[GUIDE] Full Phone Backup without Unlock or Root - Samsung Galaxy Nexus

Like a lot of you, I have been putting off unlocking the bootloader on my Nexus because I didn't want to have to go through the hassle of backing up everything manually and restoring individual application data; logging back into apps; saving settings; etc. I found an undocumented (at least as far as my googling was able to find) feature in the latest version of the ADB platform tools (for Android 4.0+) that allows you to create a full system backup, including app apks, their respective data, as well as the internal storage.
Keep in mind this is experimental and not exactly publicized as a feature of ICS, so don't count on this as your only method of backup!
This guide assumes you have already installed the Android SDK, and updated the Android SDK Platform Tools to the latest version (currently Rev 10) using the SDK Manager.
1. Connect your device via USB, and open a command prompt.
2. Optionally, type the command 'adb devices' to ensure that your device is properly recognized. If you're comfortable with ADB already, just skip this.
There is a command, 'adb backup' (to be detailed shortly), that will now allow you to create a full system backup.
The command parameters format is:
adb backup [-f <file>] [-apk|-noapk] [-shared|-noshared] [-all] [-system|nosystem] [<packages...>]
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The most basic command you can use* is simply:
adb backup -all
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This will use the defaults to backup only app and device data (not the APKs themselves) to the current directory as 'backup.ab'
* This may not work for every setup. If you get an error such as "adb: cannot open file ./backup.ab", use:
adb backup -all -f C:\backup.ab
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Or substitute the path of your choice in place of C:\.
To explain the parameters:
-f <file>
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Use this to choose where the backup file will be stored, e.g. '-f /backup/mybackup.ab', which will save it at the root of your drive (C:\ for Windows, etc.) in a folder called backup, as a file named 'mybackup.ab'. I recommend using this flag to set a location manually, as with my first backup test, it said that it completed successfully, but I was unable to locate the backup file. I have no idea where it was saved, but it wasn't where it should have been located.
-apk|-noapk
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This flags whether or not the APKs should be included in the backup or just the apps' respective data. I personally use -apk just in case the app isn't available in the Market, so that I don't have to go hunt it down again. The default is -noapk.
-shared|-noshared
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This flag is used to "enable/disable backup of the device's shared storage / SD card contents; the default is noshared.", which for the Nexus I would certainly flag to -shared, but from my test, it did not restore all of the contents of my internal storage, so I recommend backing up music, pictures, video, and other internal storage items manually, just to be on the safe side. The default is -noshared.
-all
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This flag is just an easy way to say to backup ALL apps. The packages flag (further on) can be used to choose individual packages, but unless you're just wanting to backup a specific application, use -all for a full system backup.
-system|-nosystem
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This flag sets whether or not the -all flag also includes system applications or not. I used -system, but this is probably unnecessary, and I would almost guess that it is safer to use -nosystem, but use your own judgment on this. The default is -system.
<packages...>
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Here you can list the package names (e.g. com.google.android.apps.plus) specifically that you would like to backup. Use this only if you're looking to backup a specific application.
3. Once you've made your decision on how to perform the backup, simply type the command as you would like it; in my case, this is the command that I used:
adb backup -apk -shared -all -f C:\backup20111230.ab
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Click to collapse
4. You will see a screen like the following:
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
5. Enter a password (if desired) for encryption of the backup file. RETAIN THIS PASSWORD FOR RESTORING LATER.
6. This process will take several minutes to complete, depending on the settings you've chosen, but when completed, you will get a toast on-screen saying 'Backup Complete', or if you miss that, you'll know once your phone returns to the home screen.
7. Now go unlock your bootloader (not going to go into the process for this guide, but you probably know how already, and if not, there are several guides a search away).
8. Once you're booted back into Android, you can choose to add your account now, or skip that for later. I skipped it for later, but I think it might make the process more smooth to sign in before the restore. YMMV.
9. To restore, with your device connected open your command prompt again, and type:
adb restore C:\backup20111230.ab
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replacing 'C:\backup20111230.ab' with the location of your backup file.
10. You will see a screen like the one below:
11. Simply type in your current encryption password (if you've set one), and the password with which the backup was encrypted (if you chose to set a password), and the restore will begin. It again will take several minutes depending on the size of the backup and the options chosen.
12. You're back to normal, short of possibly some widgets on the home screen. My wallpaper was even restored, my app folders remained just as I had them before, my alarms remained, and for most applications, I didn't even have to log back in; it kept everything.
________________________
NOTE: I did have an issue with not all files being restored to the Internal Storage; in particular, the Gallery still displayed all the folders and files that it had cached (which it expected to be there) as only gray boxes, and would not display the images, nor would it rescan the media. I simply copied the files back to the Internal Storage directory manually, and all was well again. Again, YMMV.
NOTE 12/31: Also to note, this will not back up SMS messages, so if you're concerned about those, you may want to look into an alternative application to back up SMS.
NOTE 06/12: There seems to be a bug in which backup and restore operations will fail unless a desktop backup password is set under Developer Options. It will not work with a blank password.
Hope this is able to help! If so, give me a thanks )) and let me know how your experience goes.
- Kevin

In earlier build of ics there's an option to do such backup under back up and restore settings.
However it's not there in final ics.
I've done it once when I flashed one of those early build of ics on nexus s.

faizalmzain said:
In earlier build of ics there's an option to do such backup under back up and restore settings.
However it's not there in final ics.
I've done it once when I flashed one of those early build of ics on nexus s.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting. They must have deemed it not quite ready for primetime yet. Seems like it should show up in a future version sometime in the not-too-distant future, then. Until then, this seems to work pretty well.

I just finally rooted. The longer you wait the more painful it will be to start over, so just get it over with. If the adb method qorkks then great. I've flashed and rooted so many phones that its just better to get it over with as pukemon will tell you.

RogerPodacter said:
I just finally rooted. The longer you wait the more painful it will be to start over, so just get it over with. If the adb method qorkks then great. I've flashed and rooted so many phones that its just better to get it over with as pukemon will tell you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While that's true, if you're already past the point of painful return, why start over when this backup method is available? It's not a question of if it works (it does work).

my first post. i have successfully taken a full backup using your guide and it worked great. thanks! my question is can i now unlock the boot loader and root then restore my backup and i will have all my settings and apps along with still having the unlocked boot loader and root?

sahakiap said:
my first post. i have successfully taken a full backup using your guide and it worked great. thanks! my question is can i now unlock the boot loader and root then restore my backup and i will have all my settings and apps along with still having the unlocked boot loader and root?
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Yes, as shown in the guide, just use the 'adb restore' command after unlocking the bootloader. You may wish to backup your Internal Storage manually, just to be safe, and backup your SMS with a third party app, if you care to keep them. Obtaining root isn't covered in this guide, but yeah, you can root it once you've unlocked the bootloader.

I have been trying to do this, but when after i "backup" the backup file shows no size. Am I missing a step?

ktulu029 said:
I have been trying to do this, but when after i "backup" the backup file shows no size. Am I missing a step?
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Interesting. Could you post the exact command that you used, and also what OS you're running?

copkay said:
Interesting. Could you post the exact command that you used, and also what OS you're running?
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Click to collapse
Code:
adb backup -apk -shared -all -f /c/backup.ab
I am running win 7 x64, and my phone is running 4.0.2 if that is useful information.
It runs everything on the phone like prompted, just doesn't save any data.

ktulu029 said:
Code:
adb backup -apk -shared -all -f /c/backup.ab
I am running win 7 x64
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Click to collapse
Did the screen show up on your phone requesting permission? If so, did you allow it permission, and wait until it said that the backup was completed to check the file size?

Wow, this should be a freakin STICKY!!!

copkay said:
Did the screen show up on your phone requesting permission? If so, did you allow it permission, and wait until it said that the backup was completed to check the file size?
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Correct. I went through all of the permissions asked on the phone.
i.e. the screen you posted in step 4.

ktulu029 said:
Correct. I went through all of the permissions asked on the phone.
i.e. the screen you posted in step 4.
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Click to collapse
After allowing the backup, did you get a Toast saying "Backup Started"?

I do. And shortly after, maybe 5 sec I get one saying backup complete. I just did one just using the -apk code, and it took about 10 min, but still rendered me with a .ab file with 0kb.

ktulu029 said:
I do. And shortly after, maybe 10 sec I get one saying backup complete. I just did one just using the -apk code, and it took about 10 min, but still rendered me with a .ab file with 0kb.
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Click to collapse
I apologize if this is a stupid question, but it's one worth asking: have you tried refreshing the folder? Initially the file starts out as 0b and builds up as it goes, and it's possible the file has a size, but the window just hasn't updated to show it.

copkay said:
I apologize if this is a stupid question, but it's one worth asking: have you tried refreshing the folder? Initially the file starts out as 0b and builds up as it goes, and it's possible the file has a size, but the window just hasn't updated to show it.
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Ha, it is ok and very reasonable to ask that. I have, and same result. I have been going through and toggling things to see what I have on or off that should be otherwise. Just to get the next one out of the way, USB debugging is on.

ktulu029 said:
Ha, it is ok and very reasonable to ask that. I have, and same result. I have been going through and toggling things to see what I have on or off that should be otherwise. Just to get the next one out of the way, USB debugging is on.
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Haha, okay. Hmm, well if it's getting as far as that there's no question that ADB is connecting. For some reason, it's just not writing out the files. You're on 4.0.2, I'm sure? (not that it should make a difference), and are you GSM or LTE? I really don't think it should matter; I'm just grasping at straws...
I just tried the same exact command you mentioned; I'm also on Win7 x64; LTE Nexus with 4.0.2; backed up directly to C:/c/backup.ab.

copkay said:
Haha, okay. Hmm, well if it's getting as far as that there's no question that ADB is connecting. For some reason, it's just not writing out the files. You're on 4.0.2, I'm sure? (not that it should make a difference), and are you GSM or LTE? I really don't think it should matter; I'm just grasping at straws...
I just tried the same exact command you mentioned; I'm also on Win7 x64; LTE Nexus with 4.0.2; backed up directly to C:/c/backup.ab.
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I am running the same setup as you. Would the version of SDK tools and Platform tools matter? I am running Rev 16 and 10 repectively. When I run the comands I am in the C:/ prompt, but that doesnt seem to matter from what I can tell. I am using the USB computer connection of MTP rather than PTP if that matters.
I am still pretty green to this, as the last phone I really messed with was the Eris, and with that it has still been awhile. Things have really come a long way since then.

ktulu029 said:
I am running the same setup as you. Would the version of SDK tools and Platform tools matter? I am running Rev 16 and 10 repectively. When I run the comands I am in the C:/ prompt, but that doesnt seem to matter from what I can tell. I am using the USB computer connection of MTP rather than PTP if that matters.
I am still pretty green to this, as the last phone I really messed with was the Eris, and with that it has still been awhile. Things have really come a long way since then.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The versions might matter, but you're on the same revisions I'm on. Now, I will say that I am running from C:/Program Files(x86)/Android/android-sdk/platform-tools/ rather than just the straight C:/ prompt, just because I've been too lazy to add ADB to my system variables. I'm also using MTP, which shouldn't affect it.
Yeah, things have changed quite a bit; going from the Droid line to the Fascinate was my last jump.
The only thing I can think of to try is to make sure that you are running your Command Prompt as Administrator. The fact that it's creating a file at all seems to disprove that this would have an effect, but it's worth a try.

