[ H E L P ] EFS folder and files needed!!! Phone bricked!!! - Samsung Galaxy Mini

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.

Related

[Q] I think I deleted the contents of my /efs folder. Help!!!!

Hi all,
I recently upgraded to JPM version of froyo, and wanted to change back the product code to the original. After restoring from the .bak files, I got back the original product codes. However, while copying to another location for backup, I deleted the contents of the /efs folder by mistake (atleast I think I did).
The /efs folder is empty, but the phone still works fine. Haven't rebooted the phone for fear of bricking it. Is there a way to recover deleted files? Or are those files just hidden from view?
Someone please help
Update:
Managed to get of copy of nv_data.bin from a folder used by sgstoolbox. Rebooted the phone and phone works fine. Checked the folder contents, has nv_data.bin, nv_data.bin.md5, .nv_state and a folder named .android. Is there anything else which should be there? How to restore?
Do you have a backup of your /efs folder?
Woah same happened to me just some Hours ago !
If you used SGS Toolbox to check, you are lucky because it automatically creates a backup.
-> I think SUFBS Explorer deleted the efs because i am sure i checked "copy" ... anyway !
If you have any backup file, you are lucky.
One question by the way:
I´ve also lost the "IMEI" Folder, but my IMEI is still correct. Is that because ne nv_bin is just enough for the system checks ?
EDIT: Go and check with SGS Toolbox, if it displays your code, it is still there + it creates a backup file on your sdcard (you should double-check that anyway)
I'd say that the best and easiest way of restoring your product code is by using this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=787163
messing around with /efs folder is not a good idea, especially if you don't have a back up.
Just remembered that I have a titanium batch backup of system + apps taken a while ago when I was on stock firmware. Any way to restore the /efs folder from that? The shock of losing the /efs folder was enough to jolt me out of a beer induced haze ;-)
The phone still works, which is good news. But anyway to restore from Titanium backup?
fullerms said:
Just remembered that I have a titanium batch backup of system + apps taken a while ago when I was on stock firmware. Any way to restore the /efs folder from that? The shock of losing the /efs folder was enough to jolt me out of a beer induced haze ;-)
The phone still works, which is good news. But anyway to restore from Titanium backup?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Titanium does not backup /efs.. If you don't have a backup, you're basically screwed! Sorry to be the bearer of bad news
Like I said, the phone works fine after I restored the nv_data.bin file. I listed the files which were rebuilt by the system. Is there anything else missing? Can someone post a screen shot of the contents of your efs folder?
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
fullerms said:
Like I said, the phone works fine after I restored the nv_data.bin file. I listed the files which were rebuilt by the system. Is there anything else missing? Can someone post a screen shot of the contents of your efs folder?
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, so you DID have a backup? Nice! Besides what you lited in the first post, there are the following things:
.imei (file)
imei (folder)
- .nvmac.info
- bt.txt
- mps_code.dat
Any idea what those files are for? Possible to check what they contain?
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
Like i said, my imei folder was deleted aswell...
No problems so far with that !
Use rootexplorer, dont use ASTRO. It's crap and does not show all files, including the whole /efs
My EFS folder is empty too...and I don't know why, I have only flashed a couple of time with odin and JM9....
But SGS Toolbox report my csc correctly as ITV....even if I used the HUI csc from my operator with odin....
Could it be a problem if the efs folder is empty? The phone is working well...the only problem is that it loses very often the wifi connection...but I don't think that it is csc related...

[Q] (i9000)Deleted efs folder without backup!! Possible to restore?

