I have 2 Questions - Nexus 6 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hello,
Sorry for the odd thread but I didn't want to make two separate threads. I have made enough nooby posts for the day as it is! lol. My Nexus 6 is currently on 6.0 MRA58R / TWRP Recovery / Rooted / No Encryption.
1. What is the best APP to use to activate and control the notification light on the Nexus 6? I see there are a few different apps for this but I would like the one that works with / works best with the Nexus 6.
2. Best option to back up my Nexus 6. I have Titanium Backup Pro as well as TWRP Recovery. I don't get understand Titanium Backup. I get how to use it mostly. I just don't get the point of storing the backup for your phone, on your phone... Doesn't that kind of defeat the purpose? If your phone locks up how are you going to load the backup / recover it? I am assuming TWRP backs up directly to the device as well. So I am just wondering the best method to use when backing up, and what all to back up. Can TWRP recover device with a Titanium Backup - Backup?
Thank you in advance for your time.

Rektifying said:
Hello,
Sorry for the odd thread but I didn't want to make two separate threads. I have made enough nooby posts for the day as it is! lol. My Nexus 6 is currently on 6.0 MRA58R / TWRP Recovery / Rooted / No Encryption.
1. What is the best APP to use to activate and control the notification light on the Nexus 6? I see there are a few different apps for this but I would like the one that works with / works best with the Nexus 6.
2. Best option to back up my Nexus 6. I have Titanium Backup Pro as well as TWRP Recovery. I don't get understand Titanium Backup. I get how to use it mostly. I just don't get the point of storing the backup for your phone, on your phone... Doesn't that kind of defeat the purpose? If your phone locks up how are you going to load the backup / recover it? I am assuming TWRP backs up directly to the device as well. So I am just wondering the best method to use when backing up, and what all to back up. Can TWRP recover device with a Titanium Backup - Backup?
Thank you in advance for your time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Lightflow is the best app to control the LED light.
2. Titanium backup also allows you to backup individual app data which you can then upload to the cloud or save elsewhere. TWRP doesn't allow this.
You can even set periodic backup and upload times for your apps in TB.

Related

New N4 rooted receiving errors.

OK so I just got the note 4. rooted the device with cf auto root restored apps from former phone (note 3) without data. now I'm getting errors (google play services, Bluetooth share and Google+ has stopped) and Bluetooth isn't working . Any ideas on how to go bout fixing. Thanks in advance forum.
re: errors
robbdeeze said:
OK so I just got the note 4. rooted the device with cf auto root restored apps from former phone (note 3) without data. now I'm getting errors (google play services, Bluetooth share and Google+ has stopped) and Bluetooth isn't working . Any ideas on how to go bout fixing. Thanks in advance forum.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do a a factory reset in recovery mode and thou shall no longer have those errors.
And do not restore apps using titanium backup or any other backup when coming
from a different model of the phone. Only restore apps which were backed up on
the same phone and model. (that's basically what backups were intended to do).
Just in case the "factory reset" in stock recovery does not do the trick for you then
your only solution is to do a factory reset in recovery and odin flash the official
stock Note 4 N910T firmware.
Good luck!
Misterjunky said:
Do a a factory reset in recovery mode and thou shall no longer have those errors.
And do not restore apps using titanium backup or any other backup when coming
from a different model of the phone. Only restore apps which were backed up on
the same phone and model. (that's basically what backups were intended to do).
Just in case the "factory reset" in stock recovery does not do the trick for you then
your only solution is to do a factory reset in recovery and odin flash the official
stock Note 4 N910T firmware.
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Couldn't of said it better my self. Never restore apps or data. Unless it is the same phone.
NOTE 4
Thanks forum. Had an idea that would be my best solution. Just didn't want to read download and setup all my apps. Is what it is though. Again thanks for reinsurance.

