[Q] Preserving apps on a 'clean' install. - Nexus One Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

OK, so my mom insisted that she needs a Nexus One, and that I need to root it for her and put a custom ROM on. She lives in a country where Android phones are not very available. Anyway.
I know what you're thinking - I'd be stuck doing tech support for my mom. Well there was a week of that, and then she ran around bragging about her phone to all her friends, and now THEY ALL WANT ONE.
So I agreed (read: got guilted) into setting another one up for a Close Friend of the Family. Now when I did my mom's she pretty much gave me her google account info and I just set it up for her. What I'd prefer to do is install a bunch of apps and then wipe all the userinfo so they have to put in their own google account info. But when I go into recovery and do a wipe, of course, all the apps go, too.
Is there any simple way of doing this?

jethro1138 said:
OK, so my mom insisted that she needs a Nexus One, and that I need to root it for her and put a custom ROM on. She lives in a country where Android phones are not very available. Anyway.
I know what you're thinking - I'd be stuck doing tech support for my mom. Well there was a week of that, and then she ran around bragging about her phone to all her friends, and now THEY ALL WANT ONE.
So I agreed (read: got guilted) into setting another one up for a Close Friend of the Family. Now when I did my mom's she pretty much gave me her google account info and I just set it up for her. What I'd prefer to do is install a bunch of apps and then wipe all the userinfo so they have to put in their own google account info. But when I go into recovery and do a wipe, of course, all the apps go, too.
Is there any simple way of doing this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If the apps you're installing are free and non-protected, you can back them up with AppMonster, copy those .apks over onto the new phone, and install there. No need to set up an account for most of those.

codesplice said:
If the apps you're installing are free and non-protected, you can back them up with AppMonster, copy those .apks over onto the new phone, and install there. No need to set up an account for most of those.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They're all free apps, so that's not a problem. I figured I could adb install, or something like what you're describing, but my concern is whether or not they'll be auto-upgraded through Market (or rather whether they'll get notifications saying updates are available).

Yes, they will be. If you use Titanium for backup, for example, you'll be able to restore the apps before logging in to Market. That's what I do when I change ROMs.

Jack_R1 said:
Yes, they will be. If you use Titanium for backup, for example, you'll be able to restore the apps before logging in to Market. That's what I do when I change ROMs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's pretty cool... except I realise I still need to do the initial login to the phone to run titanium backup. I want to send this to people so when they turn it on they get the "Welcome to Android!" screen, so they get the little tutorial and get to set up their account directly over there without me having to tell them "Ok click menu, then settings..." etc.
Also, I'd like to setup some applications for them - set up browser homepage/bookmarks, some ADWLauncher settings, and preferably which icons/widgets are on the desktops. I know Titanium can do that (though I'm not sure which setting is the desktop) but again, I'd have to login.
Is there maybe something I can wipe to make it rerun the intro screen?

jethro1138 said:
Is there maybe something I can wipe to make it rerun the intro screen?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not sure if this will work but...
could you install everything you wanted then go into settings, accounts & sync click on your old account and select "remove account"
let me know if this helps

jonesy420 said:
not sure if this will work but...
could you install everything you wanted then go into settings, accounts & sync click on your old account and select "remove account"
let me know if this helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think if you do that it just starts with no account, like if you start it and skip entering n account.

Just build your own gapps-style package with everything you want included, then flash it without even logging in.
Alternatively, using your own phone, backup the apps and settings, and use App Monster out similar to backup Titanium as an apk. Then you can install everything without ever having to sign in...
You can skip the initial sign in by touching the four corners of the screen when the android appears, starting top left and working clockwise...
So if you have already signed in, just follow these steps:
Wipe all data
Boot up and skip sign in
Install apps (Titanium if rooted, App Monster if not)
Make whatever settings you want
Power off
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App

Related

[Q] restore help please..

