S60 Multimedia Blog

January 15, 2008 User Data Preservation with N82 Posted by Kevin at 10:47 AM | Categories: General

One of the most common complaints about updating a devices firmware is that your settings and applications that you had installed are gone. I agree and in order to improve this situation with the Nokia N82 some changes were made as to how your data is stored so that when you update with Nokia Software Updater to the latest firmware your settings and applications will still be available! The N82 is the first Nseries device to implement User Data Preservation.

Note: Even with a device that has user data preservation, you should always back up any important data before performing a firmware update in case something goes wrong (and if something does go wrong you'll feel much better knowing you backed up your data beforehand.)

With that said, having your settings and installed applications still there after a firmware update makes for updating to the latest firmware much more convenient. This feature has not been discovered by you guys and gals because there hasn't been a firmware update available yet for N82 (don't worry the first N82 firmware update that improves the stability of key applications is in the pipeline and will be available soon). Since this is the first time user data preservation has been implemented in an Nseries, if you run into any problems with an installed application not working or missing files after a firmware update please leave a comment here and I'll pass on the problem to be looked into, or if you prefer send me an E-mail at (Removed to decrease Spam, if you're not a spambot you can still send me E-mail at my FirstName Dot LastName AtSign S60 Dot Com) with all the details (application name, version, where to download the application, etc.). Also don't be afraid to leave a comment if the user data preservation worked flawlessly for you, it's nice to hear positive comments too! =)

Update (January 23rd, 2008): I've been reading around on other blogs that have posted about the user data preservation feature and I notice there has been a little confusion about this blog post. When I wrote that the N82 is the first Nseries device to have User Data Preservation I meant just that, other Nokia mobile phones have had user data preservation also but this is the first time that the feature has been implemented on the Nseries. I'm sorry I wasn't more clear earlier and I hope this clears up some of the confusion.
-- Kevin

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Comments

looking forward to seeing this happen with the new software update. will this become a S60 wide initiative starting in FP2?

will the n82 ever be upgraded to FP2?

hendrickchan: no, it will never get FP2.

Stefan, are you absolutely sure, are there technical limitations? Or is that just an educated guess on what we've seen until now? A while ago I would've said that a firmware update will never introduce stuff like A2DP or demand paging because it's too massive a change, but nowadays it seems that these firmware updates are starting to introduce even major upgrades.

Maybe it's just my desperate hope something like that would happen ;)

Isn't this implemented on the N81 8GB? I upgraded firmware on that without losing any of my contacts etc...

Same thing noticed with the last firmware
update of 6120c. Later ,update was removed
from the updater ...

I'm interested to know if this feature can be added to older handsets via firmware update?

This is fantastic news for people who have an uncountable amount of apps installed on their phone! Too bad, I have an N95..
So I wonder, is this a hardware limitation on all the other N-series devices or can we expect to see this great feature appearing on other existing N-series devices as well?

Wow step in the right direction! awesome. now lets get US 3G on that thing and i'll pick one up!!

@jennifr.. FP1 Devices cannot be upgraded to FP2 due to limitations of the device itself. This is the case with pretty much ALL operating systems on Nokias devices

my question is - why such stupid extra work - symbian/nokia should improve their backup instead !

if backup/restore would work 100% one would not need to worry about firmware updates - do a backup; update firmware; restore backup - it would have a positive side effect that one can be sure to save all data of a device and not only 60% or so !

ciao

Well FP1 I believe also included a baseline set of hardware requirements. All FP1 devices have at least a certain CPU speed, etc... I have no detailed knowledge of the process from conception to final product goes, but I believe that FP1 provides a baseline system and then features are custom tailored from there. If FP2 also has these hardware requirements then it would be impossible.

Now that being said, I agree with your point. I never thought my N73 would have A2DP support added, though that is because I assumed it required specialized hardware. Demand paging makes sense as being software only, however there is a balance of how much work it requires to implement versus the gains of your users. Counter to that as well is the incentive to upgrade to new hardware.

