Contacts lost after recovery with Android SDK! - Galaxy S6 Edge Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

yesterday I had to bring my samsung s6 edge, running on android 5.1.1 (non-rooted), to a samsung service point because the display was broken. I was wondering that they immediately repaired it and whyever made a factory reset. anyway, right before I made a backup with android sdk. afterwards I tried to flash the recovery and it seemed to be working. almost all files, apps and settings were back on the phone but the contacts. even the numbers in the dialling lists, only without names. the funny part is, that some of the names were displayed for e few seconds when I scrolled down the list. but then they immediately changed to numbers without names
I already extracted the backup file, but there is no file with this describtion: /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db
there is also no other backup of the contacts, such as vCard export, google sync, outlook sync, etc.
Is there any way to get my contacts back??
thank you!
default

defaultuser_83 said:
yesterday I had to bring my samsung s6 edge, running on android 5.1.1 (non-rooted), to a samsung service point because the display was broken. I was wondering that they immediately repaired it and whyever made a factory reset. anyway, right before I made a backup with android sdk. afterwards I tried to flash the recovery and it seemed to be working. almost all files, apps and settings were back on the phone but the contacts. even the numbers in the dialling lists, only without names. the funny part is, that some of the names were displayed for e few seconds when I scrolled down the list. but then they immediately changed to numbers without names
I already extracted the backup file, but there is no file with this describtion: /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db
there is also no other backup of the contacts, such as vCard export, google sync, outlook sync, etc.
Is there any way to get my contacts back??
thank you!
default
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Greetings,
Thank you for using XDA Assist. To get you the best help, I'm going to move your thread to your device's Q&A forum.

Related

Erasing contacts in flash (and a Naked Woman on my XDA!!!)

made you look :twisted:
now to the q in hand
I brought my xda second hand - the previuos owner had saved all his contact info on 'permanant save' so when I restore from 'permanent save' I get all his contact details.
How can i delete his contact stuff off 'permanently save' :twisted:
Hard reset :?
roko: that doesn't erase those
Jacko: made look ))))))) if you want to get rid of his contacts, check the box in permanent save and click ok, your contact will be copies to rom and his contacts will be synchronized with them. Now you need to uncheck the box again, thus erasing all contacts in ROM.
Now you have nothing in ROM and all yours and his contacts in RAM. Delete them and re-synchronize from desktop (make backup copy in case your activesync desides that it will replace desktop with mobile device )
Changed the subject, santizing the ROM, adding files
Made me look, and I've added a little to the subject...
I must admit it was the first message I read, so the strategy worked. However: this is a very busy forum, and if we are to use it to find information in such a way that we're not all re-inventing wheels all the time, we do need somewhat descriptive subjects.
On the topic of ROM contacts: this point was driven home to me as well when I copied someone's ROM. Maybe we need a tool to sanitize ROM images, to be incorporated in the XDA ROM Image Tool ?
Has anyone (possibly with platform builder experience) taken a good look at these images, and determined what's where? I wouldn't mind being able to add files (SMS fix, etc) to an image. Maybe we could even create an XDA-developers special edition ROM...
Hiya there sorry about the description wont happen again
Jacko: made look ))))))) if you want to get rid of his contacts, check the box in permanent save and click ok, your contact will be copies to rom and his contacts will be synchronized with them
>this part is fine
. Now you need to uncheck the box again, thus erasing all contacts in ROM.
>whenever you go to 'permanant save the box is always unchecked anyway kinda confused on this part
do you mean save all my info on desktop - delete all my contacts and then save on to permanent save thus saving no info... thus having nothing in rom (sorry about the thus's its late in the evening)
shock
/|\
,/\,

[Q] Best way to retrieve data from a smashed SGS2?

Hey guys,
In a moment of great weakness... i have destroyed my SGS2. This phone has been giving me a lot of grief lately (spontaneous and looping reboots, slow or no data connection, apps not behaving as should - requiring reinstalls, and general buginess)... and the result is a cracked temper and a cracked screen.
All that aside - i have decided not to get the screen repaired, but to get a new phone (no idea what my next handset should be - will gladly take suggestions).
So... Lately I have been backing up a lot of my apps using Titanium - which is great. And I have my contacts set to auto-sync with my gmail account - which it has failed to do since adding a few new contacts yesterday.
So my questions are... what is the best way to retrieve/backup the following data now that the screen is un-usable (but the phone seems to still work ok):
- Contact and Calendar Data
- Apps (or list of apps) that Titanium hasnt backed up
I figure I may need a different method of app backup/restore if i do not wish to root my next phone. There doesn't seem to be an automatic feature in the Play Store which keeps track of which apps I have installed... Is there another way to do it?
Thanks for any help.
Cheers.
I'm almost tempted to suggest Kies as solution for retrieving all organizer data (contacts, calendar, tasks, notes) since it does not require mobile screen interaction.
And there are two ways to save data: sync with Outlook or simple backup.
I'm ready to be flamed...
1. To retrieve your contacts or view them, visit Google.com/contacts and login your hole details. You can also sync them too ur New phone.
Access Google calendar online, to see your calendar info
2. I'm not sure how you can proceed with backing up your new apps since you said phone is working but unusable but the options below will work fine in getting back your apps on your next phone without rooting your new device.
I). Though Google Playstore:
When you log in your Google account on your new phone, open playstore, go to my apps and swipe to the next page too view all.
All, will show all the apps you have ever installed or updated via playstore. You can simply reinstall them one by one.
