Hi, I've been using Backup for Root Users constantly as I have been flashing once, maybe twice a day between the new Hero ROMs popping up everywhere. I'm trying to use Backup for Root Users to backup/restoring my data to make the transition easier. However, I've found that sometimes the application doesn't backup whatever I tell it to back up.
For instance, I'll click the button to back up apps2sd - system and it will say found under sdcard/Backup Root. But if I navigate to that folder, it will be blank, or sometimes the folder isn't even there. So, I decide to uninstall the application/reinstall to see if that could fix it. Sometimes it will fix it, but sometimes it will only allow me to backup one more item before the same problem arises.
Sometimes, I'm able to completely backup everything and I make sure to check that they are indeed on the sdcard. After re-flashing a new ROM, I go to restore my data and after I click restore, nothing changes. All my application settings are the same, or my sms doesn't show up, or my APNs are all missing, whatever. Most of the time at least one of the restores will work.
So, my question is whether anyone else has this problem and knows how to fix it? Pretty please, I want to flash ROMs, but its a hassle to constantly have to re-enter APN information or to lose all my SMS, etc.
Thanks
EDIT: I usually go in through ASTRO to delete all the previous backups from the folder to make sure that it doesn't have problems with that, but I still have the same problem...
Related
Hi guys!
I'm running Doc_Kalpik's V7.5 and I had a bad run in while trying to manually install MiniSquadron which I paid for yet have been getting download unsuccessful errors no matter what I do! But that's another story...
After I installed it, I got a force close...then I got force closes everywhere else so I decided to reboot. And I discover that once I get to the boot animation portion, I get several vibrations (the same as the force close vibration pattern) at this point and eventually the screen turns black while still doing the vibration thing..I press the home button and the backlight keys just light up nothing else. So I go into recovery to attempt to fix.
I decided to reflash the ROM via CWM so I disabled my lagfix first, then did a reboot into recovery. From there I chose to backup and restore and after all that I still run into the same problem at the boot animation.
I try to manually backup via CWM and then factory reset then restore via CWM and there I run into an error saying that no .android_secure blah was not found so it skips the restore of that. I again run into the same probem at boot.
I try to do an advance restore to just restore my data. Still the same error, and the same problem at boot.
I am only able to boot with no issues after a factory reset with no restore meaning all data is lost...So I was wondering is there any way to just restore some parts from the nandroid backup like messages and such...I would assume that the problem is with my apps that had been on sd...which were actually none at all except the manual installation of MiniSquadron I guess. I don't care for the data of the other apps, I just need my messages. I did have a titanium backup but it isn't very recent since I did not expect this problem to occur.
Any help is much appreciated!
I dont have specific information on restoration of messages because I have not yet looked into it - but I was able to recover a few files from a nandroid backup using unyaffs which extracts the content of the nandroid img files. Maybe you can extract the sms file ( /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db) from data.img and push it using adb shell.
In future, I'd suggest SMS backup app from the market - it backs up and restores into your gmail account.
Ohhh! I'll check out the img files later when I get home. I was afraid of looking into them expecting hard to discern, indescript file names I don't know how to make use of. But that file you pointed out seems obvious enough. I hope it's somehow usable without the full backup. Perhaps a simple move with Root Explorer app would work too? I'm not all too familiar with using adb commands...
Yes I have that app but I don't use it often for backup and restore jobs since I tried several times in the past to restore from backup and always seem to be missing more recent messages.
Thanks for the advice though! I'll report success/failure soon.
I don't seem to have anything inside my com.providers.telephony folder when I extracted data.img...Any ideas?
nvm! Found it in dbdata.img... will update this if this works.
Yes - a simple move with Root Explorer should work too.
It doesn't seem to work... No messages show up even after several retries with reboots I tried opening up the file within root explorer since it has sqlite viewer and it gives me an error..I forgot exactly what but it doesn't let me look within the database unlike if I try doing the same with the original mmssms.db file currently on my phone. I tried sqlite viewer on pc and when I attempt to open the file nothing shows up. Any work around to this? Is it possible for even this file to be corrupt in the backup...that's kinda devastating news..any way to repair this?
