Android Must Have Apps

If you would like to flash your phone with either stock or custom ROM you should have these apps keep inside your external SD-Card or setting. This is what I did....

1. Calendar and Contacts saved to Google. Go to GMail
2. SMS saved to Google using SMS Backup+
3. Backup your current apps using File Expert (including System Apps)
4. Save your document/note using EverNote
5. Auto upload photo while charging + WiFi using Google+

Others step
-Keep files to ROOT + BusyBox + Safe Kernel + CWM in the external SD-Card

Root Stock Files

Safe Kernel such as NoteCore, HydraCore, SpeedMod

-Copy your related data folder into external SD-Card such as iQuran folder (too big to re-download)

Backup data folders especially the big one

-With this you will have no problem to Format your Internal Storage and the main thing is you need to have EXTERNAL SD-CARD and the best at least same size as your internal.


Note:
-Simpler way is using Titanium Backup.
-I'm not using Titanum Backup because I would like to have clean/new app installation
-Titanium Backup sometimes generate issue to your new installed ROM
-You need to login and configure your apps again (If apps did not have backup and restore setting option). Most of the time I need to restore email setting (2 email server only)
-Most of the apps nowadays have the setting save in the cloud such as FlipBoard, EverNote, Dolphin Browser, etc..

Samsung KIES for windows

Download KIES 2.1.0 here...

Why should I have KIES??

• Connect mobile without wires

  Connect a mobile to Kies via Wi-Fi and Sync content.
  Kies via Wi-Fi lets you enjoy Kies in a remarkably convenient way.
  * It is available for the supported models only, and some functions are limited while Wi-Fi connection.
  

• Keep your mobile updated

  When connected, Kies automatically notifies you of new firmware version.
  Make your mobile improved with the latest firmware.
  

• Sync contacts with Outlook or Google, Yahoo

  Add and edit contact of mobile on Kies conveniently. Also, sync contacts with those of Outlook, Google or Yahoo.
  

• Enrich music life with mobile

  Make your own favorite music playlist and Sync with mobile. All the music want to listen to entertain you wherever you are.

• Keep taken photos and videos from mobile to PC

  Safely store valuable photos, videos you’ve taken and feel your happy moments in Kies.
  

Note:
-To run ODIN and execute it successfully, you need to KILL all KIES process inside Task Manager.
KIES and ODIN cannot run at the same time.
-Latest firmware update base on region. Malaysia sometime a bit late in software update. Be patient.
-For technical guy you may continue update base on the leaked ROM.

Remember to restart after KIES installation. This to make sure all the drivers installed and configured properly.

 Running on Windows 7 64 bits

All ready... :) ...I'm using Hong Kong version ZSKK1 2.3.6

USB drivers connected ready for file transfer between PC and phone OR become a modem for Tethering.

KIES in task manager

Things you can copy from phone to PC or PC to phone.

Things you can back-up

You can Sync.... KIES improve much from previous version... more integrated with your PC... This is good for PC users.

 Connect KIES via WiFi

 Run KIES on your PC first.

Ready to Sync over the WiFi...

How to backup android EFS

Advanced Backup and Restore of your Samsung Android Device '/efs' folder!

Recommended doing this with a Mobile just taken out of the box or with any Official ROM of its Service Provider. If you have already Flashed your phone with another ROM but its working fine, then you can use that /efs also.

Why the /efs folder?
This is a very sensitive system folder that contains Phone-specific information such as the IMEI (encrypted in the nv_data.bin), wireless devices MAC addresses, product code (also in the nv_data.bin), and much more. Often users trying to change product codes or trying to unlock the mobile will end up corrupting data in this location.

Even Lagfix (EXT4)  don't dare to touch these files :)


Why back it up?
Well, let’s resume it saying that backing-up this little folder will keep you away from Samsung service centers.

Requirements:

• ADB driver installed (Download here and support my dropbox storage)
• Make sure your device screen is on.
• Also make sure your device is NOT in Mass Storage Mode or Backup and Restore functions will fail.

• Make sure you have Microsoft .NET Framework 4.0 installed on your PC.
• Compatible with Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7.

Features:

• Supports Backup and Restore of Partition Image (*.img) and Compressed TAR Archive (*.tar) formats.
• Automatically detects saved EFS Backups on Device and PC for hassle free restoring.
• Re-Scan option to refresh Backup list for restoring Backups.
• Automatically Re-Mounts '/efs' folder with Read/Write permissions during restore for users 'stuck' with Read Only permissions.
• Automatic detection and prompting of Mass Storage Mode.
• Automatic detection and termination of SAMSUNG Kies application on startup.
• Supports Multiple Backup handling.
• Option to Format '/efs' partition before restoring an EFS Backup.
• Displays Device, ROM and BusyBox information on startup.

Download EFS Pro

Why I like this? You can save it to your PC. That's the idea...save it to your pc and not your phone. Off-side backup...

Tested on my windows 7 64 bits with ADB installed.

Now my EFS back-up safely for future use in-case....



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