What is Reddit's opinion of
SMS Backup +?
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Popularity Score: 177
This app was mentioned in 245 comments, with an average of 3.45 upvotes
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I remember before Apple actually had their iMessages™ stored in iCloud™, a big customer of the MSP I worked for at the time got a shiny new iPhone™ and wanted the messages transferred from their old one...
What a fucking nightmare.
I ended up having to setup the last MacOS that had the messages in the OS mail client (before they removed that in an update, otherwise it's not fun), do a synchronisation, export the messages from the client to their iCloud™ mailbox and then explain to the guy that no, I could not get them back in the messages app but they still had all of them in the mail app.
Apple : it just works. except when it doesn't.
On Android at least you just have to give access to the messages storage to something like SMS Backup+ and you're done...
>Keep screenshots of anything sent to you via text about her threatening to take your baby away. Record the events as they happen.
If you have Android, I suggest this app.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync&hl=en
You can set it up to do a backup of your texts to an email every hour if you want
I'm a longtime user of SMS Backup+
I haven't extensively used the restore element although when I tried it everything worked well enough. The killer features for me are backing up to a Gmail label (for SMS, Call Log) and recording Call log information in Google Calendar (I use a separate sub calendar for this).
It's free and open source, with an option to donate to the dev that I've used several times as it's been installed on more of my phones than I care to remember.
I know I've suggeted this app a couple times here, and I don't mind doing it again. Get this thing
You can set it to backup your texts on a schedule or shortly after you receive them. Send them to Email.
In case anyone is interested, on unrooted phones there are better choices:
Apps = Google already knows which apps you installed, you can go back to your Play Store listing and do it.
SMS = Use the below mentioned SMS Backup+
Call Logs = Use the below mentioned SMS Backup+
Applied Wallpapers = Does anyone need this?
I would rather use the free and more useful:
SMS Backup+: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync&hl=en
Edit: FYI: The SMS Backup+ IAP is only for donations.
Edit 2: As /u/Purple10tacle pointed out below Google even restores AppData (configurable option).
One other thing that one needs to keep in mind is the privacy aspect. I rather trust Google and maybe some open-source app rather than these paid apps used only by 1000 people.
Sorry for your loss. :( In addition to SMS backup apps (there are many — I use SMS Backup+, myself), you could just screenshot them. Then, if you have Google Photos, Google will back up the screenshots.
Either way (preferably with a text based solution), you should print them out and put them in a scrapbook or something. High tech solutions are great, but don't forget low tech. Having pages you can touch might be more helpful.
SMS Backup+ does sms, pics, and call log. All in one app. I think it only works with gmail though. I have been using it for 4ish years and it works great.
edit: also incoming messages are immediately uploaded.
Hey. So sorry for your loss.
The only free way I know involves a bit of leg work, but it’s an option that would just need you to borrow a Samsung phone, a USB on-the-go adapter (these have been in the box with the Samsung S7, 8 and 9 models) and have a google account. I realise getting a blank Samsung phone is the not so easy part but see if a friend (or yourself) has one from the last 4 years or so in a drawer that they don’t mind resetting.
Make sure it’s reset, or at least the text messages are.
From the Play Store, Download Samsung Smart Switch
Open SSS it, and use the USB on the go cable to connect it to your iPhone using your iPhone cable.
SSS will copy the content of the iPhone to the Samsung. After a while you will be prompted as to what elements you wish to transfer, deselect everything but the texts.
Once done, they’ll be on the Android phone (everything will stay on the iPhone too)
On the Samsung, delete any of the conversions that you don’t want backed up.
Download SMS Backup+ from the Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
It will let you back up a copy of the texts to a folder as an email thread in your Gmail account. Easy to read and print etc.
Hope that helps.
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Other than that, back up your iPhone 7 to either iCloud or iTunes and then wipe the iPhone X back to factory settings. Set the new phone up via the new set up nearby iPhone/Restore from iPhone/Restore from iCloud. All should see you retain all conversions on your new iPhone. You’ll be able to confirm this before resetting the iPhone 7 when sending.
If done correctly, when you set the iPhone X up, even your wallpaper should be the same.
If you have Android, get this.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync&hl=en
It's an app that will backup your Texts to an email account, and you can set it to do it on intervals, or after a text comes in
On a similar note, I suggest you get an app that backs up your text messages as well.
This is the App I use (Android)
Note, I am not affiliated with whoever made this, I just happen to like it and how well it works
If you have an Android phone, /u/broken-heartedgirl, I recommend the use of this App: SMS Backup +
I have it and it works wonderfully.
I don't think there is a way to specify just one persons messages to back up, but it would probably be best to have secondary copies of most messages anyways
If you have Android, us this app to backup all your SMS to Gmail. If you have iOS, find their equivalent. I'm sure they have something. Whatever you do, safeguard those texts.