I am going to reflash Serendipity 3.5.2 tonight. I backed up with MyBackupPro, but it didn't restore all of my apps and data - but SMS worked with that backup. I then restored my TB and my texting problem returned - I can't send any texts, but I can receive them. I get a messaging forced closed every time I try to send one.
My question is, can I go through that TB backup somehow and delete any reference to messaging and restore after that? How would one go through their backup and make this change? I want to restore with TB because it did a better job, but I don't want the problem back. Suggestions??
TiBu
I'd recommend Titanium Backup.
When you restore, only restore "Missing apps with data".
Restoring SMS stuff is a "system" function, and will not be restored. Then, you can go thru the list and VERY SELECTIVELY pick system items you do want restored, such as wifi access points, widgets, accounts, etc.
alabamaroping said:
I'd recommend Titanium Backup.
When you restore, only restore "Missing apps with data".
Restoring SMS stuff is a "system" function, and will not be restored. Then, you can go thru the list and VERY SELECTIVELY pick system items you do want restored, such as wifi access points, widgets, accounts, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your help. What I need to know is how to selectively pick system items?
The other thing is I selected 'missing apps with data, yet still this messaging problem came back. I have deleted GO SMS completely, I'm not convinced it didn't cause my problems. I ran the batch operation to delete the deleted apps from the backup. I would really like to get rid of anything messaging before I restore this time, if that's possible. I see several possibilities:
com.android.mms-20110111-144642.properties
com.android.mms-20110111-144642.tar.gz
com.jb.mms-3accf7136245183972901f8fb5b026fb.apk.gz
com.jb.mms-55b6dd5aa915f6158b7664812f02edb1.apk.gz
com.jb.mms-20110111-144608.properties
com.jb.mms-20110111-144608.tar.gz
com.jb.mms-20110114-070110.properties
com.jb.mms-20110114-070110.tar.gz
com.jb.mms.theme.twothousandeleven3-7941f117b495bed787c418c01fffba93.apk.gz
com.jb.mms.theme.twothousandeleven3-20110111-144614.properties
com.jb.mms.theme.twothousandeleven3-20110111-144614.tar.gz
com.jb.mms.theme.twothousandelevenone-9144ecf9015eafef1a7a08e2cf02babb.apk.gz
com.jb.mms.theme.twothousandelevenone-20110111-144614.properties
com.jb.mms.theme.twothousandelevenone-20110111-144614.tar.gz
I believe the theme ones are for GO SMS, so they're probably ok to not bother with, but those first eight I think need to go. Can I delete them within TB somehow?
In TiBu system apps are red, system data is green, 3rd party is white.
The only reason to restore a system app is if you uninstalled it. Don't restore a system app from a previous ROM on a newer ROM. Don't restore system data from older Android versions (i.e. 2.1 -> 2.2) because the data format may be different. If you know you need settings for a system app, restore data only. Test it, and if it fails, go back and delete only data. There's a "Wipe data" for those.
The green ones are what you're most likely interested in. Tap one, hit restore. It's that easy. If you don't know what it does, stop there, exit TiBu and test everything to find what changed. If something stops working, go back to that item in TiBu and uninstall it (Green items only) and it should work again.
But before doing any of that, a nandroid backup will save lots of time of you crash the phone.
