Backup and Restore your Android device Using ClockWorkMod Recovery

Each time you decide to perform operations on your Android powered device the data saved on its storage memory or even on its SD card might be wiped out. Furthermore, if you want to do things more complicated like flashing a custom ROM, install unofficial updates, or beta firmware, you can wreck (brick) the phone’s system. But, there is a way in which you can avoid all these unfortunate aspects. You can make a full backup before starting the main process; and I’m not referring to any backup as you should save your current ROM first.

This is exactly what we will be checking during the present step by step guide: how to backup and restore your Android device before installing custom ROMs, or applying unofficial updates. And the perfect way to do it is by using the ClockWorkMod Recovery custom recovery image. With this you can backup the current ROM that is running on your phone, so in case if something goes wrong while trying to flash a new ROM into the system you will be able to revert and use the old software. This is the perfect method to use for avoiding bricking your smartphone.

As you know, the warranty is void each time you want to complete one of the up mentioned operations, so backing up the software is no longer an option for you. Anyway, you need to get ClockWorkMod Recovery first. If you don’t know CWM is a custom recovery designed to work on the Android platform and offer different capabilities to the users like: making backups, test custom ROMs, perform maintenance operations and so on.

Now let’s head to the proper guide. Make sure you read all the lines for understanding the concept and for completing a full and safe backup of your ROM. Also you will learn how to install and use CWM, so don’t skip sections of the tutorial.

How to Backup and Restore your Android device Using ClockWorkMod Recovery

First, you should root your device as you cannot install ClockWorkMod Recovery on an un-rooted handset. Check our previous posts as you can find a how to root guide suitable for your device.
Then you should know that not all the smartphones are being able to support the tool. So, before starting to do something, check here and see if your phone is on the list.
Then, after checking the compatibility and rooting the handset you must go on Google Play and search for the ROM Manager app.
Install the same.
Then open the tool.
Select the “flash ClockWorkMod Recovery” option.
Then, just select “Backup Current ROM” and follow the prompts.
The backup will be completed once you reboot the smartphone.
Now, if you decide to install a custom ROM into the system and something wrong happens just restore the backed up firmware by opening the app again and choosing “Manage and Restore Backup” and then “Restore”.
You will have the old OS as soon as you reboot the device.

So, there you have it; that’s how you can backup the current ROM before flashing a custom ROM, or update your Android device with an unofficial firmware, and this by using the ClockWorkMod Recovery tool. If you want to backup the rest of the files from your handset too, you can use other apps, or methods. In this way you can save your personal info whether it is about messages, contacts, calendar saves, Market apps and who knows what else. Just follow the links from below and you should be able to perform a full and safe backup of your Android powered phone: