Database Info

[Guide] Backup Apps & Their Data for Rooted & Non-Rooted Devices

[Guide]
Backup Apps & Their Data for Rooted & Non-Rooted Devices​
Purpose: Let's say that you made a high score in subway surfers and you don't want to lose it, then you'll need these two apps to backup the game data.
Helium (Without Root Method):
Helium is an application by Koushik Dutta, who has also developed CWM Recovery.
Important Note:
Motorola devices are not supported due to a bug on Motorola’s part.
Requirements:
1. Rooted or unrooted device with android 4.0 or higher.
2. Computer and USB cable.
3. Helium on your android with Helium desktop app on your computer.
4. If you're using Windows, you've to install ADB drivers, but if you’re using Linux or MAC OS X don’t worry about this issue.
Helium - App Sync and Backup (Play Store link)
ADB Drivers and Helium desktop app
Instructions:
1. Run Helium desktop app and Helium on your device, then connect via USB cable. Wait just a few seconds, and Helium will be enabled. You can now disconnect your device.
Note :If you reboot your device you'll have to reconnect it to re-enable the app.
2. Now to backup, you must select the desired apps and games then click backup. You can select one by one or swipe up the bottom tab to select all. You can backup the app data only to make the backup less size but you must to redownload when restoring or you can back up data with apk (this is pretty helpful but with more size).
3. You can restore on your current device or on a new device using the same sdcard. I think you can also copy /sdcard/Carbon folder from the current sdcard to the new sdcard to restore.
- You can make schedule backups
- If you run to the premium version, you’ll be able to backup and restore from cloud storage.

Titanium Backup (Root Method) :
If you've a rooted device, you can benefit from Titanium Backup automation and flexibility without caring to android version. This app is more featured and works without connecting to computer.
Requirements:
1. Rooted device.
2. Titanium Backup on your android.
Titanium Backup ★ root (Play Store Link)
Instructions:
1. Start Titanium Backup and grant root permissions.
2. You'll see 3 tabs. Enter backup/restore page. You can now see a list of system, uninstalled and user apps which can be filtered.
3. Here you can manually select which apps to backup and restore.
4. Let’s say you want to run a full backup. Select the button on the top right of the screen (batch button) and you'll see many actions. Run “Backup all user apps” action. You can select what do you want to backup or select all. After figuring, tap the green checkmark.
5. For making a full restore, you can enter the batch actions and run “Restore all apps with data" action. The free version will make you press a yes dialog box for each app you want to restore, but the premium version does it all behind the scenes.
Important Notes:
1. Restoring system data can cause serious problems.
2. Restoring system data from one device to another will definitely cause problems.
- You can make schedule backups
- If you run to the premium version, you’ll be able to backup and restore from cloud storage.

Well I use Super Backup,it supports both rooted and non-rooted phone,no problems with it and its even free!
Sent from my Xperia U using xda app-developers app

.....
XperianPro said:
Well I use Super Backup,it supports both rooted and non-rooted phone,no problems with it and its even free
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Super Backup makes backup for sms & contacts, where Titanum Backup and Helium makes backup for apps and their data (like a saved game in Angry Birds).

JohnHK said:
Super Backup makes backup for sms & contacts, where Titanum Backup and Helium makes backup for apps and their data (like a saved game in Angry Birds).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check again,it backups apks and their data.

...
XperianPro said:
Check again,it backups apks and their data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, you're right, but it requires root. Non-rooted devices need Helium to backup app's data.
Any way, if my guide helped you or you liked it hit THANKS.

I have been trying to get Helium Desktop to install on my Windows 8 64bit PC and keeps giving me a missing DLL error and won't install! I have been searching the internet for days now and all I can read is that others have the same problem, but no one has posted a solution! I'm at wits end on this one! How do you get it installed and where can I find this missing DLL!?!

maw said:
I have been trying to get Helium Desktop to install on my Windows 8 64bit PC and keeps giving me a missing DLL error and won't install! I have been searching the internet for days now and all I can read is that others have the same problem, but no one has posted a solution! I'm at wits end on this one! How do you get it installed and where can I find this missing DLL!?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the same problem. It was related to having the Use as Media Device setting checked in the options. Once I unselected it the DLL files downloaded and installed. I don't know why but give it a try and see if that helps.

maw said:
I have been trying to get Helium Desktop to install on my Windows 8 64bit PC and keeps giving me a missing DLL error and won't install! I have been searching the internet for days now and all I can read is that others have the same problem, but no one has posted a solution! I'm at wits end on this one! How do you get it installed and where can I find this missing DLL!?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
PMOttawa said:
I had the same problem. It was related to having the Use as Media Device setting checked in the options. Once I unselected it the DLL files downloaded and installed. I don't know why but give it a try and see if that helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually I don't know how to solve this issue. Maybe you can contact the developer

Very good alternative to Titanium, I usually use Titanium along with a Dropbox account, but this can more, great stuff.

