Using adb pull without rooting Nexus7 (2012)

[chaikenj]

I want to copy a file from my Nexus7 (2012) before I root the Nexus7.  The file is said to be in /data/misc/wifi, but adb shell won't give me permission for the root data directory and the su command is "not found".  I just want to gain permission to pull a file in the /data directory, or to be a rooted user or a super-user temporarily. Is this impossible to do without rooting the Nexus7?
  The situation seems like catch-22, since if I root my Nexus 7, the file I want will have disappeared.
Any advice?

[matt]

Look under sdcard/data/misc/WiFi with file explorer? The data folder under root directory is empty on mine. You should be able to read and copy but not write to protected folders.

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[chaikenj]

If your Nexus7, like mine, is not rooted, you can't see any content in the root data directory.  There are other wifi subdirectories on sdcard and elsewhere that have a file with the name I am seeking (wpa_supplicant.conf), but these files are just templates that don't have the current information that I am seeking.  I am trying to get it from the wifi subdirectory inside the root data directory.

[matt]

Yer right, just tried on my rooted 2013. Are you using adb from a computer or a terminal app?

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[matt]

That file seems to store all the WiFi passwords, under system settings/ backup and restore, there is an option to backup WiFi passwords to Google's servers.

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[chaikenj]

Yer right, just tried on my rooted 2013. Are you using adb from a computer or a terminal app?

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I am using adb from a Windows computer connected to my Nexus78 (2012)

[chaikenj]

That file seems to store all the WiFi passwords, under system settings/ backup and restore, there is an option to backup WiFi passwords to Google's servers.

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Great.  How can I make use of the backed-up WiFi passwords?  (I want to use them on my Nexus7 (2013) but right now they are only on my Nexus7 (2012))

[matt]

I leave the first option in backup and reset checked, back up my data, on all devices. When I enter a password on one it automatically transfers to the others.

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[chaikenj]

I leave the first option in backup and reset checked, back up my data, on all devices. When I enter a password on one it automatically transfers to the others.

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But the list of WiFi networks on one device is not the same as on the other.  Do you think if I am using Nexus7 (2013) and come to a WiFi network whose password is stored on Nexus7 (2012), the Nexus7 (2013) will mysteriously know the password?

[matt]

If it doesn't, there is a method to use adb bmgr on the rooted device to restore from the google backup set of the other.

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[matt]

http://www.ehow.com/how_8784894_transfer-one-android-phone-another.html

Also, if you enable backup, then root, then check restore when setting it up again, the WiFi passwords should be there.

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[chaikenj]

if you enable backup, then root, then check restore when setting it up again, the WiFi passwords should be there.

Thanks Matt--
Please let me know if the following plan of action sounds correct and complete to you.
On my Nexus7 (2012) I have enabled backup to the Google servers and also restore. It allows developer mode and USB connection.  It runs KitKat 4.4.4
I am planning to use the WugFresh Nexus Root Toolkit 1.8.8, as the interface seems understandable to a newbie like me.

1.  I download NRT_v1.8.8.sfx.exe to my Windows Vista computer and run it to install the Toolkit.
2.  Since the Vista computer already runs Android SDK (which includes ADB and Fastboot) and connects to the Nexus7, I assume I won't have to install any drivers.  But anyway WugFresh Toolkit seems to have a Step 3 that will test the drivers.
3.  I'm not going to backup anything to the PC, because the only file I want to save is presumably on the Google backup server.
4.  I connect the Nexus7 by USB and push the "Unlock" button in WugFresh Toolkit.
5.  I click the "custom recovery" box (I don't understand why) and push the WugFresh Toolkit button "Root".
After following instructions, I restart the Nexus7 and enter my account information and ask to restore my files from the Google server.  I am unclear whether there will now be PlayStore apps on my Nexus7 again -- I don't really want them.
6.  One of my apps already is SuperSU (but of course it doesn't do anything right now because my Nexus7 has not been rooted).  I install and run SuperSU (I don't understand this either).
7.  Then, if necessary, I uninstall apps I don't want, and I reinstall apps I want plus other apps that work on a rooted Nexus7.
8.  Now I will be able to find the file I want, which is said to be in /data/misc/wifi, and I can save it somewhere.

[matt]

if you enable backup, then root, then check restore when setting it up again, the WiFi passwords should be there.

Thanks Matt--
Please let me know if the following plan of action sounds correct and complete to you.
On my Nexus7 (2012) I have enabled backup to the Google servers and also restore. It allows developer mode and USB connection.  It runs KitKat 4.4.4
I am planning to use the WugFresh Nexus Root Toolkit 1.8.8, as the interface seems understandable to a newbie like me.

1.  I download NRT_v1.8.8.sfx.exe to my Windows Vista computer and run it to install the Toolkit.
√
2.  Since the Vista computer already runs Android SDK (which includes ADB and Fastboot) and connects to the Nexus7, I assume I won't have to install any drivers.  But anyway WugFresh Toolkit seems to have a Step 3 that will test the drivers.
Not sure of vista, due to usb updates, I'd upgrade to 7, but √
3.  I'm not going to backup anything to the PC, because the only file I want to save is presumably on the Google backup server.
√
4.  I connect the Nexus7 by USB and push the "Unlock" button in WugFresh Toolkit.
Test drivers first. You're dealing with chip set and windows USB functionality as well as correct? adb drivers and quality of USB cable. Of the 5 ports on my laptop, only one works correctly for adb.
5.  I click the "custom recovery" box (I don't understand why) and push the WugFresh Toolkit button "Root".
The recovery is needed to flash new su binaries to system.





After following instructions, I restart the Nexus7 and enter my account information and ask to restore my files from the Google server.  I am unclear whether there will now be PlayStore apps on my Nexus7 again -- I don't really want them.
Probably, delete them.
6.  One of my apps already is SuperSU (but of course it doesn't do anything right now because my Nexus7 has not been rooted).  I install and run SuperSU (I don't understand this either).
It is the gateway to root access, you may need to update binaries within the app to get it working right. Su = Linux command to switch user, with no other parameters it defaults to root user.

7.  Then, if necessary, I uninstall apps I don't want, and I reinstall apps I want plus other apps that work on a rooted Nexus7.
√
8.  Now I will be able to find the file I want, which is said to be in /data/misc/wifi, and I can save it somewhere.
√

As long as you don't recheck the backup option, the old dataset for that device will still be on the server. Every time you uncheck it deletes the old backup. Goto settings, your accounts, google, and enable all the syncs to ensure backups.You may need to let it restore for quite some time during setup. Depending on number of apps installed.

As long as the backup set for that device isn't erased, it may be possible to retrieve it manually with adb bmgr command, should something fail.

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[chaikenj]

if you enable backup, then root, then check restore when setting it up again, the WiFi passwords should be there.

OK, Matt, thanks, my Nexus 7 is now rooted, following your annotated instructions.  SuperSU is working on my Nexus 7 and also BusyBox.  However, I still don't understand how to give myself root access to be able to see and copy the file I want in /data/misc/wifi.  I was able to give "adb shell" root access, so I know the file I want is there, but I can't figure out how to give root access to adb itself.

  I also installed RootExplorer on my Nexus 7 and don't understand it at all (maybe not the right RootExplorer).  Please tell me how to give root access to root explorer or another file explorer on the Nexus 7.

[chaikenj]

if you enable backup, then root, then check restore when setting it up again, the WiFi passwords should be there.

By the way, after rooting, the only apps that were on my Nexus7 are the apps that Google supplies with a new Nexus7.  (This is how I wanted it.)