Root How to create a nandroid backup using CWM guide

[txwolf1980]

This guide will instruct on how to create a nandroid using cwm

a couple of things first:
1. Nandroid simply backs up system and data. it does NOT back up your kernel or modem.
2. For the reasons in note 1, you can only recover to a nandroid on the same build as the one you are on (EC07 - ECO7, EC03 - EC03, and DL17 - DL17). If you try to back up to an EC03 nandroid from an EC07 build, you will softbrick until you flash the proper kernel.

Also, this guide assumes that you are already rooted, and have CWM working on your phone. If not, there are a couple of guides to get you here.

What you need:
Nothing that you don't already have.

What to do:
1. reboot int recovery by powering down, then power back on holding vol up, vol down, and power at the same time. This will boot you into stock recovery.
2. using volume down, highlight 'apply sdcard:update.zip' and select by using the menu button (or where it would be).
3. you should now be in cwm recovery. Depending on which one you are using, the text will either be red or cyan in color. highlight 'backup/restore' using volume keys and select with POWER button.
4. select backup
The back up will start, and will take around 5-10 minutes to complete (depending on how much stuff you have in /data)
5. Once it is done, it will go back to the main cwm menu. Select 'reboot phone now' with power button.

you are done.
This is pretty simple and innocuous. But, as always, ask before you start.

 

[Roze]

A bit late, but nice post txwolf

 

[txwolf1980]

Lol. Look at the date. This, and almost every other post I made on here was an attempt ri breath some life into the forums, and cater to beginners. 95% of the posts are doa., so I have up on it. But thanks.

 

[Roze]

Lol. Look at the date. This, and almost every other post I made on here was an attempt ri breath some life into the forums, and cater to beginners. 95% of the posts are doa., so I have up on it. But thanks.

I saw, that's why I said, 'a bit late' I like your instructions, it's very simple and easy to understand. It took me awhile to understand how to do a Nandroid backup because the instructions I've read on the net were a bit wordy/complicated after my first root.

If I see something good, I think appreciation should be given where it's deserved (even IF it's OLD)

 

[txwolf1980]

I saw, that's why I said, 'a bit late' I like your instructions, it's very simple and easy to understand. It took me awhile to understand how to do a Nandroid backup because the instructions I've read on the net were a bit wordy/complicated after my first root.

If I see something good, I think appreciation should be given where it's deserved (even IF it's OLD)

Well, I appreciate the support. I'm glad that it was easy to understand - even though you already know what you are doing.

 

[francoisboris]

Hey, I've done that, but I can't find my backup. Also, I installed a new rom ( wiped data, dalvik cache, etc ) and now my Galaxy SII only has 7.2 GBs remaining, and it had 9 before i installed this new rom. Can someone help me find my backup file? Thanks guys!

 

[txwolf1980]

Hey, I've done that, but I can't find my backup. Also, I installed a new rom ( wiped data, dalvik cache, etc ) and now my Galaxy SII only has 7.2 GBs remaining, and it had 9 before i installed this new rom. Can someone help me find my backup file? Thanks guys!

Did you make it with clock work? If so, there will be a folder on your sdcard that says "clockworkmod". It will be in there. Do not do anything to modify that file, though. It will invalidate the md5 hash, and make it unflashable. As for the storage issue, I can't be sure without looking at it. 1.8 gigs us far bigger than any rom would ever be.

 

[zamkat]

How can I copy the backup to the SD card or my computer? Where is the file located?

 

[txwolf1980]

How can I copy the backup to the SD card or my computer? Where is the file located?

Its already on your sdcard. In /clockworkmod/backup. You will se a folder with a bunch of numbers. That is the date code. In that folder are the individual components that make up the backup. If you want to back that up to your computer, drag that entire folder (the one with the date code) to your computer. You don't need to back it up to your sdcard because its already there. And cwm wouldn't see it if it was in any other folder on your sdcard, anyway.

 

[Ospreyguy]

So I just completed a backup on my SGS3 and while it did say backup complete and there is a backup in my clockworkmod folder I got an error saying no internal sd card skipping internal sd card (or something like that) and then it said the same thing about the ext-sd.

Should I be concerned or is it still good?

 

[txwolf1980]

So I just completed a backup on my SGS3 and while it did say backup complete and there is a backup in my clockworkmod folder I got an error saying no internal sd card skipping internal sd card (or something like that) and then it said the same thing about the ext-sd.

Should I be concerned or is it still good?

You ate fine. That phone has an external sdcard, not internal. And the ext-sd I'd simply another format of an internal sdcard.

 

[Ospreyguy]

You ate fine. That phone has an external sdcard, not internal. And the ext-sd I'd simply another format of an internal sdcard.

Great thanks!

 

[vmbridun]

That didn't work for my Kyocera Rise. I booted into recovery and there was no way to create a nandroid backup. i could wipe/reset and reboot.

 

[txwolf1980]

That didn't work for my Kyocera Rise. I booted into recovery and there was no way to create a nandroid backup. i could wipe/reset and reboot.

This was made for clockwork mod vision recovery. If you have a stock recovery, it won't have the option to nandroid

 

[valapsp]

This was made for clockwork mod vision recovery. If you have a stock recovery, it won't have the option to nandroid

I backed up two times but they're not showing up in clockworkmod directory. I can't find them help please. Stock Android 4.2.2 on Franco kernel.

[EDIT] after an hour of confusion I finally found the directory. mnt/shell/emulated/clockworkmod/backup
So strange, why don't backups simply go to sdcard/clockworkmod/backup?

 

[Helron]

When I first started flashing, I was very confused by the term SDCARD. Why: Because it can be confused with and External/Removable card or a "non removal" area on the phone itself.

I had a Moto Droid, which showed internal storage (on my SIM), andother referred to SDCard, which was the phone's actual storage, and then I added a removal SDCard, which was listed as an SDCard!

Talk about a noob being confused! I was going nuts! Finaally, I added a folder on the ext. card and named it 32GB. So, when I looked in any file manager or USB hookup, I immediately was able to identify the EXT vs. what I deem the internal SD card storage on the phone.

This helped with my backups, and I hope it help u understand that naming is not always consistent. If you are tooted, download ES file explorer and Rom Toolbox. They are great, and allow u view the true directory structure of your phone. This will help u to identify where files are stored w/o using usb hookup. Also Rom Toolbox allowed me to delete a very hidden app that wouldn't allow me to re-download app from the Playstore! After 2 hours of research, a poster said to use RomToolbox, I had it, and guess what! Found the hanging file, and deleted it.

As always, be careful, and if u root, you should know basic directory structure. If nit, "tryer beware". Good luck and hope this helps.