Backup e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g

[LucasBS]

As the title says, I need to backup everything


That means:

• bios
• firmware
• bootloader
• recovery
• (whatever those four are)
• and last, but not least, the operational system

These backups can be performed separate, with different tools and all. But being able to backup only one of those and not the others is useless, or is already described on other forums.

In the latter case (pointing different tools, or linking to another forum), make sure you make clear which of the items on the list is backed up (rectify the list, if it's wrong or bloated).


The phone is a Moto E with Locked bootloader

I cannot fancy losing the warranty


And, if for a miracle all those above are possible, how can I

• ensure the backups are perfect
• put them back to the phone later (after rooted)

As a third bonus, for other people, try to be generic, making this tutorial apply to more than one phone.

 

[Hadron]

The trouble is that the tools and techniques normally do only apply to one phone. So I can be generic and explain concepts, but it won't tell you how to actually do it for any particular phone.

The closest you can get is to back up ROM and apps/data using a custom recovery. This is what's called a "nandroid backup". Of course to install a custom recovery requires unlocking the bootloader, and on many phones that will wipe the phone in the process. So you should back up your apps & data first. Note "many phones", because the tools and methods differ between phones (or software versions of the same phone) so there are exceptions.

Of course installing a custom recovery also overwrites the stock one. You may be able to do the backup without actually installing the custom recovery using fastboot over USB and the "fastboot boot" command to boot temporarily using a custom recovery image, but not all phones let you. You'd still need to unlock the bootloader first. The recovery must be built specifically for your phone model - there are no generic custom recoveries, and using the wrong one is big trouble.

So as you may have guessed from the above you can't back up your bootloader or recovery. Your best bet is to learn how to reflash with a full set of stock firmware before starting is that's what you want. Again that depends on manufacturer, model and network - no generic solution.

On the plus side, there would be no point backing up the bootloader - if you mess that up badly the phone would be a brick anyway and there would be no way of restoring! Fortunately it's very hard to do that on most phones.

Finally some phones have e-fuses or root counts which are hard to reset and may affect warranty. Again, device specific and carrier policies vary too.

Bottom line: there's no alternative but to visit the device forum and find out how to do these things for your specific model.

 

[LucasBS]

Meh
I thought I could push the bootloader back in, on a brick scenario
That's why the bootloader backup.
:/
Too bad


The phone arrived today. There would be no problem on wiping data.

Didn't install anything on it yet. The backup was the first thing I had in mind. And I wanted that backup to be "virgin"... "original"... no modification or personal data.

I think clockwork has a recovery for this phone, and I have the USBs, but then comes the locked problem

It is so irritating and stupid this no rooting policy !


I am thinking about rooting and putting a Cyanogen, but only closer to the warranty expiration.



Heading now to Motorola's forum to ask this same question.


Thanks for the big tip.

 

[Hadron]

Well if you can get the tool to flash a set of official firmware you don't need a backup of the original setup as you can just reinstall that. Then it's just a question of whether that phone has a permanent "this has been modified" counter somewhere and whether there's a way of resetting that.

Good luck with the device experts - hope someone has the answers you want

 

[mikedt]

Meh
I thought I could push the bootloader back in, on a brick scenario
That's why the bootloader backup.
:/
Too bad


The phone arrived today. There would be no problem on wiping data.

Didn't install anything on it yet. The backup was the first thing I had in mind. And I wanted that backup to be "virgin"... "original"... no modification or personal data.

I think clockwork has a recovery for this phone, and I have the USBs, but then comes the locked problem

It is so irritating and stupid this no rooting policy !

It's really for the benefit of regular non-technical users, as well as ease of customer support. Users can't get into trouble with bricked devices when they screw things up. IMO not much different to "No user serviceable parts inside" or "Warranty void if opened." People like my father and sister usually buy subsidised and locked phones and just use them as they come. They don't even know what "root" is. And if the phone malfunctions or goes dead, they let the carrier and/or manufacturer deal with it.

I am thinking about rooting and putting a Cyanogen, but only closer to the warranty expiration.

My father or sister would certainly never do anything like that...

There are phones where the manufacturers do encourage rooting, changing ROMs, customising etc, but you have to go out of your way to find one. They're not available carrier subsidised, e.g. FairPhone, OnePlus, Xiaomi and Oppo, which you will NOT find at Verizon or whatever.

 

[EarlyMon]

Sprint is fine with it, so are others.

For rooting info on the Moto E please visit http://androidforums.com/moto-e-all-things-root/