Develop Bugs

CWM 6.0.0.5 backup/restore question...

I just did a CWM backup of my awesome ROM before I flasha new one (like I always does) and noticed it backed up awfully fast.
I just flashed the new 6.0.0.5 touch recovery so I booted back into Android before flashing a new ROM and noticed my backup folder in CWM was 20 megs...
Did my ROM really get backed up with data? Is all the info now in the "blobs" folder?
I am honestly tempted to just reflash the older CWM and do a backup just in case.
Is this normal?

Normal.
Backups are handled VERY differently for CWM now.
From what I understand:
Each file is diffed from the backup you're currently making to any old backups.
If the file was modified...a copy is made for your new backup.
If it wasn't...a reference to the file is made so that it doesn't have to copy said file over...it just says: Yes. File exists...it's here.
This cuts down on the a)
TIME. By a lot.
b)
Size...of incremental backups.
Edit:
This is just how my brain is processing the new CWM's features.
I've read nothing that states how it works...all I know is that YES, the above sizes are normal.
I'm generally pretty close in my assumptions...but I'm not a dev. Just...intuitive.
So if I'm wrong ::: Don't shoot me.

Makes sense.
here goes nothing...

Have done some reading a yesterday about this since I wanted to see if this was worthy of leaving my Old Touch Recovery.
It was worthy because the one feature that caught my eye was that it makes files smaller by compressing and preventing duplicated files in a back up.
This is why the back up is smaller(ish) and faster to back up and restore.
--------------------------------------------------
If I have helped you.... hit that sexy thanks button. ^_^

How can we safely delete old backups? I've read up on how it works, but it's still not clear. If I delete my oldest backup, will it render all the new ones useless because they don't have the duplicated files?

Well the ROM I flashed was fubar, couldn't get past the boot-animation, so I had to ADB enter recovery and did a CWM restore on 6.0.0.5 Touch, seems to work fine.

grantith said:
How can we safely delete old backups? I've read up on how it works, but it's still not clear. If I delete my oldest backup, will it render all the new ones useless because they don't have the duplicated files?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a good question. I'm thinking the same thing. If I have backup #1, #2, and #3 (the newest) where #3 is incremental differences from #1 and #2 will backup #3 be trash if I delete backup #1 and #2??

VTENGR said:
This is a good question. I'm thinking the same thing. If I have backup #1, #2, and #3 (the newest) where #3 is incremental differences from #1 and #2 will backup #3 be trash if I delete backup #1 and #2??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You delete the entire CWM folder and do a fresh backup.

Some of you may be thinking "well, how do I delete a backup?".
First, never delete the blobs directory. This would actually delete all your backups by rendering them unusable.
Simply delete the usual backup directory, and the next time you run a backup, all the unused hash files will be automatically delete (a process known as garbage collection). The recovery will show "Freeing space..." while this is happening.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1757146
"Simple delete the usual backup directory." Unfortunately I don't really get what that means. Any ideas?

grantith said:
How can we safely delete old backups? I've read up on how it works, but it's still not clear. If I delete my oldest backup, will it render all the new ones useless because they don't have the duplicated files?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to add, it looks like the app data and such is stored in the blobs folder, so if you delete an old "backup" from backup folder, but keep the blob folder intact, it will still restore fine.

grantith said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1757146
"Simple delete the usual backup directory." Unfortunately I don't really get what that means. Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
exactly what I just said above

This jump in recovery version confuses the hell out of me, I honestly don't understand it. I have 9 different rom's backed up on my phone and I want to update them but I've read stories of people having issues restoring old backups. My question is do I need restore to each rom with a version of clockworkmod 5 then flash clockworkmod 6 and back up with clockworkmod 6?

masully84 said:
This jump in recovery version confuses the hell out of me, I honestly don't understand it. I have 9 different rom's backed up on my phone and I want to update them but I've read stories of people having issues restoring old backups. My question is do I need restore to each rom with a version of clockworkmod 5 then flash clockworkmod 6 and back up with clockworkmod 6?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I did.
Not sure if you "have to" but I didn't want to chance it.

orangekid said:
That's what I did.
Not sure if you "have to" but I didn't want to chance it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks man, yeah it seems like the safest way to approach it

masully84 said:
Thanks man, yeah it seems like the safest way to approach it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And it also sounds like it will conserve a lot of space because it won't double up on app data which matches your other ROMs.

Galaxy Nexus Toolkit Backup

Hello again.
Since I am under 10 posts and not allowed to participate in the relevant thread plus searching didn't yield any results I am posting here.
After one month of using my nexus I want to play with it and try some custom things that all people talk so much about.Fact is I first want to backup current state where everything works fine in case something goes wrong.
I 've already backed up my apps and their data with Titanium Backup.
Now I need current OS state bootloader, etc.Am I right to believe this is the NANDROID backup? Is this the backup that can bring the phone back to its current state?
Second thing is that the Galaxy Nexus Toolkit v7.8.0 I am using recommends backing up the EFS partition.Did some research that revealed this hidden partition is about the IMEI - I can't understand how such a valuable data isn't hardcoded inside the phone.But nevertheless I would like to know where are those backups (NANDROID and ESF partition) stored (already checked backups folder in toolkit).
My phone's current state is: unlocked bootloader, CWM recovery, rooted and on stock 4.1.1.No mods or any other custom file.
Another question regarding the CWM recovery.How is it possible to go back to the stock recovery? By flashing the stock ROM?
Also from GN Toolkit I flashed CWM Touch but after trying an update through CWM ROM Manager I got the manual version (both 6.0.1).Can I reflash the touch version from Toolkit?
Sorry if some of those questions sound silly but I am new in Android and prefer the safe path.
Thank you in advance.

