[Q] SMS backup - Nexus One Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hey guys
Is there any PC applications for windows ors Linux that can save or backup SMS txt messages from my nexus one.
It's a forensics assignment and I was thinking of checking out android.
Any help would be awesome ^_^

You just have to pull the file from the phone using the tools in the SDK. adb pull and adb push the file back after you wipe.
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=where+are+android+sms's+stored

the things to back up are:
/data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db
/data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/app_parts/*
(app_parts contains any sms attachments. if you were to try to open a text with a picture in it and the appropriate app_parts/* was not there it would force close).
when restoring, if restoring to a fresh rom, you have to create the app_parts folder (as it does not initially exist -- it is created when the first mms is sent or received) and then put all of the files into it. also move the mmssms.db back to its original location. and make sure you set the permissions, owner and group back to the what they were when you pulled them.
you can open the mmssms.db with a sqlite database viewer.

Hey guys thanks so much ^_^ really appreciate it.
Would I need to root my phone in order to pull these DB files?

Probably, but maybe not... I can't test because I have always rooted.

to pull those files, maybe not. to push those files, probably yes.
try it

Code:
c:\android\tools>adb pull /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db c:\
failed to copy '/data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db' to 'c:\/mmssms.db': Permission denied
c:\android\tools>
Thats the error that I get when I try it ... even if I tried doing ls -l /data/, I get this:
Code:
c:\android\tools>adb shell ls -l /data
opendir failed, Permission denied
c:\android\tools>
I just need to create a demonstration, could someone clean their txts messages DB and then get someone to send some messages, in order for me to show it to class, what would happen, if my droid was rooted.
I know there's an app called SMS Backup which basically reads this and dumps HTML output to email or screen but thats modifying the phone, which i will not have to do.

Or just use SMS Backup and Restore from the Market. It'll back up your SMS to an XML file on your SD which you can then transfer to your PC. Much easier. It just doesn't do MMS.

That's not forensic enough. If I ran adb root to restart in root mode, would that root it enough to void the warranty?

You could use MyBackup Pro. Once sms/mms's are backed up, they are in a zip file in the rerware folder of your SD card.

sigh >.< it seems that I cant forensically image /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db
so sad.. Need a rooted phone.

Related

Immediate help

this is for legal reasons. where exactly are sms messages stored? a lot depends on this!
I don't remember where exactly they are, but I think we have an app that can back them up. Even if you find them though they will be in a weird format
corp769 said:
this is for legal reasons. where exactly are sms messages stored? a lot depends on this!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Texts are stored in a database file located here in this directory:
Code:
/data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases
the name of the database file you want is called mmssms.db
To get it from your phone enter this code in terminal:
Code:
su
cp /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db /sdcard
That should copy the file to your sd card then you can mount your sd card and pull the file off to your PC. To read the file, download sqlite studio, install it, add the database and you should be able to figure it out from there. Sqlite studio can be found here
http://sqlitestudio.one.pl/index.rvt
(Deleted)

[Q] Can't delete stock apps-"read only" files???

I rooted so I could delete the stock apps and free up some internal memory so my phone would work properly. I have tried everything including root explorer, and titanium backup and haven't been able to delete the apps. The closest I got was with titanium backup, but when I went to uninstall it said the file is "read only". How do I get around this?
If you are root explorer there should be a button on top thats will let you mount it R/W. Or using command from computer do
Code:
adb remount
adb shell
cd /system/data
ls
Then you will get a list of all the apps. Find the ones you want to remove and type
Code:
rm xxxxxxxx.apk
Linux is case sensitive so type exactly as you see it.
There might also be xxxxxxx.odex file which you would want to delete also

[Q] Default Text conversations screen

Is there a way to get the default samsung style text messaging conversations back to the speech bubbles. I am currently using di11is5.1 ROM. I like the look and feel of this ROM but I really liked the way the OEM text conversations looked.
You just need to change the mms.apk to whichever you prefer. It is located in /system/app and you will need a file manager such as root explorer or use ADB commands to place it there.
I am not sure what ROM's use which messaging app as I use handcent but you can surely get the stock one from the jh7 ota zip thread. Just download that and pull it from the zip.
I hate to be such a noob but how do I replace the file I have tried but I get an error that the file already exists. I have tried to remove the file but I get a message about read only file.
What method are you using?
Iwas trying to use Terminal emulator to copy the file from the internal SD card to the /system/app folder. I have tried to "mv /system/app/Kmart.API /sdcard/" I get the message about file is write only.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
The easiest way for me is to use root explorer. Pay for it in the market, it’s the best money you will spend for managing your phone. Download the new apk to the sd card on your phone. Use root explorer, go to /system/app, and mount as r/w. Long press the existing apk > rename it (add .bak at the end) > copy the new apk to the /system/app > click on the new file and install.
can someone please post this apk?
ill put it up when i get on my computer at home
Your welcome
Now you say/press thanks
Teaching manners one person at a time

[GUIDE][Windows] Making backups with adb

NOTE: The Nexus 4 does not have a physical sd card. However, the user directory on the phone is located at /storage/sdcard0/ and will, for the purposes of this guide, be referred to as the sdcard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Making sdcard backups with MTP is often unreliable. First of all, files are not always immediately updated with the ones on your phone. As a result, there may be folders missing, files that you deleted on your phone still showing up, etc. Also, the Date modified values of files are changed to the time that the files were moved onto your computer, which can cause errors when restoring them to your phone; i.e. photos in gallery not appearing in order. Other times, MTP is simply not available (if you have an older computer or an unsupported OS, for example). The best way to go about a backup is by using adb (Android Debug Bridge).
So, let's get started.
1. First, you're going to need some variant of the Android SDK/Software Development Kit as well as the Nexus 4 drivers installed. I won't show you how to do this, as there are already many guides and tutorials available.
Here's the link to the official Google ADT/Android Developer Tools.
2. Once you've got everything on your computer set up, open up the Settings app and go to About phone. Scroll down and quickly tap the Build number tile seven times. You have now enabled Developer options.
Go back, enter Developer options and enable USB debugging. An authorization pop-up will appear; allow it.
3. Now, open up a command prompt window and change directory to the location of adb on your computer. If you installed the official SDK, this will be under
Code:
folderyouextractedto\sdk\platform-tools
Connect your phone via USB and type
Code:
adb devices
You should see something like this:
Code:
List of devices attached
random numbers and letters device
If you don't, you probably don't have the drivers installed properly OR you failed to authorize your computer for USB debugging.
4. Make a folder on C:\ (or whatever your OS drive is) with NO SPACES in the file name. You can now make the backup.
Type
Code:
adb pull /storage/sdcard0/ C:\folderyoumade
You are now backing up your entire sdcard. This can take a while, depending on how many files you have on your phone.
When the copy is complete, you should see something like
Code:
x files pulled. 0 files skipped.
0 files skipped is very important, as it confirms that all of the files were copied over correctly.
To backup specific folders on it, simply change the command to that directory on your phone.
i.e.
Code:
adb pull /storage/sdcard0/folderyouwant/ C:\folderyoumade
5. To restore a backup, simply type
Code:
adb push C:\folderyoumade /storage/sdcard0/
NOTE: Restored folders DO NOT replace existing folders on your sdcard. They are merged (so pre-existing files in a folder remain, while any new files are copied in).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NOTE: I recommend that you do not use your phone during a backup or restore so as to make sure all files are properly copied.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Remember, this is only an sdcard backup. App and system data are NOT copied over. If you want to make a backup of your app data, the easiest way to do this is with Titanium Backup, Helium, or a similar app and then backup those files using adb pull. If you wish to make a complete backup of your file system (not including sdcard though), make a nandroid from recovery.
Reserved
klvnhng said:
Reserved
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good method if MTP failes or crashes! Thanks!
