Question about restoring settings/apps after new ROM?

[rhelfand]

Apologies if this is a FAQ or covered elsewhere ...

I've been happily flashing ROMs for a while now, but it's kind of a pain to get everything back to the way I want it after the flash and I wanted to get some feedback and ideas on how long it takes everyone.

What I generally do is:
1. Nandroid backup
2. Full backup using MyBackup Pro
3. Clear data/cache/dalvik and flash new ROM
4. On first boot, I enter my Gmail account info
5. Re-download MyBackup Pro from the market
6. Use MyBackup Pro to restore all Apps (APKs + data)
7. Use MyBackup Pro to restore all Data

Then I wait while gradually my Facebook contacts sync with my Gmail contacts, I tweak some settings, turn off haptic feedback, check my alarms, etc. etc. etc.

All of this takes a couple of hours, and I wanted to see if you all had any tricks or better ways to get everything back to how you like it. Or maybe just get an idea of how long it took everyone else to get back to where you want so I can tell myself I'm not crazy.

Thanks!.

 

[slave2waf]

Great topic. I follow essentially the same process when I switch major ROM variants (e.g., BAMF 1.8.6, BAMF 3.0, GTP Eaton) and the time commitment is substantial.

If a ROM is a minor upgrade (e.g., BAMF 1.7 => BAMF 1.8), you can frequently get away without wiping data. That eliminates the need to reload all the applications, set-up home screens, and synchronize cloud content. Consequently, unless the developer specifically recommends a wipe, I try this method first.

Like you, I'm certainly interested in other perspectives.

 

[SoDev]

Basically the same a you two. I always have 150+ apps so is just going to take awhile.

Sent from the Bolt via Tapatalk

 

[ssethv]

Just becareful when Restoring app + Data. It is generally understood that most problems can arise from restoring the app data... I would only recommend restoring apps, but we learn best from trial and error and your in the best place for any help you need

 

[fatboy97]

Generally changing to different ROMs (BAMF to CM7, or CM7 to Liquid Thunderbread) I build everything from scratch. I'd restore specific apps that are basically self contained (Timeriffic, Password Safe or even Angry Birds Rio), but apps that just require me to login like Evernote or Facebook are not a big deal to me. I do have to say that I've been able to load ROM and fully download, setup, load, and log into all my app... and have it all done in about an hour now. I've made a switch from Titanium Backup to MyBackup Root and will try minimal restore of specific apps the next time I do a big ROM change.

My last ROM was a minor change from v2.2 to v2.3, so I did not even wipe the data... and was totally up in less than 15 minutes.

 

[Slapnpop826]

An hour or two sounds about right to me.

Sent from my HTC Thunderbolt using Tapatalk for your reading pleasure.

 

[ssethv]

Agreed, it takes me about an hour to have everything up an running the way i like it...

 

[zero neck]

I try to keep my rom flashing as zen as possible, so i only keep my apps backed up with google (sync docs). No longer make TiB backups but still have some old ones for simple stuff like alarm clocks if i dont feel like setting it up again.

Also i just use sense these days, and don't do anything fancy or use add on launchers such as wave launcher or what have you. Set up for me is basically throwing the 10 apps i use all the time on the homescreens (don't need mybackup it's not worth it for me).

Total time to wipe and flash and get settled/synced is around 25 min.

 

[ssethv]

I try to keep my rom flashing as zen as possible, so i only keep my apps backed up with google (sync docs). No longer make TiB backups but still have some old ones for simple stuff like alarm clocks if i dont feel like setting it up again.

Also i just use sense these days, and don't do anything fancy or use add on launchers such as wave launcher or what have you. Set up for me is basically throwing the 10 apps i use all the time on the homescreens (don't need mybackup it's not worth it for me).

Total time to wipe and flash and get settled/synced is around 25 min.

Couldnt have said it better. The only time I use a launcher like adw ex is if I am stuck using a ROM that uses the HTC sense rosie. I hate the look of it. I haven't used TiB for a long time either.

 

[SoDev]

You guys are going to go so zen and minimal that in 6 months your going to end up with an stock rooted phone.

Kidding... some of us just need to go around the block once before we realize how much overkill we are doing. Like me, I'm still only 4 months into this Android thing and loving every second of it. Such a noob.

 

[ssethv]

You guys are going to go so zen and minimal that in 6 months your going to end up with an stock rooted phone.

Kidding... some of us just need to go around the block once before we realize how much overkill we are doing. Like me, I'm still only 4 months into this Android thing and loving every second of it. Such a noob.

