Hey guys, now that we can backup our IMEI (Thanks to peoplearmy and geek!) I feel like flashing roms like a mad man. But before I start I was wondering if theres any differences between the CWM and TWRP? I want to be able to backup my current stock state and flash new roms.
Still new and it's taking a bit of time learning the vast ocean of android modding/development. When I hear people saying backup your stock rom before flashing, does this mean basically backing up the system or EVERYTHING including apps, music, sms etc? Correct me if I'm wrong but backing up with CWM or TWRP basically means just the system recovery kinda backup right? Like the CD's manufacturers give you when you first purchase a laptop.
Okay so if I'm correct on that, it basically means that if I were to flash a new rom or revert back to my stock rom. I'll lose all the files I've added on to the device aside from the factory starter apps/settings right? If this is the case than I would have to use QCOM Toolkit by mskip or titanium backup to backup all my apps (while i would have to manually backup photos,sms,music,videos etc through just normal USB?) or does our files get transferred over as well? I doubt that since it's basically a new "OS" right?
lol it's pretty cool learning all these new ideas as it'll be beneficial to everyone and myself on how to fully use the android phones. Now say if I want to switch roms with ease, is there such feature?
Last but not least, can all this be done with just the internal memory? I currently don't have any micro sd cards and waiting for the price drop on the 64gb sandisk because I have a huge playlist of FLAC files to add (living in Canada sometimes suck... all the good deals especially free shipping is in the usa lol..)
Thanks again xda-community
Intercrew said:
Hey guys, now that we can backup our IMEI (Thanks to peoplearmy and geek!) I feel like flashing roms like a mad man. But before I start I was wondering if theres any differences between the CWM and TWRP? I want to be able to backup my current stock state and flash new roms.
Still new and it's taking a bit of time learning the vast ocean of android modding/development. When I hear people saying backup your stock rom before flashing, does this mean basically backing up the system or EVERYTHING including apps, music, sms etc? Correct me if I'm wrong but backing up with CWM or TWRP basically means just the system recovery kinda backup right? Like the CD's manufacturers give you when you first purchase a laptop.
Okay so if I'm correct on that, it basically means that if I were to flash a new rom or revert back to my stock rom. I'll lose all the files I've added on to the device aside from the factory starter apps/settings right? If this is the case than I would have to use QCOM Toolkit by mskip or titanium backup to backup all my apps (while i would have to manually backup photos,sms,music,videos etc through just normal USB?) or does our files get transferred over as well? I doubt that since it's basically a new "OS" right?
lol it's pretty cool learning all these new ideas as it'll be beneficial to everyone and myself on how to fully use the android phones. Now say if I want to switch roms with ease, is there such feature?
Last but not least, can all this be done with just the internal memory? I currently don't have any micro sd cards and waiting for the price drop on the 64gb sandisk because I have a huge playlist of FLAC files to add (living in Canada sometimes suck... all the good deals especially free shipping is in the usa lol..)
Thanks again xda-community
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The differences in the recoveries that will matter for you, is that you're going to have an SD card in the future, currently only recovery 5.8.4.5 supports SD card in FAT32 format, later version recoveries don't have extSD support, the 5.8.4.5 images and zips are HERE
So after you've followed the root no-trip counter method, which is what is recommended, you can flash a different recovery from that thread, or just download the zip of the one you want, the recovery is inside the zip and can be pushed via ADB... refer to mrRobinson's thread for help with all that, and links to images... It'll need a recovery after getting rooted, might as well put the proper one on then...
Performing a backup is done from recovery, do an nandroid backup, it backs up the present state of your phone, so if you restore to it, it will be exactly like it was, when you backed it up...
No need for the toolkit, use Titanium Backup to backup apps or apps data if you want to restore them on a new ROM, and it's only recommended to back up USER apps and data, nothing system related, it will cause issues... The paid version is highly recommended if you're going to be relying on backups of your apps and such... I personally don't use it...
Without the SD, yea you'll be using internal memory... and it'll fill up quick with nandroids and ROMs... I never made an nandroid for my phone, but im sure its well over a gig in size...
