[Q] Extracting CWM6 Backups - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hello, while I was using my phone it rebooted and aparrently someting from my /data got corupted disabling my Rom from booting ever again.
So I created a nandroid via CWM6, installed a new rom and I'm now scratching my head on how to extract certain apps from that backup. Using CWM5 I could do this via the use of Titanium Backup, but now it's more complex than that CWM6 nandroids are unreadable from anything that exists out there. The only app which could analyze the backup correctly was the latest beta of "app extractor" but even that could not extract the apks *with* their data.
Basically my apps' data is precious and I wish to restore it at all costs, I have a nandroid of them, but the format is so unspeakably complex that it is basically useless. So the other "solution" was restore the nandroid and pull the whole /data partition in my PC via ADB, but I'm not sure what I can do with it.
So as it stands I now have two copies of my apps, one in a nandroid format another as it was pulled from the phone but I'm not sure how I can go on and restore them in a new rom. As I have found out CWM6 was quite a downgrade for/to those who backup/recover frequently, it's sad that I have found about it in such a disastrous way

Related

[Q] Nandroid backup/restore on rooted Streak...

I'm curious about this. Maybe someone can enlighten me.
Lets say that I'm on stock 2.2, rooted. I do a nandroid backup. Then I allow the upgrade for 2.2.2. Of course I lose root.
Will a nandroid restore, restore root, or will I have to root again?
A full nandroid restore will restore everything - the system and data - and you will be right back where you were, on 2.2 and rooted.
maltloaf said:
A full nandroid restore will restore everything - the system and data - and you will be right back where you were, on 2.2 and rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh, okay.
So to confirm that I understand you correctly...
...the 2.2.2 update won't hold after the nandroid restore? I'll be back to 2.2, as it was before the (2.2.2) update?
If you just wanna backup and restore your apps, use Titanium Backup (it's free on the Market).
Nandroid backs up your entire phone. When you restore a nandroid backup your phone will be exactly like it was when you made the backup. Restoring a nandroid backup is used to recover from a crash or to revert to a previous ROM.
After a ROM change I will set up my accounts, root if needed and do any other basic setup stuff and then, before installing any apps, do a nandroid backup. I can then go back to a "fresh install" if I want to. I also do a nandroid each weekly to capture the state of my phone.
Backing up apps and restoring them across different ROMs may or may not work for you. When I have tried this with Titanium Backup I had many force closes and ended up reinstalling everything from the market. Others have had success. I have read the MyBackup pro does better, but most suggest that you just backup and restore data not the app itself.
I have not tried backing up my apps to Google, which you can do in later versions of Android. Go to Privacy in the setting menu and then to Backup and restore. There are boxes for data backup and automatic restore you can check. maybe someone who has used this can comment on how well it works.
If your nandroid backups hang up at "backing up firstboot" get the latest version of StreakMod Recovery.
marvin02 said:
Backing up apps and restoring them across different ROMs may or may not work for you. When I have tried this with Titanium Backup I had many force closes and ended up reinstalling everything from the market. Others have had success. I have read the MyBackup pro does better, but most suggest that you just backup and restore data not the app itself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After installing a fresh ROM and rooting my device, the first thing I do is install Busybox. Then, with Titanium Backup I do Restore Apps Only, then reboot my device. I never get any FC's with this restore process.
Thanks!
Thank you everyone. I appreciate the info.
I've used Titanium BU, and have busybox installed too.
It was just a matter of if after an update (OTA), and restore with Nandroid, would root still be in place.
I totally understand what you guys are saying now.
I've also been using MyBackup to see how it compares to Titanium. So far so good.
~X
I prefer mybackup root to titanium. It's far more user friendly and more automated (in the free version). As for nandroids, I always take a backup before doing any system changes (hacks or rom updates) so I can roll back to a known good system if needs be.
BTW - it is a good idea to copy your ROM backups to another device, just in case your SD card dies. I copy mine to one of my desktop computers and to a USB drive. I usually back up my entire SD card, except my music folders, every couple of weeks.
Where does Nandroid put the backups so I can rename them and save off phone?
mine (from Streakmod recovery) are in /sdcard/rom_backup
StreakMod recovery puts the backups on the SD Card in a folder named rom_backup.
Each backup is in a sub-folder of it's own and uses a date-time format for the folder name. I rename the folders with a meaningful name by just pre-pending to the name. So my last backup is named BB351-2011-06-18-02.41.04. The following files are created:
.android_secure.img
boot.img
cache.img
data.img
firstboot.img
recovery.img
system.img
nandroid.md5
the md5 file is a text file that contains the md5 sums for the other files. This file is used to verify the other files when they are restored.