TR-909 said:
Hello again.
Since I am under 10 posts and not allowed to participate in the relevant thread plus searching didn't yield any results I am posting here.
After one month of using my nexus I want to play with it and try some custom things that all people talk so much about.Fact is I first want to backup current state where everything works fine in case something goes wrong.
I 've already backed up my apps and their data with Titanium Backup.
Now I need current OS state bootloader, etc.Am I right to believe this is the NANDROID backup? Is this the backup that can bring the phone back to its current state?
Second thing is that the Galaxy Nexus Toolkit v7.8.0 I am using recommends backing up the EFS partition.Did some research that revealed this hidden partition is about the IMEI - I can't understand how such a valuable data isn't hardcoded inside the phone.But nevertheless I would like to know where are those backups (NANDROID and ESF partition) stored (already checked backups folder in toolkit).
My phone's current state is: unlocked bootloader, CWM recovery, rooted and on stock 4.1.1.No mods or any other custom file.
Another question regarding the CWM recovery.How is it possible to go back to the stock recovery? By flashing the stock ROM?
Also from GN Toolkit I flashed CWM Touch but after trying an update through CWM ROM Manager I got the manual version (both 6.0.1).Can I reflash the touch version from Toolkit?
Sorry if some of those questions sound silly but I am new in Android and prefer the safe path.
Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
toolkit is not a safe path for you.
read these:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1812959
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1626895
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1529058
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1420351
learn how to troubleshoot and search, you'll be a whole lot happier. don't use toolkits.
TR-909 said:
Now I need current OS state bootloader, etc.Am I right to believe this is the NANDROID backup? Is this the backup that can bring the phone back to its current state?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nandroid doesn't backup the bootloader. if you ever need to go back to a specific bootloader version (which you won't), it is available online.

bk201doesntexist said:
toolkit is not a safe path for you.
read these:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1812959
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1626895
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1529058
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1420351
learn how to troubleshoot and search, you'll be a whole lot happier. don't use toolkits.
nandroid doesn't backup the bootloader. if you ever need to go back to a specific bootloader version (which you won't), it is available online.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a lot of reading.
Anyway thanks for pointing me to those threads (I don't mind reading hehe) but still I don't understand why toolkit is so bad.In my view the toolkit just automates a set of commands which otherwise I would have to give through a command prompt.Only good thing I can find avoiding a toolkit, is getting a deeper knowledge on the subject but maybe the risks of doing something wrong are increased (say a typo)?
Anyway let me read those and I may be back.

TR-909 said:
That's a lot of reading.
Anyway thanks for pointing me to those threads (I don't mind reading hehe) but still I don't understand why toolkit is so bad.In my view the toolkit just automates a set of commands which otherwise I would have to give through a command prompt.Only good thing I can find avoiding a toolkit, is getting a deeper knowledge on the subject but maybe the risks of doing something wrong are increased (say a typo)?
Anyway let me read those and I may be back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Toolkit is a automated set of other people's command, programme are coded by humans and human errors are bound to happen, not to mention if something went wrong somewhere, you won't know what went wrong. By doing the steps yourself, you will know exactly what went wrong, and it will simplify things should you have to ask questions here, which you most likely don't have to once you know how to use adb and fastboot, trust me.

Typos while doing your commands won't hurt because it simply will fail and not do anything. Immediately you will know you typed something incorrectly and know you have to do it again. With the kit you will not know at which step it failed so figuring out something will become a task. Doing it yourself sounds like it's longer and difficult but once you do it you will see how easy and simple it is plus you will understand what you did and why.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus

TR-909 said:
[snip]
Now I need current OS state bootloader, etc.Am I right to believe this is the NANDROID backup? Is this the backup that can bring the phone back to its current state?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes and yes.
TR-909 said:
Second thing is that the Galaxy Nexus Toolkit v7.8.0 I am using recommends backing up the EFS partition.Did some research that revealed this hidden partition is about the IMEI - I can't understand how such a valuable data isn't hardcoded inside the phone.But nevertheless I would like to know where are those backups (NANDROID and ESF partition) stored (already checked backups folder in toolkit).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I won't comment on the toolkit, but nandroid backups are stored in /sdcard/clockworkmod/backup/ on your device.
As for the efs partition, you could back it up, but I don't really see what the necessity of it is. That partition is never written to by any ROM (stock or otherwise), so the only way it will get messed up is if you do something to it.
If you want to back it up on your device, just open a terminal window and type:
su
dd if=/dev/block/platform/omap/omap_hsmmc.0/by-name/efs of=/sdcard/efs.img
That will store it in /sdcard, and then just copy it off your device.
TR-909 said:
Another question regarding the CWM recovery.How is it possible to go back to the stock recovery? By flashing the stock ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just pull the recovery.img file out of the version of the stock factory image that you are currently using, place it in the same directory where you have your fastboot.exe file, reboot your device into fastboot mode and type:
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
Or, just save it to /sdcard on your device and type the following in a terminal:
su
dd if=/sdcard/recovery.img of=/dev/block/platform/omap/omap_hsmmc.0/by-name/recovery
TR-909 said:
Also from GN Toolkit I flashed CWM Touch but after trying an update through CWM ROM Manager I got the manual version (both 6.0.1).Can I reflash the touch version from Toolkit?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can't help you out with any toolkit, sorry.

