Difference between dirty flash and full Titanium Backup restore? - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

The ROM that I use on my phone pretty much discourages dirty flashing updates [CM10.1 based]. So for the last 10 or so updates, I have clean wiped my HTC Rezound, then restored from a TitaniumBackup.
Except I do it a little different than most people, I think.
First I disabled compression of backups.
Then to restore I go to /sdcard/TitaniumBackup/
and run a bash command:
# for i in *.apk; do pm install "$i"; done
Then I go to TitaniumBackup, and every app is installed but doesn't have my data. So then I batch restore my data for my apps [Pretty much only user apps, except a few system things like SMS, WiFi networks]. But the problem is, recently, TitaniumBackup will quit halfway through a batch restore of "Data only." So I've been manually restoring data 1 by 1 for the apps that I need data to be saved across rom updates.
But then I thought, "Hey, why can't I just backup my /data/data/ folder?" but then I also thought that would probably be like a dirty flash, and I am just wondering if anyone can shed some light on this subject.
Thanks.

mvmacd said:
But then I thought, "Hey, why can't I just backup my /data/data/ folder?" but then I also thought that would probably be like a dirty flash, and I am just wondering if anyone can shed some light on this subject.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
VERY EAGER to learn this as a flash-a-holic.

sigh well I tried restoring the /data/data/ folder from a tar backup, and the apps didn't have my data. [Both my launcher and 1 random game did not have my data, even after rebooting.]
Then I went to install TitaniumBackup from Play to restore my apps the way I do it usually, and then it had an error. It wouldn't install. So I tried wiping data in recovery, and then the setup wizard kept crashing after I completed it. It wouldn't let me launch anything, even Settings would crash.
So now I'm starting all over again. Currently doing a clean flash in recovery. Ugh.

I think the problem might be file permissions.

sifat3d said:
I think the problem might be file permissions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I checked and they seemed to be 751. I checked the other folders in /data and it looked the same.
Swiped from my Nexus 10 using xda-developers app

Restoring those setting from system apps will lead to issues. This is due to the way those settings are restored when changes are made to the programs for those settings.
Restoring with titianium backup is only advised for user apps and data
Wayne Tech Nexus

Related

[Q] WTF Titanium Backup

So I rooted my Atrix some time ago, and installed TB. Made a backup 2/23.
Motoblur ****ed up (no surprise) and I was directed by customer support to do a factory wipe yesterday. I didn't have a more recent backup than 2/23, so I reinstalled to that and then re did everything I'd done since then (dl apps, changes settings, etc).
So today I ran TB again ... I chose "Batch -> Backup all user apps + system data". I didn't think this would do anything other than create backups.
However, now my Motoblur is ****ed up again!
My home screens are all screwed up, my widgets are all mis-sized (1x4's are 1x1??), my contacts are screwed up, etc etc.
Has anyone else had this problem with TB? I'm running the free version ... I didn't think that creating (not restoring) a backup would screw up my phone ...
I know the immediate response would be to blame motorolla but I think that this is a TB issue.
Thanks.
~Viper
Did you do a backup of the system and user apps? If so this is probably your issue. I've read to just do user apps and not system included with that. If you had an issue in the system files and you back that up and restore that it will replace the fixed files with the older "broken" files.
I'd suggest do a batch backup of apps and reflash again and then restore the app data.
Mustang302LX said:
I'd suggest do a batch backup of apps and reflash again and then restore the app data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1, ive never had good results with restoring the system stuff... it will overwrite weird stuff in the system and you're always much better off just restoring the apps. PIA to have to reconfigure the home screen, accounts, etc... but it doesnt take too much work and things will run _much_ smoother...