Am new to Android two weeks ago. I had to have my new SGS replaced and thought that all the phone settings and apps were being synced with my google account (I've always had Background Data and Auto-sync checked on as well as my google accounts set to sync on for Gmail, Contacts and Calendar). Having powered on the new replacement and entered my google account settings I was expecting it to recognise that the new device was not in sync with google and offer to push everything back down to the phone.
All that has happened is my Contacts, Gmail and Calendar are in sync but the phone settings & previously installed apps through the market place are not.
If I go into the Android Market Place on the phone and look at one of the previous apps I had installed such as BBC iPlayer it shows my rating and comment so it knows its me but only offers the option to reinstall the app again from the market, i.e. finding each app manually and reinstalling. Is it not supposed to restore the apps you have previously installed? I reinstalled this app from the market but it hasn't restored the user data associated with the app.
Having dug a little further whilst writing this, I notice that if I log into the Android Market through a web browser on the PC I can see in the "Orders" screen the apps that I previously downloaded. However, on the next tab "Settings" shows My Devices with the old and new phone listed. There doesn't seem to be a way to remove the old phone from my account or tell it that the new phone actually replaces the old so just give me the old data to the new device.
Being new to Android I did think that this was meant to work slicker than this, I hope someone can help out a newbie please?
If you go into the Market and look at My Apps, you should be able to redownload them all (I think an option exists to download them all with a single click "update all" or something like that). Most people backup their applications etc using Tatanium Backup so that they easily restore user apps after ROM upgrades etc. You can also backup SMS messages using an app from the Market.
When you first enter a new Google account into your phone, there is a check box to restore your apps from the Market. This actually is usually best NOT to use since it can cause a sudden massive download.
It is in all ways safer and smarter to just go into MyApps and reinstall the apps one by one. It may take a little longer, but it is a better method.
Titanium Backup is a good option for restoring apps after you flash a new rom, but it won't do you any good if you change phones.
Unfortunately that isn't the case.
If I go into the Android Market Place on the phone and "My Apps" I don't see the apps that were installed on the old phone and thus no option from My Apps to reinstall them.
The only apps that are present in My Apps are those that were I guess added by Three's flavour of this 2.2 OS, which are the Three app plus Google Maps and YouTube.
Their seems to be something wrong with market place if it is meant to work how your suggesting. If I log into market place through my PC that google account sees both the old and new phone but doesn't on the phone offer the old apps to the new phone.
I'm pretty sure that when I entered my google account details earlier that there was no option box to restore as I would have taken that option as I have an unlimited data plan.
I wonder if I should do a factory reset and re enter the account details again but I fear that it will just see this new phone in the market place and not the old one as they obviously have some sort of device id.
Unfortunately it looks like Titanium is just for rooted devices and am not ready to go down that route (no pun intended) just yet.
If the apps and app data are suppose to sync with google then it seems like an unnecessary duplication of work to redo something outside of what should be part of Android natively.
If I have to install a backup app then I would want to find one that backs up all the phone settings, apps and app data to the SD card which I can then move over to the PC where there is obviously more storage. It would be nice to find such an app that provides a selective restore so that it would also be compatible with a new different model phone so that only the apps and app data could be restored.

Nook CM7 using same gmail account as phone but can I prevent apps from syncing?