Hello efrant.
Seems you are the n00bs hero in here! I was reading your FAQ and threw some basic ADB commands through cmd to see how it feels ,lol.
Well reading made some good, I backed up through CWM but the backup size baffles me - only 21.4MB in total.Is this normal?
Also took a fresh backup with Titanium for all apps and data - this is a lot bigger 728MB in total.Still Storage (in Settings) reports that applications and their data hold 3.54GB.Is there some kind of ultra compression involved?
As for the stock bootloader I found that image (recovery-stock-jro03c-maguro) which I think is for my GN (GSM).I am asking in case something bad happens and go for a warranty claim.In that case I believe I 'll need to flash the stock bootloader, stock ROM and finally lock the bootloader.
As for the EFS partition is it impossible to be harmed? Say File System corruption, sdcard bad blocks, etc?
It's ok.I clearly understand your position on the toolkit and any similar programms out there.It's just they are so "convenient" and "time savers".Still you 're all right that most of the time you do not understand what you are doing when using toolkits.
Thanks to all of you for your great help. :good:
PS - to test my progress I am going to flash stock recovery through flashboot.I just hope I won't mess it up. :fingers-crossed:

To clear a few things:
TR-909 said:
As for the stock bootloader I found that image (recovery-stock-jro03c-maguro) which I think is for my GN (GSM).I am asking in case something bad happens and go for a warranty claim.In that case I believe I 'll need to flash the stock bootloader, stock ROM and finally lock the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
we don't have any custom bootloaders, as of yet.
TR-909 said:
As for the EFS partition is it impossible to be harmed? Say File System corruption, sdcard bad blocks, etc?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not impossible, but many many users never had any issues. to be on the safe side, back it up.
TR-909 said:
It's ok.I clearly understand your position on the toolkit and any similar programms out there.It's just they are so "convenient" and "time savers".Still you 're all right that most of the time you do not understand what you are doing when using toolkits.
Thanks to all of you for your great help. :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
glad you understand. just because something is convenient doesn't mean that it's the best for you.
TR-909 said:
PS - to test my progress I am going to flash stock recovery through flashboot.I just hope I won't mess it up. :fingers-crossed:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
easy. you can't fail with fastboot. like said before, if you type it wrong, it won't go through. :good:
'fastboot flash recovery recovery.img'
done.

Regarding the nandroid, copy off the whole clockworkmod folder.
Will the next nexus have a longer screen?

@bk201doesntexist: yes you 're right I was reffering to the stock recovery image.Thanks for correcting me
@Mach3.2: I 've read just the backup folder is needed (the one with the date and time).
For the sake of learning, I started in ADB then:
adb devices : to check I am online
adb reboot-bootloader: to get into fastboot
fastboot devices: check again status
and then
fastboot recovery recovery-CWM-touch-6.0.1-maguro
blah...
blah...
blah...
Finished and voila CWM touch recovery installed. :victory:
I am going to try with stock recovery but I am trying to find an official source to download it (if any).
EDIT: I see the only way to find the original recovery img is to extract it from the official ROM.So I am downloading from Google a .tgz and will continue from there.
Any comments for my backup sizes?
Now with my backups in hand what is the possible way to verify them? In theory with nandroid (from CWM recovery) and Titanium, I can restore phone in today's state.Right or wrong?
I am thinking of going a bit further flashing the stock ROM again (wiping everything) and then recovering from the backup archives as my next learning exercise.I should obviously backup photos, music, etc but I was wondering if SMS history is taken care by Nandroid or have to use a seperate application.Contacts are in google's server so np on that.
Thanks again.

TR-909 said:
[snip]
Well reading made some good, I backed up through CWM but the backup size baffles me - only 21.4MB in total.Is this normal?
Also took a fresh backup with Titanium for all apps and data - this is a lot bigger 728MB in total.Still Storage (in Settings) reports that applications and their data hold 3.54GB.Is there some kind of ultra compression involved?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are using the 6-series CWM, it does backups a little differently (incrementally), and stores the backup in two locations in /sdcard/clockworkmod. I personally use 5.5.0.2, which does a full backup and stores it in one location.
TR-909 said:
As for the stock bootloader I found that image (recovery-stock-jro03c-maguro) which I think is for my GN (GSM).I am asking in case something bad happens and go for a warranty claim.In that case I believe I 'll need to flash the stock bootloader, stock ROM and finally lock the bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As was mentioned above, all bootloaders available are stock bootloaders. A list can be found in the bootloader thread (link in my signature).
TR-909 said:
As for the EFS partition is it impossible to be harmed? Say File System corruption, sdcard bad blocks, etc?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But if you have bad blocks in the efs partition, you would probably need to get a new device, at which point you have no need for the backup, no? But I guess yes, better safe than sorry.
TR-909 said:
In theory with nandroid (from CWM recovery) and Titanium, I can restore phone in today's state.Right or wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With a nandroid alone you can return to today's state.
TR-909 said:
I am thinking of going a bit further flashing the stock ROM again (wiping everything) and then recovering from the backup archives as my next learning exercise.I should obviously backup photos, music, etc but I was wondering if SMS history is taken care by Nandroid or have to use a seperate application.Contacts are in google's server so np on that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wiping from CWM does not wipe the data you have on /sdcard, so no need to backup photos, music, etc.
SMS will get wiped, but both Titanium and a nandroid will back them up. However, you can use a third-party app (there are many of them) to do it as well, which is simpler actually.