Unlike other cases posted previously...
All files in efs were deleted, including all hidden .bak files
Now, kies displayed my phone have a product code of XXXXXXXXX and a fake IMEI...
Is it possible to restore the nv_data.bin and other files??
Please help! Thanks....
I have the same problem, is there a solution for that?? Please answer!
Did you install sgs toolbox and used it's check product code function before you deleted your efs? If yes, there is still a chance. If no, there are currently no public fix available yet.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
We are on the same boat, as what francis posted. No public fix yet but pretty sure there will be.. its just a matter of time.
the same thing happened to me yesterday when i flashed Cyanogenmod 7, got fake imei but everything worked just fine (call, data, market).
today i deleted everything from efs folder using Root Explorer then installed i9000XWJS5 then, surprise, i got my original imei back.
do not know how and do not know if it will work on you but it worth a try
The same thing happened to me.
If I dial *#06# no imei appears.
In order to use the phone everytime I boot up I have to give r/w permission to system folder. Otherwise it doesn't recognize the sim card.
It seems to me that that the device is not anymore able to recognize itself.
If I try to install CM or other AOSP rom I have status 7 error.
In Rom manager I have a window where I should select wich kind of device it is.
In fastweb installer there is a list of devices and I have to choose wich of them I am using.
I know that there is nothing to do with warranty. But is it possible to go back to a stage where it is possible to install AOSP rom?
Thanks
don't know it may work or not, but some custom roms make a backup of the efs folder on sdcard under /sdcard/backup/efs or /sdcard/backup/efs-XXX
(XXX= some numbers). you can try to restore it from there.
again don't know for sure...
Normallary Not
hellboy2703 said:
don't know it may work or not, but some custom roms make a backup of the efs folder on sdcard under /sdcard/backup/efs or /sdcard/backup/efs-XXX
(XXX= some numbers). you can try to restore it from there.
again don't know for sure...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks.
I have checked, but there is no backup.
I know the only one to blame it's me.
Do you think that there is anyway to make possible installing AOSP rom?
Watch out! That guy below me is spam! (User @yankee86)

