[Q] How to wipe the data completely? - LG Optimus 4X HD

Hi!
I messed something with my system. It's still working, it's not that bad, but i want to sort the mess out.
I upgraded to CM 10.1, and I didn't like it, so I used backup of stock JB from clockwork recoverymod (gboot).
Well, Android 4.2 messed something with my SD cards (external and the phone memory), from nearly 10 GB in the phone memory it became 1,5GB. I know that 4.2 implements new way of management of user memory, but I still can't comprehend this management (probably messed because of the restore I made).
Also, app for the NFC doesn't work (I tried to replace it and now NFC is not working completely).
I would really like to go back to the beginning and try again from the stock JB. Is the proper solution to flash the original 4.1.2 using KDZ?
Thanks in advance for solutions

Yes.

SimonTS said:
Yes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hahahah, this.
Well, i know that if u flash CM after having stock, then all things u hah on internal storage before, are in data/media. And if u roll out to stock from CM again, they're existing in folder named 0

Okay, and if I flash the stock JB using kdz, it will solve the problem of the SD cards, and it will recover all system apps?

yes

Well, it didn't work. Only restored system apps I deleted (nfc was just not working, the app wasn't deleted) and didn't help with the memory neither.

to wipe /data AND internal storage:
(user apps, system settings, user data, internal storage get deleted)
stock recovery: choose option 'factory reset'
cwm: mount --> format /data
twrp: wipe --> /data
factory reset option in cwm and twrp doesnt touch the internal storage
another option is to copy everything from /data/media/0 to /data/media if you want to keep ur files or entirely remove everything inside /data/media/ if you dont care.
with installing cm10.1, it moved everything from /data/media to /data/media/0
kdz flash doesnt wipe /data. be sure you perform a factory reset with stock recovery after kdz flash
Gesendet von meinem LG-P880 mit Tapatalk 2

Related

How to do a complete backup? (lost apps on the internal SD)

