Develop Bugs

Going Complete Stock, but Keeping my Apps and Data

I had an idea, and wanted to run it by all the fine people here on XDA before proceeding.
As everyone knows, there was a press release yesterday informing us that the Telus Samsung Galaxy S 2 (T989D) model will be getting the ICS update right away, probably within the next couple weeks.
Currently, I am on the Stock Telus Gingerbread ROM that came with my phone, however, it is rooted and I have installed CWM recovery as well.
From my understanding, when ICS becomes available to download via Telus, I won't be able to upgrade since I am rooted.
In order to download the update I would have to remove root and also flash the stock Telus recovery through ODIN. Only problem with that is, there doesn't seem to be a flashable stock Telus recovery available, just a T-Mobile recovery.
This is what I was thinking of doing.
1. Make a nandroid, backup all my apps and data through Titanium Backup and also backup all my SMS/MMS and Call Logs with SMS Backup +.
2. Put my phone into download mode and go into ODIN and flash the following stock Telus ROM through the PDA option. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1350357 If everything goes well, I should have complete stock, no root and stock recovery.
3. Then I was going to use the ZergRush Exploit to re-root my phone http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1321582 this should just give me root access but I would still have the stock recovery.
4. Go to the Market and download Titanium Backup and restore all my apps with data. Also, restore all my SMS and call logs through SMS Backup +
5. Then I would want to remove Root so I can proceed with the update to ICS. I could either go into Root Explorer or ES File Explorer and navigate to the following:
/system/bin/ then delete SU.
/system/xbin and delete SU
finally go into /system/app/ and delete Superuser.apk.
An alternative method would be to use the ZergRush unrooting script found here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=18879974#post18879974 since I used ZergRush to Root originally.
If everything goes as planned I should now have my phone completely stock, no root, stock recovery and have all my apps back with data. Now, I know this seems like a long and tedious procedure, but would this technically work if I was to proceed?
I may just hold off on doing the update altogether and wait for one of the amazing Dev's to release their version of ICS. Although, I would like to experience the Stock ICS that Telus provides, since I really enjoy Telus Stock Gingerbread ROM (which is what I am currently running).
Thoughts, comments, they are all welcome. Thanks for listening.

99% of the time, there is a dev that provides the STOCK, rooted rom as a .zip. I could be wrong, but having gone through an HTC mt4g, sensation & still using the t989 & nexus, this is what goes on. However, you can just Odin back to stock & wait for the update as well...
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

cbutt said:
99% of the time, there is a dev that provides the STOCK, rooted rom as a .zip. I could be wrong, but having gone through an HTC mt4g, sensation & still using the t989 & nexus, this is what goes on. However, you can just Odin back to stock & wait for the update as well...
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ya, that's what I was thinking as well. Hopefully our dev's can provide a complete stock but rooted ROM. The only stock rooted Telus ROM (for Gingerbread) that was available was slightly tweaked. Hopefully there will be one available that has no tweaks. Thank you for your response, much appreciated.

Chochiwpg said:
Ya, that's what I was thinking as well. Hopefully our dev's can provide a complete stock but rooted ROM. The only stock rooted Telus ROM (for Gingerbread) that was available was slightly tweaked. Hopefully there will be one available that has no tweaks. Thank you for your response, much appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could easily flash back to stock and take the update, then root it yourself. It only takes a few minutes.

xcrazydx said:
You could easily flash back to stock and take the update, then root it yourself. It only takes a few minutes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was thinking about doing that, my concern is if I flash back to complete stock do I lose all my apps and data? I know I can re-download my apps again from the play store, but I would like to keep the data within those apps as well.
Or, when I flash back to complete stock are all my apps still in check because I wouldn't do a factory reset?

