Is possible to have pre-installed security apps with user data ? - HTC EVO 3D

Hello,
Is it possible to simply modify any rom to contain pre-installed security app with user data ?
For example I have extracted lookout.apk and data from /data/data/com.lookout. My idea is simply copy these files to zip with custom rom. In case of lost/stolen phone, applications would stay with my settings even after factory reset.
I tried to put lookout.apk into system/app and data in data/data/com.lookout into the custom rom. The application was installed ok, but the data was completely missing. I am quite new in modifying roms, but I think there is some problem with missing instructions in manifest or update script.

...belongs in Q & A

xlxcrossing said:
...belongs in Q & A
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pardon, can somebody move it please ?

You can put the apk in the data/apps I don't know if you can put the actual saved data in....

apk is working perfectly. Problem is how to tell the rom to copy files with settings into /data/data/com.lookout. Good solution could be some script with commands such as
"cp /data/com.lookout/file1.txt /data/data/com.lookout/file1.txt" but I dont know if it is possible.
I tried to modify manifest.mf and cert.sf but files was not copied.

d1105373 said:
Hello,
Is it possible to simply modify any rom to contain pre-installed security app with user data ?
For example I have extracted lookout.apk and data from /data/data/com.lookout. My idea is simply copy these files to zip with custom rom. In case of lost/stolen phone, applications would stay with my settings even after factory reset.
I tried to put lookout.apk into system/app and data in data/data/com.lookout into the custom rom. The application was installed ok, but the data was completely missing. I am quite new in modifying roms, but I think there is some problem with missing instructions in manifest or update script.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if i understand you question correctly, if someone where steal your phone and flash a new ROM you want lookout and your personal data from lookout to be installed when they flash the ROM? is this correct?
i think your confused, or either i am in regards to what exactly you mean? a factory reset and flashing a new ROM are two totally different things. a factory reset simply resets the installed ROM to its default settings. flashing a ROM resets "everything" data included. if someone were to steal your phone, flash a format all or wipe manually for that matter, and then install another ROM your data is GONE. no, getting it back for us normal people anyway.

t3project said:
if i understand you question correctly, if someone where steal your phone and flash a new ROM you want lookout and your personal data from lookout to be installed when they flash the ROM? is this correct?
i think your confused, or either i am in regards to what exactly you mean? a factory reset and flashing a new ROM are two totally different things.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think he wants to save it at /system and have a script or something put the settings back after a rom initiated factory reset...
Sent from my PG86100 using xda premium

ceyo14 said:
I think he wants to save it at /system and have a script or something put the settings back after a rom initiated factory reset...
Sent from my PG86100 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the only way i know of to accomplish this would be to place the files on the /sdcard create a script that runs at boot (a fairly simple thing) and tell it to copy the file from the sdcard into the desired folder. this would have to be a custom ROM and the sdcard would have to have the file on it. again, if the person flashed a new ROM or formatted/repaleced the /sdcard, you're just SOL.

its possible use avast formally theft aware it integrates it self into the rom as root and survives a hard reset as well as offering alot of other features such as sms control and automatically turning n 3g and gps

Questions or Problems Should Not Be Posted in the Development Forum
Please Post in the Correct Forums
Moving to Q&A

aaronpoweruser said:
its possible use avast formally theft aware it integrates it self into the rom as root and survives a hard reset as well as offering alot of other features such as sms control and automatically turning n 3g and gps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
until you wipe and flash a new ROM

ceyo14 said:
I think he wants to save it at /system and have a script or something put the settings back after a rom initiated factory reset...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, thats exactly what I meant. I didn't realize, that after factory reset is data partition (/data) wiped. The script could be a good solution.
Of course I know after flashing rom everything will be gone. But I asume if somebody steal/find your phone. He will not be flashing rom at first time. Probably he will make factory reset and insert his sim card. It would be fine to know who is using your phone and where even after factory reset.

Related

[Q] What 'FIX PERMISSION' do in CWM and SGS2 hard rest.