If this has been addressed before, I apologize in advance - I tried searching but didn't really come up with anything.
Basically while using CM7 on my NC, registering the device using my primary Google account that is linked to my phone (Supersonic/Evo), the market decides it needs to sync all my apps that are on my Evo to my NC. I'd like to get everything else synced to my NC, (contacts, mail, reader, etc) but not the apps. Is there a way to separate these devices in the eyes of Google Market and keep app syncing separate between the two devices, or at the very least, turn off app syncing on my NC?
I'm confused, you make it sound like you have to register your google account every time you boot or load up CM7. I know it does it on the initial setup, but past that you shouldn't have to. Unless you are wiping everything, every time you update CM7.
That being said, you can uninstall, but it won't download an application just because you purchase it on your phone. Other than that, I don't believe there is a way to block the application downloads to the nook upon registering.
biohazrd51 said:
I'm confused, you make it sound like you have to register your google account every time you boot or load up CM7. I know it does it on the initial setup, but past that you shouldn't have to. Unless you are wiping everything, every time you update CM7.
That being said, you can uninstall, but it won't download an application just because you purchase it on your phone. Other than that, I don't believe there is a way to block the application downloads to the nook upon registering.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, I meant I was dual booting between CM7 and stock NC. I'm about to wipe and go full CM7 and was trying to figure out if I could do what I asked in the OP. I'll have to test it, but I would assume if I deleted the app via settings instead of with Ti Backup or something that it would end up not syncing on my phone because the Market would "see" that I deleted it and assume I didn't want the app anymore. These are mostly free apps, btw, I don't buy too many. However, I was considering buying SwiftKey X for tablets and I don't want that showing up on my Evo, either.
The market is getting smarter, but isn't that smart yet.
When loading CM7 to the emmc I would just sync the account, lets the apps download, then uninstall the ones you don't want. Its likely you will only do this a handful of times. If you purchase apps for the nook, they don't automatically download to your other devices, you have to go to the market and select it for download (it does see that you purchased it though).
Google does sync apps too? For real?
I never know that, at least on my NC, I've only seen syncing calendars, books, mails, and contacts, never seen "sync apps"
I seem to recall one of the questions it asks you on the initial setup when you start CM7 for the first time you can just choose not to sync apps. Its been a while though.
Rogue Leader said:
I seem to recall one of the questions it asks you on the initial setup when you start CM7 for the first time you can just choose not to sync apps. Its been a while though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hurrrrr, you're right. I redid setup and unticked the box. Fixed it. I'm so used to GApps setup and leaving those checked on my phone that I didn't even read the text.
The question now is, though, theoretically if I wanted to change it, where in the settings is it? I swear I looked through the entire settings catalog and didn't see the option
Rogue Leader said:
I seem to recall one of the questions it asks you on the initial setup when you start CM7 for the first time you can just choose not to sync apps. Its been a while though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Next time I'm going to pay more attention when I run through setup.
stankcheeze said:
Hurrrrr, you're right. I redid setup and unticked the box. Fixed it. I'm so used to GApps setup and leaving those checked on my phone that I didn't even read the text.
The question now is, though, theoretically if I wanted to change it, where in the settings is it? I swear I looked through the entire settings catalog and didn't see the option
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't, its a one time thing that syncs up what you had at the time. At least as far as I know....