I just got my iphone this week and while I've found alternatives / replacements for most of my android apps so far, I'm still looking for something like sms backup+. It automatically backs up my text messages to my gmail account, which made it easy to keep an archive of messages in a searchable format. Anyone know of anything similar for iphones?
I use SMS Backup+ myself. It hasn't been updated in a couple years but still works just fine. For me the big win is that it logs calls & SMS to one of my gmail calendars, which is really handy for me.
I use SMS Backup+ which backs up my SMSs to GMAIL. Not Google Drive, but searchable in Gmail which is useful. Used it for years, works great.
I've been using SMS Backup+ for a few years now. It backs up to your Gmail with a custom label. I think SMS is the default. Makes it nice because you can search all your SMS messages from gmail. You can also create Gmail filters to add more labels to help sort out messages.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
Although I can't compare it to WhatsApp, I've been very happy with SMS Backup+. It's one of those things that I just set it and forget it. It automatically backs everything up to a folder on GMail. (Apparently it can also work with other IMAP services like K-9.) From GMail, I have a neatly threaded backup that's easy to access.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync&hl=en_US
SMS Backup+ will save and restore messages. it just doesn't do MMS. Been using it for years. They might also be backed up by Samsung's app.
Edit: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
I personally use SMS Backup+ which doesn't export like you're asking, but it does export and restore SMS messages to/from your Gmail account, if it would be any easier to export from there? If nothing else, keeping backups is a good thing, and it's pretty reliable, ime, about that.
Unless you really want to do it with Tasker, check this app instead: SMS Backup+
(you may disable SMS/MMS stuff and just keep call log sync functions)
SMS text messages are stored in an internal database which SMS apps can access when the "SMS permission" is given. I'm afraid if you manually delete them they're gone unless you use some data recovery software (I don't know one, but I'm sure it requires root or computer access, likely both).
From now on back up your texts (SMS Backup+, SMS Backup & Restore), altough sending SMS to yourself sounds like a pretty weird way to take notes. There are far better solutions for that use.
I'm doing the same thing! 5X to PH-1!
For SMS backup, use SMS Backup+ (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync)
For WhatsApp, go to Settings -> Chat -> Chat Backup
My 5X is rooted, so I use Titanium Backup... Idk if I can restore on a non-rooted device...
>(she did the same thing to her last boyfriend and he was involved in that case as well).
I assume he does but make sure your lawyer knows that
Also back up your texts from now on https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
>maybe find any texts where they asked for a loan
/u/Omg_helpwtf, you both should make sure you are backing up your texts. I use this one (android), and I highly recommend it. It allows you to back up your texts to Gmail, and keeps them fairly well organized. Coincidentally, this allows you to muuuch more easily search them all
SMS backup+ is pretty good for archiving text messages. I have it set to upload my messages to Gmail once a week. Makes everything searchable and you can restore it back on your device with ease if you accidentally erase them.
Are you sure? This is my Cloud and Accounts settings page. From the Samsung cloud page, I could restore my texts.
Alternatively, in the future, you can use SMS backup+ or something similar, which backs up to your Gmail account somehow.
>Also back those messages up — you want to have them to prove she should never be around you or the kids.
/u/superdupercooper112, I would suggest you get this app or similar to backup any Texts that are sent.
In addition to SMS Backup & Restore, I'd suggest SMS Backup+. It backs up to your gmail and does so automatically once set up. I've been using it for years.
NAL, just a fellow droid user. There're a few ways to do this:
- Long-press the message(s) in question, and tell it to Lock them (which will prevent them from being deleted as old) or
- Long-press them and say "Copy to SIM" if your droid uses a SIM card. This is a decent way to back it up, presuming your SIM card doesn't crap out on you/get destroyed/lost/etc.
- Install a backup program for those. I personally use SMS Backup+, which will also backup my call logs and MMS messages to my Gmail, though it can't currently restore MMS messages to my device. I think.
- If your droid is a Samsung model, definitely have it signed into a Samsung account and go through Settings to back up things. Your text history should be included; I was pleasantly surprised to find that mine was, when I recently reset my device. (I'm still using SMS Backup+ however, because I like having my text history in my Gmail, all nice and searchable and everything....)
I was going off my own experience for 1 and 2 (which is that I use Messages, the text app that came with 5.1.1 on a Samsung device, so those two and this one may not work the same for you, depending on your app and its features... but I'm sure the Google-made messaging app's features wouldn't be too terribly different.
I'm also unsure of how well these methods of backing up text messages would work to preserve it as some kind of evidence in court, but at the least, 1 and 2 should help keep the text around; 3 would create an additional record, and 3 and 4 should help if the text is only gone because your device died or had to be reset or something.
