Database Develop

[Q] full wipe / factory reset ...

Can somone explain the difference between (full) wipe, factory reset, ...
Is a wipe the same as format?

Is there no difference, or does nobody know it?

A full wipe is when you delete everything on your phone. A full wipe is needed every time before flashing a stock or custom rom. It will delete everything on your phone and you will not even be able to boot. Only Clockworkmod and the Download Mode will be left. Meanwhile, a factory reset will only erase data from your phone's internal storage. Factory reset is suitable only when you are in stock rom and a non-rooted device. It is dangerous to do a factory reset if you are rooted or having a custom rom. You will brick your device.

iCloud said:
A full wipe is when you delete everything on your phone. A full wipe is needed every time before flashing a stock or custom rom. It will delete everything on your phone and you will not even be able to boot. Only Clockworkmod and the Download Mode will be left. Meanwhile, a factory reset will only erase data from your phone's internal storage. Factory reset is suitable only when you are in stock rom and a non-rooted device. It is dangerous to do a factory reset if you are rooted or having a custom rom. You will brick your device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Installation:
You must have flashed a Android 7.0 Samsung Firmware with Odin.
TWRP recovery
Format data in recovery
First installation needs a full wipe! (Updating to newer releases a dirty flash will do)...
First installation needs a full wipe! (Updating to newer releases a dirty flash will do)" what i must to do pls?

[Q] Trying to unflash ROM - very overwhelmed!

Hi there,
I recently rooted and flashed a custom ROM onto my Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini. I'm very new to this thing and find everything quite overwhelming, but I want to learn.
I flashed this ROM - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2119219 (the v6 No Wipe version because I was petrified about losing my data if I factory reset), but the phone is now extremely laggy and buggy, so I want to go back to the stock ROM (so I can do a nandroid backup) and then try a different custom ROM like Dmod.
So, my question is, do I have to factory reset my phone to go back to stock? Or can I just flash this file (http://hotfile.com/dl/189271016/833...T-I8190N-BTU-I8190NXXALL6-1356151513.zip.html) using the CWN recovery menu without wiping? I'm asking because my phone keeps giving me an error everytime I try to backup using the CWM Recovery menu.
Thanks and if you need me to explain something in further detail, let me know.

YamiWheeler said:
Hi there,
I recently rooted and flashed a custom ROM onto my Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini. I'm very new to this thing and find everything quite overwhelming, but I want to learn.
I flashed this ROM - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2119219 (the v6 No Wipe version because I was petrified about losing my data if I factory reset), but the phone is now extremely laggy and buggy, so I want to go back to the stock ROM (so I can do a nandroid backup) and then try a different custom ROM like Dmod.
So, my question is, do I have to factory reset my phone to go back to stock? Or can I just flash this file (http://hotfile.com/dl/189271016/833...T-I8190N-BTU-I8190NXXALL6-1356151513.zip.html) using the CWN recovery menu without wiping? I'm asking because my phone keeps giving me an error everytime I try to backup using the CWM Recovery menu.
Thanks and if you need me to explain something in further detail, let me know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That firmware is a zipped odin-file. Can't be flashed in CWM.
Make a cwm nandroid backup of your "/data" to your external sd (that's your installed apps)
You can also backup your apps and appdata using titanium backup or similar, for later restore.
Just remember to never backup/restore systemapps.
Backup internal sd to computer just to be sure, if you in any situation have to make a factory reset. Make sure any kind of backup is on your external sd before you make factory reset, or it will be lost forever

YamiWheeler said:
Hi there,
I recently rooted and flashed a custom ROM onto my Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini. I'm very new to this thing and find everything quite overwhelming, but I want to learn.
I flashed this ROM - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2119219 (the v6 No Wipe version because I was petrified about losing my data if I factory reset), but the phone is now extremely laggy and buggy, so I want to go back to the stock ROM (so I can do a nandroid backup) and then try a different custom ROM like Dmod.
So, my question is, do I have to factory reset my phone to go back to stock? Or can I just flash this file (http://hotfile.com/dl/189271016/833...T-I8190N-BTU-I8190NXXALL6-1356151513.zip.html) using the CWN recovery menu without wiping? I'm asking because my phone keeps giving me an error everytime I try to backup using the CWM Recovery menu.
Thanks and if you need me to explain something in further detail, let me know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Backup your data in CWM, flash my ROM and restore your data with CWM.

