Database Develop

[Q] Help with Bionic System App Restore!

Hey all - hopefully I'm not wrong in posting this quesiton - I tried to go through everything I could before posting. (also, first post here )
Okay, so I got a Bionic on release day.. was excited to see that the D3 exploit worked with no problem.
I backed up everything that I messed with using TI Backup Pro- I realize in hindsight that I should have been "Freezing" instead of "uninstalling" bloatware, but it's too late for that.
(To be fair, I'm going from an OG Droid, so I have no experience with having to wade through the ton of bloatware that came on the Bionic).
So, that being said, I only uninstalled a few apps, but it included MyAccounts (a blur program) - I mistook it for a piece of Verizon junk. Now, my "Accounts and Sync" Setting has disappeared.
I thought "Okay, no problem, I'll just restore from TI Backup" - but no dice. It just hangs on "restoring MyAcounts..." I've tried both with and without "System data." I've also tried changing the App handling options (direct, indirect, classic) but nothing.
So I manually pulled the apk out of the TI Backup .tar file - using Root Explorer I moved it to system/app and, after setting permissions, tried to run it... all I get is an "Installation Failed" type message.
I've also tried to adb install it, but I get an INSTALL_FAILED_DEXOPT message.
Same error message with "pm install" from adb shell#
I'm relatively new with this, and I'm kind of out of ideas. I know you'll want to say "you shouldnt have been screwing around with that if you didn't know what you were doing!" And you're right.. I guess I was too sure that TI Backup would be able to fix anything that I screwed up.
So - any ideas? Pretty much willing to try anything.
Thanks a lot

timmyc99 said:
Hey all - hopefully I'm not wrong in posting this quesiton - I tried to go through everything I could before posting. (also, first post here )
Okay, so I got a Bionic on release day.. was excited to see that the D3 exploit worked with no problem.
I backed up everything that I messed with using TI Backup Pro- I realize in hindsight that I should have been "Freezing" instead of "uninstalling" bloatware, but it's too late for that.
(To be fair, I'm going from an OG Droid, so I have no experience with having to wade through the ton of bloatware that came on the Bionic).
So, that being said, I only uninstalled a few apps, but it included MyAccounts (a blur program) - I mistook it for a piece of Verizon junk. Now, my "Accounts and Sync" Setting has disappeared.
I thought "Okay, no problem, I'll just restore from TI Backup" - but no dice. It just hangs on "restoring MyAcounts..." I've tried both with and without "System data." I've also tried changing the App handling options (direct, indirect, classic) but nothing.
So I manually pulled the apk out of the TI Backup .tar file - using Root Explorer I moved it to system/app and, after setting permissions, tried to run it... all I get is an "Installation Failed" type message.
I've also tried to adb install it, but I get an INSTALL_FAILED_DEXOPT message.
Same error message with "pm install" from adb shell#
I'm relatively new with this, and I'm kind of out of ideas. I know you'll want to say "you shouldnt have been screwing around with that if you didn't know what you were doing!" And you're right.. I guess I was too sure that TI Backup would be able to fix anything that I screwed up.
So - any ideas? Pretty much willing to try anything.
Thanks a lot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just wanted to let you know, I have a similar issue and have been troubleshooting this problem on a different forum, ofc I can't post the link but it's at droidforums.net, Droid Bionic Tech Support, "HELP! accidentally deleted IMSCServer from Droid Bionic." Someone was actually able to restore a system app, check it out if you're interested.

[Q] Is data recovery from the internal memory possible after rooting?

Hi,
i've imported my photos from my internal memory via sony bridge for mac accidentally in Iphoto. I didn't see the app was faded and crossed. Turns out only the app Photos is still working. So after importing 2700 pics (big trip and behind with backup), the question popped if I wanted to delete the fils on my phone and I said yes. I tried to re install Iphoto, but nothing there, but older pics. I tried the temporary files from the Mac, but nothing.
So now I got my hopes up for a data recovery software thing. But although Windows (Im working on another laptop) did install the drivers correctly and I see my phone in the folder structure, no data recovery software recognises my phone although I switched to MSC and USB-debugging. I think because I haven't rooted it i suppose. Well, that's what all the forum members say
So I think rooting is my only option left? I am wondering if it works for my goal to get my data back. I read that unlocking the boot loader means everything will be erased, so then there would be no point for me to do this. Is it possible to root it without losing my (deleted) data on the internal memory? I know it is being overwritten now as we speak, but I'm sure I can save a few photos!
thanks a million!