I've been using SMS backup+ to back up my messages to Gmail folders for a couple of years now without issues
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
If it has to be a local copy you could then download from Gmail via IMAP or something
Yep, after you flash CTTMod, make sure you follow step #5 >5: In your kernel control app like kernel auditor set your thermal driver to msm thermal or temperature limit SoC temperture limit depending on what you kernel offers
In terms of backup. Titanium is awesome. For pictures, I just use Google Photos to send it to the cloud. For texts, I used this one before.
I mentioned this in a reply to another person, but just in case some didn't see it sms backup + for android is the best I've seen for android users. I have messages going back several years.
I use this app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync&hl=en
It automatically backs up all SMS and MMS to a folder in my Gmail. Easily searchable for later reference.
For SMS I use a combination of SMS Backup+ and SMS Backup & Restore.
SMS Backup+ saves my texts on my Gmail account with an SMS tag, and SMS Backup & Restore backs up the SMS data and can upload it to a cloud drive service (Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.).
Both have worked well for me for years, are free and don't require root.
I'm so sorry that your family is going through such a terrible time. I have no personal experience with a situation such as yours, but I've read before that documenting everything that you can from your interactions with both the abusive father and the CPS workers assigned to your case (texts, phone calls, emails, etc.) would be invaluable if you decided to go to court. SMS Backup Plus (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync) saves texts and call logs via a folder in either Gmail or Google Calender (either way a Google account may be needed) and may serve you well with regard to documentation. Taking pictures of the text messages would work as well if a backup app isn't feasible.
I was hoping to include a couple of links with helpful information for you, but I'm out of my depth and don't want to give inaccurate information without realizing it. I sincerely hope for the best for your son and family.
I use this app:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
Backs up your SMS to your gmail account (which I love because then your texts are searchable). I've used it for ages and it has always just worked.
I've used SMS Backup + successfully across multiple ROMs and with a few different SMS apps. You link it to your Gmail account and it backs them up there.
there are various apps that cover this functionality, but I've used SMS Backup + fairly successfully over the years. Backs up to SD card or to a label in gmail which is quite handy also.
I know this doesn't help you now, but I highly recommend this app.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
It's free and customizable and backs everything up to your Gmail.
Not a fix but a work around that might suit you. Install SMS Backup+ and let it backup your SMS messages to folders in your Gmail account. Then set up the Gmail app to sync those folders and just refer to them as needed and forget about the Messages app.
>(Unfortunately my texts delete themselves as the inbox fills up, and m mom and I text often enough that I only have maybe a month of texts in there at any given time.)
Do you have Android, /u/coffeeandregret?
I would suggest you get this App. It will backup your texts to an email account.
I use it and have is set to be sent to my Gmail, and it even keeps them organized in threads by the person.
Everything on the phone will be wiped. Everything in the cloud will be fine. Your Google calendars, etc, are all stored in the cloud. Your photos -- just make sure you've completed a full backup to Google Photos, and they'll be there too.
WhatsApp - under settings you can force a backup, but it should be backed up nightly.
You'll lose your SMS's/MMS's - if you use them a lot, then you'll need an app to back them up beforehand. I'd recommend: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
Your phonebook should be sync'd with Google too - but just check you don't have any numbers saved to 'Phone'. I believe you can filter them in HTC's Contacts app - you should then be able to copy them to Google.
​
Good luck with the reset. There's a slim possibility it'll fix it, but an in-OS wipe doesn't normally reset battery stats, so you may still have the issue. If so, you'll need to look at reflashing the complete HTC ROM on the phone. There are downloads on the HTC site to help with this (you don't need to unlock it or anything, as it's the proper ROM for the phone, not some custom one).
Another option is this one: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
I kinda like having it backed up to my Gmail/Inbox since I'm already always searching conversations there so they come up in my results.
sms backup +
it forwards EVERY sms to your gmail account
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync&hl=en_CA
i've had to use it before when someone claims you did/did not text them, you can just search for it in your gmail
>The automatic SMS backup/sync keeps pulling me back.
This can be done with SMS Backup+ and should work with any SMS client. I have mine synced to my Gmail and it just works without any fiddling after setting it up initially.
SMS Backup+, open source, uses Gmail labels to backup. Play has an old still functional version from 2015 but sign-up for the beta program to get a newer one.
Alternatively SMS Backup & Restore which has much better implementation with built-in Dropbox/Google Drive support, but it recently changed ownership and started collecting user metrics and will probably soon start showing ads too.
