Topic: ?save & restore "desktop" icons, shortcuts, folders & gadgets: HOW? WHERE? WHAT?

[devnullius]

Upgrading my i9300 from 4.1.2 to 4.2.2 gives me lots of problems

I must consider myself "newbie" to Android - if only for lack of experience.

BUT: how what where are the desktop items stored?? Same question for shortcuts, folders & gadgets.

If you have a lot of apps (say, more than 10 ;p) and have it organized neatly in folders, all on their logical screen ("desktop") with their own gadgets... When you restore all your apps after a new clean ROM, how do you restore your screens layout and contents??

I know Titanium Backup does the job. BUT...

I had many problems upgrading from 4.1.2 to 4.2.2.

I determined that was mostly caused by pseudo system apps.
Things like Google Voice, Google Search, Google, Google, Yahoo and some more Google * Titanium would crash while restoring, with no apparent logic.
So after testing for a few days, I last night decided to restore everything (user + system apps + data) EXCEPT for everything marked in "red" in Titanium ***.
Because all things marked "red" seem to be "special" programs. Those programs should already be included in the new ROM (or at the very least: can always be easily installed afterwards!).

This time restoration worked like a charm - except for all my screens: they stayed 'virgin'-like :s No folders, no shortcuts, no nothing :s

I also sent out a support request with Titanium (see next reply). If anyone else can shed some (technical) light on all this... Much appreciated!

PS: I guess folders, icons etc are all properties for / within the Apps data itself...? So restoring Apps with Data SHOULD restore my screens settings too...? Guess not ; -)

Karma

Devvie


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*** items marked in red? FROM: http://www.droidsage.com/guides/day-3-titanium-backup-application-settings/
"System Apps – These are the applications that either came with your device or were pre-compiled in your ROM. Usually these are marked in red text in the Titanium Backup application list"

[devnullius]

Support Request Titanium Backup:

"Hello,

In short: I restored all apps & settings & system data EXCEPT everything that was in a "red" colour - I deselected those.

All my apps have been restored BUT not the icons & folders I created to organize everything.

WHAT ITEM SHOULD BE RESTORED THAT CONTAINS THE DESKTOP SETTINGS, SHORTCUTS, FOLDERS & ICONS??

Thank you very much?!!

nuis,
NL (devnullius)"

[jheysen]

That's the Launcher App Data you want back..
One of the reasons I don't like Touchwiz at all :p

[devnullius]

Please, entertain this old lady & elaborate...

devnullius

[jheysen]

Back when I had my I5510, tuchwiz would always fail lo add icons to the apps I had moved to the SD, and needed to kill the launcher and restart it for them to appear, however any other launcher had this problem.
I used Go Launcher first, very customizable, but turned to be quite heavy. Since then I've been using Holo Launcher, and works like a charm..
About moving data arround..
Holo and Touchwiz (and many launchers) store their configuration on ther app data. Go Launcher uses the SD Card :p
So, you can backup the app data..no warraties about it being accepted across verions tough :p

[devnullius]

Still misty... But getting there, I hope

Some snippets...

------------------------
I can assure you if we reversed the roles and Cyanogenmod was the default skin on all Samsung devices, people would dislike it.  If Touchwiz was available in a flashable ROM it would be one of the most loved ROM’s available today based on all of its unique features.
---
(http://thedroideffect.com/why-mobile-geeks-dislike-touchwiz/)

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Now I think about it the option you want is My Backup Root, Backup, Data, Local, Android Home (when told: You can backup folder/app icons, but not widgets for some reason.) - User Rohboat, 5215 posts, 2012-Aug-3, 9:27 pm
---
(http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=1957408 - How do I backup my home-screen layout, I'm on the stock touchwiz launcher with the SGS3)

------------------------
TouchWiz: Advanced yet simple user control
TouchWiz is Samsung's user interface. It is the easier way to use your device or tablet, giving you intuitive handling of everyday tasks or advanced ones. You can use and create shortcuts to the things you use the most - and control your device with touch and gesture.
---
(http://www.samsung.com/uk/mobileappsandservices/touchwiz.html)

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AppZorter: Only for SAMSUNG devices!!!
AppZorter provides you the easiest way to rearrange icons at TouchWiz/TwLauncher application drawer.
AND:
• Sorting folders and its' contents by title
• Setting folders position
---
(https://play.google.com/store/search?q=appzorter+touchwiz&c=apps - not tested by me yet!)
(Also see: http://www.demidoes.net/?p=82#comment-278)
------------------------

Karma,

devnullius

[devnullius]

Thanks to Fintech's feedback, I did some more research.

Android (Samsung) phones running on Samsung's TouchWiz can backup and restore all their settings for their Home screens with:

                                         MyBackup Pro

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rerware.android.MyBackupPro


As a backup program, it is not good. Also the online storage you receive is very limited. When you run the backup, the program needs to stay focussed, or backup will be aborted. That's BAD :(

BUT when you buy the program (PayPal is possible), you get just enough storage to backup your Home settings. Other programs can do your complete (online) backup much better, and for free. I might collect some of those tools some day and post it somewhere... :)


HOW TO BACKUP / RESTORE Home Settings???

Start MyBackup Pro

New Backup
Data
chose: local (/mnt/extSdCard) OR Online (my choice)
chose: Android Home (better yet: just press "Select All" and be done with it ;p)
Ok
Adjust backup name when needed. Avoid spaces.
Ok and watch progress :)


I have yet to confirm if Widgets will be restored too... Not that there are many to restore! So I am happy :)


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I still want to check out AppZorter... Anyone willing to accept PayPal donations for this? ; -)
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I'm keeping a VERY CLOSE eye on the development of ZipMe (beta). ZIPme is a powerful tool to create update ZIP packages to install in recovery. Whether you are a ROM developer or just getting into "root" and "ROMs" ZIPme can simplify your life. https://play.google.com/store/search?q=zipme+jrummy&c=apps .
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Karma

Devvie


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——
All spelling mistakes are my own and may only be distributed under the GNU General Public License! – (© 95-1 by Coredump; 2-013 by DevNullius)