Hello,
In my question, What EXACTLY happens during a factory reset, the emphasis is, obviously, on "exactly". I will explain why I need to know this - the research I've done has failed to answer my question.
Carrier-phones come with a bunch of pre-installed apps. Of all possible scenarios, Japanese smartphones, and particularly Sharp smartphones, are the worst case. They are very difficult to root, very finicky phones that seem to go into a boot loop whenever you do something to them that you're not supposed to - all the more challenging
If we manage to root a Sharp phone, the first thing we do is freeze some of the Docomo or Softbank pre-installed apps that take up precious memory. We know that if we want to do a factory reset, we must first un-freeze all those apps, or we risk going into a boot loop, and having to ship the phone back to Japan to get repaired (for those of use who don't live in Japan).
Now, the million dollar question is, what happens if we delete/uninstall those system apps? And here I am asking about the general case, hoping that Sharp haven't invented some twisted scheme here too.
When we do a factory reset, how does the phone know what was - and what is supposed to be - in the /system/apps folder? Hence: What EXACTLY happens during a factory reset?
Does the phone look up a file which contains a list of all those pre-installed app, and verify the contents of the /system/app folder against it --- and if something is missing, it gets stuck during reboot? Or does it simply delete the contents of the /data folder, without paying attention to /system/app? And why does it go into a boot loop, if a system app was frozen?
In the end, I don't simply want to freeze some apps, I want to get rid of them completely --- you can't imagine the load of BS that Japanese carriers cram into their phones (a built-in Rakuten auctions app, a McDonald's app, a BeeTV app??? and so on and so forth) --- but I want to make sure the phone isn't checking what's supposed to be in /system/app.
---------------------
In the case of my 005SH, the rootkit came with a recovery that helps me "resurrect" the phone from a boot loop - and that has happened twice after a factory reset so far - I deleted some seemingly insignificant app, and Titanium Backup failed to restore it for some reason, so it's now gone forever. But not every rootkit comes with a proper recovery...
cheeseus said:
Now, the million dollar question is, what happens if we delete/uninstall those system apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some system apps are important for the device to run properly and some are just bloatware that can be deleted without harm (e.g, Youtube, ChatOn.. etc). There are several app lists in the forum of safe app to remove (this is one).
But I advice you not to play with system apps if you don't know which app is safe to remove.
cheeseus said:
When we do a factory reset, how does the phone know what was - and what is supposed to be - in the /system/apps folder? Hence: What EXACTLY happens during a factory reset?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All app in system partition will be restored as if it was first time to be run, although all of your installed app, contacts, sms, WiFi access and data will be deleted
majdinj said:
Some system apps are important for the device to run properly and some are just bloatware that can be deleted without harm (e.g, Youtube, ChatOn.. etc). There are several app lists in the forum of safe app to remove (this is one).
But I advice you not to play with system apps if you don't know which app is safe to remove.
All app in system partition will be restored as if it was first time to be run, although all of your installed app, contacts, sms, WiFi access and data will be deleted
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks but this does not answer my question. I know perfectly well which apps are bloatware and which are essential. I will restate my question:
Is there some register or list, which the phone checks during factory reset, and which says what apps were originally installed in /system/app? That is, will the phone "know" that I have removed some of the original apps?
cheeseus said:
Thanks but this does not answer my question. I know perfectly well which apps are bloatware and which are essential. I will restate my question:
Is there some register or list, which the phone checks during factory reset, and which says what apps were originally installed in /system/app? That is, will the phone "know" that I have removed some of the original apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I mentioned, factory reset will delete all data apps that can be found in data partition not those found in system partition.. If it happens some of original apps are installed in data partition, then they will be deleted (unless if they are found in preload partition!!).. I can't be clear more than this..
majdinj said:
As I mentioned, factory reset will delete all data apps that can be found in data partition not those found in system partition.. If it happens some of original apps are installed in data partition, then they will be deleted (unless if they are found in preload partition!!).. I can't be clear more than this..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really, read my question carefully, please, not just the title of the thread. You are talking about something very different.