Note that you will need a lot of data so Wi-Fi is recommended.
ii) via ADB: this will work only if usb debugging was enabled under development option. And you have access to a pc. Root access May also be helpful.
You can use ADB to copy all your presently installed app's apks and even your titanium backup folder or any other folder to your Pc
More info on this will follow based on your response.
iii) MTP mode: this will work if MTP mode and not mass storage mode was previously enabled on your phone.
Simply connect your device via usb to ur pc and start copying your files especially your titanium folder, since your question is about apps.
iv) Titanium backup folder:
If you have a copy of your titanium backup folder, then all is well
Personally, I will galaxy Siii or NoteII if you have the patience.
Swyped from my Samsung Galaxy SII
Thank for the help guys.
Kies did allow me to retrieve those few un-synced numbers.
And the "my apps" list is a great way to see and reinstall past apps. Not sure if I will be able to root my new phone (Xperia S), so if I cannot get to the Titanium Backup data, this looks like the next best thing.
Thanks again guys.

[Q] Reinstall stock Google Calendar so I can sync again!

I had used the app System App Remover to remove some of the crapware that Sprint and Samsung bog down your phone with. In particular I use Google Calendar for my main calendar and I use it through Thunderbird too as well as Google's web app for calendar. I love that I can easily create events and wham they are right there on my phone too.
Now I have a Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and Samsung puts it's own calendar app there and when you go into that calendar it wants you to set up a Samsung account, etc. I don't want a Samsung account and I'm quite happy staying with Google Calendar. So I tried to remove the Samsung portions of Calendar but leave the Google Calendar, etc. It is hard to tell which is which because they both simply use the name "Calendar". In any event I screwed up my Google Calendar on my Note 3.
Now this System app remover says it's safe or relatively safe and that it backs up any system app you remove in a "recycle bin" so you can reinstall it. So I go to the recycle bin and attempt to reinstall the Google calendar app I removed and it failed! I've talked to the developer and he's just perplexed and I'm out of a calendar on my phone!!!
I've tried reinstalling the Google Calendar app from the play store and while that succeeds I see no calendars being displayed. Here's some of the odd behavior I see:
When it starts it presents a month view with no events
Selecting Calendars to Display shows nothing
Selecting Calendars to Sync shows a blank page with Cancel and OK buttons but it says Loading forever!
Even though I have already signed into a Google account, if I try to add a Google account and supply my username and password it says that it had trouble contacting the Google Servers and to try again later. Of course later it does the same thing
If I go into my Settings and look at my Google account and what syncs I see no entry for Sync Calendar
If I try to make a new event I get a similar black screen saying Loading..., Cancel and Done buttons but it goes nowhere
It seems like the sync portion of Google Calendar/Account is broken or something is not signed properly. I've tried to find the appropriate CalendarSync.apk file and found a few, installed a few but the behavior described above remains the same.
HELP!
Is there a way to fix this without having to flash a rom? I used to play with installing rom's but now a days I try to just keep it stock - well I get additional apps but I try not to flash rom's and get unsupported. I have used towelroot to gain access to root. I use it because I also use Tasker and Secure Settings to try to automate some things and for some odd reason you cannot toggle GPS on and off until you get Secure Setting and root your phone! Stupid. And because I'm rooted System Update doesn't want to update me. I'm not sure if there's an OTA update for Sprint Galaxy Note 3 Android 4.4.2 but I would have thought that if there was say 4.4.3 available that update would fix my problem.
If I can't fix that problem could I flash a stock Sprint rom (where?) and then have all my apps come back from backup/restore (I recently did a factory reset and even this didn't fix it! And while many apps came back courtesy of Google, a number didn't and what is worse is that I lost a number of settings and configurations. I wouldn't want to have to do that again.
I'm almost at the point of saying screw it and getting back into custom ROMs. Sprint rarely updates us, Google doesn't update us so what's the point of staying stock kernel? Sprint tech droid are incompetent.
In any event if somebody can help that'd be cool (why such apps as Calendar and the like need to be backed into the ROM instead of just downloadable and installable like every other app is beyond me!)
defaria said:
I had used the app System App Remover to remove some of the crapware that Sprint and Samsung bog down your phone with. In particular I use Google Calendar for my main calendar and I use it through Thunderbird too as well as Google's web app for calendar. I love that I can easily create events and wham they are right there on my phone too.
Now I have a Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and Samsung puts it's own calendar app there and when you go into that calendar it wants you to set up a Samsung account, etc. I don't want a Samsung account and I'm quite happy staying with Google Calendar. So I tried to remove the Samsung portions of Calendar but leave the Google Calendar, etc. It is hard to tell which is which because they both simply use the name "Calendar". In any event I screwed up my Google Calendar on my Note 3.
Now this System app remover says it's safe or relatively safe and that it backs up any system app you remove in a "recycle bin" so you can reinstall it. So I go to the recycle bin and attempt to reinstall the Google calendar app I removed and it failed! I've talked to the developer and he's just perplexed and I'm out of a calendar on my phone!!!
I've tried reinstalling the Google Calendar app from the play store and while that succeeds I see no calendars being displayed. Here's some of the odd behavior I see:
When it starts it presents a month view with no events
Selecting Calendars to Display shows nothing
Selecting Calendars to Sync shows a blank page with Cancel and OK buttons but it says Loading forever!