B-Naughty said:
Without the SD, yea you'll be using internal memory... and it'll fill up quick with nandroids and ROMs... I never made an nandroid for my phone, but im sure its well over a gig in size...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are correct. Its quite a large file. Around 1.6GB
Sent from my GS3
B-Naughty said:
The differences in the recoveries that will matter for you, is that you're going to have an SD card in the future, currently only recovery 5.8.4.5 supports SD card in FAT32 format, later version recoveries don't have extSD support, the 5.8.4.5 images and zips are HERE
So after you've followed the root no-trip counter method, which is what is recommended, you can flash a different recovery from that thread, or just download the zip of the one you want, the recovery is inside the zip and can be pushed via ADB... refer to mrRobinson's thread for help with all that, and links to images... It'll need a recovery after getting rooted, might as well put the proper one on then...
Performing a backup is done from recovery, do an nandroid backup, it backs up the present state of your phone, so if you restore to it, it will be exactly like it was, when you backed it up...
No need for the toolkit, use Titanium Backup to backup apps or apps data if you want to restore them on a new ROM, and it's only recommended to back up USER apps and data, nothing system related, it will cause issues... The paid version is highly recommended if you're going to be relying on backups of your apps and such... I personally don't use it...
Without the SD, yea you'll be using internal memory... and it'll fill up quick with nandroids and ROMs... I never made an nandroid for my phone, but im sure its well over a gig in size...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there a specific reason why the toolkit isn't recommended? Wouldn't it be easier to just backup all the stuff to the pc?
Now if I can backup all the nandroid, ROMs, and app&data through to the pc. Then titanium wouldn't be needed and the differences between the TWRP and CWM would be non? And is it okay to have the nandroid and ROM backup on the computer and not the device or sd card, or is it a good idea to keep it on the deivce/sdcard? If thats the case I will go with the link you gave me which is 5.8.4.5 CWM, (not sure the difference between the Touch and just normal, and which one I should downloaded out of the three (I own the Telus which should be equivalent to the AT&T))
Lastly, you mentioned if I wanted a different recovery I would go and flash the one in Robinson's thread (which i did on my last root but un-rooted and went to factory after having some issues with the homescreen). The ones in his thread aren't SD-card compatibility are they? or Are they?
Intercrew said:
Is there a specific reason why the toolkit isn't recommended? Wouldn't it be easier to just backup all the stuff to the pc?
Now if I can backup all the nandroid, ROMs, and app&data through to the pc. Then titanium wouldn't be needed and the differences between the TWRP and CWM would be non? And is it okay to have the nandroid and ROM backup on the computer and not the device or sd card, or is it a good idea to keep it on the deivce/sdcard? If thats the case I will go with the link you gave me which is 5.8.4.5 CWM, (not sure the difference between the Touch and just normal, and which one I should downloaded out of the three (I own the Telus which should be equivalent to the AT&T))
Lastly, you mentioned if I wanted a different recovery I would go and flash the one in Robinson's thread (which i did on my last root but un-rooted and went to factory after having some issues with the homescreen). The ones in his thread aren't SD-card compatibility are they? or Are they?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just follow his steps to get it rooted and install a recovery, his thread is using a 5.8.4.5 version, you'll be fine with the SD card... keep at least one working nandroid on you device... and it's not that toolkit isn't recommended, it's highly useful, but to me thats one extra time you're hooking your phone to computer, doing something... just make sure it isn't backing up / restoring system apps, and only user apps... If you just want to feel safer and stuff, use to toolkit to back up what you'd like, and keep a working nandroid on your phone... It's all user preference, I never back anything up... some people back up everything they possibly can...