It is known that on Japanese Sharp phones, if you uninstall and remove completely some of the apps that are installed by the manufacturer or the carrier in /system/app, when you do a factory reset, the phone may - or even will - go into a boot loop (will be bricked). This has nothing to do with apps that are installed in /data.
Is it possible that Sharp have added an extra "security" mechanism to their phones to prevent users from removing pre-installed apps (similar to their MIYABI LSM lock)? I want to know how to find this security mechanism, if it exists, and - hopefully, how to cheat it.
How does the phone know what apps are supposed to be in /system/app, and if it doesn't find them when rebooting after a factory reset, why does it go into a boot loop?
Related
To me, I should be able to Factory Reset my phone any time and get what was "Delivery" By Sprint/HTC/CustomROMChef
But I should be able to update (from market) any Market App.
So I see a lot of folks put a bunch of stuff normally in System/App in Data/App
So that users can uninstall it. That's fine.
But if users want it and factory reset (or clear data) it's completely gone and the only way to get it back is to flash.
If a Market App is in System/App and it be still updated from the Market.
If it can be updated from Market why can't it be uninstaled?
It seems there should be a script that runs when you clear data that repopulates Data to the same state it was delivered. But that would waste from ROM space.
What am I missing.
I hope folks follow my thinking and can straighten me out.
Thanks
Googling around I did find this one critical tidbit
Market updates with /system apps that aren't "supposed" to be in /system is a pain. The market will install an app into the /data/app directory by default, so if you have something like LauncherPro that is a non-system app by Google's definitions, but it's in your /system/app directory because it came pre-packaged with your ROM, then if you update from the market you end up with two copies of it -- a deprecated version in /system and the current version in /data.
You also lose any theming when you update from the market, but that's nothing new and iirc that's true for any themed app regardless of whether it's in /data or /system
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the world of s-off you don't factory reset anymore you wipe and reflash.
If you factory reset any apps or data in the /data will disappear.
The system directory is typically write protected unless you can get root permissions, any updates are stored in data. Devs will typically put the updated apps in the system dir saves some space, once an update comes out the space you saved is then lost.
Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk
Chuki82 said:
In the world of s-off you don't factory reset anymore you wipe and reflash.
If you factory reset any apps or data in the /data will disappear.
The system directory is typically write protected unless you can get root permissions, any updates are stored in data. Devs will typically put the updated apps in the system dir saves some space, once an update comes out the space you saved is then lost.
Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand what you are saying. But I'd like the option/concept of being able to clear Data without Reflashing.
So are you saying if a Market App (e.g. Google Maps) is in System and you update it from Market, it will always put the updated version in Data and leave the System one dormant (it will never replace or remove the one in system regardless of root status)?
How does Sprints Stock ROM do it? They allow removing some bloatware and I assume if I factory Reset, nothing would be missing, even if I uninstalled it.
All I can think they do is they bury a backup of Data in the ROM that is restored on Factory Reset.
Yes on the updated apps thing. Updates are saved to data the original is left dormant in system.
The apps in the stock rom are in system, certain ones can be removed or so you think. They are more like disabled, something allows to go dormant as you called it and the only way I know to get it back is a reset.
If certain rom devs move apps to data to be actually removed and you do a reset you lose those apps. If you don't want that to happen, I suggest backing up any and all apps you want sprint, HTC, other. Then reset and restore.
I have backups of all the stock Apps I like to use and if the rom includes it, and great! If not I have a good copy on hand.
Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk
Y factory reset when you could wipe dalvik and cache???,,, also learn how to move apps you want manually,,makes life easier for you sometimes
Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk
ktrotter11 said:
Y factory reset when you could wipe dalvik and cache???,,, also learn how to move apps you want manually,,makes life easier for you sometimes
Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because if you having problems, due to what ever reason, clearing cache is not always the solution.