Something wrong with backuped files

Hi guys!
I just backed up my system because I wanted to load another system/ROM. So I wanted to restore the system is just backed up, but when I restore the ROM/system is different. For example the design is changed, and the home button does not work, I have to press back to exit apps. All my contacts and messages are gone. But my applications is there.
So I looked at the size of the backup files, and it this is how big the files are:
cache.img - Size: 0
data.img - Size: 252772352
nandroid.md5 - Size: 0
system.img - Size: 129997824
So it looks like the cache file and nandroid file is damage/broken. But it will take loong time to fix all this up to how it was.....
Is there something I can do? What can I restore? system, cache, data or what to get my design and contacts back and those things.
I hope you guys understand me.
Thanks for all answers.
Wait... are you saying that you actually back up /system and then restore it when you get a new rom? No no no no no...
/system is where your rom is actually stored, replacing it with the /system of another rom would have all kind of bad consequences.
What you need is to get Titanium Backup and MyBackup Root from the market; Titanium Backup for apps and app data, and MyBackup Root for contacts, sms', etc.
Messing with /system is not advised unless you know exactly what your doing.
Sent from my X10i using XDA Premium App
..JusT Try 2 Help..
Uuupz..missing here..
Hope you mean Xrecovery BackUp..
1. Yuuup..the BackUp Files is BiiiiiG..coz it BackUp All of Your Phone (inc. ROM, KerneL, Apk, SmS & Phonebook)..coz the BackUp mean "Duplicate Your Phone"..soo when it Restored (Full Restore).."Your Now Phone" JusT Back to "Your Phone" when the last you Back It Up..
2. Never Go to "Advance Restore" To "IndividuaL Restore" anything when you have "Change" your RoM/KerneL..coz it can brick your phone. Just Do It when you still in the same RoM/KerneL..it safer..
3. If It Already Happen but you still can access XRec. then just make a Fresh Flash RoM..
4. If It Already Happen and you can't access XRec. just Flash It through Flash TooL..
I backed up everything with xRecovery. And when I'm now restoring I get the problems as I wrote in the first post.
The problem is that the files looks corrupted or something, because I have the problems above.
Something to try:
Do a fresh install of the rom you backed up(don't restore the backup again, just flash the rom zip from the thread). Then in xrec choose advanced restore> restore data using the 'damaged' backup. Since data.img seems to be intact and it's the same rom, hopefully that will restore apps & contacts, etc.
It is always good practice to back up apps & contacts w/apps like Titanium Backup and MyBackup Root before flashing like Frosty said just in case something like this happens.
Uupz..corrupt backup files..try to Re-Install xRec...
Or
Just do a Fresh Flash through FlasH TooL..and StarT from Begin again..

