Discussion:
[whispersystems] Root device, keep Signal data
Steffen Märcker
2017-09-25 15:04:00 UTC
Permalink
Hi,

I'd like to root my device which requires unlocking the bootloader which
in turn wipes all data. Is there any known way to backup/keep Signal's
data, e.g., using adb or similar tools?

I am asking here, since I do not want to bump related (older) issues on
github to get a status update. Though, it is a pity that I didn't have the
time to finish the export/backup function previously (once upon a time)...

Best, Steffen
Kus
2017-09-25 16:22:39 UTC
Permalink
You don't need adb to backup your data. You can export your messages. You will need to verify when you reinstall though. Is that what you're trying to avoid?

Sincerely,
Steffen Märcker
2017-09-25 18:31:35 UTC
Permalink
Thanks Kus and Kaze, for your fast reply. I am fully aware of the im- and
export functionality of Signal and its shortcomings. Some time ago I
provided some code to improve the situation, but unfortunately I did not
finish the work due to a lack of time. Hopefully next year.

Meanwhile, are the any other ideas how to transfer all messages and
attachments? It is really a bummer that root access appears to be required
...

Best, Steffen
Signal does have a message export/import option but last I looked it only
covered text not media messages/content. It also doesn't let you move
keys
to a new device. For media and keys, you will need root.
As for rooting...double check rooting options for your device. Some
devices
with locked bootloaders can be rooted while leaving the bootloader
locked.
Also, the recently publicized Bluetooth security hole (Blueborne) may
give
you (and others) a way to get root rights.
The crux of the problem is Signal doesn't have a clean way to migrate
keys
and content from an old phone to a new phone without forcing all friends
to
re-approve you and without losing content.
Post by Steffen Märcker
Hi,
I'd like to root my device which requires unlocking the bootloader which
in turn wipes all data. Is there any known way to backup/keep Signal's
data, e.g., using adb or similar tools?
I am asking here, since I do not want to bump related (older) issues on
github to get a status update. Though, it is a pity that I didn't have the
time to finish the export/backup function previously (once upon a time)...
Best, Steffen
---
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Lenz Weber
2017-09-25 19:33:20 UTC
Permalink
Downgrading Signal and then doing an adb backup works. (see
https://github.com/WhisperSystems/Signal-Android/issues/4577#issuecomment-228627416
).
But it's an ugly hack and I really don't get why fixing this isn't a
higher priority.

I'd take a working export/import over user profiles any day of the week.
Post by Steffen Märcker
Thanks Kus and Kaze, for your fast reply. I am fully aware of the im-
and export functionality of Signal and its shortcomings. Some time ago I
provided some code to improve the situation, but unfortunately I did not
finish the work due to a lack of time. Hopefully next year.
Meanwhile, are the any other ideas how to transfer all messages and
attachments? It is really a bummer that root access appears to be
required ...
Best, Steffen
Signal does have a message export/import option but last I looked it only
covered text not media messages/content. It also doesn't let you move
keys
to a new device. For media and keys, you will need root.
As for rooting...double check rooting options for your device. Some
devices
with locked bootloaders can be rooted while leaving the bootloader
locked.
Also, the recently publicized Bluetooth security hole (Blueborne) may
give
you (and others) a way to get root rights.
The crux of the problem is Signal doesn't have a clean way to migrate
keys
and content from an old phone to a new phone without forcing all
friends to
re-approve you and without losing content.
Post by Steffen Märcker
Hi,
I'd like to root my device which requires unlocking the bootloader which
in turn wipes all data. Is there any known way to backup/keep Signal's
data, e.g., using adb or similar tools?
I am asking here, since I do not want to bump related (older) issues on
github to get a status update. Though, it is a pity that I didn't have the
time to finish the export/backup function previously (once upon a time)...
Best, Steffen
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Steffen Märcker
2017-09-25 20:17:57 UTC
Permalink
Does this hack work without rooting the phone?

Best, Steffen
Post by Lenz Weber
Downgrading Signal and then doing an adb backup works. (see
https://github.com/WhisperSystems/Signal-Android/issues/4577#issuecomment-228627416
).
But it's an ugly hack and I really don't get why fixing this isn't a
higher priority.
I'd take a working export/import over user profiles any day of the week.
Post by Steffen Märcker
Thanks Kus and Kaze, for your fast reply. I am fully aware of the im-
and export functionality of Signal and its shortcomings. Some time ago I
provided some code to improve the situation, but unfortunately I did not
finish the work due to a lack of time. Hopefully next year.
Meanwhile, are the any other ideas how to transfer all messages and
attachments? It is really a bummer that root access appears to be
required ...
Best, Steffen
<---Schnitt--->
Post by Lenz Weber
Post by Steffen Märcker
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Lenz Weber
2017-09-25 20:28:27 UTC
Permalink
Yes, it does. But it took me several attempts until I got it right the
first few times.
Post by Steffen Märcker
Does this hack work without rooting the phone?
Best, Steffen
Post by Lenz Weber
Downgrading Signal and then doing an adb backup works. (see
https://github.com/WhisperSystems/Signal-Android/issues/4577#issuecomment-228627416
).
But it's an ugly hack and I really don't get why fixing this isn't a
higher priority.
I'd take a working export/import over user profiles any day of the week.
Post by Steffen Märcker
Thanks Kus and Kaze, for your fast reply. I am fully aware of the im-
and export functionality of Signal and its shortcomings. Some time ago I
provided some code to improve the situation, but unfortunately I did not
finish the work due to a lack of time. Hopefully next year.
Meanwhile, are the any other ideas how to transfer all messages and
attachments? It is really a bummer that root access appears to be
required ...
Best, Steffen
<---Schnitt--->
Post by Lenz Weber
Post by Steffen Märcker
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Kus
2017-09-25 22:37:43 UTC
Permalink
Yes, ideally the export should include all media. Is there a reason it isn't so?
Khaled Haggag
2017-09-26 01:40:44 UTC
Permalink
Hi,



Can you please remove me from this mailing list?



