Can one of the devs, share with us what happens when Android loads what does it do to the efs directory, what is the purpose of each of the files in this directory. There are not so many.
efs
.....nv.log
.....nv_data.bin
.....nv_data.bin.md5
imei
......nvmac.info
.....bt.txt
.....mps_code.dat
I searched on google and did not find anything definitive.
StarLog said:
Can one of the devs, share with us what happens when Android loads what does it do to the efs directory, what is the purpose of each of the files in this directory. There are not so many.
efs
.....nv.log
.....nv_data.bin
.....nv_data.bin.md5
imei
......nvmac.info
.....bt.txt
.....mps_code.dat
I searched on google and did not find anything definitive.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your Google-Fu is weak: http://www.galaxyroot.com/how-to-efs-folder-backup-restore-nv_data-bin/
General gist: Don't mess with it.
knightnz said:
Your Google-Fu is weak: http://www.galaxyroot.com/how-to-efs-folder-backup-restore-nv_data-bin/
General gist: Don't mess with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey thanks, but I did find that, I already know how to backup and restore it.
My question was implied to be a lot more technical, like what byte structure in each file, has what representation.
What part of the bootup process touches or creates the files.
But thanks for sharing.
The file format of files in /efs has not been disclosed. People have tried reverse engineering it with various degree of success.
It does contain IMEI, carrier lock information and other radio related stuff. See unlocking threads here and in Galaxy S forums.
There is also daemon (efsd) which monitors, backups and checksums files in efs.
The radio firmware must have some way of accessing files in efs, but not directly, probably via RIL, since Galaxy S CyanogenMod folks can move it to different file system.
There is probably a lot of useful and interesting stuff stored in these files but messing with them is also dangerous, so backup first.
Thats what I needed to hear, so I must dig more. thanks for the headsup on galaxy s forum
Related
On to my next dumb question.
I found this thread while searching for "efs captivate"
forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=872455
If I'm not interested in unlocking my phone, do I need to save /EFS prior to flashing custom ROM, and if so is there now an easier way of saving this folder?
Thanks in advance
adb pull /efs /anydirectoryyouwant
It's as easy as that.
I highly recommend making a backup of your EFS folder. My IMEI and nv_data.bin got corrupted totally randomly. I didn't install any unlocking tools or anything of the sort and it still happened to me. Luckily, there were backups already in my EFS folder because I didn't have any.
Hi everyone,
Firstly i'm a medium level newbie who can root and change roms on my phone but probably with a level of naivety which would make many people cringe so my understanding of what i am really doing is not great..
I am looking to tidy up my phone and had a quick look in the backup/efs folder out of interest. I seem to have 7 sub folders within it. One is called efs but the others have seemingly random numbers e.g. efs-427 , efs-146 , egs-289.
Can anyone shed any light on this? i have swapped roms countless times and backed up many times as well so i am not sure if these are 'left overs' from that and i can delete some or if this is normal.
Thanks in advance.
Cheers,
iamdes
Might help or not you to figure it out.
That what my /efs had just after stock system (never flashed with custom roms) and just being rooted (for backup sake)
/imei/bt.txt
/imei/mps_code.dat
/nv.log
/nv_data.bin
/nv_data.bin.md5
It seems that i have those files in all of the folders which makes me think I have multiple copies due to changing ROMS / backing up e.t.c.. I was wondering if anyone knows if i which ones i can delete e.g. keep the folder simply titled 'efs' and delete the others or keep the one with 'efs - highest number' and delete the others....
Cheers,
iamdes
qpakao said:
Might help or not you to figure it out.
That what my /efs had just after stock system (never flashed with custom roms) and just being rooted (for backup sake)
/imei/bt.txt
/imei/mps_code.dat
/nv.log
/nv_data.bin
/nv_data.bin.md5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks a lot
Hi! Anyone can upload EFS folder \efs) ? You can attach as zip file. Doesn't matter, it's important to be there all files.
I bricked my phone and I want to unbrick. Please, anyone who is experimented, please help me!
Best Regards,
Cristian Silaghi
NO one found this folder on the galaxy mini....the phone can turn on or not?? if yes u can unbrick...
efs folders are unique you have just removed your imei now if you don't have your own backup nothing can be done
now your mobile is a mp4 player if anyone uploads his efs file his mobile will also be a mp4player
dheeraj (dhlalit11) said:
... if anyone uploads his efs file his mobile will also be a mp4player
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just because you're a Recognized Contributor, that doesn't mean you can bull****.
That is not true! Admit it, you don't know how pull the /efs ot from your phone
Like you said, /efs folder contains alot of things that are unique for each phone (WiFi MAC adress, IMEI, product code and what not), so we can't just give someone our /efs. Even if we could, the way of pulling those files from the phone are not known to me.
Wish we knew a way to backup it, when something like this happens - you just put the backup and away you go
just because am an rc that doesn't mean am bullying
nothing difficult in backing up efs file just go to /efs and copy those files to your sdcard and they will be backed up
but efs is visible only in operator specific models in normal phones imei is hardcodded in the mobile
mine galaxy s is of at&t and I can see the efs folder, prior of flashing roms on it I did a backup of that folder
and sometimes it got deleted then I just need to copy them back
can't see on original galaxy s of my friend
the thing is one imei cannot be used in two mobile there can be many conflicts and some also related to laws
only one sim can be used at a time on a single imei
that's why I said mp4player but you can still try to share your efs files if it works then just keep it else delete it
op if you have your operator specific firmware and it contains an efs.rfs file then you may have the possibility of getting back your imei
just try it, may work
dheeraj (dhlalit11) said:
just because am an rc that doesn't mean am bullying
nothing difficult in backing up efs file just go to /efs and copy those files to your sdcard and they will be backed up
but efs is visible only in operator specific models in normal phones imei is hardcodded in the mobile
mine galaxy s is of at&t and I can see the efs folder, prior of flashing roms on it I did a backup of that folder
and sometimes it got deleted then I just need to copy them back
can't see on original galaxy s of my friend
the thing is one imei cannot be used in two mobile there can be many conflicts and some also related to laws
only one sim can be used at a time on a single imei
that's why I said mp4player but you can still try to share your efs files if it works then just keep it else delete it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Things on Galaxy S and on our mini are a little bit different for that /efs matter, because nvdata.bin is in devblock5 or something like that, an on Galaxy S it's in a different place. Strange, but it is that way, i tried all the Galaxy S tutorials to make a backup and none of them worked.
And yeah, you cant just copy the folder since that will **** up th permissions and then the files are almost useless.
Yeah, he has a great MP4 now, unfortunately :/
I know imei is unique, thats why i said ''if we could give our efs''
just copying the efs files works great for me
I never changed permission of efs files
and had done it three times by just copying
If you distroy your IMEI becouse of bml/efs you can repair it with JTAG. Write full dump then repair its IMEI (to be the one from you stiker). Generaly this is a Service job becouse you dont't have the necessary tools.
i don't have this /efs folder, but i still can browse internet, call my friends, do a SMS, play music. Just like a normal phone do.
F4uzan said:
i don't have this /efs folder, but i still can browse internet, call my friends, do a SMS, play music. Just like a normal phone do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you cant see that doesn't mean you don't have efs
it is just that you cannot see it like you cannot see bootloader, kernel etc.
Sorry I know from researching this that people get annoyed when a thread about this comes up but I've been looking for a solution for a few days on and off and read a lot of threads on it and can't find the answer. So I now know that flashing a 4.2.x based ROM using an outdated TWRP caused the problem, and using the latest version of TWRP will prevent the directory structure from getting more layers deep (and it has), but how do I fix the damage that is already done? I'm new to this stuff so maybe the answer is obvious and I'm just not seeing it. Should I move the files a few layers down manually and delete the redundant layers? I've read that 4.2.x uses the /0 structure to support multiple users so do I move the files down to that layer? I've also seen people talking about formatting the drive and starting fresh, but like most threads about this they just die before a successful solution is confirmed. Will flashing a new ROM rebuild the directory structure on a formatted drive or would there be an extra step involved?
I plan on flashing back to a stock ROM as soon as I get this sorted out and there is nothing on the device that I care to save except a couple Titanium backups that I copied over to a PC.
Thanks for any help.
Ryan_Mc said:
Sorry I know from researching this that people get annoyed when a thread about this comes up but I've been looking for a solution for a few days on and off and read a lot of threads on it and can't find the answer. So I now know that flashing a 4.2.x based ROM using an outdated TWRP caused the problem, and using the latest version of TWRP will prevent the directory structure from getting more layers deep (and it has), but how do I fix the damage that is already done? I'm new to this stuff so maybe the answer is obvious and I'm just not seeing it. Should I move the files a few layers down manually and delete the redundant layers? I've read that 4.2.x uses the /0 structure to support multiple users so do I move the files down to that layer? I've also seen people talking about formatting the drive and starting fresh, but like most threads about this they just die before a successful solution is confirmed. Will flashing a new ROM rebuild the directory structure on a formatted drive or would there be an extra step involved?
I plan on flashing back to a stock ROM as soon as I get this sorted out and there is nothing on the device that I care to save except a couple Titanium backups that I copied over to a PC.
Thanks for any help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes,Moving the files to the /0 Layer will Work.OR you could also also move it to the Root of the Memory.even that will Work.
manasgirdhar said:
Yes,Moving the files to the /0 Layer will Work.OR you could also also move it to the Root of the Memory.even that will Work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! Moved manually and deleted the junk and all is well!
Hi All,
like many of the users I have a problem with missing /efs folder. Although I can't find it I have my IMEI and my phone (S5830) works fine. I can make and receive calls.
But let's start from the beginning. I had Android in 2.3.3 version.
Using this post http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1034145 I have upgraded it to 2.3.6.
I have also rooted it using universal_gb_root_v25.zip.
Now I wanted to play with it a little more so I though of doing backup. Previously I made one using CWM but I read that it doesn't backup /efs folder that stores IMEI and other important data. So I started searching through the forum for a solution. I've downloaded EFS Professional but for some reason it gives me error "An error occured while getting partition list!" when I select my phone from the drop-down list on the backup tab. I cannot do backup because the "Device Partitions" window is empty.
I did not give up and searched the forum a little more. So I've downloaded two apps: ES File Explorer and Root Explorer. Unfortunately both could not locate /efs folder. All the Linux folders were there except /efs. There's dev and next is etc. No efs.
So I though that maybe the folder was hidden but the I checked the options of Root Explorer to show hidden files.
Lastly I checked the method with adb shell and busybox like below:
adb shell
su
tar zcvf /sdcard/efs-backup.tar.gz /efs
but as I though I got the message that /efs folder could not be found.
Has anyone have an idea how to get to /efs folder in my case? Where does my phone keep IMEI? How to backup (and restore) my phone in this scenario? Is there any other way to backup the most important files?
I know there are lot of questions but I'd appreciate helping me with it. Thanks in advance.
habit81 said:
Hi All,
like many of the users I have a problem with missing /efs folder. Although I can't find it I have my IMEI and my phone (S5830) works fine. I can make and receive calls.
But let's start from the beginning. I had Android in 2.3.3 version.
Using this post http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1034145 I have upgraded it to 2.3.6.
I have also rooted it using universal_gb_root_v25.zip.
Now I wanted to play with it a little more so I though of doing backup. Previously I made one using CWM but I read that it doesn't backup /efs folder that stores IMEI and other important data. So I started searching through the forum for a solution. I've downloaded EFS Professional but for some reason it gives me error "An error occured while getting partition list!" when I select my phone from the drop-down list on the backup tab. I cannot do backup because the "Device Partitions" window is empty.
I did not give up and searched the forum a little more. So I've downloaded two apps: ES File Explorer and Root Explorer. Unfortunately both could not locate /efs folder. All the Linux folders were there except /efs. There's dev and next is etc. No efs.
So I though that maybe the folder was hidden but the I checked the options of Root Explorer to show hidden files.
Lastly I checked the method with adb shell and busybox like below:
adb shell
su
tar zcvf /sdcard/efs-backup.tar.gz /efs
but as I though I got the message that /efs folder could not be found.
Has anyone have an idea how to get to /efs folder in my case? Where does my phone keep IMEI? How to backup (and restore) my phone in this scenario? Is there any other way to backup the most important files?
I know there are lot of questions but I'd appreciate helping me with it. Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its difficult to find the efs folder bt u can check ur IMEI number by this code *#06#.
you can backup efs files by efs professional tool.
a CWM backup is also safe as it includes most of important files.
hit thanx if helped.
its difficult to find the efs folder bt u can check ur IMEI number by this code *#06#.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was clever enough to write down my IMEI before but this is not an issue. The phone works fine.
you can backup efs files by efs professional tool.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I already wrote that I'm getting an error "An error occured while getting partition list!" using EFS Pro
Anyone has other ideas?
habit81 said:
I was clever enough to write down my IMEI before but this is not an issue. The phone works fine.
