Can flashing the wrong System App in TI HARD brick your phone - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

or cause problems (ie missing sim card) even after a factory reset of custom ROM?
i. What does crossed out mean in TI?
ii. How do I delete an app I don't need anymore off the TI list? swiping to the left and delete it only changes it so there is 'no backup' I want to make it easy to batch restore without deselecting too many things selectively...anyone?

Can't hard brick from that, but definitely could soft brick or cause other odd issues. Factory reset does not return your phone to stock, but rather just removes your accounts, settings, and data. So, if you remove a system app that is essential, a factory reset will not help. As someone who has flashed 1000++ roms (not kidding), I recommend only freezing the apps and not removing. You do not get any extra space from removing the apps as they are stored in a different partition than the apps you add from the Play Store or other means. However, system apps updated through the Play Store will store some data in the /data partition, and if you are not going to use that then it helps to uninstall the update through the Application Manager, and then disabling the app. It's also way easier to defreeze vs reinstall system apps.
Crossed out means that the app is not installed and there is no backup for it. Once you uninstall an app and it's backup, the app will not be available to restore when you go to do a batch restore. As far as only being selective, just make sure that you uncheck the ones you don't need when you make the initial backup. It is not recommended to backup / restore system data, especially when you are switching roms.

Related

Titanium Backup data for third party apps

When you use Titanium Backup you can backup system data as well as third-party apps and their data. However, I know sometimes with restoring apps from TiBu there are force close problems. Is it possible, say for games specifically, to just redownload them from the market and have TiBu restore just the data or do I need to use Ti's restore that has full apps and data?
The search thing has been broken for me for the last few days (stuck on loading for 5+ minutes) so I figured I'd just ask in the Q&A section.
you have the option to restore just data for a given backup.
when you click on an item to restore, it'll give you the option of app, data, app+data.
From my experience though, games and 3rd party app restores don't cause issues. It's when i restore system files that things can go wrong, but not always.
I always just restore my missing apps and data. I DO filter through all the missing apps though to make sure i'm not restoring something i don't need
yeah, that's what i was thinking too. i'm going to flash up to ED01 from the EC01 just to be on a "stock" rom and as stupid as it is, i don't wanna lose some of the saved data like game stuff

[Q] Data backup switching to Gingerbread ROM

I'm running veganTAB 5.1.1 at the moment. I've installed a lot of apps, have some documents stored locally, a lot of data in springpad as well as a good number of media files.
I know switching to the ginger edition requires a wiping data. I have titanium back and ran a full backup of apps and data.
What I'd like to know is the best way to go about restoring my apps and app data and whether I'll be deleting any locally saved files when I "wipe data". I guess i'm not clear whether wiping data means wiping everything, like a reformat, or if it means a specific menu option in clockwork.
I'm a bit of a noob at this still. I have reflashed roms a couple of times but at the time I didn't have a lot of stuff to worry about saving and I'm not sure whether I wiped more than I needed to.
A data wipe will erase user installed applications, their associated data, and system data (but not system apps). It will not harm files stored on sdcard or sdcard2.
Does restoring the apps through titaniumbackup work? I seem to recall trying that once and the app didn't work until I uninstalled it and redownloaded from the market. Maybe I did it wrong.
Restoring apps and data should work. Do not restore system data or you will have trouble. It is quite possible that you'll have to reinstall Titanium Backup to make it work correctly. I've had to do that once or twice when changing ROMs.
Smooth and easy, not sure what I was worried about. Thanks.
I just did the same thing and had real good luck with app mybackup, I just backed up the apps and no data and it worked perfect. Gingerbread was very nice roms. But it seemed the more programs you load the longer it takes to boot. At first it booted in a few secs. Then I did my restore of all my apps and it took like 5 min to boot all the time. Not sure what that was about.. But I switched back to TNT.
I have sold my Gtab to a friend and want to keep all my downloaded app's .
I can move them to the SD card and do a data wipe in CWM and it will remove my personal data like passwords and facebook ,, gmail account ?
and still keep my apps ?
Thanks