B-Naughty said:
Just follow his steps to get it rooted and install a recovery, his thread is using a 5.8.4.5 version, you'll be fine with the SD card... keep at least one working nandroid on you device... and it's not that toolkit isn't recommended, it's highly useful, but to me thats one extra time you're hooking your phone to computer, doing something... just make sure it isn't backing up / restoring system apps, and only user apps... If you just want to feel safer and stuff, use to toolkit to back up what you'd like, and keep a working nandroid on your phone... It's all user preference, I never back anything up... some people back up everything they possibly can...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol okay thanks a lot mate
I just have one last concern is it a good idea to make a nandroid backup while your in a different ROM from stock? Like for example if I downloaded some apps, got new sms, new settings etc and wanted it to maintain even though I switched ROMs or go back to stock, everything would transfer over but the ROM that I was in before (Kyan in this case) would also transfer so stuff like (apps) gallery, google chrome, google music, and other things that were special to the custom ROM?
If this is true, I guess the best thing to do is make a backup before switching ROM's than make separate backups of all the apps+data, sms etc before switching to either a stock or another custom ROM?
Intercrew said:
I just have one last concern is it a good idea to make a nandroid backup while your in a different ROM from stock? Like for example if I downloaded some apps, got new sms, new settings etc and wanted it to maintain even though I switched ROMs or go back to stock, everything would transfer over but the ROM that I was in before (Kyan in this case) would also transfer so stuff like (apps) gallery, google chrome, google music, and other things that were special to the custom ROM?
If this is true, I guess the best thing to do is make a backup before switching ROM's than make separate backups of all the apps+data, sms etc before switching to either a stock or another custom ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All ROM devs recommend that you make an nandroid before flashing their ROM just in case you need it... Most people made one on stock, and everytime before they flash something else... Like I said, I never make one, if I have issues I'll fix it some other way... and the backup will restore EVERYTHING back to exactly as it was when you made it... which is also why you don't need to backup apps with toolkit, etc... just make nandroids, and use TiBu for other stuff...
B-Naughty said:
All ROM devs recommend that you make an nandroid before flashing their ROM just in case you need it... Most people made one on stock, and everytime before they flash something else... Like I said, I never make one, if I have issues I'll fix it some other way... and the backup will restore EVERYTHING back to exactly as it was when you made it... which is also why you don't need to backup apps with toolkit, etc... just make nandroids, and use TiBu for other stuff...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I know that, but what I mean is, is it okay to make a nandroid backup while your on a different ROM, and once you switch ROM is it safe to restore the nandroid you made backup of while in a different ROM?
Cause like you said and other the nandroid backups EVERYTHING to exactly how it was before. So that means the stuff that weren't or were in different ROMS will appear/disappear in the other ROM's I'm using?
EDIT: I'm just curious weather or not if I have to reinstall all the new apps i've downloaded and sms backup while in a different ROM to prepare myself for the reset on the new ROM
Intercrew said:
Yes I know that, but what I mean is, is it okay to make a nandroid backup while your on a different ROM, and once you switch ROM is it safe to restore the nandroid you made backup of while in a different ROM?
Cause like you said and other the nandroid backups EVERYTHING to exactly how it was before. So that means the stuff that weren't or were in different ROMS will appear/disappear in the other ROM's I'm using?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No don't restore the nandroid unless you want to go back, or something has gone wrong and you have to... If you want to backup your apps and app data use Titanium Backup...
B-Naughty said:
No don't restore the nandroid unless you want to go back, or something has gone wrong and you have to... If you want to backup your apps and app data use Titanium Backup...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you lol
I just wanted to chime in and say thanks for the educational read. It's nice to see well articulated thoughts exchanged (with correct spelling might I add).
Cheers
Be careful as telus is NOT exactly the same as at&t. I'm rogers and although yes we have to use the at&t forum 747 and our 747m phones do have a few key differences so be careful. The cwm recovery is actually an older version that works for us as we can't install the newest version. And our modem or broadband is DIFFETENT then at&T's so that has to be remembered when flashing roms and mod'ing. Just some advise to remember with our Canadian variants.
Sent from my SGH-I747M using xda premium
pchemerys said:
Be careful as telus is NOT exactly the same as at&t. I'm rogers and although yes we have to use the at&t forum 747 and our 747m phones do have a few key differences so be careful. The cwm recovery is actually an older version that works for us as we can't install the newest version. And our modem or broadband is DIFFETENT then at&T's so that has to be remembered when flashing roms and mod'ing. Just some advise to remember with our Canadian variants.