LOL... thats funny cuz its sooo true... I am getting to the point where as long as my nav, camera, camcorder, phone work, and I get decent battery life, I am happy with whatever ROM I am using. I really hate sense and am not happy with CM7 cuz nav wont work and I need it for work. I still enjoy flashing but am starting to like helping others out more since I have learned and continue to learn.. Honestly, I give alot of credit to PvilleComp in the Dinc forums for his help and knowledge for the last few years...

 

[SoDev]

That sucks about the nav on CM7. I have it in my car and rarely use either anyway, so it doesn't affect me. It's silky smooth for me with GO Launcher... I had too many force closes with ADW.

 

[zero neck]

You guys are going to go so zen and minimal that in 6 months your going to end up with an stock rooted phone.

Kidding... some of us just need to go around the block once before we realize how much overkill we are doing. Like me, I'm still only 4 months into this Android thing and loving every second of it. Such a noob.

for real. i used to be crazy about stuff, cm7 on my droid incredible, and running launchers over sense with my tbolt, getting obsessive compulsive about homescreens....

but now i just keep it as simple as possible. i know i'm going to flash a rom in three days, so i try not to sweat the small stuff.

 

[SoDev]

I hear ya, I'm just not willing to give up my apps/logins/data so it will take me a little longer on restore, no sweat. I don't really sweat the home screen stuff anymore, I'm always changing **** anyway and with the launcher data/restore I'm right back where I was. I'm sensed out, so CM7 with the a launcher is home until something big breaks.

 

[zero neck]

I hear ya, I'm just not willing to give up my apps/logins/data so it will take me a little longer on restore, no sweat. I don't really sweat the home screen stuff anymore, I'm always changing **** anyway and with the launcher data/restore I'm right back where I was. I'm sensed out, so CM7 with the a launcher is home until something big breaks.

I hated sense for a long time, thought it was inefficient, but i came back to it with the help of bamf roms, and now i'm hooked. Won't use a launcher any more bc i have to have the sense clock, and the new screen animations with sense 3.0 still get me every time.

 

[SoDev]

haha, I understand.... I did come to the conclusion that I will not use a launcher on top of sense, seem like too much overkill. Did you ever try Gingeritis 3D? That was sick, and had the notification brightness and volume drop down first, but it would always freeze up on me, but the 3D effect is wicked. I've been waiting for BAMF to do that.

 

[zero neck]

haha, I understand.... I did come to the conclusion that I will not use a launcher on top of sense, seem like too much overkill. Did you ever try Gingeritis 3D? That was sick, and had the notification brightness and volume drop down first, but it would always freeze up on me, but the 3D effect is wicked. I've been waiting for BAMF to do that.

I never tried gingeritis (it's no longer supported i believe?), i've really just been using bamf roms, partly bc of the toolkit making life easier, and partly bc i'm lazy. There are several roms i want to try out tho - omfgb, liquid, etc.

the gingeritis had brightness in the notification drop bar? that's awesome. i actually use dazzle power controls, bc it contains some extra options i like to have.

 

[SoDev]

I never tried gingeritis (it's no longer supported i believe?), i've really just been using bamf roms, partly bc of the toolkit making life easier, and partly bc i'm lazy. There are several roms i want to try out tho - omfgb, liquid, etc.

the gingeritis had brightness in the notification drop bar? that's awesome. i actually use dazzle power controls, bc it contains some extra options i like to have.

It's still supported, just not at xda. Have to go to themikmik.com. THe new BAMF has the brightness and media volume there too now if I read the change log correct.

Check the 3d at 37 seconds

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHLj5RDx9vM&NR=1

 

[ssethv]

I never tried gingeritis (it's no longer supported i believe?), i've really just been using bamf roms, partly bc of the toolkit making life easier, and partly bc i'm lazy. There are several roms i want to try out tho - omfgb, liquid, etc.

the gingeritis had brightness in the notification drop bar? that's awesome. i actually use dazzle power controls, bc it contains some extra options i like to have.

omfgb is as AOSP as you can get and I like it, liquid is OK, i just don't like the blue themeing... Ugly IMO... I am still sittin on inject. I like the toolkit too but dont mind using speedtweak.sh

 

[SoDev]

omfgb is as AOSP as you can get and I like it, liquid is OK, i just don't like the blue themeing... Ugly IMO... I am still sittin on inject. I like the toolkit too but dont mind using speedtweak.sh

I tried omfgb, but it just felt like cm7 with a LOT less customization options so there wasn't much reason to stick around.