I see a lot of Titanium threads, which afaik requires root. I would like to find a good method to back up everything before I try rooting, if possible.
I found a similar question in Nexus S and matt2053 responded "...you do NOT have to be rooted to make a Nandroid backup." He didn't elaborate.
From what I have read, I believe that a nandroid is a complete image of the system, data and apps, which would allow me to go back to exactly where I was. Is that right? That would be great.
Would someone help me there? Do I use adb, or do I need an app, or what?
Thanks,
You need to be in recovery to make a nandroid. A far as I know you cannot do this unless you are rooted with s off
Sent from my Thunderbolt
If not nandroid, then?
Do you know of any method to make a complete backup before rooting?
This can be accomplished on some devices such as the Droid that don't require you to downgrade firmware (i.e. on some devices you can flash recovery without ever touching the rom) like the TB does to get s-off. So as you posted from your searching something similar may be true for the NexusS.
On the TB w/ the required firmware flashing steps, I don't think you can ever get a usable custom recovery without losing your current stock rom one way or another. I could be wrong as I haven't looked into it.
Basically, root (Superuser) is within the rom. For phones that allow you to flash a custom recovery without touching the rom, you can nandroid your original stock rom without su. For phones that can't, the only way is to flash a rom that is not rooted (does not include su).
I'm not personally aware of a way to make a full backup image other than that, sorry.
Related
I have a rooted Atrix on stock Gingerbread (I updated via OTA, the same for any previous updates.)
I rooted using the preinstall method, it worked fine.
Here are my questions:
I want to flash a custom ROM. Maybe Ninja. Is this possible when I updated OTA instead of flashing with an unlocked bootloader?
What are the steps required for flashing and still keeping all my data? I'm concerned about application data, camera roll, sms (I use Go-SMS), etc.
Is there a way I can make a "mirror" backup with all my data, so I can recover from it once flashing? (Is this nandroid?)
Once flashing a ROM, would flashing another rom or updating to a newer version require me to wipe my data and start over again?
I know ROM Manager recently supported the Atrix. Should this be my application of choice for CWM?
Pretty much, I want to flash a custom ROM and get all my **** back lol. I also want to be able to upgrade in the future while still keeping my data.
Sorry for being a n00b, this is my first android phone, and I'm loving it so far.
Thanks guys!
silentecho13 said:
I have a rooted Atrix on stock Gingerbread (I updated via OTA, the same for any previous updates.)
I rooted using the preinstall method, it worked fine.
Here are my questions:
I want to flash a custom ROM. Maybe Ninja. Is this possible when I updated OTA instead of flashing with an unlocked bootloader?
What are the steps required for flashing and still keeping all my data? I'm concerned about application data, camera roll, sms (I use Go-SMS), etc.
Is there a way I can make a "mirror" backup with all my data, so I can recover from it once flashing? (Is this nandroid?)
Once flashing a ROM, would flashing another rom or updating to a newer version require me to wipe my data and start over again?
I know ROM Manager recently supported the Atrix. Should this be my application of choice for CWM?
Pretty much, I want to flash a custom ROM and get all my **** back lol. I also want to be able to upgrade in the future while still keeping my data.
Sorry for being a n00b, this is my first android phone, and I'm loving it so far.
Thanks guys!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You must unlock bootloader if you want custom ROMs.
If you updated to 2.3.4 OTA flashing pudding sbf will semi hard brick your phone. But it's ok. You can recover by repeating the fastboot commands in the Pudding thread instructions. Or just follow instructions here:
http://briefmobile.com/how-to-unlock-the-atrix-4g-bootloader
From there on you will need to flash unlocked CWM recovery.
From there on flashing custom roms is the easiest thing ever.
Do we go from step 1, even though it says to go to 13 when you're on 2.3?
blackalice said:
Do we go from step 1, even though it says to go to 13 when you're on 2.3?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope. You need to start at step 1.
Make sure to install the drivers before doing RSD flash. x64 windows drivers here.
And to download the correct version of pudding for your phone from here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1136261
So wait, the phone somewhat bricks and then needs to be recovered if we updated via OTA?