[Q] What is lost during a ROM change? How to backup phone so I can play with ROMS

I'm running streakdroid 1.9 but I would like to do some experimentation with my streak. If I flash a new rom what will I lose? How do you backup your data so you can flash to your hearts content?
Thanks
if u flash stock roms, they do a factory reset during first start up.
So u end up loosing everything.
However if u flash .zip version of the stock roms using CWM or streak recovery , u will retain almost everything but may loose somethings like root and so on.
Remember stock roms will flash its default recovery everytime it boots up
Ok thanks. Is it wise to do a factory reset anyway?
What tools can I use to backup messages, apps, photos, etc?
I use titanium backup.
If you do a nandroid backup, when you restore it, everything will be just as it was before you flashed another ROM...
As far as using Titanium... it has never worked for me completely, nor has MyBackUp Pro, they cause me more headache than being useful...
I have gotten to the point to when I flash a new ROM, I just manually install everything, I know it sounds like some hassle, but you end up with a much smoother operating phone.
I even do a nandroid backup first, then go into my ROM and manually uninstall everything, so that when I boot up my new ROM and setup my market account, it doesn't try to install everything on its own and bog down my phone at first, I install everything manually in the order I want and set them up as I go.
I know this sounds cumbersome, but I have found it creates a cleaner environment and practically eliminated force closes
That is the way I like to do things also but what about the things that you can't just re-install e.g. sms, application specific data?
Advice
I was having a sim card and constant restart issue after updating to streakroid 2.4.4, and even after flashing dsc, the problem persisted. After I reviewed the steps I had taken I realized that I never did a factory resest (fearing I would forever lose my precious app data, which I did -_-). It turned out that was the fix, after doing the factory reset, my sim card was recognized immediately and a couple of the text I had missed showed up. However, I fixed one fixed problem and developed another.
Even though I restored a MyBackup and Titanium backup I did right before resetting I recovered my several apps without their precious data (setting, notes, bookmarks). I tried doing internal backups within the apps, some conveniently had syncs to a cloud yet I missed doing that with a few apps because I have over 100+ and I use more than half on a regular basis (even if for 5 minutes). All my apps are on my device, which is a good thing but I cant appreciate that given the missing data.
So my advice is:
Use apps that have can automatically backup or sync data -- there are enough apps with similiar utility that you can avoid ones without that function.
Do a manual backup within your important apps. -- Some apps backup files to locations that may be wiped during update, doesn't have auto backup or the last backup is months old.
Pics, texts, call logs are easily backed up -- Backup programs will explicitly state or ask what to back up in that regard.
Do a nandroid backup -- I believe this only restores rom and apps but someone can correct me.
Caveat
Through all the research done before actually need to restore a backup I missed the fact when restore apps depending on the restore program every app has to be reinstalled individually. If you have more than 25 apps then #$#@!, also for some reason when restoring with titanium if during a batch restore you come across an app if you hit cancel during one of the install prompts because you actually don't want to restore that app the batch will freeze and you'll have to force close titanium and start the restore all over. Go through the list of restore options and choose each app one by one, save yourself the time.
Lastly, to piggy back off what was said before, a factory reset( FR) after updating rom is always recommended but its not always needed. Most roms will update without causing you to lose any data but like I said previously I had sim card issues when I updated without a FR. YMMV
At this point I don't know if this helps the OP but maybe it will benefit someone else who reads this thread.
This guide by _n0p_ tells how to do an upgrade and minimize the re-installation of apps.
Key items:
Use the backup function of any apps that have it
Don't count on restoring data with TB or My Backup
Make a nandroid - just in case
I have found TB and My Backup to be useful for things like browser bookmarks.
The post linked to discussed going from Froyo to Gingerbread but the same techniques apply for moving to any other ROM.
Last time i changed roms, i used the Dell backup utility for evertyhing but the apps, which can be backed up together with their data with QtADB which creates a backup folder on your SD. After installing the new rom, i chose advanced recovery from the Dell Utility and set it to recover everything but the apps, which i recovered with QtADB. However, I also strongly recommend nandroid, in case the steak doesn't boot after the install.

Cannot restore system apps using Titanium Backup

I have an SGSII, rooted with Odin/CWM 4 and I cannot restore any system apps using Titanium Backup - it simply sits there saying 'Restoring App' and nothing happens. Normal apps can be restored OK. I tried changing the app processing mode in TB to Auto/Indirect but it didn't help.
Any ideas? I have TB Pro FWIW.
Can't you just restore systemdata? I assume the apps are there already.
ps you know the downside of restoring system apps?
I backed up and then uninstalled some system apps using TB Pro (TpLauncher, AccuWeather, etc.) but now I'd like to get some of them back. I assumed using the TB restore option was the way to go.
What's the downside of doing this? Can I restore these manually?
Same happened to me, I guess lesson is don't uninstall sys app unless you really don't want them.
Glad it's not just me and I have a nandroid so I can get everything back but it's annoying. I've reported it to the TB devs. If they come up with a solution I'll let you know.
I use root explorer backup the system apk, restore it when need it back.
what i do, is close titanium application then restart it again. then viola.
seems strange ... TB Pro always do the job for me
FWIW these were apps I first freezed, then uninstalled (without unfreezing). I wonder if this is relevant. Perhaps the permissions are screwed or something. If I could get a TB log I could find out. Hopefully the developers will help out.
Bump. Any updates on this? I'm having the same problem
Here is my reply from Titanium Backup support:
"We're sorry, system apps are critical and should not be removed in the first place. Some apps are tightly ROM bounded, while others are dependent on other system entities which could break things when they are removed. We have already provided the warning in the preferences that you will be held responsible of your own actions upon removing the system apps and we will not provide support for restoring them back. In most cases like this, you will have to reflash your ROM or restore your nandroid backup (you must always keep a nandroid handy)."
So in other words - tough sh*t! Not what I was expecting.
I restored my Nandroid and now only freeze apps, and they seem to defrost OK but after that reply I'm wondering if I should continue to use their product.
rec71 said:
Here is my reply from Titanium Backup support:
"We're sorry, system apps are critical and should not be removed in the first place. Some apps are tightly ROM bounded, while others are dependent on other system entities which could break things when they are removed. We have already provided the warning in the preferences that you will be held responsible of your own actions upon removing the system apps and we will not provide support for restoring them back. In most cases like this, you will have to reflash your ROM or restore your nandroid backup (you must always keep a nandroid handy)."
So in other words - tough sh*t! Not what I was expecting.
I restored my Nandroid and now only freeze apps, and they seem to defrost OK but after that reply I'm wondering if I should continue to use their product.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In fairness they are right, anyone who uninstalls system apps is asking for trouble why would you want to do that in the first place,you can simply freeze any apps you don't use instead, i have most of the Samsung bloatware frozen in Titanium as i don't use them and many of them are responsible for excessive battery drainage.
BTW Titanium Backup is probably the best overall app in the whole market and they always release updates, i highly recommend this app to anyone who doesn't already have it.
As a software developer myself if one of my apps didn't work correctly and a customer asked for help I would do my level best to get to the bottom of the issue instead of fobbing them off.
The app lets you uninstall system apps and restore them again - why would you want to? because on some devices space might be at a premium - I freed up 100MB on my previous device (Xperia Arc S) using this feature for example - which made a big difference.
Luckily I don't need the space on my SII but I'm surprised that the TB devs wouldn't want to find out what the issue is.
rec71 said:
As a software developer myself if one of my apps didn't work correctly and a customer asked for help I would do my level best to get to the bottom of the issue instead of fobbing them off.
The app lets you uninstall system apps and restore them again - why would you want to? because on some devices space might be at a premium - I freed up 100MB on my previous device (Xperia Arc S) using this feature for example - which made a big difference.
Luckily I don't need the space on my SII but I'm surprised that the TB devs wouldn't want to find out what the issue is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They know what the issue is. The outcome of removing an restoring system apps is just unpredictable. They gave a warning that it could cause unwanted results. Messing with roms gives unpredicted results.
Same thing happened to my Galaxy Pocket. I uninstalled system apps and can't restore them.
THE solution is wen u want to uninstall an system app den first of all make an back up of DATA of that system app and den go 2 loaction of app through root explorer in internal storage and copy that APK file to ur sd card as backup .
den delete the APK file mannualy or uninstall using titanium backup...
wen u want dat app again den copy the APK to its original old location of system /app and restore the data using titanium backup and just restart the phone..
hope it helps ...
Yes, I can restore system data
Lennyz1988 said:
Can't you just restore systemdata? I assume the apps are there already.
ps you know the downside of restoring system apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be more thorough:
I am able to restore system data of an app but I can't restore an app.
In fact, if I locate the apk which titanium backup had backed up with a file browser and install it manually, it works fine! I can then restore data with titanium backup.
Issue on my Galaxy SII (no matter what ROM I use)
You shouldn't be restoring system apps at all/you shouldn't need to (the data may be another question though). Why are you wanting to restore system apps/which apps in particular ?

[Q] Restore Apps through CWM?

Hey all,
So I just purchased Titanium Backup Pro and was wondering if it was possible to restore apps through CWM, or maybe have Titanium Backup as a root app, so that way when I boot up from a fresh wipe, I'll have all my apps available.
Dumb question time: after wiping and going through the first-time setup screen, when it asks you for your google account, should I uncheck the "restore from google account"? If I don't, it'll automatically start downloading all my apps from the market, thus defeating the purpose of Titanium Backup.
Thanks!
Not entirely a waste. See the root is what makes it amazing.
Lets say you have your inbox that had messages of personal keep, Wife? Gf? or possibly both LOL, those data are saved in root folders, TB Root version tends to back up all of this data, every single message from every person, when you reformat the tablet you obviously lose all your data, but TB Root can restore the data, this includes save games, or memo's, settings, alarm setups,contacts too.
You don't really need to uncheck as you can stop it by tapping the X when you open market to stop all the downloads in general, or just turn the Wifi off LOL.
Also you can't really boot with all apps after a fresh wipe, It's like going for surgery to remove a scar only to have it back again LOL. You will need to re-install TB from market (as all apps will be wiped too, since you purchased it it will just redownload it properly) then you can restore it. Normally it saves under sdcard/TitaniumBackup
As for apps via CWM, that's how they install apps with Custom ROM's but it's not advisable since most apps that get forced into system/app don't always get updated, you need something like market doctor in TB to relink it to market so it updates again.
Thanks for the reply!
So what's your recommendation when re-starting after a fresh wipe? I hate waiting hours for all my apps to re-download from Market/Play, as I'm sure many others do, and I'm sure people have come up with far easier/quicker solutions. This is why I bought Titanium Backup, as I thought it was supposed to fix that problem.
Sorry for being a total n00b here.
That's the thing, after a wipe (Factory reset) you download TB from the market, it should already be there for you to download, as per the backup's are saved on your internal drive, as soon as you launch TB *Make sure the tablet is rooted after a wipe check as TB will mention it for you* after which you go to Menu->Batch->Restore "User apps and missing data" and it will show all the apps that you have installed, I would insist not to restore system apps as they would replace the system apps and you may get FC errors.
However when you are done restoring User apps, you can go to the restore tab, and tap on certain "System apps" these can be identified as apps with a red name/smiley, For example Tribuchet.apk is the launcher for ICS 10.1, if you tap it, and press "Restore Data Only" then it will restore the layout on how you had set up your desktop to be.
http://matrixrewriter.com/wiki/tiki-index.php?page=TB+-+User's+guide This guide is pretty nifty for TB user's who first start out.
PS: Make sure when you back up your stuff, that you backup both system and user apps, that way you can always be sure you didn't lose anything important
How exactly would you make a zip if you wanted to restore apps via cwm?

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