Even though I have already signed into a Google account, if I try to add a Google account and supply my username and password it says that it had trouble contacting the Google Servers and to try again later. Of course later it does the same thing
If I go into my Settings and look at my Google account and what syncs I see no entry for Sync Calendar
If I try to make a new event I get a similar black screen saying Loading..., Cancel and Done buttons but it goes nowhere
It seems like the sync portion of Google Calendar/Account is broken or something is not signed properly. I've tried to find the appropriate CalendarSync.apk file and found a few, installed a few but the behavior described above remains the same.
HELP!
Is there a way to fix this without having to flash a rom? I used to play with installing rom's but now a days I try to just keep it stock - well I get additional apps but I try not to flash rom's and get unsupported. I have used towelroot to gain access to root. I use it because I also use Tasker and Secure Settings to try to automate some things and for some odd reason you cannot toggle GPS on and off until you get Secure Setting and root your phone! Stupid. And because I'm rooted System Update doesn't want to update me. I'm not sure if there's an OTA update for Sprint Galaxy Note 3 Android 4.4.2 but I would have thought that if there was say 4.4.3 available that update would fix my problem.
If I can't fix that problem could I flash a stock Sprint rom (where?) and then have all my apps come back from backup/restore (I recently did a factory reset and even this didn't fix it! And while many apps came back courtesy of Google, a number didn't and what is worse is that I lost a number of settings and configurations. I wouldn't want to have to do that again.
I'm almost at the point of saying screw it and getting back into custom ROMs. Sprint rarely updates us, Google doesn't update us so what's the point of staying stock kernel? Sprint tech droid are incompetent.
In any event if somebody can help that'd be cool (why such apps as Calendar and the like need to be backed into the ROM instead of just downloadable and installable like every other app is beyond me!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, chances are the Bloatware removal script removed more than just the GoogleCalendarSnycAdapter.apk. It probably removed most or all your Google Apps. First I would try and reinstall the calendar app from the recycle bin again, this time copy and paste it with some type of root manager app like Root Explorer. Make sure you put it in system/app and not system/priv-app. Check the permissions they should be rw-r--r-- after your have pasted the app. Then with the root manger app go to Delvik-Cache and delete it, now power down the device completely and reboot. It will take a minute as it rebuilds the Delvik-Cache.
Now in the event that the removal script took all the Google apps, here is a link for stock KK 4.4.2 NC5 .tar http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2712205 ( Thanks micmars ) just follow the steps listed on his thread. Here is a link for Odin v 1.85 and Samsung drivers http://www.downloadodin.info/download-odin-1-85 version 1.85 always works the best for me.
jimzweb1 said:
Ok, chances are the Bloatware removal script removed more than just the GoogleCalendarSnycAdapter.apk. It probably removed most or all your Google Apps. First I would try and reinstall the calendar app from the recycle bin again, this time copy and paste it with some type of root manager app like Root Explorer. Make sure you put it in system/app and not system/priv-app. Check the permissions they should be rw-r--r-- after your have pasted the app. Then with the root manger app go to Delvik-Cache and delete it, now power down the device completely and reboot. It will take a minute as it rebuilds the Delvik-Cache.
Now in the event that the removal script took all the Google apps, here is a link for stock KK 4.4.2 NC5 .tar http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2712205 ( Thanks micmars ) just follow the steps listed on his thread. Here is a link for Odin v 1.85 and Samsung drivers http://www.downloadodin.info/download-odin-1-85 version 1.85 always works the best for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Note that all other Google apps (at least the apps I use) work fine. Hangouts, Chrome, Chromeccast, GMail, Music, etc.
OK, I see two GoogleCalendarSyncAdapter.apk files - one in /sdcard/Download that is 490.33 KB and one that is already in /system/app that is -rw-r--r-- but 618.06 KB. More is better right? I use ES File Explorer as a file manager and I am root. I could not find anything on my system with *delvik* in the name. Might it be something with *art* instead? Isn't Kit Katt on art now and not delvik? Wait I found it under /data. When you say "delete it" what is "it"? I ask because I see things like:
[email protected]@[email protected]
[email protected]@[email protected]
[email protected]@[email protected]
[email protected]@GoogleCalendarSyncAdapter(1)[email protected]
[email protected]@[email protected]
I think #4 was created when I accidentally downloaded GoogleCalendarSyncAdapter.apk twice into /system/app. I've copied these 5 files to save them then removed #3 and #4, powered down and back up. Nothing different.
Next I copied all of /data/delvik to the sdcard and removed all of the files under /data/delvik, powered down and back up.This took considerably longer as the cache was rebuilt at startup. In fact it said Android is upgrading... After that it started apps and I was back up. But the calendar still exhibits the exact same behavior.
I think what needs to be reinstalled is probably the Calendar Storage because it seems to me whenever I try to add an event or a calendar it fails.
As for your links, why am I flashing my entire phone with a new rom and what will be happening to all of the apps and settings I currently have installed? I'm sorry but I really only want my Calendar app to come back. Everything else works. Last time when I did a factory reset in attempting to fix this many apps came back, but many didn't and lots of them had missing settings, etc. I really, really don't want to go through that again!
BTW why didn't I get an email when you responded...
Bump?
Bump?
defaria said:
Note that all other Google apps (at least the apps I use) work fine. Hangouts, Chrome, Chromeccast, GMail, Music, etc.