"Cloning" my Nexus 6, using Nandroid image

Hi,
I have a Nexus 6 with a shattered screen, and just bought another one to replace it (exact same model, XT1103 32GB).
I want to make a Nandroid dump of the old device by booting into TWRP temporarily, then restoring the backup to the new phone using the same method. Both phones are bootloader unlocked and totally stock (latest Android update).
Is there anything in particular that I should watch out for? Which partitions should I not touch - a friend on another forum suggested that I should not touch EFS?
Cheers,
Su
If you restore the efs from one to the other you'll loose your imei number on the second one
needleyepoke
---------- Post added at 07:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:47 PM ----------
I've cloned a Nexus 5 but I'm not sure if it's the same way.... P.S. of course your not supposed to do it unless you own both phones... From what I've been told
needleyepoke
Hi,
I don't want to mess about with the IMEI etc - I just want the same system settings, apps etc.
What partitions should I backup/restore? I guess just System, Data, Cache, Boot & Recovery should be enough?
Thanks,
Su
[edit] This seems to suggest just System, Data and Boot is ok - but is that all I need if I am restoring to another device?
Sumanji said:
Hi,
I don't want to mess about with the IMEI etc - I just want the same system settings, apps etc.
What partitions should I backup/restore? I guess just System, Data, Cache, Boot & Recovery should be enough?
Thanks,
Su
[edit] This seems to suggest just System, Data and Boot is ok - but is that all I need if I am restoring to another device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes if they're on the same version. I cloned a 32 into a 64.
Ok I just tried this now, and it is not working...
The restore to the new device worked fine, but when I power up I get the "your device is corrupt screen" (which I think is normal if you use TWRP), but then after that it's just a blank screen...
The phone is still able to boot into bootloader and recovery (stock).
Any ideas what could have gone wrong please?
Thanks,
Suman
I think this might be something to do with encryption... when booting into TWRP the new phone still requires the encryption pin I set up from its original software....
Do I need to start again?
Ok, I flashed the new phone with the factory image and started again... this time, when I restore the backup it just hangs on the white Google logo screen...
Any help appreciated please!
Thanks,
Su
If your firs N6 was encrpted (default) there's no way to clone it. Android will generate different encryption keys etc.
Secure lockscreen is a big no-no too. With it, you can't even properly restore backup on the same device!
Trying to take the lazy way out is just asking for trouble. There are many things that can go wrong.
Also just a side note. Cloning devices is illegal, even if you own both devices. The was set by the cell phone cloning laws set up by the FCC.
Your best bet is just to reset it up from scratch.
zelendel said:
Trying to take the lazy way out is just asking for trouble. There are many things that can go wrong.
Also just a side note. Cloning devices is illegal, even if you own both devices. The was set by the cell phone cloning laws set up by the FCC.
Your best bet is just to reset it up from scratch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh well,
I'm remembering what I did and I did not restore the Nandroid from Device A to Device B, I titanium Backup'd all the apps and moved them to TitaniumBackup folder on the new phone, restored from there.
For /sdcard/ I had to copy and paste it from one phone to the other...
I'm going to reply this to your reddit thread also.
Lawstorant said:
If your firs N6 was encrpted (default) there's no way to clone it. Android will generate different encryption keys etc.
Secure lockscreen is a big no-no too. With it, you can't even properly restore backup on the same device!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah dang, so there is no way for me to do what I want then... that's annoying, I would have bought a different phone in that case!
I believe Google requires encryption to be active in all devices with Android 6.0.1 installed, so any new device you purchase will have this (non-) issue.
Think of the alternative however. You could always be dealing with Samsung and Knox.
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
I believe Google requires encryption to be active in all devices with Android 6.0.1 installed, so any new device you purchase will have this (non-) issue.
Think of the alternative however. You could always be dealing with Samsung and Knox.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe that is correct. All Nexus devices going forward will have the kernel force encryption. The only way around it is to format data in TWRP (completely wipe the phone) and then when you re setup your ROM (or even the stock image) just make sure you flash a custom kernel that doesn't force encryption (which pretty much all custom kernels don't) before booting into OS for the first time. I run mine unencrypted because nandroid backups are wayyyyy quicker without encryption. I know the security isn't as good but not a deal breaker for me.
I asked this question a while back when I was in the same situation, and was told that it's a bad idea.
TriguyRN said:
I asked this question a while back when I was in the same situation, and was told that it's a bad idea.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is a bad idea. Restoring any system files from one device to another is a risky game. I wouldn't even recommend restoring data from one device to another.
Start fresh, clean. No need to bring junk over, or risk issues. Takes 15 minutes to setup a phone how I like it after a clean rom flash. That's not a long time.
Last year I returned my N6 because of the peeling-back problem. I had a full TWRP backup on my laptop. I loaded it on to the replacement N6, renamed the backup folder to the new device id, and restored it. Worked perfectly, no problems.

About to wipe and 're-build' N6. Couple of Q.