This doesn't help you in this particular situation, but to avoid this situation in the future, I highly recommend downloading SMS Backup +. I've been running this for years, and it's amazing. It backs all of your text messages up to your Gmail and labels them so they're easily searchable. This app has saved my ass sooooo many times and should seriously be on every single phone.
if you have an android, use SMSbackup. it backs up all messages, pics, and call log to a gmail account. it's helped me a lot when the ex tried to say she "never said that". I was like, I have proof you twat! https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync&hl=en
I use SMS Backup + - not exactly the prettiest app but does a great job for SMS and it also copies phone logs. You can set periodic backups to Gdrive. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
Not sure if this is what you're after, but I store my SMS in Gmail under an SMS label using SMS Backup+.
Not quite the same as Hangouts though.
Why not use an app like SMS Backup +
I've been backing up my SMS and MMS to gmail for almost 5 years now and refer to them every now and then.
The gmail implementation is not the most intuitive method, but it works. I can wipe my phone as often as I want and not have to worry about losing messages.
The interface is very Ice Cream Sandwich-ish, but after the setup, you never need to open the app again.
I've been using SMS Backup + (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync) for some time and have been pleased. Messages and phone logs are stored to one's Google account. May be worth checking out.
I've been using SMS Backup + for years without issue, it saves copies of all your MMS and SMS as emails in your GMail account. As a bonus, you can search through them from your computer. It's kind of an old school method at this point but still works fine
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
I recommend SMS Backup +. Open Source, backs it up directly in gmail (can be scheduled or done live) so you have a label for SMS and search works well. It can also restore them back to SMS again. It's available on F-Droid(not reliant on Google Play Services) and the Play Store
Have you considered SMS Backup+? I love that stupid thing so much; it sends a copy of every text you send or receive to your Gmail account, and thereby lets you delete them off your phone while still maintaining a record.
There's a number of applications on the Play Store for doing this. You can google around, but here's a popular one https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync&hl=en
As for WhatsApp, instructions are here https://www.whatsapp.com/faq/android/20902622
I'm sorry for your loss, OP. Here's a way you can have your brother's fun stories and pictures when it comes time for a phone upgrade.
I backup all my Photos with Google+.
SMS Backup+ is an amazing app. You sync it with your Gmail account and you can backup all your SMS and MMS to Gmail. Been using it for years on multiple phones.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
Here's what I've done:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync to backup SMS and Call records to a Gmail IMAP folder/label. If you want to save the data locally, you can always sync the IMAP folder to a local MBOX file.
As for contacts, I periodically just export all my contacts from the Google account and save it locally.
I've been a big fan of this app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
Saves backups to your Gmail, can easily search for them later.
The current version takes a little bit of fiddling with setting up IMAP, but it's not too bad.
Also meine Lösung ist (SMS Backup+)[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync]. Ja, das Handy muss die ganze Zeit an sein und Internet haben, aber das ist doch meistens der Fall.
I use SMS Backup+, that forwards SMS to email. It also puts you calling history in your google calendar. And it has tasker integration
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
I dont use WhatsApp, so i dont know if that is working
I use SMS Backup+ (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync&hl=en&gl=US). It used to backup to a gmail account but a few years ago they broke the API (and I'm not sure if the app has caught up). So to keep using it I had to set up an IMAP server for the app to sync to. Definitely not trivial.
I also use Pulse SMS which I think can offer a way to backup messages, but now it's a paid app.
I wish I had better answers.
I'm so sorry for your loss.
Update: apparently this has stopped working as I learned searching to download it: "A free copy of SMS Backup+ from the Google Play Store (Update: As of September 14, 2020, Google no longer allows this app to access your Gmail account. This means Google has disabled this process. Check the app’s reviews on the Google Play Store to see if the issue has been resolved since then.)" Many reviews said it stopped working, some said an IMAP workaround worked, then one review stated: "This app will no longer connect due to Google changing their protocols regarding Gmail's API. Apparently their is a workaround for the app, but that workaround only applies to the fortunate few that have been able to connect this app to Gmail in the past." Given saving via email wasn't the first preference for me I'll take this as a sign I should just use a 3rd party app hahaha! ;)
SMS Backup+. It might require some Google account adjustment, thanks to Google changes, but it backs up and restored to GMail, and you can also access your old messages in GMail after backup. I don't even restore, since all my old messages are readily available right in GMail.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
This is the one I use. It doesn't back up to a cloud but instead saves everything to your Gmail.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
Since Google changed it's API for Gmail, this app is broken so you need to use the workaround.
Yes, it's in the Play Store. I just read the latest reviews and apparently people have problems with the authentication. I set an app specific password for it and it still works.
Happy New Year!
This is the one you want. It backs up everything.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
You'll need to follow the instructions in this article to get it working.
Sorry, I meant all the different options to save the files to, in the app recommended specifically. I.e. Dropbox, drive, etc. I was suggesting that because you said they didn't restore on the new phone, so switching where the files are being saved could possibly fix it.