So I had my phone working and decided to try a kernel found here.
I went on, flashed the kernel through cwm, and nothing worked (stuck at loading screen with continous reboots).
So I flashed my recovery image, rebooting stopped by stuck it was at the loading screen anyhow.
So, since I could not come out of it, I downloaded a stock rom (I was running stock by the way), flashed it (with smartflash), rooted it (superoneclick), installed cwm (now v5) and I'm back on.
So I flashed the recovery, and most of the data is back but I lost all the apps on the SD card.
The SD card is the same from which I flashed the recovery image through CWM, and all my music is still there.
So might it be possible that the apps are still there too?
What can I do?
Why all the SD apps disappeared?
Edit: ok maybe we're talking about internal SD card... may it be the CWM v5 doing recovery from a v4 zip?
had this problem very, very, often...
nobody really could help me, but i know, its because of problems with the android_secure folder.
so i´m not an expert and i really don´t know what s the reason, but i tried some things and sometimes it helped...
it can appear if something goes wrong when you install an app or move an app from phone to sdcard, or when you want to restore them with titanium or cwm.
the possibiltythat it happens increases when you do both at the same time or, move many apps at the same time p.e. with gemini or install many apps at the same time (p.e. with panda pc suite).
or if something goes wrong with a market update.
mostly, it starts that you can´t install apps anymore. after reboot all apps on sd are away.
with luck you can repair it and get the apps back.
-delete the market cache.
-delete file smdl2tmp1.asec in android_secure folder on sd card or in mnt/... secure.. damn forgot the path of the second folder where this file can be. gotta google for it.
-or create a new android_secure-folder. unmount sdcard. rename android_secure folder to something different, so that there´s no more an android_secure folder. put sdcard back in the phone, reboot the phone. there will be a new empty android_secure folder. shut phone down, put sdcard into pc again, copy all files from renamed folder to the new android_sd folder, put card back into the phone, restart it and wait. with luck, your apps are back again.
don´t now, maybe it helps when you delete dalvik cache and cache before restart. sometimes it worked, sometimes not.
in your case, your apps are away after restore and not because of install/move2sd issues... so in this case its important to completely delete android_secure folder before restore. make a fullwipe. and after fullwipe i would restart phone once, so that a new clean android_secure folder could be created. hope something helps.
edit:
i did a little trick, that my external sd is mounted as sdcard in my phone. so normally the internal sd card is the "sdcard" in the phone. so, cos you can´t put your internal sd into the pc, you gotta mount it with usb connection.
Thanks but I'm afraid in this case the content really got deleted after I reflashed the rom...
IS there a way to really save everything via cwm?
Or should I use another software?
Also if flashing baseband: what will get deleted?
Flashing baseband will wipe /data
Rusty! said:
Flashing baseband will wipe /data
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And how does /data relate to my problem?
Is /data backed up by cwm or not?
What is not backupped by cwm and how to backup it?
Rusty! said:
Flashing baseband will wipe /data
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but you can restore it with nandroid, right? it's going to be just as before?
punyategar said:
but you can restore it with nandroid, right? it's going to be just as before?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you mean baseband then the answer is no. It restores your ROM and all the apps including their data.
punyategar said:
but you can restore it with nandroid, right? it's going to be just as before?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Assuming you remembered to back it up yeah.
My radio flash procedure is:
NANDroid backup
Smartflash radio
NANDroid restore
Push new RIL
Use phone
Rusty! said:
Flashing baseband will wipe /data
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think so.
Kdz tool and official updater didn't wipe data. (Aren't you ?)
They did change only baseband and systems.
But you have to nandroid backup to avoid bricked.
You may not think so, but it does.
kitty's_daddy said:
I don't think so.
Kdz tool and official updater didn't wipe data. (Aren't you ?)
They did change only baseband and systems.
But you have to nandroid backup to avoid bricked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Definitely wipe /data
Both Rusty! And myself always test new basebands and it definitely wipe /data.
Edit: sorry I'm referring to smartflash.
temasek said:
Definitely wipe /data
Both Rusty! And myself always test new basebands and it definitely wipe /data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you would be correct.
It's only my opinion.
i use kdz tool, no user data will lost, only system(happened on me 2 times). don't use smartflash it will wipe all data
kitty's_daddy said:
I don't think so.
Kdz tool and official updater didn't wipe data. (Aren't you ?)
They did change only baseband and systems.
But you have to nandroid backup to avoid bricked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dont know about kdz, official updater didn't touch my /data at all. i mean, my apps were just as before, the settings...
just use titanium backup and make sure the save location is in the sd card
For certain apps that have their own way of saving data, it might not always work.
I just can't find the correct answer in the posts I've read so far.
If I flash a kernel that doesn't work, and then I restore a CWM backup, why it wouldn't boot again?
If I reflash the stock rom and then restore a previous CWM backup, why something won't be there?
What exactly should I do in CMW to obatin a complete backup?
Or should I use something else?

How come I cannot wipe clean my Note?