TR-909 said:
@bk201doesntexist: yes you 're right I was reffering to the stock recovery image.Thanks for correcting me
@Mach3.2: I 've read just the backup folder is needed (the one with the date and time).
For the sake of learning, I started in ADB then:
adb devices : to check I am online
adb reboot-bootloader: to get into fastboot
fastboot devices: check again status
and then
fastboot recovery recovery-CWM-touch-6.0.1-maguro
blah...
blah...
blah...
Finished and voila CWM touch recovery installed. :victory:
I am going to try with stock recovery but I am trying to find an official source to download it (if any).
EDIT: I see the only way to find the original recovery img is to extract it from the official ROM.So I am downloading from Google a .tgz and will continue from there.
Any comments for my backup sizes?
Now with my backups in hand what is the possible way to verify them? In theory with nandroid (from CWM recovery) and Titanium, I can restore phone in today's state.Right or wrong?
I am thinking of going a bit further flashing the stock ROM again (wiping everything) and then recovering from the backup archives as my next learning exercise.I should obviously backup photos, music, etc but I was wondering if SMS history is taken care by Nandroid or have to use a seperate application.Contacts are in google's server so np on that.
Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The backup is just a shell, it's backed up in blobs, so you will need to copy the whole thing off.

You 're both right that in that the CWM recovery "image" is incremental and the base backup is the blops folder - now the total size is 1.75GB which is logical.
@efrant: thanks for clarifying on backup now it all starts making sense.I 've read Titanium Backup can pull individual files (may I call it selective restore) from a Nandroid backup, say a single app and its data.If that is so then the Titanium Backup could be used as a reserve app and that could save me some precious space.
efrant said:
SMS will get wiped, but both Titanium and a nandroid will back them up. However, you can use a third-party app (there are many of them) to do it as well, which is simpler actually.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I prefer to use less apps for doing the job so if Nandroid has the data it is fine with me.I hope it isn't that complicated to pull the data out.
@Mach3.2: You were right, my bad.The article I read was about CWM recovery 5.5.0.2 so now I copied the whole thing on PC. :good:

TR-909 said:
[snip]
I prefer to use less apps for doing the job so if Nandroid has the data it is fine with me.I hope it isn't that complicated to pull the data out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The issue is that SMS's are stored as data for a specific system app (I can't remember which one at the moment). If you change ROMs, it is generally not a good idea to restore system apps or system app data via Titanium Backup, as those apps/data could cause some instability. You may get lucky, you may not.

efrant said:
The issue is that SMS's are stored as data for a specific system app (I can't remember which one at the moment). If you change ROMs, it is generally not a good idea to restore system apps or system app data via Titanium Backup, as those apps/data could cause some instability. You may get lucky, you may not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Point taken.:good:
A bit more on the backup subject...
As I can see CWM recovery backups boot image, recovery image and the /system partition.I also saw in one of efrant's posts about different bootloaders but honestly I fail to comprehend the need for flashing a bootloader.
*In your "convert to latest yakju" post you recommend flashing it "5) Optional (NOT optional for n00bs) -- Flash the bootloader: fastboot flash bootloader bootloader-maguro-primela03.img (or whatever the name of the bootloader image that you downloaded)."
** Also the radio partition is a mystery so far.And I 've read a lot of guys talking of better connectivity (be it GSM, 3G, WiFi) through flashing custom (?) radio images.On list to be explored...
The recovery image is pretty straight and the system partition is the one with the OS - now all this can't be 1.7GB unless it backups the userdata partition too.
EDIT: It seems it also backups the data folder (hence the apps) so the size now makes sense.I reverted to 5.5.0.2 because incremental backup is fast and slick but brings two issues: first the "blops structure" gives me problems when I want to transfer those thousands of files via MTP and second it is much more practical when I want to backup completely different "builds" (that is my guess).
Also in between flashing ROMs a standard procedure is recommended about wiping data, clearing dalvik cache, etc
Could you please give me in details the series of tasks needed (or point me to a thread) for properly preparing a custom ROM installation when unlocked and rooted?
About restoration in the "new enviroment" I read this:
"If your bootloader is unlocked: yes, you can root (if you haven't done it already) and use TiB to backup apps + app data. Installing a ROM will not wipe your /sdcard. It's always a good idea to back it up though before a flash. Use TiB to restore apps + appdata to your new ROM. Be careful with system apps and settings, restoring such data can lead to issues."
Am I right in that "illegal" system apps are those painted with red colour in TiB?
Final steps I am going to backup SMS history and find a custom ROM to install.Any ROM recommendations for a "novice user" are welcome...
Off Topic: what would be the adb commands to push/pull folders (or files) from /sdcard to PC (eg. \sdcard\clockworkmod --> C:/Nexus) .Right now I am doing MTP transfers but would prefer the "adb way" if possible.
Thanks a lot for your support and sharing of knowledge!
PS - So much reading!