Chochiwpg said:
I was thinking about doing that, my concern is if I flash back to complete stock do I lose all my apps and data? I know I can re-download my apps again from the play store, but I would like to keep the data within those apps as well.
Or, when I flash back to complete stock are all my apps still in check because I wouldn't do a factory reset?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It will wipe all your apps and data. You can back that up via various apps like titanium and and a messaging backup, like backup to gmail or whatever you use.

xcrazydx said:
It will wipe all your apps and data. You can back that up via various apps like titanium and and a messaging backup, like backup to gmail or whatever you use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. Yes, I know I can make the backups, and I would do that as well. But when you flash and go back to complete stock you lose root so I can't use titanium unless I re-route again.
that's why I was thinking about backing up first, flashing stock, then re-route with ZergRush (which won't touch the recovery). Reinstall all my apps with data and then remove root and wait for the update.
Logically to me this makes sense. I just don't know if technically it would work is all.

Chochiwpg said:
Thank you. Yes, I know I can make the backups, and I would do that as well. But when you flash and go back to complete stock you lose root so I can't use titanium unless I re-route again.
that's why I was thinking about backing up first, flashing stock, then re-route with ZergRush (which won't touch the recovery). Reinstall all my apps with data and then remove root and wait for the update.
Logically to me this makes sense. I just don't know if technically it would work is all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What I'm saying is keep running whatever rom your on. Then back everything up when the official ics drops. Flash back to stock, Take the update, then root it. But migrating data from different OS's is generally not gonna be a good route to take. So, I would just start over anyway.

xcrazydx said:
What I'm saying is keep running whatever rom your on. Then back everything up when the official ics drops. Flash back to stock, Take the update, then root it. But migrating data from different OS's is generally not gonna be a good route to take. So, I would just start over anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, got ya. That makes sense and is probably what I am going to do. The data that I have saved in games isn't an issue, I don't really care about that. The info that I don't want to lose is in an Expense Manager application. that's the main one I don't want to lose the data. The text messages and call logs I can get back without issue and I can backup my pics and videos of my kids either to my computer manually or use Samsung Kies. So that's not an issue either.
Another question, just out of curiosity. Lets say someone didn't root their phone and received the OTA update. How would updating to ICS affect the apps already installed on their phone?

Chochiwpg said:
Ok, got ya. That makes sense and is probably what I am going to do. The data that I have saved in games isn't an issue, I don't really care about that. The info that I don't want to lose is in an Expense Manager application. that's the main one I don't want to lose the data. The text messages and call logs I can get back without issue and I can backup my pics and videos of my kids either to my computer manually or use Samsung Kies. So that's not an issue either.
Another question, just out of curiosity. Lets say someone didn't root their phone and received the OTA update. How would updating to ICS affect the apps already installed on their phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe it will wipe everything

You could backup your apps with an app that doesn't require root, such as my backup pro. That way you won't have an issue restoring after flashing back to stock.
Edit: never mind, still need root if you want to restore data.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium

Towle said:
You could backup your apps with an app that doesn't require root, such as my backup pro. That way you won't have an issue restoring after flashing back to stock.
Edit: never mind, still need root if you want to restore data.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem. I think the only way is to backup, then flash stock, re root and install apps, then remove root. Or wait for a dev to release a stock rooted ICS ROM.

Chochiwpg said:
5. Then I would want to remove Root so I can proceed with the update to ICS. I could either go into Root Explorer or ES File Explorer and navigate to the following:
/system/bin/ then delete SU.
/system/xbin and delete SU
finally go into /system/app/ and delete Superuser.apk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've never really felt the need to unroot, but similar to Chochiwpg, I'm interested in receiving the stock Jelly Bean as soon as it's available, but don't want to have to flash stock ICS (and lose my apps and data) in the meantime. Will this unroot method do the trick? After that I can flash the stock recovery and be good to go with Kies for the update?
Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Q] Backup done, ready for root?

