Hi all, I thought I understood rooting etc. when had my Samsung S5, HTC Desire etc. but a bit stumped here.
I have a rooted (rootgenius) Ascend P7 (Kernel - 3.0.8-00485-ge6e6a9b, EMUI 3.0) that I am happy with. Looking to use Xposed Installer to make some tweaks but cannot seem to backup beforehand...
I've backed up all apps in Titanium Backup. When I go to reboot into recovery (ROM manager) I get the EMUI screen with 3 options (Reboot System Now, Wipe data/Factory Reset, Wipe Cache Partition). ROM manager also allows me to backup, and says that there is a current backup (sdcard/TWRP/backup) but this is blank in a file explorer and when I click on it on the phone, it takes me to the same EMUI screen.
How do I install CWM or TWRP so I see them in recovery and can backup the system in a way that is restorable (guessing that Titanium Backup isn't that useful if stuck in bootloop for example).
Thanks
Any ideas on this as I would love to start using XposedInstaller etc. but only with this backup, many thanks.
Have you tried this yet?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2793247
Thanks to everyone here up front for all the awesome help available here.
I just got my Nexus 6, and no issues unlocking bootloader, installing custom recovery (TWRP), getting root and flashing ROMs/zips (currently loving Pure Nexus with xposed).
My question is regarding backups. When you backup your current setup, most of the information I've found don't show the "System Image" partition under the "System" partition when you go to make a new backup. It's quite large, and I was wondering exactly what that is, and if you need to include that in your backup. Anyone know of a helpful link that explains the partitions?
Also, if you make a bunch of backups, and move them to your computer, does that make things harder if you want to restore from a backup? Can you restore from a backup on your computer just as easily as a backup on the phone's internal storage?
Thanks again
Edit (1/15/2016):
Thanks to RMarkwald and scryan for the quick responses and info. So it seems that the system image isn't going to be needed, and backing up System, Data, and Boot will be good enough for normal backup of the phone/rom before trying something that might break the current setup.
giantninja said:
Thanks to everyone here up front for all the awesome help available here.
I just got my Nexus 6, and no issues unlocking bootloader, installing custom recovery (TWRP), getting root and flashing ROMs/zips (currently loving Pure Nexus with xposed).
My question is regarding backups. When you backup your current setup, most of the information I've found don't show the "System Image" partition under the "System" partition when you go to make a new backup. It's quite large, and I was wondering exactly what that is, and if you need to include that in your backup. Anyone know of a helpful link that explains the partitions?
Also, if you make a bunch of backups, and move them to your computer, does that make things harder if you want to restore from a backup? Can you restore from a backup on your computer just as easily as a backup on the phone's internal storage?
Thanks again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
According to TWRP in regards to System Image: The Team Win Recovery Project has released version 2.8.7.0 of its custom recovery, known simply as TWRP. This update brings a system read-only option that's intended to help you make a pure backup of your system image that you can later flash to receive over-the-air updates after having rooted or ROMed your device.
If you move backups to your computer, you'll either need to move them back to the internal storage of your phone or USB stick to use USB OTG to restore backups.
I already rooted my phone. Where can I get the pure system image now that I can later flash to receive over-the-air updates.
rocco24 said:
I already rooted my phone. Where can I get the pure system image now that I can later flash to receive over-the-air updates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
why would you want to unroot your phone, loose all your info, to flash a factory image, just to get an ota? why waste your time??? you can remain rooted, grab the system.img from a factory image, flash it with fastboot, not loose any info, then just reflash SuperSU and a kernel, and be updated. factory images are here https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images?csw=1#yakju
simms22 said:
why would you want to unroot your phone, loose all your info, to flash a factory image, just to get an ota? why waste your time??? you can remain rooted, grab the system.img from a factory image, flash it with fastboot, not loose any info, then just reflash SuperSU and a kernel, and be updated. factory images are here https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images?csw=1#yakju
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the explanation. I meant the system.img not the full factory image my bad.
rocco24 said:
Thanks for the explanation. I meant the system.img not the full factory image my bad.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the system.img is in the factory.img, just like the boot.img, cache.img, etc..
