Difference between nandroid backup & Titanium backup?

emigre · Nov 27, 2010

Hi everyone,

I'm pretty confused of the difference between a nandroid backup and Titanium backup.

My understanding is:
nandroid = kind of a restore point for the phone with all system, apps and user data.
Titanium backup = same thing, but with options to choose what to back up.

So why do you need 2 of the same thing if they both perform exactly the same thing? Eventually, we'll probably be using the backup to restore those datas in case we want to flash new ROMs.

Am I missing something here?

Thank you for the info!

zervic · Nov 28, 2010

emigre said:
Hi everyone,

I'm pretty confused of the difference between a nandroid backup and Titanium backup.

My understanding is:
nandroid = kind of a restore point for the phone with all system, apps and user data.
Titanium backup = same thing, but with options to choose what to back up.

So why do you need 2 of the same thing if they both perform exactly the same thing? Eventually, we'll probably be using the backup to restore those datas in case we want to flash new ROMs.

Am I missing something here?

Thank you for the info!

You don't need two of the same thing. I haven't used titanium but nandroid is a, if you will, what-you-see-is-what-you-get backup....what I mean by this is it will back up your phone in the exact state it is...you can't choose to exclude this or that, etc. I prefer mybackup pro because the one time I used titanium I couldn't figure out what to do cuz the GUI was so scrub. That's just me tho.

Sent From My HTC Aria Using XDA App

blindfusion · Nov 28, 2010

I think the main difference is that nandroid will restore everything back the way it was through recovery. With Titanium Backup, you can backup your apps+data and restore them if you flash a new ROM. So like if you upgrade to the latest version of CM6 or Liberated, you can carry your apps over. If you restore the nandroid, it will restore the old ROM too.

emigre · Nov 28, 2010

Thanks for the response guys.

@blindfusion: I think you just pointed out the main difference there. I didn't think of it that way, the old ROM would also be flashed!

@zervic: Now I think I'll need to get my hands on a backup app. Will check out backup Pro!

Thanks again!

FZ1Darren · Nov 28, 2010

under nandroid/advanced restore, there's an option to restore data. not sure how it differs from titanium. i think titanium let's you pick the apps to back up. nandroid just backs up everything.

emigre · Nov 30, 2010

So does nandroid also give us the option to restore data (ie. Saved apps, datas, etc) under advanced without flashing the old ROM back in?
For example if i were to flash a newer ROM (FR007 for instance), then i'd be able to have access and restore ALL the backed up data in nandroid? And have a newer version of the OS?
Am i missing something here? I guess i just want to keep my aria light and avoid installing apps i absoloutely do not need. To keep it zippy and maintain precious internal memory.
Thanks again everyone!

Sent from my HTC Liberty using XDA App

FZ1Darren · Nov 30, 2010

that's how i've restored apps/data after updating rom.

emigre · Dec 1, 2010

Thanks for the confirmation Darren!

androidlover123 · Jun 2, 2011

Just to confirm that means that if I use titanium backup, it can backup the exact same things as Nandroid backup but you can use it for your new ROM?

mtnlion · Jun 2, 2011

No titanium backs up app and their data only.nandroid is a full system image.

Sent from my Liberty using XDA App

STaria · Jun 2, 2011

androidlover123 said:
Just to confirm that means that if I use titanium backup, it can backup the exact same things as Nandroid backup but you can use it for your new ROM?

Always make both before flashing a new ROM. If everything goes according to plan, run Titanium to restore all your apps into the new ROM. If something goes wrong, you can use Nandroid to restore your phone to pre-flash state.

Also, you should copy the Nandroid file to your computer. If your phone is ever lost or stolen and you get a new one, you can restore it to your old phone's image.

seboj · Jun 2, 2011

NANDroid backup is a complete image of your phone: the OS, apps, data, everything. So if you screw up your phone, like making it unbootable, or accidentally wiping it clean, you can restore the image and everything will be back to the way it was when you did the backup.

Titanium Backup is an app in your OS that backs up other apps, their data, and some system data / user settings. It's usually used, for example, for restoring apps and their data after a clean install, where you've wiped everything clean.

The two options are fundamentally different, but do have some overlap.

unsivil_audio · Jun 4, 2011

I've never got nandroid backup to work for me personally. Always comes up, "backup not found".

Sent from my Liberty using XDA Premium App

silentsigma · Nov 11, 2011

glad i read this thread. it clear up a lot of questions i have.

the only other question i want to ask is what is difference between ClockWorkMod and Nandroid backup?

I heard CWM is an Nandroid backup so does this mean Nandroid backup is a general term for system back up ? or is it an actual program?