Off hand I don't recall firm specs on FP2 but I doubt that FP1 devices will cross that line. How many non FP1 devices became (fully) FP1? ;)

Is there any chance that User Data Preservation will be added to other FP1 phones like the E90?

Mark

Will there be some sort of on or off for User Data Preservation? Sometimes I prefer a complete format.

the default code for a format of your device has always been *#7370# with the unlock code usually being 12345.

What's the difference between *#7370# and turning off the device and then holding * + 3 + talk + power? That is how I always formatted and always wondered what the difference between the 2 are.

Hey,
I was just wondering weather there is an OPTION to REMOVE (or keep) user data when reflashing?

You know sometimes you just want to clean your entire phone with 3 clicks of the Software Updater, I did with my E61 when the Web wasn't working alright.

I hope this will still remain an option.
Thanks!!! I'm happy that this feature is being built-in!

Ps. It's a great idea that you want our comments because sometimes users have a problem and don't know where to write about it bc the company is so huge.

First off thanks for all of your comments and questions, it's great to see this many comments in less than 24 hours after posing it. I can see this is a topic of interest for many of you. I don't know the answers to all of your questions, but I've done some asking around and have got some answers for you guys and gals.

Stefan, S60 FP2 is still in active development but it's a good bet that many FP2 devices will have user data preservation.

hendrickchan and jennifr, No N82 will not be upgraded to S60 FP2. But that doesn't mean you won't see new features for it, new features can still be added in future firmware updates.

Adonis, it looks like N81 also has user data preservation for firmware updates.

Michael, sorry I'm not familiar with 6120c. There are some s40 mobile phones that also have user data preservation but the 6120c doesn't seem to be an s40 mobile.

Ricky and Sirdaf, Good question, there are currently no plans to add user data preservation to older devices. N82 was the first Nseries device to add user data preservation and going forward keep an eye out for other devices to have this feature.

RogerPodacter, I'm glad you're excited about the feature but take it easy on the Post button, I'm sure you didn't meanto submit your comment 3 times. =)

eb08, it's possible to back up your data to Memory Card or to PC with PC Suite. But with that said I agree with you, it would be great if backing up was made easier and more reliable, [software engineers working on back up this means you].

mjlaris, sorry I don't know if the E90 will be getting user data preservation. My guess is not since E90 has had a few firmware updates released already, but maybe Carol might know something about it.. (Hey Carol, do you know if E90 might be getting user data preservation or not?)

John, by default user data will be preserved on N82, but if you want to erase it you can follow the steps that Stefan offered. press *#7370# then enter the lock code (usually 12345). Thanks Stefan for the helpful suggestion.

s60newbie you don't sound like a newbie to me. Holding those keys at start up will also erase the user data. They are two different ways to achieve the same result, erasing your user data.

Kevin, i am quite happy Nokia has started talking with customers on the firmware front which was always a dark area for us. Many times the blogs and other sites reported based on rumours or end user experience.
I own a N95 8gb and would really love and user data preservation feature. Additionally, i love the slide handling option on N81 and world like to know if this could be implemented on N95 8gb as well.

bim, Glad you found this blog entry interesting. I just wanted to point out that I do work for Nokia but what I post here is my opinion and does not necessarily represent the views of Nokia. I try to share tips and tricks for S60, and try to pass on information that may have been glossed over or missed.

N95 8GB has had a couple of firmware releases so far, I don't mean to disappoint you and I don't know for sure, but I don't expect it to be getting the user data preservation feature.

As for the slide handling feature of N81 I'm not sure of what feature you're referring to, but since both N95 and N81 have slides it's possible that N95 8GB could get similar functionality that you're looking for.

can we see the Nokia Software Updater application on mac os x and linux ?
especially linux users didn't have any application powered by nokia !

Nice to know :)

Having to redo everything after updates is a right pain.

Any chance of a hint as to wherever flashlite 3 will be included in the upcoming update you mentioned? (pretty please)

MaXeR, sorry the Software Updater is only available for Windows.

michael, Flash Lite 3 is now available in the recent N95 8GB firmware update. As for other devices getting a Flash Lite 3 update, it's technically possible but I don't know if or when other devices will be updated. Most S60 3rd edition Feature Pack 2 devices will likely have Flash Lite 3. http://www.s60.com/business/developers/developingwithS60/flashlite

Thanks for the info malaeum and Kevin! I wasn't thinking it would happen, just wondering whether it would technically be possible without flashing.

The N82 is definitely my next candidate for private use...

Great to have some info on this firmware kind of stuff!

Hi,

Please tell me, why everybody is so fscinated about this feature.
When I upgraded my 6120c with the 4.21 version, it had already this feature, because I was really surprised that after the upgrade all my programs where still on the phone.
A few days later they removed the firmware from the nokia server.

The first mobile is also the 6120c, not the N82.

SJ, My post is about the first Nseries device to have user data preservation. I understand there has been a little confusion about this. Other Nokia mobile phones have had user data preservation also but this is the first time that the feature has been brought to the Nseries. I hope this clears up some of the confusion.

Kevin, when approximately will Firmware Upgrade of N82 be released? 2Q08? I've found problems with this first lot of N82 eg.call log bug with mobile icon regardless of calling-in/out with classified home or business type in Contact, phone gets freezed, and restart itself.

Worked fantastically!

Today the new FW is available-11.0.117.

Sorry to write again but I would like to congratulate you for this UDP function.It went extremely flawessly and all my contacts,settings and apps are intact,even the java ones.Superb!

Hi Leonard, i've tried searching for new firmware you mentioned by Nokia Software Updater v.1.4.23 but I still cannot get the latest firmware to be updated on my N82. Not sure if this is worldwide released coz I'm in asia.

Having done updating to new FW 11.0.117 but the call log BUG still alive. Can anyone advise how to fix?

Nokia Software Updater says my N82 phone model is not supported. How does one update to 11.0.117 now?

bea, Make sure that you have the latest version of Nokia Software Updater.
http://europe.nokia.com/A4176089

nat, E-mail me a detailed description of the problem you're having, and how to reproduce it. I'll send the report to the responsible people and try to have it investigated. No promises on having your problem fixed, it first needs to be looked at to see what the actual problem is.

Hi. I've just updated flawless my N82 and UDP worked perfect. But my message is to tell you that I've also updated my wife's N81 and it also seems to have UDP as all contacts, apps, etc were there after the update.

Sorry about my previous message as I was reading a cached page with so much less comments so mine is old and repeated.

Hi Kevin, may i know your email address?

this blog entry is interesting

"if backup/restore would work 100% one would not need to worry about firmware updates - do a backup; update firmware; restore backup - it would have a positive side effect that one can be sure to save all data of a device and not only 60% or so !"

Ditto.

And does anyone know which "60%" of the stuff backup actually backs up? The manual is devoid of all useful information - "It is recommended to back up the device memory regularly to the memory card. The information can be restored to your device later".

Why eg are some applications not backed up? How/what determines what is included in a backup??

Since updating my N82 to the latest firmware to date, my phones music player no longer 'senses' additions to its library (8GB MicroSDHC) or refreshs manually the way it used to.

Upon starting a manual refresh operation all iconography disappears and the device just appears to hang. I currently have two new albums on the phone that can be found and manipulated through the search function but that the music player is now too stupid to do anything with.

Not happy. My phone's worse now than it was before I 'updated' it.

With this is mind, why doesn't the Nokia Software Updater allow you to rollback to the last working firmware... rather than just offering the re-installation of the current one? That would be damned handy for situations like mine where the latest firmware seems to be worse.

very nice article. nikah şekeri

S60 Open to new features

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