[Q] What is lost during a ROM change? How to backup phone so I can play with ROMS

I'm running streakdroid 1.9 but I would like to do some experimentation with my streak. If I flash a new rom what will I lose? How do you backup your data so you can flash to your hearts content?
Thanks
if u flash stock roms, they do a factory reset during first start up.
So u end up loosing everything.
However if u flash .zip version of the stock roms using CWM or streak recovery , u will retain almost everything but may loose somethings like root and so on.
Remember stock roms will flash its default recovery everytime it boots up
Ok thanks. Is it wise to do a factory reset anyway?
What tools can I use to backup messages, apps, photos, etc?
I use titanium backup.
If you do a nandroid backup, when you restore it, everything will be just as it was before you flashed another ROM...
As far as using Titanium... it has never worked for me completely, nor has MyBackUp Pro, they cause me more headache than being useful...
I have gotten to the point to when I flash a new ROM, I just manually install everything, I know it sounds like some hassle, but you end up with a much smoother operating phone.
I even do a nandroid backup first, then go into my ROM and manually uninstall everything, so that when I boot up my new ROM and setup my market account, it doesn't try to install everything on its own and bog down my phone at first, I install everything manually in the order I want and set them up as I go.
I know this sounds cumbersome, but I have found it creates a cleaner environment and practically eliminated force closes
That is the way I like to do things also but what about the things that you can't just re-install e.g. sms, application specific data?
Advice
I was having a sim card and constant restart issue after updating to streakroid 2.4.4, and even after flashing dsc, the problem persisted. After I reviewed the steps I had taken I realized that I never did a factory resest (fearing I would forever lose my precious app data, which I did -_-). It turned out that was the fix, after doing the factory reset, my sim card was recognized immediately and a couple of the text I had missed showed up. However, I fixed one fixed problem and developed another.
Even though I restored a MyBackup and Titanium backup I did right before resetting I recovered my several apps without their precious data (setting, notes, bookmarks). I tried doing internal backups within the apps, some conveniently had syncs to a cloud yet I missed doing that with a few apps because I have over 100+ and I use more than half on a regular basis (even if for 5 minutes). All my apps are on my device, which is a good thing but I cant appreciate that given the missing data.
So my advice is:
Use apps that have can automatically backup or sync data -- there are enough apps with similiar utility that you can avoid ones without that function.
Do a manual backup within your important apps. -- Some apps backup files to locations that may be wiped during update, doesn't have auto backup or the last backup is months old.
Pics, texts, call logs are easily backed up -- Backup programs will explicitly state or ask what to back up in that regard.
Do a nandroid backup -- I believe this only restores rom and apps but someone can correct me.
Caveat
Through all the research done before actually need to restore a backup I missed the fact when restore apps depending on the restore program every app has to be reinstalled individually. If you have more than 25 apps then #$#@!, also for some reason when restoring with titanium if during a batch restore you come across an app if you hit cancel during one of the install prompts because you actually don't want to restore that app the batch will freeze and you'll have to force close titanium and start the restore all over. Go through the list of restore options and choose each app one by one, save yourself the time.
Lastly, to piggy back off what was said before, a factory reset( FR) after updating rom is always recommended but its not always needed. Most roms will update without causing you to lose any data but like I said previously I had sim card issues when I updated without a FR. YMMV
At this point I don't know if this helps the OP but maybe it will benefit someone else who reads this thread.
This guide by _n0p_ tells how to do an upgrade and minimize the re-installation of apps.
Key items:
Use the backup function of any apps that have it
Don't count on restoring data with TB or My Backup
Make a nandroid - just in case
I have found TB and My Backup to be useful for things like browser bookmarks.
The post linked to discussed going from Froyo to Gingerbread but the same techniques apply for moving to any other ROM.
Last time i changed roms, i used the Dell backup utility for evertyhing but the apps, which can be backed up together with their data with QtADB which creates a backup folder on your SD. After installing the new rom, i chose advanced recovery from the Dell Utility and set it to recover everything but the apps, which i recovered with QtADB. However, I also strongly recommend nandroid, in case the steak doesn't boot after the install.

Titanium Backup - why not restore data?