Benzonat0r said:
Backup your data in CWM, flash my ROM and restore your data with CWM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CWM has NO choice to backup/restore only parts of the device. Only a full backup is possible.
This is only in TWRP. Pity! I only use CWM because TWRP makes corrupted backups (three times) for me.
Or is it possible to pick out only DATA from the backup? And what is happen with the dalvik cache, which
consists of the byte-code for all installed apps, optimized for the ROM which created it?
"advanced restore and restore only /data". Is this the way in CWM that you mean @benz?
JackoMJ

Yes that's exactly what I meant, "advanced restore and restore only /data"
You don't have to worry about cache and dalvik because it's automatically created on the initial start.

thx for the information Benz (usefull in the future perhaps),
but i´ve decided to use Titanium Backup.
JackoMJ

[Q] Wipe phone completely

So I want to wipe everything from my phone, is there a way in recover to wipe everything and then just flash a new ROM?

Wipe everything, as in your data/apps? Sure, factory reset. It can be done via stock recovery or via the settings menu on your phone.
As for flashing a new rom... Stock roms can be flashed via RSDLite (which can also erase any data/apps), or via mFastboot... if its a custom rom, they usually get flashed via 3rd party recovery.
so exactly what are you looking to do?

KidJoe said:
Wipe everything, as in your data/apps? Sure, factory reset. It can be done via stock recovery or via the settings menu on your phone.
As for flashing a new rom... Stock roms can be flashed via RSDLite (which can also erase any data/apps), or via mFastboot... if its a custom rom, they usually get flashed via 3rd party recovery.
so exactly what are you looking to do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am looking to get it completely wiped, keep nothing on the phone, no pictures, music, etc.

Easiest way: go into Settings - Backup & reset - tap Factory data reset, on the next screen tap Reset phone, on the next screen tap Erase everything and then let it do its job. When it's completely done it'll reboot twice (once to wipe which is done from the recovery - it's a different wipe, however), and then a second time to start up "factory fresh" where the phone is in out-of-box condition, internal storage will be wiped as well at that point (no personal data, nothing left on it at all).
This way is different from the recovery "data/cache" wipe which just resets the device but leaves the internal storage with your data still in place.
There's no need to flash a "new ROM" on it, but that can be done as well if you absolutely must do it, either manually using mfastboot and the img files or just using RSDLite. You have to use mfastboot because the traditional fastboot won't flash the system.img file, it's too large hence the mfastboot variant which can do it.

[Q] Questions before flashing custom ROM

I am planning to flash a custom rom on my phone (for the first time).
Model : Xperia SP(C5302)
Build : 12.1.A.1.205 (Stock) running JB 4.3 with LB
I have rooted my phone using the towelroot method and installed supersu. I have also installed custom recovery from here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2649923
I am planning to flash this custom rom http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-sp/development/cyanogenmod-11-locked-bootloader-users-t2868398
So I have a few questions that I am not clear about(even after searching the forums). And sorry if they are dumb. I really want to understand as much as possible before flashing roms.:fingers-crossed:
1. After reading the thread of my recovery, from what I understand, the recoveries are installed in /system. But on OP of the custom rom, I am about to install, there is an instruction to format /system before flashing the rom. So my question is if I format the /system partition, won’t my recoveries be removed (by the recoveries itself) before I even flash the rom?
2. Also will the recovery still be available to me if say I enter bootloop for some reason during flashing the rom?(asking for the same reason as above that is wiping my /system should also remove my recoveries)
3. Does CM 11 come with any inbuilt custom recovery? If not can I install the one I am already using (assuming installing a custom rom will remove my installed recoveries)?
4. Say I screw up during the flashing procedure. So if I want to rectify this I should first flash the stock .205 ftf, root, install a recovery again and then restore using the nandroid backup. Am I correct?
5. Is it necessary to wipe cache and dalvik cache before flashing rom? I see this instruction in some roms but not in others. And dalvik should be wiped after flashing rom and gapps, right?
6. Should I install supersu again after I flash the rom. I read in an article that it causes problems with CM. As far as I know CM11 comes pre-installed with superuser. But it also supposedly causes some problems.
7. Is it safe to restore user app+data, messages and contacts backed up using Titanium backup on a newly flashed rom? I have seen conflicted views on this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And that’s it for my questions (for now at least... ).
A Big Thanks in advance for all your helpful answers