Hi. I backed up my phone using the backup method found here: http://android.stackexchange.com/questions/28296/full-backup-of-non-rooted-devices
This method uses CMD and creates an android backup file (.ab) I want to unlock my bootloader and add the custom clockwork recovery. Of course unlocking the bootloader wipes everything. So if i were to restore everything with the .ab file, then do the custom recovey with the superuser thing, would that give me root, and would all of my apps and data be restored as they are right now?
Probably a stupid question, but i want to be completely 100% sure i won't mess up my phone. I know its going to void warranty, which would be a problem if i dropped it of course
Thanks

It should work yes, you can also backup apps with an app called carbon. Free in the playstore.
Then unlock the bootloader,flash a custom recovery and make a backup of the stock rom in there right away too (needed when you want to go back to full stock for future updates) its called a nandroid backup.
Then root it and restore, or install a brand new custom already rooted rom

Thanks a lot
If it was a custom rom i chose to install, will it still restore? or would it need to be the original stock for the restore to work properly?

Danw20 said:
Thanks a lot
If it was a custom rom i chose to install, will it still restore? or would it need to be the original stock for the restore to work properly?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Afaik know you can restore apps on any rom with carbon. Watch out with restoring system data, it can crash the rom.
Because some custom roms have more changes and if you restore system parts it will break the rom. But apps should not be a problem. The most important thing is that you do a nandroid backup of the stock rom. The rest is easy to setup new in the worst case.

Brilliant. Thanks for the help, much apreciated.
Was half expecting an answer like that, i think i will give root stock a go, then probably when HTC stop updating i will be very tempted to give a custom a go.
Cheers

I have unlocked the bootloader, i think i have flashed the recovery, downloaded nandroid and still says i need root, so i downloaded the superuser thing and when i try to install the binary thing it says there is an error. Anything i can do?
Update: I have learnt Its all good now.

Good mate ! Have fun with your rooted phone
CASE CLOSED !

[Q] Questions on after rooting

Ok so I decided to root my VS985 G3. Mainly for better battery as of right now and to run some root apps. Running Lollipop 5.0.1. So far I have userSU and TitaniumBackup installed. I know the greatest thing with root is custom ROMs, but I'm not at that point yet. With just root here are some question I have as far as a noob with this goes.
1. Do I just do back ups with TI or do I still use the stock LG backup app?
2. In the event that I need to do a system restore. Do I need to uninstall root with userSU first then do a regular system restore with the power/vol down button or can I do it with the root still enabled?
3. Until I get comfortable being rooted and how things work I'm not going to do a custom ROM. However being a 25 yr exp computer tech tinkering is in my blood so I know at some point I will do it. With just root do I need to do a TWRP nandroid backup now or wait till I get ready for a custom ROM?
Thanks for helping guys! I am a IOS convert and am loving the Droid life.

jandb19 said:
Ok so I decided to root my VS985 G3. Mainly for better battery as of right now and to run some root apps. Running Lollipop 5.0.1. So far I have userSU and TitaniumBackup installed. I know the greatest thing with root is custom ROMs, but I'm not at that point yet. With just root here are some question I have as far as a noob with this goes.
1. Do I just do back ups with TI or do I still use the stock LG backup app?
2. In the event that I need to do a system restore. Do I need to uninstall root with userSU first then do a regular system restore with the power/vol down button or can I do it with the root still enabled?
3. Until I get comfortable being rooted and how things work I'm not going to do a custom ROM. However being a 25 yr exp computer tech tinkering is in my blood so I know at some point I will do it. With just root do I need to do a TWRP nandroid backup now or wait till I get ready for a custom ROM?
Thanks for helping guys! I am a IOS convert and am loving the Droid life.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Backup with Titanium Backup. It does a more thorough job
2. I dont get your question. Under what circumstance do you want to do a system restore? If you make a system backup while rooted when you restore the backup you will still be rooted?
3. You only make a backup of your system using TWRP or Nandroid Backup if you are going to be playing around with the system folder or if you are install custom rom
Oh yeah and by the way once you root they will know that you rooted your phone regardless of whether supersu is present on the phone. They do this by looking at the LG RCT menu in service settings

So annoying that warranty is void when rooting. Oh well, if I have an issue down the road, hopefully my carrier doesn't look at that menu.
(though, aside from an issue with the internal storage on a Galaxy S i9000m, I've never had to send in a phone for warranty)