And rather than meddling with helium, wouldn't it be easier, at this point, to just backup the SMS and MMS and restore them on the new phone and pull the pictures from there? I have used the app mention above, but this one is the app I've used most recently and was able to get all my MMS with pictures and videos restored as well.
Unfortunately I can't help with helium specifically as I've never used it, but I'm just trying to give another option that would hopefully work.
I've used SMS Backup+ to back up texts to gmail. There are some tricks you have to do to get it to work now, after Google made security changes last ~August.
If you are able to boot it up and install apps from playstore I recommend SMS BACKUP+
Backups your SMS, MMS and call history with a separate label in Gmail and Google Calendar.
I can help you with this! It's been almost 4 years since I used Android, but Android is better for this than iOS.
Install this app and run it. It will back up your texts to Gmail under a certain label. You will then be able to read them in Gmail, or you can restore them to a new phone.
I'm confused though, the Galaxy S10 released after your mother passed, so you would have received those texts on another phone. How did you get them to your S10?
In any case, that app will help you. Even if you meant Galaxy S9 (released Spring 2018), your Galaxy phone should serve you well at least another year, so hopefully this is not something you need to do sooner, but it is something you should do ASAP because you never know what will happen to your phone.
I've used SMS Backup+ since I've had my Nexus 5. It worked great until Google changed their API sometime in August. Now you have to create an app password in your Google Security, but once you do that it works just like it should.
It will backup SMS texts and call logs to your Gmail account.
It groups SMS text to/from the same person in batches of 100 texts.
You can search Gmail for them easily and export them from there.
I had good luck a couple years ago with SMS Backup+. It backs up texts on your phone to a Gmail folder, preserving conversations as email chains. The down side is that thanks to changes in Gmail security, you have to follow extra steps now to re-enable it. The end result is quite easily readable.
I use the above.
I also use the following to send sms / logs to gmail.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync&hl=en_US
Note: Due to gmail app changes, you need to enter server details manually. (custom imap server).
I use SMS Backup+ and insted of Gmail, I use my own mailserver. The calendar sync push the details in my own hosted calendar too.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
Hello! Sorry for my late reply, but this subreddit is a bit dead... On case you haven't done it already, here are my thoughts:
Nowadays, if you are logged into a Google account, and then log in again after u locking the phone, you should have your contacts, messages, and apps saved and reinstalled (tho it won't restore apps settings). Make sure you are logged in a Google account and that everything is synced in your phone's settings, in "Accounts" or in "System" then "Backups" (this is on AOSP, I don't know how it is on MiUi/EmUi/One UI etc).
Apps that you previously installed should Reinstall, but without their data (you will have to login in social media apps and may lose progress on games for example).
Yes, the easiest way for your photos is to backup them in a computer. But keep in mind that unlocking the phone to install a recovery and root access should not erase the internal storage, so your photos, downloads, music, etc should still be there. But do a backup just in case.
I don't think there is other things to save. Just check in the Contact app that your contacts are saved in your Google account and not your phone, else they won't be saved.
I also reccomend backing up SMS, with this app for example: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
I'd you need more help with Magisk or rooting in general, feel free to send me a message!
I unknowingly performed the steps given in this review and it worked (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync&hl=en_IN&reviewId=gp%3AAOqpTOH2l62_-7L4AsNuMsdGEn1RIcpdDeNrwazRatOYuwtwaE1LT0vgeZru81fUu0pea7nlLgweaH6TARXsYq8)
Maybe the SMS database has an issue that was caused by the update. It might be worth backing up your SMS (SMS Backup+ leverage your Gmail storage for that purpose), clear out the SMS from your phone and restore them using SMS Backup+.
That should clear out any inconsistencies if that is the case.
Do you have super-long conversations saved? If so, changing texting apps (should you choose to do so) might not even help because texts are saved in the same internal database regardless of which texting app you use.
My suggestion is to backup your texts using this app:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
It's free and it will back up your texts and call logs to your gmail in a separate label.
After it's done (be sure!), delete the whole thread with your SO and start over.
Okay, that's part of the confusion. I'm using SMS Backup+ by Jan Berkel, so we are talking about different apps.
I have the Pixel 3 XL, and not I haven't tried restoring anything. Because it backs up to a Gmail folder that I can access, I've never even bothered using the restore function actually.
> how else would police recover deleted texts in court cases etc.
These are usually sent in plaintext, and the carrier could theoretically retrieve them from their server if subpoenaed.
On newer Android smartphones, the storage is encrypted by default which makes it much harder to recover data from external tools.
You will hardly find any good tool online to recover them yourself, so your next best option will be to ensure you have a backup next time.
I use SMS Backup+, this allows you to continuously back up your SMS in the background to a Gmail account of your choice. That way if you lose or need to switch to a newer device, you can easily restore them from the same Gmail account.
No. Your text messages calls etc are not stored as files.
You can use an app to ensure that everything is backed up. I like https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
You can copy the contents of the "sdcard" aka internal storage, to your computer for safe keeping.
I've done this a few times on my MZP. Your SD card is not deleted or touched unless you tell it to on the factory reset menu. Everything on device storage will be gone.
If your photos are on the device storage they will be deleted. If they're on the SD card they will stay intact. Hopefully your photos are backed up somewhere anyway.
Your SMS messages will be deleted. Supposedly Google backs these up. I haven't figured out how to restore them from Google. I use SMS Backup+ which tucks them into your Gmail somehow (which is nice, then you can search for them by text in Gmail, but they're auto-archived so they don't clutter your inbox). You can set that up to back up before you reset, and then restore after. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync&hl=en_US
All your accounts will be deleted - Gmail, MS Office, etc. These are backed up to Google - if you selected that option when you initiated the phone.
When you finish the factory reset, the phone will ask if you want to restore the old phone accounts and everything, or start fresh. I usually start fresh to be honest, just seems more fun, but you can have it restore your old accounts and your old apps (I'd be judicious in what apps you pick)
Basically when I reset I use a File Manager app to dig through the device storage and make sure there aren't any stray downloads, documents, photos etc that I don't want deleted. I save all that crap to the SD card. Then I reset.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync is an awesome app people should have installed anyway :) But yeah, agree.
Yeah, apparently that's a thing. I use SMS Backup + to back them up. Restoring is quite easy too. Highly suggest giving it a try.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
As others have said, if you left sync on all your contacts should have been backed up to your google account. These will auto restore when you sign in on another phone.
Aside from that, you may want to do some investigation, according to the gsmarena spec list for your phone (https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_i9500_galaxy_s4-5125.php) it has wireless charging in some regions, If your particular model did come with wireless charging you could get a charger (they are inexpensive), if nothing else, this would give you a chance to charge the phone and rescue any information/data you wanted to retrieve. Contact list, text messages, photos, videos, documents etc.
As a last resort maybe a friend or family have the same phone - the battery is removable on your phone, so you could put it in to another phone, charge it up and put it back in your phone so you can power it up. I guess you could even find one cheap secondhand phone to buy, use and then sell on. One with a broken screen would be ideal as it'd be very cheap.
If you do get it going again, I've used this app in the past https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync&hl=en_GB I'm sure there are others.
If you do go on to a contract, your phone uses a micro-sim card. SIM cards come in a number different sizes and most phones nowadays take a nano-sim (which is smaller than yours). When you've decided what contract you want, just go to the store and tell them you want to keep your number, they should be able to transfer it and give you a new sim card with your new phone.
Google decided to remove the SMS capability from Hangouts a while ago, and therefore it cannot read the SMS database anymore. Check in your standard SMS app, all that Hangouts and all other SMS-capable apps are reading the same system SMS database directly.
If they aren't there, then something went wrong with the switch and the texts might not be recoverable. It won't fix the issue if they were lost, but I would suggest using SMS Backup+ in the future to archive your text messages to your Gmail account.
I don't think that's possible. If I'm not wrong messages like SMS and MMS are stored in a database. So even if you could access the database you still would need to be able to extract the massages front the database file.
As an alternative to accessing the messages via Windows Explorer: I use SMS Backup+ to backup my messages to gmail: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
Maybe that would be a solution?
I use a free app called SMS Backup + (Android, but I'm sure there are similar for i-devices) that automatically sends a copy of text messages to my gmail. It's a lifesaver! :)
I hope I am understanding you correctly, but I am thinking you would like to backup all your text messages to email. If that is the case, I have been using an app called SMS Backup +
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync&hl=en
I backup my messages manually to save battery life on my phone. I do it once or twice a day. However, it does have an option to do it automatically in certain time increments. I have been using it for about 4 months now and it works pretty well. I can also transfer the messages back to my phone if I get a new one, which is pretty awesome. Hopefully this helps! :)
You'll need to wipe. So back up what you need. You can use Google for stuff like Photos/video and Contacts, for SMS/MMS you can use this. Tell me when you want me to give you an install guide.
Also, keep in mind that LineageOS is still a custom ROM. So stability isn't promised and there sometimes will be bugs. So don't forget to keep backups, I usually suggest running one at least once a week. Also, you probably already know this but I just have to say, you are responsible for what you do to your device and any warranty that still exists will likely be voided.
Yup, the actual app gets re-downloaded automatically from Google, and there is a way for developers to include a backup of app settings, but unfortunately very few actually do that. Helium or Titanium (root only as you know) would save the app settings, game progress, login, etc., so you don't have to set it all up again manually.
