Confused about backing up/flashing new rom/restoring...what are the basic steps?

[mrxmry]

Guys,
I successfully rooted and installed Safestrap 3.75 custom recovery on my phone but also tinkered with it too much and now need to re-install from scratch. I would like back up and start playing with it installing some custom roms etc. I have been confused about the process and do not want to mess anything up. Recently, I read about the need to backup EFS folder and I never have done it before so I wonder if there is more things that I don't know yet... Can someone spell out the basic steps in the whole process of installing new Rom and able to easily restore my apps, settings, and messages. Cheers!

 

[Rukbat]

Do a backup from Safestrap - that will back up your system and data partitions. If you're going to reflash the stock ROM, then root, then install Safestrap, a restore from the backup will give you back what you have now.

As far as backing up the EFI, you can use Partitions Backup & Restore. (Read it and what you need to back up is evident - the developer highlights it.) But I've blown slots in Safestrap in the same phone you have more than once and just did a clean install - fully clear the slot, then install or restore a ROM to it. I have my EFI backed up off-phone, but messing up a slot in Safestrap - and I've done some doozies, like installing a keyboard as if it was a ROM (and a keyboard won't boot) - won't do any damage to the EFI partitions.

 

[mrxmry]

Thanks Rukbat!