paid market apps and my apps

ok stupid question..but im thinking of buying tibu and beweather from the market.. when i purchase them..and updates continue to come out..can i update them always..or do i always to pay again when an update comes out..and if there are free updates..how does it work if i reflash a rom or something using cm7.. thanks
and while im here..one more question..im my rom experience will be complete.. lol i went to flash cm7 and when i did all the restore and stuff it should that i had 50 updates but then that went away in my market..and now my complaint is i know i have more than 100 apps and it doesnt show on my apps in my market..ive rebooted reflash all that..im using tibu 4.0.0 but when i browse for that app..it does say its installed..its just that if i got my apps some of them are not there..basically if i wanna see if theres an update i have to browse for it to see if it says update or just installed..but if recall..i think when i did an update it finally was seen in my apps in market correctly after the update..what gives please help..thanks..sorry for the two questions in one and the long ramble
I am sure you pay once and all the updates after are free. I haven't bought applications on android, but am just assuming it's like digital distribution in general.
... I can't really understand your second question/ ramble. If it's about your downloaded applications list disappearing when flashing a new rom, yeah, that happens. You could just use titanium backup to restore applications once you are done flashing the new rom. Sorry if I missed the meaning of your second question.
i have tibu pro and i get the updates on the same licence. it's one of few apps i've bought. you need to go to manage applications to the market , clear data and you will see your apps.
fractaline said:
i have tibu pro and i get the updates on the same licence. it's one of few apps i've bought. you need to go to manage applications to the market , clear data and you will see your apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what you mean you get updates on the same license? i mean i get my updates like i said..but thats if i browse through the market catalog manually without going to my apps since i cant see half of my apps in my apps section..and i did do that btw..even the cache i cleared nothing..still 50 apps instead of like 104 or something.. wahhh! thats all i need is my apps showing and im all good!!! im pretty sure that if you do buy an app your good to go you can update as often it is needed for free..just need my apps to show..and i already reflashed too.. hay!
did you try to reinstall the market? after the flash... also were the apps all d/l'ed from the same market account originally? not trying to be a smartass just throwing a few more ideas out there...... back to stock???
bluerogue85 said:
what you mean you get updates on the same license? i mean i get my updates like i said..but thats if i browse through the market catalog manually without going to my apps since i cant see half of my apps in my apps section..and i did do that btw..even the cache i cleared nothing..still 50 apps instead of like 104 or something.. wahhh! thats all i need is my apps showing and im all good!!! im pretty sure that if you do buy an app your good to go you can update as often it is needed for free..just need my apps to show..and i already reflashed too.. hay!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I think that's a common problem when restoring from TiBu...the market gets confused. Happened to me...it's an easy fix:
First, reboot the phone to make sure everything is closed. Go to Settings > Applications > Manage Applications. Tap the All tab. Scroll down until you find Market. Tap Market to open it's application settings. Tap the "Clear Data" button. Reboot the phone. Your market should now show everything.
If you purchase an app from the market, updates are included in the original price (i.e., you won't have to pay again). Purchases are tied to your Google account, so even if you buy a new phone, when you log in with your Google ID, the apps you purchased will show up in the "My Apps" section of the Market. You'll have to reinstall them, but you won't have to pay again.
^ this.
Although you don't have to reboot first to clear market data just clearing it will do the trick.
ok so heres the story..i did what everyone ask me to do..somehow still didnt work..then i did the market doctor thats suppose to fix the market links didnt work..i uninstalled tibu..rebooted and now i shows all my apps with like half of them needing updates..i know theres some that need updates and some that dont..but i did it ne ways just to be sure..so basically i got all my apps back! yay..thanks guys..so wait one of you said that i dont have to pay again and as long as i have my google id i can still dl it even if i flash ANY rom on here..thanks again!
Paid apps are linked to the google account that purchased them.You could sign in to your account on a completely different device and download them. So yes flashing then away will not cause you to have to repurchase them.

[Q] Trying hand at kitchen, some questions

I'm taking an existing rom and removing some bloatware i don't want to run. Since this will not be a published thing, i want to personalize it some.
Is there a way i can have it set to have me logged in to google, and other apps as soon as it flashes? Maybe install few select apps and their settings, like live wallpaper.
I use dropsync paid app to sync entire memory card, say i have to replace device suddenly. That would be one of a few apps i want to have login and settings restored so when i flash rom on a blank phone, it just starts syncing and putting things back where they were on old phone. Also gCloud backup and set it to restore backups?
I could also do full wipes and never really loose anything.
Thoughts, rants?