Theonew · Nov 11, 2011

silentsigma said:
glad i read this thread. it clear up a lot of questions i have.

the only other question i want to ask is what is difference between ClockWorkMod and Nandroid backup?

I heard CWM is an Nandroid backup so does this mean Nandroid backup is a general term for system back up ? or is it an actual program?

You heard wrong about ClockworkMod. ClockworkMod is a recovery. Nandroid backup is not an actual program, but a backup of your entire system which can be done through ClockworkMod (it's an option).

silentsigma · Nov 11, 2011

thanks. that answer all of my backup questions.

orb3000 · Nov 15, 2011

Thread moved to Q&A

Dissaor · Jun 14, 2012

Theonew said:
You heard wrong about ClockworkMod. ClockworkMod is a recovery. Nandroid backup is not an actual program, but a backup of your entire system which can be done through ClockworkMod (it's an option).

Sorry still unclear for me, so if i have CWM i will go to recovery and there i can performe the backup right?

that copies the nandroid to my Sd card? and that image is flasheable image? is that correct? sorry if any of those is a stupid question :S

Edit: Nevermind, i found a guide here that is good for newbies like me, but thanks anyway

ferns_mccanus · Feb 15, 2013

Sorry for necro'ing this thread, but at least it's better than making a new one!

From what I've read in this thread, I understand a bit better about the difference.

I've also read that it's important to save nandroid back up on PC in case you lose your phone.

Therein lies my next 2 questions.

1. If I want to use a nandroid backup on the replacement, it should be exactly the same phone, otherwise there might be a problem with the compatibility of the ROM stored in the nandroid and the phone. Right?

2. If I want to use a titanium backup on the replacement, I can use it on any phone, except I should not restore the SYSTEM apps. Right?

If (2) is correct, then we should also keep a titanium backup on the PC?

Part of my reason is also, I plan to switch from Desire HD to SGS3 and I hope to keep both pretty similar with slightly different interface. I plan to root my SGS3 and use titanium to restore some things from my DHD to SGS3. Using a nandroid on the new SGS3 will be a FATAL mistake right?

I know this is not a DHD forum, but the technicalities are the same, so I hope it's no offense asking these questions here!

---------- Post added at 01:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:48 PM ----------

Oops forgot to add!

I'm using 4ext instead of CWM. In a brief reading, I've found that 4ext has it's own backup which is not nandroid. But backing up from 4ext is the same as doing a nandroid backup? In which case, every "nandroid" in the earlier post can just be replaced with "4ext backup" accordingly.

If this is a stupid question, just scold me, I'm still learning and asking as I'm reading. Just trying not to create new threads.

Theonew · Feb 15, 2013

ferns_mccanus said:
Sorry for necro'ing this thread, but at least it's better than making a new one!

From what I've read in this thread, I understand a bit better about the difference.

I've also read that it's important to save nandroid back up on PC in case you lose your phone.

Therein lies my next 2 questions.

1. If I want to use a nandroid backup on the replacement, it should be exactly the same phone, otherwise there might be a problem with the compatibility of the ROM stored in the nandroid and the phone. Right?

2. If I want to use a titanium backup on the replacement, I can use it on any phone, except I should not restore the SYSTEM apps. Right?

If (2) is correct, then we should also keep a titanium backup on the PC?

Part of my reason is also, I plan to switch from Desire HD to SGS3 and I hope to keep both pretty similar with slightly different interface. I plan to root my SGS3 and use titanium to restore some things from my DHD to SGS3. Using a nandroid on the new SGS3 will be a FATAL mistake right?

I know this is not a DHD forum, but the technicalities are the same, so I hope it's no offense asking these questions here!

---------- Post added at 01:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:48 PM ----------

Oops forgot to add!

I'm using 4ext instead of CWM. In a brief reading, I've found that 4ext has it's own backup which is not nandroid. But backing up from 4ext is the same as doing a nandroid backup? In which case, every "nandroid" in the earlier post can just be replaced with "4ext backup" accordingly.

If this is a stupid question, just scold me, I'm still learning and asking as I'm reading. Just trying not to create new threads.

1. Correct. Its highly likely that there will be issues (device won't boot) on almost every occasion.

2. Yes. You may also want to exclude "app data," since it may cause a bootloop or system instability (on some occasions). You could keep a Tb backup if you wish.

It won't be a fatal mistake, but the device will just not boot up (soft-brick). You would have to boot into recovery mode a restore/flash a rom made for the device.

Yes, that's correct.

Difference between nandroid backup & Titanium backup?

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