Tag Archives: android

Extract Android backup

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https://stackoverflow.com/questions/18533567/how-to-extract-or-unpack-an-ab-file-android-backup-file

Install Android Backup Toolkit

wget https://downloads.sourceforge.net/project/adbextractor/android-backup-tookit-20180521.zip
unzip android-backup-tookit-20180521.zip
cd android-backup-tookit/android-backup-extractor/android-backup-extractor-20180521-bin

Unpack backup. Changes it from an ab to a tar file

java -jar abe.jar unpack ~/path/to/backup.ab ~/path/to/backup.tar

After thats complete, you can untar it. Change Desktop to the path you want to extract to.

tar -xvf ~/path/to/backup.tar -C ~/Desktop/

LineageOS Updater crashing when trying to install update

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The LineageOS Updater downloads updates fine, but crashes as soon as you hit Install.

Looks like there may be a bug that has something to do with an update that it already downloaded and installed, but waiting on the device to reboot.

Reboot the device to resolve the issue.

Other things to try would include deleting and redownloading the update and/or trying a different update.

Unlock bootloader on Google Pixel (Sailfish)

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Enable developer options By going to

Settings > System > About Phone > Developer options (Tap 7 times)

Enable OEM unlock in Developer settings

Reboot into recovery

If your one Verizon you may need to go through a couple extra steps to get the oem unlock to show up in the developer settings. More info here

Boot into twrp

fastboot img twrp.iso

Select the option in TWRP to sideload and sideload the Lineage iso

adb sideload lineage

Reboot install GAPPS

adb sideload gapps.zip

Backup Android with adb on Windows

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Install SDK

Install Android Studio. This will install the SDK and tools like adb and fastboot

Download from here

To run adb, you’ll need to be in the same directory as it, so open a Command Prompt and cd to the following directory.

cd %APPDATA%..\Local\Android\Sdk\platform-tools

Full directory path is 

C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Local\Android\Sdk\platform-tools

Backup Android

On your Android device you will need to enable USB debugging from the developer options. Enable the developer options if you have not already.

When you plug your phone in it should ask you to Allow USB debugging. Hit OK to enable it.

Now run the backup command from your computer. Replace UserName with your computers User Name

adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f \Users\UserName\Desktop\android-backup.ab

On your phone you should get a window that shows Full Backup

Add optional password for backup and hit “Back up my data on phone”

Now Wait for it to finish…

Restore Backup

adb restore C:\Users\UserName\android-backup.ab

Should get a restore window on your phone, hit restore and wait.

Errors

error: device unauthorized.
This adb server's $ADB_VENDOR_KEYS is not set
Try 'adb kill-server' if that seems wrong.
Otherwise check for a confirmation dialog on your device.

USB Debugging is not allowed for computer. Try replugging the USB cable and accepting the USB Debugging.

Install LineageOS on Google Pixel (Sailfish)

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Just some notes on trying to install LineageOS on Google Pixel.

Basic install steps

  1. Unlock bootloader
  2. Boot into TWRP
  3. Wipe System and format
  4. Push LineageOS zip via adb (or other methods)
  5. Install LineageOS zip
  6. (Optional) Reboot back into TWRP and install Gapps
  7. Reboot (should boot into Lineage.  If not, try changing a/b)

Lineage 15 Official

Install guide is here.  Here are some extra notes.

Google Recovery Images (Helpful if you didn’t create a backup…)  https://developers.google.com/android/images

LineageOS Download link
https://download.lineageos.org/sailfish

Lineage OS 16 Unofficial

Helpful Links

https://forum.xda-developers.com/pixel-xl/development/rom-lineage-16-0-pixels-sailfish-marlin-t3830083

https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=78350286&postcount=579

Other Notes

ADB and fastboot should be in the following directory.  May need to install them if they are not.

cd %userprofile%\appdata\local\Android\Sdk\platform-tools

Boot TWRP image using fastboot.  Run from the bootloader menu, should automatically load.

fastboot boot twrp.img

Seems like there can be some issues with the Pixel and it swapping A/B on boot.  You can use TWRP to reboot into A or B, or set it with fastboot

fastboot --set-active=b

Apparently a/b devices will show up as no os installed in TWRP

TWRP says no OS installed, system boot loops from LineageOS

Backup and restore

You can use adb to create a backup of your phone.  Not sure what all it backs up.  Once restored pictures, background, and other files seem to be there.

Backup with

adb backup -apk -shared -all -f \Path\to\folder\backup_name.ab

Restore backup with 

adb restore \Path\to\folder\backup_name.ab