HELP - CM10 upgrade and lost IMEI

Need some help here, hopefully without having to go back to JF6 (that is a little scary at this point). Was pretty happy with CM9 and updated through most nightlies. Just today I upgraded to CM10. All seemed to be working well except that I received a warning of invalid IMEI. I pushed through it and had the phone working on CM10 (with low memory /data isses - that could later be rectfied) then realized that the IMEI issue would mean AT&T would likely shut my phone down. The invalid IMEI is generic and has been flagged as invalid. I also ran into a few issues where I could not download from the Play Market App and think this was the reason.
I nandroid backed up CM10 and restored CM9 but still no dice. As I learned later it doesn't touch the efs folder which somehow the CM10 upgrade modified or had the effect to change it. Uuughh. many others were having the issue.
Anyway, I have verified that there are no /efs backups anywhere on my phone or SC or emmc cards. There are no backups within the efs folder. So, I am hosed. Any way to edit the nv_data.bin file a la this process for either CM9 or CM10?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=881162&highlight=restore+imei
This seems to be the only way I can see that would get me back with no IMEI EFS backup. But, going back to Android 2.1 Eclair or 2.3.5 Gingerbread would be a time killer and have to go through rerouting (?), upgrading, etc.
Any thoughts or direction?
tonyo123 said:
Need some help here, hopefully without having to go back to JF6 (that is a little scary at this point). Was pretty happy with CM9 and updated through most nightlies. Just tpday I upgraded to CM10. All seemed to be working well except that I received a warming of invalid IMEI. I pushed through it and had the phone working well then realized that this is an issue where AT&T will likely shut my phone down. The invalid IMEI is generic and has been flagged as invalid. I've also run into a few issues where I cannot download from the Play Market App although not sure if this is the reason.
I backed up jCM10 and restored (CEM NANDROID) CM9 but still no dice. As I learned it doesn;t tough the efs folder which somehow the CM10 upgrade modified or had the effect to change it - although I understadn the ROM is not supposed to do this but I see many having the issue.
Anyway, I have verified that there are no efs backups anywhere on my phone or SC or emmc cards. There are no backups within the efs folder. So, I am hosed. Any way to edit the nv_data.bin file a la this process for either CM9 or CM10:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=881162&highlight=restore+imei
This seems to be the only way I can see that would get me back with no IMEI EFS backup. But, going back to Android 2.1 Eclair would be a killer and have to go through rerouting (?), upgrading, etc.
Any thoughts or direction?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go Stock with rooted KK4 and flash what ever rom you want after.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1358180
Okay
silvertag said:
Go Stock with rooted KK4 and flash what ever rom you want after.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1358180
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All right it was a long painful night and day. Found and downloaded Heimdall One Click .jar with UCKK4 GB. Ran it and it restored the correct IMEI. It was unrooted and stock.
Then what was previously easy became an adventure to root and and load a kernel with CWM. I must have bricked the phone 10 times havimg to redo the Heimdall to Gingerbread 2.3.5 numerous times including reloading samsung pc drivers. Eventually with Odin, I found the right sequence using Corn Kernel for UCKK4 703 injected with CWM (not 705 or 706 versions which kept failing) which allowed me to get CWM loaded onto the phone.
I still could not restore my CM9 nandroid backups as the /data restore kept failing having to redo things from scratch. So, then I copied the latest CM9 nightly .zip onto the internal SD then loaded it from the Corn-CWM restore. CM9 booted and things were better but phone nad none of the settings and things still not right. Then rebooted into CWM recovery and restored the last CM9 nandroid backup. Now things worked and everything was back to normal with the correct IMEI.
Man that was a long stressing and scary day...
Made multiple copied of EFS for the future.
Will hold off on CM10 until the /efs issue is resolved as well as the memory management is better understood (while on CM10 I immediately ran into /data out of memory problems (I know I needed to move things to SD but never got around to it once the IMEI issue came up).
So, all is back to CM9 and finally working fine
odin to stock, then you will get imei back, backup efs folder, and flash back to cm10.
I have the same problem, but i'm om Rogers and 5 days now and no problems yet. I have a backup of my efs folder can I just copy paste?
master2828 said:
I have the same problem, but i'm om Rogers and 5 days now and no problems yet. I have a backup of my efs folder can I just copy paste?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes just make sure you set the correct permissions on the files. BTW You won't have a problem on Rogers. Canadian providers have all their black listed (lost/stolen) imei separated. They don't share it so a black listed imei on Rogers will work on Bell or Telus and vice versa. Only thing is that your phone can no longer be tracked by imei in case of emergency since its not the correct information but E911 will still locate you via GPS if you ever place a call.
silvertag said:
Yes just make sure you set the correct permissions on the files. BTW You won't have a problem on Rogers. Canadian providers have all their black listed (lost/stolen) imei separated. They don't share it so a black listed imei on Rogers will work on Bell or Telus and vice versa. Only thing is that your phone can no longer be tracked by imei in case of emergency since its not the correct information but E911 will still locate you via GPS if you ever place a call.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool, thanks, what are the correct permissions? if i run fix permissions from kernel will that do the trick?
master2828 said:
Cool, thanks, what are the correct permissions? if i run fix permissions from kernel will that do the trick?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That should do
EDIT: Checked my settings on nv_data.bin and its 777 (everything checked in RootExplorer)
silvertag said:
That should do
EDIT: Checked my settings on nv_data.bin and its 777 (everything checked in RootExplorer)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So where exactly do i put the efs folder? I looked on the root of my phone and i dont see a efs folder currently, i tried to put the backup i have there but it didnt work still go the error. i dont even know how i got the backup i have actually lol, i just copied my whole phone contents to my pc before i wiped just in case and there is an folder /backup/efs...lucky i guess
master2828 said:
So where exactly do i put the efs folder? I looked on the root of my phone and i dont see a efs folder currently, i tried to put the backup i have there but it didnt work still go the error. i dont even know how i got the backup i have actually lol, i just copied my whole phone contents to my pc before i wiped just in case and there is an folder /backup/efs...lucky i guess
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It sounds like you have the backup that is sometimes made in the /sdcard (or /mnt/sdcard) folder, which is the internal storage you see when it's connected to your machine.
To see the /efs folder (assuming it exists), you would need to use either shell commands from inside ADB, or a root file explorer. If it's not there, you should just be able to dump the contents of that backup folder to a directory called /efs and go from there.