Related

Life after simpleroot?

Hey guys I just finished runny simple root OTA edition. Everything went well and now I'm rooted. I am running into a couple of questions now.
1. Whats happens now? I'm rooted now how do i get those nice custom roms onto my phone?
2. I purchased ROM Manager because baked snacks rom says it was necessary for install but i can't get it to install clockwork mod, it keeps saying something about error running privileged commands.
3. How do I go back to stock ROM I'm starting to feel like I might be over my head at this point.
Thanks for your help guys.
I'm in the same boat. The two main reasons for rooting was for a new ROM and to use it as a hot spot (which so far I haven't been able to do.)
ROM Manager gives me the same error message about clockwork. Also, I would like to stop paying the $30 a month for the hot spot, so any help in that area would be appreciated.
Darrell
Keep at it!
loztboy said:
Hey guys I just finished runny simple root OTA edition. Everything went well and now I'm rooted. I am running into a couple of questions now.
1. Whats happens now? I'm rooted now how do i get those nice custom roms onto my phone?
2. I purchased ROM Manager because baked snacks rom says it was necessary for install but i can't get it to install clockwork mod, it keeps saying something about error running privileged commands.
3. How do I go back to stock ROM I'm starting to feel like I might be over my head at this point.
Thanks for your help guys.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
0. Please read everything before doing anything. My post is a little chaotic, but you should be fine if you read everything first.
1/2. The usual disclaimer: I'm not telling you to do anything. I'm just providing information. I'm not liable for anything you do to you phone.
1. ROM Manager is definitely the easiest way, though the "real way" is to load your ROM of choice on the SD card and then flash it from Recovery (more on recovery later).
1 & 1/2. By the way, you should install Titanium backup from the market five minutes ago. Yes, it is that important. When jumping ROMs, you often have to wipe everything out. Without Titanium Backup, you could end up having to repurchase apps and redownload all of your free ones, losing progress in games and settings in apps, etc. The free version of Titanium Backup lets you back up easily enough, but you want the donate version to prevent restores from taking a few hours of user interaction (Yes, I said user interaction, meaning sitting there and pressing buttons for hours). Once you throw $4.00-$50.00 (you can pick within that range, you get the same product regardless of amount) at Titanium Backup (and wait a day or so to get the license key file), you can do a restore in 15 min without any interaction beyond hitting start (or, more accurately, begin batch process). This app has saved my life time and time again. I literally did my first backup out of curiosity for the app and then totaled my phone in the next five minuets. It even backs up your home screen layout. GET IT NOW!!! YOU WILL HATE YOURSELF IF YOU DO NOT GET IT!!! At least get the free version, because, as stated above, it does backups fine. You (like me) will be scared into paying when you realize that you just wreaked everything and really don't want to spend the next few hours restoring. However, Titanium backup will not function until you get Superuser app working, as detailed in point 2 below.
***EDIT: I forgot to mention that Titanium Backup should work after running this program. It should even fix clockwork for you***
2. There are three possibilities for that error: 1: You don't have the superuser app installed. It dishes out the privileges. If you don't have it (if you do go on to potential issue number two and be grateful), you can install it by downloading this file and putting it on the root of the SD card. Then boot into recovery (I'm sure there is a tutorial for getting into recovery floating around here somewhere, just search the EVO section) and flash the .zip Presto! Superuser app is installed. If you prefer not to go around flashing random packages recommended by strangers on the internet, you can research and download superuser app at the source 2: If you found the Superuser app in the app drawer (the screen with all the applications where you scroll down in alphabetical order and pick the one you want to use), open it. You may have bumped "never give superuser access to this app" (or words to that effect) the first time you opened ROM Manager. If so, it will be listed in the Superuser app
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
as red. Just have the superuser app forget ROM Manager and then try to flash custom recovery from within the ROM Manager again, being sure to say "Yes!" when it asks for superuser privileges. 3: If you have no recovery to flash superuser from or superuser is installed and ROM Manager is green inside and it still fails, the SimpleRoot failed. If you skipped a step in the rooting process, go back and do that step. If not, just start over and run all the steps from the beginning, Also note that if you accepted the over the air update, you need the OTA version of SimpleRoot, not the original one.
3. Now, about total reversal. I'll be honest: There is probably a way to go back to stock that works without finishing the root process (probably something to do with PC36IMG.zip) files, but I don't know it. The way I would do it would be picking the OTA Stock ROM from this page and flashing it after getting recovery installed at the end of a successful root process. However, then you would have succeed in your original endeavor and would have no need to go back. There is a program here that supposedly does just enough tweaking to the phone to give you the recovery you need to flash back to the stock ROM, but I have not used it myself and therefore cannot vouch for it.
dws51 said:
I'm in the same boat. The two main reasons for rooting was for a new ROM and to use it as a hot spot (which so far I haven't been able to do.)
ROM Manager gives me the same error message about clockwork. Also, I would like to stop paying the $30 a month for the hot spot, so any help in that area would be appreciated.
Darrell
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you both succeed in the root process (and I encourage you to persevere, the reward is spectacular), I personally recommend Cyanogen Mod 6. I believe that you can get the nightly builds of CM6 from ROM manager, but the release candidate is likely more stable. I use the RC myself and have never looked back. My battery lasts forever and my phone is never unresponsive. And because the CM6 ROM is based of of Android 2.2 (Froyo), free tethering is built in to the OS and done so rather elegantly, meaning no more dirty hacks for tethering. Just know that if you go that route, though you have the best of the best, you will need to tinker a bit to get everything working. Also, 4G, the FM Radio, and HDMI output are flat out not working in the RC (I'm sure they will be fully functional in the final release, and the not-workedness is a software thing, meaning that the hardware is fine and will come online when you again install a ROM that supports it). On the other hand, with this ROM you can force the phone to roam on Verizon's network when Sprint's 3G speeds are less than desirable.
I'm not sure where to put this, so I'm sticking it here. As soon as you get custom recovery working, you want to backup with Nandroid. The easiest way is from ROM Manager. Just hit "Backup ROM". This backs up not only your setup (like Titanium Backup), but also all the crucial bits that lie underneath and keep your EVOs humming, bits very very difficult to replace. HOWEVER, this is NOT a replacement for Titanium Backup, because it can only restore to the same ROM. If you attempt to restore to a different one, it will put the one you had at the time of the backup back on.
Whichever way you go, I wish the both of you luck. You're entering into the wild and wonderful world of devices that you actually own!
that was a great post im in the same boat as those guys above and im sure we are not the only ones, when you say put the file on the root of the sd card what is the root of the sd card? if i dont know that should i just not even be rooting?
edit
I just downloaded rom manager and i get the same response " an error occurred while attempting to run priviliged commands" i went through the root process and it said i was rooted, i read earlier that to check it i was rooted and nand unlocked that if i checked my hboot and it was 0.76 i was rooted and nand unlocked if i was 0.79 the root didnt work i was .76. Is there a different way to check if my root went through
The root of the SD card is the 'directory' you're in when you plug the card into the computer & you see folders like ".Mail" "Android" "DCIM" etc.
It's up to you if you think you can handle rooting. I used SimpleRoot & it was incredibly easy, but i have been familiar with modding phones for awhile now.
jdjozwia said:
that was a great post im in the same boat as those guys above and im sure we are not the only ones, when you say put the file on the root of the sd card what is the root of the sd card? if i dont know that should i just not even be rooting?
edit
I just downloaded rom manager and i get the same response " an error occurred while attempting to run priviliged commands" i went through the root process and it said i was rooted, i read earlier that to check it i was rooted and nand unlocked that if i checked my hboot and it was 0.76 i was rooted and nand unlocked if i was 0.79 the root didnt work i was .76. Is there a different way to check if my root went through
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The root of something simply means not in a folder, e.g. on your computer it would be just G:/ (or whatever letter your SD card is mounted to). Just open the SD card and put whichever file you are referencing right there, not in any folder.
By the way, anyone can root, so long as you are willing to learn and willing to take a few risks. As long as you stay well informed, you usually don't break anything. And there is usually a way out, even if you make a train wreak, though it may be ugly. Independent developers (not me; smart people like Cyanogen and Toast who actually make these awesome ROMs and roots) have a better track record for keeping dangerous stuff out than some corporations. ***Cough***McAfee antivirus broke thousands of computers with a defective update***Cough*** Scientia est vox. Knowledge is power. Know what you're doing, and you'll be fine. You will make mistakes (I know I have), but stay sharp and know the consequences, how to go back, who to ask when things go South, and you'll do alright. The community here at XDA is one of the best and most helpful I have ever seen. If you're not totally hosed, someone will pull you out of the fire. It probably won't even be me. I'm no pro. But there is no shortage of pros here at XDA.
so what would you guys say the next step for me is, should i just do the simple root over? how can i check to see if im rooted? and what should i do about this rom manager giving me trouble with flashing the clockwork mod
See Above
jdjozwia said:
so what would you guys say the next step for me is, should i just do the simple root over? how can i check to see if im rooted? and what should i do about this rom manager giving me trouble with flashing the clockwork mod
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If titanium backup works, you have root. As for Clockwork, please see my first post, where I went over it in detail.
OK well i installed titanium back up and busy box and it looks like im rooted? Im going to try to flash that superuser app tmw i left my usb cord at work so in about 12 hours ill probly be back with more questions
thanks for the encouragement the answers and most of all your time
Cut the cord
jdjozwia said:
i left my usb cord at work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's personal preference, but there is a throughly cool free app called Awesome Drop that lets you send files without a cable. When you use it, files end up in the /drop directory on your phone. If necessary, you can move them out with a program like Astro File Manager.
By the way, Titanium backup shouldn't work without SU app, so I'm wondering if you do in fact have it. Have you looked through the S section of the App Drawer?
Techrocket9 said:
It's personal preference, but there is a throughly cool free app called Awesome Drop that lets you send files without a cable. When you use it, files end up in the /drop directory on your phone. If necessary, you can move them out with a program like Astro File Manager.
By the way, Titanium backup shouldn't work without SU app, so I'm wondering if you do in fact have it. Have you looked through the S section of the App Drawer?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just went through my S' and all i have are the ones that came with the phone no super user but when u say it shouldnt work what should happen when i open the app?
jdjozwia said:
I just went through my S' and all i have are the ones that came with the phone no super user but when u say it shouldnt work what should happen when i open the app?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It should complain about being unable to acquire root privileges.
___
An army of pacifists can be defeated by one man with the will to fight.
yeah when i open it it doesnt say that and it says my root access is ok,
I DL astro and when i open it one of the folders is clockwork mod and if i search i find super user app on my sd card when i reboot my phone by holding the down volume it goes to the hboot screen and askes me if i want to update my phone i say no and then when i go to recovery it does not give me the option to flash the super user app. it takes me to android system recovery with four options. At the very bottom it says E: cant open/cache/recovery/command
?
Is one option to flash zip from SD card?
___
An army of pacifists can be defeated by one man with the will to fight.
How to check if you are root: Assuming you have ADB installed (you used simpleroot so, possibly not) just type "adb shell" into a command prompt. If it comes up with a "#" you are root, if it comes up with "$" type "su" and hit enter, if it switches to a "#" you are rooted. Also you can get a terminal emulator app (I love Better Terminal Emulator) and open it, type "su" and see if it gives you "#".
Did you do the SimpleRoot step where you replaced the recovery with your recovery of choice? I know more than one person that didn't do that step. Though the app should at least still TRY to reboot.
As said before, check your SuperUser permissions to make sure you didn't disallow Rom Manager.
As for CM6, don't get me wrong, I LOVE CM6, but, Fresh 1.0.1 or the latest Damage Control might be a safer bet. For your first rom CM6 needs more coaxing than you might like. Also tethering is installed by default in the 2.1 roms from those guys and it's (imho) easier and more obvious to use.
Keep at it, there will be times you feel like giving up even after you get past this point, just don't take it too seriously and remember that as long as you are still getting phonecalls your phone is still doing it's primary job, the rest is just icing. Icing that gets more delicious with time, like beer, mmmmmm beer.
Where was I?
Oh yeah, good luck!
Crap, forgot, when someone says "put it on the root of the SD card" the easiest way to do that is hook it up via USB, hit the status tray that says "usb connected" and check the Hard Drive option. Then just copy your file to the new drive that will show up in windows (might pop up automatically depending on your windows settings) and boom, it's on the root of the SD card.
As for the "real" way to flash. Do the above, putting the .zip file containing whatever rom you want (for instance CM6, or Fresh 1.0.1 which you can obtain over in Development forum from their respective posts) on the root of the SD card. Safely remove the device (on windows it will be in your status bar, usually looks like a plug with a green arrow, click it, choose Mass Storage Device and then hit Stop, it will tell you when its done, make sure you have the folder closed before you do this or it will grump at you) and switch back over to Charge Only on your phone. Then power off the phone (hold the power button with the phone unlocked, choose Power Off, then Ok) and hold the volume down button. Then press power, don't let go of volume down but you don't have to hold power, just press it to turn it on. A white screen should come up, let go of the volume button, and one option will be Recovery. Use volume up and down to select it and press the power button to select. It should then boot you into recovery which should have an option to "wipe", you want to wipe dalvik cache, then cache, then factory defaults. Then go back up (in AmonRA that means hitting vol-up and vol-down at the same time), then goto "Flash .zip from sdcard" select it, hit power, select the zip file, power again, power one more time to confirm.
Once it's done you hit Reboot System Now and viola, first boot takes FOREVER so don't fret.
alcaron said:
How to check if you are root: Assuming you have ADB installed (you used simpleroot so, possibly not) just type "adb shell" into a command prompt. If it comes up with a "#" you are root, if it comes up with "$" type "su" and hit enter, if it switches to a "#" you are rooted. Also you can get a terminal emulator app (I love Better Terminal Emulator) and open it, type "su" and see if it gives you "#".
Did you do the SimpleRoot step where you replaced the recovery with your recovery of choice? I know more than one person that didn't do that step. Though the app should at least still TRY to reboot.
As said before, check your SuperUser permissions to make sure you didn't disallow Rom Manager.
QUOTE]
where exactly do i type adb shell? when i did the simple root i do not remember replacing my recovery with a recovery of my choice so thats probly where my problem is and i do not know how to check my superuser permissions
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Techrocket9 said:
Is one option to flash zip from SD card?
___
An army of pacifists can be defeated by one man with the will to fight.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no the option i get is update to zip and when i click that it does stuff for me and i cannot choose a file i think my problem lies to not choosing what recovery i wanted?
jdjozwia said:
no the option i get is update to zip and when i click that it does stuff for me and i cannot choose a file i think my problem lies to not choosing what recovery i wanted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is possible. The program I mentioned earlier (unrEVOked) should install a custom recovery for you. I can't put a link in this post because I'm on my phone, but a quick google search should find it.
An army of pacifists can be defeated by one man with the will to fight.
jdjozwia said:
alcaron said:
How to check if you are root: Assuming you have ADB installed (you used simpleroot so, possibly not) just type "adb shell" into a command prompt. If it comes up with a "#" you are root, if it comes up with "$" type "su" and hit enter, if it switches to a "#" you are rooted. Also you can get a terminal emulator app (I love Better Terminal Emulator) and open it, type "su" and see if it gives you "#".
Did you do the SimpleRoot step where you replaced the recovery with your recovery of choice? I know more than one person that didn't do that step. Though the app should at least still TRY to reboot.
As said before, check your SuperUser permissions to make sure you didn't disallow Rom Manager.
QUOTE]
where exactly do i type adb shell? when i did the simple root i do not remember replacing my recovery with a recovery of my choice so thats probly where my problem is and i do not know how to check my superuser permissions
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you just did SimpleRoot (i.e. didn't download the android SDK) you probably don't have ADB installed on your PC. So then you'd want to go the terminal route. Search the market for Better Terminal Emulator
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