Helium and MDM
While Helium was a fabulous tool for backing up from one tablet and restoring to another, I've encountered an odd problem. The original tablet was rooted, but I used Helium in non-rooted status. Then I restored to a non-rooted tablet. Thereafter, I installed AirWatch MDM only to be told by AW that the new tablet is rooted. I've confirmed through various means that the new tablet is not rooted. However, I suspect Helium does something that trips a flag. Does anyone have any idea on how to clear the flag so that my unrooted tablet will look unrooted to AW?

marcekb said:
While Helium was a fabulous tool for backing up from one tablet and restoring to another, I've encountered an odd problem. The original tablet was rooted, but I used Helium in non-rooted status. Then I restored to a non-rooted tablet. Thereafter, I installed AirWatch MDM only to be told by AW that the new tablet is rooted. I've confirmed through various means that the new tablet is not rooted. However, I suspect Helium does something that trips a flag. Does anyone have any idea on how to clear the flag so that my unrooted tablet will look unrooted to AW?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I suggest to contact the developer of Helium on Play Store and give him the details. Don't forget to tell him what's your tablet

JohnHK said:
I suggest to contact the developer of Helium on Play Store and give him the details. Don't forget to tell him what's your tablet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can it use in unrooted gingerbread, i want to root it but i afraid to lose subway surfer data. how to use this helium then?

maulanaihsan said:
can it use in unrooted gingerbread, i want to root it but i afraid to lose subway surfer data. how to use this helium then?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, you can simply see the requirements in the OP
Helium works with rooted and unrooted Android devices but needs 4.0+. I think it won't work with ginger bread even if you have root. I hope that I helped

maw said:
I have been trying to get Helium Desktop to install on my Windows 8 64bit PC and keeps giving me a missing DLL error and won't install! I have been searching the internet for days now and all I can read is that others have the same problem, but no one has posted a solution! I'm at wits end on this one! How do you get it installed and where can I find this missing DLL!?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi maw,
Did you find a solution for this ? I have the same

Are there any apps that allow you to backup to your desktop? I want to be able to individual backups of the apps I currently have installed, delete the ones I don't use(I need the free space), with the much faster option of just sideloading them instead of having to redownload them from the play store. I don't have enough space on my tablet or phone to make Titanium or Helium backups. Thanks for any recommendations and help.
Edit: NVM found one

Insufficient permissions
When I tried running the shell script on Linux Mint 16 64-bit Petra, it just said
Code:
error: insufficient permissions for device
First I had a problem that the script required changing permissions of the script and adb, but that was not a big of an issue. This however, I don't know what to do with this. USB-debugging was enabled and device was connected.
Edit:
I got this working. I configured the USB-access in udev as per instructions of source(dot)android(dot)com/source/initializing.html#configuring-usb-access. Then I modified it's permissions to read-and-write
Code:
sudo chmod a+r /etc/udev/rules.d/51-android.rules
and then I also restarted udev by
Code:
sudo service udev restart
That did the trick and I managed to connect the device.

Problem on Windows 8.1 64 bit
Hi Guys, I've just upgraded my OS to Windows 8.1 64 bit, and each time I tried to connect my phone the OS haven't recognized the device. I looked at the device manager and I discovered a generic Android driver provided by Helium.
So I unistalled Helium, restored the USB drivers by Samsung Kies, and now the OS recognized my phone again.
WHy?
Thank you!
Antonio

Thanks for being here, forums, when I need to do something simple and just have a senior moment

Very often, I reset my data on the S3 for try new ROMs, and, every time, I have to re-download all the applications...
Can I backup last version of Helium APP (APK?), so I can install it after the first boot and restore applications?

[Q] Need help restoring a backup taken from Helium

I've taken a backup of all the app data with Helium (checked "Backup app data only") via my laptop's browser (connecting to the local IP address of the server) and now, after unlocking bootloader, flashing TWRP, and gaining root I need to restore it.
(I've posted this at the Help thread, but since it seems to be more than a simple question I'm migrating it here.)
To sum what I've done so far:
How I've taken the backup:
Opened Helium Server via my laptop's browser and selected all the apps, checked the "Backup App Data Only" and then clicked backup, it asked me where to save the zip file, clicked ok and now I have a backup of about 80MBs.
Now I want to restore the backup, what I've done:
Installed Helium
Connected it successfuly with my laptop running run.sh script
Opened helium and selected settings and then the 1st option (sth about PC), so I got the local address of the Helium server
Accessed the server via my laptop's browser and clicked browse to select my backup file
It said uploading and after that the list of all the apps showed up, clicked the Restore button
At the phone, the Backup/Restore dialog opened, a quick message showed up in this dialog about the 1st app (9gag) and then the dialog closed (not force close) with a toast notification saying "Restore starting..."
After that I got a message at my laptop's browser that "Restore complete" although no such thing happened
So, what can I do now?
Is there any way to manually restore the apps via adb restore now that I don't have an ab file? Actually I don't care using GUI, I just want to proceed restoring the backup, I've seen these threads here and here but I have a zip file, not an ab.
Does helium backup uses adb backup and then this tool to convert the ab file to zip?
Really frustrated that this has taken up so much time..

I have never used or even heard of Helium before today. But I looked it up and read the description. One of the points said "You may need to set your USB Connection Mode to "PTP". (Nexus 7, Nexus 10, etc)". Did you do that?
And maybe you should try Titanium Backup if you havent before. It works Flawlessly.

jsgraphicart said:
I have never used or even heard of Helium before today. But I looked it up and read the description. One of the points said "You may need to set your USB Connection Mode to "PTP". (Nexus 7, Nexus 10, etc)". Did you do that?
And maybe you should try Titanium Backup if you havent before. It works Flawlessly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've asked at the help thread for a backup application without having root (because Titanium needs root) and they recommended this one.
Yes, it's connected via PTP
I've also tried testing with the app a little bit, here's what I got/done:
Installed an app
Taken a backup of this single app checking the "Backup app data only"
Restored the backup via the browser client (at my laptop) and it said "Restore starting...", but also "Restore finished", but there wasn't any prompt to install the application from Google Play
I've also sent an email to the developer..

pspuser007 said:
I've asked at the help thread for a backup application without having root (because Titanium needs root) and they recommended this one.
Yes, it's connected via PTP
I've also tried testing with the app a little bit, here's what I got/done:
Installed an app
Taken a backup of this single app checking the "Backup app data only"
Restored the backup via the browser client (at my laptop) and it said "Restore starting...", but also "Restore finished", but there wasn't any prompt to install the application from Google Play
I've also sent an email to the developer..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ive looked into the app a little bit more and watched the video. I'm starting to get interested in the app. lol. You said you backed up app data only. Maybe you need to download the app first.

jsgraphicart said:
Ive looked into the app a little bit more and watched the video. I'm starting to get interested in the app. lol. You said you backed up app data only. Maybe you need to download the app first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, it says at the option "Backup app data only" that "You will be prompted to download the app from Google Play before restoring.", so something surely goes wrong. Maybe I've hit a bug, I don't know. I hope I get a prompt reply from the devs team.
Also, I've tried doing that with viber and it didn't work. So I've browsed through /sdcard/Android/data/ and here's the result of
Code:
ls -l
.
Note that the only non standard package is
Code:
com.ninegag.android.app.tmp
, which is probably the one that flashes when I click restore just before the app goes off focus and posting the toast notification "Starting Restore...".

pspuser007 said:
Well, it says at the option "Backup app data only" that "You will be prompted to download the app from Google Play before restoring.", so something surely goes wrong. Maybe I've hit a bug, I don't know. I hope I get a prompt reply from the devs team.
Also, I've tried doing that with viber and it didn't work. So I've browsed through /sdcard/Android/data/ and here's the result of
Code:
ls -l
.
Note that the only non standard package is
Code:
com.ninegag.android.app.tmp
, which is probably the one that flashes when I click restore just before the app goes off focus and posting the toast notification "Starting Restore...".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well just to see, download an app first and then restore the data and see if it works. If it does, then its just not prompting you to download the app.

jsgraphicart said:
Well just to see, download an app first and then restore the data and see if it works. If it does, then its just not prompting you to download the app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nothing happened :/

pspuser007 said:
Nothing happened :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With my lack of experience with the app, I dont know what else to say. I guess just wait and hope you hear back from the dev. Sorry

Total shot in the dark, but I saw some mention earlier that Helium (maybe adb-backup itself?) has issues running on a PIN-locked device. Maybe try disabling your phone security before doing the restore? It can't hurt to check, at least.
I had an issue on another device, where an adb backup with a password showed similar problems on restore -- "starting restore" then immediately "restore complete" or whatever, without actually writing any files. Making a new backup without a password "fixed" this -- the restore actually worked. Not sure if that helps you at all, since your old data is already gone

Best backup app for non-rooted phones?