Sorry new to Android and am learning so please be gentle....I rooted my Razr Maxx and once I finished I installed some apps and made sure I had root access. I read that it was a good idea that I due a factory reset so I did....after the reset was complete. I noticed the icon SuperUser was now missing. Do I need that Icon? Was there any additional settings I could access via it. If so, how do I get it back?? thanks.
When you make a factory reset, all the user apps (that means all the aplications installed in the /data partition, the apps that the user has installed and wheren't there when you bought the phone) and all the personal configurations of the system are erased. A factory reset leaves your phone just as the way it was when you first turned on. So, if your SuperUser.apk was installed in the data partition it sure will be gone. That app is needed to administrate which aplications get elevated acces to some system resources, so if it's not there it is like you have no root access. Some scripts used to root the phone push the superuser.apk to the System/app folder instead of data/app, so it's not deleted by a factory reset, but this is not your case as it seems... You could donwload the superuser app from google play, but I dont recommend it as I tried it once and it didn't work. I think you should try repeating the whole root proccess, and not making a factory reset after it, it was never necessary for me. Good luck!
danygarss said:
When you make a factory reset, all the user apps (that means all the aplications installed in the /data partition, the apps that the user has installed and wheren't there when you bought the phone) and all the personal configurations of the system are erased. A factory reset leaves your phone just as the way it was when you first turned on. So, if your SuperUser.apk was installed in the data partition it sure will be gone. That app is needed to administrate which aplications get elevated acces to some system resources, so if it's not there it is like you have no root access. Some scripts used to root the phone push the superuser.apk to the System/app folder instead of data/app, so it's not deleted by a factory reset, but this is not your case as it seems... You could donwload the superuser app from google play, but I dont recommend it as I tried it once and it didn't work. I think you should try repeating the whole root proccess, and not making a factory reset after it, it was never necessary for me. Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Should I do a factory reset or can I just to the entire root process again now?
slawcop` said:
Should I do a factory reset or can I just to the entire root process again now?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just do the entire rooting process again. If you do factory reset you will loose again your superuser.apk
You should be able to download the superuser app as the phone is still rooted. Try superSU, that's the SU app that installed when I rooted (eternity project easy root)
I did the same thing by mistake once & just downloaded the app & it worked like a charm.
Sent from my DROID SPYDER using xda premium
Boy I'm not having great luck with my hardware atm. My Nexus 7 has got some serious lag issue, probably needing a factory restore, and now my SGS2 is playing up and looking like it might need the same. I'd appreciate the help before I go to that - not sure where I am on backups, I think this problem has been lingering for a while unnoticed, and its possible my scheduled Titanium task hasn't worked in a while because of this.
So let me run through. I was trying to update a few apps in the app store, and I got 'the package file is invalid' errors over and over. I was a little confused, and suddenly I was getting a flickering alert for 'low on application space' that would come and go.
I went into applications to see what my space was and it was fine, 400mb free. But I noticed that all of the apps were reading as zero size. I tried removing one I knew was big, and the free space adjusted by a real amount, but no change to the sizes in the listing. I went thru and uninstalled a bunch just to be sure. Even after this, I could still not install any apps without getting the invalid message.
I decided to restart and wipe the cache, thinking maybe something had gone wrong there. No change. All the installed apps were working ok, though, no problems running things. So, I decide that something minor has corrupted, and that a reflash of the current firmware would maybe do the job (which is a stock XEU build of ICS). I have 'Mobile Odin' and keep the current firmware file on the SD just in case. I of course want to run a backup first, so I fire up Titanium, which fails to do the backup, with an error about something catching fire trying to 'do calculation'. I begin to figure that something worse has happened by this point.
I decide to go ahead with the reflash using Mobile Odin. It seems to load fine, I tell it to wipe the cache and so on. The flash goes fine, and the phone reboots. I expected it to go through the little optimising applications thing it does, and true enough I see this box load up, saying 'start applications' and the spinning wheel. Then, it abruptly closes, and I get my home panel...
But here's where it goes severely wrong - every app I can think of now crashes, displaying the 'unfortunately XXX has stopped'. Boxes and boxes, for basically every app that in any way runs at startup, every widget, even my Swift Key and Swipe keyboards. Yikes! After clearing the huge backlog of boxes, I start trying to open stuff, and it quickly becomes apparent that no app will work, save for those that are physically part of the firmware (such as Settings, Messages, Phone, Contacts, Memo, Camera). Basically, unless its a stock app, it's just dead. My SD apps show up as if they aren't found, with the little grey SD box. I can't even open the Play Store to try redownloading an app.
I'm going to try, once I'm home from work, reflashing the firmware using desktop Odin. But, failing that, I will need a factory restore it would seem. Basically, I'm looking help either fixing the problem without a factory restore, or a way to back up my data (messages and app data) in case my Titanium Backups are old or broken.
Thanks :/
Edit: When I do a *#1234#, my CSC comes up as 'Unknown'. Would this cause these issues?
Boot into CWM recovery and fix permissions.
unclebob_2000 said:
Boot into CWM recovery and fix permissions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have CWM recovery installed. Will it be possible for me to install it with the phone in this state? Any reasons why the permissions will have gone like this?
gyaku_zuki said:
I don't have CWM recovery installed. Will it be possible for me to install it with the phone in this state? Any reasons why the permissions will have gone like this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flash a CF root kernel using desktop Odin, reboot into CWM via hard keys vol+ home and power. Find fix permissions, run it, reboot, hopefully work...
Most apps that aren't granted the right permissions that allow them to fulfil there main task will usually end up in a FC.
Sent from Jelly Fuelled SGS2
Orkane1989 said:
Flash a CF root kernel using desktop Odin, reboot into CWM via hard keys vol+ home and power. Find fix permissions, run it, reboot, hopefully work...
Most apps that aren't granted the right permissions that allow them to fulfil there main task will usually end up in a FC.
Sent from Jelly Fuelled SGS2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The phone is already rooted. Can I apply CWM as an update.zip from inside the current recovery?
gyaku_zuki said:
The phone is already rooted. Can I apply CWM as an update.zip from inside the current recovery?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unsure. Most likely not. It would be like running 2 kernels at once... just wouldnt work. Wouldn't risk it. Could hard brick the phone.
Sent from Jelly Fuelled SGS2
First, Post your ROM and kernel details; Goto Settings - About phone, and post everything you see
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2
Jokesy said:
First, Post your ROM and kernel details; Goto Settings - About phone, and post everything you see
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem -
Model N: GT-I9100
Android V: 4.0.3
Baseband V: I9100XXLPS
Kernel V: 3.0.15-I9100XWLP7-CL340913 [email protected] #3
Build N: IML74K.XWLP7
I ask about the update.zip thing as it is a legitimate way to install CWM recovery according to various guides online.
Thanks for the help guys. Appreciate it.
gyaku_zuki said:
No problem -
Model N: GT-I9100
Android V: 4.0.3
Baseband V: I9100XXLPS
Kernel V: 3.0.15-I9100XWLP7-CL340913 [email protected] #3
Build N: IML74K.XWLP7
I ask about the update.zip thing as it is a legitimate way to install CWM recovery according to various guides online.
Thanks for the help guys. Appreciate it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Backup your important data.
2. Uninstall apps you don't use
3. Using a ROOT capable explorer goto /data/app on your phone, delete all .odex files you find there
4. Disable System apps you don't need/use
- Goto Settings - Apps - All - Select the app you want to disable, select FORCE STOP, then DISABLE.
Repeat the step for each app
- Alternatively you can use titanium backup pro to freeze those apps
You can find the list of apps you can disable: here https://spreadsheets.google.com/spr...1gdDJRekl4QmkyNmIzUmRvX2h3UDVkQXc&output=html
5. Boot to recovery (the stock recovery)
- clear cache
- reboot phone.
6. If any user / system app gives you force stop warning, then clear the days of that/those app(s) in settings.
You should notice the difference!
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2
Jokesy said:
1. Backup your important data.
2. Uninstall apps you don't use
3. Using a ROOT capable explorer goto /data/app on your phone, delete all .odex files you find there
4. Disable System apps you don't need/use
- Goto Settings - Apps - All - Select the app you want to disable, select FORCE STOP, then DISABLE.