I have read that when going to a different rom to do a full wipe.
So clearly if you want to keep your apps you back them up and recover them with titanium backup, but why is it advised to not restore the Data of the apps?
How else would I keep game scores and settings and such?
Thanks
restoring the data for the user apps is fine, don't restore the system data...
Wond3r said:
I have read that when going to a different rom to do a full wipe.
So clearly if you want to keep your apps you back them up and recover them with titanium backup, but why is it advised to not restore the Data of the apps?
How else would I keep game scores and settings and such?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that would be a bit of misinformation that gets spread around.....
its fine to restore user apps+data. i have been doing it for a long time with every device i have. swapping between devices and all.
do a batch restore MISSING apps+data
unselect anything that might be blur/sense/touchwiz specific (based on the phone you are using)
run the batch and reboot
verify you are not having any FCs on your apps
if you do a batch restore of just user apps+data (and not the MISSING option) you will get tons of issues.
it is not advised to use Titanium Backup for things like text messages, contacts, phone logs, etc. (while possible it will work just fine, i have seen lots more issues trying to restore those from rom to rom rather than just user apps.)
again. use the MISSING APPS option in the batch restore of Titanium Backup
i have been doing it for over a year on many different devices and i even share my titanium backup folder between different phones, with NO issues at all. and i typically flash several times a week on several different devices.
Wond3r said:
I have read that when going to a different rom to do a full wipe.
So clearly if you want to keep your apps you back them up and recover them with titanium backup, but why is it advised to not restore the Data of the apps?
How else would I keep game scores and settings and such?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is advised to do full wipe, if you install a rom.
And if you want to keep your settings, games scores etc, you use Titanium Backup.
Titanium Backup is your friend in those cases..
What is not adviced, is installing a Rom, without wiping your data.. In that way, you keep for example data of apps and games, of a froyo rom, to a gingerbread rom..
Rom to Rom differs(even in same android version), thats why you full wipe, and then TiBu saves you by restoring them, to the new rom's enviroment..
Edit: Agree with others.. I was typing on atrix, and since i wrote this, they already answered!
Also in atrix, NEVER restore FINGERPRINTS backup..
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
Pirateghost said:
that would be a bit of misinformation that gets spread around.....
its fine to restore user apps+data. i have been doing it for a long time with every device i have. swapping between devices and all.
do a batch restore MISSING apps+data
unselect anything that might be blur/sense/touchwiz specific (based on the phone you are using)
run the batch and reboot
verify you are not having any FCs on your apps
if you do a batch restore of just user apps+data (and not the MISSING option) you will get tons of issues.
it is not advised to use Titanium Backup for things like text messages, contacts, phone logs, etc. (while possible it will work just fine, i have seen lots more issues trying to restore those from rom to rom rather than just user apps.)
again. use the MISSING APPS option in the batch restore of Titanium Backup
i have been doing it for over a year on many different devices and i even share my titanium backup folder between different phones, with NO issues at all. and i typically flash several times a week on several different devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That explains it. Ive seen MANY posts where users tell other users to restore apps but not restore data but dont specify they mean system data and not app data!
Also, when people talk of a full wipe, do they mean even deleting the contents of the internal storage (like photos and such?)