Looking for a good app that will backup the entire phone without root? What's all the US S7 users doing right now?

take backup with ADB
Code:
adb backup -all -apk -shared
and to restore
Code:
adb restore <path to the backup>
Don't forget to enable USB debugging on the phone

if you want is an application, i think no app that can backup user data.. because of permission denied.. but if you want to root it, i ever use titanium backup and it is good

numpea said:
take backup with ADB
Code:
adb backup -all -apk -shared
and to restore
Code:
adb restore <path to the backup>
Don't forget to enable USB debugging on the phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So this backs up all the programs? What about user data?
Sent from my SM-G930T using XDA Free mobile app

seanvree said:
So this backs up all the programs? What about user data?
Sent from my SM-G930T using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this backs up = apps + data + shared (internal memory content)
it's not what you asked for because it's not an app but it does the job without root and that's the only way to do this without root
you need adb and the backup will be saved on your pc

numpea said:
take backup with ADB
Code:
adb backup -all -apk -shared
and to restore
Code:
adb restore <path to the backup>
Don't forget to enable USB debugging on the phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So this is basically a full image backup similar to what I would get with TWRP?

I recommend taking a look into helium.
It allows you to choose and backup apps and the appdata and transfer it to another device without root. There are a few system apps it won't backup, but it did wonders for me coming from my rooted N5 to this GS7.

DonDizzurp said:
So this is basically a full image backup similar to what I would get with TWRP?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No it's not full image like what we get with TWRP it's a file "backup.ab" and you can choose what to backup this is a thread that explaines everything better :good:

numpea said:
No it's not full image like what we get with TWRP it's a file "backup.ab" and you can choose what to backup this is a thread that explaines everything better :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't mean it's the SAME backup as TWRP in which I can use TWRP to restore.. but it backs up the entire image the same way TWRP or CWM does.
It's like I can use Norton Ghost or Clonezilla (like TWRP or CWM) or I can use dd on Linux (like ADB). They'd all (essentially) create an image of the entire drive, software, settings, partition table, MBR/GPT, etc etc just using different filetypes.
Anyway, thanks for the link. I'll read through it and it should answer my question hopefully.

DonDizzurp said:
I don't mean it's the SAME backup as TWRP in which I can use TWRP to restore.. but it backs up the entire image the same way TWRP or CWM does.
It's like I can use Norton Ghost or Clonezilla (like TWRP or CWM) or I can use dd on Linux (like ADB). They'd all (essentially) create an image of the entire drive, software, settings, partition table, MBR/GPT, etc etc just using different filetypes.
Anyway, thanks for the link. I'll read through it and it should answer my question hopefully.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No it's not the same it doesn't backup the entire image of the drive just (apks of installed applications and there data) + (system apps data including settings) + (shared that includes all the internal storage) that's it not including even apk of system or system image entirely it doesn't backup boot and the other partitions

numpea said:
No it's not the same it doesn't backup the entire image of the drive just (apks of installed applications and there data) + (system apps data including settings) + (shared that includes all the internal storage) that's it not including even apk of system or system image entirely it doesn't backup boot and the other partitions
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool, thanks!

as well as someone above posted....HELIUM

And if you need something to backup your sms/mms and call logs try https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rerware.android.MyBackup&hl=en

ADB 0 byte backup file
I have some problem with ADB. It worked for me perfectly with my Galaxy S4 (5.0.1) but it doesn't with my Galaxy S7 (6.0).
I can restore my old .ab files what I created with my S4 but I can't do any backup file with my S7. Why is it so?
ADB find the phone, I have access. I tried with TotalCommander plugin and it is the same. Any idea?

seanvree said:
Looking for a good app that will backup the entire phone without root? What's all the US S7 users doing right now?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why dont you use Samsung's Smart Switch? It backups about everything and restores it too! It's easy to use. Just download the PC version
www.samsung.com/us/smart-switch/
and yes it works well, I used it twice for my s7 and Tab S2

ADB 0 byte backup file
I know this program. But this isn't save all of the data of the programs/games. I tried a lot of possibilty for example Titanium Backup, Helium etc. (with root) but these programs aren't the best. Look for example Traffic Racer, my son loves that game and these programs couldn't save the data of the game, I know that there is cloud saving in the game but I had an error (can't access in google play or something like that and couldn't save the game). But with ADB it saved perfectly like the other games/programs. I know a lot of program for this fact but I need fix ADB and figure out why is it don't work. I don't know why is it making 0 byte .ab files..