Hello guys,
I confused about fix permission option on cwm, what actually it does. And when we should use this fix permission? On what case we need to use it?
2 - how to total hard reset SGS2, completely back as it still virgin ( not include odin binary counter). This should use cwm to use 'format' option. But anyone can help with the steps guide? Or any other hard reset method recommended?
Edit: im sorry guys, im not sure if im posting on the correct section. I cant see '(Q)' mark on my topic.
Thanks
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
neobirdrio said:
2 - how to total hard reset SGS2, completely back as it still virgin ( not include odin binary counter). This should use cwm to use 'format' option. But anyone can help with the steps guide? Or any other hard reset method recommended?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If by virgin you refer to set the phone as the way it was as you purchase it, you should do two things:
1) Erase all user data (you can do that from CWM). Format /data /system and /sdcard
2) Install a stock ROM (via Odin).
If you also want to reset the binary counter, you need the USB Jig to do that.
AzureusPT said:
If by virgin you refer to set the phone as the way it was as you purchase it, you should do two things:
1) Erase all user data (you can do that from CWM). Format /data /system and /sdcard
2) Install a stock ROM (via Odin).
If you also want to reset the binary counter, you need the USB Jig to do that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see, when im done with all those format steps in cwm, thats mean my phone dont have any OS inside? So that mean i cannot reboot the phone rite?
The next step after format the whole things then shut down the phone and get into download mode and flash stock firmware with odin? Correct me if im wrong.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
Yes, that is correct.
Formating /data, /system and /sdcard set the phone empty and without any ROM, so it won't do a full boot. You can power down the phone and power it up in download mode. Then from there you flash your Stock ROM from Odin and you're good to go.
Permissions are explained here:
http://www.legend.ws/blog/tips-tricks/linux-file-permissions-explained/
Since Android is based on the Linux kernel, the same basic file permissions scenarios apply as those outlined above.
In simple terms, when permissions get messed up, you may lose the ability to access or edit files over which you normally should have control, or you may gain control over files which normally you shouldn't, which can cause random problems, like Force Close, etc. in Android.
Repairing the permissions is a housekeeping measure, to keep things neat and tidy. Sometimes, after a repair, you'll have to redo some settings, etc.
AzureusPT said:
Yes, that is correct.
Formating /data, /system and /sdcard set the phone empty and without any ROM, so it won't do a full boot. You can power down the phone and power it up in download mode. Then from there you flash your Stock ROM from Odin and you're good to go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your description made me very clear, i highly appreciated for your efforts. Thanks so much.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
donalgodon said:
Permissions are explained here:
http://www.legend.ws/blog/tips-tricks/linux-file-permissions-explained/
Since Android is based on the Linux kernel, the same basic file permissions scenarios apply as those outlined above.
In simple terms, when permissions get messed up, you may lose the ability to access or edit files over which you normally should have control, or you may gain control over files which normally you shouldn't, which can cause random problems, like Force Close, etc. in Android.
Repairing the permissions is a housekeeping measure, to keep things neat and tidy. Sometimes, after a repair, you'll have to redo some settings, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see, well, let say i just flashed a new rom, and i get fc on some apps. And some app not working properly, in this situation, fix permission can solve the problem? What change we would get after fix the permission, i mean if it can harm the system?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
the phone must to be rooted?