Ok, so basically I'd have to go through and restore one by one - tedious, but may be necessary. I was hoping I'd be able to delete files from the backup and then run the batch. Well, to keep texting I think that's what I'll have to do. I do have a Nandroid backup of my Assonance installation (but that may have the texting problem in it, too, it started on Assonance). Thank you so much for the help!
reinbeau said:
Ok, so basically I'd have to go through and restore one by one - tedious, but may be necessary. I was hoping I'd be able to delete files from the backup and then run the batch. Well, to keep texting I think that's what I'll have to do. I do have a Nandroid backup of my Assonance installation (but that may have the texting problem in it, too, it started on Assonance). Thank you so much for the help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I always restore"all missing apps with data". Then I selectively restore wifi access points and widgets. Sometimes the widgets don't restore properly, but I've never had it cause any problems.
k2snowboards88 said:
I always restore"all missing apps with data". Then I selectively restore wifi access points and widgets. Sometimes the widgets don't restore properly, but I've never had it cause any problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ee, that's the problem, I didn't restore system data, I restored apps and data - and somehow my previous texting problem appeared again. When I flashed last night, texting worked. Eureka, I was thrilled. But all of my stuff wasn't back. I set the path for my TB backup on my external card, did my restore, and no more texting. Very frustrating. I want my data, but I may end up starting from scratch, or going one by one as CuriousTech has suggested.
Right. It's really pretty quick once you get the hang of it.
Backup all user apps + system data.
Restore missing apps with data. Go through and uncheck anything you don't need, then let it run. Often times I do a restore of app+data of apps I know have important data, then again with app only of games and such, but it's not necessary.
Then manually go through the green items.
Below is some information to help out people with backing up their device, some backup tips, some general information on flashing, and tips and best practices for flashing. Hope this helps!!
Assumptions:
This guide assumes you are fully rooted at this point. If not follow any one of the guides.
To test root type "su" into a terminal. You should get a "#" back. You can use a terminal emulator from the market or ADB. To get ADB up and running follow this guide here. That guide is for Windows users, but Mac and *nix users shouldn't be much more difficult.
Backing up
NAND Backup:
Once rooted you can use the app quickboot to boot into recovery to do a NAND backup. If your ROM doesn't have this app installed, download from Marketplace. Open app and choose "Recovery". Once in recovery, find the backup and recovery option.
Once done you can reboot and continue on as normal. This is an essential step (or using Rom Manager below). If you ever screw up something major or you try a new ROM and want to go back, this will allow you to restore easily and get back to a point where things worked fine. It would also be highly recommended to do one of these backups before doing something major that has potential to break things. Use best judgment here.
Rom Manager:
NOTE: This is unverified to work. Once ROM Manager is functional on NI Adam I will update this guide.
Titanium Backup (TB):
Once you have your NAND backup I would also recommend installing Titanium Backup from the Marketplace (I would also pay for the license because you get better performance and the dev deserves some green for this awesome app!). Once installed open it. The first time it will ask you to update Busybox. Let it and wait for this to download. When done it will ask you reboot app from the notification area. Do this and then wait for app to fully load, two messages should appear, the second one indicates it is fully loaded. Then hit menu and go to the batch section. Choose " Backup all user apps + system data".
This will backup everything on your phone for you to your SD card. This will take a while so go get some coffee and check back in. Do not close the app or turn off your phone, the screen can go blank and you can let it sit, but it will need time to run. I think when the screen turns off it puts an icon in notification that should be updating the progress of the batch. Once done, it should tell you in the notification area. For me it takes awhile with my 228 some elements I'm backing up. Your mileage will vary.
SMS/MMS
I came across a thread that mentions using Handy Backup for backing up SMS/MMS messages. I have not tried this app or used it so I don't have any directions to give on it. But I have had people ask and I have seen folks ask in other threads. So if TB doesn't give you enough, try this one or some other app.
Backup to Computer:
I'm still looking for a better method for this one. I'm sure someone has something and if you do please let me know so I can update this section.
Currently I backup files and folders to my local NAS at home after major changes. Incremental changes I let TB handle. This is just a simple process of setting the SD card to storage and copy/paste. Works fine and I have only done this once so far after everything was set to my liking.
You might wonder why this important? Well if you are going to play around a lot with different ROMs and constantly read/writing info to your SD card, it is important because SD cards are not perfect. They can be corrupted and can fail from too much writing of info. It usually takes a lot of work to get one to the point of failure, but I managed to do it with my HTC Mogul so I can vouch that it can happen.