Best way to back up non root

I have plans to go back to a locked bootloader once Android 12 is final. I have an older Pixel 2 XL and I was wondering if it would be possible to copy all apps data and settings to the older pixel then restore them back to the 5 after the bootloader relocking. I was originally going to do the adb backup to a PC but read that some apps like Google Authenticator don't backup via adb. I am trying to figure out the best way to backup prior to relocking.
Thanks!
alershka said:
I have plans to go back to a locked bootloader once Android 12 is final. I have an older Pixel 2 XL and I was wondering if it would be possible to copy all apps data and settings to the older pixel then restore them back to the 5 after the bootloader relocking. I was originally going to do the adb backup to a PC but read that some apps like Google Authenticator don't backup via adb. I am trying to figure out the best way to backup prior to relocking.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It depends on what type of app data you're talking about. Saved games, forget it without root. Most logins will not be saved either unless you have them saved with Google login. Try it with a couple of apps and see what happens. As for Google authenticator you can install a copy on another device with the new version. Then once you wipe the P5 you can once again transfer the app and data to the P5 from the 2XL.
I would start here.
-----------------
Why Google Authenticator? Are you trying to keep everything Google, or? Pure curiosity.
When I started using 2 factor a few years back I found it (Google Auth) to be extremely limited,,, and I don't see any updates to it to make me change to it.
Limited password protection, no encrypted backups for one thing,
I don't like Authy either, which seems to be #1, sans its terrible UI (IMO) and I find their multi-device support, just a bad idea, security-wise. What it does have going for it, is a desktop app, but I actually prefer my phone, which is with me umm, 99.999999% of my life.
So, what do I suggest? 2FAS. Its 4.7 star rating is highly deserved. What I do, is use its integrated Google drive sync backup (which can be considered not great for security, so in that case, don't use it (same to be said of Authys multi-device too), but I like it and when you're logged into your Google Account, log into 2FAS and all your tokens are back, HOWEVER, here comes oh the oh sh!t moment. How exactly are you to log into your Google account without having your 2FAS code for Google, because you need to be logged into yor account to get the codes, lol. Well what I do is keep an Encrypted backup on a flash drive, and my Samsung backup drive, as you NEVER know., and it's a good habit. To make things easier however I keep 2FAS logged on my old phone, that isn't really used at all, but in a pinch it's a good method to use.
-----------------
As I don't have much of any idea on the backups, but am interested, so I wish you well. And I would do as @bobby janow suggested. You have a solid number of great apps to try for this, as well. I will firstly suggest Flar2's new AppDash App. He actually also, though I do believe I read he doesn't know much about this, but it has a wonderful backup integration built into it, and can be used without root, which will limit things, but it's a fresh new app, and he may even update based on your experiments, just a thought. Next it Titanium backup I think? I actually never used the app. And then this XAPKS App, which seems to have a backup section much like the one in AppDash, but AppDash, you will probably get much better support for. Also I've read GREAT praises for Swift backup App.
Please keep us updated on what you decide to do, as it will only help others. And, best of luck to you on this, as it's an interesting idea.
I used to do something similar with TWRP.
And a side question, either of you know if our TWRP recovery backup works?
@andybones I used TWRP so many times over the years. And Titanium backup was the teets. That would backup everything, data, passwords, apps galore. But I believe both of those require root which the OP wants to get around. I'm not sure what happened to TWRP development since I haven't rooted in years but I do kind of keep up now and again. I don't know if it still works like it used to, which means it's time for me to visit the Roms, Kernels, and recoveries forum. ;-)
Yes, Google authenticator is minimalist for sure. But it's really easy to use and does work but I will look into 2FAS, thanks for the link. I tried a few of the backup apps when I unrooted way back when and none worked well without root. But I'm sure a lot has changed. I'd be curious to see when the OP comes up with too. On a side note I really hope the P6 is not too large looking. haha. I'd so love to stick with Android. Should be soon when we know. One last thing on backup, I always do a backup of my text and phone calls with SMS backup and restore SMS even though transfer to a new device usually does the trick. But once I lost a bunch of stuff due to user error in the upgrade.
bobby janow said:
@andybones I used TWRP so many times over the years. And Titanium backup was the teets. That would backup everything, data, passwords, apps galore. But I believe both of those require root which the OP wants to get around. I'm not sure what happened to TWRP development since I haven't rooted in years but I do kind of keep up now and again. I don't know if it still works like it used to, which means it's time for me to visit the Roms, Kernels, and recoveries forum. ;-)
Yes, Google authenticator is minimalist for sure. But it's really easy to use and does work but I will look into 2FAS, thanks for the link. I tried a few of the backup apps when I unrooted way back when and none worked well without root. But I'm sure a lot has changed. I'd be curious to see when the OP comes up with too. On a side note I really hope the P6 is not too large looking. haha. I'd so love to stick with Android. Should be soon when we know. One last thing on backup, I always do a backup of my text and phone calls with SMS backup and restore SMS even though transfer to a new device usually does the trick. But once I lost a bunch of stuff due to user error in the upgrade.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I LOVE TWRP, such an amazing recovery. I remember when first switching over to it. I always heard such raving reviews about TiBackup, I just never needed it, or maybe I found other alternatives, most likely due to habit. I think I've rooted every single device I've owned of Android since the first HTC Eris, wild ride. I think Encryption and A11 in general is causing slow downs, only guessing however, I believe A10 is rocking. There are a cpl dope ROMs for the P5, and they use a custom limited recovery from my small understanding (It's still new to me that recovery is tied to the boot.img), but also I've read the use of web flash tool, like you can with Google, which is freaking awesome! It's interesting to me to be flashing a ROM to my phone from my PC. I wonder what the fallbacks are on this method though for frozen PC or reboots, ETC.
And, thinking of it, there isn't anything wrong with a minimalist App such as Google Auth, but very welcome for the link, I hope you give 2FAS a try and interested in your thoughts.
It certainly is a different experience of Android without root. Ads & limitations. but still a good experience. It's also strange being rooted on pure stock like I am. It's a nice experience, tbh. A different one than I'm used to, but still really nice.
SMS Backup & Restore, too dope! This was an absolute must for me. I use Signal now, so I need to rely on their backup and restore, as they encrypt them. But it works well, if all goes to h#ll you usually will have a backup within the past couple of days which isn't bad.
And that P6 bro, I'm itching to hold it and see if I can be able to use it. I hope so. This is my first Pixel and I enjoy the experience.
I really miss being able to run and restore nandroids.
I guess I have used google authenticator out of convenience. I also have a Google Titan key which is my primary account recovery tool.
Bobby Janow and Andybones have learned me so much. Shout out to both of you.
michaelbsheldon said:
Bobby Janow and Andybones have learned me so much. Shout out to both of you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much, and you're so welcome. I know my posts can get long at times. But, the way I see it, I'd rather give MORE information in my initial posts but also hopefully answered your question(s), which will save a post of you asking for more details. This has been an annoyance at times over the years where someone may not give exact Modification naming and version causing myself or others users seeking more needed information that I feel should be standard.
If you're signed into your Google account on your phone, most of your apps and settings should be backed up there. You'll need to ensure your pictures and user data are otherwise backed up though.
Why relock?
mrsiri said:
Why relock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Banking.
I see. Be careful when relocking, double check if everything is correctly flashed to stock otherwise you could have big problems to unlock bootloader again if needed.
bobby janow said:
Banking.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
alershka said:
I have plans to go back to a locked bootloader once Android 12 is final. I have an older Pixel 2 XL and I was wondering if it would be possible to copy all apps data and settings to the older pixel then restore them back to the 5 after the bootloader relocking. I was originally going to do the adb backup to a PC but read that some apps like Google Authenticator don't backup via adb. I am trying to figure out the best way to backup prior to relocking.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use Titanium Backup to backup all app data. It needs root. Then just copy paste all backup files to your other phone and restore them.
mrsiri said:
I see. Be careful when relocking, double check if everything is correctly flashed to stock otherwise you could have big problems to unlock bootloader again if needed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Totally agree. Full, unadulterated stock, latest image. Then and only then..
It looks like the final version of 12 will be out in a few weeks. I have moved all of my Authentication tokens from Google Authenticator to 2FAS. I only had seven accounts to move so it wasn't horrible. As I mentioned, I still have the Titan key as my primary 2FA for my main Google Account so I should be good to get the phone back up after the relock.
I am am on the latest beta for Android 12 and plan to do the following when the final Android 12 files are available.
Full backup of phone and sdcard using adb
Install Factory Image with Wipe
Relock bootloader
restore adb backup

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