[Q] CWM Nandroid backup question

Hello!
I have CWM Touch Recovery v6.0.3.1. A couple of hours ago, I made a NANDroid backup before flashin a new ROM. When I attempted to use NANDroid backup manager to restore my apps and data, the app said I had no apps in the backup. Upon reviewing the files CWM created, I discovered that it created several data.ext4.tar files. Is there a way to combine these so I can use the Nandroid backup manager to restore my apps. I've managed to restore call logs, text messages and wifi data but my apps are important too
Thanks in advance for the help ^-^
EDIT: I do realise I could probably use CWM for restoring but I want to restore specific apps and not the data. (I.e the recently updated hotmail app)
Plus, restoring with CWM flashes data that is incompatible with the new ROM.
full back up or partial back up
SeraphSephiroth said:
Hello!
I have CWM Touch Recovery v6.0.3.1. A couple of hours ago, I made a NANDroid backup before flashin a new ROM. When I attempted to use NANDroid backup manager to restore my apps and data, the app said I had no apps in the backup. Upon reviewing the files CWM created, I discovered that it created several data.ext4.tar files. Is there a way to combine these so I can use the Nandroid backup manager to restore my apps. I've managed to restore call logs, text messages and wifi data but my apps are important too
Thanks in advance for the help ^-^
EDIT: I do realise I could probably use CWM for restoring but I want to restore specific apps and not the data. (I.e the recently updated hotmail app)
Plus, restoring with CWM flashes data that is incompatible with the new ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as i know Nandroid backup is used to restore previously backed up ROM+installed applications+app data . If you jus want to back up some application, just use something like "Titanium Backup", it workes great.
:good: If it helped you, Just hit the THANKS :highfive:
Titanium, Backup (TiBu) has an option for extract from nandroid backup in its menu. why dont you try that if u have TiBu installed ..
Thank you but I solved my problen a while ago.
Sent from my SHV-E210S using Tapatalk 2
SeraphSephiroth said:
Hello!
I have CWM Touch Recovery v6.0.3.1. A couple of hours ago, I made a NANDroid backup before flashin a new ROM. When I attempted to use NANDroid backup manager to restore my apps and data, the app said I had no apps in the backup. Upon reviewing the files CWM created, I discovered that it created several data.ext4.tar files. Is there a way to combine these so I can use the Nandroid backup manager to restore my apps. I've managed to restore call logs, text messages and wifi data but my apps are important too
Thanks in advance for the help ^-^
EDIT: I do realise I could probably use CWM for restoring but I want to restore specific apps and not the data. (I.e the recently updated hotmail app)
Plus, restoring with CWM flashes data that is incompatible with the new ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A nandroid backup is used to backup the system,boot,recovery... In case your phone is bricked but if yout want to backup apps just use an application like titanium backup
Dear fellows,
I hope this is a right place to ask my question here. If not please please tell me and head me over to an other thread where this has been discussed.
I've rooted the S4 mini successfully (thanks to arco68). Right after the rooting process and installing ARCO's CWM I backed up the stock 4.4.2 rom in any case. I did a factory reset and flashed CM 11 also successfully and everything was good. After a week I wanted to go back to stock. So I restored the backup I made previously. Everything went out good, but now the whole system is inconsistent and instable. I have problems with the WiFi, SD card problems and so on.
What am I did wrong? Any advise is very welcome
I will flash stock via Odin tomorrow and root it again. But I want to avoid this process in future
Thanks

[Q] Why do I need titanium backup and also something like CWM/TWRP?

I'm pretty new to this android stuff. I have rooted my phone and gotten titanium backup, but I also put CWM on it. I booted into CWM and had it backup my system. So what is the difference between titanium backup and CWM? I have heard people say that you should not back up system files with titanium, just apps and user data. Does CWM cover the system backup stuff? If titanium is able to backup user data and system files, why not just use that for everything? And how come titanium can run from the OS while CWM needs to be booted into?
Welcome to the world of rooting
So there is a fundamental difference between using CWM/TWRP to do a backup VS doing a backup from Titanium.
Doing a backup from CWM/TWRP backs up the system as a whole - think of it as a way to restore back whatever version you have - for instance I have a backup of my deoxed stock verizon image, i can boot to that anytime - i even have one with stock that I can revert to as well.
So this backup created by CWM/TWRP are an EXACT 1:1 image of what you have on your system.
Now the backup from Titanium is more for when you flash and need to put on your apps again you could use google play to restore everything OR use Titanium. Titanium is good for backing up the apps and their data - i don't use the system function.
So usage scenarios are:
1. I need to back to another image i had > use CWM/TWRP backup
2. I just flashed to a great new ROM <insert_name> and want to have the same apps i had when i had my previous rom, install titanium open it up and restore the apps you had backed up.
I hope this helps.
Cwm needs to be booted into and you use it to wipe data, cache, etc. Also make a nandroid makeup of your whole system which includes system files, apps, recovery images etc. Cwm isn't really good for restore specific apps. Its good for restoring the system as a whole. That's where titanium comes in. Can back up all apps, individual apps. Freeze and uninstall. Just a lot easier to work with
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda premium
vue said:
Welcome to the world of rooting
So there is a fundamental difference between using CWM/TWRP to do a backup VS doing a backup from Titanium.
Doing a backup from CWM/TWRP backs up the system as a whole - think of it as a way to restore back whatever version you have - for instance I have a backup of my deoxed stock verizon image, i can boot to that anytime - i even have one with stock that I can revert to as well.
So this backup created by CWM/TWRP are an EXACT 1:1 image of what you have on your system.
Now the backup from Titanium is more for when you flash and need to put on your apps again you could use google play to restore everything OR use Titanium. Titanium is good for backing up the apps and their data - i don't use the system function.
So usage scenarios are:
1. I need to back to another image i had > use CWM/TWRP backup
2. I just flashed to a great new ROM <insert_name> and want to have the same apps i had when i had my previous rom, install titanium open it up and restore the apps you had backed up.
I hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This.
You can also use titanium to do stuff like freeze applications or move them to your sd card.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda premium
Agreed - you will want both, but really you will use Titanium on your day to day when flashing, the other is for some more safe failures - although really you will probably have few but Titanium is good for scheduled back ups etc..
Very usefull if you do nightlies as well.
OP here, thanks for the info guys. Coincidentally, after making this thread I went into Titanium to backup my user data since I hadn't done it before, and I am getting an error:
"Batch backup interrupted, insufficient free storage space"
I have 25GB on my ext card but within Titanium it shows "This folder is not writable." Something's up with the permissions. I thought I could plug the phone in via USB, then try to set the permissions on the folders. So I plug it in, but the ext card shows completely empty on the PC.
I have manually added files to the ext card through my PC in the past, so something fishy is going on. I am able to backup to the internal memory, so it looks like I need to figure out how to fix the permissions on the ext card. Within my root browser the permissions show write access for owner.
Edit: Titanium really doesn't want to save backups to the external card... But I can create them on internal memory and move them over I guess.

How to recover data from "adb backup --twrp" archive? Been through hell and back

How to recover data from "adb backup --twrp" archive? Been through hell and back
I have two backups I made using "adb backup --twrp" while my OnePlus one phone was in TWRP recovery 3.2.1-0 running LineageOS with a recent build (don't know exactly which one, but it was from Feb/March 2018). Each of the backups are about 6.0GB so they appear to be complete backups. I am trying to recover one app and its data (Signal/Textsecure) but the rest would be nice too. The backup files have .ab extensions. I am fairly android savvy and have been working on this for days, your help is VERY MUCH APPRECIATED! I have access to Windows and Linux.
I have tried the following:
-"adb restore filename.ab" while in TWRP recovery. It appears to restore (progress bar goes, it reports success, etc), but no apps are restored. I have tried this both with totally wiped partitions/system/data and with a fresh install of LineageOS. As far as I can tell, nothing happens. When doing a restore after a full wipe and trying to restart, TWRP warns that no OS is installed.
-Restoring using the restore menu in TWRP. Immediately upon clicking on the backup, the phone restarts and TWRP opens again. Not sure what's going on there.
-Opening the backups in Titanium Backup, Nandroid manager, and a few other apps. None of them worked. Titanium backup crashes instantly in recover from ADB, doesn't recognize the backups in nandroid recovery mode.
-Opening the .ab files in an archive manager, all of which report it isn't a valid tar archive. One time I was able to get a list of directories, and things looked pretty right, so I know at least some of the data should be there. Running variants of this command with different skip values, none of which produces a valid tar file dd if=file.ab bs=512 skip=1 of=test.tar
Questions:
- Is there a way to extract data from these backups in Linux or Windows outside of Android? From what I read, TWRP adds some stuff in the headers which makes them invalid tar files, and that doing "adb backup --twrp" is different from a regular TWRP backup.
- Why is TWRP crashing? Is there a log I can look at for this and how? Maybe i can find a way to diagnose it that way.
- Where does Signal store message data? I have a flat-file backup that may have this information depending on where it's stored.
- Can I somehow convert these backups to a different format that might be better-tolerated by TWRP or other apps?
- Any good utilities for reading a corrupted tar file? I think all this utility would need to do is skip through the junk at the start.

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