Important folders on SD card:
- /sdcard/clockwork/backup
This will get all backups performed by clockwork. If you grab the entire clockwork folder then you will get ROM downloads and such too. I don't really recommend this as it never takes more than 25 minutes for me to download any image. Plus with a secure NAND backup, you can always restore quickly.
- /sdcard/nandroid
This should be the backup the folder used by AmonRa recovery.
- /sdcard/TitaniumBackup
Folder used by TB for backing up of apps.
Of course throw in any other folders you deem important. What that is depends on you. Making a backup of everything else probably wont take long too. For me I rarely have more than 7gb of data on my card so backing up takes roughly 30-50 minutes.
All of this may seem like a lot of work, but once done you will have a robust system in place. And will allow you the opportunity to safely play!!
Restoring
Restoring is a simple process but can be time consuming. To speed things up you can pay for the full version of TB, which I highly recommend.
TB
Follow the directions below for what I do after flashing. If you have already read that and are ready to restore then do the following...
Open up TB and let if fully load, you will get two small popup messages. The second one means that TB has fully loaded the OS information. Then hit the menu key and choose batch. Scroll down and look for "Restore all apps with data". Run this batch to restore everything. Keep in mind if you backed up everything and are now changing ROMs that you might run into problems. I have yet to run across issues, but this is just an FYI. Also another reason to have a full NAND backup with Rom Manager. If you run into too many problems just restore with it and problem solved.
Restores and backups take awhile with TB, but are worth the wait. Once done with the full restore you can then do incremental backup and restores in the future.
Also don't forget to open up the apps after restoring and make sure the apps are setup how you want. Then double check with TB to make sure things are fully backed up, just click "Backup all new apps & newer versions". Once done with this reboot.
After a TB restore always reboot. After the reboot go into Rom Manager and NAND backup following the steps above in the backup section. This will ensure you have a full system backup with the settings you want.
Rom Manager
For now go to recovery to restore.
Flashing Tips and Problems
Watch Girls Gone Wild for help with this...
More to come here...
Stock ROM with Root (back to defaults) or Completely Unroot:
I Just Flashed with no Backups:
Below is what I did before I had Titanium Backup in place and after flashing a custom ROM...
Once booted right after flashing I make sure things look fine, fully sync to Google, then reboot. When I come back from that I turn on WiFi and go to Marketplace and Download section. Any apps I previously downloaded will be in that section waiting for me to download. Download them all at once, DO NOT leave that section before downloading everything, or you will lose that list and it will only show apps currently downloaded and installed.
Once done, open apps and customize to liking. Then download Rom Manager if you don't already have it and follow the above section. Once done with that follow the above section on Titanium Backup. Then enjoy your custom ROM.
Flashing in general:
ALWAYS make sure your battery is at least 50% full. The last thing you want is your phone to die on you in the middle of flashing.
Follow the above backup guides before flashing another custom ROM. Save yourself time and trouble. Also I have read about people using NAND backups to sort of switch between different ROMs. In the short term that shouldn't be a problem, but long term that can make your SD card unstable. Make sure you follow the above section for backing up your SD card to computer.
If changing from one ROM to another it is best practice and almost always recommended to wipe data and dalvik cache. This also will alleviate many issues people run into. And if you follow my backup recommendations then it shouldn't be an issue to do either of these.
Some ROM devs have other items you can add to their ROM. Follow their directions for flashing those items. Some devs want you to boot first than go back and flash, others allow for you to just start flashing right away with no waiting. Pay attention to the directions on your ROM thread. If you screw something up, try flashing the package again. If things look worse or it didn't work, re-flash your ROM or restore your backup and try again.
Once booted up follow guides above for backing up or restoring. Otherwise if you have problems look below before asking questions. If you can't find it here try searching before asking questions. If you still can't find it feel free to ask for help, but keep the question in the thread for your ROM you are flashing, or if you think it is a rooting issue, in the thread of the root process you followed.