jetbruceli said:
Why dont you use Samsung's Smart Switch? It backups about everything and restores it too! It's easy to use. Just download the PC version
www.samsung.com/us/smart-switch/
and yes it works well, I used it twice for my s7 and Tab S2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did it backup ALL App data (logins, settings, etc)? I've used SmartSwitch to move from my S5 to S7e (3 times - trying 3 different firmware) and it NEVER moved over app data/settings, Wifi pw's, etc.
The only think it properly moved was sms, apps that were in Google Play (not side-loaded apps) and email/account logins.

numpea said:
take backup with ADB
Code:
adb backup -all -apk -shared
and to restore
Code:
adb restore <path to the backup>
Don't forget to enable USB debugging on the phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi!
So now I feel like a real n00b...
My G930F has lost all red color in the display. Calling Samsung, they say 'factory reset' then call again.
They said 'Smart Switch' was the tool to use for backup.
After a whole day trying to get the rickety, moronic abortion of a program to run more than 3 minutes...
I came here.
Enabled USB debugging.
Opened an elevated cmd in //AppData\Local\Android\sdk\platform-tools
and input 'adb backup -all -apk -shared'
I'm told to go to my phone and affirm this- I do.
Back at the PC I'm looking at a blinking cursor after //AppData\Local\Android\sdk\platform-tools

255 error with TWRP backup/restore (999)

UPDATE: I have since updated to official 5.1.6 via OTA flashed TWRP and Magisk. The backup finished successfully with no sign of 255 error and once rebooted the USER ID and all 999 folders were still gone after the update and switched slots.
Only tested on OnePlus 6 but file structure should be the same on any device running Android O. Must be rooted to grant Terminal Emulator root permission. You cannot remove a user without root.
If anyone has had the 255 error while trying to create a backup file or trying to restore with TWRP. This error pertains to the parallel apps or multi user ID. If you are not sure if you have parallel apps running on your OnePlus 6 or other devices you can do a quick check by go into your Root browser and look in these locations.
/storage/emulated
/data/system/
data/system_ce/
data/system_de/
data/misc/
data/misc_ce/
data/misc_de/
data/user/
data/user_ce/
data/user_de/
If you see any folder named 999 then you have parallel apps enabled on your device. TWRP in it's current form will not allow you to create a backup or restore a backup with parallel apps enabled.
Currently there is only one solution that I have found to be able to delete all of the 999 folders and that is to open a terminal emulator to each of these locations and remove the 999 folders individually. I have found a solution where you can delete the user ID and by doing so it removes all of the 999 folders and not only does it remove the folders they do not return once you reboot your device. The solution is simple so let's get to it.
Install Terminal Emulator from the play store
Open Terminal and type
su
Press enter and grant root permission
Next type
pm remove-user 999
Press enter
Close Terminal and reboot
Once rebooted go back to your Root browser and check the locations listed above to ensure the 999 folders are gone. That's all, Enjoy.

I searched the locations you mentioned and didn't find any 999 folders but I still get the error 255 when trying to flash 5.1.6 full zip. Any ideas what the issue could be?
I even tried running the commands on terminal anyways and got an error saying "couldn't remove user ID 999"
Any help is appreciated. Thanks

dracoboss said:
I searched the locations you mentioned and didn't find any 999 folders but I still get the error 255 when trying to flash 5.1.6 full zip. Any ideas what the issue could be?
I even tried running the commands on terminal anyways and got an error saying "couldn't remove user ID 999"
Any help is appreciated. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try to remove your security pin code first before install new firmware.

Thanks for sharing the info :good:
Stupid question about backup ,
I normally use root essentials to make a system backup but I think with op6 it will not backup al the required files anymore I think.
So I want to make the backup true twrp but can someone list the files to backup. As there are also vendor partition listed. So please let me know what to backup exactly to make the correct backup.
Thanks in advance.
Regards ysco..

dracoboss said:
I searched the locations you mentioned and didn't find any 999 folders but I still get the error 255 when trying to flash 5.1.6 full zip. Any ideas what the issue could be?
I even tried running the commands on terminal anyways and got an error saying "couldn't remove user ID 999"
Any help is appreciated. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make sure you're doing "su" then enter first and its getting root permissions

I'm on official TWRP.
I have a backup of Renovate 2.0, which worked without any errors, but after I ran into issues with the 2.1 flash (bootloop) I wanted to restore my backup, which fails with the 255 error at the Data partition, the rest restores fine.
Now I was in TWRP terminal to do the above, but I couldn't find / delete any of the 999 folders. I also didn't have any other IDs on 2.0, nor did I have any security features active at the time of my backup.
What will this operation do for me with a complete but unrestorable backup anyway, surely it won't delete folders out of my backup?
What triggers the error, the destination (ROM) or the backup file?
Is there a way to get into my backup from TWRP terminal?
Any other ideas?
Thanks for any input!