This would be for going from one ROM to another ROM, both GB
No they are talking about doing a "wipe data/factory reset" in CMW and not physically deleting your internal sdcard. if you delete your sdcard then you will wipe out data that you need including your titanium backups
morepower71 said:
No they are talking about doing a "wipe data/factory reset" in CMW and not physically deleting your internal sdcard. if you delete your sdcard then you will wipe out data that you need including your titanium backups
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks ! I always feared that the wipe data/factory reset pretty much deletes all the files on your device like photos and music
The short answer is force closes. Which also can happen from restoring app data, altho it is less likely to happen, it can and it will. But yea def dont restore system data.
Is there any other way of saving game saves?
Wond3r said:
Is there any other way of saving game saves?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use SyncIt or GameOn, you can even back it up manualy with Root Explorer. You should be fine with TiBU, just if you do get a force close you will know why and what to do (delete data and/or uninstall/reinstall).
I am having an issue restoring my app data from titanium backup. The issue first occurred when i switched from a stock ROM to CM7 ICS ROM. When i restored my missing apps+data all of my app data had disappeared. I just started over and didn't worry about it. Then when i switched from CM7 back to a stock rom I received my old apps+data from before i switched to CM7. I read around on the forums that this might be a compatibility issue. So i started to use the setting in the batch menu "Manipulate data and converted my backups to roll back journal mode which says this works with all roms, and started uploading to Dropbox. I recently just switched my Rom from a stock ROM to CM9 ICS. I lost all of my apps again!! and got back all of the app data from when i was using CM7. Could someone please shed some light on what is going on here cause i have no idea. Please let me know if there is anything i can do to get my app data into CM9 from my last stock rom. The stock rom i was using was an old ROM called wet dream.
JonnyCazoid said:
I am having an issue restoring my app data from titanium backup. The issue first occurred when i switched from a stock ROM to CM7 ICS ROM. When i restored my missing apps+data all of my app data had disappeared. I just started over and didn't worry about it. Then when i switched from CM7 back to a stock rom I received my old apps+data from before i switched to CM7. I read around on the forums that this might be a compatibility issue. So i started to use the setting in the batch menu "Manipulate data and converted my backups to roll back journal mode which says this works with all roms, and started uploading to Dropbox. I recently just switched my Rom from a stock ROM to CM9 ICS. I lost all of my apps again!! and got back all of the app data from when i was using CM7. Could someone please shed some light on what is going on here cause i have no idea. Please let me know if there is anything i can do to get my app data into CM9 from my last stock rom. The stock rom i was using was an old ROM called wet dream.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The stock rom uses a different back up location than cm roms. You will have to manually go find the data backups in tibu. Don't bother having it auto detect, wont work. For example, all my backups were at mnt/emmc/titaniumbackup instead of the stock roms location of mnt/sdcard/titaniumbackup
pre4speed said:
The stock rom uses a different back up location than cm roms. You will have to manually go find the data backups in tibu. Don't bother having it auto detect, wont work. For example, all my backups were at mnt/emmc/titaniumbackup instead of the stock roms location of mnt/sdcard/titaniumbackup
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks like that was the the problem. I saved my backup on drop box so i just dropped what was on dropbox in my titanium folder and restored it. I now have all of my app data back.