Nailed it thanks
RMarkwald said:
According to TWRP in regards to System Image: The Team Win Recovery Project has released version 2.8.7.0 of its custom recovery, known simply as TWRP. This update brings a system read-only option that's intended to help you make a pure backup of your system image that you can later flash to receive over-the-air updates after having rooted or ROMed your device.
If you move backups to your computer, you'll either need to move them back to the internal storage of your phone or USB stick to use USB OTG to restore backups.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, cool... So, if I want to try another ROM out, when I backup my current setup (Pure Nexus with xposed and some themes etc...), should I just backup System, data and boot? or should I backup that System Image as well? or is that System Image the snapshot of the stock ROM that the phone came with?
Thanks again
giantninja said:
Ok, cool... So, if I want to try another ROM out, when I backup my current setup (Pure Nexus with xposed and some themes etc...), should I just backup System, data and boot? or should I backup that System Image as well? or is that System Image the snapshot of the stock ROM that the phone came with?
Thanks again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't need the system image.
IIRC the system image will give you and .img file of your backup, you could then fastboot that to restore system. (I think... never tested. I believe you can do install and switch from zip to img as well...)
But for just a standard backup with TWRP so you can restore later if you have any problems... Just do as you said with the normal System (os), data (apps & app data), boot (kernel)
Not really sure who is using the system image option, or why...
scryan said:
Don't need the system image.
IIRC the system image will give you and .img file of your backup, you could then fastboot that to restore system. (I think... never tested. I believe you can do install and switch from zip to img as well...)
But for just a standard backup with TWRP so you can restore later if you have any problems... Just do as you said with the normal System (os), data (apps & app data), boot (kernel)
Not really sure who is using the system image option, or why...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome. That's what I was thinking, but I've been wrong before, so it never hurts to verify.
Thanks!
Opps wrong thread... Lol
Do any of you know how to reduce the size of or remove the System Image partition on the phone? It's taking up over 4gb on my phone and preventing me from restoring my data partition since it's running out of space during the restore.
cstokes86 said:
Do any of you know how to reduce the size of or remove the System Image partition on the phone? It's taking up over 4gb on my phone and preventing me from restoring my data partition since it's running out of space during the restore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I delete any foreign keyboards I don't need to reduce the system partition size. Delete /system/app/(GoogleHindiIME, GoogleJapaneseIME, GooglePinyinIME, KoreanIME). You can either mount system in TWRP and delete, or delete them with a root explorer if you're rooted.
JimSmith94 said:
I delete any foreign keyboards I don't need to reduce the system partition size. Delete /system/app/(GoogleHindiIME, GoogleJapaneseIME, GooglePinyinIME, KoreanIME). You can either mount system in TWRP and delete, or delete them with a root explorer if you're rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, Jim. I can wipe my main system partition to free up some space and then restore it later so I don't need to worry about tediously going through and removing unnecessary files. My issue is the "System Image" partition which is actually just over 3GB on my phone. I cannot seem to locate this partition and clear it out so I'm kinda stuck until I can figure out how to reduce the size of this partition ie clear out files from the partition either manually or entirely.
I'm in npd90g preview flashed via twrp.if I want official ota
Just flash system image of mm latest and this downgrade doesn't brick my phone ? Can I get ota? And what other should I flash with system image ? Boot ,data and recovery also ?
