Is it possible to back up JailBroken state

[churin]

I understand that if iPhone is reset the JailBreak is undone. Is there a way to backup the JailBroken state of the iPhone? My iPhone is 3GS 3.1.2 with modem 05.11.07 and was JailBroken by Blackra1n.

[Europa]

iTunes will still create backups, however using them is not recommended because they leave traces of the jailbreak and have the potential for causing problems. Instead, use PkgBackup to backup your jailbroken apps and Chronus to backup your stock and third party apps.

I don't know if PkgBackup is working right now.

[KabaModern]

PkgBackup is like 5 bucks. Is it worth it, Europa? Have you used it? I saw yesterday in Rock is was listed under the "Updated" section...

[Europa]

I have it, but I've never actually used it because it's hit and miss, like this,

http://www.craftsmanshipmuseum.com/images/stover.jpg

[KabaModern]

So $5 not well spent...?

[DocRawk]

The Rock app has a backup option in it's settings window. I still prefer Cydia for daily use, but I keep a copy of Rock on my phone for restoration. After JB'ing with Blackra1n, I just install Cydia and Rock with Blackra1n and go into Rock settings to restore all of my JB apps. If you restore from a backup, the JB app settings are supposed to also load up. Previously I'd tried aptbackup, but didn't like it due to it's lack of a progress meter. A full restore takes a while, and there's no way to know if it is moving along with aptbackup.

[Europa]

So $5 not well spent...?
I'm sure I'll use it someday.

[Napoleon_PhoneApart]

I really like PkgBackup, but I;m waiting for updated version 3.1.3 to appear in Cydia very soon to remedy the "limited functionality" bug for paid users.

The author has posted a temporary fix here (http://www.pragmatixconsulting.com/iphoneApps/PkgBackup_Changelog.html), but I haven't gotten all the commands to work yet. I know that to use the ldid -S command, you need to install the Link Identity Editor from Cydia.

[churin]

The Rock app has a backup option in it's settings window. I still prefer Cydia for daily use, but I keep a copy of Rock on my phone for restoration. After JB'ing with Blackra1n, I just install Cydia and Rock with Blackra1n and go into Rock settings to restore all of my JB apps. If you restore from a backup, the JB app settings are supposed to also load up. Previously I'd tried aptbackup, but didn't like it due to it's lack of a progress meter. A full restore takes a while, and there's no way to know if it is moving along with aptbackup.
It appears that you have never actually used the backup created by Rock. Could you point me to where I can get more info on the Rock and its backup functionality?

[rojocrandall]

I'm a big PkgBackup fan and user - worked great for me when I went form 2.2 to 3.0 and 3.0 to 3.1.2. I highly recommend it and has been worth the $5.

When I upgrade and jailbeak, first thing I do is install PkgBackup from Cydia and restore my 30+ Cydia apps.

Is there an issue with PkgBackup? Yes, an update went out prematurely, but it still works as far as I know.

[churin]

I'm a big PkgBackup fan and user - worked great for me when I went form 2.2 to 3.0 and 3.0 to 3.1.2. I highly recommend it and has been worth the $5.

When I upgrade and jailbeak, first thing I do is install PkgBackup from Cydia and restore my 30+ Cydia apps.

Is there an issue with PkgBackup? Yes, an update went out prematurely, but it still works as far as I know.
When the OS(ipsw) crashes, freezes, etc. where you have to reset the system. But that will undo the JailBroken state. Now, does the PkgBackup prevent that from happening and restores the JailBroken state?

[jaded]

Europa,
To clarify, with a jailbroken phone, when we need to restore or upgrade, we need to set it up as new? then what happens; do we sync (instead of restore backup) to get back music/contacts/apps and then rejailbreak? I did the jailbreak when Blackra1n first came out, and it worked beautifully.
Thanks!

[Europa]

Restoring from backups is fine if your phone is stock. A clean factory settings firmware install is recommended if it's jailbroken. Once you restore, you can sync everything that is in your iTunes library back on. This includes music, videos, apps, photos, notes, podcasts, and ringtones. The app settings will be lost, unless you back them up with Chronus. You'll need to put your network settings and email back in as well. Be sure to back your contacts up in an email account before restoring.

[jaded]

Thanks, I emailed this to myself for future reference :)

[kapolani]

For piece of mind (what I do) SSH into your phone and make copies of these files:

http://picasaweb.google.com/kapolani/PublicPics#5400627902441430930

That way if you ever mess up during a restore/upgrade you can always get your info back.

**edit**

For people who can't check the link to Picasa:

/var/mobile/Library/AddressBook - contacts
/var/mobile/Library/Calendar - your calendar
/var/mobile/Library/Notes - your notes database
/var/mobile/Library/Safari - bookmarks etc
/var/mobile/Library/SMS - your texts

There are other things you can copy i.e. sbssettings, cydia apps, blah blah blah.