Wow, that's a lot of questions for one post! I'll try to tackle some of them.
TR-909 said:
As I can see CWM recovery backups boot image, recovery image and the /system partition.I also saw in one of efrant's posts about different bootloaders but honestly I fail to comprehend the need for flashing a bootloader.
*In your "convert to latest yakju" post you recommend flashing it "5) Optional (NOT optional for n00bs) -- Flash the bootloader: fastboot flash bootloader bootloader-maguro-primela03.img (or whatever the name of the bootloader image that you downloaded)."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think anyone knows what changes are in each new bootloader revision (given that they are closed source), but some have had issues with running Jelly Bean on bootloaders older than LA03. I guess "newer is better" holds true in this case.
TR-909 said:
** Also the radio partition is a mystery so far.And I 've read a lot of guys talking of better connectivity (be it GSM, 3G, WiFi) through flashing custom (?) radio images.On list to be explored...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again, no one know what changes are made in each radio revision. I personally have not noticed much difference among a lot of the radios, but others have said otherwise. (And no, there are no "custom" radios. All radios are stock -- just from different versions of Android. (A list of radios can be found in the radio link in my signature.)
TR-909 said:
The recovery image is pretty straight and the system partition is the one with the OS - now all this can't be 1.7GB unless it backups the userdata partition too.
EDIT: It seems it also backups the data folder (hence the apps) so the size now makes sense.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, it backs up the cache, boot, recovery and system partitions, and everything in /data except /data/media (which is /sdcard).
TR-909 said:
I reverted to 5.5.0.2 because incremental backup is fast and slick but brings two issues: first the "blops structure" gives me problems when I want to transfer those thousands of files via MTP and second it is much more practical when I want to backup completely different "builds" (that is my guess).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also like 5.5.0.2. I found it to be the most compatible, i.e., it has no issues flashing anything (that I have tried anyway), whereas other versions have issues with certain things.
And I personally wouldn't use MTP to transfer files -- it is flaky at best. ADB is much more stable.
TR-909 said:
Also in between flashing ROMs a standard procedure is recommended about wiping data, clearing dalvik cache, etc
Could you please give me in details the series of tasks needed (or point me to a thread) for properly preparing a custom ROM installation when unlocked and rooted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is not much to do:
1) Download ROM to /sdcard
2) Reboot into recovery
3) Nandroid
4) Wipe /data and /cache
5) Flash ROM
6) Reboot
TR-909 said:
About restoration in the "new enviroment" I read this:
"If your bootloader is unlocked: yes, you can root (if you haven't done it already) and use TiB to backup apps + app data. Installing a ROM will not wipe your /sdcard. It's always a good idea to back it up though before a flash. Use TiB to restore apps + appdata to your new ROM. Be careful with system apps and settings, restoring such data can lead to issues."
Am I right in that "illegal" system apps are those painted with red colour in TiB?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think so. I haven't use TB in a while, so I just checked and it looks like you are correct -- red.
TR-909 said:
Off Topic: what would be the adb commands to push/pull folders (or files) from /sdcard to PC (eg. \sdcard\clockworkmod --> C:/Nexus) .Right now I am doing MTP transfers but would prefer the "adb way" if possible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have a read of the "basics" link in my signature. ADB is covered there.

Wow that's some great answers and a big motive for me to continue "digging".:good:
I will leave you in peace for the time being as here it's about to dawn.
Big thanks and have a nice day.
PS - To be continued...

There is a article on the main xda site about running a FTP server on your phone, maybe that will transfer the blobs faster than MTP.

Mach3.2 said:
There is a article on the main xda site about running a FTP server on your phone, maybe that will transfer the blobs faster than MTP.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey mach3.2.
FTP wouldn't help because WLAN (802.11g) can't beat USB 2.0 speeds.In fact it is quite slow for such file sizes.You 're right though in that through ES File Explorer I can send the whole Clockworkmod folder (and the blobs) normally to my PC without the "invisible files" issue I encountered with Windows Explorer and MTP.
Thanks for suggestion!

TR-909 said:
Hey mach3.2.
FTP wouldn't help because WLAN (802.11g) can't beat USB 2.0 speeds.In fact it is quite slow for such file sizes.You 're right though in that through ES File Explorer I can send the whole Clockworkmod folder (and the blobs) normally to my PC without the "invisible files" issue I encountered with Windows Explorer and MTP.
Thanks for suggestion!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With MTP, copying using FTP may just be faster
And just to mention, there's 802.11N on you devices, although it's only single stream w/ 1 antenna..