Devhux said:
So annoying that warranty is void when rooting. Oh well, if I have an issue down the road, hopefully my carrier doesn't look at that menu
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, removing root and bringing the device to original state is as easy as flashing an official rom. No traces of root left.

itsbighead said:
1. Backup with Titanium Backup. It does a more thorough job
2. I dont get your question. Under what circumstance do you want to do a system restore? If you make a system backup while rooted when you restore the backup you will still be rooted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My question there was looking at "IF" I wanted to do a system restore would I need to unroot first or restore as normal then re root. Thinking I loose root when I do a factory restore. Just didn't know if I needed to unroot or not before doing the restore. With my VS985 it will have a few kninks every now and then that doing a restore seems to help fix. Maybe a hardware defect, but nothing that I would send back for a replacement for. Some of those kinks maybe verizon problems too, but restore seems to fix them for a time for me.

jandb19 said:
My question there was looking at "IF" I wanted to do a system restore would I need to unroot first or restore as normal then re root. Thinking I loose root when I do a factory restore. Just didn't know if I needed to unroot or not before doing the restore. With my VS985 it will have a few kninks every now and then that doing a restore seems to help fix. Maybe a hardware defect, but nothing that I would send back for a replacement for. Some of those kinks maybe verizon problems too, but restore seems to fix them for a time for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If what you mean "restore" is to wipe Data/Cache/Dalvik, then you don't need to unroot. After the wipe, you will lose all your installed app, but you start with a clean slate. The root is still there, and you can install SuperSU to get access to it.
To install a custom ROM, you need to install TWRP first. However, you cannot do it from L. You need to first downgrade it back to 10b using the TOT flash. Stomp root it and install TWRP manager from Play store. From TWRP manager you can install TWRP to your VS985. After that, you can flash custom ROM from TWRP.

How do you disable OTA updates on the m9?

Everyday my m9 asks me to install the new OTA update and I am sure I can't because I am rooted. Have TWRP, and have an unlocked bootloader. While my rom is the default rom the phone came with, I have modified a couple things in /system. Is there way to permanently disable OTAs without installing a custom rom? If not, is there a way to install this update without doing any data wipes or anything overly complicated? Any help would be EXTREMELY appreciated!!

wrozengfx said:
Everyday my m9 asks me to install the new OTA update and I am sure I can't because I am rooted. Have TWRP, and have an unlocked bootloader. While my rom is the default rom the phone came with, I have modified a couple things in /system. Is there way to permanently disable OTAs without installing a custom rom? If not, is there a way to install this update without doing any data wipes or anything overly complicated? Any help would be EXTREMELY appreciated!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All you need is an untouched System and stock recovery to take the OTA.
their are many threads that explain how to do it. Just look around you'll figure it out.

clsA said:
All you need is an untouched System and stock recovery to take the OTA.
their are many threads that explain how to do it. Just look around you'll figure it out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like I said, my system isn't untouched, I have edited permissions.xml and removed some bloatware. And if I can do this, Will I still be rooted if I update or at least still S-off?

wrozengfx said:
Like I said, my system isn't untouched, I have edited permissions.xml and removed some bloatware. And if I can do this, Will I still be rooted if I update or at least still S-off?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once s-off, you will stay that way unless you manually change it.
You can't be rooted and take an OTA anyway. You have to be 100% stock. You can root again once it's updated.

iElvis said:
Once s-off, you will stay that way unless you manually change it.
You can't be rooted and take an OTA anyway. You have to be 100% stock. You can root again once it's updated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But that other guy just said all I need is a stock recovery. So which is it? 100% stock or just stock recovery