First off, I don't fully understand the first bit involving iPhoto. But if I understand correctly, you need to recover files deleted from internal memory.
I think recognizing a phone's internal memory is indeed a steep expectation for general Windows file recovery software. However, there may be some specialized programs out there designed just for that purpose. I know for a fact they exist for iOS for example. Not that I'm a fan. Anyway, googling "recover Android files Windows" showed some interesting results, but as I have no experience I can make no recommendations. I did see Easeus among the results, and I personally would start there based on experience with other software by them: http://www.easeus.com/android-data-recovery-software/free-android-data-recovery.html
This would be your safest bet. As you probably know, your photos are still there as long as they are not overwritten. Being able to recover from an external device (PC) is therefore preferable to making changes to your internal memory. It's also far less complex than rooting
Another thought before getting into rooting: I don't suppose you had an app like Google+ making automated backups of your pictures? If so, you might find them on your Google Drive. This also might be a good idea to avoid trouble like this in the future
Third and last resort: you could try a data recovery app on your phone, like GT Data Recovery. That does requires root. The good news: you don't need to unlock your bootloader to be able to root. Locked bootloader means you're limited to stock roms, but they too can be rooted.
Here's a useful thread describing in detail what you'd need to do:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/z3-compact/general/how-to-root-backup-drm-keys-t3013343
In your case, I'd run data recovery ASAP, meaning
Downgrade your firmware, leaving data in Flashtool unchecked (!!) (See thread's FAQ for detailed explanation)
Root
Install GT Data Recovery or similar from Google Play and run it
After you've recovered all photos you can and backed up all your other data, follow the procedure in the recommended way, which includes wiping data. Do note however, that the firmware mentioned there is outdated (March 2015). You can find up to date firmware here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/z3-compact/general/list-stock-firmwares-d5803-d5833-t2906706
Good luck!
(Thanks to @bilboa1 and @istux for their useful posts!)

Thanks!
I did try several data recovery software programs, including EaseUS, but none recognised my internal memory unfortunately. I switched all auto back up programs like Google Plus off, because it was just too much. I take so many pics of my kids and the selection process usually doesn't take place directly, so it backs up everything and I've got to many pics in my Google Plus account. But this was a wise lesson i should backup somehow.
So only option 3 is left. As i read it, when I root it, the data on my internal memory won't be deleted? Stock ROM is fine for me, I'm very happy with my standard software, if rooting is what it takes, that's what i should do.

If you're rooted, you can use the app DiskDigger. Worked for me
Sent from my D5833 using XDA Free mobile app

kjoz said:
Thanks!
I did try several data recovery software programs, including EaseUS, but none recognised my internal memory unfortunately. I switched all auto back up programs like Google Plus off, because it was just too much. I take so many pics of my kids and the selection process usually doesn't take place directly, so it backs up everything and I've got to many pics in my Google Plus account. But this was a wise lesson i should backup somehow.
So only option 3 is left. As i read it, when I root it, the data on my internal memory won't be deleted? Stock ROM is fine for me, I'm very happy with my standard software, if rooting is what it takes, that's what i should do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Generally speaking, wiping data is recommended when flashing a new ROM. Because Giefroot requires older firmware, you need to flash that firmware. Which means a data wipe comes recommended. Technically however, wiping data is optional. It is possible to downgrade without wiping data (by unchecking the respective option in Flashtool). So that is what I'd do in order to recover your pictures.
Once that has been accomplished, along with a backup of all other data you wish to keep, I would start the whole process again as described in the thread I linked to. Because this time, the objective would be not data recovery, but ending up with a stable phone. And that means wiping data. (Highly recommended.)
I don't want to complicate things further, but if you don't care about being rooted after data recovery, you could just upgrade to regular stock firmware instead of pre-rooted firmware. This would allow you to skip a few steps of the process, and also avoid being unable to apply Sony's OTA updates. (Significant updates can cause a loss of root.)
Personally, I would not want to give up root once I have put effort into getting it.

