[Q] New ROMs and Titanium Backup Pro restore apps/data - EVO 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I'm pretty sure that this hasn't been covered specifically so I'm posting a new thread.
I backed up all my apps and data on a stock rooted Sprint 4.24.651.1, 2.3.3 ROM via TBU Pro. I also performed a backup of my current ROM with ROM Manager. I then installed Team Nocturnal _Shooter_RLS_2.3.(after, of course, all the recommended wipes and resets) When I went to restore my apps and data I wondered if some of the previous app versions (where both ROMs have same apps/diff versions) would hose things up. It did, I think. Maybe all that I needed to do was clear some app caches and reboot. Not sure, I couldn't get any of the HTC widgets to load but I did see in another thread that cache clearing may fix that. But other stuff was goofy after the restore too. It became buggy and horribly slow, so I think that there's more to it than just the HTC stuff. I wonder if something I restored and maybe shouldn't have hosed it up. What I'm wondering is if someone would be so kind as to scan down my app lists and tell me which apps and/or data that are obvious that I shouldn't restore? For example, this new ROM has a different dialer, it makes sense to me that I wouldn't restore that. Same with anything to do with Sense, since this particular ROM I believe has a newer version, but not sure. I am thinking that any time I install a different ROM this will be a consideration but maybe I have the wrong idea about the whole thing. I have attached 30 images captured (incl the Software info screen) of my app list in TBU.
Lastly, I'll add that since making the move to Android from WinMo about a year ago I am very glad I did it. I could not have possibly been able to learn and do the things (rooting, S-off, flashing ROMS) that I have done without XDA! You folks are brainiacs and I greatly admire what you all do. (blatant a**-kissing)Thank you, thank you!

You have to be very careful about what you restore using Titanium when you are moving from one ROM to another. I found this from personal experience (moving from Stock to Synergy RLS1 and then to MikG). There is some good info in the Titanium Backup Wiki.
The part that you need to be careful about is restoring system data that is incompatible with the newer system apps in your new ROM. Your best bet is to only restore the User Apps and their data. You can do this in Titanium by selecting Menu > Batch > Restore missing apps with data.
There is some system data that you can restore without getting into trouble (probably bookmarks, SMS Messages, Sprint Voicemail) but you are going to have to experiment. I restored my missing apps using the batch option and then went to the Backup/Restore screen to look at the System Apps and Data one by one to see if there was anything that I could restore. Sometimes I would restore some data that would cause a problem and I would have to Wipe that data (also in Titanium Backup/Restore screen) and move along. I know at least once I was forced to start fresh and Wipe and reflash the ROM.

gbweller said:
I'm pretty sure that this hasn't been covered specifically so I'm posting a new thread.
I backed up all my apps and data on a stock rooted Sprint 4.24.651.1, 2.3.3 ROM via TBU Pro. I also performed a backup of my current ROM with ROM Manager. I then installed Team Nocturnal _Shooter_RLS_2.3.(after, of course, all the recommended wipes and resets) When I went to restore my apps and data I wondered if some of the previous app versions (where both ROMs have same apps/diff versions) would hose things up. It did, I think. Maybe all that I needed to do was clear some app caches and reboot. Not sure, I couldn't get any of the HTC widgets to load but I did see in another thread that cache clearing may fix that. But other stuff was goofy after the restore too. It became buggy and horribly slow, so I think that there's more to it than just the HTC stuff. I wonder if something I restored and maybe shouldn't have hosed it up. What I'm wondering is if someone would be so kind as to scan down my app lists and tell me which apps and/or data that are obvious that I shouldn't restore? For example, this new ROM has a different dialer, it makes sense to me that I wouldn't restore that. Same with anything to do with Sense, since this particular ROM I believe has a newer version, but not sure. I am thinking that any time I install a different ROM this will be a consideration but maybe I have the wrong idea about the whole thing. I have attached 30 images captured (incl the Software info screen) of my app list in TBU.
Lastly, I'll add that since making the move to Android from WinMo about a year ago I am very glad I did it. I could not have possibly been able to learn and do the things (rooting, S-off, flashing ROMS) that I have done without XDA! You folks are brainiacs and I greatly admire what you all do. (blatant a**-kissing)Thank you, thank you!
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Click to collapse
Yeah, I had a feeling that there would be conflicts like that before I even restored. I never thought to read the TBU wiki...thanks for that tip! It looks like I have a lot more homework to do before I flash again. I really have to decide if the time investment is really worth the return. There are so many cool ROMs out there but what a lot of B.S. sorting out what works and what doesn't. It is excruciating to have to read through 50+ posts following a ROM release to find out what you're in for. What would be super-cool is if someone was able to construct a spreadsheet of the most popular ROMs in a column with all of the popular features (4G, Wifi Tether, Mirroring, etc), kernel compatibility, Sense or no Sense, etc in a row at the top, with check marks indicating whether or not the feature works or is baked in. I'd pay to see that. Especially if it were linked to the downloads to the ROMs and kernels.
Thank you very much for the reply!