wrozengfx said:
But that other guy just said all I need is a stock recovery. So which is it? 100% stock or just stock recovery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here > http://forum.xda-developers.com/one-m9/general/best-unlocking-bootloader-rooting-guide-t3087354
Steps 3 - 5
and the "other guy" said Untouched System + Stock Recovery
Also worth reading >> http://forum.xda-developers.com/one...ery-twrp-touch-recovery-t3066720/post59745198
6. So what's the proper procedure to root without breaking OTA?
There is no way to take an OTA after you root. However, prior to rooting, you can take a fully untouched system image backup with TWRP, which can be used to restore a fully stock system to the device in order to take an OTA.
7. How do I backup stock recovery prior to flashing TWRP?
You can't. The "fastboot boot" command appears to be disabled on the M9's ABOOT, so TWRP must be fastboot flashed over stock recovery. The firmware zip included in the OTA will include a usable stock recovery image. That can be extracted and flashed after stock system is restored so that the OTA can be applied.
8. How do I restore stock system so that I can accept an OTA?
Check the "Mount system as read-only" box in the Mount menu.
Restore stock "System Image" backup (This will only work if you've made a System Image backup prior to making any modifications to /system). As of the official 2.8.6.1 version, it is no longer necessary to fastboot flash the stock system image.
NOTE: If you made a stock system backup with one of the Beta TWRP versions, you will have to rename the backup file in the backup folder manually from "system.emmc.win" to "system_image.emmc.win" for the new official TWRP to see it as a "System Image" backup rather than a "System" backup. Otherwise, you'll get an error that the backup can't be restored because system is read-only.
Fastboot flash stock recovery (fastboot flash recovery recovery_signed.img)
NOTE: It is also possible to restore stock recovery via the TWRP GUI. Rename the stock recovery file to "recovery.emmc.win" and place in the backup folder with the stock system image. Recovery will then show as a restore option. MAKE SURE YOU REALLY WANT TO DO THIS, AS TWRP WILL BE GONE WHEN YOU REBOOT OUT OF RECOVERY!!
Reboot to system, install OTA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

If you want to disable, try freezing HtcDm.

mike.s said:
If you want to disable, try freezing HtcDm.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This helped me out nearly a year later. I am rooted and have a custom stock rom loaded but was still able to download the system update somehow and needed a way so that it would quit bugging me every day to not install it. By using Titanium Backup I was able to freeze 3 HtcDM processes.

Best way to unroot and restore to stock to get OTA updates?

I finally figured out how to root my phone (thank Sithis)
I just flashed TWRP and SuperSU. Sadly I was only able to recover a handful of photos from my whack phone factory resetting itself. (my only reasoning for rooting, to use data recovery. I only found DiskDigger. didn't do that great sadly)
I think I MIGHT have picked up some sort of malware or virus; not entirely positive but since rooting, my phones camera flash randomly goes off as if something is taking pictures. I have GO Security and 360 Security downloaded and it didn't find anything. I don't know how thorough those apps are but hopefully they would have picked up any malicious thing invading my phone.
I know there is an unrooting option through the SuperSU app. Again, I don't know how "complete" of an unrooting that'd be.
I honestly wish I had the links I used to download TWRP and SuperSU. Maybe to see if anyone could figure out if they were legit.
I want to unroot, then factory reset. Would I have to flash a stock ROM before hitting the 'unroot' button? How would all this work? Anyone figure out how to get OTA updates after a complete unroot?
If anyone could point me in the correct direction I'd be thankful. I just don't want to deal with the security risks of a rooted phone and would like it back to stock. If I could do that without flashing a ROM to my phone that'd be great.
Since I couldn't find anything of the sorts for my N910PVPS4DPE2.
[edit: please delete post and redirect me if already asked and solved (within 2016)]

