Develop Bugs

[Q] Titanium Backup / backing up settings & accounts

When using Titanium Backup, what options should be backed up if you want to later restore all your android settings and your google and facebook accounts?

enigmatl said:
When using Titanium Backup, what options should be backed up if you want to later restore all your android settings and your google and facebook accounts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Menu>Batch>Backup all user apps + System Data. That does it for me...

Dredge said:
Menu>Batch>Backup all user apps + System Data. That does it for me...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your response. I appreciate it. And yes, this would work. But, I would prefer not to back up every single system setting (and system app) that is backed up when you back up EVERYTHING. I.e, that's like copying the entire phone book so that you can later get John Smith's phone number.
So what I am asking is _which_ system settings do you select for backup to backup your google and facebook accounts and which system settings do you select for backup to backup the settings in the settings menu (ringtone, screen shutoff time, brightness, etc)?
Thanks in advance for any help.

enigmatl said:
Thanks for your response. I appreciate it. And yes, this would work. But, I would prefer not to back up every single system setting (and system app) that is backed up when you back up EVERYTHING. I.e, that's like copying the entire phone book so that you can later get John Smith's phone number.
So what I am asking is _which_ system settings do you select for backup to backup your google and facebook accounts and which system settings do you select for backup to backup the settings in the settings menu (ringtone, screen shutoff time, brightness, etc)?
Thanks in advance for any help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read the application or check out the TB forums, the application itself tells you what the different color codes mean and by reading the names it should be a simple ting to figure out.
If you need the exact names, let me know, my hourly rates are reasonable.

I have read through the options and filtered them too. If I found the right entries, I wouldn't have made a forum post asking. Does anyone have an answer?

I too would like to know.
I have read all that I can as well and I just don't want to miss anything, but like the OP, I don't want to have to backup EVERYTHING, that is pointless. Please, any help would be appreciated.

I do not get why you guys don't want to just do a full backup, mine takes a few megs and I have 140 applications. These phone come with 8 gig cards, use the memory, it takes me maybe 2 minutes to fully backup. Might as well, then you have everything in case of an issue.

The names of backups are pretty self explainitory. If you want to be sure, I would do a complete backup of all system+apps+data and then do a nandroid backup. Flash a stock rom and then reinstall the backups one at a time to see what they do and if you have the right ones you want. Then restore your nandroid.

A lot of people do not want to blindly back up everything on the phone. Then, what's the point in getting new ROMs? What if they add new versions of some of the software and you flash a new ROM only to revert that software? Nobody running Windows, for example, will do a full copy of their harddrive for the purpose of restoring their apps and contacts upon installing a new version of Windows.
So, I ask politely, PLEASE, if you don't know the answer, please don't state that the question is wrong when it isn't. Please don't state that if I just read the list, I'll find it. I get it. You do not know the answer to the question and finding such answer is not important to you. You feel that backing up the entire phone, the wifi/4g/bt widgets, a copy of sense, and everything else is okay and that's great. That's not what I intend to do even if my card were 64 gigs.
So, what I would like to know, as would another poster, is "Does anybody know what to backup if you wish to backup your google and facebook names as well as all the settings such as screen brightness, screen timeout, sound volumes, alert tone selections, and everything else under the menu using Titanium Backup?"

Did anyone know the answer!?

,,,,To what question? And go revival.

Question is on first post....

You can backup and restore anything you want with tb, but if you switch roms don't restore ANY system apps + data. That can mess things up. Only backup/restore user apps + data if you switch roms. If you're having problems with a rom and you're gonna wipe and start over, then restoring system stuff might be a bad idea because some setting or app might be the cause
We're comin from a pure power source.

Sup sup guys I have a question if there is a.problem when u backup everything using ra_recovery and then.u swish to clockworkmod
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

rene009 said:
Sup sup guys I have a question if there is a.problem when u backup everything using ra_recovery and then.u swish to clockworkmod
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you can't restore CWM backups on amon_ra and vice versa.

Bonobow said:
Question is on first post....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
metalfan78 said:
You can backup and restore anything you want with tb, but if you switch roms don't restore ANY system apps + data. That can mess things up. Only backup/restore user apps + data if you switch roms. If you're having problems with a rom and you're gonna wipe and start over, then restoring system stuff might be a bad idea because some setting or app might be the cause
We're comin from a pure power source.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wouldn't have said it any different.

I do a lot of rom flashing and trying out of apps so I have two different backup schedules set up. I do a weekly backup of all application and data; then another schedule will run two times a week to backup all newer apps and data. If I know that I am going to flash another rom I will do a quick backup of all apps and data.
When I format and restore I will run a batch (Menu > Batch > Restore missing apps (or all apps) with data); then I will go through the list and choose the applications & data that I want to reinstall. Sometimes I will download a few programs from the market instead of restoring them, just to make sure that everything is clean (hence restore missing apps instead of all apps).
I never backup or restore any systems apps or data. This will be pulled from whatever Rom I am flashing.

This is what I backup nightly for the 'important' stuff.
-Call log
-SMS/MMS
-Contacts
-Alarms
-Voice Mails
-Calendar
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
The adw launcher and gosms also have an option to backup settings, although I'm use I can use TB to back those up too.
As for the rest of the system settings, I haven't looked to see what specifically needs to be enabled to back that up.

I've found that most of the system data that it flags in green is safe to restore. Usually.

I've never been able to back up my "accounts & sync" that's all I want to backup at the moment ... or is there an app that can do this???

Restoring TWRP backup to a new phone

I have to move to a new phone. I backed up my old one to the SDcard. I placed it in the new phone and booted into TWRP. When I enter the restore menu, I go to ext card and it doesn't show any backups. I am not sure why TWRP does not see my sdcard backups so I can restore my backup.

caseyatbt said:
I have to move to a new phone. I backed up my old one to the SDcard. I placed it in the new phone and booted into TWRP. When I enter the restore menu, I go to ext card and it doesn't show any backups. I am not sure why TWRP does not see my sdcard backups so I can restore my backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There different serial#s it dosent recognize that phone I had the same problems when I switched my s3 to another s3
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium

Will it work with CWM or just start from scratch?
Sent from the Delta Quadrant using XDA Premium

caseyatbt said:
Will it work with CWM or just start from scratch?
Sent from the Delta Quadrant using XDA Premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CWM backups can only be restored with CWM, and TWRP backups can only be restored with TWRP

CNexus said:
CWM backups can only be restored with CWM, and TWRP backups can only be restored with TWRP
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, what I meant was, if I install CWM, will I have a better shot at a restoration or does CWM check serials as well?

caseyatbt said:
Sorry, what I meant was, if I install CWM, will I have a better shot at a restoration or does CWM check serials as well?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And that's what I'm answering. CWM won't even attempt to restore it (much less check the serial) because its in a different format than what it saves its backups as, you have to be on TWRP if you even wanna try it

caseyatbt said:
I have to move to a new phone. I backed up my old one to the SDcard. I placed it in the new phone and booted into TWRP. When I enter the restore menu, I go to ext card and it doesn't show any backups. I am not sure why TWRP does not see my sdcard backups so I can restore my backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you just trying to restore apps or what?

@OP I actually started a similar thread a while back that could have given you the solution make a backup on your new phone using twrp, then on your sd card within the twrp folder there should be two folders with different numbers, one will have the backup you just made and the other will have your old backups. Move the files with the old backups into the folder which contains the new backup, then delete the old, empty folder. Now you can restore your old backups
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

CNexus said:
And that's what I'm answering. CWM won't even attempt to restore it (much less check the serial) because its in a different format than what it saves its backups as, you have to be on TWRP if you even wanna try it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I meant install CWM, then make a backupwith CWM and use CWM on a new phone.
imaconeheadXD said:
@OP I actually started a similar thread a while back that could have given you the solution make a backup on your new phone using twrp, then on your sd card within the twrp folder there should be two folders with different numbers, one will have the backup you just made and the other will have your old backups. Move the files with the old backups into the folder which contains the new backup, then delete the old, empty folder. Now you can restore your old backups
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried that and it says it failed as it finishes the restore.
I decided to just restore from Titanium Backup and do the set it up over again.

WAIT
Do you mean to say that you still have the old phone? If so, there's a way to make an ODIN flashable tar of the exact state of your old phone so you can flash to your new phone
Here's a link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1777579
Partitions are the same so you can use the script someone in there made

CNexus said:
WAIT
Do you mean to say that you still have the old phone? If so, there's a way to make an ODIN flashable tar of the exact state of your old phone so you can flash to your new phone
Here's a link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1777579
Partitions are the same so you can use the script someone in there made
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is cool! Thanks. I have made the images, but making them flash-able seems a little less clear.

caseyatbt said:
I have to move to a new phone. I backed up my old one to the SDcard. I placed it in the new phone and booted into TWRP. When I enter the restore menu, I go to ext card and it doesn't show any backups. I am not sure why TWRP does not see my sdcard backups so I can restore my backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TWRP bases backups and restores on serial number in a couple places. I've only done this from same phone to other of the same phones I've gotten of the same model (e.g. S3 to S3, HTC One 32GB to HTC One 64GB). Not sure how it would work from different model to different model - spose it depends on what you are restoring., model, rom, etc.
TWRP backup directory is sdcard/TWRP/BACKUPS/[SerialNumberOfDevice]/[timeStampOfBackup]/
Change the directory name to the serial number of the new device you want to restore to. Then, go to /[timeStampOfBackup]/recovery.log and do a find/replace on all of the old serial number with the new serial number - I believe there are 8 or 9 instances.
If you change the directory name from w/in TWRP recovery console, reboot - then it'll show up as a recovery option... though, you'll need to update the log file another way -if it's on an sdcard (vs. an HTC One where there is no true sdcard) neither should be a problem.
cheers

hex90 said:
TWRP bases backups and restores on serial number in a couple places. I've only done this from same phone to other of the same phones I've gotten of the same model (e.g. S3 to S3, HTC One 32GB to HTC One 64GB). Not sure how it would work from different model to different model - spose it depends on what you are restoring., model, rom, etc.
TWRP backup directory is sdcard/TWRP/BACKUPS/[SerialNumberOfDevice]/[timeStampOfBackup]/
Change the directory name to the serial number of the new device you want to restore to. Then, go to /[timeStampOfBackup]/recovery.log and do a find/replace on all of the old serial number with the new serial number - I believe there are 8 or 9 instances.
If you change the directory name from w/in TWRP recovery console, reboot - then it'll show up as a recovery option... though, you'll need to update the log file another way -if it's on an sdcard (vs. an HTC One where there is no true sdcard) neither should be a problem.
cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm having a similar issue with TWRP not seeing backups but my device didn't change. I found my serial number but it's a long, 14 digit number and the folder you mention above is about 8 characters long consisting of characters and numbers. I tried to convert my serial number (is Hex I believe) to ASCII but it doesn't render the same name as the folder (not even close in terms of length). Any idea as to how I can convert it?

robertfah said:
I'm having a similar issue with TWRP not seeing backups but my device didn't change. I found my serial number but it's a long, 14 digit number and the folder you mention above is about 8 characters long consisting of characters and numbers. I tried to convert my serial number (is Hex I believe) to ASCII but it doesn't render the same name as the folder (not even close in terms of length). Any idea as to how I can convert it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the easiest way of getting the "new" serial number is just to create a new TWRP backup for your phone (maybe something small like just recovery). It'll create a new folder with the name of your "new" serial number. That's the one you'd want to use.

robertfah said:
I'm having a similar issue with TWRP not seeing backups but my device didn't change. I found my serial number but it's a long, 14 digit number and the folder you mention above is about 8 characters long consisting of characters and numbers. I tried to convert my serial number (is Hex I believe) to ASCII but it doesn't render the same name as the folder (not even close in terms of length). Any idea as to how I can convert it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Connect your phone to your computer (make sure drivers are installed)
Download the adb_windows.zip from my devhost here: http://d-h.st/qmi
Then unzip that and open a command prompt in the unzipped directory (Shift + Right click > Open command prompt here)
Type "adb devices", press enter, and you'll have your serial in the following form:
Code:
xxxxxxx device
Last step: profit

topherk said:
I think the easiest way of getting the "new" serial number is just to create a new TWRP backup for your phone (maybe something small like just recovery). It'll create a new folder with the name of your "new" serial number. That's the one you'd want to use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I did that but once again, I couldn't see it through TWRP (but could through Root Explorer or Windows Explorer).
CNexus said:
Connect your phone to your computer (make sure drivers are installed)
Download the adb_windows.zip from my devhost here: http://d-h.st/qmi
Then unzip that and open a command prompt in the unzipped directory (Shift + Right click > Open command prompt here)
Type "adb devices", press enter, and you'll have your serial in the following form:
Code:
xxxxxxx device
Last step: profit
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for this...after doing this, the serial number was the same, however, I ran across this thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2178264&highlight=twrp+not+finding+backups&page=2 and found Post #14 to be very helpful and my possible solution.
As it turns out, when I connect my phone to my computer, I get the drive "SPH-L710" and the folders "Card" and "Phone" within that. Phone has a 0 folder in it and I copied the TWRP from Phone\TWRP to 0\TWRP and then I was able to view them and restore them in recovery.
So why isn't TWRP storing the backups in 0\TWRP? What is supposed to be in the 0 folder and the Phone folders? it looks like I have some duplicate folders going on:
Phone:
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
0:

This actually worked for me. I bricked my LG G3, got Verizon to send me a replacement LG G3, and then I used the TWRP backup that I had made to restore everything. Thanks for this information.
How I got it to work was I made a TWRP backup on the new phone, transferred the backup that I had made on the old phone to the new phone, rename the new backup to something, and rename the old backup to to match the original name of the new backup.

TWRP backup directory is sdcard/TWRP/BACKUPS/[SerialNumberOfDevice]/[timeStampOfBackup]/
Change the directory name to the serial number of the new device you want to restore to. Then, go to /[timeStampOfBackup]/recovery.log and do a find/replace on all of the old serial number with the new serial number - I believe there are 8 or 9 instances.
If you change the directory name from w/in TWRP recovery console, reboot - then it'll show up as a recovery option... though, you'll need to update the log file another way -if it's on an sdcard (vs. an HTC One where there is no true sdcard) neither should be a problem.
cheers[/QUOTE]
Thanks I got it working like this

During the TWRP restore process (old phone backup to new phone but same model), should I restore every partition to have everything working properly? or maybe just system+data?
I mean about screen as below:
I am not sure if I should also restore partition as: modem, boot?

Kitkat 4.4 APN backup

what is apn?
Definition: APN stands for Access Point Name, a setting on your mobile phone that identifies an external network your phone can access for data (e.g., 3G or 4G Internet service on your phone).
So last 2 days after getting home, I lost lte connections (using cm11 kitkat 2/20 update)...rebooted, nothing, restored, nothing...restored stock rom, instant connection. So I had to update the prl/profile and even did ##72786# refresh just in case...backed up that rom state, restored cm11 and worked. So, there has to be an easier way:
Apps needed:
titanium backup Play Store link
apn backup and restore Play Store link
any root file browser/manager MY CHOICE
Roms required:
your rooted stock nandroid backed up with above listed apps
your cm11 or other kitkat 4.4 + nandroid backed up with above listed apps
Stock rom steps:
-after installing the needed apps, open titanium backup and go to backup/restore
-locate the app apn backup and restore, long press on it and choose to install as a system app
-once a system app, open apn backup and restore and ignore the message stating your device isn't supported
-press the menu key, select to disable ICS check (error message will no longer appear)
-reboot the phone
-once rebooted, open apn backup and restore and choose backup apns, once done exit app and reboot in recovery and restore your 4.4 rom
Kitkat rom steps:
-after installing the needed apps, open titanium backup and go to backup/restore
-locate the app apn backup and restore, long press on it and choose to install as a system app
-once a system app, exit titanium and go to your root file browser
-navigate to: system>app and locate the apn backup and restore apk, long press on it and select move or cut (depending on your browser)
-press back once to return to system folder and navigate now to priv-app folder and paste the apk, exit your browser
-open apn backup and restore and ignore the message stating your device isn't supported
-press the menu key, select to disable ICS check (error message will no longer appear)
-reboot the phone
-once rebooted, open apn backup and restore and choose restore apns...it should locate the stock apn backups right away, once they're restored you must reboot your phone 1 last time for them to take effect
this may seem like a lot to do now, but once you perform all the above 1 time start to finish, this shouldn't be needed to be done for quite some time...but when the time comes and you wanna refresh your signal data it's now always handy.
when you want to refresh the apns, back up your kitkat rom to its most current state, restore your stock rom backup, update the prl/profiles and/or ##72786# refresh your phone. backup your apns when done, backup most current state of stock rom, restore kitkat and restore the new apns and reboot...done, my lte has been completely solid since doing this after 2 days of glitching (plus I flash roms a lot lol so it's good to keep handy)

Thanks a bunch!
I've been looking forever for a guide like this! I needed to restore the apns for 4g and mms on my virgin mobile, and it worked perfectly!

Grapezombie said:
I've been looking forever for a guide like this! I needed to restore the apns for 4g and mms on my virgin mobile, and it worked perfectly!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
glad it helped out...yeah I was looking like crazy too for this lol

I can't seem to get this to work.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

AOD_Corwin said:
I can't seem to get this to work.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
got specifics? I've done this a few times on different roms and never fails me...skipping any steps or not rebooting as I wrote step by step for each rom while I physically performed the steps myself?

Well I load the peoples rom which fixes LTE . I install apn. I use either titanium or system file converter to change it to a system file (titanium hangs sometimes). I back up the APN. Clean install cm11. At this point I will have LTE until the first time I drive into an area that it's not available. Either way I reinstall apn back up. I Crete a folder called ApnBackup in the 0/system folder because the program does not create it itself. I copy the apn.xml files inside. Then I go to the system app folder as you suggest but the apn (long name) is not there. I check the priv-app folder and the apn app is already in place. So I lunch the app. Delete existing apn files, restore from the back up. Reboot and still no Lte
Sent from my SPH-L710 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

AOD_Corwin said:
Well I load the peoples rom which fixes LTE . I install apn. I use either titanium or system file converter to change it to a system file (titanium hangs sometimes). I back up the APN. Clean install cm11. At this point I will have LTE until the first time I drive into an area that it's not available. Either way I reinstall apn back up. I Crete a folder called ApnBackup in the 0/system folder because the program does not create it itself. I copy the apn.xml files inside. Then I go to the system app folder as you suggest but the apn (long name) is not there. I check the priv-app folder and the apn app is already in place. So I lunch the app. Delete existing apn files, restore from the back up. Reboot and still no Lte
Sent from my SPH-L710 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
check your area with sprint, they had a major network crash that lasted for days dude...make sure with them all is good 1St, was a coast to coast network disaster, found out 2 days ago myself when same exact things kept happening to my phones lte

Not likely effected I can make let Come back by down grading to a touch wiz. Either way I think tonight's nightly might be a step in the right direction as the are separating the gsm and the cdma ril files
Sent from my SPH-L710 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

AOD_Corwin said:
Not likely effected I can make let Come back by down grading to a touch wiz. Either way I think tonight's nightly might be a step in the right direction as the are separating the gsm and the cdma ril files
Sent from my SPH-L710 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah their latest d2spr zips are crap and lte dead, you need the d2lte zips now...I just posted links in the last page of the nightly thread actually
I'm using the cm11 2/03 build and never get lte losses or anything, solid for me in every way so I'm staying put on that build release

File not found error
I followed all of your steps, and even reset my PRL and profile (successfully). I rebooted, made APN backup/restore a system app, told it to skip the ICS check, rebooted, and told it to backup apns. It prompted me for a filename, and I chose the default "apns-<date-time-string>.xml".
It then failed with the following error:
Backup failed: file not found: /storage/emulated/0/ApnBackupRestore/apns-<date-time-string>.xml: open failed: ENOENT (No such file or directory).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did a quick google search which turned up nothing, but I will look further.
Stock Rom (rooted): Baseband Version: L710VPUBMK5, build number: JSS15J.L710VPUBMK5. Android version 4.3.
Carrier is Virgin Mobile
As I said, I will keep looking for a solution, but if anyone has a quick answer, I would appreciate it.
Thanks for the write up.

great guide finally helped me with viewing and editing the apn's on the slimkat rom i installed.
i had to do a couple different things though.. i used apn manager pro and i had to change its permissions to 777. then it would work.

Titanium Backup always hangs on me while setting APN Backup and Restore as a system app. It stays on processing and nothing happens. :\

djpabz23 said:
Titanium Backup always hangs on me while setting APN Backup and Restore as a system app. It stays on processing and nothing happens. :\
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try using a file explorer app to locate and move apn backup and restore from /data/app to /system/app or to whichever directory u need. But, could someone here please upload their apns that were backed up with apn backup and restore? I would like to try this to see if I can get lte. Thanks. I really hope someone replies to this soon like I did lol.

solcam said:
Try using a file explorer app to locate and move apn backup and restore from /data/app to /system/app or to whichever directory u need. But, could someone here please upload their apns that were backed up with apn backup and restore? I would like to try this to see if I can get lte. Thanks. I really hope someone replies to this soon like I did lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll upload mine as soon as I do
EDIT: I had no success, I always get the following error.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
I included my DNS settings in the archive, just extract and restore.

djpabz23 said:
I'll upload mine as soon as I do
EDIT: I had no success, I always get the following error.
I included my DNS settings in the archive, just extract and restore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am getting the same issue. Do i need to use titanium? as it says i need to donate to convert to system app.
Instead i tried rom tool box, converted to system app. when look for apk in system > App its not there, and data> App its not there either
I notice it uninstalls it. i have to reinstall it.. So what i did was i installed it. i copied the apk to my sd card. converted to system app, but when i try to paste to system > Priv.app it says failed..
i dont know what to do anymore. I am running beanstalk 4.4
Edit:
I just tried titanium and it just hangs.. 40 mins no progress.
Are we suppose to wipe any data before recovering?

iPenguin02 said:
I am getting the same issue. Do i need to use titanium? as it says i need to donate to convert to system app.
Instead i tried rom tool box, converted to system app. when look for apk in system > App its not there, and data> App its not there either
I notice it uninstalls it. i have to reinstall it.. So what i did was i installed it. i copied the apk to my sd card. converted to system app, but when i try to paste to system > Priv.app it says failed..
i dont know what to do anymore. I am running beanstalk 4.4
Edit:
I just tried titanium and it just hangs.. 40 mins no progress.
Are we suppose to wipe any data before recovering?
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I tried the very same, no luck whats so ever. I was running on Rooted stock 4.3 did the backup successful. I tried doing the KitKat process on C-Rom with no success. Titanium Backup hangs and restoring APN doenst work for me.

djpabz23 said:
I tried the very same, no luck whats so ever. I was running on Rooted stock 4.3 did the backup successful. I tried doing the KitKat process on C-Rom with no success. Titanium Backup hangs and restoring APN doenst work for me.
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Works for me... Install like normal on carbon... Use link2sd to convert to system app then fx explorer to move the apk to / priv-app.... Reboot and restore apns..... Got full data and everything on carbon ROM virgin mobile.
Sent from my SPH-L710

jamesh0317 said:
I followed all of your steps, and even reset my PRL and profile (successfully). I rebooted, made APN backup/restore a system app, told it to skip the ICS check, rebooted, and told it to backup apns. It prompted me for a filename, and I chose the default "apns-<date-time-string>.xml".
It then failed with the following error:
I did a quick google search which turned up nothing, but I will look further.
Stock Rom (rooted): Baseband Version: L710VPUBMK5, build number: JSS15J.L710VPUBMK5. Android version 4.3.
Carrier is Virgin Mobile
As I said, I will keep looking for a solution, but if anyone has a quick answer, I would appreciate it.
Thanks for the write up.
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Same problem, though I'm on Stock rooted MK3, on Sprint.

If on a 4.4 rom make it easy on yourself, quit using titanium... Locate the app in data/app, cut and paste to system / priv-app, click to make sure it's installed then reboot... After reboot and disabling the check within the app it will backup your apn no problems
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk

flastnoles11 said:
If on a 4.4 rom make it easy on yourself, quit using titanium... Locate the app in data/app, cut and paste to system / priv-app, click to make sure it's installed then reboot... After reboot and disabling the check within the app it will backup your apn no problems
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
Thanks! got it to backup using your suggestion.

Ok, have bumped phone... TWRP, and working great, but have question

So I restored my phone from a TWRP backup, very nice, very fast.
However, I discovered I have to (re)setup my Cal account options, and other apps accounts/options as well.
Is the restore supposed to be an 'exact' copy of my phone?
Thanks.

1. Questions go in Q&A forum not General.
2. Whenever I have restored using TWRP it has been an exact copy of what I backed up.

samorgs said:
1. Questions go in Q&A forum not General.
2. Whenever I have restored using TWRP it has been an exact copy of what I backed up.
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Hum. My backups include boot, system and data. No cache or EFS. They are all restored.
Am I missing a setup thing or ?

samorgs said:
1. Questions go in Q&A forum not General.
2. Whenever I have restored using TWRP it has been an exact copy of what I backed up.
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Click to collapse
Hum. My backups include boot, system and data. No cache or EFS. They are all restored.
Am I missing a setup thing or ?
I am unable to move this thread to QA

JeffDC said:
Hum. My backups include boot, system and data. No cache or EFS. They are all restored.
Am I missing a setup thing or ?
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Click to collapse
In order to have an "exact" copy you would have to restore the "cache" too, but since you didn't back up your cache your only choice would be is to redo your settings.

Please post questions in the Q&A section
Thread moved

Amb669 said:
In order to have an "exact" copy you would have to restore the "cache" too, but since you didn't back up your cache your only choice would be is to redo your settings.
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Excellent, thank you.

JeffDC said:
Excellent, thank you.
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Click to collapse
Okay well your cache has nothing to do with settings saved on your phone. Your cache can be deleted at any time while running any ROM and it wont change settings in your phone, unless for some odd reason your phone has not written the data to storage yet before a reboot. Your cache is used to temporarily store files that your phone will need in the future to help open apps quicker without having to look up the required files each time for the operation. Instead, the phone can look to the cache to quickly load commonly used files back into the RAM.

acparker18 said:
Okay well your cache has nothing to do with settings saved on your phone. Your cache can be deleted at any time while running any ROM and it wont change settings in your phone, unless for some odd reason your phone has not written the data to storage yet before a reboot. Your cache is used to temporarily store files that your phone will need in the future to help open apps quicker without having to look up the required files each time for the operation. Instead, the phone can look to the cache to quickly load commonly used files back into the RAM.
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Click to collapse
Thanks. Any thoughts on why my restore did not have my 'accounts' setup, like my default google account for 'Cal(anded)", and others? I had to spend a bit of time re-setting up a number of 'accounts and preferences.

JeffDC said:
Thanks. Any thoughts on why my restore did not have my 'accounts' setup, like my default google account for 'Cal(anded)", and others? I had to spend a bit of time re-setting up a number of 'accounts and preferences.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I noticed you said that you also didn't backup the EFS partition. That shouldn't have anything to do with your accounts but I always backup and restore the EFS partition each time and I have never lost any account info. It could have to do with the fact that your EFS partition contains carrier and device-specific info like your device ID number that could have caused your backup to not recognize the device once you restored it. This probably lead to your phone erasing your account info out of security in case someone else had gotten a hold of your backup and restored it to their phone. This way, the person who hijacked your backup couldn't access sensitive information like account login credentials. I'm not sure if this is the case, but it seems to be the only explanation I have. Next time you do a backup, include the EFS partition and see if that fixes it on the next restore. Either way, I hope it doesn't erase it on you again man. I know it can be frustrating to have to manually fix little details like that every time. Best of luck!

acparker18 said:
I noticed you said that you also didn't backup the EFS partition. That shouldn't have anything to do with your accounts but I always backup and restore the EFS partition each time and I have never lost any account info. It could have to do with the fact that your EFS partition contains carrier and device-specific info like your device ID number that could have caused your backup to not recognize the device once you restored it. This probably lead to your phone erasing your account info out of security in case someone else had gotten a hold of your backup and restored it to their phone. This way, the person who hijacked your backup couldn't access sensitive information like account login credentials. I'm not sure if this is the case, but it seems to be the only explanation I have. Next time you do a backup, include the EFS partition and see if that fixes it on the next restore. Either way, I hope it doesn't erase it on you again man. I know it can be frustrating to have to manually fix little details like that every time. Best of luck!
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Thanks for the detailed response. Good info to understands.
Following the loss of the accounts, and everyone's help, I am backing up everything in the list, EFS as well.

Z2 Play stuck on boot up screen...

I'm rooted on stock Nougat ROM (I think... I rooted it a couple years ago), bootloader unlocked.
A few days ago my phone just stopped booting up correctly. It boots to the blue Moto screen with the boot animation but stays there forever.
I can get into TWRP and view all of the files in system, Internal SD card, and External SD card. I've backed up a bit of it just in case but I'm hoping someone here can tell me what to try to get it to boot correctly.
Is there a quick or obvious way to fix this that anyone is aware of?
I have an old TWRP backup and when I go into "Restore" I have the option to restore System, Data (excl. storage), Boot, Recovery, EFS, and logo... so is worth it to try restoring one of these (such as boot or system)?
I'm looking to try the safest things first... I really don't want to have to wipe my device or worse, brick it.
Thanks

Well, if you don't have any important data in the phone (you can copy files via USB), you can just do factory reset and see

Klen2 said:
Well, if you don't have any important data in the phone (you can copy files via USB), you can just do factory reset and see
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Click to collapse
Well, I have some important data but I can backup my /data/ folder. The problem (other than the fact that it will take a lot of time) is that I'm not sure how to restore the apps and data once I factory reset it.
It would be different if they were Titanium Backup backups but I don't know of a way to restore an app with just having the apps data folders.

What will happen if I go into TWRP and Install the stock rom zip file? Will I lose data or root or mess with anything important?

More generally:
a) your problem may be in system - then reflashing system would help. It can be done without loosing data
b) your problem may be in data (which is more likely) - you have to wipe data
a) Reflashing system can be done by flashing correct images via fastboot (using script that doesn't wipe data) or in recovery if you have flashable zip of your rom (I'm not sure whether there are any). However, even after flashing system, it still may not work because of some conflicts with data so wiping data may be unavoidable
b)how to minimalize losses: what kind of important data do you have? If it is files, they can be copied easily. If it is app data, it's harder. However, if you have Google Backup turned on, most apps use it to backup their data. What particular app's data do you need to save, if you don't mind telling?
I know there used to be app that was able to extract individual app's data from TWRP backup and restore it. Maybe it was Titanium Backup Pro. But as nowadays non-cloud backups aren't a thing anymore, these apps quite vanished or their development stopped and they also may not work with new android versions.
You can download stock firmware here: https://mirrors.lolinet.com/firmware/moto/albus/official/
Nougat is available for RETAIL, RETLA, RETRU, RETUS and VZW. Where did you buy your phone? It is best to flash the ROM for the same region to avoid problems if you want to keep data. But you can flash any.

Klen2 said:
More generally:
a) your problem may be in system - then reflashing system would help. It can be done without loosing data
b) your problem may be in data (which is more likely) - you have to wipe data
a) Reflashing system can be done by flashing correct images via fastboot (using script that doesn't wipe data) or in recovery if you have flashable zip of your rom (I'm not sure whether there are any). However, even after flashing system, it still may not work because of some conflicts with data so wiping data may be unavoidable
b)how to minimalize losses: what kind of important data do you have? If it is files, they can be copied easily. If it is app data, it's harder. However, if you have Google Backup turned on, most apps use it to backup their data. What particular app's data do you need to save, if you don't mind telling?
I know there used to be app that was able to extract individual app's data from TWRP backup and restore it. Maybe it was Titanium Backup Pro. But as nowadays non-cloud backups aren't a thing anymore, these apps quite vanished or their development stopped and they also may not work with new android versions.
You can download stock firmware here: https://mirrors.lolinet.com/firmware/moto/albus/official/
Nougat is available for RETAIL, RETLA, RETRU, RETUS and VZW. Where did you buy your phone? It is best to flash the ROM for the same region to avoid problems if you want to keep data. But you can flash any.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Honestly, what I needed to recover were unread messages/whatsapp messages I never read and mostly just to avoid the headache or starting over but I'm over that. And what you said about using Titanium Backup to restore individual apps from a nandroid backup... that's exactly what I read about yesterday and was planning on doing.
Just now I tried restoring an old system backup and and a recent data/system backup but both times it got stuck at boot... so I think I'm either going to just flash my stock rom or do a restore of my system/data from last year...
My phone was running "Albus 7.1.1/NPS26.118-24/25" and I found a zip named "ALBUS_C_NPS26.118-24_cid50_subsidy-DEFAULT_regulatory-DEFAULT_CFC.xml.zip" (which has SW listed as "SW Version: albus_c-user 7.1.1 NPS26.118-24 25 release-keysM8953P_23.33.07.34R") so I think I found the right one.
Would you recommend restoring system and data from a working (but old) backup in TWRP or just flashing my rom again?
Also, I'm not sure if I need to reflash magisk or flash the no-verity-opt-encrypt zip (or wipe something).
Either way, I'm going to just try one of those once I hear you recommendation.
Thanks

SMS may be backed up by Google, WhatsApp not if you didn't have automatic backup turned on (or done backup manually).
First of all, I would flash just system and other stuff except data. I don't recommend flashing official zips in recovery. If the phone is rooted, they will fail anyway and they may delete data. It is better to flash via fastboot. Do you remember your update channel Do you have US retail device? Then you may try the zip you found. But not in recovery. It is not a recovery flashable zip. Extract it and I will send you a .bat file to flash via fastboot.

Klen2 said:
SMS may be backed up by Google, WhatsApp not if you didn't have automatic backup turned on (or done backup manually).
First of all, I would flash just system and other stuff except data. I don't recommend flashing official zips in recovery. If the phone is rooted, they will fail anyway and they may delete data. It is better to flash via fastboot. Do you remember your update channel Do you have US retail device? Then you may try the zip you found. But not in recovery. It is not a recovery flashable zip. Extract it and I will send you a .bat file to flash via fastboot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's an unlocked, US, Moto Z2 Play (XT1710-01). I ordered it from motorola's website. I never updated it, I just followed these instructions (https://gist.github.com/eexit/e6d5fc0984e1c7f25376d3dafa819792) to unlock bootloader, boot TWRP, back it up, and flash magisk.

extract your zip, place there fastboot.exe from attachment if you don't have one and run the bat. It will install the rom without wiping data. It is made for newest Nougat 'XT1710-01_ALBUS_C_7.1.1_NPSS26.118-24-23_cid50_subsidy-DEFAULT_regulatory-DEFAULT_CFC.xml.zip' rom from here: https://mirrors.lolinet.com/firmware/moto/albus/official/RETUS/

Klen2 said:
extract your zip, place there fastboot.exe from attachment if you don't have one and run the bat. It will install the rom without wiping data. It is made for newest Nougat 'XT1710-01_ALBUS_C_7.1.1_NPSS26.118-24-23_cid50_subsidy-DEFAULT_regulatory-DEFAULT_CFC.xml.zip' rom from here: https://mirrors.lolinet.com/firmware/moto/albus/official/RETUS/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So place your bat file in the extracted folder and run the bat file? Does my phone need to be in fast boot and do any of these files need to be on my phone or I can just do it from my PC?

All files in the same folder, phone in fastboot. Then run the bat

Klen2 said:
All files in the same folder, phone in fastboot. Then run the bat
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I gave it a go but it's still hanging on boot.
Here's what the command window showed...
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}

Then you'll probably have to wipe data. Backup them (to SD) and then try wipe

If you have unlocked bootloader and TWRP backup it is almost impossible to brick your Z2 Play, just flash Stock Nougat, Stock Oreo or Stock Pie and your phone should boot again.
By the way it looks, you will lose all your personal information.
If the classic wipes haven't worked you gotta try flash Stock ROM through fastboot.