clockworkmod recovery android:backup and restore your ROM
ClockworkMod Recovery (CWM) is a replacement recovery option for Android devices, made by Koushik "Koush" Dutta. It is based on the Android 2.1 (Eclair) recovery image. Features include Nandroid backup, adb shell, advanced update.zip options (ignore asserts and signature checks), and file browser for choosing update.zips
The Rom Manager app may be used for installing CWM, overwriting the device's stock recovery. As with the stock recovery, CWM can apply software changes to the device. Unlike the stock recovery, CWM is able to entirely replace the device's primary Android operating system ("flashing a new ROM"), including with aftermarket replacements such as CyanogenMod. Once installed, CWM it is accessed by turning your phone off, then triggering the bootloader prompt by holding down some device-dependent button combination as it is turned on.
CWM is also known as clockwork and CW recovery.
ClockworkMod Recovery is the de-facto standard when it comes to custom recoveries on Android. It packs a wide variety of powerful features that make it an absolute must have for those of you who like to flash new ROMs regularly while keeping their personal data safe.
The news comes straight from developer koush’s Google+ profile in the form of a post in which he discusses the new version, the future of ClockworkMod Recovery and the promise of a major UI overhaul for ROM Manager that koush feels has parts which are “starting to show [their] age".
The latest version of ClockworkMod – 6.0.0.5 – features much faster backups, a new format for backups which make incremental backups possible by duplicating data between successive backups, fixes for restores that are above 2GB in size and some minor user interface tweaks such as a new background and an animated Android.
With regards to the future of ClockworkMod, koush states that he plans to separate the custom recovery from AOSP to focus on making a “much more polished touch UI”. This means that ClockworkMod Touch which feels like its touch input is tacked on will likely feature an all new user interface.
Installation Methods
Method 1A: Rom Manager - Rom Manager is the original and official way to install ClockworkMod recovery by a .zip file. Download "Rom Manager" from Google Play, use the app to download the correct version of CWM for your phone (update.zip file), reboot into the stock recovery and choose the option "re-install package" TWO TIMES to temporarily load CWM from the update.zip file. This file needs to remain on the phone to load CWM when needed each time. DO NOT DELETE!
Method 1B: you can find and download the update.zip by yourself, place it on the phone in /sdcard/ and boot into recovery using the 3 button method, choose the option "re-install package" TWO TIMES to load into CWM. Once again the update.zip needs to remain on the phone. DO NOT DELETE!
Method 2: (some models): Flash/Use a kernel with Clockwork built in. Most cooked Roms for compatible devices include a kernel with CWM built in. With this method you DO NOT need the update.zip file or Rom Manager anymore. The update.zip may be handy to keep in-case you install a new kernel without CWM built-in, but it is not necessary.
For Samsung Galaxy S phones: From stock it is easiest to get CWM by flashing a kernel with CWM built-in by using Odin3 1.7 flashing utility. Only some kernels come in a Odin compatible package (.tar file).