[Guide] -The Ultimate Stock to Custom ROM Awesomeness thread - Noob friendly

Hi there and Welcome to my Ultimate Stock to Custom ROM Awesomeness Thread!
-----
There are still many of people out there who are thinking about Unlocking their Bootloaders, Rooting and installing a custom ROM onto their HTC One X.
I recently did so myself and although I've been a member on XDA for a while now and I rooted my old HTC Sensation I found the process to vary with my HOX.
Now there are many amazing Guides and "How-To's" already out there on XDA but I thought that I'd compile a lot of what's already in those threads and turn all of the yummyness that's already out there on XDA and write this from a first timers perspective.
Disclaimer:- Please note that I'm no expert when it comes to this stuff and I'm not amazing at trouble shooting, if you follow this guide it should turn out fine but if not then this is no fault of my own, you do all of this at your own risk! As I say, it should be fine and you should get through this guide fine. There may be better ways of doing what I'm showing you in this guide but this is how I did it and it worked out okay for me. If you know of a better way the please feel free to state so in the following thread.
-NOTE-
THIS GUIDE IS FOR ICS ROMS ONLY, NOT JB ROMS.
So after that disclaimer relax, read, re-read and take your time and hopefully by the end of this guide you'll have a Custom Rom running on your HOX and without too much panicking and worrying. It's a bit wordy and a bit lengthy but it's an in depth guide.
BEFORE WE START! Go to your HTC One X, Settings, Developer Options and make sure that you've got USB debugging checked! I also always have Fast boot checked in the Power options as well, it's not really important for this guide but I like to know that when I turn my HTC One X off that it is truly off!
Also if you wish you can pop into security and check on 'Allow installation of non-Market apps in Unknown Sources. Again, not really important for this guide but always good to have checked!
---NOTE---
In this guide I talk about using ARHD 9.2, this is because it's the latest version that's been released at the time of writing. Naturally ARHD will be updated but the guide will still be okay to follow.
Lets Get Started!
---
Installing HTC Sync and the Android SDK onto your PC:-
Before we start anything I personally think that it's a good idea to get these two steps out of the way as we're going to need to use these tools a bit later on.
HTC Sync
To install HTC Sync the best way to do this is to follow this LINK and click on the Download link on the right hand side. Follow the Set-Up wizard and get HTC Sync installed onto your PC. Now I'm sure that I don't have to talk you through this step so we'll leave this part now and move onto getting the Android SDK.
Thanks to EddyOS for this recommendation:
EddyOS said:
Better to recommend HTC Sync Manager as that's for the One Series phones...
http://www.htc.com/www/help/htc-one-x/#download
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So feel free to download either HTC Sync (It's the only version I've personally used), or download HTC Sync Manager as it's designed specifically for the One Series.
Android SDK
Now that you've gotten HTC Sync set-up onto your machine we'll start with the Android SDK, you can find the installation files here: Android SDK For Windows, Click on the "Download the SDK For Windows link.". Let it download the Run the file.
Now to make life a bit easier for us later, when you get to the menu for choosing the Destination of the program we'll alter this for ease of use later. When I'm in set-up it automatically sets the location to
C:\Documents and Settings\James\Local Settings\Application Data\Android\android-sdk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We'll change this to:
C:\Android\android-sdk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Continue with the install.
Once installed the SDK 'should' open itself, if not then open it from the start menu.
You'll be shown a screen that has a load of options on it and a button at the bottom that says 'Install [X] Packages', Make sure that you have Android SDK and Android SDK Platform Tools checked (See Image).
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
The program will automatically select numerous other options, it's fine to leave these checked. the installation may take some time depending on your PC etc...
Now that's all finished we can move onto something a little more productive!
Backing Up Your Data:-
When I went to Unlock My Bootloader I read that I'd loose my data and I wasn't too happy about this, I came across this thread '[GUIDE] Full Phone Backup without Unlock or Root', which was a life saver, I'll talk you through some of it just so that we can get a backup made but if you want more concise instructions then make the jump to the thread and have a look!
Now, to backup!
Open your Command Prompt, for those of you who don't know how to do this it's Start > Run... > CMD > Okay. Now that you've got your Command Prompt open we'll need to find adb.exe, which should be at this location
C:\Android\android-sdk\platform-tools
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
as this is where we chose the Android SDK to be located when we installed it earlier!
So to find this in the command prompt type in
cd \Android\android-sdk\platform-tools
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This will take you to that location. (See Image)
Now that we're in the platform-tools part of your PC in command prompt, it's the perfect time to plug in your HOX via USB to your PC, just choose 'Charge Only' for now.
Now back in CMD (command prompt) enter these values:
adb backup -apk -shared -all -f C:\backup\backup20111230.ab
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please note that this will create a folder in your C:\ called 'backup', this is where your backup will exist, also please not that you can call your backup whatever you like, it doesn't have to be 'backup20111230.ab' but I prefer to choose the days date, so mine today would be 'backup20082012.ab', 20th August 2012. Once you've typed this into CMD you'll be prompted to unlock your phones screen and continue backup (See Image)
So unlock your phone screen, choose a password (write this down somewhere as you'll need to to replace the backup onto your phone after we've put a custom ROM onto it) let it start to backup!
Now there is a common issue with the backup's freezing at
com.android.sharedstoragebackup
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If this is the case for you, just unplug the phone, exit out of CMD, plug the phone back in, get back into cd \Android\android-sdk\platform-tools in the CMD and this time alter the backup command so that it reads:
adb backup -apk -noshared -all -f C:\backup\backup20111230.ab
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All you've done now is change -shared to -noshared, let the backup continue, hopefully it'll complete!
Now that you've got your backup all safely stowed away on your PC it's time to get down to business! Unlocking your Bootloader!
---
Unlock the Bootloader:-
Did you install HTC Sync at the start? As now you're going to need it!
Navigate your web browser to www.htcdev.com/bootloader and click register at the top, complete the registration process, making sure that you use an email address that you have access to.
Once registered make your way back to www.htcdev.com/bootloader and sign-in.
Once signed-in at the supported devices drop down select 'All Other Supported Models' and click on Begin Unlock Bootloader.
Now before we move onto anything else we're going to want the Fastboot Files, which Cursed4Eva is kindly hosting here: Fastboot Files
Once downloaded, on your PC go to the folder C:\Android and inside that folder create a new folder called fastboot, so you'll have
C:\Android\fastboot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now the fastboot files that I linked to earlier come in a Zip file, unzip it to C:\Android\fastboot, this makes it easier to find it in CMD.
Now back @ htcdev, you've registered and signed in? Good, you've chosen All Other Supported Models and clicked Begin Unlock Bootloader, it'll ask you if you wish to continue, click yes, then the Legal Terms will pop up, just click that you acknowledge both terms and continue with 'Proceed to Unlock Instructions'.
Now click through the instructions until Step 8, ignore everything else.
Now turn off your HOX, now we'll turn on the HOX into the Bootloader, so press and hold down the Volume Down Button and whilst pressing the Power Button, continue to hold this down, the phone may vibrate and bleep a bit but continue to hold it down until you are greeted with a screen that has some options on it, Fastboot, Recovery etc... Now the touch screen wont work so we navigate using the volume buttons & Power Button, press down on the Power Button wile you have Fastboot selected, you'll enter Fastboot Mode with the options HBoot, Reboot, Reboot Bootloader & Power Down. You'll see above these options it'll have Fastboot written and highlighted in Red, leave the phone as it is, just plug it into the PC via USB and that highlighted 'Fastboot' will become 'Fastboot USB'.
Now open CMD, enter
cd \Android\fastboot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This will access the fastboot folder in your C:
Now in CMD once you're in the fastboot folder enter this command:
fastboot oem get_identifier_token
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now it'll bring up the Identifier Token. (see Image)
Now using your mouse, right click in CMD where it says
<<<< Identifier Token Start >>>>
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Highlight it to where it says
<<<<< Identifier Token End >>>>>
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now on your keyboard, once you've highlighted the Identifier Token press 'Ctrl + C' to copy the Identifier Token.
Now back at the HTC Dev website, scroll down to after Step 10, where it says My Device Identifier Token:, Click in that field and either press Ctrl + V or right click and paste your Identifier Token into that field.
Now Click Submit.
You'll now be taken to a page where you'll be informed to check your emails.
Open up your emails and you'll have an email from HTC and in that email will be an attachment, this will be called Unlock_code.bin.
Download it and place it in your fastboot folder at C:\Android\fastboot.
There will also be a link in the email which will say like "Continue with Bootloader Unlock Procedure" or something like that, Click it.
Back in CMD, you should still be at C:\Android\fastboot, now type in
fastboot flash unlocktoken Unlock_code.bin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please note the Capital 'U' in Unlock_token.bin, press Enter.
Now look back to your HTC One X screen, it'll have two options on it.
1. YES Unlock Bootloader
2. NO Do not Unlock Bootloader
Select Yes with the volume keys and press the power button, the phone will turn itself off and reboot,
CONGRATULATIONS YOU'VE UNLOCKED YOUR BOOTLOADER!
---
Installing a Custom Recovery (Clockwork Mod) and Superuser Access, ROOTING YOUR HTC ONE X:-
Now that we've unlocked the bootloader we're really close to finishing the whole procedure and getting a custom ROM onto our HTC One seX!
Please note that there will be no images or screenshots from here on as a majority of this is all done on the phone handset bar the flashing of the recovery.img onto the handset.
Follow these links:
SuperSU for Super User Access, download the CWM installable ZIP: http://download.chainfire.eu/204/SuperSU/CWM-SuperSU-v0.94.zip courtesy of ChainFire, Please donate to this guy so he can buy some beers
Clockworkmod Touch Recovery Thread: Download the latest Official Recovery
Again, please donate to broncogr and buy this guy a beer or at least hit Thanks.
So now that you've downloaded both files;
The CWM-SuperSU-v0.94.Zip file and the recovery-clockwork-touch-5.8.4.0-endeavoru.img
Right click on the recovery-clockwork-touch-5.8.4.0-endeavoru.img file and rename it to recovery.img, this makes it easier to work with later.
Connect your HTC One X to your USB cable and then to the PC, choose Disk Drive, next, copy and paste the CWM-SuperSU-v0.94.Zip file onto the root of the SD card for your HOX. Once that's on there, change the phones USB connection to charge only.
Open CMD, now get back into the fastboot folder in CMD, do you remember how to do this? It's C:\Android\fastboot then press Enter.
Now start the phone back up into the Bootloader, press and hold Vol Down and press Power Button, once in the Bootloader, once again, select Fastboot and then leave the phone as it is, running in Fastboot USB.
Back to CMD, type in this command:
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Press Enter. You've just flashed a custom recovery onto your HOX, Once that's finished, type 'exit' into CMD to close the CMD panel.
Back on your HTC One X, using the Volume buttons navigate down to Power Down, once the phone is off, with it still connected to the PC via USB, start it up again into the Bootloader (Vol Down + Power). Once in the Bootloader select Recovery, hit Power. You'll then load up into Clockwork Mod Recovery.
Now you can use either the touch screen or the volume buttons. Navigate to 'Install ZIP from SD Card', hit the Power Button, next select 'Choose ZIP from SD Card'. Now you'll need to scroll right to the bottom of the list to the CWM-SuperSU-v0.94.Zip you placed on the phone earlier.
Click it and it'll ask you if you want to install, select yes install, and let it do it's thing, Then select 'Go Back', Reboot System Now.
Once the phone has shut itself down and restarted, go to the Play Store / Google Market and Install Titanium Backup: Titanium Backup Root. Let it install, once that's finished, start the App on your HTC One X and it'll ask you for Super User Access, grant/accept it.
With the older versions of TiBu (Titanium Backup) You had to go to the problems section and install BusyBox but i believe that it does it automatically now (At least it did for me) So when you start up TiBu You'll see this on screen:
Root Access: OK
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CONGRATULATIONS YOU'VE ROOTED YOUR HTC ONE X!
---
Making a Nandroid Backup:-