Issue:
That's all for now!
I'm sure there is plenty more to add to this down the road, but for now this is all the dumping my brain can handle. Leave comments and suggestions and let's make this a strong guide with the right information to help those in need.
Thanks for writing this up, should help lots of people.
-CC
Hello,
I've been running Perception 10.1 for quite a while now. There's really nothing wrong with it, I guess I'm just bored. I'm thinking about putting CM7 on my phone.
Everytime I've changed ROMs in the past I've tried to do a NAND backup with Rom Manager and everytime I install the new ROM on there and then I do a NAND restore, none of the apps come over with it and I usually have problems and crashes. So, to me, CWM is basically worthless. I have made tons of backups and not one single one of them restored without errors and crashes. Worst program ever.
So, now I have bought the Pro version of Titanium Backup. I'd like to do a full backup so that way when I finish the flashing process to get my new ROM on there, I can just use that to restore all my apps and settings. I'd hate to have to go and download all my apps all over again, I have over 100 on there now.
What type of backup should I do with Titanium Backup so that migrating to a new ROM and restoring is as seamless as possible?
Thanks!
derek4484 said:
Hello,
I've been running Perception 10.1 for quite a while now. There's really nothing wrong with it, I guess I'm just bored. I'm thinking about putting CM7 on my phone.
Everytime I've changed ROMs in the past I've tried to do a NAND backup with Rom Manager and everytime I install the new ROM on there and then I do a NAND restore, none of the apps come over with it and I usually have problems and crashes. So, to me, CWM is basically worthless. I have made tons of backups and not one single one of them restored without errors and crashes. Worst program ever.
So, now I have bought the Pro version of Titanium Backup. I'd like to do a full backup so that way when I finish the flashing process to get my new ROM on there, I can just use that to restore all my apps and settings. I'd hate to have to go and download all my apps all over again, I have over 100 on there now.
What type of backup should I do with Titanium Backup so that migrating to a new ROM and restoring is as seamless as possible?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go on Backup & restore, open the menu and select batch.
Run: Backup all user apps + system data.
Once you restore although, don't restore system data as it will mess up with your new ROM.
BWolf56 said:
Go on Backup & restore, open the menu and select batch.
Run: Backup all user apps + system data.
Once you restore although, don't restore system data as it will mess up with your new ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, thanks. Let me ask you a question then... You say to run the batch backup all user apps + system data, but only run the restore user apps. Why? Is there a difference between doing it your way, and just running the batch backup user apps, then doing the batch restore user apps? What is the purpose of backing up system data, if its not going to be restored? Just curious why to backup the system data if not restoring it. I think I have read somewhere else to not restore the system data on the new ROM cause it'll cheese it up.
Titanium Backup seems like a powerful program, although I havent been able to find any user manual or really anywhere that details what all the options do.
if going between different roms dont do all system data only the green ones and user apps. not all system data is compatible between different frameworks and options
create a label for "my sys data" and assign the green ones to it.
make sure to have tibu backup its settings as well in the settings menu.
derek4484 said:
Ok, thanks. Let me ask you a question then... You say to run the batch backup all user apps + system data, but only run the restore user apps. Why? Is there a difference between doing it your way, and just running the batch backup user apps, then doing the batch restore user apps? What is the purpose of backing up system data, if its not going to be restored? Just curious why to backup the system data if not restoring it. I think I have read somewhere else to not restore the system data on the new ROM cause it'll cheese it up.
Titanium Backup seems like a powerful program, although I havent been able to find any user manual or really anywhere that details what all the options do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Simply cause you want a full backup if u ever wanna go back to a certain ROM. Also, doing a full backup is safer, the program won't miss anything and when you restore your apps, you can restore your apps's data (which I personnaly love).
You don't have to backup your system data, I simply suggest it as you never know if you'll change your mind
I think backing up system data is just a precaution in case something goes wrong.