SMS I'm not sure about because I don't use it much. I think this is the app most people recommend: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync&hl=en
I like SMS Backup +
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
It backs up to Gmail as a label. Been using it for years. It basically turns your texts into searchable Gmail conversation threads.
If you have an Android, I would recommend this one:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
SMS Backup+ works beautifully for me. It backs up every SMS, MMS, and call log to my Gmail, labeled. And it can restore from those backups too. Very useful, if your device dies on you suddenly and you need to move to a new one, or have to do a factory reset, or who knows what.
I can't rec one for iThings; I only have droids.
SMS Backup/Restore can backup to your GMail folders as well the last I used.
Edit: This is the app I use; sorry for the confusion. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
Everyone has good suggestions here, but your ultimate performance boost will come from a full factory wipe. I do this every few weeks/months (for other reasons, such as new ROMs, etc.). But the performance difference on a pure, stock, new system is amazing.
- Back up your photos to the cloud, or manually to your computer
- Back up texts directly to your Gmail account with SMS Backup +
- Manually back up other folders, such as Downloads, Screenshots, etc.
Then, factory format the phone and start all over again. You'll be amazed by the difference.
If someone's already using SMS Backup+ already, the app has this feature, too. It also saves SMS as Mails on a gmail/imap server.
--- OP continued - Part 3 of 3. ---
SMS Backup+
- App used to sync every text message I get into a folder in Gmail. Basically if I get a text, this will back it up to google's servers.
- If you change phones you can then set it to download the last 100... 200... 500 (etc.) messages from google so you can get you most recent messages back onto your new phone and all the rest will be forever on google (also handy for searching messages later as you can just search that folder in gmail).
Steam
- Allows me to browse the steam store - especially useful during steam sales, or if I just want to look a game up.
- Also allows you to chat with your steam friends.
TeamViewer
- allows me to gain remote access to any of my computers in teamviewer and remotely control them with my phone.
- helps me when I'm out and my mum calls me needing help with something on her computer. Using my phone's data I can see her screen and move her mouse and help her. It also means when I go travelling I can install dropbox on my phone and remotely control my NAS using this app so I can then drop files into dropbox and have them sync to my phone.
texdroider_dpi –needs root
- Allows you to change the DPI of your phone (think of it as changing the resolution on your computer monitor). My phone is 480DPI by default. I use this app to make it 420DPI. This makes everything smaller and less chunky and hideous (much more to my tastes), makes fonts smaller and generally gives everything more screen real estate meaning I can see and fit more on my screen.
- Can also be used to make everything bigger for those with vision issues
The BOI: Rebirth Resource
- If you play The Binding of Isaac you will immediately see the value. If you don’t, you should. It’s an excellent game.
- Great for quickly looking up items and their effects so I don’t need to tab out of the game while I’m playing it on my PC.
Google Translate
- Simple translation of any common language to any common language.
- Also has a cool new(ish) feature where you can point your phone at foreign text and get it to super-impose your language over it (augmented reality). Last time I used it though the app had all kinds of problems trying to focus up close. Hopefully google have worked that shit out.
Truedialer
- only recently started using this. Replaces your dailer app. I like the way it looks and functions. But ultimately my dialer app wasn't finding some contacts for me when I would quick search them and this one does so it’s the main reason I’m using it.
- It also looks up phone numbers that you don't have saved as a contact and if it knows who they are it will tell you. Really handy feature.
Uber
- Excellent "taxi" app. Get cheaper rides than taxis and see exactly how far away your ride is via GPS locating then get an amazingly clear invoice at the end with a map of the route you took, how far your travelled and how long it too.
Urbanspoon
- Simply used for looking up local food places in the area and seeing their features (opening times/days, price ranges, cuising types) and typically their menus.
Wake On Lan
- App I can use to remotely turn on my computer. I only use it when I'm on the same wifi network as my computer, but you can set it to work from anywhere in the world.
- I mostly use it while I'm in bed so I can turn on my PC and stream stuff to my TV without having to get out of bed... coz I'm a lazy fuck and that shit is warm.
Waze
- Similar to google maps (but really bad with navigation).
- The advantage is it crowd sources live information about the roads in your area. So if you pass a cop, or a speed camera, or a traffic accident slowing down traffic you can log it on the app and it will show up for everyone else in the area.
- Saves you getting speeding fines and lets you know if you should take a different route due to traffic
- I typically start my navigation with Google Maps then open this after and leave it on the screen so I can just glance at my phone to see what's up ahead on the road. It will also announce if you're about to go past a speed camera etc.
Wifi Analyzer
- Tool mostly used for work stuff. Allows me to get all kinds of statistics on Wifi networks in the area and figure out signal strengths and dead spots and what wifi channels are congested etc.
