Develop Bugs

[Q] [NOOB] Question before flashing new ROM from stock

So the new update for AOKP http://aokp.co/index.php/releases/_/jb-build-2-r29 has pretty neat features. I am going to flash it to maximize my GNex's potential.
Just a noob question, I understand that flashing new ROMs will wipe my data. Can i restore all apps, apps settings, files on virtual SD like camera roll and downloads folder, as well as system settings simply by using Titanium Backup?
Would not want to risk all my data. Thanks.

jellymelly said:
So the new update for AOKP http://aokp.co/index.php/releases/_/jb-build-2-r29 has pretty neat features. I am going to flash it to maximize my GNex's potential.
Just a noob question, I understand that flashing new ROMs will wipe my data. Can i restore all apps, apps settings, files on virtual SD like camera roll and downloads folder, as well as system settings simply by using Titanium Backup?
Would not want to risk all my data. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your bootloader is unlocked: yes, you can root (if you haven't done it already) and use TiB to backup apps + app data. Installing a ROM will not wipe your /sdcard. It's always a good idea to back it up though before a flash. Use TiB to restore apps + appdata to your new AOKP ROM. Be careful with system apps and settings, restoring such data can lead to issues.
If your bootloader is locked and you don't have root: not easily. Unlocking it will wipe your /sdcard, you need it unlocked to gain root, and you need root to use TiB. Your best bet in that case is this guide: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1420351. Follow the guide to gain root and restore the ADB backup. Then proceed with TiB and new ROM flash.

Petrovski80 said:
If your bootloader is unlocked: yes, you can root (if you haven't done it already) and use TiB to backup apps + app data. Installing a ROM will not wipe your /sdcard. It's always a good idea to back it up though before a flash. Use TiB to restore apps + appdata to your new AOKP ROM. Be careful with system apps and settings, restoring such data can lead to issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info. I forgot to mention that I am rooted and has an unlocked bootloader already.
Just one more question: people say to wipe data before switching to a new ROM (stock -> AOKP in my case).
- Will it be OK if I don't wipe? I don't really want to set all my system settings up again
- And will wiping data/factory reset erase everything in SD card?

jellymelly said:
Thanks for the info. I forgot to mention that I am rooted and has an unlocked bootloader already.
Just one more question: people say to wipe data before switching to a new ROM (stock -> AOKP in my case).
- Will it be OK if I don't wipe? I don't really want to set all my system settings up again
- And will wiping data/factory reset erase everything in SD card?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to wipe or it simply won't work.
If you were going from an older version of AOKP to a newer version you wouldn't have to wipe; however, since you're coming from stock (a completely different ROM) data won't be compatible and you will have to wipe.
Note: not wiping will cause a bootloop.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Factory reset in a custom recovery will not touch your virtual sdcard.

Post two of the guide linked in my SIG.

Jubakuba said:
Post two of the guide linked in my SIG.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
haha should have posted earlier. I am literally pressing the the button to install apps manually... TiB Pro could have saved me 60 presses already... Your post should be stickied!

It is stickied =]
But yeah, the pro key is definitely worth it.

[Q] Possible to flash only kernel without wiping?

Is it possible to unlock the phone and flash only the kernel without wiping any data?
I would like to have benefits of the better performance from the new kernels but to not to have to reinstall everything.

vbaros said:
Is it possible to unlock the phone and flash only the kernel without wiping any data?
I would like to have benefits of the better performance from the new kernels but to not to have to reinstall everything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From my knowledge, I don't think it's possible. An unlock requires a factory reset.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

I think its not possible to unlock the phone without deleting data partition (for security reasons). How ever you can still backup all your apps+data with apps like Go Backup Pro(its free from market), but not sure if it will require rooting.
Other option: backup your data with adb pull/push commands
if you run out of options: try flashing unlocktoken from RUU mode(it avoids the warning screen, but I think it will still delete the data)

Well that is a shame.
I really wanted to make this as easy as possible.

You can try the app called carbon. Its free and does not require root. After the backup unlock the bootloader and restore the backup. Then you are able to flash different kernels.

Root/unlock bootloader without losing data

Hi there
I'm stuck with this o2 UK M8 4.4.2 for a while, with none of my old backed up apps or data on it (need root for that). I need to unlock the bootloader and then root to restore... Easy enough. But I cannot afford a full wipe at present. All the data, settings and apps are too crucial
Is there any way to unlock the bootloader (root) without losing my data?
Or any workaround?
Thanks in advance!
Sent using XDA mobile app

Try to backup with the app called helium. Then unlock and root, restore backup if there are things missing.

how could I root while locked the bootloader

I want to root the 5x so as to perform the DR Fone software which is required rooted device.
But I don't want to wipe any data ( as my ultimate goal is to restore deleted whatsapp messages)
so could it root while locked the bootloader?
thanks!!

pretty sure its not possible....

mcerk02 said:
pretty sure its not possible....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
then is there any way to NOT wipe any data to root 5X? ( as my ultimate goal is to restore deleted whatsapp messages)

then is there any way to NOT wipe any data to root 5X? ( as my ultimate goal is to restore deleted whatsapp messages)