[jaded]

Thanks. I'm at work on a govt computer, so I'm blocked from this site. (don't ya love it??) But when I get home, I'll check out the link.

[DocRawk]

It appears that you have never actually used the backup created by Rock. Could you point me to where I can get more info on the Rock and its backup functionality?

I've used it several times. If you go to 'Manage' then 'Settings' and scroll down to near the bottom, the options to store a backup and restore from backup are there. All it does is keep a log of your 5 most recent backups on file with your Rock ID. If you have to restore, you simply rejailbreak with blackra1n. Install Rock.app from blackra1n, then go to the same place in the settings menu and click restore from backup. It'll give you a list of your five most recent restore points. Pick one. Confirm. It'll start downloading and installing your packages. Done.

For more info, just search for Rock on Cydia and install it. It's self explanatory.

[churin]

I've used it several times. If you go to 'Manage' then 'Settings' and scroll down to near the bottom, the options to store a backup and restore from backup are there. All it does is keep a log of your 5 most recent backups on file with your Rock ID. If you have to restore, you simply rejailbreak with blackra1n. Install Rock.app from blackra1n, then go to the same place in the settings menu and click restore from backup. It'll give you a list of your five most recent restore points. Pick one. Confirm. It'll start downloading and installing your packages. Done.

For more info, just search for Rock on Cydia and install it. It's self explanatory.
My understanding is that once the iPhone is reset the JailBrieak is undone and anything added which JailBreake allowed to do so is removed including Cydia and its associated items which includes tethering. But your response as above appears to contradict. Please correct me or clarify about it or if Rock can be used in place of Reset and restores everything added after the JailBreak including itself.

[Europa]

I need to retract something I said yesterday. I learned early this morning, from a wise forum member (a true iPhone Genius - Tinman), that it is ok to restore from backups when jailbroken. I recommend disabling all your themes, doing an iTunes backup, restoring from backup, and then rejailbreaking.

[churin]

I need to retract something I said yesterday. I learned early this morning, from a wise forum member (a true iPhone Genius - Tinman), that it is ok to restore from backups when jailbroken. I recommend disabling all your themes, doing an iTunes backup, restoring from backup, and then rejailbreaking.
Does this mean that there is no way preventing the JailBroken state from being undone after all if and when restore process has to be taken place? Another word there is no way to make a backup of JailBroken iPhone for future restoration which does not necessitate reJailBreaking.

[Napoleon_PhoneApart]

I need to retract something I said yesterday. I learned early this morning, from a wise forum member (a true iPhone Genius - Tinman), that it is ok to restore from backups when jailbroken. I recommend disabling all your themes, doing an iTunes backup, restoring from backup, and then rejailbreaking.

I still don't agree that restoring from a backup is harmless, especially after upgrading to a newer firmware revision.

[Europa]

Are you still going to recommend restoring to factory settings before rejailbreaking then?

[Napoleon_PhoneApart]

No. Just be careful when upgrading firmware.

[Europa]

I'm confused.
You upgrade the firmware then restore from backup. What do you mean, "be careful"?

[Napoleon_PhoneApart]

Never mind. I'm off this subject now.

[Europa]

Wow. Thanks for giving up on me.

[Napoleon_PhoneApart]

I'm not giving up on you; I'm just tired of beating a dead horse.

[s8n666]

To get back to the original question asked....the answer is NO you cannot back up the jailbroken state. You will have to re-jailbreak after restoring.

[churin]

To get back to the original question asked....the answer is NO you cannot back up the jailbroken state. You will have to re-jailbreak after restoring.
So, if iPhone quits working then I have to restore "factory condition" as a message says when starting the restore, and then do JailBreaking and Tethering again. I wonder what exactly the Rock and the PkgBackup do which so far mentioned by other posters.

[rojocrandall]

So, if iPhone quits working then I have to restore "factory condition" as a message says when starting the restore, and then do JailBreaking and Tethering again. I wonder what exactly the Rock and the PkgBackup do which so far mentioned by other posters.

PkgBackup will restore all your Cydia apps so you do not have to install them each manually, individually. (Same with Rock with the apps handled there).

[churin]

PkgBackup will restore all your Cydia apps so you do not have to install them each manually, individually. (Same with Rock with the apps handled there).
I installed the following for JailBreak and to implement the tethering:

blakra1n
Cydia
iPhone_Notes.de's Source
Tethering 3G-3.1.2
Mobileconfig profile -- direct from htt://bit.ly/tethertut

Is it correct to say that what can be saved and restorable by PkgBackup among the above 5 items are Cydia, iPhone_Notes.de's Source and Tethering 3G-3.1.2?