Noob Alert! Backup / Restore Questions

[aziadeh]

Ok so I want to flash some custom roms and really try to take full advantage of everything my GNEX has to offer.
What I want to do is make a backup, easy enough right, except there are soo many programs / apps out there, I can't decide.
Here's what I want, (I think) I want a full backup of my phone the way it is right now.
I would also like to have a separate backup of all the apps I have installed so I don't have to re-install / setup each one individually.
The full backup is so I can return to stock, not sure I may ever but it's nice to know the option is there if I have to exchange the phone or sell in a year or so...
The app backup is for moving from one rom to the next, right?

So with all that info, am I missing something and which backup app(s) would you guys recommend.
I don't mind paying for one of these apps for the peace of mind.

I remember reading a thread here someone said "Blessed are those who have a backup for they are at peace" or something similar :-\

 

[jpprice]

A Nandroid backup from CWM recovery will get your phone back to the exact state it was in at the time of the backup. It has been a lifesaver for me on many occasions. If you are going to be installing custom ROM's you will have to flash CWM Recovery at some point.

I also use Titanium Backup to backup all my apps and app date. If you get the paid version you can do batch restores so you do don't have to restore each app one at a time.

 

[aziadeh]

Thanks for the quick reply.
I noticed the backups are on the phone, If I'm not mistaken, I should be able to pull those backups off the phone and store them on my laptop right?

 

[jpprice]

Thanks for the quick reply.
I noticed the backups are on the phone, If I'm not mistaken, I should be able to pull those backups off the phone and store them on my laptop right?

Yeah if you want a backup of the backups you can copy them over to your PC or something.

 

[greydarrah]

Thanks for the quick reply.
I noticed the backups are on the phone, If I'm not mistaken, I should be able to pull those backups off the phone and store them on my laptop right?

Yes. I always make a copy of my ClockworkMod and TitaniumBackup directories (copying from the phone to my PC) just to be safe.

This thread (http://forums.androidcentral.com/ve...backup-restore-install-roms-galaxy-nexus.html) does an outstanding job of describing both how to use ROM Manager for both backing up (a nandroid backup) your complete phone as well as flashing ROMs. You should make a nandroid backup after you unlock and root the phone (this is you "get back to stock" backup), as well as after you have flashed a new ROM and set up your apps and home screens. Then you can switch between ROMs if you want in a few minutes time. Titanium (the paid version) is definitely the way to go for backing up your apps and there data and settings. Just don't restore your system settings from Titanium after flashing a ROM (apps and app data only). The system settings restoration could screw stuff up if your new ROM switched to a modified kernel.

 

[aziadeh]

I read that guide and almost started the process but didn't want to start without a backup to come back to just in case.
Thanks again for the awesome responses, i can't wait, gonna be a busy day tomrw, my gnex will never be the same again ;-)

 

[jpprice]

I read that guide and almost started the process but didn't want to start without a backup to come back to just in case.
Thanks again for the awesome responses, i can't wait, gonna be a busy day tomrw, my gnex will never be the same again ;-)

Word of warning...once you start flashing it will become an addiction....

 

[aziadeh]

So how does one tell they have a problem