(Flashing pudding atleast)
silentecho13 said:
So wait, the phone somewhat bricks and then needs to be recovered if we updated via OTA?
(Flashing pudding atleast)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's really just an extra step, don't think of it as bricking. You'll likely get a 0x1000 failed to boot. Then you go abck into fastboot mode and re run the oem unlock commands.
As for data, you gotta buy titanium backup pro (free is fine, but then you have to manually ok each app you restore). Use this to back up your Apps.
Then I use my back up pro to back up my texts, mms, other stuff.
back up, install rom, restore.
Hmmmm ok, thanks!
Downloading those two to backup now.
I'm wondering if I should just wait for CM7 or not now haha.
silentecho13 said:
Hmmmm ok, thanks!
Downloading those two to backup now.
I'm wondering if I should just wait for CM7 or not now haha.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will still to have to do it after CM7 gets released. Better do it now and get it out of the way while you have the urge.
I am sure once you unlock, you won't be able to resist the temptation of trying custom roms
Just wanted to say, I followed all steps to the letter and unlocked my bootloader with no problems at all. So not everybody gets the 0x0001 type erorrs, either way though as they've stated, you can recover from it with fastboot so it's all good
silentecho13 said:
I have a rooted Atrix on stock Gingerbread (I updated via OTA, the same for any previous updates.)
I rooted using the preinstall method, it worked fine.
Here are my questions:
I want to flash a custom ROM. Maybe Ninja. Is this possible when I updated OTA instead of flashing with an unlocked bootloader?
What are the steps required for flashing and still keeping all my data? I'm concerned about application data, camera roll, sms (I use Go-SMS), etc.
Is there a way I can make a "mirror" backup with all my data, so I can recover from it once flashing? (Is this nandroid?)
Once flashing a ROM, would flashing another rom or updating to a newer version require me to wipe my data and start over again?
I know ROM Manager recently supported the Atrix. Should this be my application of choice for CWM?
Pretty much, I want to flash a custom ROM and get all my **** back lol. I also want to be able to upgrade in the future while still keeping my data.
Sorry for being a n00b, this is my first android phone, and I'm loving it so far.
Thanks guys!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
backup using titanium.
unlock using http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1182871 which is safer than sbf.
use rom manager to flash CWM. then do a nandroid backup (to create mirror image).
flash new rom (follow a guide)
restore apps using titanium.
Hey guys, I have found most of the info I need, but am still left with a few questions after going through the forums. Maybe I am getting old, but I don't want to take it apart if I can't put it back together, so to speak.
What I want to do, is root my Rogers Galaxy Note without tripping the flash counter, which I learned is to:
Use Odin to flash CWR, and then reboot and install superuser from sd card. No problems so far, that seems simple. The problem I have is with restoring it to full stock. If I perform the above mentioned steps, do I need to flash a custom image? How would I remove CWM and superuser? Would I need to flash back to my stock ROM, and then my stock bootloader? Also, how do make a backup of my Rogers stock ROM/kernel? I read that the existing one has a Telus splash screen.
I found this thread, but the member implies to use titanium backup....wouldn't that back up a rooted ROM?
And this one says you can't make image unless you are rooted. How would I be able to go back to full stock?
Hey all, I'm looking to eventually install CyanogenMod 10.1 on my verizon galaxy S4. However, being a complete novice on this type of thing makes me a bit nervous about bricking my expensive phone.
So, I thought it would be good to try and understand the process of rooting and installing the custom rom. Could you guys help me out? I'll list what I know.
First thing I want to do is backup the Android stock rom that came with the phone. I have read that rooting or installing a custom rom (like CM) will void my warranty, so that's not good. But re-flashing the stock android that came with the phone will remedy this. To do this, I found this guide on using Nandroid. I don't think the CWM way will work for Verizon galaxy S4 (read that somewhere, but correct me if that's wrong).
However, it says that I am required to have a rooted phone first before running Nandroid.
Because Verizon's Galaxy S4 comes with a locked bootloader, and an unrooted phone, I need a way to root my phone. I found this nifty all-in-one tool by bhp090808.
The way that tool works is it exploits something in verizon's pre-release kernel of the S4, so it flashes the phone with the pre-release kernel, gets root privileges, then reflashes the stock kernel. Once this is done, my phone will be rooted and I assume I can use Nandroid to backup the stock android on the phone.
This is where I'm stuck. I have a few questions regarding various parts from here on:
1) Since the phone is rooted and I run Nandroid to back up the stock android rom, wouldn't Nandroid back up the stock android rom with the root access? If I needed to return my phone to Verizon under warranty, re-flashing this stock rom would still void my warranty because it still has root access? Is there a way to completely revert to stock android with verizon's unrooted and locked bootloader status (and whatever else)?
2) Does the all-in-one tool unlock bootloader? I found a tool called loki which will unlock the bootloader so that I can install custom roms like CyanogenMod. I looked in the all-in-one tool's zip folder, and it contains a file called "loki_flash", but I am unsure if this is unlocking the bootloader or not.
3) Can I re-flash a stock android if I brick my phone? What exactly does 'bricking' the phone mean?
goodmedic said:
Hey all, I'm looking to eventually install CyanogenMod 10.1 on my verizon galaxy S4. However, being a complete novice on this type of thing makes me a bit nervous about bricking my expensive phone.
So, I thought it would be good to try and understand the process of rooting and installing the custom rom. Could you guys help me out? I'll list what I know.
First thing I want to do is backup the Android stock rom that came with the phone. I have read that rooting or installing a custom rom (like CM) will void my warranty, so that's not good. But re-flashing the stock android that came with the phone will remedy this. To do this, I found this guide on using Nandroid. I don't think the CWM way will work for Verizon galaxy S4 (read that somewhere, but correct me if that's wrong).
However, it says that I am required to have a rooted phone first before running Nandroid.
Because Verizon's Galaxy S4 comes with a locked bootloader, and an unrooted phone, I need a way to root my phone. I found this nifty all-in-one tool by bhp090808.
The way that tool works is it exploits something in verizon's pre-release kernel of the S4, so it flashes the phone with the pre-release kernel, gets root privileges, then reflashes the stock kernel. Once this is done, my phone will be rooted and I assume I can use Nandroid to backup the stock android on the phone.
This is where I'm stuck. I have a few questions regarding various parts from here on:
1) Since the phone is rooted and I run Nandroid to back up the stock android rom, wouldn't Nandroid back up the stock android rom with the root access? If I needed to return my phone to Verizon under warranty, re-flashing this stock rom would still void my warranty because it still has root access? Is there a way to completely revert to stock android with verizon's unrooted and locked bootloader status (and whatever else)?
2) Does the all-in-one tool unlock bootloader? I found a tool called loki which will unlock the bootloader so that I can install custom roms like CyanogenMod. I looked in the all-in-one tool's zip folder, and it contains a file called "loki_flash", but I am unsure if this is unlocking the bootloader or not.
3) Can I re-flash a stock android if I brick my phone? What exactly does 'bricking' the phone mean?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see its been a few days and no one has replied so I will do my best to share what knowledge I have. I've been heavily flashing custom ROMs on my ASUS tablet now for the better part of a year and just got my Verizon GS4, so I have alot of the same questions as you.
1) I'm going to answer this in two parts.
Nandroid, in my experience, refers to the type of backup, not necessarily the process by which to backup. Most common recoveries, including ClockworkMod and TWRP have a feature to create a 'nandroid backup'. This can take some time and files can be quite large, as they copy pretty much every single file on your device; almost like creating a snapshot of your device in that moment in time.