Now that you're rooted and have a custom recovery we'll make a Nandroid Backup, this is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT as it'll act as your fail safe if flashing the custom ROM goes 'Tits-Up'.
Nandroid:To backup the current running rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you make a Nandroid backup you are essentially making a carbon copy of how the phone is at that point in time. It doesn't matter if it's a stock rom or a custom rom.
If you are flashing a custom rom onto a phone and it goes wrong or has bugs in it or you don't like it you can restore the Nandroid backup and turn back the clock so that the phone will be as it was when you made the Nandroid backup, as you can see, it's important to do this.
To make a Nandroid backup, turn off your handset, power up into the bootloader, go to recovery, once in recovery there will be the option Backup/Restore, choose backup, let the phone perform the backup - this may take a little time. Once it's finished, just choose restart/reboot phone.
There you have it your very first Nandroid backup!
If it makes you feel a little easier, before flashing a custom rom onto your phone you can transfer the Nandroid backup onto a PC.
Just connect your handset to a PC via USB cable, Disk Drive, then once you can get into the phone on the PC, enter the Clockworkmod folder and make a copy onto the PC of the 'backup' folder.
To restore a Nandroid backup, providing you have the Clockworkmod\backup folder on your phones SD card, enter recovery, and in the option Backup/Restore, just choose 'restore' and off it goes, you've restored the Nandroid backup.
Many people make Nandroid backups before the flash a custom rom onto their phone, even seasoned veterans do this as it's your one fail safe against a disastrous occurrence... messing your HOX up! Some people make them Monthly, Weekly and even a few make them daily!
-NB-
BEFORE PERFORMING A NANDROID RESTORE, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE READ THIS POST!!!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=32084184&postcount=138
Now onto flashing ARHD!!!
---
Installing Android Revolution HD 9.2:-
We're so close to having a Custom ROM on our HTC One X, not far to go now!
Make sure you have at least 35% Battery when you do this! Preferably more, I cannot stress this enough!!!
Pop on over to Mike1986's ARHD Thread here: ARHD Thread Donate to Mike1986 if you like or Thank him as his work is brilliant!
Scroll down to the DOWNLOADS section and download Android Revolution 9.2, boot.img for 9.0.x and Super Wipe.
Next connect your phone to your PC and select Disk Drive, now copy the SuperWipe file and the ARHD 9.2 ROM onto your phones SD card at Root, no need to go any deeper.
Next take the boot.img for 9.0.x file (it's named Flash_boot_9.0.x.rar) and copy it to C:\Android, once the file is there, right click and Extract Here.
Now boot your HOX up into the Bootloader (Vol Down + Power) and then go into fastboot, connect your HOX to the PC to get Fastboot USB.
Now that you're connected, go back to C:\Android and click on the file called
install-boot-windows
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the CMD panel it'll ask you to hit any key, so just press Spacebar or whatever, it'll do it's thing, it might ask you to press any key again or it'll just finish.
Back over to your handset, Press the power button to get back into HBoot and then select Recovery.
Once Clockworkmod Touch Recovery has started once again choose the option 'Install ZIP from SD Card', then 'Choose ZIP from SD Card', now scroll down to the Superwipe ZIP, make sure you choose this and not the ARHD ROM, Anyway, choose the Superwipe script and select Yes when it asks you if you want to Wipe.
Once it's performed the wipe, select Go Back and now repeat 'Install ZIP from SD Card', then 'Choose ZIP from SD Card', this time select the ARHD ROM file.
The setup for ARHD will begin, on your handset select next, then select Agree, then next again.
You'll come across a screen that has two check boxes on it, one will say
Wipe Data Partition
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Select this.
Tweeks: You'll be presented with a screen of Tweeks that can be included into the flashing of the ROM, I personally choose
Improve EXT4 Performance, Force GPU2, Improve Multitasking, Experimental Tweeks and the last option, I can't remember what it is
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Click Install, It'll finish, then Reboot.
Now don't panic, the first reboot can take up to 5 Minutes to complete, this is why it's imperative to have over 35% battery life as a shut down now can be disastrous!
Once it's rebooted you just have to setup your phone like you would do if it was fresh from the box.
Restore data backup:-
Now all that's left is to restore your data that you backed up at the beginning!
Open CMD, enter
cd \Android\android-sdk\platform-tools
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now do you remember where you saved your backup? Good!
Now in CMD enter the location and file name of your backup
adb restore C:\backup\backup20082012.ab
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Remember mine was todays date! On your HOX screen you'll be asked to enter your password that you chose when making the backup, it'll do it's thing Et Voila!
You've restored all your lovely data, remember, the stuff you had on the phone when it was stock? Nice!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
YOU'VE MADE A DATA BACKUP, UNLOCKED YOUR BOOTLOADER, ROOTED & INSTALLED A CUSTOM ROM AND REINSTALLED YOUR DATA ONTO YOUR HTC ONE X!!!
I hope that you find this guide useful and that you've managed to fumble your way through it without too much trouble or many hiccups.
If you have any questions or hit any problems please feel free to ask, I'll try to help you if I can.
If this guide has helped you at all then please hit Thanks
GLHF!!!
The-Last-Hylian
---DISCLAIMER---
If I've said anything wrong or given out the wrong info, then please PM me and I'll make amendments.
Also, instead of donating to me or whatever, instead I'd just like to place a link to my site here: Tuffphones - The home of tough, rugged and waterproof mobile phones. (If I'm not allowed this link here please PM me and I'll remove it)
Reserved
nicely written. once my hox is replaced and finally working, i think i shall have to refer back to this
Would it be worth sticky-ing this thread to the top of General?
Great thread mate. I sincerely believe that it deserves to be stickies for everyone to see, because you did a very thorough and detailed Jacob that will surely be helpful to newcomers. You deserve your own praise too. I'm one of those holding back on unlocking my HOX since I'm waiting for an unofficial unlock method and contemplating if it's even worth holding on a HTC device and not just going back to my iPhone which was easier to hack and modify (imo).
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
Better to recommend HTC Sync Manager as that's for the One Series phones...
http://www.htc.com/www/help/htc-one-x/#download
Yes
Well done on this! Super site
Check back to this thread soon!
I'm going to write into my reserved #2 post about how to get the best out of your HOX for gaming!
EddyOS said:
Better to recommend HTC Sync Manager as that's for the One Series phones...
http://www.htc.com/www/help/htc-one-x/#download
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I mainly choose HTC Sync as it's the only one I've used and I thought I'd only write about what I know so that way I know it's reasonably accurate.
Thanks for the tip + link EddyOS, I'll add that into the OP as an alternative.
Good one! Explained everything required. N00b friendly xD
death__machine said:
Good one! Explained everything required. N00b friendly xD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks that was what I was aiming for
I figure that even if something is really complicated to do (which granted not much of what I wrote about is), if you write the instructions with proper and correct grammatical English then people will understand it a lot better.
Hi the last hylians, i currently new with hox, mine previous was sgs. It looks difficult to install custom rom with hox rather than sgs. First i want to know, mine software is 1.29.707.11, can i install all the custom rom or just a particular one with the same software. Thanks
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
neoandresk said:
Hi the last hylians, i currently new with hox, mine previous was sgs. It looks difficult to install custom rom with hox rather than sgs. First i want to know, mine software is 1.29.707.11, can i install all the custom rom or just a particular one with the same software. Thanks
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi there,
As long as you have a decent grasp of the English language and can follow instructions reasonably well then installing a custom ROM isn't too difficult, I'm sure you could muddle through
.707 is that Malaysia/Indonesia?
I believe that you could install a custom ROM that would be x.xx.401.xx as you'd be unlocking the bootloader so theoretically can install any OS on the phone that you like, the region for the OTA therefore wouldn't need apply as you wouldn't get FOTA's afterwards anyway.
It might be worth asking on the Android Revolution HD thread and posting a link to this thread so that way you can get a 2nd opinion.
Afaik you'd be fine however.
T-L-H
This isn't knocking the guide, as it's good, BUT everything you have here is already available online if people were bothered to search for it - especially the bootloader unlocking as HTC have a detailed guide on their own website
You should also highlight the importance of downloading the RUU for your phone before unlocking. If it's not available add a note to proceed with caution
Still, good work
EddyOS said:
This isn't knocking the guide, as it's good, BUT everything you have here is already available online if people were bothered to search for it - especially the bootloader unlocking as HTC have a detailed guide on their own website
You should also highlight the importance of downloading the RUU for your phone before unlocking. If it's not available add a note to proceed with caution
Still, good work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that, I should mention about downloading the RUU for the phone in case you want to revert back, I was going to add that into the reserved #2 post at a later date, 'How to revert back to Stock'
Yeah I'm aware that there is a lot of info out here on XDA already but like I said at the start of my OP, it's all in different places, some of it is difficult to understand and it's quite fragmented in parts and there isn't really a 'Start-to-Finish' guide out there, or at least not one that I've seen. Even then, people can still find what they need, have access to all the relevant tools but still not be able to proceed, either due to lack of English skills or understanding, intelligence etc... So I thought I'd write it up in real 'laymans terms'.
But as you say, the info's already here for those who've learnt to use the search button
Thanks for repyling, fyi mine is indonesia.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
neoandresk said:
Thanks for repyling, fyi mine is indonesia.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you get on?
Hi mate! at first, thanks for this "noob" tuturial! i think i'm going to try it later.. i have some questions i would like to know before i continue as i don't root/flash roms since my htc hero.. would be thankful if you cared to help me
i have just installed the ruu on mine with 4.0.4 and senses 4.1.
- Will i be able to make a complete rom backup of my actual rom (exactly as it is, with my configs, apps, etc. i user to do it everytime when i was flashing a new rom on my hero so i could revert if anything went wrong or i didn't like the new rom).
- if not, is there a way to reinstall the ruu or the official rom later if i decide for it so i can receive official updates? In other words, can i revert to an "original" state?
And finaly, is there anything that is not working on revolution rom?
thanks a lot!
Hey Porsche. V,
The answer to both of your questions is essentially 'Yes'.
You'll find in my OP one section called 'Backing up your data', depending on which instructions you decide to enter will depend on what gets backed up, take a look at that section and the forum thread that I linked to from that, that'll give you an idea on what to enter into CMD.
It'll be something like
Code:
adb backup -apk -shared -all -f C:\backup\backup21082012.ab
There's a good list of the factory ROMs here, download the relevant one for your handset, RUU etc... then put the phone in fastboot USB and enter into cmd from cd \Android\fastboot
Code:
fastboot oem lock
That'll relock the bootloader, I think that's correct anyway, never done it myself, I know many others have however but yes you can revert back to how the phone is stock, bar the Bootloader saying 'Relocked' instead of 'Locked'.
You can also make a Nandroid backup (always recommended, I should add that into my guide) before flashing any new ROMs, especially when coming from stock
Read these;
1:- http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1660807
2:- http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1543604
3:- DEFINITELY READ THIS http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/HTC_One_X#Total_recovery_-_flashing_a_RUU_to_completely_restore_your_phone
The ARHD ROM is the most stable ROM there is, everything works, it's the best!
Porsche.V said:
Hi mate! at first, thanks for this "noob" tuturial! i think i'm going to try it later.. i have some questions i would like to know before i continue as i don't root/flash roms since my htc hero.. would be thankful if you cared to help me
i have just installed the ruu on mine with 4.0.4 and senses 4.1.
- Will i be able to make a complete rom backup of my actual rom (exactly as it is, with my configs, apps, etc. i user to do it everytime when i was flashing a new rom on my hero so i could revert if anything went wrong or i didn't like the new rom).
- if not, is there a way to reinstall the ruu or the official rom later if i decide for it so i can receive official updates? In other words, can i revert to an "original" state?
thanks a lot!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
instaling Revolution rom now! thanks for the tuturial!

