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SD Folders & Root Access

ouch1976

ouch1976

Android Enthusiast
Here's a hypothetical situation that I'm trying to figure out:

Step 1: Buy a new phone, unlock the bootloader, root it, and put a custom recovery (TWRP or CWM) on it.

Step 2: Make a full backup (presumably saved in TWRP or CWM folder on SD)

Step 3: Revert back to stock and unroot the device.

Step 4: Re-root the device and reinstall a custom recovery.

After step 4, would that original backup reappear or did it get wiped upon flashing the stock factory image and unrooting the device?

Thanks in advance.
 
Wiping during ROM installs do not touch the contents on the SD card. Only the internal storage is wiped.
 
The answer is ... it depends.

It would depend on the brand, the rom and the version of Android. With Jelly bean, the system and internal storage volumes are virtualized so any reset or reflash will recreate them and everything will be lost. There were also some issues with CWM and Jelly Bean where nandroids get saved in unexpected places, mostly because of the multi user ability.

Here's what you want to do. Go ahead and root your phone and install custom recovery. Make a note of the version of that recover and keep a copy of the files you used to flash it. Make a backup of stock and copy the resulting files/folders to a location OFF the internal storage. If your device has an SD slot, you can just copy them to the external SD. If not, copy them to a PC.

Now go ahead and flash your roms and get your device setup however you want. When it's got a configuration you like, back it up (nandroid) and copy those files off too. You may keep as many backups as you have room for, just make sure you know which is which. ;)

Now, if you, for whatever reason, go back to stock and unroot. If you ever want to restore any of the backups, you reflash the custom recover (same version as used for the backup) and then move the files back to their original location on the device. Restore and you should be good to go. :)
 
So if they are placed on internal storage, wouldn't that get wiped when you flash the factory image?
 
OK, another scenario...

You buy a device that was known to be rooted at one point, but has since been returned to stock. If you decide to root it, would you be able to see previous backups?
 
If the folders still exist and the recovery installed is compatible, yes. However, the assumption would be that if you are able to root and flash custom firmware, then you understand the security issues and assume the risk.

Most people who sell rooted devices with reformat the partitions just make sure they are wiped clean.
 
Is there any way to tell before rooting if the folders will be there? I assume from your previous explanations the answer is no...
 
I'm not sure I understand. Prior to rooting and loading a custom recovery, there really wouldn't be any folders or backup. In many cases rooting involves unlocking the bootloader which will force a factory reset. Once rooted, you can perform a backup of stock, copy it off to a safe location and begin flashing custom firmware.
 
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