After I installed the Safe Kernel Hydracore and Reboot to recovery (vol.up+home+power button) I select wipe data/factory reset & wipe cache partition and even go into Advanced and did the wipe Dalvik cache and after I installed the latest Cyanomod 10 and Gapps and reboot the phone, I still have my old folders like before with maps, games, etc...
When I looked in my Main Storage of my Note (/storage/sdcard0), I only have 3.5 GB free. And like I said, I can still see my old games, apps and maps folders in my main storage which took up a lot of space and I only have 3.5 GB free. Do I have to manually delete every folder in the main storage and go back to recovery and do everything over? Could this brick my phone?
How can I completely wipe everything in my main storage?
Earthbrain said:
After I installed the Safe Kernel Hydracore and Reboot to recovery (vol.up+home+power button) I select wipe data/factory reset & wipe cache partition and even go into Advanced and did the wipe Dalvik cache and after I installed the latest Cyanomod 10 and Gapps and reboot the phone, I still have my old folders like before with maps, games, etc...
When I looked in my Main Storage of my Note (/storage/sdcard0), I only have 3.5 GB free. And like I said, I can still see my old games, apps and maps folders in my main storage which took up a lot of space and I only have 3.5 GB free. Do I have to manually delete every folder in the main storage and go back to recovery and do everything over? Could this brick my phone?
How can I completely wipe everything in my main storage?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wipe in cwmr does not clear internal storage, for that you need to format internal SD. Once on safe kernel you can easily format sd and there is no risk in it. Just format it in settings/storage but make sure to move required files to external sd (like pics or music)
Sent from my GT-N7000
Does it suppose to format your internal sdcard? The answer is NO. Format it by going to settings/storage/format internal memory.
Cheers!!!
Fired From My FireDevice.
Alternatively, as I find even a format of sd sometimes does not do a proper wipe, connect phone to pc as usb, then manually delete all files on SD.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
Think you are all wrong guys.
He wants a factory reset, not manualy delete folders and files.
There are a lot other stuff that remains on the Note, registry, hidden files...etc.
There is only one simple way to do that.
Because all "new" kernel have the option to format emmc disabled, remember the Note brick times.
Flash the Abyss 4.2 kernel, restart in recovery, do factory reset ( it works ) and full wipe, flash an safe ICS kernel or flash the whole new ROM of your choice.
You are done.
Remeber to restart in RECOVERY afte flashing the Abyss 4.2 kernel for factory reset.
The other, difficult, way is to flash a rootable GB ROM with PC Odin, root your Note an after that, you have a clean, almost virgin, Note for flashing the newest ROM of your choice.
I think the first two guys answered correctly.
ginopunsalan said:
I think the first two guys answered correctly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Factory reset = format internal SD with safe kernel??
Factory reset only formats system, so doesn't touch internal sd card at all..... Fact.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
SpyderTracks said:
Factory reset only formats system, so doesn't touch internal sd card at all..... Fact.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ergo => formating internal SD doesnt touch the system => doesnt do "Factory reset"?
Right?
Factory reset with "unsafe" GB kernel format system AND internal SD.
After that you can manually mount system and format it, also all other system partitions, from unsafe kernel.
But after formating system, data, dalvik and all other system relevant partitions from any "safe" kernel you will find all your data, passwords, old programm entrys untouched.
Fact!!!
Ever installed again your navi software after doing full wipe and manually formating all system partitions from safe kernel?
After reboot there is nothing, but install your Navigon and it will find asap all your maps, account and everything else.
All the data are present and this is NOT Factory reset.
There is not problem WHAT does "Factory reset" and "format system" but it is VERY, VERY, VERY important from what KERNEL you do this.
Safe or unsafe GB kernel.
And again, deleting all data from the phone is only possible with unsafe kernel or flashing original Samsung firmware.
And this guy above did a full wipe with safe kernel and finds all his data untouched.
And again: a clean Note is only possible with unsafe GB kernel or original Samsung firmware.
Formating system from a safe kernel is NOT enough for a clean phone.
ziko said:
Ergo => formating internal SD doesnt touch the system => doesnt do "Factory reset"?
Right?
Factory reset with "unsafe" GB kernel format system AND internal SD.
After that you can manually mount system and format it, also all other system partitions, from unsafe kernel.
But after formating system, data, dalvik and all other system relevant partitions from any "safe" kernel you will find all your data, passwords, old programm entrys untouched.
Fact!!!
Ever installed again your navi software after doing full wipe and manually formating all system partitions from safe kernel?
After reboot there is nothing, but install your Navigon and it will find asap all your maps, account and everything else.
All the data are present and this is NOT Factory reset.
There is not problem WHAT does "Factory reset" and "format system" but it is VERY, VERY, VERY important from what KERNEL you do this.
Safe or unsafe GB kernel.
And again, deleting all data from the phone is only possible with unsafe kernel or flashing original Samsung firmware.
And this guy above did a full wipe with safe kernel and finds all his data untouched.
And again: a clean Note is only possible with unsafe GB kernel or original Samsung firmware.
Formating system from a safe kernel is NOT enough for a clean phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're talking bonkers mate. A factory reset only resets the system partition. It does not include internal sd card Nov matter what kernel you're on. You have to specify a separate operation of wipe internal sd card for that. Kernel type doesn't make a difference.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
ziko said:
Ergo => formating internal SD doesnt touch the system => doesnt do "Factory reset"?
Right?
Factory reset with "unsafe" GB kernel format system AND internal SD.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there is nothing called an unsafe GB kernel.. its safe
ziko said:
After that you can manually mount system and format it, also all other system partitions, from unsafe kernel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if its an unsafe kernel.. who will dare to wipe?
ziko said:
And again, deleting all data from the phone is only possible with unsafe kernel or flashing original Samsung firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Original samsung firmware ? ex i install ICS using PC odin... damm these are non wipe. doesnt even remove old apps...
ziko said:
Formating system from a safe kernel is NOT enough for a clean phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats true.. u need to load other partition on a safe kernel and format manually.. but GB recovery does the same as well