Repeat the step for each app
- Alternatively you can use titanium backup pro to freeze those apps
You can find the list of apps you can disable: here https://spreadsheets.google.com/spr...1gdDJRekl4QmkyNmIzUmRvX2h3UDVkQXc&output=html
5. Boot to recovery (the stock recovery)
- clear cache
- reboot phone.
6. If any user / system app gives you force stop warning, then clear the days of that/those app(s) in settings.
You should notice the difference!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that, but I'm sorry, what? I seem to be missing something - you've answered something that seems to be an entirely different problem! I can't even RUN an explorer let alone grant it root - so I can't reach the ODEXes, which aren't the reason for the FCs anyway.
This 'fix permissions' sounds like a good plan, I just need to know my best method for getting CWM onto the phone given it's state. I think I can use the update.zip method, but I may have to just wait until I can get to a machine capable of running Odin for me, to flash the CF kernel.
gyaku_zuki said:
Thanks for that, but I'm sorry, what? I seem to be missing something - you've answered something that seems to be an entirely different problem! I can't even RUN an explorer let alone grant it root - so I can't reach the ODEXes, which aren't the reason for the FCs anyway.
This 'fix permissions' sounds like a good plan, I just need to know my best method for getting CWM onto the phone given it's state. I think I can use the update.zip method, but I may have to just wait until I can get to a machine capable of running Odin for me, to flash the CF kernel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok.
Let me tell you some things you need to know
1. Fix permissions only has much effect on system apps, only if their permission is broken
2. Flashing a new Kernel will never fix many FC
3. Have you booted to recovery and wipe cache? If after doing this and your problem still persist, then you might have perform a Factory Data Reset.
4. Flashing a new firmware via Odin will not dramatically stop Force close errors. You will still need a factory reset to fix that.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2
Jokesy said:
Ok.
Let me tell you some things you need to know
1. Fix permissions only has much effect on system apps, only if their permission is broken
2. Flashing a new Kernel will never fix many FC
3. Have you booted to recovery and wipe cache? If after doing this and your problem still persist, then you might have perform a Factory Data Reset.
4. Flashing a new firmware via Odin will not dramatically stop Force close errors. You will still need a factory reset to fix that.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried wiping cache in recovery, yes. The only apps that run are the system ones. I can't explain why permissions may have been broken on the other apps, but it may be the case, so I'd like to try it. And, it was a flash via (Mobile) Odin CAUSED the FCs, so I don't know if that's true. Regardless, I'm heading home now, I can try flashing the CWM and run the fix permissions, and otherwise I need to figure out a backup solution before I factory restore.
I don't mean this wrong, but I'd prefer you don't just throw generic (yet good for general faults) advice if you don't have personal knowledge of the particular problem. It could be misleading.
gyaku_zuki said:
I don't mean this wrong, but I'd prefer you don't just throw generic (yet good for general faults) advice if you don't have personal knowledge of the particular problem. It could be misleading.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You know my aim wasn't to mislead you but to help. I actually missed somethings in your Original post like "Every apps now doesn't work" etc
Because the only apps that run now are the system apps proves that there is something wrong in the /data partition, a location where all user apps, settings etc are stored.
Anyway, it's always very good to try all other means possible before factory reset.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2
Jokesy said:
You know my aim wasn't to mislead you but to help. I actually missed somethings in your Original post like "Every apps now doesn't work" etc
Because the only apps that run now are the system apps proves that there is something wrong in the /data partition, a location where all user apps, settings etc are stored.
Anyway, it's always very good to try all other means possible before factory reset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to offend you or have a go. I appreciate all the help about to try flashing the rooted CWM kernel, to try the permissions fix. If that doesn't work, I need to figure out some way of doing a backup of sorts, before I do a restore :crying:
UPDATE: After flashing the CF-Kernel to access CWM, I'm getting a message I'm unfamiliar with "The System UIDs are inconsistent" yadda yadda factory reset. I'm currently 'fixing permissions' It looks like it's stalled, but it may just take a while. I have a lot of apps. Anyone understand the UIDs message in my context?