[Q] Missing /efs folder yet phone works

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

[Q] Problems Backing Up EFS info

Hi. I'm new to rooting and flashing ROM's. I have had a Samsung Captivate (Gingerbread) that I haven't been using for quite some time and I thought I might try to update it to KitKat. I have read that it would be important to back up the EFS file so that I can keep my IMEI info. I rooted my phone using the tutorial on these forums and tried to use EFS Pro, but was not able to get past "the device is not perm rooted". Various threads suggested changing adb status, but I could not find that information (though I was able to find the USB debugging selection). I know that the phone is rooted so I looked for an older copy of EFS Pro in case the newer versions had dropped support for the Captivate. I couldn't find one so I looked at other ways to back up the files, but most information was for other (newer) Samsung phones. I could not install Samsung Tools. I really don't want to proceed with installing KitKat before backing up the EFS information. How do I go about doing this? I have tried the search function on the forum for this device and couldn't find what I was looking for (or maybe I didn't understand the information). Any thoughts?
I hope flashing KitKat will be easier than this issue...
Thanks.
Curious D said:
Hi. I'm new to rooting and flashing ROM's. I have had a Samsung Captivate (Gingerbread) that I haven't been using for quite some time and I thought I might try to update it to KitKat. I have read that it would be important to back up the EFS file so that I can keep my IMEI info. I rooted my phone using the tutorial on these forums and tried to use EFS Pro, but was not able to get past "the device is not perm rooted". Various threads suggested changing adb status, but I could not find that information (though I was able to find the USB debugging selection). I know that the phone is rooted so I looked for an older copy of EFS Pro in case the newer versions had dropped support for the Captivate. I couldn't find one so I looked at other ways to back up the files, but most information was for other (newer) Samsung phones. I could not install Samsung Tools. I really don't want to proceed with installing KitKat before backing up the EFS information. How do I go about doing this? I have tried the search function on the forum for this device and couldn't find what I was looking for (or maybe I didn't understand the information). Any thoughts?
I hope flashing KitKat will be easier than this issue...
Thanks.
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You could just manually backup your efs folder using a root explorer or through adb. Have that backup on your pc in case you lose your IMEI.
That being said, when it happens (which is fairly rare), a flash back to stock (KK4) usually fixes it and then you're fine to update/flash again.
Other EFS backup options would include:
1) EFS☆IMEI☆Backup by wanam >> his xda thread, his playstore listing.
2) [HOWTO]Comprehensive IMEI/EFS Backup lists two simple ways to permanently backup up IMEI on your phone. One is with adb, the other is with Terminal Emulator for those with rooted devices. The commands used are said to be based on "Samsung's built in backup." The thread is in the SGS3 forum, if nothing else is an excellent source of background information for backing up and restoring nvdata.
I tried to copy the efs folder using Root Browser because the adb method looked very involved. When I started Root Browser, it was able to see a Titanium backup that I had placed into the SD card even though I had formatted the SD card. I figured that the format didn't wipe the information so I proceeded to copy the efs folder over. However, after copying the folder, I stuck the card into my computer and did not see the folder and could not copy the folder over to my computer. Is it because the card is formatted differently than my computer or is it that the file is not compatible with Windows given that it is an Android folder?
Will copying the folder be enough for backing up? If it is this easy to restore the efs, why use EFS Pro? Is there something else with the folder that needs to be present in order to restore a phone that loses IMEI information?
Curious D said:
I tried to copy the efs folder using Root Browser because the adb method looked very involved. When I started Root Browser, it was able to see a Titanium backup that I had placed into the SD card even though I had formatted the SD card. I figured that the format didn't wipe the information so I proceeded to copy the efs folder over. However, after copying the folder, I stuck the card into my computer and did not see the folder and could not copy the folder over to my computer. Is it because the card is formatted differently than my computer or is it that the file is not compatible with Windows given that it is an Android folder?
Will copying the folder be enough for backing up? If it is this easy to restore the efs, why use EFS Pro? Is there something else with the folder that needs to be present in order to restore a phone that loses IMEI information?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have it on your SD card, it should be fine. The idea is to have it on something else than your device's internal memory in case something goes wrong and can't get it there.
As for efs pro, some devices can't manually backup like the Cappy or is not enough. But once again, it doesn't happen very often that you lose your IMEI.
Okay. That's great. I guess I can try my first ROM flashing to KitKat. Thanks.

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