Restoring the /data/user/0/com.android.providers.contacts/ directory on LineageOS (or any Android-based system) is a sensitive operation, as this directory contains your contacts database and related files. Here’s how you can approach this:

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1. Prerequisites

• Root Access: You need root access on your LineageOS device to modify or restore files in /data/.
• Backup: Ensure you have a backup of the directory or its contents (e.g., contacts2.db or contacts.db). If you don’t have a backup, restoring may not be possible.
• ADB: Familiarity with ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is helpful for pushing/pulling files.

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2. Steps to Restore

A. If You Have a Backup

1. Boot into Recovery:

   • Reboot your device into TWRP or LineageOS recovery.

2. Mount /data:

   • In recovery, go to Mount and ensure /data is mounted.

3. Push the Backup:

   • Use ADB to push your backup to the correct location:

     bash
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     adb push /path/to/your/backup/contacts2.db /data/user/0/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/
     

   • Replace /path/to/your/backup/contacts2.db with the actual path to your backup file.

4. Set Permissions:

   • After pushing, set the correct permissions:

     bash
     Copy
     adb shell chown system:system /data/user/0/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db
     adb shell chmod 600 /data/user/0/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db
     

5. Reboot:

   • Reboot your device and check if contacts are restored.

B. If You Don’t Have a Backup

• If you don’t have a backup, you can try:
  • Syncing Contacts: If you previously synced contacts with Google or another service, sign in and sync again.
  • Third-party Tools: Use apps like Titanium Backup (if rooted) to restore app data.

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3. Important Notes

• Data Loss Risk: Restoring system directories can cause instability or data loss. Proceed with caution.
• File Ownership: Ensure files are owned by system:system and have the correct permissions (600 for databases).
• Alternative: If you only need contacts, export them from a backup or another device and import them via the Contacts app.

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4. Troubleshooting

• If contacts don’t appear, clear the Contacts app cache/data:
  • Go to Settings > Apps > Contacts > Storage > Clear Cache/Clear Data.
• If the device boots into a loop, restore your backup via recovery.

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