Thanks!
I get remote object '/storage/sdcard0' not a file or directory when I try pull. Help?:crying:
nphone said:
I get remote object '/storage/sdcard0' not a file or directory when I try pull. Help?:crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You forgot the frontslash at the end of 0. Try that
On some devices you can't specify destiny forlder in order to use adb push or pull, you have to use current folder:
Code:
cd C:\folderyoumade
adb pull /storage/sdcard0/folderyouwant/
It's better to backup the sdcard this way than using adb backup because it also backups the Android folder inside the sdcard.
Or much shorter;
adb pull /sdcard C:\SDCARDBackUp
__________________________________________________
Device: Google Nexus 4 (LG-E960) 16GB (MAKO)
ROM: SimpleAOSP-L-ROM (Stable Build 7)
Kernel: Stuxnet v4.5 (3.4.105)
Gapps: PA-Gapps-5.0.1-BETA4 (MINI)
_________________________________________________
Is there a way for pull to skip files which already exist in your specified destination? Sometimes it errors in the middle of a long transfer because it doesn't like a file name or something.
I was looking for a better way to push my virtual sd card backup, as using the copy and paste method in windows doesn't copy all of the files for some reason. It will copy all the files from the sd card to the PC, but not back again. I was having to search through every folder and copy and paste to get everything copied back. Thank you so much for this tutorial. I knew about adb push command, but I never tried it, because I always thought the copy and paste method would be easier. Boy was I wrong. This way pushes all the files in one try. Soooo much easier.
I have a question, can I also backup this file directory: /storage/emulated/0? Or is this something else, I checked both folder and they seem to be the same.
Hi,
I've done a full backup using adb backup, including the whole content of my sd card (using the -shared option).
However, when restoring my device using adb restore, nothing is restored on my sd card (not the apps and not the files).
Am I doing something wrong?
Is there any special option to use for the restore?
Is there any other way to restore my apps&data from my backup file (.ab) using other commands ?
The content of my backup file seems correct though.
Thanks!
NikoBe00 said:
Hi,
I've done a full backup using adb backup, including the whole content of my sd card (using the -shared option).
However, when restoring my device using adb restore, nothing is restored on my sd card (not the apps and not the files).
Am I doing something wrong?
Is there any special option to use for the restore?
Is there any other way to restore my apps&data from my backup file (.ab) using other commands ?
The content of my backup file seems correct though.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like the adb backup didnt copy the /storage/sdcard0/android/ folder on the sdcard perhaps? Maybe try using adb pull to copy the scdard seperately in addition to doing the adb backup to be safe. You could push the sdcard data back manually if the restore doesnt. See below:
scandiun said:
On some devices you can't specify destiny forlder in order to use adb push or pull, you have to use current folder:
Code:
cd C:\folderyoumade
adb pull /storage/sdcard0/folderyouwant/
It's better to backup the sdcard this way than using adb backup because it also backups the Android folder inside the sdcard.
!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it doesnt work
Why?
klvnhng said:
You forgot the frontslash at the end of 0. Try that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I font understand why is the front slash required?
I also forgot the front slash and was facing the same problem. Now its working after adding the front slash.
So, why is the front slash required and what does it mean ?
can I backup the sd card even if it is external using this method (apps are moved there too)?
edit: ok, I got the android folder from sd card, the message was:
/storage/sdcard1/Android/: 147 files pulled. 0 files skipped.,
but how am I supposed to see them?
I contacted AppMgr III, maybe they can tell me

[Q] Cannot delete file

I Downloaded a WinRAR file onto my S5 for my computer. It is in my downloads folder on the internal storage of my S5. I have deleted everything out of the folder itself but cannot delete the folder. It annoys me. When I try to delete it I get this dialog box:
"Error deleting folder" Cannot delete WinRAR 5.21 Final(x86-x64) Pre-Activated 100(weird Chinese symbol) an install: The storage is write protected.
Remove the write protection and try again.
I am not stupid...I've tried everything I could think of and cannot remove the write protection or anything. For some reason I think it may be because of the weird Chinese symbol that is after the "Pre-Activated 100"
I cannot rename it, modify it or anything. It is the only file I am having a problem with. Can anybody help me with my OCD?
Is your phone rooted? If yes, you can either use adb or just a terminal emulator app, and delete the cr.p of that file!
Edit: the command you're looking for:
su
cd /mnt/sdcard
rm -r Download
That will remove the Download folder along with all its content. (this is irreversible)

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