Prat92 said:
I am planning to flash a custom rom on my phone (for the first time).
Model : Xperia SP(C5302)
Build : 12.1.A.1.205 (Stock) running JB 4.3 with LB
I have rooted my phone using the towelroot method and installed supersu. I have also installed custom recovery from here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2649923
I am planning to flash this custom rom http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-sp/development/cyanogenmod-11-locked-bootloader-users-t2868398
So I have a few questions that I am not clear about(even after searching the forums). And sorry if they are dumb. I really want to understand as much as possible before flashing roms.:fingers-crossed:
And that’s it for my questions (for now at least... ).
A Big Thanks in advance for all your helpful answers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all, I am only explaining the one I know about
1. Well, wiping the system will remove the recovery. That's why you'll have to flash the ROM after wiping the system. Do not ever reboot the phone after wiping the system but haven't yet flashed the ROM zip, else you'll have to do more work to flash the Stock ROM. This is due to the fact your phone does not have an OS to boot into! When flashing the ROM zip, the recovery will be automatically installed.
2. This is based on luck, most of time you'll end up unable to boot into anything. A fix is to flash the Stock ROM again.
3. Every ROM has recovery built with it (unless stated otherwise in the thread)! Upon flashing, it will be automatically installed too.
4. The methods you mentioned is correct. However, only restore the nandroid backup if you want to stay on stock. You could always retry to flash the ROM again. Nandroid backup is an image backup of your android. If you restore your nandroid backup, you'll end up with your previous version of android (like the way before you started flashing the ROM)
5. Wiping /cache and dalvik-cache is a really good practise! It doesn't really matter when you will need to wipe them, but personally I wipe them all before flashing the ROM. Wiping /data and performing a factory reset through recovery is recommended if you're coming from a different ROM. That's why backing up user apps through TiB (Titanium Backup) is recommended for you to easily get your installed apps back. Remember, nandroid backup and apps backup from TiB is different to each other.
6. No, this might cause extreme conflicts. No, I am using SuperUser as long as I have used CM. It never fails to give root permission at all despite the hatred I sense in some apps that overly-recommends SuperSU.
7. Of course it is very safe to restore them backups with TiB. However, based on my experience, messages and contacts were unable to be restored due to the difference in ROM version. I don't know if anyone else faces the same problem as mine. As of this, I really recommend your contacts to be synced with Google.
Heads up!
Based on this post, the dev of the ROM you wanted to flash, MrSteve555, recommends PhilZ when flashing the ROM.

TechnoSparks said:
First of all, I am only explaining the one I know about
1. Well, wiping the system will remove the recovery. That's why you'll have to flash the ROM after wiping the system. Do not ever reboot the phone after wiping the system but haven't yet flashed the ROM zip, else you'll have to do more work to flash the Stock ROM. This is due to the fact your phone does not have an OS to boot into! When flashing the ROM zip, the recovery will be automatically installed.
2. This is based on luck, most of time you'll end up unable to boot into anything. A fix is to flash the Stock ROM again.
3. Every ROM has recovery built with it (unless stated otherwise in the thread)! Upon flashing, it will be automatically installed too.
4. The methods you mentioned is correct. However, only restore the nandroid backup if you want to stay on stock. You could always retry to flash the ROM again. Nandroid backup is an image backup of your android. If you restore your nandroid backup, you'll end up with your previous version of android (like the way before you started flashing the ROM)
5. Wiping /cache and dalvik-cache is a really good practise! It doesn't really matter when you will need to wipe them, but personally I wipe them all before flashing the ROM. Wiping /data and performing a factory reset through recovery is recommended if you're coming from a different ROM. That's why backing up user apps through TiB (Titanium Backup) is recommended for you to easily get your installed apps back. Remember, nandroid backup and apps backup from TiB is different to each other.
6. No, this might cause extreme conflicts. No, I am using SuperUser as long as I have used CM. It never fails to give root permission at all despite the hatred I sense in some apps that overly-recommends SuperSU.
7. Of course it is very safe to restore them backups with TiB. However, based on my experience, messages and contacts were unable to be restored due to the difference in ROM version. I don't know if anyone else faces the same problem as mine. As of this, I really recommend your contacts to be synced with Google.
Heads up!
Based on this post, the dev of the ROM you wanted to flash, MrSteve555, recommends PhilZ when flashing the ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for such detailed answers. That cleared most of my doubts
Just some last few questions(promise!)
1. If wiping /system does remove the recovery before I install the rom, how is it possible to access it even to flash the rom? Shouldn't it like just close right when I wipe /system. Or does it not work like that?
2. Just to be sure the nandroid backup I made on my stock rom won't work if I later try to flash it through recovery while using CM,right?

