Creating a full system backup is a critical step before any manipulations with the firmware of your device. Smartphone owners who use custom recovery TWRPget a powerful tool to protect their data from accidental deletion or failure during flashing. Unlike standard cloud services, this method allows you to save absolutely everything: from system settings and installed applications to encryption keys and Wi-Fi passwords.
The creation process Nandroid backup through recovery takes only a few minutes, but can save hours of work to restore the system in case of an unsuccessful experiment. Many users underestimate the importance of this step, relying on synchronization with Google Account, however, such a copy will not preserve the partition structure and specific kernel settings. Below we will analyze in detail how to properly perform a backup in order to return the device to its original state at any time.
Preparing the device and selecting storage
Before starting the procedure, you need to make sure that your device is ready to work in the mode recovery. The battery charge should be at least 50-60%, as the process of writing large amounts of data consumes energy, and a sudden power cut in the middle of an operation can damage the file system. It is also recommended to free up enough space on the internal storage or prepared SD card.
The choice of where to store the copy depends on your needs and the amount of data. Internal memory is faster, but if you plan to do a data reset or flashing with formatting, the copy may be lost along with the system. External media is more reliable in such scenarios, but write speeds on cheap memory cards may be significantly slower.
⚠️ Warning: If you use data encryption, make sure TWRP can decrypt the internal memory. In some cases, to access the storage you will need to enter a pattern or pin code when downloading the recovery.
For maximum security, experienced users often copy the created archive to the computer immediately after the process is completed. This creates an additional level of protection in case of physical breakdown of the smartphone or flash memory failure.
Use a file manager with root access inside TWRP to check the availability of folders before starting a backup. This will save time if problems arise with mounting partitions.
Starting recovery mode and navigation
Entering the mode TWRP Recovery is usually done using a combination of physical buttons when turning on the device. Most often this is holding down the volume down key and the power button at the same time. On some models from Xiaomi or OnePlus the sequence may differ, so it is worth checking the specifications for your specific device.
After loading, you will see the main screen with large buttons for the main functions. The interface is adapted for touch control, but navigation with the volume keys is also supported on most builds. We are interested in the section Backup, which is usually located in the center or right side of the screen, depending on the firmware version.
Clicking on the button launches a menu for selecting backup options. Here the system will prompt you to select partitions to save and specify the target disk. By default, TWRP suggests creating a complete copy of all critical partitions, which is the most reasonable solution for the average user.
Selecting partitions for backup
In the backup menu you will see a list of partitions with checkboxes. The standard set includes Boot, System, Data and sometimes Vendor. The Boot section contains the kernel and ramdisk necessary to run the OS, and the System stores operating system files and pre-installed applications.
The most voluminous and important partition is Data. This is where all your user data is stored: photos, documents, application settings and databases. Excluding this section from the backup will make recovery pointless, since you will lose all personal information.
| Section | Description of contents | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Boot | System kernel and boot image | Required |
| System | OS files and system applications | Required |
| Data | User data and installed applications | Required |
| Vendor | Drivers and specific software manufacturer | Advisable |
| Cache | Temporary system files | Not necessary |
Section Cache can be safely excluded from the list, since it contains only temporary files that the system can generate again. Copying this data will only increase the size of the archive and the time it takes to create a backup without any practical benefit for recovery.
What is an EFS partition?
The EFS partition contains unique device identifiers, including IMEI and MAC addresses. Losing this section may result in the modem not working and causing no connection. Modern versions of TWRP often include it in the backup automatically or make it a separate option.
Setting compression and encryption parameters
At the bottom of the screen, swiping up opens an additional menu with technical settings. Here you can activate data compression, which will significantly reduce the final size of the backup file. Compression algorithms, such as gzip or lz4, work quite quickly on modern processors, saving space without a critical loss of performance.
The option of encrypting the backup with a password is also available. This is a useful feature if you store a backup on external media that could fall into the wrong hands. However, remember that a forgotten password will make data recovery impossible, since decrypting the archive without it will not be possible.
⚠️ Attention: Enabling backup encryption requires entering a password each time you restore. Write it down in a safe place other than the smartphone itself so as not to lose access to data if the device is completely inoperable.
The backup file name is generated automatically based on the date and time, but it can be changed manually for ease of identification. It is recommended to add comments to the name, for example, indicating the firmware version or the date of installation of an important update.
☑️ Check before starting
Copy creation process and monitoring
After setting all the parameters, you need to swipe to the right on the slider Swipe to Backup to start the process. A log of real-time operations will appear on the screen, which displays the current stage, recording speed and remaining time.
During image creation, the system sequentially reads data from the selected partitions and writes them to a single archive. The speed of the process directly depends on the speed of memory and the amount of space occupied. Copying 20-30 GB of data may take 5 to 15 minutes.
Do not interrupt the process or try to reboot the device until a success message appears. Even if the screen goes blank or the process seems to be frozen, it is better to wait a few minutes, since writing large blocks of data may take time.
Successful completion of the backup is confirmed by a green progress bar and the message “Backup Completed”. Only after this can you safely reboot the device.
Restoring the system from a created copy
If you need to return the device to its previous state, the procedure is performed through the menu Restore in the main TWRP interface. The system will automatically find available backups in the selected storages and display them in the form of a list with creation dates.
Having selected the desired archive, you will see a list of partitions that will be overwritten. By default, all sections that were present in the original copy are marked. Confirming the action starts the process of writing data back to the flash memory.
After recovery, you must clear the Dalvik/ART cache to avoid conflicts between old and new system files. This is done through the menu Wipe -> Advanced Wipe selecting only the item Dalvik / ART Cache.
⚠️ Attention: Restoring the System partition over a newer firmware version may lead to a cyclic reboot (bootloop). Make sure that the backup version is compatible with the current state of the bootloader and kernel.
The final step is a normal system reboot. The first launch after recovery may take longer than usual, since the system will need to optimize applications and rebuild the cache.
What to do if the recovery fails?
If the recovery process is interrupted with an error, try disabling the "Use Compression" option in the backup settings or update the TWRP version to the latest stable build.
Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to restore a TWRP backup on another smartphone?
No, TWRP backups are tied to specific hardware and memory sections of the device. Restoring an image from one smartphone to another, even of the same model, can lead to serious hardware errors and data loss due to differences in serial numbers and calibration.
How much space does a full system backup take?
The size depends on the number of installed applications and user files. Typically, a full backup takes from 5 to 20 GB. Using compression allows you to reduce this volume by 30-50% without losing data integrity.
What to do if TWRP does not see the internal memory?
Most often the problem lies in data encryption. Try entering your screen lock pattern or PIN code when loading the recovery. If this does not help, the file system may be damaged or not supported by this version of TWRP.
Do you need to make a backup before each update?
It is advisable to make a full copy before installing custom firmware, kernels or system modifications. For regular OTA updates from the manufacturer, standard synchronization of important data is sufficient, since the risk of losing the system is minimal.
How to transfer a backup to a computer?
Connect your smartphone to the PC in MTP mode while in TWRP (if the drivers are installed) or after booting the system. Copy the folder TWRP/BACKUPS from the device to your computer’s hard drive for safe storage.