Related

Flashing ROMs and backing up apps...

Question, how does backing up Apps with programs like Astro and TI or whatever work? Does it just keep you from having to re-download them from the market when you do a full wipe and flash a ROM? If so, does it restore their market link so that they are updateable? Or do they just do app data?
Sorry, I'm confused. I don't normally have much app data, so I just re-download all my apps each time, and was wondering if I was 'doing it wrong'.
And which program is recommended for backups?
I recommend Titanium Backup, but with the caveat that you should do some research to see how it works. It will back up apps, user settings, and even system settings - but that doesn't mean you can just restore them willy-nilly. For instance, if you backup your apps and app settings, then flash a new ROM, then restore those apps and settings, there may be conflicts between the new ROM and the old programs. It's really more of a just-in-case way to back things up. People have also reported that MyBackup works well. I use TI myself.
In fact, please read this article by flipz (he developed the Fresh ROMs).
All it does is basically takes a snapshot of your system. It copies app files and settings databases. Later, you can restore the apps and data (and even things like account settings and scenes if you know what you're looking for) and be back where you were, as long as things work correctly. There are batch operations, but it all still takes a while to be safe and know that you're not restoring things that will break your system.
It's good, but I recommend a complete nandroid backup (ClockworkMod or Amon RA) if you're not jumping around between ROMs. That's really a better "everything" backup method.
Hope that helps.