You could press that un-root button now but most likely you cannot take the next OTA without flashing the stock tar in Odin. Modifying some partitions will break OTA updates. Having custom recovery won't work.
I don't think it's ever been established as fact but in theory, you could root a stock phone with Chainfire's CF AutoRoot for Note 4 in Odin. Leaving as that root installer rooted, you could un-root later for OTA update within SuperSU application. It would prompt you to restore both kernel and recovery with the original stock ones and then reboot. *But* if Samsung flags modified read only partitions as being modified, even if modified temporarily, OTA would still be denied for modified status trip. Dunno if anyone has confirmed the theory on our phone or not.
To answer your question, I think you'll have to flash the stock tar in Odin to restore your OTA capability. I would recommend you press the full un-root. You can restore the original kernel, if it was stock, at prompt. But most likely you cannot restore the original recovery if flashed manually. You'll need to flash the stock tar again to both restore read only partitions and stock recovery. If you forget to to perform full un-root, I think factory reset will be enough to clear root and remnants with a stock tar flash. (Stock tar flash should wipe internal memory but to be sure, you could wipe that too).
It's up to you, you could wait until the next OTA to flash the stock tar.
For your camera issue, it might just be enough to factory reset for now.
Have you considered Titanium Backup to backup and restore applications? A lot of rooted users use that. I'm not sure copying and restoring a disk would mesh with Android package id used to link data to original application with proper linking and ownership. I do know that Titanium Backup complies with that. If the package id gets skewed, restoring data may not work as expected. Something to check or confirm beforehand. Just a suggestion.
Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

samep said:
You could press that un-root button now but most likely you cannot take the next OTA without flashing the stock tar in Odin. Modifying some partitions will break OTA updates. Having custom recovery won't work.
I don't think it's ever been established as fact but in theory, you could root a stock phone with Chainfire's CF AutoRoot for Note 4 in Odin. Leaving as that root installer rooted, you could un-root later for OTA update within SuperSU application. It would prompt you to restore both kernel and recovery with the original stock ones and then reboot. *But* if Samsung flags modified read only partitions as being modified, even if modified temporarily, OTA would still be denied for modified status trip. Dunno if anyone has confirmed the theory on our phone or not.
To answer your question, I think you'll have to flash the stock tar in Odin to restore your OTA capability. I would recommend you press the full un-root. You can restore the original kernel, if it was stock, at prompt. But most likely you cannot restore the original recovery if flashed manually. You'll need to flash the stock tar again to both restore read only partitions and stock recovery. If you forget to to perform full un-root, I think factory reset will be enough to clear root and remnants with a stock tar flash. (Stock tar flash should wipe internal memory but to be sure, you could wipe that too).
It's up to you, you could wait until the next OTA to flash the stock tar.
For your camera issue, it might just be enough to factory reset for now.
Have you considered Titanium Backup to backup and restore applications? A lot of rooted users use that. I'm not sure copying and restoring a disk would mesh with Android package id used to link data to original application with proper linking and ownership. I do know that Titanium Backup complies with that. If the package id gets skewed, restoring data may not work as expected. Something to check or confirm beforehand. Just a suggestion.
Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply man!
Looking over it, it seems like a true hassle to go through finding the stock ROM for my phone and unrooting and that whole process. I think I'll stick with the root for now. I have a couple more questions if you don't mind:
1) If I kept root, could I perform a factory reset without it screwing up the root? I think there's a 'factory reset' option when I boot into TWRP. I would just like to know if it'd remove TWRP/SuperSU. I have heard a lot about Titanium Backup so I will be giving that a try before doing so!
2) Any chance you'd know if when the new OTA comes out, they will have it flashable for my N910PVPS4DPE2? I'm relatively new to all of this and I know if I flashed something not meant for my exact device; I might as well slap some cement on my new Brick Note 4. I've never seen any ROMs/Mods that say 'For N910PVPS4DPE2' specifically. Maybe I'm being overly cautious and don't have all the new lingo down. So, are there ROMs and mods for my phone that I'm just completely overlooking?
Thanks again for helpin a newbie out!

Stock tars are here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=63868221&postcount=1
A stock ROM with system based root that isn't easily wiped or lost is here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=63028063&postcount=1
I believe factory reset still un-roots systemless root. There was a script that you may have been prompted to install to keep root but I'm not familiar with its retention capability because I use and prefer system based root in the ROM above. You can factory reset the ROM above without losing root.
You would need root for titanium backup. I would recommend factory reset and install the beta 3 ROM. You may not like the missing voicemail app. I use the long press of 1 key in dialer for voicemail. You could just save the apk and install with apk installer by tapping its file with root browser or MyFiles and install. But extract or copy and paste with root browser from current ROM.
OTA's can be expected nearly monthly now. Tars release a bit behind the OTA.
Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk