Lost ALL contacts - Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I've lost all my contacts today.I was deleting some unneeded files on my SD card (Might have deleted some necessary files) and was preparing to flash a ROM. After I flashed I noticed my contacts gone. I have tried toggling with the import from SD card and sim card.. Ive also tried display sim card but it doesn't work. I have some nandroid backups and was wondering if I can extract my contacts out of one of the updates. I also have a deleted files recoverer program on my computer which might find the file I deleted. Problem is, I don't really know which files I need. Another piece of information that might be helpful is that I tried restoring back to one of the nandroid backups but found only 2 contacts... Please help
Sent from Heavens device.

Didn't you synch them to Google?......or Samsung?

slaphead20 said:
Didn't you synch them to Google?......or Samsung?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No... I don't think so.
Is there any other way I can retrieve them
Sent from Heavens device.

restore your nandroid backup

Glebun said:
restore your nandroid backup
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I restored one of the four nandroid backups and checked contacts... it didn't have anyone on there.
Sent from Heavens device.

bump.. Please help
Sent from Heavens device.

nothing you can do

Related

[Q]Preferred method of efs backup?

I'm still very much a noob and i was wondering if there was a consensus as to which tool between kTool and EFS Pro is the best and most noob friendly way of backing up your efs folder.
I was also wondering if there are any more precautionary steps one should take after rooting for the first time besides doing an EFS backup, a CWM nandroid backup and a titanium backup.
Thanks
kTool. Get it from Market, couple of clicks, keep one copy of your EFS on your external SD card and one copy on your PC (and copies on a CD/DVD and a couple of external drives if you're ultra paranoid ), go to the kTool thread on here & buy Hellcat a beer.
Done
If you're doing a Nandroid backup, EFS backup & Ti backup right after you root your phone for the first time you're well on the way to un-noobing yourself You'd be surprised at how many people who have been here ages don't do those things.
You could go to the trouble of using dedicated contact and SMS backup apps, but you can just as easily backup your contacts to Google, and you can restore them easily enough from your Nandroid backup. There's an app in Market called AppExtractor which allows you to restore individual apps, SMS, contacts and other stuff from your Nandroid. Haven't tried it yet tho.
But I'd reckon you've pretty much got it covered.
As far as backing up sms's goes I find sms backup+ to work really well, backs up your sms to your gmail account!
MistahBungle said:
kTool. Get it from Market, couple of clicks, keep one copy of your EFS on your external SD card and one copy on your PC (and copies on a CD/DVD and a couple of external drives if you're ultra paranoid ), go to the kTool thread on here & buy Hellcat a beer.
Done
If you're doing a Nandroid backup, EFS backup & Ti backup right after you root your phone for the first time you're well on the way to un-noobing yourself You'd be surprised at how many people who have been here ages don't do those things.
You could go to the trouble of using dedicated contact and SMS backup apps, but you can just as easily backup your contacts to Google, and you can restore them easily enough from your Nandroid backup. There's an app in Market called AppExtractor which allows you to restore individual apps, SMS, contacts and other stuff from your Nandroid. Haven't tried it yet tho.
But I'd reckon you've pretty much got it covered.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also worth grabbing a copy of original firmware as handy to have......
Sent from the valley of the shadows....
stylez said:
Also worth grabbing a copy of original firmware as handy to have......
Sent from the valley of the shadows....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And in case of corruption of internal SD (Happens) remember to take backups of pictures/etc and store copies of your backups (nandroid/EFS/ETC) off the phone.
Rule of thumb, if you cant afford to lose it, back it up. Speaking of that, better make a nandroid and copy it to the PC
I currently have two b/u's:
-one generated by Hellcat's Ktool,
-one generated by Galaxy S Unlock.
Both live on my sd card, and on my PC.
Both tools available on Market (Ktool also on XDA). Ktool has saved my bacon once already.
Go with kTool, it works flawlessly. EFS Backup failed (freezed) first time I used it (luckily nothing bad happened do efs partition).
Also kTool can easily install new kernels, installing speedmod takes just few seconds.
This is my no 1 root utility (although it has... weird interface).
Best way to restore from a backup?
nakizzzle805 said:
Best way to restore from a backup?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ktool, Just deleting the whole thing with root explorer and copying it over, using a terminal editor to extract the backup over your EFS.
All should work.
nakizzzle805 said:
Best way to restore from a backup?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Both apps have inbuilt restore features; they save .img's and .tar's to your SD. Ktool saves it to the root of your sd and Galaxy S unlock saves to a folder, and each app can call on these files upon you selecting restore.
As far as restoring the EFS via adb, that's one thing I have to learn still. I'm not sure whether extracting EFS from a nandroid is possible, and how it would be done, via adb, etc...
Looks like Veyka replied whilst I was typing this, he's fast
mudferret said:
<snip>
Looks like Veyka replied whilst I was typing this, he's fast
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fingers of fury(!)
veyka said:
Fingers of fury(!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, I try to avoid OT comments, but I can't...help...myself:
The girls must dig that
mudferret said:
Sorry, I try to avoid OT comments, but I can't...help...myself:
The girls must dig that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hahahah

[Q] Transfer SGS2 data and Factory Reset

Good Afternoon All,
I have just bought a new SGS2 White and I already have SGS2 Black.
My question is
how do I copy every thing from my old SGS2 to new SGS2.
How can I remove all my data and factory rest my old SGS2.
The old SGS2 was T-Mobile UK branded but I installed UK Unbranded Firmware on it..So
Does Factory rest reverts it to T-Mobile Firmware
Do I loose root.
Just backup with titanium or something and save on your sd card... put that sd card in your new phone - restore...
Sync contacts to google - any particular data your referring to?
Factory reset will wipe all data etc - if you want stock firmware etc flash a stock rom
If your rooted im sure you could figure out how to reset - if not - google will have the answers if you search
Edit - could also be done through nandroid too if you have cwm etc
Note - don't restore system apps!!!! will cause problems
Just out of curiosity, with regards to not restoring system apps. Is there no way to restore everything to a new device, ala iTunes and an iPhone? I don't need to do this, but I always assumed you *could*.
1) To copy your old SGS2 to your new SGS2, do a Nandroid/CWRecovery backup of your old one & copy this backup to your external SD card, root your new one, put the SD card in and restore the backup of your old phone to your new phone with CWRecovery.
2) Flash a stock rom, do a factory reset.
3) No. You want T-Mobile firmware back on it, you need to find T-Mobile firmware and flash it (hint: search on here). If you flash stock firmware back onto your phone, yes you'll lose root.
mtharani said:
Just out of curiosity, with regards to not restoring system apps. Is there no way to restore everything to a new device, ala iTunes and an iPhone? I don't need to do this, but I always assumed you *could*.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why would you need to restore system apps? Sms' can be backed up, contacts and calender and mail can go with you to any phone thanks to being synced with google...
You can use nandroid but make sure you have the same version you are restoring from and to - i personally don't think it's too much hassle to set up a phone again - full wipe flash and im back to normal in 30 mins
Oh, I agree, it's very little hassle. I've been across several roms and backed up certain applications but almost always started fresh. Which is why I had to ask, I've never had to do that kind of restore before. I just find it interesting that a full restore like that can't be accomplished in the same way that you can with an iPhone. Thanks for the info though.
BigMrB said:
Just backup with titanium or something and save on your sd card... put that sd card in your new phone - restore...
Sync contacts to google - any particular data your referring to?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I want to move contacts, messages, whatsapp and Game save data etc..
MistahBungle said:
1) To copy your old SGS2 to your new SGS2, do a Nandroid/CWRecovery backup of your old one & copy this backup to your external SD card, root your new one, put the SD card in and restore the backup of your old phone to your new phone with CWRecovery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Between Titanium Pro and Nandroid/CWRecovery which one is easier?
t4ure4n said:
I want to move contacts, messages, whatsapp and Game save data etc..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Contacts will move the second you sign into your google account. They are synched to google automatically. Messages you will either need to use Titanium Backup, or something like SMS Backup+. (which backs up your SMS to your GMail account, and can restore from there as well) Game save data, you will need Titanium Backup.
t4ure4n said:
Between Titanium Pro and Nandroid/CWRecovery which one is easier?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depends on what you want. Titanium is for individual apps. CWM recovery can do the whole phone.
ctomgee said:
Contacts will move the second you sign into your google account. They are synched to google automatically.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That isn't always true. I would strongly recommend confirming that your Google account is configured to sync your contacts. Some people disable that and then don't realize, and lose their contacts. Better safe than sorry.
mtharani said:
That isn't always true. I would strongly recommend confirming that your Google account is configured to sync your contacts. Some people disable that and then don't realize, and lose their contacts. Better safe than sorry.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I stand corrected. This is true. I answered the way I answered operating on the assumption that the poster doesn't seem to be someone who would know to disable contact sync though.
No offense, OP.

[Q] actually a simple question...

I want to fotmat/wipe my phone to like t's first day But first I want to backup my contacts-sms-photos-videos-music-voice recordings-apps(and datas they have) on my computer to restore them later...
So how can i backup them completely on my computer and format my phone to it's empty days?
Kamigiri said:
I want to fotmat/wipe my phone to like t's first day But first I want to backup my contacts-sms-photos-videos-music-voice recordings-apps(and datas they have) on my computer to restore them later...
So how can i backup them completely on my computer and format my phone to it's empty days?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Based upon original phone firmware .
Kies contacts vids photos etc copy and paste to PC .
Format sd card via USB mass storage
Boot to recovery mode Factory reset and wipe .
jje
Additionally, app data can only be backed up (and by extension, restored) if you have root. I use Titanium Backup.
I have checkrom v6 and can titanium have backups on computer?
Save your Titanium backups to your internal or external SD cards, then hook your phone up to your PC via USB, transfer the backups to your PC. When you've formatted/wiped/reset your phone, transfer your Titanium backup back to your internal/external sd card. Restore. Done.
Kamigiri said:
I have checkrom v6 and can titanium have backups on computer?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok i can use that one apps and data but what about other stuff
Kamigiri said:
I have checkrom v6 and can titanium have backups on computer?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once you back up your app with titanium, the backed up data will be in /sdcard/TitaniumBackup on your phone. It's a good idea to copy this entire folder to your computer for safekeeping.
Then when you wipe your phone, this folder SHOULD still exist. Once you re-root (by reinstalling CheckROM, or rooting via other means), you can just restore your app data normally if the folder is still there. Otherwise, copy the folder back from your computer to the same location on your phone. (/sdcard/TitaniumBackup) Then restore using Titanium.
I've encountered issues when restoring App + Data through Titanium though. I find best results by re-installing the app fresh from the market, then restoring data ONLY.
---------- Post added at 10:58 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:54 AM ----------
Kamigiri said:
ok i can use that one apps and data but what about other stuff
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SMS can be done through Titanium as well. I believe the entry is called [SMS/MMS/APN] Dialer Storage 2.x.x, where 2.x.x is whatever Android version you are currently on.
Alternatively, there are a number of apps on the market that can back up your SMS and MMS to your Gmail account. As of now though, they can only restore SMS, and not MMS. I use SMS Backup +.
As for the other stuff, contacts should be automatically synced to your Google account. Check to make sure though. Settings > Accounts and sync, check your Google account. Make sure "Sync Contacts" is checked. When you re-enter your Google account settings after a factory reset, it should pull your Google contacts down to the phone automatically.
For everything else, see JJEgan's post above.
ctomgee said:
Once you back up your app with titanium, the backed up data will be in /sdcard/TitaniumBackup on your phone. It's a good idea to copy this entire folder to your computer for safekeeping.
Then when you wipe your phone, this folder SHOULD still exist. Once you re-root (by reinstalling CheckROM, or rooting via other means), you can just restore your app data normally if the folder is still there. Otherwise, copy the folder back from your computer to the same location on your phone. (/sdcard/TitaniumBackup) Then restore using Titanium.
I've encountered issues when restoring App + Data through Titanium though. I find best results by re-installing the app fresh from the market, then restoring data ONLY.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, really; But the thing is i want to completely wipe my phone like it's first day then i want too root it and install my old apps and my photos contacts etc...
Kamigiri said:
Thanks, really; But the thing is i want to completely wipe my phone like it's first day then i want too root it and install my old apps and my photos contacts etc...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then copy the TitainumBackup folder to your computer, wipe, then copy it back. This is pretty clear. MistahBungle even gave that suggestion above in post 5.
Kamigiri said:
Thanks, really; But the thing is i want to completely wipe my phone like it's first day then i want too root it and install my old apps and my photos contacts etc...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have the original firmware then i have given the instructions .
If not find your original firmware and flash that .
Root the phone install Titanium and restore .Copy and paste photos etc back .
jje
done!... Thanks for everything everyone ^^

Contacts Recovery after Rooting

Hi all, I was on an unrooted 2.3.3 standard rom, I then rooted, made a full backup and an apps backup using titanium. I then flashed to Ressurection Remix 1.8.1 and noticed that my contacts did not come back. I thought with a full backup and apps backup that the contacts would be backed up, but I am not sure If I have now lost them or what I can do to get them recovered, can anyone help ?
If I recovered my full backup, would that have my contacts in it ?
If you had signed in using Google account, sign in again and you're contacts will be available.... Unless you set the option specific to phone only
Sent from my GT-I9100
One its wrong forum rules say Q&A for questions .
TB backs up your apps only .
Nandroid backup is full image of rom .
Kies backup of contacts or Google synced or restore from Sim card .
jje
atifsh said:
If you had signed in using Google account, sign in again and you're contacts will be available.... Unless you set the option specific to phone only
Sent from my GT-I9100
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I don't use google for contacts.
JJEgan said:
One its wrong forum rules say Q&A for questions .
TB backs up your apps only .
Nandroid backup is full image of rom .
Kies backup of contacts or Google synced or restore from Sim card .
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's bordering on a question and a request for assistance. I'm sure a moderator will move it if its in the wrong place.
TB makes a backup of apps, but I have noticed (after the event) that it will also backup contacts if you manually select it to. Why this isnt turned on by default is baffling.
The Nandroid backup is not a backup then, its a rom backup. That was my mistake for thinking it was a backup of the phone.
I dont use Kies, or google or store contacts on sim. I take it I have lost my contacts completely now then and no way of getting them back ?
Would a data recovery program be able to read the phones internal memory as a drive ? You would think there is something it could recover ?
The file recovery program RECUVA free ware is worth a try or you could open a Nandroid backup .
Nandroid is an image of the phone rom in full including contacts .
jje
JJEgan said:
The file recovery program RECUVA free ware is worth a try or you could open a Nandroid backup .
Nandroid is an image of the phone rom in full including contacts .
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks thats encouraging and good to know, I'll have a play around with it tonight when I get in from work.
RECUVA wouldnt see the phone memory. Nandroid backup let me look at the backup that was made, I saw the contacts.apk but even after I saved it to a location (I did this several times) I went to the location and it didnt show. I even tried to install but it says there was a contacts list there and wouldnt let me overwrite.
I did a full recovery and now all my contacts are back. I will make several backups of these hehe. I don;t want that to happen again.
Thanks for the help.
N3utrin0 said:
Hi all, I was on an unrooted 2.3.3 standard rom, I then rooted, made a full backup and an apps backup using titanium. I then flashed to Ressurection Remix 1.8.1 and noticed that my contacts did not come back. I thought with a full backup and apps backup that the contacts would be backed up, but I am not sure If I have now lost them or what I can do to get them recovered, can anyone help ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use Titanium Backup to restore your contacts. You have to backup everything first (user applications and system data), flash your new ROM, reinstall TB.
At this point, you can restore your contacts: just open TB and search the backup list for something like "[Contacts....]......" with green title. Restore it (data only), reboot and you should see your contacts.
All the "[something]" items in green are settings and data. Contacts, wireless networks, bookmarks, and so on.
I use this procedure for every new ROM.
Only problems found: restoring SMS/MMS from GB to ICS doesn't work (for me, at least).
Good Luck
You can recover lost contacts from Samsung Galaxy after rooting. To do this, connect your Galaxy phone to your laptop and use a Samsung Contact Recovery program to be able to view the deleted files in the task window. After this, click on the ones that you want to recover.

[Q] Cant restore my contacts from titanium

Hey guys i just upgraded my rom from xxmea2 to xxemc2, and i took a backup with titanium. But after i restore my contacts `the processa.core has stopped` error pops continiously and my phone gets stuck. I try to open tha contacts application but the app crushes too. What should i do?
Previous rom:Android revolution
Current rom:Wanam lite v6.4
canberkanar said:
Hey guys i just upgraded my rom from xxmea2 to xxemc2, and i took a backup with titanium. But after i restore my contacts `the processa.core has stopped` error pops continiously and my phone gets stuck. I try to open tha contacts application but the app crushes too. What should i do?
Previous rom:Android revolution
Current rom:Wanam lite v6.4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try this one: clear contacts data
Sync contacts to Google in future....so much easier imho
Do not back up or restore any system data with TIBU. This has always been known. Use Google to back them up.
Wayne Tech S-III
chrismast said:
Try this one: clear contacts data
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It didnt help, but thanks. Is there a way i can read the contacts from the backup cos i really need them?
canberkanar said:
It didnt help, but thanks. Is there a way i can read the contacts from the backup cos i really need them?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You maybe able to export them to an XML and then save it as a text doc to re-add them manually
Wayne Tech S-III
You can actually use .xml method in titanium, I always use that for call log, messages and WiFi settings, very reliable on those, wether that option exists for contacts I'm not sure
slaphead20 said:
You can actually use .xml method in titanium, I always use that for call log, messages and WiFi settings, very reliable on those, wether that option exists for contacts I'm not sure
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is not awailable for contacts. I managed to get my numbers to an excel file, but cant find the owner names of them.
One other possible suggestion is nandroid back or flash back to your old Rom, try and restore them, then Google synch them
slaphead20 said:
One other possible suggestion is nandroid back or flash back to your old Rom, try and restore them, then Google synch them
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll try it as soon as I have free time. Thanks?!
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
later just sync it with google contacts on save it on sdcard .xml is way easy then nandroid backup
Guys ı tryed restorıng to the old rom but ıt just got stuck. I dont know what to do. I have found the numbers in the backup file but coud not find tha names of the contacts.
canberkanar said:
Guys ı tryed restorıng to the old rom but ıt just got stuck. I dont know what to do. I have found the numbers in the backup file but coud not find tha names of the contacts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you mean got stuck? Did it restore Ok or has your nandroid failed? If it restored but doesn't boot try formatting system and data then restoring your backup. Failing that reflash a stock version of your old rom then restore your data, sync with Google then reflash new rom and let Google restore contacts.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

Categories

Resources