Workarounds for low internal memory

I bought the XZ1C from USA to India as it is not available at all in Indian markets (and never will be - because no compact devices were launched in India). I love this device except for one thing. Low internal memory - and I bet others might also be annoyed by this. There's two workarounds that I could immediately think of but can't be implemented with this Device.
1. Adoptable storage : Adopt external SD card as internal storage - this is one of the coolest features Oreo has to offer, but can't be used in this device. I went through a lot of blog posts and followed the steps, also read about the adoptable storage leading to no solution. I have a Samsung 128GB EVO SD card and I tried to adopt it as an internal storage in more than one ways with no success.
2. Move apps to SD : I thought I could move at least some apps if not all to external SD but this feature that was introduced in Android 2.2 (I remember using it on my Samsung Galaxy Apollo i5801) and re-introduced in 5.0. But this is also not working. I also tried enabling 'Force allow apps on external' under developer options which didn't work.
As I don't have this phone officially supported in my country, I want to check if someone can contact Sony support in their country (US, UK, Germany) to help fix this through an update maybe?
Another purpose of this thread is to discuss alternate workarounds if anyone has tried any and worked for them.
Unfortunately you're out of luck. I don't think any Xperias to date has ever supported adoptable storage.
As for moving apps to SD, it was never an option for this phone. I don't know if this was a decision with Sony's Oreo implementation across all models, or just certain models, or what, but you can't do that.
You'd probably have to look at root options, but beware, unlocking the bootloader to root comes with consequences and compromises.
mhaha said:
Unfortunately you're out of luck. I don't think any Xperias to date has ever supported adoptable storage.
As for moving apps to SD, it was never an option for this phone. I don't know if this was a decision with Sony's Oreo implementation across all models, or just certain models, or what, but you can't do that.
You'd probably have to look at root options, but beware, unlocking the bootloader to root comes with consequences and compromises.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you. I am going to wait for a while and see if Sony pushes an update that provides move apps to SD option (which I highly doubt they will). But if there comes a point where I desperately need space, I will root the phone. Out of 6 phones that I've used in past 6 years, this is the first one I haven't rooted and ain't planning to.
Possible Solution
I've looked at a thread from the sony forums. Some people were able to get the microSD card to work by factory resetting the phone with the SD card inside. Hope this helps.
What I've done now is to factory reset the phone with the sd card inserted and boot and setup the phone with the sd card in place this time. Then format it again thru the phone (I have not activated sd card encryption yet) and all of a sudden spotify, netflix, ... work with the sd card just as expected.
So perhaps one of you, who experience the same thing, might want try out if this is reproduceable.
Keep the sd card in the phone
Factory reset (I did it via the Xperia companion desktop software)
Boot it up again
Format SD Card
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Antilogy said:
I've looked at a thread from the sony forums. Some people were able to get the microSD card to work by factory resetting the phone with the SD card inside. Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't understand what u guys are talking about.
Either use SD card as internal memory (I know for sure that is disabled by Sony, for good reasons..) or simply make Netflix, Spotify etc use sd card to keep music / movies... Because If it's the second case, I can do that without any problem, just inserted my Samsung Evo 128 gb use it on the go, no pb,no particular steps...
Dany XP said:
Don't understand what u guys are talking about.
Either use SD card as internal memory (I know for sure that is disable by Sony, for good reasons..) or simply make Netflix, Spotify etc use sd card to keep music / movies... Because If it's the second case, I can do that without any problem, just inserted my Samsung Evo 128 gb use it on the go, no pb,no particular steps...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That means the TC should be able to do that.
Antilogy said:
That means the TC should be able to do that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What r u referring to?
( and "tc" =?... This ain't Twitter u know.. U can write as long as u can ?)
Dany XP said:
Don't understand what u guys are talking about.
Either use SD card as internal memory (I know for sure that is disabled by Sony, for good reasons..) or simply make Netflix, Spotify etc use sd card to keep music / movies... Because If it's the second case, I can do that without any problem, just inserted my Samsung Evo 128 gb use it on the go, no pb,no particular steps...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dany XP said:
What r u referring to?
( and "tc" =?... This ain't Twitter u know.. U can write as long as u can )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry. I meant to say topic creator. In this case that would be @kaustubhg123.
You can actually use a little neat trick:
Unlock your bootloader
Install XperiFix ( https://www.xperifix.com ) - XDA Thread to restore camera and X-R,BionZ functions (thanks a lot Sony, for nothing)
Xperifix auto install Magisk 16
Use [Magisk Module] Magic Folder Binder (fbind) module to "join" your internal folders with SDCARD and bind folders like Downloads, DCIM, .android
For example if you download a file, even if the phone downloads it to the internal memory it will be actually on the SDCARD. fbind also moves the old data to sdcard when you configure fbind.
mhaha said:
Unfortunately you're out of luck. I don't think any Xperias to date has ever supported adoptable storage.
As for moving apps to SD, it was never an option for this phone. I don't know if this was a decision with Sony's Oreo implementation across all models, or just certain models, or what, but you can't do that.
You'd probably have to look at root options, but beware, unlocking the bootloader to root comes with consequences and compromises.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm still very very green to android and to using Xperia Android phones ... what consequences and compromises are to be faced wtih rooting bootloader? From looking at former threads from over 4yrs ago it seemed that rooting was THE holy grail and raison de T'etre for having an Android (reason for being/having).
Supa_Fly said:
I'm still very very green to android and to using Xperia Android phones ... what consequences and compromises are to be faced wtih rooting bootloader? From looking at former threads from over 4yrs ago it seemed that rooting was THE holy grail and raison de T'etre for having an Android (reason for being/having).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sony have given developers and java enthusiasts the finger with this latest bootloader. There isn't a way to save the encrypted keys (unique to your phone) before unlocking it. So you can unlock it to do development, but it's a one way step, which breaks the camera and a few other functions.
In the past my two main reasons for rooting were to theme the phone a different colour and to save battery. Theming can be done without root now and my battery lasts three days anyway.
Having said that, I have just flashed sToRm//'s TWRP + KERNEL + ROOT + DRM fix/restore (because there’s a rooting enthusiast inside every android owner) and everything is working perfectly. The camera is working and all the software functions correctly.
But rooting the phone to get you control over moving apps to the SD card is a bit extreme and a lot of work for a very minor inconvenience. What are you doing with a small compact phone if you want to use two or three hundred apps?
Dany XP said:
Don't understand what u guys are talking about.
Either use SD card as internal memory (I know for sure that is disabled by Sony, for good reasons..) or simply make Netflix, Spotify etc use sd card to keep music / movies... Because If it's the second case, I can do that without any problem, just inserted my Samsung Evo 128 gb use it on the go, no pb,no particular steps...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What good reasons?
I have enabled all apps to save their things on SD card (The camera app stores all photos on SD by default but the stupid Album app stores its thumbnails data on internal memory for no reason). My main big issue is with WhatsApp which stores its data on internal memory and provides no option to store it on SD card. WhatsApp is almost 11GB on my phone now.
mhaha said:
As for moving apps to SD, it was never an option for this phone. I don't know if this was a decision with Sony's Oreo implementation across all models, or just certain models, or what, but you can't do that..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Xperia V & Z1c both allowed apps to store their data on SD (Spotify, Audible, etc.) but can't do it on this phone :/ Apparently, Oreo blocks us from using our SD card in this way.
luminoso said:
You can actually use a little neat trick:
Unlock your bootloader
Install XperiFix ( https://www.xperifix.com ) - XDA Thread to restore camera and X-R,BionZ functions (thanks a lot Sony, for nothing)
Xperifix auto install Magisk 16
Use [Magisk Module] Magic Folder Binder (fbind) module to "join" your internal folders with SDCARD and bind folders like Downloads, DCIM, .android
For example if you download a file, even if the phone downloads it to the internal memory it will be actually on the SDCARD. fbind also moves the old data to sdcard when you configure fbind.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so, luminoso, in that case, can i transfer apps from phone to sd card?
because you are talking about bind the download folder, but having 10gb on my whatsaap i was really interested in move this ffrom phone storage to sd card
reckfield said:
so, luminoso, in that case, can i transfer apps from phone to sd card?
because you are talking about bind the download folder, but having 10gb on my whatsaap i was really interested in move this ffrom phone storage to sd card
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can bind whatsapp folder in that case
luminoso said:
You can bind whatsapp folder in that case
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I decided to go ahead with xperifix, i have g441 compact xz1 european version, last firmware a.12a.179. i tried several times , but its not working with xperifix 2.5 last version
i attached some logs
error: device unauthorized.
This adb server's $ADB_VENDOR_KEYS is not set