Thank you





Khaled



"And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me - indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me..." Quran 2:186



From: whispersystems-***@lists.riseup.net [mailto:whispersystems-***@lists.riseup.net] On Behalf Of Kus
Sent: Monday, September 25, 2017 6:38 PM
To: Lenz Weber <***@lenzw.de>; ***@lists.riseup.net
Subject: Re: [whispersystems] Root device, keep Signal data



Yes, ideally the export should include all media. Is there a reason it isn't so?
Steffen Märcker
2017-09-26 08:48:38 UTC
Permalink
I cannot speak for the current state of development, since it has been
quite some time. But this is what I remember:

1) The export format is the XML dialect of SmsBackupAndRestore. Which is
nice to migrate to another client, but it is not straight forward to
implement, since the format is not documented.

2) Media can be base64-coded into the XML. I got this working for pictures
in a test case. However, embedding a huge amount of data into XML is
suboptimal. Ideally, we would write the media into separate files and link
them. But I do not know, whether the format supports this.

Maybe someone else can give an overview on the recent developments?

Best, Steffen
Post by Kus
Yes, ideally the export should include all media. Is there a reason it isn't so?
Steffen Märcker
2017-09-26 08:28:12 UTC
Permalink
Yes! =) That's good news. Where do I get the older version from? I skimmed
the thread but found no source. And could you please tell me about the
hurdles you had to fight? Maybe offline, to avoid spamming the list.
Post by Lenz Weber
Yes, it does. But it took me several attempts until I got it right the
first few times.
Post by Steffen Märcker
Does this hack work without rooting the phone?
Best, Steffen
<---Schnitt--->
Post by Lenz Weber
Post by Steffen Märcker
<---Schnitt--->
<---Schnitt--->
Post by Lenz Weber
Post by Steffen Märcker
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#359
2017-09-25 19:37:53 UTC
Permalink
allthough OWS strongly advise against this option it is still possible
to backup/restore Signal messages AND attachments via Titanium Backup,
but you have to be careful. see the third post here:
https://whispersystems.discoursehosting.net/t/what-is-the-problem-with-titanium-backup/902/3

just remember, you play with fire and it's your fault if you fuckup
things on your phone...

- jure
Post by Steffen Märcker
Thanks Kus and Kaze, for your fast reply. I am fully aware of the im- and
export functionality of Signal and its shortcomings. Some time ago I
provided some code to improve the situation, but unfortunately I did not
finish the work due to a lack of time. Hopefully next year.
Meanwhile, are the any other ideas how to transfer all messages and
attachments? It is really a bummer that root access appears to be required
...
Best, Steffen
Signal does have a message export/import option but last I looked it only
covered text not media messages/content. It also doesn't let you move
keys
to a new device. For media and keys, you will need root.
As for rooting...double check rooting options for your device. Some
devices
with locked bootloaders can be rooted while leaving the bootloader
locked.
Also, the recently publicized Bluetooth security hole (Blueborne) may
give
you (and others) a way to get root rights.
The crux of the problem is Signal doesn't have a clean way to migrate
keys
and content from an old phone to a new phone without forcing all friends
to
re-approve you and without losing content.
Post by Steffen Märcker
Hi,
I'd like to root my device which requires unlocking the bootloader which
in turn wipes all data. Is there any known way to backup/keep Signal's
data, e.g., using adb or similar tools?
I am asking here, since I do not want to bump related (older) issues on
github to get a status update. Though, it is a pity that I didn't have the
time to finish the export/backup function previously (once upon a time)...
Best, Steffen
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Steffen Märcker
2017-09-25 20:19:20 UTC
Permalink
Thanks. Unfortunately, Titanium requires root to work properly but my
phone is not rooted yet. :-/
Post by #359
allthough OWS strongly advise against this option it is still possible
to backup/restore Signal messages AND attachments via Titanium Backup,
https://whispersystems.discoursehosting.net/t/what-is-the-problem-with-titanium-backup/902/3
just remember, you play with fire and it's your fault if you fuckup
things on your phone...
- jure
Post by Steffen Märcker
Thanks Kus and Kaze, for your fast reply. I am fully aware of the im- and
export functionality of Signal and its shortcomings. Some time ago I
provided some code to improve the situation, but unfortunately I did not
finish the work due to a lack of time. Hopefully next year.
Meanwhile, are the any other ideas how to transfer all messages and
attachments? It is really a bummer that root access appears to be required
...
Best, Steffen
Signal does have a message export/import option but last I looked it
only
covered text not media messages/content. It also doesn't let you move
keys
to a new device. For media and keys, you will need root.
As for rooting...double check rooting options for your device. Some
devices
with locked bootloaders can be rooted while leaving the bootloader
locked.
Also, the recently publicized Bluetooth security hole (Blueborne) may
give
you (and others) a way to get root rights.
The crux of the problem is Signal doesn't have a clean way to migrate
keys
and content from an old phone to a new phone without forcing all
friends
to
re-approve you and without losing content.
Post by Steffen Märcker
Hi,
I'd like to root my device which requires unlocking the bootloader
which
Post by Steffen Märcker
in turn wipes all data. Is there any known way to backup/keep
Signal's
Post by Steffen Märcker
data, e.g., using adb or similar tools?
I am asking here, since I do not want to bump related (older) issues
on
Post by Steffen Märcker
github to get a status update. Though, it is a pity that I didn't
have
Post by Steffen Märcker
the
time to finish the export/backup function previously (once upon a time)...
Best, Steffen
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