Database Users

backup & then delete user?

Here's the deal. I was the only one to use my N7. Then my wife, that doesn't like tablets brohe her leg and since notebook was to warm/heavy to hold constantly in her lap whole day (since she couldn't walk) I gave her N7 and she used it for like 2 months until she recovered. She setup several accounts and programs.
But as I read here as well, our N7 seems to slow down a bit when you create additional users. I could just delete her account since she doesn't use it (much?) now but I'm afraid she'll want to (hopefully she won't break the other leg ) and I'll have to install software all over again and setup her accounts etc.
The obvious question is, is there a way to just backup everything and then delete the account, and be able to quickly restore it, in case she needs it?
I have TB, but I suppose I'd need another licence for her profile... and the question is whether it would work once I delete and re-create her accoun... has anyone any experiences regarding this?
Thanx for any ideas.
D.

There are several options depending on the condition of your tablet.

Username invalid said:
There are several options depending on the condition of your tablet.
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And those being....? Also, what do you mean by the "condition"?

dalanik said:
And those being....? Also, what do you mean by the "condition"?
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If you are unlocked/rooted/custom ROM/MultiRom.

Username invalid said:
If you are unlocked/rooted/custom ROM/MultiRom.
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I have stock 4.2.2, rooted.

dalanik said:
I have stock 4.2.2, rooted.
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That's good. A simple way is to do what you're asking is MultiRom. Basically like partitioning your hard drive so you can dual boot to your OS with all your apps and settings or your wife's OS like on a PC.

Username invalid said:
That's good. A simple way is to do what you're asking is MultiRom. Basically like partitioning your hard drive so you can dual boot to your OS with all your apps and settings or your wife's OS like on a PC.
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Hmmm, a bit of an overkill if you ask me

dalanik said:
Hmmm, a bit of an overkill if you ask me
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You don't have to install it if you want to save space on your device. You can make a Nandroid backup which is like cloning your entire ROM including all the accounts, settings, apps, etc and save it to your computer. When your wife want to use your device again, you can then install it using MultiRom.

[Q] Unknown PIN - recovery of device

Hi all
I'm attempting to fix a Nexus 7 2012 for a family member. I know that they never used a PIN previously and have been told that the PIN lock was activated when browsing the web and pressing the volume up button. Naturally I'm absolutely baffled as to how that set a PIN code but that's apparently what happened. Is there any Android malware that could have been downloaded which could cause this?
Either way, I've used a variety of resources to attempt to recover the device WITHOUT resorting to a factory reset (which I would like to avoid if possible), however I've reached an impasse so decided to ask about my specific case directly. At this stage I'd be happy to just find a way to somehow remotely backup the device so that the appdata etc. could be restored following a factory reset.
Here are the routes I've eliminated so far:
As this is a PIN code the option to login after 5 incorrect attempts is not available (that's for pattern locks only, unfortunately).
The Android Device Manager has not been set up with this device for Remote Wipe & Lock so I cannot change the PIN code remotely in this manner. Nor are there any other installed apps which would be of any similar use according to the list of installed apps on the corresponding Google Account.
Screen Lock Bypass Pro is incompatible with the device according to Google so I can't install that remotely from the Google Play store. Plus I don't know of any way to sideload it given the below two points (even if that were safe to do given that it's "incompatible"). This would have been sufficient to disable the lock screen long enough to back up the device using say Titanium Backup before wiping & restoring.
USB Debugging is not enabled which means I cannot do anything via ADB. Nor am I therefore able to backup by any means I've looked at thus far.
The bootloader is locked. To unlock you need to wipe the device, which as I mentioned above I want to avoid. This means I can't use a custom recovery to turn on USB Debugging and use ADB to load Aroma File Manager in order to delete the password database files.
So, I would like to know a way to do any of the following without a factory reset:
Remotely enable USB Debugging.
Remotely install Screen Lock Bypass Pro.
Backup the device.
Any other method to achieve the backup of the device or a PIN code reset that I'm currently ignorant about.
Please let me know if this is just impossible. I realise that the PIN code is there for a reason however I'm being persistent in case I'm overlooking something simple. Thanks in advance!
NB: Apologies but I can't yet include any URLs. Please let me know if you need any of my sources for the above information and I'll see what I can do.