Try 'adb kill-server' if that seems wrong.
Otherwise check for a confirmation dialog on your device.
06-6-2018_18-14-51 ===> List /system
Luminoso, do you have any idea¨?
reckfield said:
I decided to go ahead with xperifix, i have g441 compact xz1 european version, last firmware a.12a.179. i tried several times , but its not working with xperifix 2.5 last version
i attached some logs
error: device unauthorized.
This adb server's $ADB_VENDOR_KEYS is not set
Try 'adb kill-server' if that seems wrong.
Otherwise check for a confirmation dialog on your device.
06-6-2018_18-14-51 ===> List /system
Luminoso, do you have any idea¨?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Patching of your twrp recovey is needed.
I had to patch it with the last recovery (26. May) https://forum.xda-developers.com/xp...t/recovery-twrp-3-1-1-stock-security-t3706704
if you do it your twrp is not safe !
At first download Android kitchen, extract it.
Copy your twrp file into the folder and open unpackimgbat
After finish you have a folder called "ramdisk", open it.
Inside you open the file "prop.default" with your texteditor.
find the following two parameter and set them to 0:
ro.secure=1
ro.adb.secure=1
save the file, go one folder up and click on repackimg.bat.
You have a "new-recovery.img" file.
Boot your device into fastboot:
fastboot flash recovery <path of your new recovery.img>
The solution works, but device security is in danger.
You can use it, or wait for a new twrp.
Raz0Rfail said:
Patching of your twrp recovey is needed.
I had to patch it with the last recovery (26. May) https://forum.xda-developers.com/xp...t/recovery-twrp-3-1-1-stock-security-t3706704
if you do it your twrp is not safe !
At first download Android kitchen, extract it.
Copy your twrp file into the folder and open unpackimgbat
After finish you have a folder called "ramdisk", open it.
Inside you open the file "prop.default" with your texteditor.
find the following two parameter and set them to 0:
ro.secure=1
ro.adb.secure=1
save the file, go one folder up and click on repackimg.bat.
You have a "new-recovery.img" file.
Boot your device into fastboot:
fastboot flash recovery <path of your new recovery.img>
The solution works, but device security is in danger.
You can use it, or wait for a new twrp.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks raz0rfail, it seems that has a solution in this.
three considerations allow me to ask you.
1. firstly, im encouraged to follow your instructions, but im entering a completely new field, Idont know whats android kitchen , how to copy "my twrp file into the folder", and after carrying out this instructions, should I open again xperifix, and launch the rooting process? if so, There is any risk xperfix overwrite the "previous patched" twrp as you told me in the last post?
2. when will the new twrp launch? because the last update on twrp's website was december 2017
3. Storm's xperifix 3.0 it is worth it to wait its release? because maybe waiting one month more, probably my twrp problem could be solved?
I'm confused, but thank you for you reply, at least you give me a little of chance of fix this problem
reckfield said:
Thanks raz0rfail, it seems that has a solution in this.
three considerations allow me to ask you.
1. firstly, im encouraged to follow your instructions, but im entering a completely new field, Idont know whats android kitchen , how to copy "my twrp file into the folder", and after carrying out this instructions, should I open again xperifix, and launch the rooting process? if so, There is any risk xperfix overwrite the "previous patched" twrp as you told me in the last post?
Xperifix will always download the twrp image from his servers, you have to go a little around to use your twrp file, or he updates his img-file on his server.
2. when will the new twrp launch? because the last update on twrp's website was december 2017
Your device twrp has nothing to do with the generic release from twrp. Read the text below your qoute.
3. Storm's xperifix 3.0 it is worth it to wait its release? because maybe waiting one month more, probably my twrp problem could be solved?
I don't know what he will change, but if he always redownload the twrp file from his server, he has to update the img-file.
I'm confused, but thank you for you reply, at least you give me a little of chance of fix this problem
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK I will start from scratch with explaining:
TWRP (TeamWin Recovery Project) brought a TWRP version out called 3.2.1 or so, but released twrp version is generic for all android devices.
So some devices have special requirements for a working twrp recovery and a Device Developer patch the generic twrp version to get it working on this device.
It needs time but on many devices it's mandatory.
So i meant in the last thread entry not the generic twrp version from TWRP creator, i meant the modificated version from our device developer which creates our twrp version.
Currently he hasn't released a version which works with the last XZ1 compact firmware 47.1.A.12.205.
And if you use a different twrp which not works on your new firmware, you will get the message $ADB_VENDOR_KEYS is not set or the message adb device is unauthorized.
My tutorial shows you how to modificate your twrp version which you get from Xperifix to get it working with the new firmware.
But if you use my twrp, your device isn't secured as you used a the correct twrp recovery from our device developer.
So you can decide if you want to use the new firmware and magisk and my cam and stay a little unsecure or you wait if the device has created a working twrp for the firmware and xperifix has updated the img-file on his server.
Execution steps for patching your twrp recovery image and get cam and magisk working again on new firmware.
At first download Android Image kitchen from here:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2073775
Download minimal adb and fastboot from here:
https://androidfilehost.com/?fid=962187416754459552
Extract both Zip-Files on a place you want.
Then you have under C:\Xperifix\DATA\TWRP an .img-File called xz1c-twrp.img if Storm didn't change the paths.
Copy this file into the folder where you extracted Android Image Kitchen.
Execute Unpackimg.bat and change parameter in the file as described. Then execute repackimg.bat.
Open cmd.exe with windows-key + r-key. Enter cmd.exe and execute it.
Open the folder where you have extracted minimal adb and fastboot and copy the filepath of it.
switch back to cmd and enter the command cd + your path and press enter.
You should now be inside your folder inside cmd.
Then open the folder where you have extracted android Image Kitchen and right click on the new-recovery.img and in contextmenu click copy path.
switch back to cmd and enter the following command:
fastboot flash recovery and right click and click on insert to insert the image path. But don't execute it!
Next step have to do with Xperiix:
Reboot your phone into fastboot and start executing XperiFix.
if You got the message in XperiFix that the recovery is flashed unplug your phone and boot it again into fastboot.
Now execute the command inside cmd.exe
click up on your keyboard to get the last command inside cmd and replace the word "flash" with "boot" and your phone start booting into correct twrp image.
Now let Xperifix work until it's finished and you should have a working cam and magisk.
Raz0Rfail said:
OK I will start from scratch with explaining:
TWRP (TeamWin Recovery Project) brought a TWRP version out called 3.2.1 or so, but released twrp version is generic for all android devices.
So some devices have special requirements for a working twrp recovery and a Device Developer patch the generic twrp version to get it working on this device.
It needs time but on many devices it's mandatory.
So i meant in the last thread entry not the generic twrp version from TWRP creator, i meant the modificated version from our device developer which creates our twrp version.
Currently he hasn't released a version which works with the last XZ1 compact firmware 47.1.A.12.205.
And if you use a different twrp which not works on your new firmware, you will get the message $ADB_VENDOR_KEYS is not set or the message adb device is unauthorized.
My tutorial shows you how to modificate your twrp version which you get from Xperifix to get it working with the new firmware.
But if you use my twrp, your device isn't secured as you used a the correct twrp recovery from our device developer.
So you can decide if you want to use the new firmware and magisk and my cam and stay a little unsecure or you wait if the device has created a working twrp for the firmware and xperifix has updated the img-file on his server.
Execution steps for patching your twrp recovery image and get cam and magisk working again on new firmware.
At first download Android Image kitchen from here:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2073775
Download minimal adb and fastboot from here:
https://androidfilehost.com/?fid=962187416754459552
Extract both Zip-Files on a place you want.
Then you have under C:\Xperifix\DATA\TWRP an .img-File called xz1c-twrp.img if Storm didn't change the paths.
Copy this file into the folder where you extracted Android Image Kitchen.
Execute Unpackimg.bat and change parameter in the file as described. Then execute repackimg.bat.
Open cmd.exe with windows-key + r-key. Enter cmd.exe and execute it.
Open the folder where you have extracted minimal adb and fastboot and copy the filepath of it.
switch back to cmd and enter the command cd + your path and press enter.
You should now be inside your folder inside cmd.
Then open the folder where you have extracted android Image Kitchen and right click on the new-recovery.img and in contextmenu click copy path.
switch back to cmd and enter the following command:
fastboot flash recovery and right click and click on insert to insert the image path. But don't execute it!
Next step have to do with Xperiix:
Reboot your phone into fastboot and start executing XperiFix.
if You got the message in XperiFix that the recovery is flashed unplug your phone and boot it again into fastboot.
Now execute the command inside cmd.exe
click up on your keyboard to get the last command inside cmd and replace the word "flash" with "boot" and your phone start booting into correct twrp image.
Now let Xperifix work until it's finished and you should have a working cam and magisk.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the descriptions are absolutely precise to follow and thanks you,
in the folder data, according your description there must be this directory C:\Xperifix\DATA\TWRP an .img-File.
on my xperifix there is not such folder. attach you some images, (I also reinstall xperfix 2.5 ruling out if I lost some folders)
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"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
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Help needed! Cannot access 'SD card' files on Pixel 3XL