kjoz said:
Hi,
i've imported my photos from my internal memory via sony bridge for mac accidentally in Iphoto. I didn't see the app was faded and crossed. Turns out only the app Photos is still working. So after importing 2700 pics (big trip and behind with backup), the question popped if I wanted to delete the fils on my phone and I said yes. I tried to re install Iphoto, but nothing there, but older pics. I tried the temporary files from the Mac, but nothing.
So now I got my hopes up for a data recovery software thing. But although Windows (Im working on another laptop) did install the drivers correctly and I see my phone in the folder structure, no data recovery software recognises my phone although I switched to MSC and USB-debugging. I think because I haven't rooted it i suppose. Well, that's what all the forum members say
So I think rooting is my only option left? I am wondering if it works for my goal to get my data back. I read that unlocking the boot loader means everything will be erased, so then there would be no point for me to do this. Is it possible to root it without losing my (deleted) data on the internal memory? I know it is being overwritten now as we speak, but I'm sure I can save a few photos!
thanks a million!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have successfully imported from the phone into iPhoto, then you simply need to import your iPhoto Library into Photos in Mac.
Check if you can find the iPhoto library by going to Finder -> Home -> Pictures
There should be 2 libraries there - one for iPhoto, and one for the newer Photos app that came along in April. Double-click the iPhoto library and wait for Photos to launch, then follow the instructions to import the library into Photos.
Make sure you have enough disk space (on the Mac) to do this. You'll need at least as much free space as the size of the iPhotos library to import it into Photos and possibly more.

Can't move TWRP folder off phone

I recently unlocked my bootloader using sunshine and installed TWRP. After rebooting into recovery, I immediately made a backup of my phone. When I plug my phone in, I can see the TWRP folder, but it shows as empty. None of my file explorers can see anything, either. TWRP, however, is able to see it when I go into the file manager. I can't get ADB to see the device when hooked up to my computer while in TWRP. MTP also doesn't work. Chmod 755 and 777 doesn't do anything. I was able to initially copy the TWRP folder into the downloads folder in the TWRP file manager, but now it just hangs there if I try to move it again.
How do I get access to my backup?

evanft said:
I recently unlocked my bootloader using sunshine and installed TWRP. After rebooting into recovery, I immediately made a backup of my phone. When I plug my phone in, I can see the TWRP folder, but it shows as empty. None of my file explorers can see anything, either. TWRP, however, is able to see it when I go into the file manager. I can't get ADB to see the device when hooked up to my computer while in TWRP. MTP also doesn't work.
How do I get access to my backup?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/droid-turbo/help/twrp-backup-file-location-t3259060

6Binford said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/droid-turbo/help/twrp-backup-file-location-t3259060
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, there aren't any solutions in that thread.

evanft said:
Unfortunately, there aren't any solutions in that thread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are two solutions in the first 4 posts:
ruledrbrt1 suggests http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=64048593&postcount=2
And GeoFX has the great : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=64049328&postcount=5
Both work on my phone so they should work on yours too.
Have you given file explorer root privileges?

josephpalozzi said:
There are two solutions in the first 4 posts:
ruledrbrt1 suggests http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=64048593&postcount=2
And GeoFX has the great : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=64049328&postcount=5
Both work on my phone so they should work on yours too.
Have you given file explorer root privileges?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't even see GeoFX's post for some reason. That looks like it worked. Thanks!

TWRP and NAND Backups
I had the same question, and found the previous thread too. So what's the difference between these 2 locations?
/data/media/0/TWRP
and
/sdcard/TWRP
From my point of view, they are duplicates - same data in both folders, just duplicated into separate partitions. If this is true, then my 7.5 GB NAND backup, is really taking up 15GB of memory. Can that be true? I'm doubting it, but you never know.
I started to dive into this, because I was also wondering if NAND backups made copies of my media or not (photos, music, etc). After digging into it a bit, it looks like it does NOT make a backup of anything in the root folder "/data/media" in order to prevent it from non-stop backing up in a loop (you can't back up the location your backing up to, at the same time). This is also noted on github: https://github.com/TeamWin/Team-Win-Recovery-Project/issues/276 Logically, this would make sense since I currently have 25 GB of data in my /sdcard/ location. That's one helluva compression if you were able to get this down to 7.5GB! So I'm guessing this isn't included, which is also why I'm guessing that these are really the same. /sdcard/ must be a shortcut to the /data/media/0/ location, that's my best understanding.
So my original question still stands. What's the reason for these 2 locations, and is there a difference?
This also brings up the next question, what's the best way to make an all-encompassing backup? NAND + Titanium Backup + copy all the contents of your /sdcard/ over to your computer (or OTG drive)?