Sent from my SGH-I747M using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow... I undertsood what you were saying... but then i dismissed it as drunken typing with nothing that makes sense... I understood you..
CWM 5.8.4.5 supports extSD
Modem doesn't have to be changed, so it has nothing to do with it...
Just out of curiousity for those using CWM:
Does your nandroid backup have incorrect date stamps?
Mine says my phone was backup in the 1970s
Sort if this is a dumb question but why cant we use the newest version?
Sent from my A501
twanskys204 said:
Sort if this is a dumb question but why cant we use the newest version?
Sent from my A501
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use newest version if you want, but only 5.8.4.5 supports extSD :good:
B-Naughty said:
You can use newest version if you want, but only 5.8.4.5 supports extSD :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are u sure the newest cwm works on the 747m variant? I was informed ( on several posts) that it doesn't and will cause problems and a few have posted them. Keep in mind this is the Canadian version not at&t. Even in the root sticky for this747m device it talks about this and why it gives the install instructions for the earlier version for our devices. Sure I could be wrong but there is plenty on this site to support what I'm saying.
---------- Post added at 05:44 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:31 AM ----------
B-Naughty said:
Wow... I undertsood what you were saying... but then i dismissed it as drunken typing with nothing that makes sense... I understood you..
CWM 5.8.4.5 supports extSD
Modem doesn't have to be changed, so it has nothing to do with it...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol..I now get why u were saying this...I apologize cuz I just realized that i was talking about the modems in this thread and that was an accident...when I was replying here I had a lot of reply windows open and got mixed up..(I'm not a drinker btw so no drunken typing btw) ..but just as a very general point it still applies..be careful with "some at&t roms" as there are some differences that could cause issues...that's all..but as for cwm rec..its all good and I will have to look into this again about the latest versions because I was under the impression from some here that it is not advised...maybe wrongly. Thanks and I'll check it out.
pchemerys said:
Are u sure the newest cwm works on the 747m variant? I was informed ( on several posts) that it doesn't and will cause problems and a few have posted them. Keep in mind this is the Canadian version not at&t. Even in the root sticky for this747m device it talks about this and why it gives the install instructions for the earlier version for our devices. Sure I could be wrong but there is plenty on this site to support what I'm saying.
---------- Post added at 05:44 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:31 AM ----------
Lol..I now get why u were saying this...I apologize cuz I just realized that i was talking about the modems in this thread and that was an accident...when I was replying here I had a lot of reply windows open and got mixed up..(I'm not a drinker btw so no drunken typing btw) ..but just as a very general point it still applies..be careful with "some at&t roms" as there are some differences that could cause issues...that's all..but as for cwm rec..its all good and I will have to look into this again about the latest versions because I was under the impression from some here that it is not advised...maybe wrongly. Thanks and I'll check it out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I can't confirm whether it will work flawlessly like on an AT&T phone, or will it produce assert errors, because I don't have a Canadian variant... and mostly because I don't come into the Q/A forum very often, and read the threads... I'll just check to see if it's swamped the I'll help out...but the fact still remains that only 5.8.4.5 supports extSD.... Try one of these CWM recoveries, flash it in your current recovery... Worst that will happen is that you'll be changing recoveries again, if it throws script / assert errors...
Possibly someone with an I747M can chime in about which 5.8.4.5 to use for extSD support...
So I'm updating to the latest version of the @Danvdh AOSP GPE ROM, and I want to know / make sure this is the right / best way.
got the latest version of the ROM and flashing w TWRP,
so I made a Nandroid backup, and I backed up all my apps w TiBU (Titanium Backup),
Next I would do a full wipe (system & delvic), flash the new rom, then restore all my apps with TiBU right?
What about the system settings? is there a way to back them up so that I can just "restore" them.
If I make a full backup with TiBU and restore it would it attempt to restore the previous version of the ROM, or would because they are diff versions would it just fail? Or is it something I just have to reset everything. And obviously I have to redo my screens and stuff,
Is there any way to save my settings for gravity box and xposed framework?
and feel free to inform me of anything else I want to make sure to do, no matter how obvious it may seem.
This is my only device so I need to make sure I get it right the first time and as quickly as possible.
Thanks.
MoodSwinger
BTW I posted this in "general" on purpose hoping it would be useful for anyone else updating or clean flashing betw ROMs
For titanium backup, if your mods are in xposed and gravity box, backing up with titanium backup will retain all the settings in those apps, so once you restore them, everything will be back the way you want it. Same thing for the home screens, just back up the launcher app. I personally don't like restoring data on system apps since they tend to go awry, that's why I use a different launcher.
After you do a full wipe and clean install, you can also go back to TWRP and restore only the data from the Nandroid backup. I don't do that because, again, it might cuz unwanted bugs and more annoyance.
I dirty flashed 4.4.3 on top of my 4.4.2 rom since I was too lazy to set everything up again, and so far I haven't seen any bug. You might wanna consider that route.
Sent from my GT-I9505G using XDA Free mobile app
Yo_2T said:
For titanium backup, ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly the info I was looking for thanks so much.
And just to be clear, when you say "dirty" flash, you mean just thru TWRP like you would an update.zip, or Xposed or Gravity Box, correct? just put on SD and flash and go.
Yes. Basically flash it on top of the existing software. It's usually not recommended as data may be corrupted having been overridden, but 4.4.3 is just a small update over 4.4.2 so I guess it's okay.
Sent from my GT-I9505G using XDA Free mobile app
What options are there currently, if any, for backing up my rom and data?
On previous rooted phones I would install clockworkmod recovery and make backups there... then try out new crazy roms or whatnot and then restore when desired.
I see the LG G3 has some sort of stock recovery, but with no apparent backup option. Are there any other recoveries available that allows backups? Or, another way I can make a backup (that can be restored) of my nice, stable, system now?
FligMupple said:
What options are there currently, if any, for backing up my rom and data?
On previous rooted phones I would install clockworkmod recovery and make backups there... then try out new crazy roms or whatnot and then restore when desired.
I see the LG G3 has some sort of stock recovery, but with no apparent backup option. Are there any other recoveries available that allows backups? Or, another way I can make a backup (that can be restored) of my nice, stable, system now?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no custom recovery...every phone has a stock recovery as that how ota updates are done.... Until the devs get the phone and check to see bootloader is locked and can find a way around it. We won't have a recovery. Wait to see but at least there is root and exposed for now
Sent from my SM-N900P using Xparent BlueTapatalk 2
After upgrading to Lollipop FOB6 firmware using full odin and then rooting and installing TWRP, I have never been able to successfully restore a backup, ever!
From reading the dev forums it seems no one else has been able to do so either. Does anyone know what the heck is going on? Is there any toggle (like compression?) that we cant use?
This is a bit of a pain but not the end of the world. Certainly makes me hesitate to mess around with new roms though if I cant go back to my solid daily without having to start from scratch.
khanam said:
After upgrading to Lollipop FOB6 firmware using full odin and then rooting and installing TWRP, I have never been able to successfully restore a backup, ever!
From reading the dev forums it seems no one else has been able to do so either. Does anyone know what the heck is going on? Is there any toggle (like compression?) that we cant use?
This is a bit of a pain but not the end of the world. Certainly makes me hesitate to mess around with new roms though if I cant go back to my solid daily without having to start from scratch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think what is going on is that the directory structure in Lollipop is a little different from the one in Kitkat. To give you an example, the user installed applications in Kitkat are placed under /data/app like this:
/data/app/com.my.application.apk
But in lollipop the same app is installed as:
/dats/app/com.my.application.apk/base.apk
So a backup taken from your data partition in Kitkat cannot be readily restored in Lollipop. The directory structure is just wrong and nothing works. The solution is for someone to ether write a conversion script or for the TWRP people to incorporate such a script in their future releases.
najoor said:
I think what is going on is that the directory structure in Lollipop is a little different from the one in Kitkat. To give you an example, the user installed applications in Kitkat are placed under /data/app like this:
/data/app/com.my.application.apk
But in lollipop the same app is installed as:
/dats/app/com.my.application.apk/base.apk
So a backup taken from your data partition in Kitkat cannot be readily restored in Lollipop. The directory structure is just wrong and nothing works. The solution is for someone to ether write a conversion script or for the TWRP people to incorporate such a script in their future releases.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats true - I did read about that. And that would definitely explain being unable to restore a kitkat rom.