To answer the later part of this question, (typically speaking) once you unlock a bootloader you cannot re-lock it, but that could be different for phones (my knowledge in phones is limited). And yes, using a nandroid backup will back up your device with root access, but using a tool such as Rom Toolbox, you can easily un-root (the program features a 'permanent unroot option'). For one, I would imagine that flashing the stock kernel would overwrite the root, as like you said earlier in the post the current root exploit works by flashing a pre-release kernel, applying root to the device, then re-flashing the current stock kernel. Another way to lose root is to get an over-the-air (OTA) update. You will see programs like OTA Rootkeeper that work to circumvent this, but in your case that may be a valid way to cover your arse in case you need to return it under VZW warranty (it is for this reason that I always buy Best Buy protection plans, because they could care less about the software state about your device [Disclaimer: I worked for Geek Squad so I have /somewhat/ intimate knowledge in this matter])
2) I just rooted my GS4 a few days ago, and nothing I read indicated that the all-in-one tool would unlock the bootloader. If you read the documentation about Loki, he explains this fact. I just found a good video (although it uses TWRP and GooManager instead of ROMManager and CWM) explaining that there isn't a bootloader "unlock" just yet; rather its a workaround to the bootloader that allows us to get custom ROMs on our devices (video is here)
3) "Bricking" a device means rendering the device useless; it won't operate to any fashion that it is useful to you, so its no better than a brick or a paper weight, etc. I would imagine you can re-flash a stock verizon ROM/kernel to restore any screw-ups, but keep in mind this device was released less than three months ago and any development is relatively new. Yes, we have had other Galaxy S series phones, but the S4 has this whole KNOX nonsense that is specifically designed to prevent the kinds of activities we do here on this forum
I really hope that helps. If I said anything that is incorrect, please please feel free to correct it so that at least we can all learn the proper information.
Thanks,
Opethfan89
goodmedic said:
Hey all, I'm looking to eventually install CyanogenMod 10.1 on my verizon galaxy S4. However, being a complete novice on this type of thing makes me a bit nervous about bricking my expensive phone.
So, I thought it would be good to try and understand the process of rooting and installing the custom rom. Could you guys help me out? I'll list what I know.
First thing I want to do is backup the Android stock rom that came with the phone. I have read that rooting or installing a custom rom (like CM) will void my warranty, so that's not good. But re-flashing the stock android that came with the phone will remedy this. To do this, I found this guide on using Nandroid. I don't think the CWM way will work for Verizon galaxy S4 (read that somewhere, but correct me if that's wrong).
However, it says that I am required to have a rooted phone first before running Nandroid.
Because Verizon's Galaxy S4 comes with a locked bootloader, and an unrooted phone, I need a way to root my phone. I found this nifty all-in-one tool by bhp090808.
The way that tool works is it exploits something in verizon's pre-release kernel of the S4, so it flashes the phone with the pre-release kernel, gets root privileges, then reflashes the stock kernel. Once this is done, my phone will be rooted and I assume I can use Nandroid to backup the stock android on the phone.
This is where I'm stuck. I have a few questions regarding various parts from here on:
1) Since the phone is rooted and I run Nandroid to back up the stock android rom, wouldn't Nandroid back up the stock android rom with the root access? If I needed to return my phone to Verizon under warranty, re-flashing this stock rom would still void my warranty because it still has root access? Is there a way to completely revert to stock android with verizon's unrooted and locked bootloader status (and whatever else)?
2) Does the all-in-one tool unlock bootloader? I found a tool called loki which will unlock the bootloader so that I can install custom roms like CyanogenMod. I looked in the all-in-one tool's zip folder, and it contains a file called "loki_flash", but I am unsure if this is unlocking the bootloader or not.
3) Can I re-flash a stock android if I brick my phone? What exactly does 'bricking' the phone mean?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The S4 link in my signature has a few stock images to pick from. It will restore it to the original stock Verizon software that came with your phone.
DarkMenace said:
The S4 link in my signature has a few stock images to pick from. It will restore it to the original stock Verizon software that came with your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does the 'Ad-Free' APK I see available on that website work better than jRummy's AdBlocker? I installed it and it detects ads (like in ASTRO, Zedge, and a few others) but doesn't block them even though I have all the settings turned ON and have rebooted when requested.
That said, thanks for the link. I've bookmarked it for future reference and its good to know there are backups available in case anything goes bad.
Are you able to elaborate on how these are flashed? Via ODIN, or can you flash it via CWM/TWRP?
Thanks,
Opethfan89
opethfan89 said:
Does the 'Ad-Free' APK I see available on that website work better than jRummy's AdBlocker? I installed it and it detects ads (like in ASTRO, Zedge, and a few others) but doesn't block them even though I have all the settings turned ON and have rebooted when requested.
That said, thanks for the link. I've bookmarked it for future reference and its good to know there are backups available in case anything goes bad.
Are you able to elaborate on how these are flashed? Via ODIN, or can you flash it via CWM/TWRP?
Thanks,
Opethfan89
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not n sure. It's the only one I ever used for banner blocking. You use the files with Odin as well after they are extracted.
Sent from my Rooted Verizon Samsung Galaxy S4 using xda premium
My device: Vzn Galaxy S4 (ME7 build)
I've rooted the phone, installed things like ROM Manager and Titanium backup, but insofar as I understand things ... its not safe (or recommended at least) to flash a custom ROM until the bootloader is unlocked and I have a custom recovery installed. Further, as I understand things, that isn't possible with ME7.
Anyhow, new to the Android and rooting world, and so I wanted to know if I got things right ... and if not, best process for backing things up, flashing ROMS, and getting back to where I started should I so desire.
Thanks much.
wgpubs said:
My device: Vzn Galaxy S4 (ME7 build)
I've rooted the phone, installed things like ROM Manager and Titanium backup, but insofar as I understand things ... its not safe (or recommended at least) to flash a custom ROM until the bootloader is unlocked and I have a custom recovery installed. Further, as I understand things, that isn't possible with ME7.
Anyhow, new to the Android and rooting world, and so I wanted to know if I got things right ... and if not, best process for backing things up, flashing ROMS, and getting back to where I started should I so desire.
Thanks much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DO NOT FLASH A ROM ON STOCK RECOVERY!!!
their is a $3,000 bounty for just root + recovery for a good reason.
No you can't flash a custom recovery or roms if your phone installed the ME7 ota update. Titanium backup is your best bet to remove bloat and backup apps/data. if anything goes wrong you can always flash back to stock ME7 via odin.
No way, you are stuck until a patch, or a fix is done for the bootloader.
Only flash if you want to brick your phone and not have it covered by warranty. Once you have the ME7 bootloader, you no longer have the ability to flash roms, recoveries, kernels, etc.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4
Hey guys,
Do I lose all my data on a downgrade? (4.4.4 to 4.4.2) because I think it's just like a update, just the other way round.
Thanks in advance, _Heisenberg
_heisenberg said:
Hey guys,
Do I lose all my data on a downgrade? (4.4.4 to 4.4.2) because I think it's just like a update, just the other way round.
Thanks in advance, _Heisenberg
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes you will lose all the data. it not exactly an update. its more like a factory restore. if you dont select system while flashing than you might retain the data but it'll create other problems i think like FCs and such. if you want retain the data, like game progress and such i suggest you use helium app, it can backup entire data and restore it when you have flashed anything else. but if you gonna unlock your bootloader and flash a lollipop ROM than its not gonna help as file placement is different in lollipop, i dont know whether even titanium will help in that case, you might have to start completely from scratch.
kunaltyagii said:
yes you will lose all the data. it not exactly an update. its more like a factory restore. if you dont select system while flashing than you might retain the data but it'll create other problems i think like FCs and such. if you want retain the data, like game progress and such i suggest you use helium app, it can backup entire data and restore it when you have flashed anything else. but if you gonna unlock your bootloader and flash a lollipop ROM than its not gonna help as file placement is different in lollipop, i dont know whether even titanium will help in that case, you might have to start completely from scratch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, i just want to flash the downgrade for root and recovery, so I think there is no problem with it, is it? And if I downgrade, I think I am able to backup everything with Titanium Backup. Do you think that's possible?
_heisenberg said:
Okay, i just want to flash the downgrade for root and recovery, so I think there is no problem with it, is it? And if I downgrade, I think I am able to backup everything with Titanium Backup. Do you think that's possible?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can root and then update using the PRFtool and you'll retain root,probably even after OTA you will retain root, but i've heard that it varies with different people, you may or may not retain root after simple OTA, also i'm not sure how much help titanium backup will be before rooting as it requires root for backup function, as i suggested, use helium app, no root required. keep the backup safe, flash the prf through recovery, the flash the baseband and kernel through the ftf, then you'll be on latest FW with root and then you can restore the data from helium backup.
Edit: just now understood, you meant use titanium after downgrading and rooting probably, you will lose all the data during downgrading, so nothing will be left after downgrading to backup. have to backup before downgrading.