[GUIDE] Android deep clean-up / wipe

Now with the release of many JB leaks for our Galaxy Note, more and more people are starting to flash custom ROMs into their devices. However, many don't do a proper clean-up / wipe of their devices before doing so, complaining about supposed "bugs" that in fact are not real bugs, but just incompatibilities with previous app data and config left from the previous ROM or improperly restored from backups (TB etc.).
So, after facing that myself with the first ROMs I flashed, reading a lot of tips from the senior members, and experimenting different approaches, I came up with a method that I always follow before flashing a new ROM, which gives me less or no issues at all.
Pros: you minimize the chance of having issues when flashing a new ROM.
Cons: you have to manually reinstall your apps (can be somewhat automated from Google Play) and reconfigure everything.
Pre-reqs: I'm assuming you have CWM installed and know how to use it, and are not a complete noob. If you don't, search the forums and read the guides. Read this guide fully and make sure you understand everything before proceeding.
IMPORTANT: ONLY wipe your device if you have a SAFE (BRICK-FREE) KERNEL. Check your kernel and search the forums. Don't proceed if you are not sure! I'm not responsible for any bricks, unexpected issues that can happen to you or personal data loss because you forgot to backup that! If you want to stay safe, don't want to experiment with your cell phone, it's critical you have it working everytime, stay with the official Samsung ROMs updates you get OTA and don't proceed with this how-to.
How-to:
1) Boot into recovery and perform a full backup (a.k.a. nandroid) to your internal or external SD card.
2) Reboot, and create backups of personal data needed from your apps in your internal or external SD card. For instance, I backup data from apps which are not cloud-based; they usually have a "backup" menu for that.
3) Plug your device into your computer, and copy everything you need from your internal and external SD cards (including the backups done in 1) and 2)). Don't forget your pictures and MP3 files.
4) Delete any apps and data from your external SD card. Leave it as clean as possible (it's OK to leave personal data such as MP3s, pictures etc.).
5) Copy the ROM you are about to flash to your EXTERNAL SD Card (don't copy to internal, because we are going to wipe it).
6) Boot into CWM Recovery and do the following wipes:
6.1) Wipe data / factory reset
6.2) Wipe cache partition
6.3) Advanced -> Wipe dalvik cache
6.4) Mounts and Storage -> Format /system
6.5) Mounts and Storage -> Format /preload
6.6) Mounts and Storage -> Format internal SD card (make sure you know if your internal SD card if /emmc or /sdcard; see below!)
7) Install Zip -> Flash ROM from your external SD card.
8) Wipe cache partition again.
9) Advanced -> Wipe dalvik cache again.
10) Reboot
11) Don't restore anything from Titanium Backup. Reinstall and reconfigure everything from Google Play. I never tried but I think that if you just restore user apps, it should work. Just never restore system apps and data. The backups you created in step 2) and copied to your computer in step 3) can be safely restored from within the apps themselves.
Now you may ask why we format the internal SD card. Many apps store their configuration and app data there, so this way we ensure no old data and config are there which may be incompatible with the new ROM. In fact it might not be that important, since it's only related to user apps, but I prefer to clean everything before flashing a new ROM.
How to find if your internal SD card is mounted on /emmc or /sdcard in CWM Recovery:
1) Boot into CWM Recovery.
2) Install Zip -> Choose zip from internal sdcard. In the top you can see where yours is mounted (/emmc or /sdcard).
3) This is the partition you should format in step 6.6. Pay attention to not format the external SD card, because the ROM zip file is there!
If you still have issues after flashing a new ROM, try to reflash it without any wipes (i.e. just do step 7 again).
Hope it can help people with their flashing!
Good job
Is it any better to just install user apps from google play and then restore just the data from TB?
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda app-developers app
allansy said:
Is it any better to just install user apps from google play and then restore just the data from TB?
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No..the main purpose of the thread is to remove the incompatible app data and system data
Useful.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
dbolivar said:
How-to:
6.1) Wipe data / factory reset
6.2) Wipe cache partition
6.3) Advanced -> Wipe dalvik cache
6.4) Mounts and Storage -> Format /system
6.5) Mounts and Storage -> Format /preload
6.6) Mounts and Storage -> Format internal SD card (make sure you know if your internal SD card if /emmc or /sdcard; see below!)
7) Install Zip -> Flash ROM from your external SD card.
8) Wipe cache partition again.
9) Advanced -> Wipe dalvik cache again.
10) Reboot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
6.2 ---> unnecessary, because factory reset wipes user data and cache
6.6 ---> how on earth does formatting internal SD card help flashing any Rom?
8) ---> unnecessary, because your cache is already wiped
9) ---> see above
6.2) True, thanks for pointing out.
6.6) Some apps, including ones that usually give strange issues between ROM flashes like SNote, leave data there which may cause incompatibilities with a different version. This incompatibility is just a guess; as I said in the original post, it may not be that necessary to format the internal SD card, but I prefer to make sure there is no old data at all floating around, and this recommendation can also be useful when people are going to sell their devices (many think that just a factory reset is enough).
8) and 9) Is it possible that a new ROM can come with stuff in cache and dalvik cache, say, from the developer testing/cooking environment? If it is, can be useful to clean it again after flashing. Otherwise, I agree, it can be skipped.
Yeah total clean scenario is best. In my opinion. So also SD, but never efs
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2
I too do things that are not necessary, I have a ritual when doing a deep clean lol
It involves things like the above method, but i do it twice.. No harm in that is there !
azzledazzle said:
I too do things that are not necessary, I have a ritual when doing a deep clean lol
It involves things like the above method, but i do it twice.. No harm in that is there !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wel, better safe then sorry. Totally clean just feels right
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2
Thank you very much. I will do this like you say.
I have CWM v6.0.1.2 and I don't have format/ preload. What can I do?
You can try to proceed without formatting it, or you can first flash a kernel with a more recent CWM. Always a safe kernel, of course. After flashing it, you can just select "reboot recovery" from your current CWM to boot into the new CWM. I'm not sure if the absence of /preload is due to an old CWM, or it's because you don't have a /preload partition. Anyway, trying a newer CWM won't harm.
i follow this guide , considering that i'm a noob it mean that is written really really clear. Thanks for all your job . i have a clean cooked rooted cell now.
error preload
Hello, I got error when formatting preload
it is said "make_extf4fs failed on/dev/block/mmcblk0p9
and when i'm trying to format/scard it pop up some type format
"deafult
"exfat
"fat
bla bla bla
so i choose default, am i right to choose it?
what should i do?
What device, what recovery, what rom?
dbolivar said:
flashing!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey bro,
i forgot to do step 9
9) Advanced -> Wipe dalvik cache again.
Phone is working fine, but just curious. will it have any effect ? or will it cause any problem later ?