geenyous said:
I'm on official TWRP.
I have a backup of Renovate 2.0, which worked without any errors, but after I ran into issues with the 2.1 flash (bootloop) I wanted to restore my backup, which fails with the 255 error at the Data partition, the rest restores fine.
Now I was in TWRP terminal to do the above, but I couldn't find / delete any of the 999 folders. I also didn't have any other IDs on 2.0, nor did I have any security features active at the time of my backup.
What will this operation do for me with a complete but unrestorable backup anyway, surely it won't delete folders out of my backup?
What triggers the error, the destination (ROM) or the backup file?
Is there a way to get into my backup from TWRP terminal?
Any other ideas?
Thanks for any input!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The directions that are listed above are to be used inside terminal emulator once your phone is booted up and before you make the backup. I'm not sure if you can actually take files out of the backup especially from your device. That may be something you have to pull from the device and put onto your computer to accomplish

ysco said:
Thanks for sharing the info :good:
Stupid question about backup ,
I normally use root essentials to make a system backup but I think with op6 it will not backup al the required files anymore I think.
So I want to make the backup true twrp but can someone list the files to backup. As there are also vendor partition listed. So please let me know what to backup exactly to make the correct backup.
Thanks in advance.
Regards ysco..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to make a full and complete backup of your entire system then you go into backup in TWRP and you check mark every box and then make your backup.

dracoboss said:
I searched the locations you mentioned and didn't find any 999 folders but I still get the error 255 when trying to flash 5.1.6 full zip. Any ideas what the issue could be?
I even tried running the commands on terminal anyways and got an error saying "couldn't remove user ID 999"
Any help is appreciated. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please if you could report back to us on this thread and let us know if the instructions you were given above help you or not

dgunn said:
If you want to make a full and complete backup of your entire system then you go into backup in TWRP and you check mark every box and then make your backup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply back to me.
I already did make a full backup and I know the procedure to make a backup in twrp but I wanted to know if all must be marked for a full backup. Some say that not all needs to be checked. If you mark all the backup is huge lol.
Thanks.
Regards ysco..

dgunn said:
Please if you could report back to us on this thread and let us know if the instructions you were given above help you or not
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh sorry lol. Turns out I just had to use official twrp to flash the full zip instead of the unofficial one I was using. After that it was smooth sailing

ysco said:
Thanks for the reply back to me.
I already did make a full backup and I know the procedure to make a backup in twrp but I wanted to know if all must be marked for a full backup. Some say that not all needs to be checked. If you mark all the backup is huge lol.
Thanks.
Regards ysco..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
boot, system image, vendor image, data.. and you are on the safe side.
Once I made a backup of boot, system, vendor, data (no images) I had to flash OOS afterwards. I don´t completely understand the difference between first and second way, finally both worked. But for sure it is not necessary to mark all partitions.

Flying Fox said:
boot, system image, vendor image, data.. and you are on the safe side.
Once I made a backup of boot, system, vendor, data (no images) I had to flash OOS afterwards. I don´t completely understand the difference between first and second way, finally both worked. But for sure it is not necessary to mark all partitions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for pointing out the steps for a successful backup.
Regards ysco..

ysco said:
Thanks for the reply back to me.
I already did make a full backup and I know the procedure to make a backup in twrp but I wanted to know if all must be marked for a full backup. Some say that not all needs to be checked. If you mark all the backup is huge lol.
Thanks.
Regards ysco..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I backup everything to reduce the amount of steps for the restore process. If you check every box during the backup process you do not have to Flash the OS during restore. Yes it does take up more space but the restore process is simple if you do. By checking every box all you have to do is restore your backup and then Flash magisk and you're done no need to flash the OS

dgunn said:
I backup everything to reduce the amount of steps for the restore process. If you check every box during the backup process you do not have to Flash the OS during restore. Yes it does take up more space but the restore process is simple if you do. By checking every box all you have to do is restore your backup and then Flash magisk and you're done no need to flash the OS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh good to know mate
Thanks.
Regards ysco..

dgunn said:
I backup everything to reduce the amount of steps for the restore process. If you check every box during the backup process you do not have to Flash the OS during restore. Yes it does take up more space but the restore process is simple if you do. By checking every box all you have to do is restore your backup and then Flash magisk and you're done no need to flash the OS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually you don't have to make a backup of system AND system image as well as you usually don't buy apples AND apples and pears. You just need the system image (and boot, vendor, data) to perform a complete and success backup.