System and user apps accidentally frozen

READ AT THE END OF THIS POST FOR THE SOLUTION
I accidentally used Titanium Backup's widget to frost all system and user apps, leaving mi phone in a infinite boot animation loop. I dont have aNandroid Backup and I would really love to solve this issue without flashing.
I found at Titanium Backup's troubleshooting webpage that I could use this command with adb to solve my issue:
Code:
Type the following command (replace with /dbdata/system/packages.xml if you have a Samsung phone):
busybox sed -n 's/<package name="\([^"]\+\)".*enabled="false".*/\1/p' /data/system/packages.xml | while read PKG; do pm enable "$PKG"; done
but it just says: No such file or directory (yes, I changed /data to /dbdata as stated in the webpage)
Any idea on how to solve this issue?
Thank you!
**EDIT:
This is the way I managed to get my phone working again without having to flash or wipe:
1. Boot in recovery mode and used adb pull command to extract "packages.xml" and "packages-more-backup.xml" from /data/system/
2. Open both files with Wordpad and replaced all protection="2" or "3" lines to protection="1".
3. Also, and very important, replaced all enabled="false" lines to enabled="true"
4. Boot in recovery again and used adb to delete old "packages.xml" and "packages-more-backup.xml" files and push the new ones.
5. Reboot and Voila!
6. Boot once again in recovery mode and fix permissions to avoid any problem.
Hope that this could be usefull to someone else having this horrible problem.
Thank you all!
Checked for that file on my phone, it doesn't exist in /dbdata/system/, but it does in /data/system/
It's probably fixable from the command line with Linux but that is over my head, one option would be to Odin or heimdel back to stock, and start from scratch. You might need a jig to get into dlmode.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium
nitox.n2o said:
Checked for that file on my phone, it doesn't exist in /dbdata/system/, but it does in /data/system/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried with /data too but same result.
shadow65781 said:
It's probably fixable from the command line with Linux but that is over my head, one option would be to Odin or heimdel back to stock, and start from scratch. You might need a jig to get into dlmode.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know I could do that but I would really like to restore my system as it was
Help please
I wonder what would happen if you removed the app (its apk) via adb from /data/app. Would it retain the freeze settings? Something to consider trying.
This happened to me. I reflashed the ROM without wiping and all was back to normal
Sent from my FrankenTAB using Tapatalk
Simba501 said:
I wonder what would happen if you removed the app (its apk) via adb from /data/app. Would it retain the freeze settings? Something to consider trying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pretty sure that's not gonna work because the frozen apps settings are at packages.xml file, but I can't access it I don't know why
jhermit said:
This happened to me. I reflashed the ROM without wiping and all was back to normal
Sent from my FrankenTAB using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried doing that right now but it didn't worked
I got a little too punchy with titanium on my 3 year old original Galaxy tab 7 and froze a samsung system app. Got irreversibly stuck is soft brickland - Tried various methods before giving up and hitting the wipe and reset to factory restore in the system recovery mode. Everything was backed up except recent photos, so it was more annoying than the end of the world.
Odd thing was when it reset to factory, it appeared to do just that, yet when I plugged it into PC and mounted it - the memory was full and all my files and app data files were there - untouched. The apps themselves have gone except one - Superuser is still there, Does Superuser somehow override being reset? and act as a guardian of your data in the event of reset?
Odd. I was expecting to run some file recovery software to a salvage what i could, but viola - it was all there.
shokuchi said:
I got a little too punchy with titanium on my 3 year old original Galaxy tab 7 and froze a samsung system app. Got irreversibly stuck is soft brickland - Tried various methods before giving up and hitting the wipe and reset to factory restore in the system recovery mode. Everything was backed up except recent photos, so it was more annoying than the end of the world.
Odd thing was when it reset to factory, it appeared to do just that, yet when I plugged it into PC and mounted it - the memory was full and all my files and app data files were there - untouched. The apps themselves have gone except one - Superuser is still there, Does Superuser somehow override being reset? and act as a guardian of your data in the event of reset?
Odd. I was expecting to run some file recovery software to a salvage what i could, but viola - it was all there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wrong forum dude
Sent from my Zanpakuto using Getsuga Tensho!
<deleted>
ZIP for unfreezing apps
For those, who accidentally frozen important system app: here quick solution without factory reset, reflashing and ADB
It automatically edits files as described in first post.
You should have unlocked bootloader. If no, ZIP useless because unlocking wipes all data.
Download both ZIP's and just flash them via custom recovery (TWRP / CWM)
If first throws error try second and vice versa. 2nd with mark "New" contains newer updater-binary that must be compatible with recent TWRP.
Then all apps will be unfrozen, so phone will boot.
Fix compatible with all Android versions.
Note: also you can somehow (ADB or filemanager in TWRP) delete file /data/system/0/package-restrictions.xml
More correct to edit that file which ZIP actually do, but deleting not harmful too.
tags: unfroze apps, auto-unfroze, defrost apps, unfreeze apps, 5596
Bonoboo said:
For those, who accidentally frozen system app there is quicker solution without factory reset and ADB.
It automatically edits files as described in first post.
Just flash this ZIP through recovery and all apps will be unfrozen.
Compatible with all Android versions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
THANKS MAN!! i just signed up to say thanks! you just saved my life :highfive:
Bonoboo said:
For those, who accidentally frozen system app here quicker solution without factory reset and ADB
It automatically edits files as described in first post.
Just flash this ZIP through recovery and all apps will be unfrozen, so phone will boot.
Compatible with all Android versions.
tags: unfroze apps, auto-unfroze
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks very much for the zip. It worked great
Same Problem
Does anyone have an updated version of that zip? I also froze an app linked to the device and it won't boot, even after factory resetting it. Tried running the zip on my t-mobile GS4 (probably newer than that zip) from the SD card in recovery mode, however it didn't unfreeze it.
Any help greatly appreciated!
pianoplayer55 said:
Does anyone have an updated version of that zip?
I also froze an app linked to the device and it won't boot, even after factory resetting it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. To flash that ZIP you need have custom recovery (CWM or TWRP), not stock.
No update needed, it still works in this case.
2. That strange. Maybe you not really performed reset?
Double check all and try again.
Bonoboo said:
1. To flash that ZIP you need have custom recovery (CWM or TWRP), not stock.
No update needed, it still works in this case.
2. That strange. Maybe you not really performed reset?
Double check all and try again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, unfortunately I did select wipe data on the recovery screen. I am also stuck in an infinite boot up loop and cannot access the phone to install any apps. How can I use a custom recovery to run the zip file if i cannot access the phone? Instructions much appreciated. Thanks again.
pianoplayer55 said:
How can I use a custom recovery to run the zip file if i cannot access the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ZIP – it's not app.
Again, you need to install custom recovery.
Here link to TWRP and how install it via Odin on PC.
You need place that ZIP on sdcard.
Enter in recovery (don't know how on your model), select Install > find ZIP > confirm > reboot,
Bonoboo said:
ZIP – it's not app.
Again, you need to install custom recovery.
You need place that ZIP on sdcard.
Enter in recovery (don't know how on your model), select Install > find ZIP > confirm > reboot,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Downloaded TWRP with Odin and ran custom recovery without a change after the zip (this must have been a deeper-rooted problem in the OS itself), however in the meantime I formatted the system partition, removing the operating system. Installed Kies and ran the update. It reinstalled the OS and I'm good now. Most stuff was backed up anyways. Thanks guys for your time :good::good:
Which apk is the culprit?
Man, I wish I'd found this thread before restoring my phones internal ROM. Had it rooted and set up in every way I like except removing bloatware.
Using TB, I froze a system apk that shut down my System UI and sent the phone bootlooping. What I'm trying to determine is WHICH apk(s) I froze that caused this. I thought I had researched each one that didn't seem obvious, but I musta missed one or one of the 'obvious' ones wasn't so obvious.

