Root [Guide] The quickest way to switch ROMs using xRecovery (Backup/Restore)

[CuBz]

I POSTED THIS ON XDA A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AND NOTICED SOME PEOPLE WANTED TO KNOW ON HERE...SO HERE IT IS

Here is a small step by step guide explaining how to quickly switch ROMs on the xperia x10, for people that don't know how to.

As far as I know, this is the closest thing to a dual-boot, as dual-boot isn't possible atm, but it is very easy and quick to do

1) Boot xRecovery
2) Go to backup/restore
3) Choose Backup and wait for the backup to complete
4) On your SD Card, locate to xrecovery/backup and rename your backup to something you will remember, making sure not to have any spaces in the name, as this will show a mismatch error.
5) Now you can wipe the phone and install whichever other ROM you want.
Setup your new ROM with all your contacts, apps, etc.

6) When you want to go back to your original ROM that you had in the first place, follow steps 1 to 4 above to backup your new ROM

7) Then wipe your phone in xrecovery again, and go to backup/restore, choose restore, and choose the folder you backed up earlier
8) Now your phone will be back to the way it was before you wiped it in the first place.

9)now you can use these 2 backups, and easily switch between the two, by restoring a ROM when you need to

That is what I do and its very quick, and easy to do

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS QUICKEST WHEN USING ROMS THAT WORK ON THE SAME BASEBAND! NOT ALL ROMS WORK ON THE SAME BASEBAND!

 

[baz@gmx.co.uk]

.

9)now you can use these 2 backups, and easily switch between the two, by restoring a ROM when you need to

That is what I do and its very quick, and easy to do

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS QUICKEST WHEN USING ROMS THAT WORK ON THE SAME BASEBAND! NOT ALL ROMS WORK ON THE SAME BASEBAND!

+1
Exactly how i do it now, and once your ROMs are saved the whole process takes 5ish mins (to switch ROMs) Nice guide Cubz

Please do note the comment about Baseband, first time (after latest update) i switched to a ROM with a different Baseband i got into BootLoops!! Scary if you've not had the problem before: BUT, if you do make this mistake you can re-flash still, so don't panic!!!

 

[highaltitude]

cool thanks for the step by step. What does the wipe option do? I always got scared when it says wipe all user data or whatever so I never used that portion.

 

[baz@gmx.co.uk]

Yep, it is a bit intimidating! I does what it says on the tin, so any saved contacts, sms/mms and app data etc will be wiped, i think it's a bit like a factory reset.

This step is not needed to switch ROMs, but is when installing a new one (some ROMs that are installed via the back-up/restore method may need this step - as well as clear dalvik cache) If in doubt, back-up first (always recommended) and check on here for answers!!

Some custom ROMs will 'format' the data/system etc as part of the install
Themes tend not to, but always read the Rom/Theme OP to be sure, and if in doubt - ask the maker!!

 

[magentarain]

this might be a stupid question but do all the contacts/apps/settings get restored when we use the backup/restore option in Xrecovery?thanks!

 

[Z3US]

this might be a stupid question but do all the contacts/apps/settings get restored when we use the backup/restore option in Xrecovery?thanks!

yes...!!!

 

[magentarain]

how about the previously saved messages...etc? i want to lend my friend my phone for a week but can't find a way to backup everything besides using xRecovery

 

[powerkiter]

It will save everything! Just go into advanced restore and restore data only.

I did this when I went from a stock 2.1 to blue spark, it have me everything back including my angry birds game data right down to my desktop layout to security pattern.

 

[JDwan]

It will save everything! Just go into advanced restore and restore data only.

I did this when I went from a stock 2.1 to blue spark, it have me everything back including my angry birds game data right down to my desktop layout to security pattern.

This is what I do too and it works great. Though I often backup my messages and contacts using MyBackup Root as well (mostly out of paranoia though).

 

[sabanguvenc]

I POSTED THIS ON XDA A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AND NOTICED SOME PEOPLE WANTED TO KNOW ON HERE...SO HERE IT IS

Here is a small step by step guide explaining how to quickly switch ROMs on the xperia x10, for people that don't know how to.

As far as I know, this is the closest thing to a dual-boot, as dual-boot isn't possible atm, but it is very easy and quick to do

1) Boot xRecovery
2) Go to backup/restore
3) Choose Backup and wait for the backup to complete
4) On your SD Card, locate to xrecovery/backup and rename your backup to something you will remember, making sure not to have any spaces in the name, as this will show a mismatch error.
5) Now you can wipe the phone and install whichever other ROM you want.
Setup your new ROM with all your contacts, apps, etc.

6) When you want to go back to your original ROM that you had in the first place, follow steps 1 to 4 above to backup your new ROM

7) Then wipe your phone in xrecovery again, and go to backup/restore, choose restore, and choose the folder you backed up earlier
8) Now your phone will be back to the way it was before you wiped it in the first place.

9)now you can use these 2 backups, and easily switch between the two, by restoring a ROM when you need to

That is what I do and its very quick, and easy to do

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS QUICKEST WHEN USING ROMS THAT WORK ON THE SAME BASEBAND! NOT ALL ROMS WORK ON THE SAME BASEBAND!

I renamed them wiht no spaces or special characters but it gives me md5 mismatch error. Before I renamed, I could restore it but I cant restore now. Also I dont know how to fix it.

 

[Ravvie]

i know this maybe a fairly old thread but iv just completed the steps as so and i got the jist of it first time, one problem tho!

ive lost all my photos and videos and ill be honest there quite important! is there anyway im doing something wrong at all! i did back up before hand? iv gone back obviously to the previous stage now!

thanks in advance and appreciate ur help!

 

[CuBz]

This does not backup your SDCard

 

[glennster]

What are the most stable ROMS for x10?