dgunn said:
UPDATE: I have since updated to official 5.1.6 via OTA flashed TWRP and Magisk. The backup finished successfully with no sign of 255 error and once rebooted the USER ID and all 999 folders were still gone after the update and switched slots.
Only tested on OnePlus 6 but file structure should be the same on any device running Android O. Must be rooted to grant Terminal Emulator root permission. You cannot remove a user without root.
If anyone has had the 255 error while trying to create a backup file or trying to restore with TWRP. This error pertains to the parallel apps or multi user ID. If you are not sure if you have parallel apps running on your OnePlus 6 or other devices you can do a quick check by go into your Root browser and look in these locations.
/storage/emulated
/data/system/
data/system_ce/
data/system_de/
data/misc/
data/misc_ce/
data/misc_de/
data/user/
data/user_ce/
data/user_de/
If you see any folder named 999 then you have parallel apps enabled on your device. TWRP in it's current form will not allow you to create a backup or restore a backup with parallel apps enabled.
Currently there is only one solution that I have found to be able to delete all of the 999 folders and that is to open a terminal emulator to each of these locations and remove the 999 folders individually. I have found a solution where you can delete the user ID and by doing so it removes all of the 999 folders and not only does it remove the folders they do not return once you reboot your device. The solution is simple so let's get to it.
Install Terminal Emulator from the play store
Open Terminal and type
su
Press enter and grant root permission
Next type
pm remove-user 999
Press enter
Close Terminal and reboot
Once rebooted go back to your Root browser and check the locations listed above to ensure the 999 folders are gone. That's all, Enjoy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have parallel apps or multi-user. What I have is a "work profile" (latest feature by gsuite which is mandated by my organization). Work profiles isolate work/company account data into a separate encrypted/remote wipable silo. Android creates copies of the apps for the work profile. This is causing a folder called "/data/system_ce/10" which is failing to backup. Any solution for TWRP to work with work profiles? Ideally, can I "ignore" folders to not be backed up so that TWRP nandroid backups can work.

angadsingh said:
I don't have parallel apps or multi-user. What I have is a "work profile" (latest feature by gsuite which is mandated by my organization). Work profiles isolate work/company account data into a separate encrypted/remote wipable silo. Android creates copies of the apps for the work profile. This is causing a folder called "/data/system_ce/10" which is failing to backup. Any solution for TWRP to work with work profiles? Ideally, can I "ignore" folders to not be backed up so that TWRP nandroid backups can work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will have to remove those folders from the system before you can do a backup. Maybe cut and paste them onto an OTG drive, do the backup and then replace the folders. Twrp will not backup any multi-user accounts and that is exactly what gsuite has made.
See here for more info similar to your issue.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel/development/twrp-alpha1-pixel-devices-t3500314/page56

Hello. Can you tell me how to properly restore a backup on TWRP? Do I have to change slots oraz something?

Restore does not work ...
I'm having the same problem. I simply cannot restore a TWRP backup. It always produces an error 255.
No, I do not have any "999" folder/files, nor do I have any lockscreen security. I also do not have parallel apps or anything involving multi-user.
I'm extremely experienced at flashing ROMs, as well as performing Nandroids and restoring them.
Nothing I've done is working. As I said, I simply cannot restore the data partition. That's when I get the 255 error. System restores fine, but that's it.
Any ideas?
Thank you,
Peter

Alternative to `adb backup` for Android 12+

I wish to fully backup a list of apps (including their private data) to restore them all quickly on a new ROM after a clean-flash.
In the past I could use `adb backup` for this, but since Android 12, they deprecated this command (it'll be removed soon) and this command is no longer able to backup the app's private data.
Is there anything else I can use, on a rooted device?
I would prefer using a command from command line, rather than an App: this way I can save and paste the list of apps to backup, instead of having to select N apps one by one in a GUI every time.

peoro said:
I wish to fully backup a list of apps (including their private data) to restore them all quickly on a new ROM after a clean-flash.
In the past I could use `adb backup` for this, but since Android 12, they deprecated this command (it'll be removed soon) and this command is no longer able to backup the app's private data.
Is there anything else I can use, on a rooted device?
I would prefer using a command from command line, rather than an App: this way I can save and paste the list of apps to backup, instead of having to select N apps one by one in a GUI every time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
see Swift Backup
Swift Backup - Apps on Google Play
A simple, fast and smart backup solution for Android smartphones
play.google.com

Sorry to be a bit off topic, but I am surprised that you were able to even use that command
When I tried to use the command (yes, I tried on all my Android devices)it does not do anything and no dialog box shows up at all.
All apps I use have their own backup functions, Google backs up photos automatically, office backs up to onedrive, bookmarks back up to Google etc. and I have not run into a scenario that I have to back up any app data.
Would you like to share what type of data specifically that you want to backup? Maybe I can think of a workaround.