Apart from sending a password request to your Gmail or linked email, unfortunately I don't think you can do anything without wiping. If it's a 4 digit pin code try guessing the basics. 1234, 0000, 4321,etc.
The Nexus 5 advocate (Team Inferno)

TheLastSidekick said:
Apart from sending a password request to your Gmail or linked email, unfortunately I don't think you can do anything without wiping. If it's a 4 digit pin code try guessing the basics. 1234, 0000, 4321,etc.
The Nexus 5 advocate (Team Inferno)
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I have the Google Account e-mail and password so that isn't an issue. How would the above help to obtain the PIN code or to change it?

If I'm not correct somewhere at the bottom of the screen after entering it incorrect twice or three times, should display an email reset option. Let me try it and get back to you in just a moment.
Edit : was able to get it working for a friend on Android 2.2 but it is no longer working for me on 4.4.2 sorry.
Double edit : It is the pattern lock you can reset from but there used to be a way to do pin reset. I'll update my post if I find anything else. All the best.
The Nexus 5 advocate (Team Inferno)

TheLastSidekick said:
If I'm not correct somewhere at the bottom of the screen after entering it incorrect twice or three times, should display an email reset option. Let me try it and get back to you in just a moment.
The Nexus 5 advocate (Team Inferno)
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No, as I said in my OP that's only for pattern locks.

I don't think there is any way to do it without wiping the device. Try safe mode though it may temporarily disable the pin. That would allow you to backup the device
Programming is a race between engineers striving to build bigger and better idiot-proof programs, and the Universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the Universe is winning.

Captain Sweatpants said:
I don't think there is any way to do it without wiping the device. Try safe mode though it may temporarily disable the pin. That would allow you to backup the device
Programming is a race between engineers striving to build bigger and better idiot-proof programs, and the Universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the Universe is winning.
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Just tried Safe Mode but no luck. It really must be the OS that's responsible and not an app.
Thanks anyway!! I'll just have to wipe it.

Encryption - Is it complete storage encryption?

Sorry if this is a completely nonsensical and stupid question but I wanted to make sure on how encryption with Android 6 works. Because I thought I had read somewhere that encryption is only done on certain parts but not others such as System partition. Of course, I could be completely wrong about what I thought I read.
And yes... I'm not completely crazy and I know it's called "Full Disk Encryption" for a reason. I think I'm just paranoid. Even the Android page description uses the terms "all user created data... " is encrypted. So, part of me was wondering why they emphasize the "user created" part.
Also, wondering how much effect, if any, an unlocked bootloader and rooting has
I just want to make sure that, for example, if I put my keepass database on my phone, that I don't have to worry. Thanks!

mattkroeder said:
Sorry if this is a completely nonsensical and stupid question but I wanted to make sure on how encryption with Android 6 works. Because I thought I had read somewhere that encryption is only done on certain parts but not others such as System partition. Of course, I could be completely wrong about what I thought I read.
And yes... I'm not completely crazy and I know it's called "Full Disk Encryption" for a reason. I think I'm just paranoid. Even the Android page description uses the terms "all user created data... " is encrypted. So, part of me was wondering why they emphasize the "user created" part.
Also, wondering how much effect, if any, an unlocked bootloader and rooting has
I just want to make sure that, for example, if I put my keepass database on my phone, that I don't have to worry. Thanks!
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Well, that's a pretty good question.
My assumption is that it is just the user data that is indeed encrypted, and not anything in the system partition.
Why would the system partition need encryption? It is supposed to be left alone, and only accessible by certain apps that Google grants such access.
As to your KeePass database, it seems that it is always encrypted, irrespective of whether your device is encrypted.
That stated, you'd probably be better off leaving encryption enabled rather than decrypting your device, especially if you're the least bit concerned about it.
Rooting your device and data encryption are discrete issues, and therefore seem to be separate security concerns; ie, rooting and unlocking your bootloader opens your system partition to meddling, hopefully by you and no one else, while encryption keeps all of your data on your device encrypted unless someone has your password, pin or pattern unlock.
Ultimately all of this is about choice.
Sent from My Nexus 6P, #WhiteUIsMustDie, #EndDarkAppOppression

Thank you for taking the time to answer my question. I thought it may have been a dumb question because considering it is called 'Full Disk Encryption", I thought maybe it should have been obvious.
True, KeePass is already encrypted but it's nice to know the storage medium it is on is encrypted as well.
I'm definitely leaving encryption enabled. Thanks again.

Factory Reset Protection (FRP) myth -- Lesson for everyone!

I did a factory reset before submitting my device to Samsung repair. But before doing it, to not have any trace of my online/offline data after reset I had to take care of ‘Factory Reset Protection’ (FRP) so that it won't ask to enter my email after reset. I removed the device security locks including fingerprints and also any Google account associated as said by 99% articles over internet (at least in my 30 mins of read thru of Google searches specifically for Samsung & also generally for android). Also had checked necessary options for all of my datas to be synced to Google. But in order to reinforce my knowledge about FRP and how it’s getting triggered I went thru some YouTube videos and articles specifically for Samsung & also generally for android prior to reset. And finally everything was good to go and ready for repair
Got my device after repair and did a reset again for Google to ask to restore my apps from previous backup of the same device. But it didn’t as you can see from the pic attached.
So what could be the reason you ask. When I removed the Google account (primary) for reset process, all the ‘App datas’ (thankfully not my contacts and other stuffs) were cleared from Google servers. Simply to say, the ‘Remove account’ option will tell Google that this device is no longer associated with this account and to delete all Android related datas associated and there is no way you can get this back.
So I don’t know whom to blame. The hundred’s of article over Internet about FRP (example: http://www.androidcentral.com/factory-reset-protection-what-you-need-know )
OR Samsung for not giving any information anywhere in internet or even in the Software (as warnings) [Their only website related to FRP is still down here in my country at least]. OR Google? For not giving any clear information regarding this action.
Anyway there is no use in crying over spilt milk. All I have to do now is manually install all my 83 apps one by one that were previously installed and who knows whether their respective datas can still be synced. There were even circumstances which most of us should have gone thru when the Google not showing yesterday app restore list but 1 week ago in the setup process.
Things like this can very well frustrate anyone if they are heaving depending on cloud. This is just one of the many little things(software, H/W dependent) in Android that may frustrate a user very much. NO WONDER WHY PEOPLE MOVE TO iOS. Because over customizability and all there are some stuffs that matters the most and iOS still excels in that. We geeks know that but it’s the freedom and exploration that makes us forget all those important stuffs.
For those of you gonna say “YOU SHOULD HAVE USED SMART SWITCH, ADB BACKUP, TITANIUM BACKUP OR SOMETHING ELSE” -- when something is meant to work it should work. I even had bad experiences with Titanium backup, could be device specific but whatever it is.
Welcoming all POSITIVE and NEGATIVE comments. LOL.
Running stock TouchWiz with the April patch. Tried a reset without removing Google account and it didn't ask for the mail ID to be entered for verification during setup process. So basically something have changed recently on how FRP works and whatever I've wriiten is what you have to take care of. regarding backup and all. Please share this thread with you friends. .
Will appreciate a thanks.

Thanks for sharing. Seems like a good warning for all of us.
Sent from my SM-G930V using XDA Premium HD app

Sorry to hear of your difficulties. My own frustrations have been building with Android as well. It is ridiculous how much we have to eff around with hidden settings and tweaks to get decent battery life. I am keeping an eye on the iPhone 7 to be honest.
Though apple ecosystem has its own share of frustrations.

Thanks for the info. I too had experience of some backup apps not working as they intended to be. Even Titanium Backup had given me tension when new android version comes or sometimes for no reason. But my go to solution(even without root I believe) is always have been Tasker+AutoInput combo. When nothing works out I just program them both to install apps from PlayStore based on the app list I manually backed up with another app. That's it. Don't know whether that will cause any bad effect on device hardware. Does it?

xxaarraa said:
Sorry to hear of your difficulties. My own frustrations have been building with Android as well. It is ridiculous how much we have to eff around with hidden settings and tweaks to get decent battery life. I am keeping an eye on the iPhone 7 to be honest.
Though apple ecosystem has its own share of frustrations.
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I agree as i mentioned in OP. Sad to see Snapdragon 820 users struggle with battery life by removing un-wanted system packages. This even exists to an extent in my unlocked DUOS version. Google gotta have more control over Android. Hope with Android N this is not just gonna be with updates but also else where. Come on Google it's 2016.