OK, I see two GoogleCalendarSyncAdapter.apk files - one in /sdcard/Download that is 490.33 KB and one that is already in /system/app that is -rw-r--r-- but 618.06 KB. More is better right? I use ES File Explorer as a file manager and I am root. I could not find anything on my system with *delvik* in the name. Might it be something with *art* instead? Isn't Kit Katt on art now and not delvik? Wait I found it under /data. When you say "delete it" what is "it"? I ask because I see things like:
[email protected]@[email protected]
[email protected]@[email protected]
[email protected]@[email protected]
[email protected]@GoogleCalendarSyncAdapter(1)[email protected]
[email protected]@[email protected]
I think #4 was created when I accidentally downloaded GoogleCalendarSyncAdapter.apk twice into /system/app. I've copied these 5 files to save them then removed #3 and #4, powered down and back up. Nothing different.
Next I copied all of /data/delvik to the sdcard and removed all of the files under /data/delvik, powered down and back up.This took considerably longer as the cache was rebuilt at startup. In fact it said Android is upgrading... After that it started apps and I was back up. But the calendar still exhibits the exact same behavior.
I think what needs to be reinstalled is probably the Calendar Storage because it seems to me whenever I try to add an event or a calendar it fails.
As for your links, why am I flashing my entire phone with a new rom and what will be happening to all of the apps and settings I currently have installed? I'm sorry but I really only want my Calendar app to come back. Everything else works. Last time when I did a factory reset in attempting to fix this many apps came back, but many didn't and lots of them had missing settings, etc. I really, really don't want to go through that again!
BTW why didn't I get an email when you responded...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First sorry for the slow response, was out of town helping my daughter move. Now the correct size for the GoogleCalendarSyncAdapter.apk is 618.06KB. Here are copies of the files off my device which is a note 3 stock rooted 4.4.2 NC5.
GoogleCalendarSyncAdapter.apk https://mega.co.nz/#!tNxxxI5T!5xftzTM9ajyF45MeMR-qDS61ftYIhUIT3p2-hsBdN0w
SecCalendarProvider.apk https://mega.co.nz/#!0FIE0JgI!ENASoyihE3CLhECDDvBbRec1ROU5FxkAERQID7q7FPU
SecCalendarProvider.odex https://mega.co.nz/#!8MICFZSY!z23JLhKGgI9K5-1Lpe_GYszMlXmJyVaKsfaKd2vyCm8
Download to PC desktop, copy and paste to your sd card, then with your ES File manger copy the original files to a ext sd card or PC desktop. Now copy and paste the downloaded files, the adapter goes in system/app and the provider goes in system/priv-app. Once installed, check permissions rw-r--r-- then go to data/delvik-cache and delete the delvik-cache file, then go to cache/recovery and delete the last install and last log files. Then completely power down the device and reboot, delvik-cache will rebuild, then the new apks to will install.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Looks like I'm back up! No problem on the wait, I just wanted to keep the issue alive here.
Detailing what I did for the benefit of the next person I first downloaded your files and used PushBullet to push them to my phone. If you haven't heard of PushBullet then you should check it out! It's a nice way of pushing files, links, directions between your cell phone and your browser. I then:
. Put these files into /sdcard/Downloads/Calendar
. Moved /system/app/GoogleCalendarSyncAdapter.apk -> /sdcard/Downloads/save
. Moved /system/priv-app/SecCalendarProvider.apk -> /sccard/Downloads/save
. I could not find a SecCalendarProvider.odex file under /system/priv-app! Perhaps that was the root of my problem.
. I copied /sdcard/Downloads/Calendar/GoogleCalendarSyncAdapter.apk -> /system/app
. I copied /sdcard/Downloads/Calendar/SecCalendarProvider.apk -> /system/priv-app
. I copied /sdcard/Downloads/Calendar/SecCalendarProvider.odex -> /system/priv-app
. I looked at the perm bits of these files and when they were in /sdcard/Download/Calendar I could only see one of the 3 bit setting. It was set to 6 or rw-. However once I copied them to /system/app I could see the full set of perms and I changed them to 644.
. As for /data/delvik-cache, I didn't know exactly which file to delete but played it save and only deleted [email protected]@[email protected]. I figured if that was not the right think I could do it again but move all of the delvik-cache off of the phone like I did before. Turns out I didn't need to.
. I didn't bother (actually didn't see) the part about deleting the log files in the cache/recovery. Apparently I didn't need to.
Powered down the phone and then back up. Briefly saw a thing about updating and then I boot in. Started the Calendar and it didn't look good - it looked like it did before. But I went to the "Calendars to Display" and to my amazement it displayed many of my calendars! I went back and events were filling in as the background sync was taking place. I'M BACK!!!!
Thanks.
defaria said:
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Looks like I'm back up! No problem on the wait, I just wanted to keep the issue alive here.
Detailing what I did for the benefit of the next person I first downloaded your files and used PushBullet to push them to my phone. If you haven't heard of PushBullet then you should check it out! It's a nice way of pushing files, links, directions between your cell phone and your browser. I then:
. Put these files into /sdcard/Downloads/Calendar
. Moved /system/app/GoogleCalendarSyncAdapter.apk -> /sdcard/Downloads/save
. Moved /system/priv-app/SecCalendarProvider.apk -> /sccard/Downloads/save
. I could not find a SecCalendarProvider.odex file under /system/priv-app! Perhaps that was the root of my problem.
. I copied /sdcard/Downloads/Calendar/GoogleCalendarSyncAdapter.apk -> /system/app
. I copied /sdcard/Downloads/Calendar/SecCalendarProvider.apk -> /system/priv-app
. I copied /sdcard/Downloads/Calendar/SecCalendarProvider.odex -> /system/priv-app
. I looked at the perm bits of these files and when they were in /sdcard/Download/Calendar I could only see one of the 3 bit setting. It was set to 6 or rw-. However once I copied them to /system/app I could see the full set of perms and I changed them to 644.
