At Android scene there is a series of key concepts that users should know. And beyond that root there are many tasks that can be accomplished. Among them, and always linked to more important issues, is the Wipe. That due to its direct translation into Spanish it would be a swept. But, to be more precise, it is a formatting of the storage system. Exactly the same as the hard reset, although it is usually carried out from another place.
There are several concepts for exactly the same: Wipe, hard reset, factory reset ... All of them, in reality, consist of the deletion of user-generated files. That is, a formatting of the storage system, but not all of it. Only with regard to the user, which means that when making a Wipe All files such as photos, documents, music, videos, etc. are removed from the device. But settings, accounts, and apps are also erased. The result of this is nothing more than returning the smartphone, in terms of internal storage, to its factory statusBecause the micro SD card shouldn't be touched, and if you're going to install a ROM It's important to know exactly what to delete.
The Wipe is the 'formatting' or hard reset of the custom recovery, but what is it for?
If you have heard of Wipe, or have you read it somewhere, it will have been in relation to custom recovery. This is the way they have to designate, the personalized recovery menus, when hard resetIn the device settings, however, it's a factory reset. And within the custom recovery, it's a key function, as it will be an essential step.perform a wipe or hard reset– when we carry out the flashing of certain files on the system partition.
In a custom recovery like TWRP o CWM The term "wipe" is often used because it encompasses several erasing options. It not only allows you to reset the device to factory settings, but also to erase data. concrete partitions (data, cache, Dalvik, system, SD card, etc.). That's why it's so important to understand exactly what each option erases before swiping to confirm.
El wipe can be complete or selective, including or not the cache, for instance. And it is necessary in some facilities, as we mentioned earlier, because if they do not carry it out, they can stay residual files that could cause some kind of conflict or incompatibility. Many ROM developers specify in their instructions which combination of wipes should be performed to avoid this. bootloop problems, forced shutdowns or strange errors when starting the system.
In order to make a complete wipeIn fact, we can follow exactly the same procedure that we would follow to make a hard reset from the smartphone settings. However, it is usual to do it from the custom recoveryAnd not to sell our smartphone and prevent them from recovering our data, for example, but to proceed in the flashing a custom ROMFor example, or from Google Apps when we have already installed a custom ROM.
Types of wipes in TWRP: Factory Reset, Advanced Wipe, and Format Data
In TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) the button Wipe It includes several deletion methods that should be differentiated to avoid messing with the process:
- Factory Reset: is he standard erase which comes by default. Includes wipes for Data, cache y Dalvik / ART Cache, But It does not erase internal storage.It's equivalent to a classic factory reset, ideal for leaving the ROM clean while keeping photos, videos, and personal files.
- Advanced Wipe: It allows select exactly which partitions Do you want to format: Dalvik / ART Cache, System, Data, Internal Storage, cache, Micro SD card, USB-OTGetc. It is the recommended option when a developer tells you: “wipe data, cache, dalvik and system”. Install a custom ROM from scratch This combination is usually required.
- Format Data: performs a deep erase of the /data partitionThis typically includes the contents of the internal storage associated with user data (applications, downloads, game folders, etc.). It's the closest option to "starting completely from scratch" and is used, for example, when switching from one ROM to a very different one or when there are encryption problems.
In addition, TWRP includes a menu Mount which allows mounting or unmounting partitions such as Micro SD card o USB-OTGThis is very useful if you have the ROM or your backups on an external card: first you mount them and then you can... install zips or restore backups from those locations.
The key is knowing what you want to achieve before you touch anything. If your goal is simply clean the ROM while keeping your photosA factory reset is usually sufficient. However, if you're installing a custom ROM from scratch, many developers recommend a factory reset. full wipe using Advanced Wipe: wipe data/factory reset, format system, format cache and data and wipe dalvik cache, leaving the external SD card intact where you have the ROM .zip file.
Wiping in CWM and other recoveries: what to delete and what not to delete
In CWM (ClockWorkMod Recovery), the names of the options change slightly, but the concept is the same. There you will find elements such as Wipe data / factory reset, Wipe cache partition, wipe dalvik cache (within Advanced), Format System o Format SDcardEach one has a different impact on your Android phone.
In general, the most commonly used options When installing or updating a custom ROM, the following applies:
- Wipe data / factory resetThis wipes user data and restores the ROM to its factory state. It's the first recommended wipe when changing ROMs or when the system is running very slowly.
- Wipe cache partitionThis removes cache data generated by the system. It is usually the second step after wiping data to avoid leaving any remnants of the previous ROM.
- wipe dalvik cache (In Advanced): Deletes the files that applications generate in the virtual machine. This is highly recommended when changing ROMs to avoid boot failures or unexpected closings.
- Format System: Removes the current ROM from the system partition. This should only be used when The new ROM is ready. to flash it right after, because without an operating system the device will not be able to start.
- Format SDcardFormat the external memory card. This is not used unless you want to completely erase the card's contents.
If what you want is, for example, To leave a mobile phone with a custom ROM just as it came from the factory but without losing its own ROMYou should avoid aggressive options such as Format System and focus on Wipe data / factory reset, Wipe cache partition and, if the recovery allows it, a Format Data that erases all personal data. This way you'll keep the system and custom ROM files, but you'll delete applications, settings, and user data.
Before performing any full wipe or formatting critical partitions, it is highly recommended to use the following options: Backup y Restore of the recovery. A nandroid backup It creates a complete backup of your system (ROM, data, and settings) that you can restore if something goes wrong, leaving your phone exactly as it was before the incident.
Knowing these differences between wipes and understanding which partitions affect your personal data and which affect the system is much more helpful. easier to harness the potential of TWRP, CWM and other custom recoveries without fear of rendering the device unusable or losing important information.