Couple of quick (probably stupid) questions about wiping and rebuilding the phone:
I haven't done a "flash-all.bat" in quite a few iterations of Android updates. I keep hearing from different people how smooth and how fast and bug free their phone is after doing a "Flash-all.bat" on it.
Is this true or do you all think it's just a placebo effect?
I've already done a Titanium Backup of my apps. Do you all recommend doing it that way or, re-installing the apps and re-set everything up from the Play Store all over again?
I've backed up my "userdata" folder to my PC. Is there a way, after wiping the phone to completely erase the SD card and/or check for errors? Or, not necessary?
I've seen some discussion that people are no longer using Chainfire's SU any more and have moved on to something else (the other SU name escapes me at the moment)?
An unlocked Bootloader now trips SafetyNet? So there is no real reason to try and install "SUHide" and the like in order to get Android Pay working? I've not messed around
with trying to bypass the SafetyNet and just resigned myself to never being able to use A.P. Should I even mess with all of that?
Anything else you all might recommend on a "restart" of a device, I'd be eager to hear!
Thanks all!
1. FlashAll is way too drastic. It deletes every single file you had on your emmc. Doing factory reset from TWRP only deletes the apps and settings and leaves all your photos, documents, downloads, etc.
2. I let Google install my apps after a new setup and then let TB restore the data for those that Google couldn't. Since MM even Google manages to restore some data too.
3. Unless you want to sell it, there's no need to wipe it completely.
4. PHH's superuser is completely open source and more and more people use it.
5. Yep, you need a custom kernel for SafetyNet if your bootloader is open. There is one already for 7.0 too
Sent from my Nexus 6P running Nougat DP 7.1 using Tapatalk
istperson said:
1. FlashAll is way too drastic. It deletes every single file you had on your emmc. Doing factory reset from TWRP only deletes the apps and settings and leaves all your photos, documents, downloads, etc.
2. I let Google install my apps after a new setup and then let TB restore the data for those that Google couldn't. Since MM even Google manages to restore some data too.
3. Unless you want to sell it, there's no need to wipe it completely.
4. PHH's superuser is completely open source and more and more people use it.
5. Yep, you need a custom kernel for SafetyNet if your bootloader is open. There is one already for 7.0 too
Sent from my Nexus 6P running Nougat DP 7.1 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) Ok, so I will just do a "factory reset" in TWRP then.
2) I will have to take a look at the TB Backup, I've only done "Backup all user apps". I'll check if there is just a setting for "Data for user apps" then.
3) Ok. Point taken. Just thought wiping the internal storage might get rid of any "ghosts in the system" so to speak.
4) Thank you for refreshing my memory. Forgot the name of the other SU.
5) I'll check to see if Franco Kernel has that, or plans on implementing it. I've been using F.K. forever so hopefully he will get around to releasing one.
** Unrelated note: Your 6p, in hindsight, was it worth the upgrade from the 6? Since the new Pixels are out, I'm assuming the 6P are going to start dropping in price at this point **
Thanks again for the suggestions / help
usafle said:
** Unrelated note: Your 6p, in hindsight, was it worth the upgrade from the 6? Since the new Pixels are out, I'm assuming the 6P are going to start dropping in price at this point **
Thanks again for the suggestions / help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This was indeed worth it, it was a store display model activated for a couple of months, I got it for half price.
But I needed a daily device while I develop Nougat for my N6. Then switch them and develop it for the 6P.
But as a device I'm very pleased with it, it's faster, the camera is better, and the 7.1 DP is already better than the official 7.0.
Sent from my Nexus 6P running Nougat DP 7.1 using Tapatalk