Any way to delete empty/nonexisting files that show up listed? (ringtone/notific.)

For instance, I delete most of the notification and ringtones that come with a mod. In fact, I've deleted all of them. I've achieved this using Root Explorer with RW enabled.
But when I go into Settings > Sound > Ringtone\Notification, some names show up. I've tried deleting cache, etc. But no matter how many times I do this the names show up; even after restarting my phone.
2 vanished somehow, but I still have 1 left. Specifically it's called "Teleport". There's no real file and no sound to play from. So when I highlight it, it doesn't play, because I've deleted it. I just want the name gone. The nonexistent files don't show up in any music list or even in file manager such as Root Explorer.
It's been like this for a while. How can I fix this? Any apps, tricks or something?
CM7/S-Off
You could try unzipping the rom, removing unwanted files and then rezipping it.
ovar said:
You could try unzipping the rom, removing unwanted files and then rezipping it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wouldn't that usually mess with the MD5 sum and make it corrupt? I could do that, but I'd have to install the rom again over a factory reset.
Hayzie said:
Wouldn't that usually mess with the MD5 sum and make it corrupt? I could do that, but I'd have to install the rom again over a factory reset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So don't unzip, use winrar and just delete the files
I suppose.
I think I'm going to update to the latest CM7 rom, as mine is months old. So I'll just do that for the new rom.
Just a few quick thoughts...Have u tried clearing dalvik cache in recovery? Also if u are flashing the same/similar ROM u may not need to do factory reset / wipe data. Though u may need to clear data for Media Storage (and possibly wipe dalvik) before flashing so it has to recreate it after flashing the new ROM.
Odd little problem u have there. Could be worth while to just flash a clean rom and try deleting the files to see if it still happens. Also, u could always delete them from rom before flashing and then try to only restore data from a backup. Kinda doubt that would work but if all else fails.....
Sent from my Little Engine That Could using XDA App
DocHoliday77 said:
Just a few quick thoughts...Have u tried clearing dalvik cache in recovery? Also if u are flashing the same/similar ROM u may not need to do factory reset / wipe data. Though u may need to clear data for Media Storage (and possibly wipe dalvik) before flashing so it has to recreate it after flashing the new ROM.
Odd little problem u have there. Could be worth while to just flash a clean rom and try deleting the files to see if it still happens. Also, u could always delete them from rom before flashing and then try to only restore data from a backup. Kinda doubt that would work but if all else fails.....
Sent from my Little Engine That Could using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, sir (sir?). I have done that as well. No luck.
I deleted the ringtones/notifications in the latest CM7 RC2 released on May 9th before flashing on a full wipe and it worked, but unfortunately the rom kept freezing and restarting so I went back to my nandroid backup. No matter how many wipes and cleans I do on this, plus fixing persmissions etc, nothing works. It's no big deal, really. It just bothers me because I've got OCD and I refuse to believe it's there, therefore not allowing me to pick what I really want (maybe I'm stupid about it that way).
I'm just going to wait until there's a stable release and just start over from there by getting rid of the ringtone/notifications in the rar.
Thanks!

