot loader? I'm on my stock ROM (not a custom stock ROM, the ROM straight from LG). I can't get LGNPST to connect to my computer (running windows 8). My phone randomly loses internet connection (started when I flashed a 4.4 ROM) even though it says I have full bars on LTE. Tried restoring my EFS from before I began flashing, however that didn't work.
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I meant I can't get it to connect to my phone (I would've edited my post but the xda app is acting up)
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_dannyboy said:
Is this option going to relock my boot loader? I'm on my stock ROM (not a custom stock ROM, the ROM straight from LG). I can't get LGNPST to connect to my computer (running windows 8). My phone randomly loses internet connection (started when I flashed a 4.4 ROM) even though it says I have full bars on LTE. Tried restoring my EFS from before I began flashing, however that didn't work.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also, I saw that one of the FAQ (according to shellnut on his post about releasing freegee for the OGPro) was how to uninstall this. He answered "restore with backups" so...I'm assuming that means as long as I'm on the LG factory ROM and use the restore with backups, I'll be relocked and won't run into the LG Security error like I would on a custom ROM.
**EDIT**
from what I understand, restoring with backups will relock the boot loader without wiping the ROM (which is why restoring with backups gives you the security error when doing it on a custom ROM) so...I'll be fine with doing it on the LG stock ROM. Right? I know I'm kind of answering my own questions but it helps to hear it from someone else. I'm currently waiting on a reply from shellnutt.
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_dannyboy said:
Also, I saw that one of the FAQ (according to shellnut on his post about releasing freegee for the OGPro) was how to uninstall this. He answered "restore with backups" so...I'm assuming that means as long as I'm on the LG factory ROM and use the restore with backups, I'll be relocked and won't run into the LG Security error like I would on a custom ROM.
**EDIT**
from what I understand, restoring with backups will relock the boot loader without wiping the ROM (which is why restoring with backups gives you the security error when doing it on a custom ROM) so...I'll be fine with doing it on the LG stock ROM. Right? I know I'm kind of answering my own questions but it helps to hear it from someone else. I'm currently waiting on a reply from shellnutt.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I gave an answer in another thread about FreeGee and how it works.
When you use FreeGee it doesn't just backup your EFS it backs up the boot and two other parts. FreeGee is a dumb app meaning that it always assumes you are restoring to the same ROM. So if you are on ZVB and run FreeGee then move to ZVC and do a restore it can crash your phone. If all you want is to restore your EFS then hit this link for details. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=38348745&postcount=1
reddragon72 said:
I think I gave an answer in another thread about FreeGee and how it works.
When you use FreeGee it doesn't just backup your EFS it backs up the boot and two other parts. FreeGee is a dumb app meaning that it always assumes you are restoring to the same ROM. So if you are on ZVB and run FreeGee then move to ZVC and do a restore it can crash your phone. If all you want is to restore your EFS then hit this link for details. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=38348745&postcount=1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on zvc and was on zvc before unlocking so it backed up my zvc boot stuff. I restored my efs already that's fine. I'm just trying to relock the bootloader and just stay on LGs Stock ROM.
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_dannyboy said:
I'm on zvc and was on zvc before unlocking so it backed up my zvc boot stuff. I restored my efs already that's fine. I'm just trying to relock the bootloader and just stay on LGs Stock ROM.
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can re-lock with FreeGee.
reddragon72 said:
You can re-lock with FreeGee.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Won't brick me right?
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_dannyboy said:
Won't brick me right?
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no idea nor have I heard of it and no-one here or anywhere can tell you it will. If you want wait for a better answer or until I can look it up.
Look in here for more info but it doesn't cover unrooting/re-locking http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2050582
I will tell you that there is a chance of an unbootable phone if you have removed any bloatware and then re-lock the phone.
If you want to be safe then just LGPNST back to stock. You'll have to reinstall everything but that is always the safest.
Yeah I removed bloatware but I don't remember which ones I did besides the file manager.
Never mind, I have them all still. Only one I didn't have was File Manager but that was reinstalled with the Application Manager.
Trust me, if I could LGNPST I would, but for some reason it won't recognize my phone. I need the windows 8 drivers I think but even then, I was told theres some weird process you have to go through in order to get it to work on windows 8
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I've read that you only get the security error when you uninstall one of the GApps. Is that true or is it with all preinstalled apps?
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_dannyboy said:
I've read that you only get the security error when you uninstall one of the GApps. Is that true or is it with all preinstalled apps?
Sent from my LG-LS970 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
More questions? lol LG apps will do it too. If you don't unlock your bootloader, you'll become really good friends with LGNPST, if you uninstall an app LG wants. Sucks I know, but unlocking isn't that bad. The safest way to unlock? Just LGNPST teeny bins. I haven't heard of any issues with it. But s#*t happens.
I want to LGNPST but alas, LGNPST hates my phone. I checked compared to my moms LGOG, I'm not missing any apps so I should be good with the freegee relock I guess. I hope so.
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[Q] AOSP rom on PagePlus flashed galaxy S3

Hi, I have a SPH-L710 that's flashed to pageplus. I heard somewhere that flashing an aosp rom would break the pageplus flash, but that touchwiz roms are okay. I wanted to ask and see if anyone knows if it'll actually break the flash or not.
Bump
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Come on guys. Somebody's got to know
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Make a nandroid, flash and see, if it doesn't work restore your nandriod
Does a nandroid backup the files from the flash?
Going to take a leap of faith and just flash it. Ill post back how it goes
The nandroid should back all that up
Yes it works. You can't flash a phone to pageplus on a aosp ROM, but afterwards you can use one
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