. As for /data/delvik-cache, I didn't know exactly which file to delete but played it save and only deleted [email protected]@[email protected]. I figured if that was not the right think I could do it again but move all of the delvik-cache off of the phone like I did before. Turns out I didn't need to.
. I didn't bother (actually didn't see) the part about deleting the log files in the cache/recovery. Apparently I didn't need to.
Powered down the phone and then back up. Briefly saw a thing about updating and then I boot in. Started the Calendar and it didn't look good - it looked like it did before. But I went to the "Calendars to Display" and to my amazement it displayed many of my calendars! I went back and events were filling in as the background sync was taking place. I'M BACK!!!!
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, all. I followed all the instructions in this thread twice because I'm having the same issue and no luck. The "Calendars to Sync" is still spinning endless on the "Loading..." screen. I'm on stock Note 3 and have root. I even deleted all the files from /data/dalvik-cache. Any other suggestions? My issue is just the calendar sync as well. All the apk and other files mentioned here have been placed from the downloads that were provided. I'm totally dependent on my multiple calendars and dead in the water here.
dledge said:
Hi, all. I followed all the instructions in this thread twice because I'm having the same issue and no luck. The "Calendars to Sync" is still spinning endless on the "Loading..." screen. I'm on stock Note 3 and have root. I even deleted all the files from /data/dalvik-cache. Any other suggestions? My issue is just the calendar sync as well. All the apk and other files mentioned here have been placed from the downloads that were provided. I'm totally dependent on my multiple calendars and dead in the water here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also was unable to follow this procedure with any success. I'm trying to get Google Calendar working again on my Sprint Galaxy S4 running 5.0.1 rooted stock. When I put seccalendarprovider in the app folder I get a crashy Calendar Storage (unusable). When I put it in a subfolder of priv-app it just says that Calendar Storage is disabled. When I just dump it straight into priv-app it's also crashy and unusable.

Problems when restoring mmssms.db in nougat

Greetings.
I'm having a problem restoring my messages using adb method in Nougat. I have done it before in CM12 and CM13 with no problems but since I flashed LineageOS 7.1.1, I had problems with it. First was the location. Before it was located in /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/database. After googling around, I found a this thread. Turns out it was now located in /data/user_de/0/com.android.providers.telephony. So I go ahead and pushed my mmssms.db backup to that location but still my messages did not appear. Worse is my SMS app crashes every time I open it. Did a reboot, wiped cache/dalvik cache, tried to delete the *.db-journal files as mentioned in the thread but still no luck. I had to wipe the data again to regain my SMS app. I hope someone can help me. TIA
Bump
I have the same problem...
Yep same problem here. The /data/user_de location doesn't really seem to work either
Same problem here with latest Lineage on a rooted serranoltexx (Samsung Galaxy S4 mini LTE). I think something changed in the last update, but I don't understand whether it's Android's or Lineage's fault.
I give you more information, as it seems like a recent issue which troubles a lot of users - I found many similar threads, but no solution so far.
On my old Samsung S2 I was using the app SlightBackup (free, from F-Droid) to backup SMSs. However, copying the SlightBackup database (.xml format) on my new phone and reinstalling it there doesn't seem to work, so I decided to copy manually the mmssms.db file. Also in my case, the new directory seems to be /data/user_de/0/com.android.providers.telephony/databases (however, there is also a file called telephony.db which has a symbolic link in /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases )
Still, my SMSs do not show up, and moreover the "contacts" app crashes. I tried deleting all the content of the folder and then the messaging app crashes (a full reboot restored the content, however, and the functionality of both apps with it).
Interesting to notice that all the *.db and *.db-journal files in the folder do not change size even if I send/receive SMSs, so I guess they are there just for compatibility, and do not actually store the messages. The "real" database is probably somewhere else, but I have no idea where to look for.
Help would be really appreciated. I'm willing to send 0.01 BTC to the first person who finds a working solution
P.S.: yes, I have also taken care of the filesystem permissions of the .db file, which is something not mentioned in any other thread I found, but important I think. In my case the .db file is 660 with owner radio:radio, same for the .db-journal but permissions 600.
P.P.S.: installing third-party apps to restore my SMSs is not an option in my case. I know about working apps in the Play Store but I don't want to use them.
P.P.P.S.: yes, my phone is rooted, and I am not using third-party messaging apps, just the default one.

[GUIDE] - COLORNOTE APP How to Recover Locked Notes Due to Forgotten Master Password

Hello!
This is a guide to help anyone who cannot retrieve or unlock any important documents in ColorNote. This can happen for many reasons, such as forgetting your password, or getting a new phone. This same situation happened to me, and I scoured the internet to find a way to retrieve my important notes. I found and tried multiple things from different places, and after a day I was able to retrieve my notes. I figured since there wasn't a thread on this, and because their still might be people out there using this app, or people who don't use it because of this situation, that I would post the method here for easy access and availability.
Credit to GPT (posted the fix on Retrogade Peace) Mick Lee, Mohammed Rafi, collegemomlynn, jambavo75.
Some of the instructions were a little hard to follow for me, so I will do the best I can at detailing the steps here. PART I will review if you have never synced your notes to an account, like Google, Facebook etc. PART II will be if you HAVE synced your account. Either way we will get you up and running. If pictures are needed to help with the process, or even a walkthrough video, let me know and I will post them here.