Florestan2 said:
I had the same question, and found the previous thread too. So what's the difference between these 2 locations?
/data/media/0/TWRP
and
/sdcard/TWRP
From my point of view, they are duplicates - same data in both folders, just duplicated into separate partitions. If this is true, then my 7.5 GB NAND backup, is really taking up 15GB of memory. Can that be true? I'm doubting it, but you never know.
I started to dive into this, because I was also wondering if NAND backups made copies of my media or not (photos, music, etc). After digging into it a bit, it looks like it does NOT make a backup of anything in the root folder "/data/media" in order to prevent it from non-stop backing up in a loop (you can't back up the location your backing up to, at the same time). This is also noted on github: https://github.com/TeamWin/Team-Win-Recovery-Project/issues/276 Logically, this would make sense since I currently have 25 GB of data in my /sdcard/ location. That's one helluva compression if you were able to get this down to 7.5GB! So I'm guessing this isn't included, which is also why I'm guessing that these are really the same. /sdcard/ must be a shortcut to the /data/media/0/ location, that's my best understanding.
So my original question still stands. What's the reason for these 2 locations, and is there a difference?
This also brings up the next question, what's the best way to make an all-encompassing backup? NAND + Titanium Backup + copy all the contents of your /sdcard/ over to your computer (or OTG drive)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The way I understand it, and I might be wrong, is that before Android 4.0 (or maybe 5.0), the partition containing user data was called /sdcard and apps were stored in a separate partition. The partition where apps went was significantly smaller, which could result in people running out of space for apps while still having a ton of free user data. To remedy this, the newer version of android places apps and user data in the same partition (called media). The /sdcard that you see is a symlink (shortcut) to this new partition, and is included so that older apps that were designed to expect the /sdcard partition to be there will still work.

Can't restore from backup on a new phone

Part 1... I am trying to move everything from my old Samsung to a new Motorola. I was easily able to do this previously when I got the Samsung new but now am struggling. I go to Settings --> Data --> Restore and it immediately says "Sorry no backed-up data available". Every set of instructions I have seen online says that I should have the opportunity to choose the file from somewhere on my computer. I am pretty sure that's what I did last time.
The 2nd part of this issue is that when I go to Internal Storage on my new phone, only 3 or 4 of the Application Folders are showing and Tasker is not one of them. Therefore, I can't move my backup file into the directory that Tasker is looking for it. On my Samsung, I can see the folders for all of my apps but not on the Motorola. I enabled Developer Options thinking that might be issue but it didn't work. I have also tried 4 different file manager apps and set all to "Show Hidden Files" but nothing.
So, if any of you know how to correct either part of this, please let me know. Thank you.

The second point explained the first problem. The backups are contained in the "/sdcard/Tasker/config/" directory, either under the folder user or auto depending on whether it was a user backup or a scheduled auto backup.
Is this the folder you're saying doesn't exist? If that's the case, I'd think there is something wrong with the install.
"Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment." - Will Rogers

still confused
I'm confused. My Samsung S6 Active doesn't take a SD card and my new Moto can take one but doesn't have one yet. So where are all of the application files?

check your /storage/emulated/0/Tasker/config on your old Samsung. If you have made a backup of of your Tasker data from within Tasker, it should be there. Copy it to the new one.
On your new phone, open Tasker, Data, Restore. You can then choose where to find the file.

alienyd said:
check your /storage/emulated/0/Tasker/config on your old Samsung. If you have made a backup of of your Tasker data from within Tasker, it should be there. Copy it to the new one.
On your new phone, open Tasker, Data, Restore. You can then choose where to find the file.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did all that as I mentioned in my OP. However, Tasker never gives me the opportunity to select file to restore. As soon as I select Restore, it immediately says "Sorry no backed-up data available".

StephenMN said:
I did all that as I mentioned in my OP. However, Tasker never gives me the opportunity to select file to restore. As soon as I select Restore, it immediately says "Sorry no backed-up data available".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is weird. I would suggest re-install.

StephenMN said:
I did all that as I mentioned in my OP. However, Tasker never gives me the opportunity to select file to restore. As soon as I select Restore, it immediately says "Sorry no backed-up data available".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Before you can do anything on your new phone, you need to copy over the backups from your old phone. The fact that you find only "only 3 or 4 of the Application Folders are showing" suggests to me you are in the wrong place.
The actual tasker apk is "/data/data/net.dinglisch.android.tasker". That location is different from where the working directory is.
I'm guessing you are in the "/storage/emulated/0/data" directory and need to go up a level and look for the "Tasker" folder there. The config files are in "/storage/emulated/0/Tasker/configs"
Please be specific as to the full path where you are looking. All of these paths could be different depending on what version of Android and what device you are using. So the path on your old phone may well be different than the path on the new phone. You need to find the base path for what passes for user data; often the sdcard, or an partition setup to emulate an sdcard.
**** Edit ****
NOTE: all of these paths are ROOT paths. If your device is not rooted, and you use a file explorer, the path is simply Tasker/configs
And if on a new device the folder doesn't exist, just create by copying the folder from the old device to new.
"Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment." - Will Rogers

SOLVED!!!!!!!!!!
alienyd said:
That is weird. I would suggest re-install.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was sure that this was the problem but I had same problem after re-installing. However, that suggestion did inspire me to figure it out. I first cleared all of the data and cache but that didn't do anything either. So, then, on a whim, I created a backup of nothing onto my new phone. Then, I went to Restore and it gave me the option to pick the file from other phone which was sitting in my Downloads folder. I guess that default directory doesn't get created until you backup your projects the first time. Since Tasker couldn't open its default file location, I was getting the error message.
Thanks for everyone's input.