[Q] TMobile G3 EFS backup with TWRP (confusion)

I haven't rooted a phone in at least 4 years, so please bear with me. I have no idea how a lot of these new tools work.
I went through the PurpleDrake routine on the T-Mobile G3, got as far as disabling OTA updates, and now I'm trying to follow the EFS backup instructions here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/tmo...-tmo-lg-g3-t2821005/post54254111#post54254111
I don't have enough posts on here yet to comment in that thread, so I'm asking here. I have root, TWRP, and disabled OTA updates. I know how to boot into recovery to get to TWRP. What precisely am I meant to do with that EFS backup zip file?

generalizzimo said:
I haven't rooted a phone in at least 4 years, so please bear with me. I have no idea how a lot of these new tools work.
I went through the PurpleDrake routine on the T-Mobile G3, got as far as disabling OTA updates, and now I'm trying to follow the EFS backup instructions here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/tmo...-tmo-lg-g3-t2821005/post54254111#post54254111
I don't have enough posts on here yet to comment in that thread, so I'm asking here. I have root, TWRP, and disabled OTA updates. I know how to boot into recovery to get to TWRP. What precisely am I meant to do with that EFS backup zip file?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's the backup of the IMEI data that is in your phone. You only need to use it if something goes wrong with the IMEI partition of your phone. Keep it safe in your computer, just in case.

draster80 said:
It's the backup of the IMEI data that is in your phone. You only need to use it if something goes wrong with the IMEI partition of your phone. Keep it safe in your computer, just in case.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for responding. That doesn't quite clear up the confusion for me. Is the downloadable zip itself what I need to hold onto? Or does the downloadable zip do something that will create a backup of *my phone's* IMEI? The referenced post makes it seem like I need something that specifically comes from my phone. If this is the case, the problem is that I don't know how to create that specific-to-me zip.

generalizzimo said:
Thanks for responding. That doesn't quite clear up the confusion for me. Is the downloadable zip itself what I need to hold onto? Or does the downloadable zip do something that will create a backup of *my phone's* IMEI? The referenced post makes it seem like I need something that specifically comes from my phone. If this is the case, the problem is that I don't know how to create that specific-to-me zip.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Install the downloaded zip in twrp and it will copy the two imie partitions to the internal storage. To be more exact it makes a new flashable zip so if you needed to restore your imie all you need to do is install that zip.
---------- Post added at 06:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:07 PM ----------
Fyi I already lost my imie a few times but I am also doing things you probably wont do. I strongly recomend doing this backup and keep the created files safe. With no imie you have no cellular network conection

I'll give it a go later. Just posting to say thanks before I forget.

Do u mind tell me how to boot to twrp
Sent from my LG-D851 using XDA Free mobile app

yeah i'm a little bit confused as well, i downloaded the zip so i install it and it automatically copies the 2 imei files to the internal storage.. i guess i should have a zip file in my internal storage so i take that zip which has my 2 imei files and copy it to my computer.. that's how it works? i'm going to some videos on youtube and see how it works

[Q] Can't Flash the Stock Nandroid Backup

Hi Guys
First time poster here so hello from me, need a little advice please, I am trying to unroot my HTC One M8 (ATT) and I was going along quite nicely using the unlockr guide and then got to the "Flash the Stock Nandroid Backup" part and I am stuck big time!
Long story short I just can't find the files when I boot into recovery, I downloaded the stock stock Nandroid backup unzipped them or RAR and put it in the /TWRP/backups/ folder which I had to create the Backups sub folder. Then I boot into recovery mode and nothing, it can't see the files, I have the correct files I double checked I got the correct one but it just can't see it.
Anyone had this issue, I bet I am doing something stupid I just don't know what!
Help
Thanks
Stuart

If anyone could help me with this you would be doing me such a big favour, will be traveling tomorrow overseas and hoping to get it taken care of before I go. Thanks again
Stuart

It will be TWRP/backups/youserialnumber. Go into TWRP and make a back up of your boot partition. That should create the folder that you need to install your nandroid backup zip to.

Thank you so much for the reply, I did try earlier to try make a copy of the boot partition but I have never done it before and it didn't work out very well. Any advice or apps recommended please?
Thanks
Stuart

outatime80 said:
Thank you so much for the reply, I did try earlier to try make a copy of the boot partition but I have never done it before and it didn't work out very well. Any advice or apps recommended please?
Thanks
Stuart
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Boot into recovery
choose backup
uncheck everything except boot
backup
reboot phone
browse to where the back was made from you pc
put the nandroid you downloaded in the folder that was just created by TWRP backup.
reboot to recovery and restore the backup ... done

[Q] Need some adivse PLEASE!!!!

So this is the situation,
I have SPH-l710 Rooted with CWM, I THOUGHT I made a backup of my stock system.....It made a image.zip and an image directory. SOOOO I flashed the phone with CM121...........In light of all the issues I could not get my camera to work with any app, them CM121 updated, Google play got stuck in a error force close loop that could only be avoided by logging into a separate user account on lollipop. Which is where the camera began to work oddly enough. Anyways I use my camera constantly and wanted to revert back to my 4.4.2 kitkat. SOOOO I booted into recovery and when I selected restore it couldnt find anything. So I installed from the image.zip and everything appeared to be fine EXECPT I couldnt get passed the second samsung logo right after the animation. Just stuck........How can I restore my poor phone back to my system image I have saved?
I tried this multiple times, then just reloaded CM121. PLEASE HELP!!!!!
the wipe/factory reset
wipe cache
wipe dalvik x 3