Part I (Without Online Sync)
1. Read these instructions all the way through before starting. I recommend finding all of the menu settings and getting familiar with where to find everything in the app before starting the process.
2. Make sure you have an older version of the app, or download the one provided in this post. 4.0.5 seems to work (Thanks to @fjdlkjfldjsjsjjfs).
3. Go into the App, click the three lines on the top left-hand side, then click on Settings.
4. Scroll down and make sure Auto Backup is checked.
5. If it is NOT checked, then enable Auto Backup (check the box) and wait 24 hours for the backup to happen. I didn’t see any other way of speeding this up, so make sure to wait the 24 hours. If for some crazy reason it asks you for a password to enable auto backup, make sure you have the latest version of ColorNote. That should fix the problem and let you select Auto Backup without the password.
6. After this step, or if Auto Backup was already enabled, go to Settings, then scroll down towards the bottom and click on Backup.
7. On this screen, you should see a Backup Notes button, and right below it the Saved Backup Data section, which will include the date, time, and a box to the right with the number of notes that was backed up.
8. Verify the backup by clicking on the file (where the date and time are) and then click view. This should show you all your locked and unlocked notes.
9. Once you have verified the backup, you are going to clear the Master Password.
10. Note – Resetting the Master Password will delete your locked notes; however, you will still have the backup. That is what we will be working with to get your notes back.
11. Go to Settings, scroll down to Security, and click on Master Password.
12. If this screen is asking for the Current Master Password, then click on the three circles menu button on the top right hand side, select clear password, then click okay on the popup box that comes up.
13. Now you can set a new Master Password, and re-enter it. Then click Save.
14. Go back to Backup (Settings > Backup)
15. Click on the backup file you want to restore.
16. Click Restore.
17. Now you can open the locked notes with your new Master Password.
Part II (WITH Online Sync)
1. Follow steps 1-8 in Part 1.
2. Go to Settings, click Online Sync, then Sign Out.
3. At this point, all your notes will be gone. They are safely stored in your online sync as well as the auto backup files.
4. Go to Settings, scroll down to Security, and click on Master Password, and setup a new Master Password.
5. In the settings menu, click on Backup, then click on the backup file. (If you don’t see a backup file, then you must sync the account again and wait 24 hours. Please see steps 1-8 in Part I.)
6. Once you click on the backup file, a popup menu will come up. Click View.
7. This will show you all your files. If you click on the locked notes, you will be able to open them with your new password.
8. You can restore the note by pressing the sideways-U-shaped arrow on the top right-hand corner of the note itself. You can also long press the note from the previous notes screen and the restore option that pops up on the bottom of the screen.
9. Note – You must restore the notes individually, DO NOT select them all and then choose Restore. If you try it this way, it will reconnect you to Online Sync and cancel out your new password.
10. Once you have restored all the notes you want, you can reconnect to Online Sync if you choose to (Settings > Online Sync).
That’s it! Hopefully you have successfully recovered your important, locked notes. I truly hope this has been helpful, and again I appreciate all the people mentioned above for their wisdom and guidance on this process. Please post any questions, comments or concerns you may have.
I apologize for the lengthy post, I realize I went a little overboard with the details, however I just wanted to make sure things were clear.
Thanks!
Reserved
July 8th, 2021 - Updated OP to reflect that older version of app is needed in order for the process to work. Ver. 4.0.5 works per member @fjdlkjfldjsjsjjfs.
July 14, 2021 - Updated OP with ColorNote apk, ver. 4.0.5.
VIDEO TUTORIAL WILL BE BETTER
Better Method
Just delete the app. Go to the app store, uninstall it, then install it again. Before you've logged in or anything, it will find the note on your phone, but your password is stored on it's servers. So you can see it before you sign in or sync or anything.
Has anyone been able to research who actually owns Colornote these days, or how they support development of this free app? Generally I've been able to find the large conglomerate behind popular apps that get purchased and injected with new behavior. Like ES Explorer, etc.
Colornotes just mysteriously changed the developer name in Google Play to "Notes" a few years ago and there's no trace online of who that is.
Does anyone know?
Unfortunately I believe they've patched this now. Restore seems to also restore the Master password, at least for me as it rejects my new one after attempting in on a Note as well as if I try to change it in settings.
Same here, can not access my backup files because they are locked with my old master password.
Does anyone know how to get around this so i can open and restore my notes?
Hi! I'm new here, and i registered just to say thank!
So thank you so much, you really helped a lot!!
I truly don't understand why they doesn't have the usual sistem when you forgot your password they send you an email or sms to your phone with a code in it etc.
Have a nice day!!
Hi! I'm just here to say thank you!
it really works
As for July 9th, 2021:
Follow corpsetomb's steps 1-8 of Part I. Delete the app and install the apk of an older version, so that the rest of the guide works, and follow it. I've installed 4.0.5 and everything worked perfectly. Thanks, corpsetomb!
P.S. The guide doesn't work in the latest version, requiring online login for viewing even the device backup.
corpsetomb said:
Hello!
This is a guide to help anyone who cannot retrieve or unlock any important documents in ColorNote. This can happen for many reasons, such as forgetting your password, or getting a new phone. This same situation happened to me, and I scoured the internet to find a way to retrieve my important notes. I found and tried multiple things from different places, and after a day I was able to retrieve my notes. I figured since there wasn't a thread on this, and because their still might be people out there using this app, or people who don't use it because of this situation, that I would post the method here for easy access and availability.