Trusselo said:
if going between different roms dont do all system data only the green ones and user apps.
create a label for "my sys data" and assign the green ones to it.
make sure to have tibu backup its settings as well in the settings menu.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Trusselo, you're being too helpful lol - everywhere I try to help some1, you're right there doing so too
Love to see ppl with experience still helping the newbie with patience
Just back up user apps and data (also dialer storage for texts).
I never make full backups of my rom. Just Tibu backups for apps.
qwertyaas said:
Just back up user apps and data (also dialer storage for texts).
I never make full backups of my rom. Just Tibu backups for apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@ OP - I believe it's up to you. Full backup is safer if something goes wrong but not necessary as mentionned by others. I do it cause I can
The only thing to remember, if that's what you decide to do, is to not restore system data if you flash a different ROM.
Ok, I got it. Thanks to you all.
For future reference, a NAND backup in CWM is not worthless, you are just using it wrong.
It is not meant to restore apps/data it is a complete image of your phone as it was when you took the backup. it is designed so that you can jump between roms easily by just restoring nandroids of your setups. it is not and dont think it was ever designed to 'restore apps' but restore the entire system. your problems before with it were likely because you were trying to go between 2.1 and 2.2 roms? a nandroid does not backup the kernel or modem so it makes it a little difficult to bounce between 2.1/2.2 etc there are ways, but its just easier to start fresh and restore a Titanium backup batch job
regarding Tibu and nandroid.
Full system / everything backup is good for backing up your system AS IS if you are going to mess around with what you have or try a rom for a few hours but want to go back to exactly how it was.
thats why the green ones are green in tibu its the bare minimum that will work across all roms.
@Bwolf56 - ya im on here alot. just finishing coming off comp for nearly taking my thumb right off.
i try to help. but get into crap often... still try to help regardless!
Something I've learned from flashing you can NEVER have too many backups.
Sent from a place my wife doesn't know about (yet)
I don't know how many times this has happened, but it seems countless times on ICS. It used to be fact that you could always trust a nandroid backup, but it seems when I have moved to ICS this is certainly not the case. I have done a backup of a completely functioning and working system of ICS, and when I have done a restore now System UI and contacts do not work? "App not installed" is the pop up that displays when trying to go to phone or contacts and status bar is completely obsolete? I later investigate (root browser) that those apks ARE actually there, but their permissions are incorrect?
I manaually change them and then reboot into recovery and wipe dalvik and reset permissions and reboot back again and sure enough they still won't display? I have also changed them and then not reset permissions in recovery but wiped dalvik and STILL they won't display. I check their permissions and they revert back to the old way which is totally different to all other apks in system and/or they change and are permanent but the apks refuse to display?
Fixing permissions doesn't seem to do ****! (excuse my obscenities but I am getting really frustrated and really jacked off about this). I seem to have better luck flashing back over the top of a functioning/existing ROM than to flash and attempt to do an advanced system restore. I also did a full system restore with no luck. I actually fear recovery more than doing anything now...I get nervous if I have to rely on it because it is plain fact now that it is bull**** unreliable.
Can anyone share on how to fix these problematic issues? Will flashing a newer or different version of recovery aleiviate these problems? My phone is now redered completely useless until some random act of god or flashing of completely stock ROM is enacted….I really don't want to keep having to do this.
End rant/
I found my issues. 1) there was an additional file in my clockworkbackup folder called .settings2 I have no idea what this is? But anyway I put it in a separate folder within backup and locked it away from everything else. I noticed the last backup I did actually backed up EVERYTHING this time.
2) I have a feeling and I suspect that if apks are not all the same signature that the GooglePackageVerifier.apk and GooglePackageVerifierUpdater.apk packages remove or inhibit apks that do not "match" what they consider a standard? I noticed that a lot of ROMs now have these two things removed and I wondered why? Maybe this is why? themed apks NOT allowed cause they cannot be updated?
Feel free to share your thoughts?