I already wrote that I'm getting an error "An error occured while getting partition list!" using EFS Pro
Anyone has other ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1637249 may this thread help u
forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1637249 may this thread help u
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the one above. From this post I read that SGA does not have /efs (folder/partition) or it is not mounted by default so I can't see it. Which one is the right answer? It does not exists or it is not mounted?
If doesn't exists then where should I look for IMEI data and all other critical stuff?
If it exists I could issue:
mount -r -t ext4 /dev/block/mmcblk0p3 /efs
-r not to make any changes. I would have to create /efs folder first using: adb shell mkdir /efs
Am I following the right path?
I'd have already tried that but don't want to screw up my phone. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
habit81 said:
Thanks for the one above. From this post I read that SGA does not have /efs (folder/partition) or it is not mounted by default so I can't see it. Which one is the right answer? It does not exists or it is not mounted?
If doesn't exists then where should I look for IMEI data and all other critical stuff?
If it exists I could issue:
mount -r -t ext4 /dev/block/mmcblk0p3 /efs
-r not to make any changes. I would have to create /efs folder first using: adb shell mkdir /efs
Am I following the right path?
I'd have already tried that but don't want to screw up my phone. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can suggest you
DON'T TOUCH/MOUNT ESF FOLDER AND DON'T TRY TO BACK UP IT EITHER,DOING IT = BRICK!!
I can suggest you
DON'T TOUCH/MOUNT ESF FOLDER AND DON'T TRY TO BACK UP IT EITHER,DOING IT = BRICK!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the suggestion however this doesn't bring any useful information to this topic. I already know to be very careful with EFS data.
I would like to get some answers about configuration of this data on SGA. I would like to know whether there is a way to back it up That's all
habit81 said:
Thanks for the suggestion however this doesn't bring any useful information to this topic. I already know to be very careful with EFS data.
I would like to get some answers about configuration of this data on SGA. I would like to know whether there is a way to back it up That's all
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it's useful...anyway It's really simple, FORGET TO BACKUP YOUR EFS FOLDER OR YOU'LL BRICK YOUR PHONE!!
First... the question is why would you wanna backup your IMEI ? You needn't even write it down as a backup if you have the bill of your phone. And in case if you ever lost the IMEI, there is a guide to restore it & you can restore your older IMEI. So why worry to backup ?
Sent from my GT-S5830 using xda premium
I wrote the IMEI down just as a precaution. I didn't know it was on the bill as to be honest the phone used to belong to my wife. I know there are several threads about restoring IMEI and other necessary data. I have already viewed them.
The reason I put this thread was that I was unable to locate the famous efs folder. I'm new in this stuff but I'm also a quick learner. After going through several threads and articles I was curious why I could not locate efs folder on my SGA. Answers such as "don't look for it or you will damage your phone" are just simply not what I was looking for. Anyway if someone please explain me the technical details of this phone and the reason why I can't make a backup using several tools and methods I would be very grateful.
Your quest for the efs folder is unending. I appreciate your effort in learning new things but what's the point of finding something that's of no practical use ? Yeah, you can't find the efs folder & no one else has ever worried about it coz everyone knows how to get their phone back online when they lose their IMEI. So either backing it up or looking for it is not worth a penny . All that counts is that the phone works & that the IMEI is secured, be it without that folder of your interest. If you clearly state your intentions with what you have to do by backing it up, someone might be able to help.
Sent from my GT-S5830 using xda premium
Hi I am have just joined the forum searching for a help. It was my first time flashing custom roms and had been at fault in technically missing some of the instruction. I have failed to backup any bin, img or efs folder which could help me fix IMEI. using MTK droid tool (for MT6589), I am receiving an error of missing pttycmd1 and even searching the root of my phone, I can't find any nv_ram or efs. Is there any other way to fix my device?
Baseband: Unknown
No IMEI
cannot use AT+egmr command
thanks for the reply.
efs ?
efs is a partition for sim unlock right ?
i do hope so, because I just read from other threads about exploring and backup of efs can fix baseband & imei.
I can't find my efs either. The issue I'm having is to get rid of Factory Mode. Have seen tutorials on how to do it, but the efs file is missing and so I can't actually do it. Any suggestions on how to fix these issues? Thanks