Credit to GPT (posted the fix on Retrogade Peace) Mick Lee, Mohammed Rafi, collegemomlynn, jambavo75.
Some of the instructions were a little hard to follow for me, so I will do the best I can at detailing the steps here. PART I will review if you have never synced your notes to an account, like Google, Facebook etc. PART II will be if you HAVE synced your account. Either way we will get you up and running. If pictures are needed to help with the process, or even a walkthrough video, let me know and I will post them here.
Part I (Without Online Sync)
1. Read these instructions all the way through before starting. I recommend finding all of the menu settings and getting familiar with where to find everything in the app before starting the process.
2. Make sure you have the latest version of the app.
3. Go into the App, click the three lines on the top left-hand side, then click on Settings.
4. Scroll down and make sure Auto Backup is checked.
5. If it is NOT checked, then enable Auto Backup (check the box) and wait 24 hours for the backup to happen. I didn’t see any other way of speeding this up, so make sure to wait the 24 hours. If for some crazy reason it asks you for a password to enable auto backup, make sure you have the latest version of ColorNote. That should fix the problem and let you select Auto Backup without the password.
6. After this step, or if Auto Backup was already enabled, go to Settings, then scroll down towards the bottom and click on Backup.
7. On this screen, you should see a Backup Notes button, and right below it the Saved Backup Data section, which will include the date, time, and a box to the right with the number of notes that was backed up.
8. Verify the backup by clicking on the file (where the date and time are) and then click view. This should show you all your locked and unlocked notes.
9. Once you have verified the backup, you are going to clear the Master Password.
10. Note – Resetting the Master Password will delete your locked notes; however, you will still have the backup. That is what we will be working with to get your notes back.
11. Go to Settings, scroll down to Security, and click on Master Password.
12. If this screen is asking for the Current Master Password, then click on the three circles menu button on the top right hand side, select clear password, then click okay on the popup box that comes up.
13. Now you can set a new Master Password, and re-enter it. Then click Save.
14. Go back to Backup (Settings > Backup)
15. Click on the backup file you want to restore.
16. Click Restore.
17. Now you can open the locked notes with your new Master Password.
Part II (WITH Online Sync)
1. Follow steps 1-8 in Part 1.
2. Go to Settings, click Online Sync, then Sign Out.
3. At this point, all your notes will be gone. They are safely stored in your online sync as well as the auto backup files.
4. Go to Settings, scroll down to Security, and click on Master Password, and setup a new Master Password.
5. In the settings menu, click on Backup, then click on the backup file. (If you don’t see a backup file, then you must sync the account again and wait 24 hours. Please see steps 1-8 in Part I.)
6. Once you click on the backup file, a popup menu will come up. Click View.
7. This will show you all your files. If you click on the locked notes, you will be able to open them with your new password.
8. You can restore the note by pressing the sideways-U-shaped arrow on the top right-hand corner of the note itself. You can also long press the note from the previous notes screen and the restore option that pops up on the bottom of the screen.
9. Note – You must restore the notes individually, DO NOT select them all and then choose Restore. If you try it this way, it will reconnect you to Online Sync and cancel out your new password.
10. Once you have restored all the notes you want, you can reconnect to Online Sync if you choose to (Settings > Online Sync).
That’s it! Hopefully you have successfully recovered your important, locked notes. I truly hope this has been helpful, and again I appreciate all the people mentioned above for their wisdom and guidance on this process. Please post any questions, comments or concerns you may have.
I apologize for the lengthy post, I realize I went a little overboard with the details, however I just wanted to make sure things were clear.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
fjdlkjfldjsjsjjfs said:
As for July 9th, 2021:
Follow corpsetomb's steps 1-8 of Part I. Delete the app and install the apk of an older version, so that the rest of the guide works, and follow it. I've installed 4.0.5 and everything worked perfectly. Thanks, corpsetomb!
P.S. The guide doesn't work in the latest version, requiring online login for viewing even the device backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the heads up @fjdlkjfldjsjsjjfs! I will update the OP to reflect installing an older version of the app. Quick question, did you only need to do steps 1-8, or the whole process? If the rest of the steps aren't needed, I will update the post to make sure there isn't anything that doesn't need to be there.
pranabp said:
Hi! I'm just here to say thank you!
it really works
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are so welcome!
kittir said:
Hi! I'm new here, and i registered just to say thank!
So thank you so much, you really helped a lot!!
I truly don't understand why they doesn't have the usual sistem when you forgot your password they send you an email or sms to your phone with a code in it etc.
Have a nice day!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are very welcome! It must be because they kind of fell off, and never got around to it. Have a great day!
corpsetomb said:
Thanks for the heads up @fjdlkjfldjsjsjjfs! I will update the OP to reflect installing an older version of the app. Quick question, did you only need to do steps 1-8, or the whole process? If the rest of the steps aren't needed, I will update the post to make sure there isn't anything that doesn't need to be there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@corpsetomb , I followed all the steps of the Part II. The back up part works the same in the latest version of the app but one can't restore notes the way described in your post (I guess they've fixed it), so an earlier one is needed. Also, I was able to restore multiple notes by long pressing one and choosing all the necessary.
fjdlkjfldjsjsjjfs said:
@corpsetomb , I followed all the steps of the Part II. The back up part works the same in the latest version of the app but one can't restore notes the way described in your post (I guess they've fixed it), so an earlier one is needed. Also, I was able to restore multiple notes by long pressing one and choosing all the necessary.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay great! Thanks for all your help!
corpsetomb said:
Hello!