You could Odin back to stock. What modem are you on? (Ex. nj3, nd8, etc)

Powered_By_Linux said:
You could Odin back to stock. What modem are you on? (Ex. nj3, nd8, etc)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
L710VPUCNJ3
I did find an image.zip and an image directory with my full phone backup i assume minus the damn splash screen that started this whole thing in the first place. Would I just use odin to flash the image.zip file to restore my original os or would I use CMW and install from zip and use the image.zip file?
And thank you for replying, it's hard to get anyone to help sometimes.

aanddink said:
L710VPUCNJ3
I did find an image.zip and an image directory with my full phone backup i assume minus the damn splash screen that started this whole thing in the first place. Would I just use odin to flash the image.zip file to restore my original os or would I use CMW and install from zip and use the image.zip file?
And thank you for replying, it's hard to get anyone to help sometimes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you Odin to stock, you need a computer. You download the program (sadly Odin is leaked software so it's pretty shady; you could give Heimdall a shot but it didn't work for me, also Odin is Windows only and Heimdall is cross-platform) and then you download a .tar of a stock image and you plug your phone in in download mode and flash it.
However, there is no nj3 modem so you need to use an older one. Is your phone sprint, Virgin Mobile, boost, etc?
Edit: give this thread a look for info on stock .tars http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3121212
---------- Post added at 11:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:37 PM ----------
Here's a good thread on instructions for flashing the ndc modem. If you use sprint, flashing nj2 should be the same process, just a different .tar. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2774333

Powered_By_Linux said:
If you Odin to stock, you need a computer. You download the program (sadly Odin is leaked software so it's pretty shady; you could give Heimdall a shot but it didn't work for me, also Odin is Windows only and Heimdall is cross-platform) and then you download a .tar of a stock image and you plug your phone in in download mode and flash it.
However, there is no nj3 modem so you need to use an older one. Is your phone sprint, Virgin Mobile, boost, etc?
Edit: give this thread a look for info on stock .tars http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3121212
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have Odin already from when I flashed cmw 6+ to the phone, but before I installed cm12.1 I used clockworkmod and made a backup image. It created a image.zip file, will this contain my original stock but rooted image?

aanddink said:
I have Odin already from when I flashed cmw 6+ to the phone, but before I installed cm12.1 I used clockworkmod and made a backup image. It created a image.zip file, will this contain my original stock but rooted image?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would assume so, however, I'm not sure. I've only used TWRP and a little Philz for recovery. Afraid I can't help you there, but someone else (or Google lol) might know

Powered_By_Linux said:
I would assume so, however, I'm not sure. I've only used TWRP and a little Philz for recovery. Afraid I can't help you there, but someone else (or Google lol) might know
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK I understand thanks, one more thing if I assume its a full backup of the phone would Odin be better to restore with or use whatever software created the backup?

aanddink said:
OK I understand thanks, one more thing if I assume its a full backup of the phone would Odin be better to restore with or use whatever software created the backup?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think Odin can only flash tars. Ideally, you'd want to restore the backup with the software that made it.

aanddink said:
I have Odin already from when I flashed cmw 6+ to the phone, but before I installed cm12.1 I used clockworkmod and made a backup image. It created a image.zip file, will this contain my original stock but rooted image?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cwm recovery does not create zip files. If you made a full backup in cwm it should contain system, data, and boot img files. Restore it in cwm recovery.
But to go back to KitKat from lollipop you must wipe internal storage in clockworkmod recovery first .(if that's the recovery you are using).
By the way cwm is pretty crappy. After you fix it, install twrp recovery.

madbat99 said:
Cwm recovery does not create zip files. If you made a full backup in cwm it should contain system, data, and boot img files. Restore it in cwm recovery.
But to go back to KitKat from lollipop you must wipe internal storage in clockworkmod recovery first .(if that's the recovery you are using).
By the way cwm is pretty crappy. After you fix it, install twrp recovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply, been tryin to get help for a while. So my version of CMW has the option to create an image backup & also create the same backup in zip format. Inside the zip and inside the image directory they have the boot img files and the system data and ect. I have 2 questions, 1 is what part of the internal storage needs to be wiped? I assume you mean format the system directory? which would wipe the os out at that point? And second since I have cmw installed if I wanted to put twrp on and not wipe the system yet would I need to just use odin and flash it to overwrite cmw? I installed cmw with odin to root the phone originally, cmw is not restoring my backups at all correctly so I would love something that would really work.

aanddink said:
Thanks for the reply, been tryin to get help for a while. So my version of CMW has the option to create an image backup & also create the same backup in zip format. Inside the zip and inside the image directory they have the boot img files and the system data and ect. I have 2 questions, 1 is what part of the internal storage needs to be wiped? I assume you mean format the system directory? which would wipe the os out at that point? And second since I have cmw installed if I wanted to put twrp on and not wipe the system yet would I need to just use odin and flash it to overwrite cmw? I installed cmw with odin to root the phone originally, cmw is not restoring my backups at all correctly so I would love something that would really work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By wiping internal storage, I mean internal sd card (data/media) not system.
If you cannot restore your backup, and are not worried about losing your data, I would recommend using odin to flash the whole stock .tar and starting fresh from scratch. Then re root by using odin to install twrp.
If you are on boost or virgin Mobile use the ndc tar.

