I've lost count the number of times I've flashed different ROMS. Although no-wipe is possible on most, personally I dont like this method. I only tend to stick to a no-wipe flash only if the base firmware version is identical. Even so, I still always prefer a full wipe.
People tend to grimace at the thought of it, but as long as you keep your contacts+calender centrally (ie. google) and have a titanium backup of your apps, then its no big deal. After a full wipe, I can usually get my phone back up to normality in around 15 minutes. And anyway, I like to use the setting up of the phone as a quick peek to see if there are any new features in the settings.
Preparation
Before doing the wipe, make sure you take the following precautionary steps:
1. Perform a Titanium backup to ensure you have the latest versions of your apps saved. Its a good idea to save your internet bookmarks here too.
2. Many apps have a backup/restore option so use this to back up your current settings (eg. JKay Deluxe settings, Go Launcher, Fancy Widgets, Simple Calendar etc.). Do this for such apps so that the settings can be easily restored later if required.
3. Make a Nandroid backup through CWM Recovery.
Be aware of any contacts with personalized ringtones etc. as these will have to be re-assigned after the wipe. There are apps on do download from the Play Store that can save these for you however.
Full Wipe
Boot into CWM recovery (with power off, hold VOL-UP+HOME+POWER) (in that order) Release keys as soon as the screen shows anything.
Wipe Data/factory reset
Wipe Cache
Wipe Dalvik-Cache
Wipe Battery Stats
Format /system
Alternatively, you can just run my GS2 ROM Nuke script
Neither of the above wipe methods wipes your internal card (/sdcard) as far as your personal files are concerned. GS2ROMNuke will wipe old application data off the internal SD Card so that your next ROM can start afresh after restoring your apps.
I think a factory format might wipe the /sdcard, but i'm not totally sure.
Factory Format: dial *2767*3855# ONLY USE AS LAST RESORT. AS SOON AS YOU PRESS THE "#" KEY, THERE'S NO GOING BACK!!!!!
(Personally I dont think wiping battery stats does anything whatsoever due to the nature of the GS2's fuel chip, but feel free to do it for completeness. I don't bother personally)
After this, you are in a position to flash your new ROM. Once flashed, here are the steps I perform.
Note: These steps are not a complete list of what you all should do, as everyone is different with differing applications and needs, but at least it should give you a starting point
Initial Setup
1. When you switch on your GS2 for the first time after a full wipe, you will be presented with the Welcome screen. Just tap the Android Man to configure
2. Click Sign in to sign into your Google account
3. Enter your Google account Username and Password and click Sign in Your phone will now begin to communicate with Google servers.
4. On the Use Google location screen I tick the 2 boxes (default)
5. On the Back up and restore screen I untick box 1 (Restore my Google account to this device) and tick box 2 (Keep this device backed up with my Google Account) I untick box 1 because I dont want the setup process to download my apps from the Market. I want to do this with Titanium Backup later. This is because: (a) Wireless has not been set up yet, and 3G will take a big hit, and (b) The automatic download from the Market is random at best. It will restore apps you downloaded (and uninstalled) ages ago, and the list is also incomplete.
6. Syncing will now take place. This will sync your contacts/calendar etc.. Click the Finish setup button. You will later need to assign any personal ringtones to your contacts as this does not get saved google-side.
You will now be presented with your first homescreen. Now to get everything back to normal.
Applications Restore
1. Set up your Wifi connection. (menu>settings>wireless+network>Wi-fi settings)
2. Allow Unknown sources to be installed (menu>settings>applications>Unknown sources)
3. In this screen, tap Development and ensure USB Debugging is enabled
4. If it doesn't come pre-bundled with your ROM, download Titanium Backup from the Market. Open it up.
5. Click the Backup/Restore tab
6. Click the tick box in the top right
7. Scroll down to Restore missing apps with data and click the Run button beside it.
8. Scroll through your apps, and make sure the apps you want restored are ticked.
9. Click the green tick at the top right of the screen. Your applications will now be restored. If you are using the free version of Titanium Backup, you will need to click the Install button one-by-one. After each, click Done Exit Titanium Backup when complete.
NOTE: You may find certain apps struggle if you restore the app with the data, depending on what firmware the Titanium Backup was taken on in comparison to the firmware you are restoring onto. It will always be much safer and reliable to only restore the app. If you know a certain application has its own settings backup, then it is better to restore the app, then restore the data from the restore option within the application itself. Basically the only way to know if your app+data restore will work is to try it. If you get odd results or FC's, uninstall it, and reinstall with only the app.