Deleted Phone.apk

I deleted my the Phone.apk file on my rooted Galaxy Player 4.0 (YP-G1CWY/XAA) running the stock rom awhile back to save on battery life.
I have done the same thing on my Nook Color, and figured that it wouldn't cause any problems, as the Player isnt a phone.
Recently tried to record some video, and found I was unable to do so. After doing some research I found out that deleting phone.apk causes the stock camera app, but not 3rd party camera apps, to stop functioning.
While I was sure to backup the file when I originally deleted the file, the backup has been lost in the intervening months.
Do I just need to find a specific phone.apk file for my device and return it to the correct directory?
I assume a factory reset will solve the problem, but I would rather not try that unless I have to.
Thanks!
a factory reset will not solve the problem, since it was a system .apk it will reset everything except for that particular apk.
heet1 said:
a factory reset will not solve the problem, since it was a system .apk it will reset everything except for that particular apk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In which case do I need to track down a copy of that specific apk or will I need to download odin and perform a full recovery?
put back the phone.apk file back on your device. Go to a ROM(best if its that ROM you are using) Find the phone.apk, and take it out. Then transfer it into your device, and use Root Explorer or something and put back phone.apk.
i dont think that will work because i uninstalled the screencapture.apk from my 5.0 and i backed it up so i tried to reinstal and it would not let me... but try aznflawless' way first if not you may want to flash a stock based rom...
heet1 said:
i dont think that will work because i uninstalled the screencapture.apk from my 5.0 and i backed it up so i tried to reinstal and it would not let me... but try aznflawless' way first if not you may want to flash a stock based rom...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I put screencapture.apk from stock rom 2 chip rom because it was missing and worked normaly..just copy it 2 root/system/app ..dont install it.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA
aznflawless said:
put back the phone.apk file back on your device. Go to a ROM(best if its that ROM you are using) Find the phone.apk, and take it out. Then transfer it into your device, and use Root Explorer or something and put back phone.apk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This seemed to work for me!
I tried looking in various roms before, but they were all formatted for flashing with odin.
I should have just went straight for the cwm package. *slaps forehead*
Thanks so much!
i shall try that sir thanks
As others said... find the phone.apk... preferably from the same rom you are using... use RootExplorer and copy the phone.apk to the system/apps folder. Change the permissions to match the other apps in that folder... reboot and you are good to go.
For your future reference, it is not a good idea to delete system apps without knowing what they actually do... I think you made a real good guess since phone.apk should not be on a device that is actually not a phone by function. For example, the Android Market app is actually called phonesky.apk or vendor.apk... nothing like what you would normally guess it to be, such as market.apk or something to that matter. So if I were you and I wanted to keep using my device and not brick it, I would becareful what I delete out of /system and it's sub folders...
Good luck...
Try to reinstall your custom rom!!
OrglCe said:
Try to reinstall your custom rom!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is a thread from august of 2012. please dont go digging through old threads and posting on them

