Alright, I just got my GS2 delivered today. I'm coming from a Captivate where I flashed a lot of different ROMs and I'm already ready to dive it with my GS2. I've read the very helpful posts for Root and flashing ROMs but I want to make sure I cover all the backups and stuff I need to do before jumping in (which I didn't do for my Captivate). Can you suggest a checklist of the prep work I need to do before flashing my first ROM? So far I've seen post on the following:
Root
Flashing w/o incrementing counter
Now I see messages on efs and IMEI backup (which I'll need to study up on). Is there anything else I'm missing?
Thanks
all I did was root with Odin and backed up with CWM. Then flashed Unamed Rom. It was that easy...You can use titanium back-up for the rest.
Backing up IMEI is not very critical, but would not be a bad idea. I have only seen one person post about deleted IMEI info. Flashing a rom normally does not touch the efs partition. I have just backed up my efs partition, but only because of the one person who posted recently with an IMEI problem. And I never backed up the efs partition on the captivate, which reminds me I should do that, since my wife now uses that phone.
Some careful individuals would install a ClockworkMod Recovery enabled kernel over the stock kernel, and then do a nandroid backup of the stock rooted system before flashing a full rom.
Since your phone is new, you probably don't have a ton of apps installed, but Titanium Backup for restoring apps and data after a wipe, and SMSBackup to back up your text messages. These can be added after you flash a rom though.
Can't think of anything else.
By the way, the previous poster gave misleading info. You don't root with Odin, and it is actually unnecessary to have root to install a CWM enabled kernel with odin. I think what he meant was that he installed a CWM enabled kernel with Odin, and then used CWM Recovery to install UnNamed rom, which would then give him root. But either way, the two are separate issues. Also, he would have the yellow warning triangle at boot, and an increment on his flash counter.
Every time I think I get a grasp on the whole root/flashing/rom thing I read more and get confused.
I just received my GS2 today in the mail. I plan on rooting and flashing UnNamed. Since there is nothing on my phone, is it wise to make a back up first or will it not matter? I mean if something ever happens and I need to go back to stock will I have to have a back up to do it?
So I don't need to root for CWM?
You don't need a backup unless you have personal modifications you want to save for any reason. You can return to stock with Entropy512's unbrick/return to stock package.
You can install a ClockworkMod Recovery enabled kernel using Odin or Heimdall, but it will increment the flash counter and cause the yellow warning triangle on the boot screen. If you want to install custom software without incrementing the flash counter, then you must root first, and then install a custom kernel by some method other than Odin or Heimdall. That does require root first.
Thanks for the input. In regards to Titanium backup, I have the pro version with about 100 apps Backed up from my cappy. Can I simply restore those to my gs2 without the data or am I asking for problems?
I don't have any experience with that. If you are starting from pretty much straight out of the box, you have nothing to lose. I would think you would be ok restoring missing alps with data, but if you try it and out goes bad, lots of fc's etc. then
just wipe data/factory reset and start over. If you've already done lots of customization, you'd have to redo it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using XDA App
I have a question regarding the flash counter. If I rooted via the doomlord method and then install a CWM injected kernel using mobile Odin. Will that keep the counter from incrementing?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium
mfreywald said:
I have a question regarding the flash counter. If I rooted via the doomlord method and then install a CWM injected kernel using mobile Odin. Will that keep the counter from incrementing?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes.......
Thanks!! I was able to root and flash Unnamed! Loving it! Thanks for all the work and help. Greatly appreciate it.
Related
So hi all, I got my SGS2 about 2 weeks ago and so far am really liking it. I, however, am intrigued about the features that a custom ROM could provide.
Currently I'm looking at Cognition S2. I've read the installation instructions and browsed around the forums reading about this stuff. There are, however, a couple of questions that have risen.
1) Do I need to root my phone before being able to flash Cognition S2? If so, is the best way to do this by getting CF-Root?
2) If I flash said ROM, will I lose all applications and data? If so, is there a way to back them up first? I've read about people recommending Titanium Backup, but even that requires the phone to be rooted so this seems like an egg and a chicken -type of thing to me.
3) If I flash a custom ROM, is there a way to reset the phone back to it's "original" state so that, in case it dies during the warranty, Samsung won't just tell me to get lost because I've flashed it myself?
Basically I'd like to flash, but not if I jeopardize such an expensive toy.
zelectral said:
So hi all, I got my SGS2 about 2 weeks ago and so far am really liking it. I, however, am intrigued about the features that a custom ROM could provide.
Currently I'm looking at Cognition S2. I've read the installation instructions and browsed around the forums reading about this stuff. There are, however, a couple of questions that have risen.
1) Do I need to root my phone before being able to flash Cognition S2? If so, is the best way to do this by getting CF-Root?
2) If I flash said ROM, will I lose all applications and data? If so, is there a way to back them up first? I've read about people recommending Titanium Backup, but even that requires the phone to be rooted so this seems like an egg and a chicken -type of thing to me.
3) If I flash a custom ROM, is there a way to reset the phone back to it's "original" state so that, in case it dies during the warranty, Samsung won't just tell me to get lost because I've flashed it myself?
Basically I'd like to flash, but not if I jeopardize such an expensive toy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Yes.
2. Yes but once you have root, install Titanium, do a back up and then flash Cognition rom.
3. Yes provided you find the correct version of your carrier's software. But beware : if you don't read carefully and screw your phone up with a bad flash, you might not be able to do it yourself.
Read more and then follow instructions exactly.
zelectral said:
1) Do I need to root my phone before being able to flash Cognition S2? If so, is the best way to do this by getting CF-Root?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, your phone must be rooted before flashing (most ROMs). Simply flash CF-Root kernel via ODIN and you are done. Really easy.
zelectral said:
2) If I flash said ROM, will I lose all applications and data? If so, is there a way to back them up first?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most likely all your apps and settings would remain, BUT. I would highly recommend to boot into CWM recovery (you'll get it by flashing CF-Root kernel), do full wipe and only then flash new ROM.
To backup your apps use AppAdmin/AntTek app Admin/Titanium Backup or some similar app. Titanium Backup has an option to backup app settings/data. Personaly i would NOT use it, but that's another story.
zelectral said:
I've read about people recommending Titanium Backup, but even that requires the phone to be rooted so this seems like an egg and a chicken -type of thing to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Flash CF-Root kernel.
2. Backup your apps/contacts/text messages and so on.
3. Boot into CWM recovery and backup your current ROM.
4. Wipe.
5. Flash new ROM
zelectral said:
3) If I flash a custom ROM, is there a way to reset the phone back to it's "original" state so that, in case it dies during the warranty, Samsung won't just tell me to get lost because I've flashed it myself?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And yes and no. you can restore phone firmware (if you made a backup on step3), you can flash back stock kernel, but SGS2 have two(?) hidden counters that shows how many times you have flashed custom kernels. If counter shows something else then 0 - your warranty is lost. At least it should be like that but friend of mine got repaired his SGS2 with no problems while his counter was showing "3". Perhaps it depends on person who work at repair center.
I have just moved from my old GS1 to the GS2 and I am super impressed with the speed of this phone. I am however tempted to put cyanogen on this phone however as its still fairly new so want to keep my warranty until I know if there are any issues with this phone.
If I root my phone and perform a NAndriod backup, is it possible for me to go back to stock with no signs of the custom flash? I know its a n00b question, its just that I have never tried this before...
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
Yes you can!!
You will need
1) An USB jig
2) Knowledge about rooting/installing cwm
3) Balls to flash like a maniac (No, im kiddin')
After rooting with insecure kernel+superoneclick tool method, or simply flashing cf-root kernel, install codeworkx kernel.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1118693
Now install your CM7 rom.
To go back, restore your nandroid backup (of your original stock ROM) or flash any official ROM from this thread.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1075278
Use usb jig (buy from ebay or few XDA members actually sell it!) to reset your binary count so that Samsung won't know you have flashed unofficial roms and kernels on your phone. If you are still worried, first use Superoneclick tool to Unroot your phone, then use jig to reset the counter.
djglenn1337 said:
I have just moved from my old GS1 to the GS2 and I am super impressed with the speed of this phone. I am however tempted to put cyanogen on this phone however as its still fairly new so want to keep my warranty until I know if there are any issues with this phone.
If I root my phone and perform a NAndriod backup, is it possible for me to go back to stock with no signs of the custom flash? I know its a n00b question, its just that I have never tried this before...
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
U need to have USB Jig to remove any signs of custom flash...
I am currently learning and experimenting with rooting, custom roms etc.
Wondered if someone that knows more than me can help me with a few questions I have?
I have rooted my GS2 using CF Root XWKI8 kernel on Odin. I have full root access now and I have made a backup of my factory ROM which is Three firmware.
The questions I have are:
1) How do I remove root access if I need to? Would that be by putting the original kernel back on?
2) Some people have said you can remove the yellow warning triangle by re-loading the original kernel but would that remove the root access if this is how you unroot a CF rooted phone?
3) I am thinking about loading CM7 on the phone using clockword mod. When you load up a new firmware does it have its own kernel that is then put on the phone?
4) If after loading up CM7 onto the phone I then decide to restore the original Three firmware using clockwork mod, what kernel would go back onto the phone? Would it be the CF rooted kernel as that would have been the current kernel when I performed the backup?
Its important to me that I understand everything completely before I play about anymore!
Many Thanks
Dave
1) You can flash a Stock Kernel with Odin to remove root.
2) To remove the yellow warning you first flash a rooted kernel (such as CF-Root), then you flash a Stock Kernel and when it reboots, you use CWM Manager to flash the image kernel from there. That way you keep root and CWM, but the yellow warning doesn't appear any more.
3) Many ROMs have their custom kernel in the same package, so it will overwrite your current kernel. All custom ROMs have a rooted kernel, so despite changing the kernel, you will still have root and CWM.
4) If you did a nandroid backup, you could restore the kernel from which the nandroid was done. If you don't have a nandroid backup, you can flash a Stock ROM to leave the phone as you bought it.
Many thanks for your help.
As I first of all rooted my phone using a CF Root kernel and then did a nandroid backup in clockwork mod of the Three firmware. Would the backup now include the CF Root kernel when I restore from CM7 back to Three firmware or would the original kernel still reside within my Three backup and be restored instead?
If you have the European Galaxy S II (I9100) can you use the CM7 stable build thats on the official CM website or do we need to find one within the dev section here? Anyone know please?
@DJGREEN1980: Since you've done your nandroid backup with CF-Root, when you restore it you will have CF-Root again. If you want to revert CM7 to Stock you can directly flash a Stock ROM, instead of restoring your nandroid backup.
@mikeDCMDVA: There are only 2 versions of CM7 for SGS2. One is for AT&T mobiles and the other is for the rest, so you should be able to flash this last one on your phone. If you have further questions about CM7 I would suggest you post them on CM7 post on XDA or CM7 forum, since CM7 users would surelly have more knowledge than me about that.
Do you know where I would get the stock rom from? My phone is locked and branded with Three firmware.
Thanks for your help
There's a post with all stock ROMs up to date here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1075278
Brilliant. Thanks. So restoring to the latest Three rom XWKI8 would bring the warranty back for the phone after using a custom rom?
Dave
DJGREEN1980 said:
Brilliant. Thanks. So restoring to the latest Three rom XWKI8 would bring the warranty back for the phone after using a custom rom?
Dave
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its not that it will bring the warranty back, its more that you could send it to Samsung Support without them noticing you've used a custom ROM. I recently send my HTC Desire to HTC support reverting it to a Stock ROM without problems.
AzureusPT said:
Its not that it will bring the warranty back, its more that you could send it to Samsung Support without them noticing you've used a custom ROM. I recently send my HTC Desire to HTC support reverting it to a Stock ROM without problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
unless u reset the binary counter how will this work ??? of course buy a jig from ebay which im sure he forgot to mention
I'm looking for a solution for rooting my GT-S5830L in another thread. But while I'm waiting on that, maybe someone could confirm this for me.
I've read that ClockWorkMod can be uninstalled, at least in Froyo, by doing the following:
Deleting: /system/bin/hijack and /system/bin/logwrapper
Then renaming: /system/bin/logwrapper.bin to /system/bin/logwrapper (<- No . at the end)
I've read that in several places, but haven't confirmed that it also applies to Gingerbread. I have 2.3.4.
Thanks folks.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1437426
Well mine is S5830LUBKP7 GB 2.3.4.. and I've already lined up a procedure to flash a ROM of that I got from sammobile with Odin if needs be.
Are you suggesting that ClockWorkMod can't in fact be completely uninstalled without flashing a stock build?
must reflash with Odin
Sent from my GT-S5830 using XDA
2nd opinion suggesting just deleting and renaming files doesn't do the job. Hummm...
Any more votes?
there's a flashable stock recovery floating around somewhere in the forum, use the search, might work alright. Other than that, Odin.
It seems you're probably worried about warranty. If you ever need warranty for some reason reflash the stock rom from Odin and that's it, gone CWM, gone root, gone any reason to own an open source OS smartphone.
Otherwise, it's really not recomended to be flashing custom or stock modified roms without having the option to backup and restore your phone's system, which in my opinion is the most important asset of CWM.
Don't worry, you can always go back to stock with Odin. But once you root and start flashing, you WON'T GO BACK; there's really no other way to go beyond the factory issued limitations of the ACE.
try Odin
dxppxd said:
It seems you're probably worried about warranty. If you ever need warranty for some reason reflash the stock rom from Odin and that's it, gone CWM, gone root, gone any reason to own an open source OS smartphone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did check the ROM build on my Ace and found the factory backup on samfirmware. I read up on Odin at the same time, so I'm feeling better about going that route if needs be. I was just wondering if there might have been a quicker and less radical way to uninstall CWM and unroot... and still have have the phone at 99% of what it was rather than start from scratch.
Guess the only reason I'd go back would be to send it in for some reason under warranty. But who knows, at that point there's the chance it might be beyond flashing to factory.
Thanks for confirming that CWM and rooting will be gone if I ever flash back to factory. It's been a crash course in the past few days, going from knowing zip about all this to just staring to get a handle on it all.
Hey guys
I have a Galaxy S3, GT-I9300 with the default, non-rooted 4.3 Jelly Bean.
I saw a custom TouchWiz Galaxy S5 4.4 KitKat ROM thread and I immediately wanted to download it, but Im afraid in case I dont like it, I will have no way to get back to my old OS, so the question I want to ask is: Is there any kind of full system backup without root, or if not, is there a way to root it, backup, install the rom, and if I dont like it, reinstall the default one and unroot so I dont void warranty? Thanks.
Metrox!' said:
Hey guys
I have a Galaxy S3, GT-I9300 with the default, non-rooted 4.3 Jelly Bean.
I saw a custom TouchWiz Galaxy S5 4.4 KitKat ROM thread and I immediately wanted to download it, but Im afraid in case I dont like it, I will have no way to get back to my old OS, so the question I want to ask is: Is there any kind of full system backup without root, or if not, is there a way to root it, backup, install the rom, and if I dont like it, reinstall the default one and unroot so I dont void warranty? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll be able to go back.
I recommend backing up all your contacts, call logs, texts, apps, etc with a backup app like Go Backup, or something similar, then making sure that folder and your internal storage is copied to a PC or somewhere safe. Then you put the rom on your phone, install a custom recovery via Odin, reboot directly to recovery before it reboots to the OS (otherwise the stock system will replace the recovery with the original one and you'll have to do it again) and do a full backup of the OS and data (called a nandroid backup), then follow the install directions for the rom provided by the developer. Typically it's factory reset then install, but in some cases you will need to also wipe the system. Check the thread to see if they recommend using a different modem as many updates need the right one to make sure you have the best connection, GPS, etc.
es0tericcha0s said:
You'll be able to go back.
I recommend backing up all your contacts, call logs, texts, apps, etc with a backup app like Go Backup, or something similar, then making sure that folder and your internal storage is copied to a PC or somewhere safe. Then you put the rom on your phone, install a custom recovery via Odin, reboot directly to recovery before it reboots to the OS (otherwise the stock system will replace the recovery with the original one and you'll have to do it again) and do a full backup of the OS and data (called a nandroid backup), then follow the install directions for the rom provided by the developer. Typically it's factory reset then install, but in some cases you will need to also wipe the system. Check the thread to see if they recommend using a different modem as many updates need the right one to make sure you have the best connection, GPS, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry but I lost you when you talked about installing a custom recovery via Odin and until you talked about a nandroid backup. I've installed custom ROMs on my old Galaxy Gio so Im fairly familiar with how to installing ROMs and rooting, what I dont understand is:
The part i said you lost me
How to boot into that blue and black menu (In gio it was sleep+home buttons, and in this one i dont know)
thanks
Metrox!' said:
Sorry but I lost you when you talked about installing a custom recovery via Odin and until you talked about a nandroid backup. I've installed custom ROMs on my old Galaxy Gio so Im fairly familiar with how to installing ROMs and rooting, what I dont understand is:
The part i said you lost me
How to boot into that blue and black menu (In gio it was sleep+home buttons, and in this one i dont know)
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now I'm confused...how did you flash roms and do nandroid backups on the Galaxy Gio if not via a custom recovery?
But anyway, it's always good to check out your phone forum's Stickies, especially in the General and Developer sections.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s3/general/howto-rooting-wiping-flashing-ultimate-t1911726
es0tericcha0s said:
Now I'm confused...how did you flash roms and do nandroid backups on the Galaxy Gio if not via a custom recovery?
But anyway, it's always good to check out your phone forum's Stickies, especially in the General and Developer sections.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s3/general/howto-rooting-wiping-flashing-ultimate-t1911726
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I remember vaguely that I rooted it with some zip, installed cwm recovery but before that, i only backuped SMS, CONTACTS, CALL LOGS AND APPS, not the system, thus dictating that if I wanted to go back i needed a custom rom to install. I didnt make a backup copy of the system, just the ones I said above. In this one I want to make a complete backup, preferably before I rooted it so I could go back without voiding warranty. If you have any doubts, you can PM me your skype for a faster troubleshooting, thanks
Metrox!' said:
I remember vaguely that I rooted it with some zip, installed cwm recovery but before that, i only backuped SMS, CONTACTS, CALL LOGS AND APPS, not the system, thus dictating that if I wanted to go back i needed a custom rom to install. I didnt make a backup copy of the system, just the ones I said above. In this one I want to make a complete backup, preferably before I rooted it so I could go back without voiding warranty. If you have any doubts, you can PM me your skype for a faster troubleshooting, thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can't back up the whole system without a custom recovery. Only the stuff you previously mentioned and some other stuff like wifi/BT connections, wallpapers, ringtones, etc.
As far as recovery, it is accessed via Home+Vol Up+Power and Download Mode is accessed by Home+Volume Down+Power.
es0tericcha0s said:
Can't back up the whole system without a custom recovery. Only the stuff you previously mentioned and some other stuff like wifi/BT connections, wallpapers, ringtones, etc.
As far as recovery, it is accessed via Home+Vol Up+Power and Download Mode is accessed by Home+Volume Down+Power.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok so, then I have to root it, install cwm and download the rom and install in cwm.
Suggestions on where to find the root zip file and app to backup the whole system after I root it?
If you dont mind or can help with it, a step by step on how to root it, back everything up and preparing for install would be much appreciated as im rusty from messing around with that stuff
Metrox!' said:
Ok so, then I have to root it, install cwm and download the rom and install in cwm.
Suggestions on where to find the root zip file and app to backup the whole system after I root it?
If you dont mind or can help with it, a step by step on how to root it, back everything up and preparing for install would be much appreciated as im rusty from messing around with that stuff
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need to root to perform a nandroid backup, just have to install a custom recovery via Odin and boot to it before the system reboots as it will overwrite the custom recovery. But I already gave you a link with all the info you'll need to root, recovery, and custom rom your phone. And as I mentioned, you need to look at the Stickies in the section for your phone here on xda. I don't like to help those that don't want to help themselves first.