still can't understand the deal with TitaniumBackup

Ok, so to me this program seems great - backs up pretty much EVERYTHING for me, so that if I flash and wipe a new rom, it restores everything to a usable level. Now my issue is I can't understand what people mean when they say you might as well not wipe at all. If you can't use TB to restore after a wipe, what is the point of using TB at all???
Is there a way to select parts that are "ok" to restore after a wipe? or is TB pretty much pointless?
Thanks
Read this it will help explain how TB can mess with your ROM.
http://geekfor.me/faq/why-you-shouldnt-be-using/
P_Dub_S said:
Read this it will help explain how TB can mess with your ROM.
http://geekfor.me/faq/why-you-shouldnt-be-using/
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Thanks I read that but his post didn't really make it clear for me:
problem is that when a user makes the backup on one rom/build/version and imports it on another
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What exactly does this mean? I am running CM6 nightlies. Should it be wiped and not restored via TB each time? What about going from RC1 to RC2?
If the situation is such that you can restore via TB, then why not just flash the new one and skip wiping altogether?
Well one nice thing about Cm rom's is you can have google backup all the programs you download from the Market so no need for TB there. Where the problems can lie with TB is the SQLlite database files when restoring your user settings. If something has changed from rom versions and you restore your old sqllite settings and now its missing some information thats needed for the newer version rom it can cause problems like force closes or reboots.
For nightly's I just upgrade without a wipe. If I do have any quirks then I try a wipe which usually fixes whatever quirk I'm having.
P_Dub_S said:
Well one nice thing about Cm rom's is you can have google backup all the programs you download from the Market so no need for TB there. Where the problems can lie with TB is the SQLlite database files when restoring your user settings. If something has changed from rom versions and you restore your old sqllite settings and now its missing some information thats needed for the newer version rom it can cause problems like force closes or reboots.
For nightly's I just upgrade without a wipe. If I do have any quirks then I try a wipe which usually fixes whatever quirk I'm having.
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yeah, I've been skipping the wipe unless there is a quirk.
So basically it sounds like TB is a total waste of time if you are running CM6? Sorry... just hard for me to understand why people love the program so much if there is no real application for it? Or is it just outdated by the backing up with Google?
it's like this - TB allows you to backup apps and settings. You may want to use this in addition to the backup that google provides - what if you find a great app, but its removed from the market? I don't think that the google backup will help you then - it will only restore what's currently in the market (disclaimer - I don't use CM6, so I'm not 100% on that).
The waste of time thing comes into play with people who have issues with a rom, so they re-flash the rom and restore apps and settings with TB. It might have been some of the settings (that were just restored with TB) that were causing the issues in the first place.
fachadick said:
it's like this - TB allows you to backup apps and settings. You may want to use this in addition to the backup that google provides - what if you find a great app, but its removed from the market? I don't think that the google backup will help you then - it will only restore what's currently in the market (disclaimer - I don't use CM6, so I'm not 100% on that).
The waste of time thing comes into play with people who have issues with a rom, so they re-flash the rom and restore apps and settings with TB. It might have been some of the settings (that were just restored with TB) that were causing the issues in the first place.
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^what he said
I LOVE TB but I use it to restore my apps and their data ONLY, I do not use it to restore system data.
I think with tb....when you restore your apps you have the choice to restore the apps with out the user data. Also you can choose to wipe them of data Before you restore.
Powered By CM-6 + Snap
berardi said:
yeah, I've been skipping the wipe unless there is a quirk.
So basically it sounds like TB is a total waste of time if you are running CM6? Sorry... just hard for me to understand why people love the program so much if there is no real application for it? Or is it just outdated by the backing up with Google?
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Unlike Google's backup, TB backs up your /data/data folder, not just the APK's from your market-downloaded applications.
In other words, it backs up your application data, your apps you installed manually/downloaded, and all of your settings, such as Bluetooth name and pairings, WiFi networks (and security settings), etc.
My rule of thumb is, if going from one build to another (ie, Stock to CM6, etc.) then do NOT restore any system settings/apps. Just do a backup of YOUR apps, as-is, move over to the new ROM, restore apps and their settings, then go to the Market and update everything. Simple as that, and you shouldn't get any errors.
fachadick said:
it's like this - TB allows you to backup apps and settings. You may want to use this in addition to the backup that google provides - what if you find a great app, but its removed from the market? I don't think that the google backup will help you then - it will only restore what's currently in the market (disclaimer - I don't use CM6, so I'm not 100% on that).
The waste of time thing comes into play with people who have issues with a rom, so they re-flash the rom and restore apps and settings with TB. It might have been some of the settings (that were just restored with TB) that were causing the issues in the first place.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks that definitely helps. Market-removed apps seems like a good reason to have it. (I already bought it just trying to determine how to use it anyways)
Ok so is it fair enough to say it has a relatively "niche" market with the addition of market backups? I hate to be a bull in the ChinaShop but it seems like people really tip toe around the idea of TB being outdated by market backups. I get the general idea of what you guys are saying but I'm trying to decide what I want to do in personal practice.
I don't think I've experienced any issues but who knows if I've had less than optimal performance because of restoring previous settings. Are there any "safe" items that can be backed up and restored or is nothing really "safe" they all have entries in sqlite database that might be duplicated?
Thanks again guys for humoring me