HomeScreens
1. If you use a different Launcher to the stock TouchWiz, it should now be selectable by pressing the Home key as it should have got restored in the above Titanium Backu restore operation. Select your required Launcher and tick Set as default
2. If your launcher supports saving, restore its settings (if not already done by the Titanium restore)
3. Set your wallpaper and lockscreen setup etc. if required.
4. Any widgets may need setting up again. These will appear as "Problem loading widget" on your homescreens. Just delete and add them again. If these have the facility to save their individual settings, then restore them
5. If you use JKay v13+, then restore your setting in the Deluxe app. On subsequent JKay versions you will have to reinstall your theme, and restore your settings through the app.
As far as overall look+feel goes, that's pretty much it.
Now all you need to do is go into your settings (menu>settings) and go through each in turn to suit your requirements:
Menu>Settings
Wireless+network
1. Wifi settings. I make sure sleep policy is set to Never when plugged in. Everything else I leave to default.
Call
1. Call alert. I tick Outgoing call vibration. Call status tones I tick Call connect tone in Alerts on call I tick Vibration
Sound
I set my Phone ringtone and Notification ringtone to suit.
Display
1. Screen Display. Font Style If you have installed a font pack, this will not get lost in the full wipe. Select your font as normal. I also set my Homescreen Wallpaper and Lockscreen wallpaper, and set my Clock position to Top.
Location and security
1. Under My Location tick the first 3 boxes. Normally the last box, Use sensor aiding, is not ticked by default.
Set up your lock screen if required (I never bother)
2. I tick Remote controls. This will allow remote packages such as Samsung Dive, Android Lost etc to work on your handset. You will need to set up your Samsung account login details when ticked.
Accounts and sync
I untick Auto-sync
Motion
Un-tick Motion activation
Language and keyboard
1. Select input method to Swype
2. Speed vs. accuracy. Set the slider to the far right
Applications
Set up your applications as required
Camera Options>Storage set to Memory card
Email Set up your login details to GMail
Calendar menu>settings>calendars untick My calendar, only showing my Google-side calendars. I also tick Lock time zone
Note: Your google calendar will only sync events 30 days prior to the current date. If you want to bring in events from further in the past from your google account onto your phone, then follow these steps
and any others relevant to you
That's about it. I know it looks quite a lot, but it can be all done and dusted in around 15 minutes. This I feel is a small price to pay for peace of mind and stability further down the line
People tend to grimace at the thought of it, but as long as you keep your contacts+calender centrally (ie. google) and have a titanium backup of your apps, then its no big deal. After a full wipe, I can usually get my phone back up to normality in around 15 minutes. And anyway, I like to use the setting up of the phone as a quick peek to see if there are any new features in the settings.
Preparation
Before doing the wipe, make sure you take the following precautionary steps:
1. Perform a Titanium backup to ensure you have the latest versions of your apps saved. Its a good idea to save your internet bookmarks here too.
2. Many apps have a backup/restore option so use this to back up your current settings (eg. JKay Deluxe settings, Go Launcher, Fancy Widgets, Simple Calendar etc.). Do this for such apps so that the settings can be easily restored later if required.
3. Make a Nandroid backup through CWM Recovery.
Be aware of any contacts with personalized ringtones etc. as these will have to be re-assigned after the wipe. There are apps on do download from the Play Store that can save these for you however.
Full Wipe
Boot into CWM recovery (with power off, hold VOL-UP+HOME+POWER) (in that order) Release keys as soon as the screen shows anything.
Wipe Data/factory reset
Wipe Cache
Wipe Dalvik-Cache
Wipe Battery Stats
Format /system
Alternatively, you can just run my GS2 ROM Nuke script
Neither of the above wipe methods wipes your internal card (/sdcard) as far as your personal files are concerned. GS2ROMNuke will wipe old application data off the internal SD Card so that your next ROM can start afresh after restoring your apps.
I think a factory format might wipe the /sdcard, but i'm not totally sure.
Factory Format: dial *2767*3855# ONLY USE AS LAST RESORT. AS SOON AS YOU PRESS THE "#" KEY, THERE'S NO GOING BACK!!!!!
(Personally I dont think wiping battery stats does anything whatsoever due to the nature of the GS2's fuel chip, but feel free to do it for completeness. I don't bother personally)
After this, you are in a position to flash your new ROM. Once flashed, here are the steps I perform.