Prat92 said:
Thanks for such detailed answers. That cleared most of my doubts
Just some last few questions(promise!)
1. If wiping /system does remove the recovery before I install the rom, how is it possible to access it even to flash the rom? Shouldn't it like just close right when I wipe /system. Or does it not work like that?
2. Just to be sure the nandroid backup I made on my stock rom won't work if I later try to flash it through recovery while using CM,right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Wiping system wont close the recovery at all. It still runs and you can still navigate within it. But remember do not reboot unless you've flashed the ROM! The mechanism of how the magic works is yet to be acknowledged. So I can't tell why it doesn't closes upon wipe. My best guess here is that the recovery might be running on a temporary partition perhaps. I hope a developer see this post and explains the magic.
2. Nandroid backup works all the time (if they are no errors when you are creating them). Nandroid backup is simply a backup of your whole device. If you're on CM, restoring nandroid backup will get your phone back to the way when you attempted the nandroid backup (stock ROM, rooted, and triple recoveries installed). Nandroid backup is useful when you're about to try something that may damage your ROM, without doing so much work to restore your device.
Say, you created a nandroid backup in cwm in which Cyanogenmod was installed. And then you flashed something afterwards. If that "something" damages the ROM and gives you bootloop, you can simply flash Stock ROM, root it again, install recoveries again, and restore the nandroid backup. Then, voilà, cyanogenmod is back. This will simplify your work rather than flash CM again, then gapps, then restore your apps and all those other things that will consume so much time
So a new nandroid backup will backup the whole device, in a form of an image.

Install Stock Firmware (JB 4.1.2) without Odin

Hi everyone, I'm here because i have problems with my phone and i want to fully restore. To do this i would like to install a new ROM, but from what i've seen, to install a ROM is necessary to have the stock JB 4.1.2 on the device, while i have CyanogenMod 11 (4.4.4) running.
This wouldn't be a problem if i could use Odin, but apparently my USB port has something wrong, and i cant connect my phone to any PC, so i cant flash in that way. Luckly i can access to the custom recovery (CWM), so i 'd like to ask if there is a way to flash the stock firmware via CWM.
Instead, If I can install a ROM starting directly from CM11 without restoring stock JB, or if i'm missing something important, let me now, i would appreciate a lot
Thank you in advantage. (Excuse se for any misspelling, I'm not English)

What kind of problems do you have?
If you can access CWM recovery there's no need to install stock in order to flash a new ROM, just be sure to wipe caches and data before installing the new one to avoid related bugs; and you will probably need to update the recovery to TWRP if you want to flash one of the most recent ROMs
It's always recommended to create a backup before everything else.
Peace

Hi, thank you for then anwer Well, it would be a long list of problems ^^ The biggest one though is the fact that if I'm in AeroMode everything works as always, sometimes bugged but nothing exceptional, but in the moment i switch AeroMode off and digit the SIM pin, the phone turns off and then enters in a bootloop(vibrating every 1 minute like before entering the main window, but it remains stuck) that is solvable only pressing for 8/10 secs the POWER button and restarting it. I can't have a phone which is not able to make voice calls :/ Back to the problem, so if i'm not misunderstanding anything, I dont need to reverto to stock and then reflash the new ROM? Because, for example, in the main page of CM13 it's written:
ROM Firmware Required: Stock + CWM compatible with KitKat
and that's the origin of my post... But in case, which wipe should i do? Dalvik + wipe data/factory reset?

OK, the thing is that you need stock + CWM at minimum, it means you can't install it if you are on gingerbread; but if already installed something higher than 4.1 you can go from there.
First create a backup then wipe cache, wipe dalvik, factory reset and install your preferred ROM

Ohhh, that makes sense.... Ok, so i will wipe what you said and flash the new ROM! You saved me a lot of time, thank you so much!