[Q] Restoring Apps/Contacts After Flashing ROM

I've done a few searches on the forum and several on Google, but I can't seem to find what I'm looking for. I've been running a custom kernel with stock 2.2 for a while now, and the only thing keeping me from flashing another ROM (maybe deodexed stock 2.2? Not sure yet) is all the stuff I have on my phone right now. I guess it's not a lot compared to some of you guys. Around thirty or so apps and widgets from the market, along with all their settings, and all my contacts.
If I nandroid before wiping and flashing, how do I recover just my apps, settings, and contacts? Is that a good idea, or should I go with something like Titanium? Before I back up all that stuff, should I move my apps from my SD card to my phone? Sorry if you guys answer questions like this every day, but I can't find **** with the forum search.
tl;dr - Wanna know how to restore apps/settings after flashing new ROM.
Titanium is the way to go for that. It backs up all your apps, contacts, messages and settings. I never move my apps back to my phone from the SD before a backup and I haven't had any problems.
Ballin. Thanks for the suggestion. So I just go to "Backup all user apps + system data", wipe, flash, reinstall Titanium (?), and run the restore?
Sorta. I run two separate backups, one for user apps and one for system data. I only backup certain things in the system data list so doing the separate backups makes it easier for me to choose what I am and am not backing up. Only gotta do one restore though, and then a reboot.
Alright, cool. I'll give all this a shot. Appreciate the help, bro.
No prob, happy to help.

[Q] Questions About Flashing a New Rom

I have a GSM Nexus 4.1.1 rooted using my Mac and it's running the XenonHD rom. I rooted a while ago and do not really remember the nuances of it.
I would like to flash a new rom that includes the enhancements of 4.2 but obviously want to keep all my texts, music, programs, settings, etc. I have read around but need some definitive answers on steps to take to flash a new rom but keep my phone entirely intact. I also remember having problems with the google apps when I first rooted and flashed, and would love to avoid that.
Any advice would be appreciated, and my apologies if this appears to be redundant. I am just not very good with technology and would prefer to have all the facts pertinent to my situation beforehand. Thanks!
First of all - make a nandroid backup through your recovery menu. That way, if things go bad, you can flash your backup.
To backup messages, application data, programs etc, I'd recommend using Titanium Backup Pro. Its a few bucks but if you flash often, its money well spent for sure.
Remember though, that when you flash a new ROM, restoring all your apps and settings from a previous ROM can cause problems. I would recommend backing up messages and non-system application data only. You can restore apps through the play store and then use titanium backup to restore the data for the app.
Depending on the ROM you install - you may have to install the gapps separately. See the ROM thread for details on that.
Lastly, if going to a 4.2 ROM, make sure you have updated your recovery as there can be some SD card issues otherwise.

Good App backup app.

Hello friends,
I'm kinda still new to the whole custom rom world and have a question. I really like flashing and testing new roms but the one thing I hate is having to download all the apps again from the play store, even though it syncs up and starts automatically downloading all of them it's way too time consuming and not to mention uses more data. I was going to see if you guys could recommend a good backup app that would back all my apps and their data up to my SD card so after flashing a new app I could just install the one backup app then use it to restore the apps/data/sms etc. from my SD card. I see several in the play store such as titanium but was wanted to get a few opinions from folks that have more experience. I'd prefer free but would not mind paying a few bucks ..say $3-5 for a good well rounded app.
Thanks and have a great day!
-Neal
Titanium is the overall best/most features IMO. Backup/Restore, Uninstall, Freeze apps, etc... I've used it for a long time, and I really like it.
wtrhzrd said:
Titanium is the overall best/most features IMO. Backup/Restore, Uninstall, Freeze apps, etc... I've used it for a long time, and I really like it.
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Thanks, I give it a try...I noticed that it has the option to backup app+system. I have a followup question on this regarding backing up the "system info". If I was on rom sokp version 1.5 and made my backups that included the system file and then the sokp team released another version that had bug fixes in it ..lets say V1.7 and I installed it and then did a restore...would restoring the system contents onto the new rom change it back to what I had and end up breaking things that were fixed. Hope this makes since. Lets say bluetooth was broke on my current rom that I've made apps+system backups and then I install V1.7 which fixes the bluetooth...would me restoring the system folder break bluetooth again and whatever else they've fixed. Also, what if I want to kick around another rom...lets say carbon ...would restoring my backups cause it issues.
Thanks guys!
You can only restore system data to the same or updated versions of a ROM. In most cases, its best to start from scratch with things such as your settings. (Contacts/calendar data should restore ok regardless)
Thanks DOC!!

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