Note: These steps are not a complete list of what you all should do, as everyone is different with differing applications and needs, but at least it should give you a starting point
Initial Setup
1. When you switch on your GS2 for the first time after a full wipe, you will be presented with the Welcome screen. Just tap the Android Man to configure
2. Click Sign in to sign into your Google account
3. Enter your Google account Username and Password and click Sign in Your phone will now begin to communicate with Google servers.
4. On the Use Google location screen I tick the 2 boxes (default)
5. On the Back up and restore screen I untick box 1 (Restore my Google account to this device) and tick box 2 (Keep this device backed up with my Google Account) I untick box 1 because I dont want the setup process to download my apps from the Market. I want to do this with Titanium Backup later. This is because: (a) Wireless has not been set up yet, and 3G will take a big hit, and (b) The automatic download from the Market is random at best. It will restore apps you downloaded (and uninstalled) ages ago, and the list is also incomplete.
6. Syncing will now take place. This will sync your contacts/calendar etc.. Click the Finish setup button. You will later need to assign any personal ringtones to your contacts as this does not get saved google-side.
You will now be presented with your first homescreen. Now to get everything back to normal.
Applications Restore
1. Set up your Wifi connection. (menu>settings>wireless+network>Wi-fi settings)
2. Allow Unknown sources to be installed (menu>settings>applications>Unknown sources)
3. In this screen, tap Development and ensure USB Debugging is enabled
4. If it doesn't come pre-bundled with your ROM, download Titanium Backup from the Market. Open it up.
5. Click the Backup/Restore tab
6. Click the tick box in the top right
7. Scroll down to Restore missing apps with data and click the Run button beside it.
8. Scroll through your apps, and make sure the apps you want restored are ticked.
9. Click the green tick at the top right of the screen. Your applications will now be restored. If you are using the free version of Titanium Backup, you will need to click the Install button one-by-one. After each, click Done Exit Titanium Backup when complete.
NOTE: You may find certain apps struggle if you restore the app with the data, depending on what firmware the Titanium Backup was taken on in comparison to the firmware you are restoring onto. It will always be much safer and reliable to only restore the app. If you know a certain application has its own settings backup, then it is better to restore the app, then restore the data from the restore option within the application itself. Basically the only way to know if your app+data restore will work is to try it. If you get odd results or FC's, uninstall it, and reinstall with only the app.
HomeScreens
1. If you use a different Launcher to the stock TouchWiz, it should now be selectable by pressing the Home key as it should have got restored in the above Titanium Backu restore operation. Select your required Launcher and tick Set as default
2. If your launcher supports saving, restore its settings (if not already done by the Titanium restore)
3. Set your wallpaper and lockscreen setup etc. if required.
4. Any widgets may need setting up again. These will appear as "Problem loading widget" on your homescreens. Just delete and add them again. If these have the facility to save their individual settings, then restore them
5. If you use JKay v13+, then restore your setting in the Deluxe app. On subsequent JKay versions you will have to reinstall your theme, and restore your settings through the app.
As far as overall look+feel goes, that's pretty much it.
Now all you need to do is go into your settings (menu>settings) and go through each in turn to suit your requirements:
Menu>Settings
Wireless+network
1. Wifi settings. I make sure sleep policy is set to Never when plugged in. Everything else I leave to default.
Call
1. Call alert. I tick Outgoing call vibration. Call status tones I tick Call connect tone in Alerts on call I tick Vibration
Sound
I set my Phone ringtone and Notification ringtone to suit.
Display
1. Screen Display. Font Style If you have installed a font pack, this will not get lost in the full wipe. Select your font as normal. I also set my Homescreen Wallpaper and Lockscreen wallpaper, and set my Clock position to Top.
Location and security
1. Under My Location tick the first 3 boxes. Normally the last box, Use sensor aiding, is not ticked by default.
Set up your lock screen if required (I never bother)
2. I tick Remote controls. This will allow remote packages such as Samsung Dive, Android Lost etc to work on your handset. You will need to set up your Samsung account login details when ticked.
Accounts and sync
I untick Auto-sync
Motion
Un-tick Motion activation
Language and keyboard
1. Select input method to Swype
2. Speed vs. accuracy. Set the slider to the far right
Applications
Set up your applications as required
Camera Options>Storage set to Memory card
Email Set up your login details to GMail
Calendar menu>settings>calendars untick My calendar, only showing my Google-side calendars. I also tick Lock time zone
Note: Your google calendar will only sync events 30 days prior to the current date. If you want to bring in events from further in the past from your google account onto your phone, then follow these steps
and any others relevant to you
That's about it. I know it looks quite a lot, but it can be all done and dusted in around 15 minutes. This I feel is a small price to pay for peace of mind and stability further down the line