Nicknackpaddywack101 said:
Sorry to be a bit off topic, but I am surprised that you were able to even use that command
When I tried to use the command (yes, I tried on all my Android devices)it does not do anything and no dialog box shows up at all.
All apps I use have their own backup functions, Google backs up photos automatically, office backs up to onedrive, bookmarks back up to Google etc. and I have not run into a scenario that I have to back up any app data.
Would you like to share what type of data specifically that you want to backup? Maybe I can think of a workaround.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a number of apps which don't back stuff up automatically and reinstalling and reconfiguring all of them takes quite a bit of time:
Slide for Reddit: I have 4 different accounts and logging in to all of them + reapplying the general configuration is a pain.
Bitwarden, Telegram, Keybase (and a handful others): needs to log in through 2FA and I'd rather skip that.
andOTP: needs to manually export and import its data.
CovPas: needs me to re-scan the QR codes of all my COVID vaccines.
AdAway, Yi Action Camera: they're not on the Play Store, so the APK needs to be installed manually.
I just installed a new ROM and ran into some issues (after installing and configuring everything). I need to clean-flash it again, but don't want to reconfigure everything manually. I wish to copy the current configuration as it is and be done.
Fytdyh said:
see Swift Backup
Swift Backup - Apps on Google Play
A simple, fast and smart backup solution for Android smartphones
play.google.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, I'd have preferred something via command line (without a GUI), so I can just paste the list of my apps and be done with it, but thiss will be a valid alternative if no CLI option is available.

peoro said:
I have a number of apps which don't back stuff up automatically and reinstalling and reconfiguring all of them takes quite a bit of time:
Slide for Reddit: I have 4 different accounts and logging in to all of them + reapplying the general configuration is a pain.
Bitwarden, Telegram, Keybase (and a handful others): needs to log in through 2FA and I'd rather skip that.
andOTP: needs to manually export and import its data.
CovPas: needs me to re-scan the QR codes of all my COVID vaccines.
AdAway, Yi Action Camera: they're not on the Play Store, so the APK needs to be installed manually.
I just installed a new ROM and ran into some issues (after installing and configuring everything). I need to clean-flash it again, but don't want to reconfigure everything manually. I wish to copy the current configuration as it is and be done.
Thanks, I'd have preferred something via command line (without a GUI), so I can just paste the list of my apps and be done with it, but thiss will be a valid alternative if no CLI option is available.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you are using twrp, how about a twrp backup ?

what are adb backup alternatives?
i have a lenovoA319 i wanna get involved into the root thing , so i wanna make a backup of my stock phone in case i wanted to get it back to its conditions-i dont care about warranty but i lilke to keep a copy of every thing- as adb backup doesnt...
forum.xda-developers.com

If you have adb that is root (without su) and you can adb pull data/data/com.example.app/shared_prefs/App.xml
then you can try my AdbSync.exe (in my sig).
Code:
C:\>mkdir Backup
C:\>adbsync /hscu Backup data/data /i*:*
Yeah, the /i*:* ignores the one problematic file of com.google.android.gms/shared_prefs/nearbysharing:service:state.xml
Colons don't work so hot in Windows.
Code:
C:\>adb pull data/data/com.google.android.gms/shared_prefs/nearbysharing:service:state.xml
adb: error: cannot create '.\nearbysharing:service:state.xml': No such file or directory
To restore:
Code:
C:\>adbsync /ascu Backup data/data

Fytdyh said:
if you are using twrp, how about a twrp backup ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using OrangeFox (which supports a similar backup system)... However it backups the whole /data partition, not single apps, right?
I need to reinstall my ROM from scratch because something broke (Google Maps, after installing it both via the store and by flashing the NikGapps addon) and I'm afraid that part of the misconfiguration could be in the /data partition: would prefer to only save the data of a set of selected apps.

Renate said:
If you have adb that is root (without su) and you can adb pull data/data/com.example.app/shared_prefs/App.xml
then you can try my AdbSync.exe (in my sig).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on Linux though.

xXx yYy said:
what are adb backup alternatives?
i have a lenovoA319 i wanna get involved into the root thing , so i wanna make a backup of my stock phone in case i wanted to get it back to its conditions-i dont care about warranty but i lilke to keep a copy of every thing- as adb backup doesnt...
forum.xda-developers.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sweet! That's a nice little script that seems to do what I need.
Would you know whether it's possible to pull the app's APK too? I'm not sure where/how it's stored.