Originally written by Teja, updated by Dibyajyoti Kabi. First published July 1, 2017. Updated October 24, 2026.
To make a Nandroid backup, boot into TWRP, tap Backup, tick Boot, System (or System Image) and Data, then swipe to back up. To restore it, tap Restore in TWRP, pick the backup and swipe. That’s the whole idea.
A Nandroid backup is a full copy of your phone’s software, so you can roll back if a custom ROM, kernel or mod goes wrong. I’ll show you which partitions to pick, where the backup is saved, how to copy it to your PC and what to watch out for on newer phones.
Key points
- A Nandroid backup is a snapshot of your ROM, apps, settings and app data, made in a custom recovery like TWRP.
- You need TWRP and an unlocked bootloader. You don’t need root.
- TWRP’s Data backup does not include internal storage, so your photos, downloads and WhatsApp media need a separate backup.
- Pick System Image instead of System on phones with dm-verity, which covers most phones from Android 6.0 onward.
- Copy the backup to your PC. If the phone’s storage gets wiped, a backup that only lived on the phone is gone too.
What is a Nandroid backup?
A Nandroid backup is a complete image of the software partitions on your Android phone, made from a custom recovery. It saves the ROM, the boot image, your apps, app data and settings exactly as they are. Restoring it puts the phone back to that moment, even after a bad flash or a bootloop.
The name comes from NAND, the type of flash memory phones use, and Android. Think of it as a mirror image of the phone’s software, not a list of apps to reinstall.
It’s different from a Google or Samsung Cloud backup. Those save your contacts, photos and some app data, but they can’t bring back a ROM, a kernel or a rooted setup. A Nandroid backup can.
What do you need before you start?
You need TWRP installed for your exact model, which means the bootloader has to be unlocked first. You also need enough free space for the backup, usually 5 to 15 GB, and at least 50% battery. Root is not required.
- TWRP for your phone. Check the official TWRP devices list for your model, and follow my guide on installing custom ROMs with TWRP if you haven’t flashed it yet.
- An unlocked bootloader. OEM unlocking lives in Developer options.
- Free space on internal storage, a microSD card or a USB OTG drive.
- A PC with ADB and Fastboot if you want to copy the backup off the phone.
The old version of this guide said you need root. You don’t. TWRP makes the backup from recovery, so root has nothing to do with it.
If your phone can’t run TWRP, my guide on backing up Android without root covers Google backup, Samsung Smart Switch and other ways to save your data.
Which partitions should I back up in TWRP?
Back up Boot, System and Data for a normal Nandroid backup. That’s what TWRP itself recommends, and it’s enough to restore a ROM with your apps and settings. On phones that show a System Image option, pick System Image instead of System, since a plain System backup often fails to restore there.
Here’s what each option on the Backup screen does.
| Partition | What it holds | Should you tick it? |
|---|---|---|
| Boot | The kernel and boot image | Yes |
| System | The ROM files | Yes, on older phones without System Image |
| System Image | A bit-for-bit copy of the system partition | Yes, on phones that show it |
| Vendor or Vendor Image | Hardware drivers for your phone | Yes, if it’s listed |
| Data | Your apps, app data and settings | Yes |
| EFS, Persist, Modem | IMEI, radio and calibration data | Once, in a separate backup |
| Cache, Recovery | Temporary files and TWRP itself | No |
The TWRP FAQ on what to back up explains that System Image is a bit-perfect copy that won’t break dm-verity when you restore it. It takes more space, but it’s the safer pick.
Make one backup of EFS and the other special partitions, name it clearly and keep it somewhere safe. Don’t restore them unless you know you need to. Restoring the wrong EFS can leave the phone without an IMEI or mobile signal.
How to make a Nandroid backup with TWRP
Here’s the full process. It takes 5 to 20 minutes, depending on how much data is on your phone.
- Turn off the phone.
- Boot into TWRP. On most phones, hold Power and Volume Up. On a Pixel, hold Power and Volume Down, then choose Recovery mode. If the phone still boots and USB debugging is on, you can also run adb reboot recovery from your PC.
- Enter your PIN or password if TWRP asks for it, so it can read the encrypted storage.
- Tap Backup on the TWRP main menu.
- Tap Name at the top and type something you’ll recognize later, like LineageOS-before-update. Otherwise TWRP names it with the date and build number.
- Tick Boot, System or System Image, Vendor if it’s listed, and Data.
- Tap Select Storage and choose Internal Storage, a microSD card or USB OTG. TWRP shows how much free space each one has.
- Open the Options tab if you want to turn on compression. It saves space but makes the backup slower.
- Swipe to Backup at the bottom of the screen.
- Wait until TWRP says the backup is complete, then tap Reboot System.