Custom recovery lost?

Hey guys so i backed up my v20b stock software via cwm and thought that it was going to be stored in some kind of internal storage forever (like cwm itself), but now i realised that after i done factory reset it is probably gone ) Is there a way to create a recovery file for cwm to restore to v20b?Or could i use some elses file?
Your backup is in the internal memory, unless you format or wipe it specifically factory reset will not erase it.
In development section there are a few roms based on official v20b ou can flash thhose if you can't find your backup
Rudjgaard said:
Your backup is in the internal memory, unless you format or wipe it specifically factory reset will not erase it.
In development section there are a few roms based on official v20b ou can flash thhose if you can't find your backup
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i had 2 backups on stock and i didn't delete any of them, just did the factory reset once. When i go to recovery mode CWM doesn't find any backups on internal storage...So where did they go?
Mount usb storage from recovery and check the cwm folder they should be in there unless you did "wipe data"
did you install any 4.2.2+ rom? if you did, your cwm is reading the "wrong" folder for backups. it's reading under data/media/0/whatevercwmbackupfolderis, instead of data/media/whatevercwmbackupfolderis
Go into custom recovery and select "Restore Back-up". It will work. I had the same problem .
Yeah, i also did wipe data/cache/dalvik/(as you do) before installing 4.4.2 , no backups in data/media/cwm, so i guess my backups are gone?
No, wipe data doesn't wipe internal storage, if formats everything except data/media which is where backups are
You must specifically select "format internal storage" to loose your backups
Is other stuff you had on internal sd still present?
they have to be there, unless you formatted internal sd. try searching around more with file browsers, sorry i cant be of more help
Rudjgaard said:
No, wipe data doesn't wipe internal storage, if formats everything except data/media which is where backups are
You must specifically select "format internal storage" to loose your backups
Is other stuff you had on internal sd still present?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no, but i do factory reset every time. Rom manager doesn't find anything, as well as cwm in recovery mode. Searched every CWM,DATA,BACKUP folder, nothing there.
i searched with ES file explorer with root access (i even created a new backup to be 100% sure root access is on, the new backup appeared in data/media). Btw, how much internal storage is there after factory reset? Because with Beanstalk i get 11,8 of 12,2, i was sure those 400mb where my software backups....