Question about a full backup and rooting

Hi,
I recently tried a custom rom on my old phone and it worked pretty well. I liked the OS and now want to also do that on my current phone. But i do still have a few questions i hope you can help me with.
- Can i make a full backup of my phone (with app data) to my PC or maybe to my old phone? I am currently not rooted and tried helium backup but saw that sadly not all apps allow a backup.
- I know about titanium backup. Is there some way (if the above cant be done) i can root my phone without wiping the phone? So i can then use titanium backup to make a proper backup with data, then install the custom rom and after restore the apps+data.
In short: I hope i can somehow make a full backup with app data so i can install the custom rom and restore my app data again.
Looking forward to your replies.
Thanks in advance.

Nothing? No one ? =(

To root you need to unlock the bootloader, which wipes all user data. So you can't use root to backup your data. This is why I unlock the bootloader immediately after getting a phone.
You can try an adb backup though.

razr96 said:
To root you need to unlock the bootloader, which wipes all user data. So you can't use root to backup your data. This is why I unlock the bootloader immediately after getting a phone.
You can try an adb backup though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your reply and thx for the tip. Ill be doing that too from now on when i get a phone.
As long as i can make a full backup with abd (with app data), Im fine with wiping to root it. But just wanted to make sure i can get app data back after the root process.
Do you happen to have a link to a proper backup using abd guide?
Thanks

no

sm00th4f3 said:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/general/how-to-backup-restore-android-device-t3602583
You might wanna read this and try it
https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/help/adb-fastboot-commands-bootloader-kernel-t3597181
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well with a few side searches i was able to open the cmd (admin), do a adb devices (which found a device) and then run the app + data command.
('adb backup -apk -shared -all -system -f C:\backup.ab')
I saw the screen on my phone to start it, which i did but it stays on Shared Storage (where before this mentioned the apk's that were being backed up). This is taking pretty long (as in hours). Is this normal or did something went wrong and is it stuck on that part?
Edit (Update): I stopped the whole thing and tried again. Now it finished in about 10 - 15 min. I did get a message "backup finished". However in the folder i gave up, there is nothing to see. folder is still empty
Edit2 (update): Found the backup.ab file. Apparently it was in a different folder i thought it would be. So if i then also make a copy of the internal storage and do this command, i should be good right? After doing that, unlock and root, i can use the 'adb restore C:\backup.ab' and have all apps + app data back as it was before the unlock/root ?

no

sm00th4f3 said:
In a sense. Yes, but you might wanna read some threads about that first.. Otherwise. No one would wanna go back after unlocking his phone. Since restoring a backup from a locked phone on an unlocked phone can cause some issues.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not really sure what you mean though.
If i unlock my phone with my code and then make the backup with adb and just in case, a copy of my internal storage, can't i use restore on the unlocked/rooted phone to have the apps + their data back and use them again ?

no

sm00th4f3 said:
No you can't. It will brick your device. The backup can only be used when your phone is still locked. So it is basically not needed at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you are saying that there is no possibility to backup my apps+data, unlock/root/custom rom, and then restore my apps+data at all?
That was some what the question of my first post.
So its either, fully wipe with everything lost, then root etc. etc. or just keep it the way i have it now?

no

sm00th4f3 said:
The normal procedure is as follows:
After an unlock.- your data always gets formatted. So a backup is totally wasted time.
The backup isn't wasted time - if it is done after unlocking your phone, while it still has stock rom.
In case flashing goes wrong, make the backup while not having flashed twro etc at all.
You don't have to wipe anything if you just want root, since the phone will reset-wipe your data on its very own.
Just unlock it, let it reboot, Flash twrp, install root zip file. Reboot
In case of flashing a custom rom. Flash twrp, boot to twrp. Use the Reboot menu and reboot again into recovery
Reboot->Recovery (in twrp menu).
Then Wipe-> Factory Reset
Wipe-> Advanced Wipe-> Wipe System partition only
Wipe-> Advanced wipe-> select Data partition-> Change file system to ext4
Reboot Menu in TWRP->Recovery
Wipe Dalvik and Cache
Flash Rom
Flash Gapps if not stated otherwise in Instructions of Rom Thread
Flash Magisk or SUperSu , depends if you want root or not. If you don'T want encryption on older Roms, flash one of the two.
Encryption will later on be optional through Phone Security Options.
Wipe dalvik and cache.
Reboot.
Wait a bit.
Setup phone, done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes but as you mentioned, unlocking means a full wipe. And i cant restore apps + their data from a stock phone backup to an unlocked phone as it can cause issues.
In my very first post i asked if i could make a backup of the apps + their data to restore them after unlocking/rooting/custom rom or whatever. Simple answer then is no.
So i either have to just wipe my phone and basically start all over, only unlock/root etc etc first.
Or just keep my phone stock like how it is now and just do nothing and wait until i get a new phone (which will be in a long time still)