[Q] updating rooted samsung galaxy s3 to 4.3

ok so basically i want to find a way to get to 4.3 either rooted or unrooted, my problem is that i have pretty bad ocd and one of my major major problems with that disorder is my tech devices, i will most likely have an anxsiety attack or 2 if i have to set up my phone from scratch and i will spend hours making it look exactly the same. anyway, i want to know:
1:how to update rooted gs3 Gt-i9305t 4g/lte model without loosing data (if possible )
2: update to 4.3 and un root without loosing data (im sure thats impossible )
i would really appreciate the help as i cannot find anyone looking for the same help as me (kinda strange how no one cares about there data at all, but meh)
also on a side note, i have the problem with my s3 where any sd card i put into the machine will eventually kill itself and never work again as far as i know, it has killed 3 32gb sd cards now and its starting to piss me off to the point where i am no longer using an sd card at all. why does the phone do this and is there any way to fix it? either software wise or hard wear wise? thanks !!! :fingers-crossed:
4.3 source code has only just been released. 4.3 roms are not fully functional and have bugs. There are no official releases so they are all "rooted".
You really do need to wipe when making version updates. Theres no way around this.
Stick with what you've got.
that just sucks.
rootSU said:
4.3 source code has only just been released. 4.3 roms are not fully functional and have bugs. There are no official releases so they are all "rooted".
You really do need to wipe when making version updates. Theres no way around this.
Stick with what you've got.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that honestly sucks so much, thanks for the info though.
hey another quick question, is there a way to so a full backup, like im talking FULL, like down to the point of where ur apps are placed and all there data, like apple devices have through itunes?? (restore from backup option) cus if so then i dont mind wiping at all, i just hate apple so i will never go back to one of there piece of **** devices again (i like features with my shiny brick) but yeah anything like that? or can kies do that?
i'm using temasek 4.3 preview 3 atm, you should check it out since developer is extremely helpful
and he updates regularly (which is important)
There are a number of ways to keep your data. Including ones that will let you change the ROM and still have your data. Titanium Backup - not sure if it is only Pro version but the one I have lets me create a backup on the extSDcard so I can flash it in a new ROM and restore all my apps and data straight off. SMS Backup and restore and Call Backup and restore both save out your data to the extSDcard so you can bring them back. I used to use My Backup Root as well but it ceased to work on the last update so I nuked it.
Add in a nandroid backup on something like Philz Recovery (where you can do an Advanced Restore from External SDCard and bring back just parts of your current ROM) and you can always get back to your look & feel in any new ROM.
The one thing I ahve NOT found a solution for is replacing my widgets back on the screens they are on - I run 7 screens and it pisses me off a full recovery in something like Titanium doesn't restore my widgets. The only way it happens is a full nandroid restore but that nukes the new ROM I have just installed so that's not an option.
I run Purelook HD as my 1st ROM, GoogyMax kernel and SlimBean as my 2nd ROM. I can nuke either or both and be back to my set up (including widgets) in about 45 minutes.
Journyman16 said:
There are a number of ways to keep your data. Including ones that will let you change the ROM and still have your data. Titanium Backup - not sure if it is only Pro version but the one I have lets me create a backup on the extSDcard so I can flash it in a new ROM and restore all my apps and data straight off. SMS Backup and restore and Call Backup and restore both save out your data to the extSDcard so you can bring them back. I used to use My Backup Root as well but it ceased to work on the last update so I nuked it.
Add in a nandroid backup on something like Philz Recovery (where you can do an Advanced Restore from External SDCard and bring back just parts of your current ROM and you can always get back to your look & feel in any new ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lets dissect this a little.
A Nandroid backup will take a snapshot of your phone. If you flash something wrong, it can be used to restore your data / settings and rom exactly how it was. This will not help restore your data and settings on a new ROM where you had to perform a wipe. (You have to perform a wipe to prevent data and settings incompatibilities with the new ROM that will cause problems.)
Titanium backup is great. However, if you had to perform a wipe, you cannot simply restore everything using Titanium. This is because you will be restoring the incompatabilities (System data) and restoring the problems (negating the point of the wipe in the first place). You can restore user apps and data with titanium but there will be an element of manually setting all your rom settings.
OP - Please read the "Read before rooting" thread in my signature for more info.
**** that
screw it, ill just stay on 4.2.1 i mostly want it cus they (****ING FINALLY ) partially fixed the setting wallpaper problems so you can get at least most of the photo in the screen now, i have it on my nexus 7 but now cant get it on my phone : / screw ocd, it has plagued me since i was little
adex9 said:
screw it, ill just stay on 4.2.1 i mostly want it cus they (****ING FINALLY ) partially fixed the setting wallpaper problems so you can get at least most of the photo in the screen now, i have it on my nexus 7 but now cant get it on my phone : / screw ocd, it has plagued me since i was little
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We all spend hours making it look exactly the same. It's annoying but essential.