Question Question About Backing Up

Hi all, this forum has been great for providing answers, so ive got 1 last question before i do anything to my phone.
Obliviously installing a custom recovery like TWRP requires bootloader unlocking which wipes data. I want to perform a backup of my phone, a complete backup, system, apps the works so if anything is wrong i can restore the backup, no when i say backup i mean almost like a Nandroid backup you can perform with a custom recovery, is this possible?, or ate very least is there any 3rd party apps that will perform a backup of everything inc Apps and App data, so for instance, passwords etc are backed up as well for each app which saves a ton of time having to reinstall them and remember all the passwords. Nandroid backup were easy on previous phones because on some bootloader unlock wasnt required just to install TWRP. Can anyone help with this issue, id really like to have a full backup for peace of mind. Many thanks in advance.
Swift backup is the closest I have come across
gazza35 said:
Hi all, this forum has been great for providing answers, so ive got 1 last question before i do anything to my phone.
Obliviously installing a custom recovery like TWRP requires bootloader unlocking which wipes data. I want to perform a backup of my phone, a complete backup, system, apps the works so if anything is wrong i can restore the backup, no when i say backup i mean almost like a Nandroid backup you can perform with a custom recovery, is this possible?, or ate very least is there any 3rd party apps that will perform a backup of everything inc Apps and App data, so for instance, passwords etc are backed up as well for each app which saves a ton of time having to reinstall them and remember all the passwords. Nandroid backup were easy on previous phones because on some bootloader unlock wasnt required just to install TWRP. Can anyone help with this issue, id really like to have a full backup for peace of mind. Many thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately with a lock bootloader, you can't really create a full backup of data of apps. You can only back the APK file and some data. Even if you somehow did, restoring backups is also a problem as some backups aren't compatible with a different rom. Nandroid backups aren't an option too as restoring those from a different rom will cause issue due to incompatibly (someone tried before and caused destroyed system).
What I did in my preparation before is backed up important files through drive or cloud storages. I also rely on password managers for log-ins. I also created a separate Google Account solely for storage for my backup too. If you have, I highly advise backing up using SD Cards. They're quite an essential especially for phone modding and backup restores. Also before unlocking, make sure to have a plan on what to do after, do you stay on MIUI or try some mods or custom roms etc... So that you can switch afterwards before restoring your backup.
Lastly, if anything goes wrong, you can always reflash the stock MIUI ROM using MiFlash.
BigChungus321 said:
Unfortunately with a lock bootloader, you can't really create a full backup of data of apps. You can only back the APK file and some data. Even if you somehow did, restoring backups is also a problem as some backups aren't compatible with a different rom. Nandroid backups aren't an option too as restoring those from a different rom will cause issue due to incompatibly (someone tried before and caused destroyed system).
What I did in my preparation before is backed up important files through drive or cloud storages. I also rely on password managers for log-ins. I also created a separate Google Account solely for storage for my backup too. If you have, I highly advise backing up using SD Cards. They're quite an essential especially for phone modding and backup restores. Also before unlocking, make sure to have a plan on what to do after, do you stay on MIUI or try some mods or custom roms etc... So that you can switch afterwards before restoring your backup.
Lastly, if anything goes wrong, you can always reflash the stock MIUI ROM using MiFlash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for all that useful info. I do have a 128gb sd card in the phone as well as the inbuilt 128gb, so plenty storage. Im just so used to other phones where backups where simple of bl unlock wasnt required to flash twrp etc, i did try the phones inbuilt backup system to backup the apps, it seemed to backup some info but not the apps which is odd, google backup ive never used so im unsure. ill try and look for a password manager and see if i can find a way to backup passwords at least. From what ive read everything with this phone seems impossible without first unlocking the BL, i just wish i didnt have to wait 7 days or wipe the phone to do it lol. My main aim is to downgrade back to Android 11 stock Miui, im not convinced custom roms available for this device are at a daily driver stage yet, as for mods, i may end up rooting at some point and get magisk, i think most mods i used would be mainly aesthetic, like changing splash screens etc etc, simple stuff. Anyway i have drivers installed, i have Miflash unlock installed. i shall start getting my passwords and some apps saved off etc and go from there. As always, thankyou once again for the detailed reply, youve been great help
Found Wondershare MobileTrans. Thankfully it backs up most stuff inc apps, havent found any other way as yet. Thanks again.
gazza35 said:
Thanks for all that useful info. I do have a 128gb sd card in the phone as well as the inbuilt 128gb, so plenty storage. Im just so used to other phones where backups where simple of bl unlock wasnt required to flash twrp etc, i did try the phones inbuilt backup system to backup the apps, it seemed to backup some info but not the apps which is odd, google backup ive never used so im unsure. ill try and look for a password manager and see if i can find a way to backup passwords at least. From what ive read everything with this phone seems impossible without first unlocking the BL, i just wish i didnt have to wait 7 days or wipe the phone to do it lol. My main aim is to downgrade back to Android 11 stock Miui, im not convinced custom roms available for this device are at a daily driver stage yet, as for mods, i may end up rooting at some point and get magisk, i think most mods i used would be mainly aesthetic, like changing splash screens etc etc, simple stuff. Anyway i have drivers installed, i have Miflash unlock installed. i shall start getting my passwords and some apps saved off etc and go from there. As always, thankyou once again for the detailed reply, youve been great help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright. Also some points that I would like to add, since like you said, you're staying at A11 Miui which for the most part is now forgotten (or at least have the minority using it), you'll have to use the official twrp instead of the newer unofficial ones due to compatibility and it's the only recovery in a11 which can decrypt the storage (newer ones can only decrypt a12-a13, not a11...weird). Also, this is just a suggestion but obviously unlocking bootloader results in failing integrity API test (formerly safety net) so you'll have to really root and spoof the device to pass integrity API test and use banking apps etc... Good luck though and yeah you can't skip that 7 day wait, it's a good time to backup and prepare.