I set up my new phone yesterday - rooted with some great help from folks on this forum. Everything was going smoothly and working properly until I did something (I was checking out All-in-One Toolbox and a screen popped up about a four-step process to select some particular 'file'). As a result, there are problems with my ability to access local files, for example:
When I open the built-in Files app, it displays an hourglass symbol with the message "Can't load content at the moment". Also, on the slide out panel, the icon that previously read 'Pixel 3XL' is missing.
When I tried to get a screen grab of the above, a notification indicated "Cannot save screenshot due to limited storage space".
When I launch Titanium Backup, it cannot find its backup folder.
Custom ringtones are not be used.
Note that when I use X-Plore, I can navigate to the 'SD Card' folder and all files are there. It is as if a 'symbolic link' was deleted.
Please help me resolve this problem!
groston said:
I set up my new phone yesterday - rooted with some great help from folks on this forum. Everything was going smoothly and working properly until I did something (I was checking out All-in-One Toolbox and a screen popped up about a four-step process to select some particular 'file'). As a result, there are problems with my ability to access local files, for example:
When I open the built-in Files app, it displays an hourglass symbol with the message "Can't load content at the moment". Also, on the slide out panel, the icon that previously read 'Pixel 3XL' is missing.
When I tried to get a screen grab of the above, a notification indicated "Cannot save screenshot due to limited storage space".
When I launch Titanium Backup, it cannot find its backup folder.
Custom ringtones are not be used.
Note that when I use X-Plore, I can navigate to the 'SD Card' folder and all files are there. It is as if a 'symbolic link' was deleted.
Please help me resolve this problem!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just my 2 cents worth, but I've never been a fan of toolkits. They work great sometimes, but then again they don't at times. I think it's better to learn adb/fastboot on your own. I would recommend fastbooting the factory image again, without the -w, and see if that resolves your problem. Then leave well enough alone. And uninstall the toolkit app as well if that's what it is :good:
groston said:
I set up my new phone yesterday - rooted with some great help from folks on this forum. Everything was going smoothly and working properly until I did something (I was checking out All-in-One Toolbox and a screen popped up about a four-step process to select some particular 'file'). As a result, there are problems with my ability to access local files, for example:
When I open the built-in Files app, it displays an hourglass symbol with the message "Can't load content at the moment". Also, on the slide out panel, the icon that previously read 'Pixel 3XL' is missing.
When I tried to get a screen grab of the above, a notification indicated "Cannot save screenshot due to limited storage space".
When I launch Titanium Backup, it cannot find its backup folder.
Custom ringtones are not be used.
Note that when I use X-Plore, I can navigate to the 'SD Card' folder and all files are there. It is as if a 'symbolic link' was deleted.
Please help me resolve this problem!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What were you trying/wanting to do when "checking out" the toolkit? I agree with Badger about installing the factory image, but I would go one step further and leave the -w in place just running the flash-all as is. At some point when you have done some normal work on the phone, you can run it again without the -w so you can start to understand what is not deleted as well as how to re-root since you will need to do it every month. From your description, it sounds like you have deleted some stuff on the user side that would not be restored without the -w.
Gents,
I really did nothing with the toolkit other than a) look at the features it offered (was trying to discover which apps were running at boot time) and b) step through the one dialog that messed things up. As such, I would hate to have to reflash and start from ground zero again - especially when I get the sense that there is a simple fix that could resolve this specific issue. (Upon rereading Sliding_billy's response - it seems that reflashing does not impact user files - is this correct? After reflashing, I would have to boot to TWRP, reinstall Magisk, and everything would be good to go?)
FYI - the dialog in question is one that I had seen previously, when I updated my Note 4 from Android 4 to Android 5. It had something to do with selecting the DocumentsProvider location or some such (sorry that I am being so nebulous - I just did a quick search to try to find an example of the dialog, but did not).
groston said:
Gents,
I really did nothing with the toolkit other than a) look at the features it offered (was trying to discover which apps were running at boot time) and b) step through the one dialog that messed things up. As such, I would hate to have to reflash and start from ground zero again - especially when I get the sense that there is a simple fix that could resolve this specific issue. (Upon rereading Sliding_billy's response - it seems that reflashing does not impact user files - is this correct? After reflashing, I would have to boot to TWRP, reinstall Magisk, and everything would be good to go?)
FYI - the dialog in question is one that I had seen previously, when I updated my Note 4 from Android 4 to Android 5. It had something to do with selecting the DocumentsProvider location or some such (sorry that I am being so nebulous - I just did a quick search to try to find an example of the dialog, but did not).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Running the flash all with the -w in place will completely wipe your device. If you don't want that then remove the -w. But, without wiping the device there may be something left over that'll continue to cause you your current problem.
Sent from my [device_name] using XDA-Developers Legacy app
groston said:
Gents,
I really did nothing with the toolkit other than a) look at the features it offered (was trying to discover which apps were running at boot time) and b) step through the one dialog that messed things up. As such, I would hate to have to reflash and start from ground zero again - especially when I get the sense that there is a simple fix that could resolve this specific issue. (Upon rereading Sliding_billy's response - it seems that reflashing does not impact user files - is this correct? After reflashing, I would have to boot to TWRP, reinstall Magisk, and everything would be good to go?)
FYI - the dialog in question is one that I had seen previously, when I updated my Note 4 from Android 4 to Android 5. It had something to do with selecting the DocumentsProvider location or some such (sorry that I am being so nebulous - I just did a quick search to try to find an example of the dialog, but did not).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
jd1639 said:
Running the flash all with the -w in place will completely wipe your device. If you don't want that then remove the -w. But, without wiping the device there may be something left over that'll continue to cause you your current problem.
Sent from my [device_name] using XDA-Developers Legacy app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly what jd said. Running flash-all with no modifications will essentially do a factory restore of that build. Removing the -w (for wipe) from the batch file leaves the non-system files/settings, etc in place and you will then need to fastboot boot TWRP.img and install Magisk. As both of us mentioned, it may be best to get over the pain of a full image instead of seeing what issues remain without the -w in place in the batch. I think the real lesson here is that the folks who make these toolkits do a lot of hard work but it is still better/safer (especially on this device) to understand doing things manually.
I reflashed without the -w and everything seems to be fine. Thanks for the help!