I dont no much english like othetr peopel
Promblem is i root my honor5x then device get so heat up . After that i deciede to reset it factory setting i have done it but now my device is stuk in twrp loop its not going back normal condition like factory setting plz help me ........ plz
@Shakil jamali: Wrong forum. Go to Honor 5X forum and ask again.
cstokes86 said:
Thanks, Jim. I can wipe my main system partition to free up some space and then restore it later so I don't need to worry about tediously going through and removing unnecessary files. My issue is the "System Image" partition which is actually just over 3GB on my phone. I cannot seem to locate this partition and clear it out so I'm kinda stuck until I can figure out how to reduce the size of this partition ie clear out files from the partition either manually or entirely.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good question. Is this system image actually a partition? Or something TWRP does combining the system image part with a few others into one file? If it is a partition would it be possible to delete it and resize system partition to make use of the extra space? I'm on a nextbit robin stock 7.1.1. Sys image shows as 3,072mb.
For some reason, i cant backup my device through twrp because of error 255. I tried unticking system, then ticked system image and somehow the backup worked. My question is, is it ok to backup with the system image instead of system? What happens when i restore? TIA
soyti2x said:
For some reason, i cant backup my device through twrp because of error 255. I tried unticking system, then ticked system image and somehow the backup worked. My question is, is it ok to backup with the system image instead of system? What happens when i restore? TIA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First, for your 255 error, look at this post. Get rid of the corrupted file and a normal nandroid will work.
To answer your main question, you can use the system.img as a backup. It is intended for people who want an complete, untouched system backup to restore prior to attempting a OTA update.
An alternative approach to backup/restore that works very well in N6, is Chainfire's FlashFire.
I want to do a backup of my android before restoring OOS on the phone (for a test). Was planing to use titanium backup but it seems like the app isn't very good anymore (the reviews are really bad now). Any other ideas? ADB didn't really create that a good backup and I lost WhatsApp and other stuff.
Current setup: lineage 17.1, twerp (latest version) and magisk 20.4.
Just realised I can use twrp for this ??
Eggstones said:
I want to do a backup of my android before restoring OOS on the phone (for a test). Was planing to use titanium backup but it seems like the app isn't very good anymore (the reviews are really bad now). Any other ideas? ADB didn't really create that a good backup and I lost WhatsApp and other stuff.
Current setup: lineage 17.1, twerp (latest version) and magisk 20.4.
Just realised I can use twrp for this ??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Two options:
1. Use TB to backup and restore app data and non-bundled/not split apks. Use SAI https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aefyr.sai to backup/restore bundled/split apks.
2. Use Migrate https://forum.xda-developers.com/an...stom-rom-migration-tool-t3862763/post78060823
Sent from my OnePlus 3T using XDA Labs
BillGoss said:
Two options:
1. Use TB to backup and restore app data and non-bundled/not split apks. Use SAI https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aefyr.sai to backup/restore bundled/split apks.
2. Use Migrate https://forum.xda-developers.com/an...stom-rom-migration-tool-t3862763/post78060823
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually don't understand option one but two sounds just the ticket. Thank you.
Eggstones said:
I want to do a backup of my android before restoring OOS on the phone (for a test). Was planing to use titanium backup but it seems like the app isn't very good anymore (the reviews are really bad now). Any other ideas? ADB didn't really create that a good backup and I lost WhatsApp and other stuff.
Current setup: lineage 17.1, twerp (latest version) and magisk 20.4.
Just realised I can use twrp for this ??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have TWRP, then indeed, adb backup --twrp data should be your friend.
However, extracting TWRP backups on your computer is not that trivial. To do that you need twrpabx, specifically prudy's fixed version. On a Linux computer, it is quick and easy to compile. I haven't tried on Windows.
Else, TWRP backups can only be restored on the same phone (or maybe also on another phone of the same model)
yahya69 said:
If you have TWRP, then indeed, adb backup --twrp data should be your friend.
However, extracting TWRP backups on your computer is not that trivial. To do that you need twrpabx, specifically prudy's fixed version. On a Linux computer, it is quick and easy to compile. I haven't tried on Windows.
Else, TWRP backups can only be restored on the same phone (or maybe also on another phone of the same model)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That should be then fine. I just want to try a thing on OOS so no switching of phones intended.