This is a guide to help anyone who cannot retrieve or unlock any important documents in ColorNote. This can happen for many reasons, such as forgetting your password, or getting a new phone. This same situation happened to me, and I scoured the internet to find a way to retrieve my important notes. I found and tried multiple things from different places, and after a day I was able to retrieve my notes. I figured since there wasn't a thread on this, and because their still might be people out there using this app, or people who don't use it because of this situation, that I would post the method here for easy access and availability.
Credit to GPT (posted the fix on Retrogade Peace) Mick Lee, Mohammed Rafi, collegemomlynn, jambavo75.
Some of the instructions were a little hard to follow for me, so I will do the best I can at detailing the steps here. PART I will review if you have never synced your notes to an account, like Google, Facebook etc. PART II will be if you HAVE synced your account. Either way we will get you up and running. If pictures are needed to help with the process, or even a walkthrough video, let me know and I will post them here.
Part I (Without Online Sync)
1. Read these instructions all the way through before starting. I recommend finding all of the menu settings and getting familiar with where to find everything in the app before starting the process.
2. Make sure you have an older version of the app, or download the one provided in this post. 4.0.5 seems to work (Thanks to @fjdlkjfldjsjsjjfs).
3. Go into the App, click the three lines on the top left-hand side, then click on Settings.
4. Scroll down and make sure Auto Backup is checked.
5. If it is NOT checked, then enable Auto Backup (check the box) and wait 24 hours for the backup to happen. I didn’t see any other way of speeding this up, so make sure to wait the 24 hours. If for some crazy reason it asks you for a password to enable auto backup, make sure you have the latest version of ColorNote. That should fix the problem and let you select Auto Backup without the password.
6. After this step, or if Auto Backup was already enabled, go to Settings, then scroll down towards the bottom and click on Backup.
7. On this screen, you should see a Backup Notes button, and right below it the Saved Backup Data section, which will include the date, time, and a box to the right with the number of notes that was backed up.
8. Verify the backup by clicking on the file (where the date and time are) and then click view. This should show you all your locked and unlocked notes.
9. Once you have verified the backup, you are going to clear the Master Password.
10. Note – Resetting the Master Password will delete your locked notes; however, you will still have the backup. That is what we will be working with to get your notes back.
11. Go to Settings, scroll down to Security, and click on Master Password.
12. If this screen is asking for the Current Master Password, then click on the three circles menu button on the top right hand side, select clear password, then click okay on the popup box that comes up.
13. Now you can set a new Master Password, and re-enter it. Then click Save.
14. Go back to Backup (Settings > Backup)
15. Click on the backup file you want to restore.
16. Click Restore.
17. Now you can open the locked notes with your new Master Password.
Part II (WITH Online Sync)
1. Follow steps 1-8 in Part 1.
2. Go to Settings, click Online Sync, then Sign Out.
3. At this point, all your notes will be gone. They are safely stored in your online sync as well as the auto backup files.
4. Go to Settings, scroll down to Security, and click on Master Password, and setup a new Master Password.
5. In the settings menu, click on Backup, then click on the backup file. (If you don’t see a backup file, then you must sync the account again and wait 24 hours. Please see steps 1-8 in Part I.)
6. Once you click on the backup file, a popup menu will come up. Click View.
7. This will show you all your files. If you click on the locked notes, you will be able to open them with your new password.
8. You can restore the note by pressing the sideways-U-shaped arrow on the top right-hand corner of the note itself. You can also long press the note from the previous notes screen and the restore option that pops up on the bottom of the screen.
9. Note – You must restore the notes individually, DO NOT select them all and then choose Restore. If you try it this way, it will reconnect you to Online Sync and cancel out your new password.
10. Once you have restored all the notes you want, you can reconnect to Online Sync if you choose to (Settings > Online Sync).
That’s it! Hopefully you have successfully recovered your important, locked notes. I truly hope this has been helpful, and again I appreciate all the people mentioned above for their wisdom and guidance on this process. Please post any questions, comments or concerns you may have.
I apologize for the lengthy post, I realize I went a little overboard with the details, however I just wanted to make sure things were clear.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Man. It Helped Quite A Bit.
Hi Corpsetomb,
Just registered to do this.
Thankyou so much for your tutorial. Bought a new phone and in the washup of transfering everything I lost my ColornNote Master password. Followed your guide to the tee and all good now.
Many thanks to the creator of the post.
Impressive that even after more than 3 years, this procedure still works, it's incredible, I was able to recover a very important note after having forgotten the master password. But this also reveals a terrible security breach of the app, it's a very convenient app, but I'm going to stop using it.
Hey Together,
I'll hope some can help me with an quite similiar problem.
I deleted my fb account, but used the colornote app further on. Unfornenately the connection to the fb acc. got lost and know i can't recover the back-up, because colornote wants me to log in the fb acc.
I deleted the App and downloaded the a.m. 4.0.5. Version, but unfortenately colornote can't find my back-up from the 4.4.2 version.
I already tried to store the back-up file in the back-up folder, but that didnt helped.
In the 4.4.2 Version (latest Version) i can recover my back-up, eventhough it won't be launched, when i reinstall the latest version, but then i can't open the back-up file due to the missing link to the fb acc.
I hope someone can help me.
Best Regards,
Ben
To whom it may concern, this procedure still works and can even be done with version 4.1.6 of Colornote, versions above that do not work as the application now requires that the user have synchronization enabled in order to remove the password.

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