StephenMN said:
I was sure that this was the problem but I had same problem after re-installing. However, that suggestion did inspire me to figure it out. I first cleared all of the data and cache but that didn't do anything either. So, then, on a whim, I created a backup of nothing onto my new phone. Then, I went to Restore and it gave me the option to pick the file from other phone which was sitting in my Downloads folder. I guess that default directory doesn't get created until you backup your projects the first time. Since Tasker couldn't open its default file location, I was getting the error message.
Thanks for everyone's input.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
great to know you solved it.
I'm guessing, there might be a bug in Tasker, which occurs when you try to restore a backup BUT the default config folder is empty. Tasker decides just to throw up an error without even letting you choose any folder.
This is just my guess...

This was the solution to my problem as well! Before sending my Galaxy S7 Edge in for repair, I backed up Tasker, then restored my device to factory settings. After the return of my phone and reinstalling all apps, attempting to restore the previous Tasker backup resulted in only a "restore from Android cloud" option. I could see the xml backup that I had stored on my SD card (.../sdcard/Tasker/configs/user/backup.xml) but Tasker would not provide an option for a local restore. Finally, after performing a backup (of an empty Tasker setup) to the desired location, Tasker would then allow me to restore from the SD card. Now all is well but it certainly was frustrating spending so much time trying to get Tasker to perform a simple restore of a file that was in the expected location.

Thank you
StephenMN said:
I was sure that this was the problem but I had same problem after re-installing. However, that suggestion did inspire me to figure it out. I first cleared all of the data and cache but that didn't do anything either. So, then, on a whim, I created a backup of nothing onto my new phone. Then, I went to Restore and it gave me the option to pick the file from other phone which was sitting in my Downloads folder. I guess that default directory doesn't get created until you backup your projects the first time. Since Tasker couldn't open its default file location, I was getting the error message.
Thanks for everyone's input.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Logged in just to thank you. this has been bugging me for a couple of phones, but I usually just give up and manually copied my profiles over. this just saved me a lot of tapping!

Lost Data Files After Update

After the update last night, all my folders with data files (files I created, documents, shortcuts, etc.) are gone. My program files are OK. I have searched and cannot find a way to get them back. I believe I have backed them up somewhere like Google cloud or the Samsung option. But I can find no way to restore them. So, I am lost...

did you update via Odin or OTA ?

3mel said:
did you update via Odin or OTA ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, I'm not sure what those mean. The update happens overnight oh, so if OTA means over-the-air it would be that way

3mel said:
did you update via Odin or OTA ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm getting the feeling that night ended up in a developers forum. Maybe this was not the right place.

ADKRKV said:
I'm getting the feeling that night ended up in a developers forum. Maybe this was not the right place.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is the exact right place to ask.
if you have backups made the check the settings menu or use the search to look for backup restore

Thanks for the replies. I think I know the problem. I found one of the back-ups on OneDrive. It restored all programs and settings. It did not restore data files. I believe that is because they were not backed up, my bad. I can't seem to find a back-up on Google, so I must not have done that. At least I didn't lose anything critical, just a lot of shortcuts and websites I bookmarked.

ADKRKV said:
Thanks for the replies. I think I know the problem. I found one of the back-ups on OneDrive. It restored all programs and settings. It did not restore data files. I believe that is because they were not backed up, my bad. I can't seem to find a back-up on Google, so I must not have done that. At least I didn't lose anything critical, just a lot of shortcuts and websites I bookmarked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh right, I understand you more clearly now. I don't think you can backup app data in such a way. the only method that can do this without root is by ADB which has to be done one app at a time. some apps can be backed up by copying there folders from /storage/emulated/0/Android/data or /Android/media but even then that might not be everything you need for a full backup.
any folders apps create outside of the Android folder can be copied to external memory and copied back later. I have to do this to guarantee that my messaging apps will have all the media I've previously downloaded.

I downloaded a program called GoodLock which saves the items on your home screen and supposedly back them up. I don't know if that just means the icons or it backs up the data. I hope I never have to find out