madbat99 said:
By wiping internal storage, I mean internal sd card (data/media) not system.
If you cannot restore your backup, and are not worried about losing your data, I would recommend using odin to flash the whole stock .tar and starting fresh from scratch. Then re root by using odin to install twrp.
If you are on boost or virgin Mobile use the ndc tar.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info, I will look into the tar I just need to make sure it's compatible with NJ3 and I am on Virgin mobile. I attached a snapshot of the file cmw created, Im pretty sure I saw a post on how to convert that into a flash-able tar file by combining them into one. That backup is clean except for a screwy boot splash screen and being rooted but besides that it was the first backup. Do you know if twrp has any issues with CM12.1? If I can flash my backup and un-root I would be able to start from scratch and do it the right way this time. I attached the snapshot just for your opinion on if I can use my backup from my phone if you dont mind, also to install twrp if I can use my backup I would need to unroot then re-root with twrp correct? Any thanks so much for the responses

aanddink said:
Thanks for the info, I will look into the tar I just need to make sure it's compatible with NJ3 and I am on Virgin mobile. I attached a snapshot of the file cmw created, Im pretty sure I saw a post on how to convert that into a flash-able tar file by combining them into one. That backup is clean except for a screwy boot splash screen and being rooted but besides that it was the first backup. Do you know if twrp has any issues with CM12.1? If I can flash my backup and un-root I would be able to start from scratch and do it the right way this time. I attached the snapshot just for your opinion on if I can use my backup from my phone if you dont mind, also to install twrp if I can use my backup I would need to unroot then re-root with twrp correct? Any thanks so much for the responses
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you put that back on your phone in the clockworkmod folder just restore it? If you flash the ndc tar in odin you will be stock unrooted. Ndc is the build before nj3. There is no nj3 tar so ndc is fine. If you manage to restore your backup and get going, you can just get the app flashify from the play store to install twrp. Get the image file of twrp 2.8.7.0 for sprint (d2spr) and install in flashify. Get it from twrp website.
Your backup only has system in it, it has no data. Next time do a full backup. System, data, and boot. You're trying to go from cm12.1 lollipop to KitKat touchwiz without a data wipe and restore. Won't work.
Honestly dude, you seem to have limited knowledge on this. Don't take that the wrong way at all. To save us both some time and get your phone working, just follow this
It's fine to flash over nj3. I'm on virgin Mobile and I've done it a couple times. Also do a factory reset to wipe data. Also wipe internal storage (data/media).

madbat99 said:
If you put that back on your phone in the clockworkmod folder just restore it? If you flash the ndc tar in odin you will be stock unrooted. Ndc is the build before nj3. There is no nj3 tar so ndc is fine. If you manage to restore your backup and get going, you can just get the app flashify from the play store to install twrp. Get the image file of twrp 2.8.7.0 for sprint (d2spr) and install in flashify. Get it from twrp website.
Your backup only has system in it, it has no data. Next time do a full backup. System, data, and boot. You're trying to go from cm12.1 lollipop to KitKat touchwiz without a data wipe and restore. Won't work.
Honestly dude, you seem to have limited knowledge on this. Don't take that the wrong way at all. To save us both some time and get your phone working, just follow this
It's fine to flash over nj3. I'm on virgin Mobile and I've done it a couple times. Also do a factory reset to wipe data. Also wipe internal storage (data/media).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not taken the wrong way, I am limited knowledge on the subject and that's why I ended up with problems. I appreciate the help since I could not get anyone to respond.

madbat99 said:
If you put that back on your phone in the clockworkmod folder just restore it? If you flash the ndc tar in odin you will be stock unrooted. Ndc is the build before nj3. There is no nj3 tar so ndc is fine. If you manage to restore your backup and get going, you can just get the app flashify from the play store to install twrp. Get the image file of twrp 2.8.7.0 for sprint (d2spr) and install in flashify. Get it from twrp website.
Your backup only has system in it, it has no data. Next time do a full backup. System, data, and boot. You're trying to go from cm12.1 lollipop to KitKat touchwiz without a data wipe and restore. Won't work.
Honestly dude, you seem to have limited knowledge on this. Don't take that the wrong way at all. To save us both some time and get your phone working, just follow this
It's fine to flash over nj3. I'm on virgin Mobile and I've done it a couple times. Also do a factory reset to wipe data. Also wipe internal storage (data/media).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I appreciate the link, understand the process. Just wondering the link to the .tar file is broken (at least for the moment) I will continue to try it, do you know if the zip file from samsung-updates " L710VPUDND8 firmware version for Galaxy S 3 LTE (Sprint) "
will work also?

aanddink said:
I appreciate the link, understand the process. Just wondering the link to the .tar file is broken (at least for the moment) I will continue to try it, do you know if the zip file from samsung-updates " L710VPUDND8 firmware version for Galaxy S 3 LTE (Sprint) "
will work also?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nd8 will work, however nj2 is the sprint equivalent to nj3 (latest update). It works fine. It's the last one I used. You may need to do the dialer activation code to get service working after you flash. I think it's ##72786# . I'll check.
here is nj2.