rootSU said:
Lets dissect this a little.
A Nandroid backup will take a snapshot of your phone. If you flash something wrong, it can be used to restore your data / settings and rom exactly how it was. This will not help restore your data and settings on a new ROM where you had to perform a wipe. (You have to perform a wipe to prevent data and settings incompatibilities with the new ROM that will cause problems.)
Titanium backup is great. However, if you had to perform a wipe, you cannot simply restore everything using Titanium. This is because you will be restoring the incompatabilities (System data) and restoring the problems (negating the point of the wipe in the first place). You can restore user apps and data with titanium but there will be an element of manually setting all your rom settings.
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The Advanced Restore in Philz lets you restore Data. The choices are, Restore Boot, System (+or- reload) Data, Cache and sd ext. The Data restored my latest personal stuff from the BU I tried just before a new ROM experiment. So not all Restores are the same. You don't have to bring it ALL back from a nandroid.
Journyman16 said:
The Advanced Restore in Philz lets you restore Data. The choices are, Restore Boot, System (+or- reload) Data, Cache and sd ext. The Data restored my latest personal stuff from the BU I tried just before a new ROM experiment. So not all Restores are the same. You don't have to bring it ALL back from a nandroid.
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Click to collapse
@Journyman16
You seem to be missing my point.
If you can restore just data via recovery (which you can) then you didn't need to wipe in the first place.
ROM goes in /system. We all know that. Our apps go in /data/app. We all know that. Our data for our apps goes in /data/data but what some may NOT know is that /data/data contains all your system data too. When you set a ring tone or wallpaper, its in /data/data.
If you go from 1 ROM to another, you may not have to wipe. Or you may HAVE to wipe. It depends if there is incompatible system data in /data/data or not.
When you do wipe, you wipe /data/* (includes /data/data). If you nandroid restore /data and your phone works perfectly, you didn't need to wipe. So my point remains.
If you HAD to wipe, you cannot simply restore data via recovery and have a fully working phone.
rootSU said:
@Journyman16
You seem to be missing my point.
If you can restore just data via recovery (which you can) then you didn't need to wipe in the first place.
ROM goes in /system. We all know that. Our apps go in /data/app. We all know that. Our data for our apps goes in /data/data but what some may NOT know is that /data/data contains all your system data too. When you set a ring tone or wallpaper, its in /data/data.
If you go from 1 ROM to another, you may not have to wipe. Or you may HAVE to wipe. It depends if there is incompatible system data in /data/data or not.
When you do wipe, you wipe /data/* (includes /data/data). If you nandroid restore /data and your phone works perfectly, you didn't need to wipe. So my point remains.
If you HAD to wipe, you cannot simply restore data via recovery and have a fully working phone.
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Thanks for the explanation - that helps me understand better what goes on. Would that explain perhaps why, after some Restores, I had to run Fix Permissions to stop the FC's?
Journyman16 said:
Thanks for the explanation - that helps me understand better what goes on. Would that explain perhaps why, after some Restores, I had to run Fix Permissions to stop the FC's?
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Yep, it could do.
Any updates (I am facing the same problem)?
BTW, OTA updates seem to be able to keep most if not all settings. How they manage to do this?
moshepupkin said:
Any updates (I am facing the same problem)?
BTW, OTA updates seem to be able to keep most if not all settings. How they manage to do this?
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Same here. I've been looking for the exact method to do this, but haven't had any luck so far.
I ended up using Kies to update to 4.3 - it does not check root status.
moshepupkin said:
I ended up using Kies to update to 4.3 - it does not check root status.
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Hmm, it says that my current firmware is the latest version, rather than 4.3. Is there anything special you're supposed to do?
AriaOfSorrow said:
Hmm, it says that my current firmware is the latest version, rather than 4.3. Is there anything special you're supposed to do?
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Who says there is a 4.3 for your phone ???
JJEgan said:
Who says there is a 4.3 for your phone ???
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Click to collapse
Well, let's see... there's everyone I know that also has this phone. People online that say they have this phone. Web sites saying that this phone has officially received 4.3. The phone itself saying there is an update for the firmware. So, basically everyone/thing except the Kies program.
Who says their is an update for your phone repeat your phone not some other guys phone and as you failed to give any firmware details impossible to check .
Kies/ Samsung says not for your phone yet.
Contact your vendor .
See multiple identical posts .
Flash stock rom through Odin from sammobile .com
JJEgan said:
Who says their is an update for your phone repeat your phone not some other guys phone and as you failed to give any firmware details impossible to check .
Kies/ Samsung says not for your phone yet.
Contact your vendor .
See multiple identical posts .
Flash stock rom through Odin from sammobile .com
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Click to collapse
I already told you who said there is an update for my phone. Unless my phone is disguised as some one of a kind phone, I'm supposed to be able to update to 4.3.

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