Update 2: Had to factory restore, but was able to restore almost everything with no problems from a CWM nandroid backup. Thanks for the help.
Hi there,
I've got a tiny problem with my One Max. It's updated to latest OTA and not rooted/unlocked.
I usually use my fingerprint to unlock it and I forgot the pattern to unlock it manually. As you can imagine, I wrongly tried to unlock it with my fingerprint 4 times, so it's asking for pattern unlock. I've tried two patterns I usually use and it didn't work, now I'm panicking and have tried countless other combinations I might've used.
What can I do, other than trying to find a right pattern?
I have no way to access my SMS storage and no backup to speak of, so formatting the phone is not an option.
EDIT:
I have seen this topic:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/htc-one-max/help/help-please-t2879590
And it does not include any viable options. What I need is _at least_ to install some kind of app from google play that will backup all my data to google drive so I can safely factory reset the phone.
I have active data connection, sync and wifi, so now I'm struggling to find an option to import/export SMS in pushbullet.
EDIT:
I seen this article:
http://trendblog.net/how-to-bypass-android-phone-lock-screen-pattern-pin-password/
most of the options are not available in lollipop, but there was one that mentioned flashing custom zip (and had direct link to file from XDA forums atachment) - so two more questions: one - can I root the phone without unlocking it and two - can such zip be applied to lollipop one max?
EDIT:
After careful investigation in the net I came to conclusion that I will have to factory reset the phone. The only thing stopping me is my sms archive and whatsapp history.
Can anybody tell me what does HTC Backup actualy backup and if there's any application I can push from the market that will allow me to backup (and possibly restore later) that data without touching the phone?
@skybleu
If you were rooted you could always try deleting the HTCLockScreen.apk or renaming it to .apk.bak
But in this case seems like you will have to factory reset.. HTC Backup will backup your messages and keeps a list of apps installed on your phone so if you were to restore it would download the list of apps that it had installed at the time of the backup.
Flyhalf205 said:
If you were rooted you could always try deleting the HTCLockScreen.apk or renaming it to .apk.bak
But in this case seems like you will have to factory reset..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not that bad, I have access to internal storage via airdroid, so at least whatsapp archive and my photos will survive.
I'm worried about SMS though.
Say, about the idea - one, should it be possible even? I'd assume this would lead to crash, instead of unlocking.
Also, is there any option to root the phone without unlocking it? gold sd card, push exploit, sth?
Hello, through the "titanium backup" application i can move an application to /system thus protecting it from a hard reset, you can inform me how i can perform this same process of moving to /system not only the application but also your data forwhoever After a hard reset, both the application and your pre-configured data remain safe on the device?
I plan to use this in an anti-theft app.
would it survive factory reset in TWRP?
badai said:
would it survive factory reset in TWRP?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I want to protect the overhead of a hard reset so that it is only possible to remove the application and its configuration by flash another rom
Please help me :crying:
I want to make the application proof of restart both the application and its data in a way that even after a restart the application remains installed and configured on the device.
This version of avast anti theft had the function I'm looking for. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.avast.android.antitheft_setup
After a long time I thought of two ways to accomplish this process but I would like some developer or someone understanding the subject to inform me if this is possible.
The anti-theft app I want to move to the system is this https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.avast.android.at_play.
1 = I noticed that the location where application data is saved is "/data/data/com.avast.android.at_play" so I thought if it is possible to block this folder from deletion, somehow changing its properties, unchanging, causing her to survive a hard reset.
2 = I thought of somehow editing the path where the application files are saved, for example "/data/data/com.avast.android.at_play" to "system / data / com.avast.android.at_play" but no where is the file where I can edit this path. If anyone can help thanks.
https://groups.google.com/forum/m/#!msg/cerberus-support-forum/FxdHYe_tROE/19PQfY72ePMJ