How to reinstall apps following a root/flash mega-mistake

[Guest Purplegaw]

I’m hoping that someone here may be able to offer me some advice with a problem I’ve encountered...caused by self inflicted stupidity, I might add.

After having my OSF – ZTE Blade for almost a year, I recently installed CynanogenMod7 on it. That went fine, no problems at all, worked first time.

And now the really stupid bit... I didn’t do a back-up beforehand. Despite a friend impressing upon me the importance of it....despite the words, DON'T FORGET TO BACK-UP, being highlighted, in red, at the start of the root/flash instructions! I still don’t quite believe how I managed to overlook it.

Fortunately, I have been able to retrieve my contacts via my Google account. But, I’ve lost all my apps. When I go to the market (via pc, because market is no longer on the phone) and attempt to reinstall them, it tells me that they are already installed on my device. I have searched around for a possible solution, but haven’t found anything. I’m thinking that there are not many dim-wits like me out there, who don’t back-up first!

Any help would be gratefully appreciated. Thanks!

[Guest targetbsp]

I think your problem is that you haven't installed GApps (Google Apps). They aren't included with CM7 and need installed separately.

Now you have CM7 on there, you should be able to use the included Rom Manager to download and install them for you. Choose Download Rom -> Google Apps and choose the '20110828 Universal' version.

Then you'll have the Market and will be able to re-download your apps.

[Guest uumeshh]

after installing Gapps open market on the phone and login using your Google account. your apps status will get refreshed.

[Guest Purplegaw]

I think your problem is that you haven't installed GApps (Google Apps). They aren't included with CM7 and need installed separately.

Now you have CM7 on there, you should be able to use the included Rom Manager to download and install them for you. Choose Download Rom -> Google Apps and choose the '20110828 Universal' version.

Then you'll have the Market and will be able to re-download your apps.

Thank you for your response, targetbsp.

I've done what you suggested, however I'm running into a problem. This is exactly what I've done;

ROM Manger

Download ROM

Then I get a message ... ''you must upgrade your ROM Manager to the latest version''

I 'OK' that.

Then I get an ''application ROM Manager has stopped unexpectedly, try again'' message and I have to force close.

What am I doing wrong?

[Guest Purplegaw]

after installing Gapps open market on the phone and login using your Google account. your apps status will get refreshed.

Thank you for your reply

Still trying to sort it out! I belong in the 'technologically challenged' class!

[Guest youngsta2010]

Download gapps from here and flash in clockwork

forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1297776

[Guest targetbsp]

Ah, and you can't update Rom manager because you have no market. :D

Yes, as youngsta says, you'll need to download them and flash them the same way you originally did the rom.

[Guest Purplegaw]

Download gapps from here and flash in clockwork

forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1297776

youngsta2010 and targetbsp, thank you both! I'll check out the xda link.

As I mentioned earlier, I'm technologically challenged, so if it's written in language that even a techno-idiot could grasp, I should be OK.

Although having said that, the root/flash instructions were as clear as day...a step by step guide on http://sanfranciscoandroid.co.uk/ ...and I still managed to overlook the 'DON'T FORGET BACK-UP' warning (still can't fathom how I managed that).

I'll let you know how I get on.

Thanks again for your help!

[Guest targetbsp]

basically, you need to download the gapps 20110828 version, copy it to your sd card, reboot into clockwork and then use the install zip from sd card option and select the gapps file.

All of these should be steps you had to do when you first put CM7 on, you're just doing them with a different file now. You just don't do any of the parts from your original instructions that involve wiping anything - that's not necessary at this point.

[Guest Purplegaw]

basically, you need to download the gapps 20110828 version, copy it to your sd card, reboot into clockwork and then use the install zip from sd card option and select the gapps file.

All of these should be steps you had to do when you first put CM7 on, you're just doing them with a different file now. You just don't do any of the parts from your original instructions that involve wiping anything - that's not necessary at this point.

@targetbsp and youngsta2010

Many thanks for your help! I've just done it.

I've been dragging my heels about doing this - I downloaded the file to the pc 5 days ago, but was concerned about doing something wrong when I attempted to install. Finally got the nerve to try it this morning. It was so much easier than I'd anticipated!

I've reinstalled all my existing apps and I'm just looking at possible back-up tools. Would you recommend any particular app for that purpose? So far I've only looked at Titanium.

Thanks again for your help

[Guest bladebuddy]

What I like to do when backing up is when I have my phone set up the way I like. I then return to clockwork restore/ backup option and that will make a full carbon copy of the phone the way it was. Good to fall back on if something goes wrong. Then use titanium etc to keep my apps and updates.