BigChungus321 said:
Alright. Also some points that I would like to add, since like you said, you're staying at A11 Miui which for the most part is now forgotten (or at least have the minority using it), you'll have to use the official twrp instead of the newer unofficial ones due to compatibility and it's the only recovery in a11 which can decrypt the storage (newer ones can only decrypt a12-a13, not a11...weird). Also, this is just a suggestion but obviously unlocking bootloader results in failing integrity API test (formerly safety net) so you'll have to really root and spoof the device to pass integrity API test and use banking apps etc... Good luck though and yeah you can't skip that 7 day wait, it's a good time to backup and prepare.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, sounds like a lot of Work, Another question for you, if i stay on A12, 12.0.3.0 which worked amazing until it upgraded, will i have to do the whole same spoofing thing?, i did forget about my banking apps. And where can i find Disable Dmverity and will that sort out the banking apps, i know itll let me keep cust recovery, I see reference to it but i cant find it anywhere, is there like a certain website or something where people download their mods and stuff.
gazza35 said:
Ok, sounds like a lot of Work, Another question for you, if i stay on A12, 12.0.3.0 which worked amazing until it upgraded, will i have to do the whole same spoofing thing?, i did forget about my banking apps. And where can i find Disable Dmverity and will that sort out the banking apps, i know itll let me keep cust recovery, I see reference to it but i cant find it anywhere, is there like a certain website or something where people download their mods and stuff.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, unlocking your bootloader will cause you to fail integrity test so you'll have no choice but to root and spoof if you're going to use banking apps. I can help you with this process if you want.
You can get the DM Verity file I used here:
https://zackptg5.com/android.php , it also includes some of my favorite mods like JamesDSP. You'll probably get something like DisableDMverity_forceencrypt zip or something like that so be sure to rename the zip file only to "Disable_Dm-Verity" zip (it's one of those zips where it uses the name of the zip to select what it's patching, it is recommended to keep force encryption enabled as to avoid data theft when you lose your phone). You flash the disable dm verity right after TWRP so you can boot to your rom afterwards. And yes dmverity won't help you pass integrity API.
As for themes/mods and such, I mostly get them here from XDA, Telegram groups, or Github. Mostly telegram tbh. But be sure to check whether it's safe to use as some bundles their modules (or once the app gets root access) will cause damage to your phone.
BigChungus321 said:
Yes, unlocking your bootloader will cause you to fail integrity test so you'll have no choice but to root and spoof if you're going to use banking apps. I can help you with this process if you want.
You can get the DM Verity file I used here:
https://zackptg5.com/android.php , it also includes some of my favorite mods like JamesDSP. You'll probably get something like DisableDMverity_forceencrypt zip or something like that so be sure to rename the zip file only to "Disable_Dm-Verity" zip (it's one of those zips where it uses the name of the zip to select what it's patching, it is recommended to keep force encryption enabled as to avoid data theft when you lose your phone). You flash the disable dm verity right after TWRP so you can boot to your rom afterwards. And yes dmverity won't help you pass integrity API.
As for themes/mods and such, I mostly get them here from XDA, Telegram groups, or Github. Mostly telegram tbh. But be sure to check whether it's safe to use as some bundles their modules (or once the app gets root access) will cause damage to your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thankyou i think i have everything i need, ive backed up My 3rd party apps, all my Passwords, calendar, contacts etc etc, so, im ready to move forward and just wait for phone to be unlocked now. Youve been a great help, thankyou very much indeed.
RAMBO29 said:
Swift backup is the closest I have come across
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But if the file get large size about 6-8 gb it was hard to transfer it to pd or sd card and something it shows error while transferring

Question Pixel 5a Full/Image Backup Options

Hey all. I've been getting bothered by my Pixel 5a to upgrade to Android 13 for a while now and am getting sick of it. I understand it's for security and bugs, but i know from experience that updates always cause phones to run slower, if not cause more problems with apps or features.
I'm willing to try to upgrade to it, but i'd like to make a full/complete backup with a service/application that can preferably take a full image backup that can be restored if needed.
I'm looking for something similar to Clonezilla for laptops/desktops that can take a full image backup that can be restored fully as if nothing changed.
Does anybody know any options for full android image backups, or at least the next closest thing to that to restore the phone from a backup?
I'd be curious to know what the best backup options are for an UNROOTED + LOCKED Pixel 5a with STOCK Android. I don't want to use the cloud backup, given the data is not E2E encrypted. (EDIT: is that correct? Reading some articles online that claim that Google DOES encrypt backups E2E.)
Doesn't have to be a full/image backup, guess that won't even work without root?

Categories

Resources