[Q] Apps are force closing after data restore - Titanium Backup

Hello, I've a problem that is recurrent in the Galaxy S forum... and maybe somewhere else!
When I do a backup with TB, it goes fine.
Then I flash a new rom, restore with TB. When app is restored, everything's fine, but when I restore data, every app is force closing... This is really annoying if I want to get back my apps settings...
If someone has a fix, I'd appreciate a lot !
Thanks a lot guys !
Are you restoring system data? That can cause major issues. Just click restore missing apps when restoring.
Your settings are saved in misc. Data, and back that up, then restore that, and you can flash to your heart's content.
Sent from my LG-E739 running CM9 Nightlies
I'm not restoring system data, just app data.
APK backup is just fine, but when i'm restoring my data, it's totally messed up !
Same issue with me
Sounds like I'm in the same boat. The TI data restores don't work. I have not backed up or tried to restore system data. If I wipe data for an app, it runs fine. If I restore data, it force closes.
I've tried clearing cache and fixing permissions, but no luck.
I just upgraded from ASKP Milestone 5 to build 38 (VZ Fascinate).
Just Restore Apps, instead of together
Hi, Perhaps app's data somehow related to previous ROM thingy. New ROM might comes with different features which makes apps shown in different layouts and data presentation. That might have been the cause. So just reinstall ONLY WITH APPS ONLY. Data typically like saved memory/cookies in your phone. So data can be remade by reopen apps Hope helps
whitefang
If this helps or convinces you, pls kindly hit thanks button.
Will try rollback to Milestone 5
whitefang3456 said:
Hi, Perhaps app's data somehow related to previous ROM thingy. New ROM might comes with different features which makes apps shown in different layouts and data presentation. That might have been the cause. So just reinstall ONLY WITH APPS ONLY. Data typically like saved memory/cookies in your phone. So data can be remade by reopen apps Hope helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply. I don't see how in incremental release of the same ROM would be the issue. Yes, I couild install the apps only, but that would defeat the purpose of using TI in the first place. (And, I have nearly 200 apps.)
Tonight, I'll roll back to AOKP Milestone 5 and see if it works. If not, I'm wondering if the update to TI this week may have had anything to do with it.
Method for solving FC (make sure ya know what you doing)
LinkinParkmetre said:
Hello, I've a problem that is recurrent in the Galaxy S forum... and maybe somewhere else!
When I do a backup with TB, it goes fine.
Then I flash a new rom, restore with TB. When app is restored, everything's fine, but when I restore data, every app is force closing... This is really annoying if I want to get back my apps settings...
If someone has a fix, I'd appreciate a lot !
Thanks a lot guys !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
semibru said:
Thanks for the reply. I don't see how in incremental release of the same ROM would be the issue. Yes, I couild install the apps only, but that would defeat the purpose of using TI in the first place. (And, I have nearly 200 apps.)
Tonight, I'll roll back to AOKP Milestone 5 and see if it works. If not, I'm wondering if the update to TI this week may have had anything to do with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, if thats the case, are you restoring data including some system data into different rom? Perhaps you can give a try:
1.Wipe the data for that app
2.Launch the app again. It should run normally but without any data (eg: zero MMS/SMS messages).
3.Enable the "System data migration" option in Titanium Backup
4.Restore the data with Titanium Backup
5.Reboot.
Source of method:http://www.titaniumtrack.com/kb/tit...ystem-app-FC-when-launch-restored-system-data
Hope this helps. Pls kindly hit ''Thanks'' button if you can
sincerely,
whitefang
If someone could say if this works?
I'll give it a try when i'll flash again a rom, but for now i reverted back to mine
I went back to M5 and had the same issue. I had not backed up or restored and system data. Same problem whether restoring via batch or individual app.
If I create a new backup, I can restore it ok. So, seems that the last full restore I did was corrupt.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2
I didn't understand what you did to avoid the problem...
May you explain it again?
Also, i contacted titanium backup team, they asked for a logcat of my phone doing restore, flashing and backup... Can someone help me with that?
I didn't actualy fix the problem. I just proved that my previous backup was corrupt or something. I know this because I cannot restore the backups I made before wiping the phone. However, if I make a new backup, I'm able to clear data/restore it with no issues.
I've never pulled logcat files for TB, so can't help you there.