Don’t touch the phone or pull the battery while TWRP is working. If it fails, the log on the screen tells you which partition caused it.
Where does TWRP save the Nandroid backup?
TWRP saves every backup in the TWRP/BACKUPS folder on the storage you picked, inside a folder named after your phone’s serial number. Each backup gets its own folder with the name you typed or the date. On internal storage, the full path starts at /sdcard/TWRP/BACKUPS.
You’ll see one file per partition inside, like boot.emmc.win and data.ext4.win, plus .sha2 or .md5 files TWRP uses to check them when you restore. Don’t rename or edit these files, or the restore can fail.
How do I copy the backup to my PC?
Connect the phone to your PC while it’s in TWRP, then run adb pull /sdcard/TWRP/BACKUPS in a command window. ADB copies the whole folder, every backup in it, to the folder your command window is open in. You can also use Mount > Enable MTP in TWRP and copy it like any other folder.
adb pull /sdcard/TWRP/BACKUPSADB needs the right USB driver for your phone on Windows. A big backup takes a few minutes over USB, so let it finish.
To put it back on the phone later, copy the folder into TWRP/BACKUPS/ followed by your serial number, then restore it from TWRP as usual.
What does a Nandroid backup not include?
The Data backup does not include internal storage. Your photos, videos, downloads, music and WhatsApp media live in /data/media, and TWRP skips that folder. The TWRP FAQ on backup exclusions says so clearly. Back those files up to your PC or the cloud separately.
That matters most when you wipe internal storage or format Data to flash a new ROM. A Nandroid restore brings back your apps and settings, but not your camera roll.
How to restore a Nandroid backup with TWRP
Boot into TWRP, tap Restore, pick your backup, make sure the partitions you want are ticked and swipe to restore. TWRP wipes those partitions and writes the backup over them. Then tap Reboot System. The first boot after a restore can take a few minutes.
Here are the steps.
- Boot into TWRP with the same button combo as before.
- Tap Restore on the main menu.
- Tap Select Storage if your backup is on a microSD card or USB drive.
- Tap the backup you want.
- Leave Boot, System or System Image, Vendor and Data ticked. Untick EFS or Modem unless you really mean to restore them.
- Swipe to Restore.
- When TWRP says it’s done, tap Reboot System.
If you’re restoring after a different ROM, do a factory reset from Wipe first, then restore. Leftover data from the other ROM can cause a bootloop.
Why does my phone ask for the wrong PIN after a restore?
On phones with encrypted storage, restoring Data can mix up the lock screen keys, and the phone may then reject your correct PIN. To avoid it, remove your screen lock before you make the backup, and set it again after the restore. If it already happened, booting into TWRP and deleting the lock settings files usually fixes it.
The files are in /data/system and start with locksettings. Delete them from TWRP’s Advanced > File Manager, reboot, and set a new screen lock. Only do this on your own phone.
Can I make a Nandroid backup on a Samsung Galaxy phone?
Only on Galaxy phones that can run TWRP, which means the bootloader has to be unlocked. In July 2025, 9to5Google reported that One UI 8 removed the OEM unlocking toggle, so newer Galaxy phones may not be able to unlock at all. Samsung hasn’t confirmed it.
On a locked Galaxy phone, use Smart Switch or Samsung Cloud to back up your data. If the software breaks, you can still flash stock Samsung firmware with Odin, since that doesn’t need an unlocked bootloader.
FAQ
Does a Nandroid backup need root?
No. TWRP makes the backup from recovery, before Android even starts. You need TWRP and an unlocked bootloader, and that’s it. Root doesn’t change anything about how the backup works.
How big is a Nandroid backup?
It’s about the size of your system and app data, usually 5 to 15 GB on a modern phone. System Image backups are bigger than System backups. Turning on compression in the Options tab makes the files smaller, but the backup takes longer.
Can I restore a Nandroid backup on another phone?
No. A Nandroid backup only works on the same model it was made on. Restoring it on a different phone, even a close variant, can leave it unable to boot. Restoring EFS from another phone can also break its IMEI.
Can I restore just my apps from a Nandroid backup?
Not from TWRP. TWRP restores whole partitions only. Some root apps can pull single apps out of a Nandroid backup, but the simplest way is to restore the full backup on the same phone.
Related guides
- How to install custom ROMs with TWRP
- How to sideload ZIP files with ADB in TWRP
- How to back up Android without root
- How to enable Developer options, USB debugging and OEM unlock
- Download and install Minimal ADB and Fastboot
That’s it. Make a Nandroid backup before every ROM, kernel or mod you flash, copy it to your PC, and you’ll always have a way back.
Backup or restore failing on your phone? Leave a comment with your phone model (like SM-G998B or Pixel 7 Pro), your TWRP version and the error in the TWRP log, and I’ll help you figure it out.