ADB backup I don't think restored the apps data when I tried it which was the main reason for doing the backup
Eggstones said:
That should be then fine. I just want to try a thing on OOS so no switching of phones intended.
ADB backup I don't think restored the apps data when I tried it which was the main reason for doing the backup
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you do adb backup --trwp you can add which partitions you want to have backup up:
adb backup --trwp data system boot recovery (haven't checked the names, but data and system should be the most important ones)
Just be mindful that when you do an adb backup --twrp, the backup does not include Internal Files, so make sure to back them up separately or not to wipe them in the first place. I would recommend that after backing up your precious data, you go to "advanced wipe" and there select system, data, cache and dalvik cache. After that, happy flashing..
yahya69 said:
When you do adb backup --trwp you can add which partitions you want to have backup up:
adb backup --trwp data system boot recovery (haven't checked the names, but data and system should be the most important ones)
Just be mindful that when you do an adb backup --twrp, the backup does not include Internal Files, so make sure to back them up separately or not to wipe them in the first place. I would recommend that after backing up your precious data, you go to "advanced wipe" and there select system, data, cache and dalvik cache. After that, happy flashing..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm doing this with very basic understanding of what I'm doing/being recommended to do. Is adb backup --twrp a command or twice different things as in 'adb backup' to computer and twrp is done on the phone?
My plan is to copy the important data like audio files and photos to my laptop, then use use migrate to make a copy plus twrp backup. I should be fine after that I think.
I'm just hoping my root and magisk doesn't go when I reinstal OOS 9.0.6 as I want to try to edit my system to see if I can force vowife to work.
Eggstones said:
I'm doing this with very basic understanding of what I'm doing/being recommended to do. Is adb backup --twrp a command or twice different things as in 'adb backup' to computer and twrp is done on the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be a command you have to run in a command line window on your computer. Again, after the --twrp parameter, you can pass the names of the partitions you want to have backed up, which would probably be data, system, recovery and boot.
First, of course, you have to install adb, if you haven't already. But if that's too complicated, it might be easier to make a full backup in TWRP and then copy it over to your computer. adb backup --twrp basically saves a step and you don't have to have sufficient space on your phone for a full backup
My plan is to copy the important data like audio files and photos to my laptop, then use use migrate to make a copy plus twrp backup. I should be fine after that I think.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's always a good idea, even though wiping data in TWRP should not touch your internal files.
I'm just hoping my root and magisk doesn't go when I reinstal OOS 9.0.6 as I want to try to edit my system to see if I can force vowife to work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know, I never used it. I'm happy with LineageOS. I guess you can re-flash Magisk trough twrp and then in your running system, you can re-install the MagiskManager apk. But I haven't tried it.
I would like to keep everything else the same on my phone.
- I don't know if that means I'll have to backup/reinstall everything, if that happens automatically, or what.
- I have the following installed: TWRP 3.4.0.0, Titanium Backup Pro, Frija, Odin, ADB (?)
I currently have "ALEXNDR.N960FXXU6FTJ5" that I got here (based on Android 10)
I think it was from this thread: https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/...ase-v7-4-dex-gear-encryption-support.3847061/
If I want to follow those instructions, should I:
1) do a complete TWRP backup *first*?
2) follow the instructions to update the ROM
3) then restore from Titanium Backup?
As I understand it, the TWRP backup is *ONLY* if I want to restore the entire "disk image" and revert back to the ROM I have now, right?
You can use TWRP restore only if you mess something while flashing kernels, magisk modules, Xposed modules, etc .. it is also useful in your first OEM unlock to preserve vendor and ODM images so that you won't have to flash stock ROM again if something go wrong.
If you are asking about restoring apps, SMS and call logs, I highly recommend swift backup. Not for settings though. Personally, I stopped using titanium backup years ago since it is deprecated and last update was in 2019.