OH gosh. This is an important piece of information. Somebody should link to this info by posting an article in xda-developer.com . Is there any way to reuquest?
Thanks BTW for a warning

Sheryl John said:
.Simply to say, the ‘Remove account’ option will tell Google that this device is no longer associated with this account and to delete all Android related datas associated and there is no way you can get this back
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1) Disable Internet connectivity (wifi, data)
2) Remove accounts, then
3) Factory reset
Google doesn't know that about the removal so app data is still in your account, yet the device no longer has any link to the Google account so it's safe against FRP.
That said, with multi devices (and household members sharing 1 common account as the base account), I don't back app data to Google at all. TiBu has its quirks but I've yet to lose anything with it. On the contrary, I probably have too much back up (who needs Gingerbread apps back ups??? yeah, I still have them LOL).

lost_ said:
1) Disable Internet connectivity (wifi, data)
2) Remove accounts, then
3) Factory reset
Google doesn't know that about the removal so app data is still in your account, yet the device no longer has any link to the Google account so it's safe against FRP.
That said, with multi devices (and household members sharing 1 common account as the base account), I don't back app data to Google at all. TiBu has its quirks but I've yet to lose anything with it. On the contrary, I probably have too much back up (who needs Gingerbread apps back ups??? yeah, I still have them LOL).
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That's the only way it seems for hard reset. But as I mentioned in my OP there is no need of removing the Google account for soft reset. FRP won't be triggered.

ENCRYPTION and selling my phone.

Currently I have an S7 Edge, but my companies IT is supplying everyone with iPhones since it was too hard to juggle so many different phones. Well as much as I love Android, I don't want to carry 2 phones around everywhere lol, so I was thinking about selling it as it was mine to begin with and the company just paid my phone bill. IT at work just said factory reset it and you're good to sell, but idk they don't seem like the brightest bulbs.
My work involves a good deal of private information from my clients. So my phone is full of photos, texts, emails, pdfs, etc... of things that my clients would probably be extremely angry about if it got out.
Is there anyway to wipe this phone 100% clean with 0% chance of anything being recovered by anyone?
I saw this review article quote:
I asked Samsung if these new phones were encrypted, like the iPhone (most Android phones aren’t.) Referring to both models, the company said: "Default encryption is turned on for Galaxy S7. Samsung cannot decrypt the user’s encrypted phones. The encryption key is randomly generated for each user and the key is protected with the user’s password."
According to that, it sounds like Samsung themselves couldn't even get my data after I factory reset? Is this true? What exactly do I need to do to get to this point?
I'm not sure what this encryption key is and user password? Is user password just your lockscreen pin?
Reason why I'm worried is I remember people always saying if you delete something its gone! Well I remember 10 years ago my mom formatted her camera SD card on accident and all it took was me hooking it up and googling a free recovery program and BAM I had all the photos back. I imagine technology has advanced ten fold since then. I don't want someone rooting my phone and getting some super program and next thing I know my personal information is out there.
Thanks!

wipe the operating system.
reinstall new operating system with odin or if you have an sd card using stock recovery. make sure that you do not reinstall your gmail account to prevent auto recovery.

Cosmic Blue said:
wipe the operating system.
reinstall new operating system with odin or if you have an sd card using stock recovery. make sure that you do not reinstall your gmail account to prevent auto recovery.
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I do have an SD card. But I'm not sure about anything you said. Is it possible for you to make a guide for me?

which model of do you have.
?
I will point out the correct rom to copy to your sd card and/or computer.
Do you know anything about flashing a phone at all ?

This is what i usually do.
a. delete all files in internal memory with myfiles/any file explorer
b. delete your google account via settings
c. factory reset your device.
that will do.

A factory reset wipes your pin / pattern / password so that in itself makes the encryption key useless even if you use the same pin / pattern / password. Without that key you can still recover files but it will take hundreds of years to break the encryption.
You may see stories like the FBI breaking encryption but thats not strictly true. They break the unlock system which gives them access to the encryption key which decrypts the data.
Safe to say a factory reset will do the job nicely and if you are in the UK, you will be okay under the Data Protection Act as youve done all YOU can to secure the data from recovery. Its up to your IT tech to make sure you are compliant, especially with Bring Your Own Devices policies so any fallback should be on them.
I would question why you havent mentioned Knox as thats like a safe within a safe and you IT tech should be employing it if they let you use BYOD!
Just note that your clients security is only as secure as your password as if anyone gets hold of that password then they have free rein to your files. You did mention a pin code which i hope you will update to a password asap!!
There are 10,000 possible combinations that the digits 0-9 can be arranged to form a 4-digit pin code.
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36×36×36×36=1679616 distinct passwords of length 4
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As you can see, a pin has much less combinations than a password and passwords can be even more secure the longer they are and if you include special characters like @ # * etc. Here is a site which you can use to test how easy it would be to crack your pin or password: https://password.kaspersky.com/
My pin would take 15 minutes to crack, my password would take 33 centuries
Sources:
https://password.kaspersky.com/
http://www.datagenetics.com/blog/september32012/
http://math.stackexchange.com/quest...-digits-0-9-how-many-combinations-are-possibl