[Q] 4.13.651.4 Bluetooth won't activate

Hello all,
I just wiped and installed 4.13.651.4 rooted stock odex upgrade from captain throwback's release. Previously coming from 4.13.651.1. I used titanium backup to backup everything from previous installation, then restored everything from that release once upgraded. That screwed a bunch of stuff up because I restored all system and data as well as user apps and data. Wiped that out and reinstalled fresh, this time restoring all user apps and data, and only system data. For whatever reason, bluetooth will not operate. Everything else is fine. I cannot figure out how to reinstall only bluetooth files so that it works properly. So far the steps I've taken were to snag the following files from the 4.13.651.4 installation zip from the system/app folder in the zip:
Bluetooth.apk
Bluetooth.odex
HtcBluetoothLeProfiles.apk
HtcBluetoothLeProfiles.odex
HtcBtWidget.apk
HtcBtWidget.odex
Nfc.apk
Nfc.odex
I unzipped these with root explorer, then copied and pasted them into the ROOT/system/app folder after switching to "Mount R/W" in the system/app folder. Once the new files were in place, I changed permissions on all 6 files to be rw-r--r-- just like all the rest of the files. Rebooted phone, bluetooth still doesn't work. Are there any other files that I would've inadvertently have replaced or modified from the previous 4.13.651.1 files that controls bluetooth operation? I REALLY REALLY REALLY don't want to have to wipe and do over AGAIN!!!
Please help!!
Why are you replacing BT system files? Those aren't part of the TB backup, are they? Did BT work before you started restoring things from your previous install? I would suggest only restoring user apps and within that only the user data you really need to keep. Restore data for apps one-by-one, not all at once. Don't restore system data unless you know it's not going to interfere with what is already there. TB is almost too powerful for its own good when it comes to batch backup and restore. You gotta learn what to exclude and what you really want to migrate to a new install.
But mostly start fresh and make sure BT works before you start restoring anything.
SilverZero said:
Why are you replacing BT system files? Those aren't part of the TB backup, are they? Did BT work before you started restoring things from your previous install? I would suggest only restoring user apps and within that only the user data you really need to keep. Restore data for apps one-by-one, not all at once. Don't restore system data unless you know it's not going to interfere with what is already there. TB is almost too powerful for its own good when it comes to batch backup and restore. You gotta learn what to exclude and what you really want to migrate to a new install.
But mostly start fresh and make sure BT works before you start restoring anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It did work before I started messing with stuff. I'm restoring BT system files hoping it would work again. I don't really know what TB backs up when its set up backup everything. After first time I did restore items one by one and that's what screwed up BT in the first place. I figured putting original files back in system folder would fix it, but it didn't. I only restored system data one by one to try not to have to set up my phones settings again including BT pairings. Guess I've got egg on my face now. Any ideas?
whoshodade said:
It did work before I started messing with stuff. I'm restoring BT system files hoping it would work again. I don't really know what TB backs up when its set up backup everything. After first time I did restore items one by one and that's what screwed up BT in the first place. I figured putting original files back in system folder would fix it, but it didn't. I only restored system data one by one to try not to have to set up my phones settings again including BT pairings. Guess I've got egg on my face now. Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it was me, I'd do a factory reset or just reinstall the ROM (try dirty flash, if that doesn't work then wipe and start clean), then restore only user apps. In TB you can do a batch restore, but then uncheck apps you don't want to restore. I wouldn't reinstall any data from anything. If you open a user app and it turns out you don't have the data you want, then go in and restore data for just that app.
Restoring system apps and data is asking for trouble, IMHO.
SilverZero said:
If it was me, I'd do a factory reset or just reinstall the ROM (try dirty flash, if that doesn't work then wipe and start clean), then restore only user apps. In TB you can do a batch restore, but then uncheck apps you don't want to restore. I wouldn't reinstall any data from anything. If you open a user app and it turns out you don't have the data you want, then go in and restore data for just that app.
Restoring system apps and data is asking for trouble, IMHO.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats what I was trying to avoid.... if there was a way to break it, theres gotta be a way to fix it.
whoshodade said:
Thats what I was trying to avoid.... if there was a way to break it, theres gotta be a way to fix it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure, replace the files you restored or copied over with the originals. My assumption is that the files that are "broken" are the ones that got overwritten when you restored and/or copied into /system from the previous install. They have to be replaced with the original files and data. That would involve extracting them from the original ROM and copying them back into place. I don't know how to go about that. I'd cut my losses and reinstall. If you have a TB backup already, you'll only be out the half-hour it takes to re-flash and restore things. Like I said, you can try a dirty flash, wipe caches only, try a factory reset, etc. I personally would wipe and re-flash clean, because I hate wondering if there are still any ghosts in the machine when I encounter problems like this.
SilverZero said:
Sure, replace the files you restored or copied over with the originals. My assumption is that the files that are "broken" are the ones that got overwritten when you restored and/or copied into /system from the previous install. They have to be replaced with the original files and data. That would involve extracting them from the original ROM and copying them back into place. I don't know how to go about that. I'd cut my losses and reinstall. If you have a TB backup already, you'll only be out the half-hour it takes to re-flash and restore things. Like I said, you can try a dirty flash, wipe caches only, try a factory reset, etc. I personally would wipe and re-flash clean, because I hate wondering if there are still any ghosts in the machine when I encounter problems like this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought i did that... I dont know what other items affect BT
I am having issues on a clean install. Haven't connected to Bluetooth since I got the phone.
Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk

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