However, I cant even restore a lollipop backup after flashing a different lollipop rom! Even if they are both derived from the same FOB6 base! That is what is even more confusing. Try it - backup, wipe all the partitions except int and ext sd of course and then try to restore... it just doesnt work!
Way I dit it just use factory reset only don't wipe anything specialy internal storage and don't use format. While restoring TWRP formats partition that been restored. I'm using TWRP 2.7.2.0
I've had no problem restoring from a TWRP Backup on Lollipop numerous times.
najoor said:
I think what is going on is that the directory structure in Lollipop is a little different from the one in Kitkat. To give you an example, the user installed applications in Kitkat are placed under /data/app like this:
/data/app/com.my.application.apk
But in lollipop the same app is installed as:
/dats/app/com.my.application.apk/base.apk
So a backup taken from your data partition in Kitkat cannot be readily restored in Lollipop. The directory structure is just wrong and nothing works. The solution is for someone to ether write a conversion script or for the TWRP people to incorporate such a script in their future releases.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I noticed that in every folder in /data/app/ there is an apk called base and a folder lib, can i backup just the apk? Or when i need to share an apk or take an apk i need to take also rhe lib?
dugryce said:
I've had no problem restoring from a TWRP Backup on Lollipop numerous times.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is your TWRP version? Also, did you do any wipes before you fully restored a backup?
khanam said:
After upgrading to Lollipop FOB6 firmware using full odin and then rooting and installing TWRP, I have never been able to successfully restore a backup, ever!.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does yours ever end up losing touch screen sensitivity when you restore a backup? Mine always looks like it has fully restored everything, but then no response to screen taps.
senozlu1 said:
Way I dit it just use factory reset only don't wipe anything specialy internal storage and don't use format. While restoring TWRP formats partition that been restored. I'm using TWRP 2.7.2.0
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh I'll try this and report back. Thanks
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Free mobile app
yummymango said:
What is your TWRP version? Also, did you do any wipes before you fully restored a backup?
Does yours ever end up losing touch screen sensitivity when you restore a backup? Mine always looks like it has fully restored everything, but then no response to screen taps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine just fails. But then again I've been wiping the partitions before restoring. Maybe that impacts it?
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Free mobile app
khanam said:
Mine just fails. But then again I've been wiping the partitions before restoring. Maybe that impacts it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One of the devs, who runs the Lollipop ROM I've been using, warned against restoring data. He suggested backing up apps + data through Titanium Backup instead. Maybe it depends on the ROM?
najoor said:
I think what is going on is that the directory structure in Lollipop is a little different from the one in Kitkat. To give you an example, the user installed applications in Kitkat are placed under /data/app like this:
/data/app/com.my.application.apk
But in lollipop the same app is installed as:
/dats/app/com.my.application.apk/base.apk
So a backup taken from your data partition in Kitkat cannot be readily restored in Lollipop. The directory structure is just wrong and nothing works. The solution is for someone to ether write a conversion script or for the TWRP people to incorporate such a script in their future releases.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi
I have a rooted S4 running Carbon. Im using TWRP 2.8.5.0 and can backup and restore any
KK rom with no issues. I can flash Lollipop and backup but it will not restore this backup.
Its says restore successful but then just boots back into recovery. If someone could resolve
this it would be great
Hello all,
TB doesn't seem to pick up the apk file when backing up which is quite frustrating. Does anyone have a solution?
i had backup using TWRP 2.8.7.0 my stock TW lollipop rom...Now i had flashed Dirty Unicorns v9.5...If i wanted to goto stock rom that nandroid backup wont work??? thats what people are complaining over here??