adb restore 'ended' without restoring

OK so first of all, if this is the wrong place for this I'm sorry, it's quite late for me and I've been researching how to fix this for about two days and running up with nothing.
I recently upgraded to a Pixel 2XL, loving the device but unfortunately a couple of my apps save data into the data/data part of phone. The only way to then move that over and preserve the data is to use something like adb backup and restore. The backup seems to work fine, but so far every time I try to use restore on my pixel 2xl it 'ends' without actually adding the missing app data across.
I've tried using usb 2 and 3, no difference. I've made sure the usb debugging is on and that my phone is unlocked. I also made sure to try using the commands through both cmd and powershell and that both were in admin mode. I've also tried looking into other options like a friend suggested using es file explorer manager to change the download location, but I wasn't able to puzzle out a way to make something that was in data/data save elsewhere.
My phone isn't rooted, and I'd rather not go that far if I can help it. Any advice or ideas?
Aahhh,"...your phone isn't rooted..."that's probably it/key. I'm unsure whether any kind of "restore" works without root access -- backup of course works because that simply involves "copying" and "storing" files (essentially the basic process of backing up) and, as the system needs to be able to read and access the data, you pretty much have the "read access" to it. Restore on the otherhand, for those who are unaware, are essentially "copying" those stored files and "overwriting" the existing files -- which require "write access". The process of "rooting" is to acquire "root access" which allows both "read/write access" (therefore: "r/w access"). *again, for those who are unaware.
Sorry for just blabbering on about that, I guess I got carried away. In any case, basically (all in all, the reason why I blabbered on) I don't think you're going to go far without root access -- or "rooting" as you say -- but there is one thing I can suggest. When using adb, try running this command first before running any other adb command (i.e. restore):
Code:
adb root
It might just give you enough of that "root access" I was blathering about...
Also, among the all the things you made sure to do and include you made sure of, one thing you didn't mention is making sure you have the most up to date platform-tools (r28.0.1 *at least last I personally saw a few weeks ago).
Good luck to you, hope I made these things somewhat understandable, and hope this helped as well....
Thank you for the suggestions, tried it but no dice sadly. I kinda am hairy on rooting it too as I just got the phone and it's been a long time since I've done android dev work. If you have any other ideas I'd be welcome to hearing them but again thanks for trying.
simplepinoi177 said:
Aahhh,"...your phone isn't rooted..."that's probably it/key. I'm unsure whether any kind of "restore" works without root access -- backup of course works because that simply involves "copying" and "storing" files (essentially the basic process of backing up) and, as the system needs to be able to read and access the data, you pretty much have the "read access" to it. Restore on the otherhand, for those who are unaware, are essentially "copying" those stored files and "overwriting" the existing files -- which require "write access". The process of "rooting" is to acquire "root access" which allows both "read/write access" (therefore: "r/w access"). *again, for those who are unaware.
Sorry for just blabbering on about that, I guess I got carried away. In any case, basically (all in all, the reason why I blabbered on) I don't think you're going to go far without root access -- or "rooting" as you say -- but there is one thing I can suggest. When using adb, try running this command first before running any other adb command (i.e. restore):
Code:
adb root
It might just give you enough of that "root access" I was blathering about...
Also, among the all the things you made sure to do and include you made sure of, one thing you didn't mention is making sure you have the most up to date platform-tools (r28.0.1 *at least last I personally saw a few weeks ago).
Good luck to you, hope I made these things somewhat understandable, and hope this helped as well....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where your bootloader is apparently unlocked, download a TWRP recovery image to the directory fastboot is in and boot it using the fastboot command "fastboot boot twrp.img". From there, take a nandroid backup of your device. Restoring is done in the same fashion. AND, since TWRP is memory resident when booting it this way, the stock recovery remains untouched.
Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
Where your bootloader is apparently unlocked, download a TWRP recovery image to the directory fastboot is in and boot it using the fastboot command "fastboot boot twrp.img". From there, take a nandroid backup of your device. Restoring is done in the same fashion. AND, since TWRP is memory resident when booting it this way, the stock recovery remains untouched.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great idea! And that's why veterans and those with experience are the best to go to...!
OK so first, thank you so much for all the advice. I've taken awhile to get back to you because this took some time to parse. I'm admittedly kind of a novice at this. So I've used the instructions here https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-install-twrp/ to try and install twrp. I think I did it right, had the zip contents and img file in the same directory that adb is in, then ran the command...and this is what I got back.
N:\platform-tools>fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.2.3-1-taimen.img
Sending 'recovery' (40960 KB) OKAY [ 1.203s]
Writing 'recovery' FAILED (remote: 'Flashing is not allowed in Lock State')
Finished. Total time: 1.219s
as the 'fastboot reboot' command appeared to bring me right back to normal operating for the phone I'm guessing the failed stopped me with that 'flashing not allowed in lock state' there. Am I missing a step?
close, but not exactly right...
you got the downloading platform tools right, and putting the necessary files in that same folder that fastboot.exe resides in also right (you wouldn't believe how many novices actually make the mistake of not doing this)...
but you don't ever (underlined and emphasized not really for you AshtonHunter, but for any who are under the wrong impression; it's caused endless headaches and has even been complained by developers on Twitter...) "fastboot flash" TWRP with Pixels (any; and AFAIK any a/b slotted devices). You boot the twrp .img file. Also, for those who do not know and for future reference, there is no "recovery" for fastboot to "flash" to on Pixels (any), as there no longer is a separate partition for recovery; recovery resides in the boot partition. All in all, the command should be exactly this:
Code:
fastboot boot twrp-3.2.3-1-taimen.img
Immediately afterwards, you'll see your Pixel 2 XL restart and load up TWRP...
Good luck to you and hope this helps...
Hey everyone. So I tried this but it also didn't work. Same error 'cannot in locked state' when trying to run the command. I do notice there's a green 'locked' on my phone when it's in the screen after the 'adb reboot bootloader' command. Any ideas?
simplepinoi177 said:
close, but not exactly right...
you got the downloading platform tools right, and putting the necessary files in that same folder that fastboot.exe resides in also right (you wouldn't believe how many novices actually make the mistake of not doing this)...
but you don't ever (underlined and emphasized not really for you AshtonHunter, but for any who are under the wrong impression; it's caused endless headaches and has even been complained by developers on Twitter...) "fastboot flash" TWRP with Pixels (any; and AFAIK any a/b slotted devices). You boot the twrp .img file. Also, for those who do not know and for future reference, there is no "recovery" for fastboot to "flash" to on Pixels (any), as there no longer is a separate partition for recovery; recovery resides in the boot partition. All in all, the command should be exactly this:
Code:
fastboot boot twrp-3.2.3-1-taimen.img
Immediately afterwards, you'll see your Pixel 2 XL restart and load up TWRP...
Good luck to you and hope this helps...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AshtonHunter said:
OK so first of all,
if this is the wrong place for this I'm sorry, it's quite late for me and I've been researching how to fix this for about two days and running up with nothing.
I recently upgraded to a Pixel 2XL, loving the device but unfortunately a couple of my apps save data into the data/data part of phone. The only way to then move that over and preserve the data is to use something like adb backup and restore. The backup seems to work fine, but so far every time I try to use restore on my pixel 2xl it 'ends' without actually adding the missing app data across.
I've tried using usb 2 and 3, no difference.
I've made sure the usb debugging is on and that my phone is unlocked. I also made sure to try using the commands through both cmd and powershell and that both were in admin mode. I've also tried
looking into other options like a friend suggested using es file explorer manager to change the download location, but I wasn't able to puzzle out a way to make something that was in data/data save elsewhere.
My phone isn't rooted, and I'd rather not go that far if I can help it. Any advice or ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AshtonHunter said:
Hey everyone. So I tried this but it also didn't work. Same error 'cannot in locked state' when trying to run the command. I do notice there's a green 'locked' on my phone when it's in the screen after the 'adb reboot bootloader' command. Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You would only get this error if your device isn't "unlocked"... I/we were all under the impression that (which is why I quoted) your device is "unlocked"... So maybe some clarification is in order...
There are two types of "unlocking" that can be attributed to the device; 1) your device can be "locked" to a carrier or global region, and it can be "unlocked" so the device can be used on any network anywhere, and 2) all Pixel's (and all smartphones AFAIK) have their bootloader in a locked state, and in order to do any kind of "rooting" or data restore/recovery or modification down to the system level you have to "unlock" the bootloader or have it in an "unlocked" state.
*BEWARE! Before running these commands, please note that running critical will erase/wipe EVERYTHING -- I am pretty sure running both will actually cause this to happen.
Considering all of this, when you said your "...phone is unlocked", you are speaking in terms of #2 I listed above, correct? Basically, you have run the command -- while in Bootloader Mode -- "fastboot flashing unlock" & (just as important, imho) "fastboot flashing unlock_critical", right? Because, if you haven't done these, then your device was never "unlocked" (in the sense that most relates to us and what you are intending) as well as without having one these commands, you had no chance at restoring your /data folder or partition "data" (pun not intended).
After clearing any misunderstanding and/or issues of these type, we might be able to better help after that point...but it is looking like you may need to root or at least do the same steps towards that end to accomplish what you are seeking...
So, get back to me/us on this, and hope this all helps...
Ok! So after confirming I could do it without any issue and having a day of time to work on it, my phone's bootloader is now unlocked and I've managed a backup using TWRP. Only thing now is I'm not entirely sure what I should be looking at and how in here. Advice is welcome but I'm going to be digging into it myself to see if I can puzzle it out with some friends of mine online. Also just again thank you all for all the assistance. I would have never gotten this far with it without you all!
AshtonHunter said:
Ok! So after confirming I could do it without any issue and having a day of time to work on it, my phone's bootloader is now unlocked and I've managed a backup using TWRP. Only thing now is I'm not entirely sure what I should be looking at and how in here. Advice is welcome but I'm going to be digging into it myself to see if I can puzzle it out with some friends of mine online. Also just again thank you all for all the assistance. I would have never gotten this far with it without you all!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What exactly are you wanting to do now that your bootloader is unlocked, and you have twrp? Can I assume you want to root it?
AshtonHunter said:
Ok! So after confirming I could do it without any issue and having a day of time to work on it, my phone's bootloader is now unlocked and I've managed a backup using TWRP. Only thing now is I'm not entirely sure what I should be looking at and how in here. Advice is welcome but I'm going to be digging into it myself to see if I can puzzle it out with some friends of mine online. Also just again thank you all for all the assistance. I would have never gotten this far with it without you all!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm glad you were successfully able to get it done! (clicking a "Thanks!" would be all I would welcome in return)
So, now, you might be able to successfully do what you originally did and restore through adb if you wish...I mean, if you simply have a /data folder that's been backed up, there might not be too many options available for you. Another thing you might try is running a custom recovery (TWRP I believe is the best or only) and restoring -- and/or backing up from your old device/phone, wiping everything, setting phone up, then use that TWRP backup to restore -- but you can only really run a restore if it was a TWRP backup to begin with... One other good way is running a Titanium Backup backup and restoring that way...
Good luck and hope this helps...
please help
simplepinoi177 said:
Aahhh,"...your phone isn't rooted..."that's probably it/key. I'm unsure whether any kind of "restore" works without root access -- backup of course works because that simply involves "copying" and "storing" files (essentially the basic process of backing up) and, as the system needs to be able to read and access the data, you pretty much have the "read access" to it. Restore on the otherhand, for those who are unaware, are essentially "copying" those stored files and "overwriting" the existing files -- which require "write access". The process of "rooting" is to acquire "root access" which allows both "read/write access" (therefore: "r/w access"). *again, for those who are unaware.
Sorry for just blabbering on about that, I guess I got carried away. In any case, basically (all in all, the reason why I blabbered on) I don't think you're going to go far without root access -- or "rooting" as you say -- but there is one thing I can suggest. When using adb, try running this command first before running any other adb command (i.e. restore):
Code:
adb root
It might just give you enough of that "root access" I was blathering about...
Also, among the all the things you made sure to do and include you made sure of, one thing you didn't mention is making sure you have the most up to date platform-tools (r28.0.1 *at least last I personally saw a few weeks ago).
Good luck to you, hope I made these things somewhat understandable, and hope this helped as well....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sorry in advance, I'm not very familiar with this webiste.
Im in a similar situation where it wont let me restore my adb backup, I am rooted and the bootloader is unlocked (though twrp is not installed). could you please help, i beg you.

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