TWRP 3 for droid turbo

OK other phone I had has external SD card. When I wiped data it wiped internal SD completely. Since turbo has no external SD, will it wipe completely or just Android file data and preserve other files on internal SD. If it does wipe internal SD completely how would you flash ROM? Thanks for any advice.
newbe1droidx said:
OK other phone I had has external SD card. When I wiped data it wiped internal SD completely. Since turbo has no external SD, will it wipe completely or just Android file data and preserve other files on internal SD. If it does wipe internal SD completely how would you flash ROM? Thanks for any advice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That depends on what kind of wipe you do. If you do a factory reset in TWRP, it will not wipe your user data (downloads, music, everything else in /data/media/0 or /sdcard). However, if you select Format Data, or you pick Internal Storage in the advanced wipe menu, all of your user data will be wiped. Usually, a factory reset is all you need after flashing roms, so you don't have to worry about losing photos/music/etc.
Great thanks for the fast reply. OK other phone was sgs3. Sometimes when flashing and then running new ROM it seemed the settings stayed the same as previous ROM. Devs would have you format data for clean install. How would that work on this droid turbo?
I also wiped data and it wiped my internal storage. I thought maybe I had wiped internal storage accidentally or did something else wrong but this leads me to believe I didn't do anything wrong. Back to the previous version that worked for us? (I think it was 2.8.7)
Edit: I just read that choosing to format data will also format internal storage, but a factory reset which "wipes data" does not touch the internal storage. This is a little confusing if you aren't familiar with how everything is partitioned. Is internal storage actually on the data partition?
Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
If I have the ROM and gapps on internal SD and format data I loose ROM and gapps right? Then how would you install ROM? Second if I delete Android file on internal SD would that make it a clean install? But other files would still remain. Just trying to understand so I don't brick or can't get ROM on. Thanks
SpyderPride said:
I also wiped data and it wiped my internal storage. I thought maybe I had wiped internal storage accidentally or did something else wrong but this leads me to believe I didn't do anything wrong. Back to the previous version that worked for us? (I think it was 2.8.7)
Edit: I just read that choosing to format data will also format internal storage, but a factory reset which "wipes data" does not touch the internal storage. This is a little confusing if you aren't familiar with how everything is partitioned. Is internal storage actually on the data partition?
Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, the internal storage is on the data partition. When you do a factory reset with TWRP and you read the script as it executes, it says something like "wiping /data without wiping /data/media." Doing the factory reset wipes everything on /data except /data/media, which is where your user data lives. So what gets wiped is all of the user apps and the data generated by the system apps, but your user data is preserved.
It makes sense that wiping data would wipe everything. I think having separate boxes for data and internal storage is to account for someone who might install an older version of android that is partitioned differently. I can't remember when the change happened, but at one point, the user data and app data were kept on separate partitions. I think that user data lived on /sdcard and apps lived on /data. That's why you see the /sdcard folder as a symlink when you go exploring with a root browser. It's symlinked to /data/media/0 to maintain backwards compatibility with older apps that are expecting /sdcard to exist.
Thanks st33v. My last phone had a /sdcard partition separate from /data so I think that is where the misperception came from. It also had /sdcard2, which was an actual SD card.
Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
Yep my thinking too. You guys are great! Cleared it up.
If you wipe all your files simply use twrp and connect it to the PC. You can drag the files over for flashing.
mrkhigh said:
If you wipe all your files simply use twrp and connect it to the PC. You can drag the files over for flashing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome I was wondering if you could do that...

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