µTorrent
- Exactly what it sounds like. A torrenting app for your phone.
List My Apps
- the app I used to get a list of all my apps and their market place links so I could create this very post in case anyone else wants to do something similar.
Xposed
Xposed framework is useful for taking customisation of your phone to the next level. It requires root, but for those that want even more customisation out of their device this is worth looking into.
I'll flesh out this section a bit more in time, but this is just a dump of my xposed modules currently:
ActivityForceNewTask
Alternate App Picker
Always Correct!
App Settings
Blurred System UI
BootManager
Burnt Toast
Chrome New Tab (Xposed)
No Wake On Charge for S5
Tinted Status Bar
Wanam Xposed
XBlast Tools
Xposed G-Touchwiz
Xposed Torch
XuiMod
YouTube AdAway
I've used this app for almost 6 years, since my first android device, and it has worked since
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
SMS Backup+ backs up SMS's to Gmail as (threaded) emails so they are searchable as well as restorable to another device.
SMS Backup + will backup all texts to Gmail.
SMS Backup+ will backup your call log to gmail
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
SMS Backup+
Backup de SMS e histórico de ligações para o Gmail, bem organizado.
Grátis (doações) - Play / FDroid
Open Camera
Bom, uma câmera. Caso a do seu sistema seja muito básica, essa tenta extrair o máximo de funções possíveis.
Grátis - Play / FDroid
Opengur
Para perder tempo no imgur, já que o app oficial é ruim que só...
Grátis - Play
Tickmate
Caso você tenha OCD e queira registrar eventos recorrentes para estatística ou qualquer outro motivo.
Grátis - Play / FDroid
Bônus:
Pornhub
( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
Tem como mudar o ícone para algo mais discreto.
Instalação <em>manual</em>
Not certainly the only way. I use SMS Backup+.
SMS Backup + I love it. backs up all SMS and Phone calls to Gmail. Also post all phone calls to a google calendar.
...or just use SMS Backup+, then you don't have to lose your SMS messages when you get a non-Samsung device.
I use this open source app to back up all text messages to Gmail and call logs to Gmail and calendar: SMS Backup+ https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
There are app to do SMS backup, such as SMS backup+
There are numerous apps in play store for backing up and restoring sms. I use SMS Backup+
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
Back up to my Gmail every 30mins
Been using this for years with no issues.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync&hl=en
I've been using this to backup my emails for years. Might be helpful to you. Here's the Link
SMS Backup + is the no-frills approach.
Slowdown + lag is guaranteed if you fill up the internal memory on Android. Try to leave a couple GB free.
Some app recommendations:
* SMS Backup +
* Lens
* Darker
* Galaxy Button Lights
* Keep
Don't forget to install Smart Switch on your old phone and transfer all your stuff to your new phone.
Unregister yourself from iMessage before you start texting or you will have a huge headache with group texts not working. Thanks a lot, Apple.
Check your battery settings while you're recharging to see if there are any surprise battery killers. I had a weather app draining it hardcore, uninstalled it and now my battery life is much better.
Try hooking up the included OTG adapter - it gives you a full size USB port, to which you can connect USB drives, a keyboard/mouse, etc etc!
Edit: Regarding MicroSD cards, do NOT buy a Pixtor card.
Use this for SMS and call logs if you need it: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync&hl=en
Puts it in gmail with tags and restores it too.
Yeah of course you can do that. What I would suggest doing is flash the latest factory image to your device (SEE BOTTOM OF POST FOR SUGGESTIONS ON BACKUP OF STUFFS). You can find the latest factory image for the Nexus 6P here, https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images#angler (build MHC19I). Download it, and extract it with an archiving program such as winrar or 7zip. After you have it extracted, go to your phone and boot into the bootloader (turn off device, hold down volume down and power button at same time until bootloader appears). Then plug your phone into the computer, and there should be a file in that folder you extracted called flash-all.bat. Double click it and it will put your phone for the most part back to stock 6.0.1 build MHC19I. The last step is to relock your phone which you can do by opening up a command prompt and typing in "fastboot flashing lock". This will most likely wipe your device (not entirely sure on that). So this was probably a lot for you, so here it is step by step summarized.
Download zip from here: https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images#angler
Extract zip using winrar or z7ip
Boot phone into bootloader (turn off, hold volume down & power button until bootloader appears)
Plug phone into computer and double click flash-all.bat
4.5. If you phone is not detected by windows, this will install the drivers you need... Thread link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=48915118#post48915118 Download link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0MKgCbUM0itSUhpUklCTFpzWkE/view
- Go back into bootloader after it is finished installing the factory image, and type in "fastboot flashing lock" in order to relock the bootloader.
BACKUP SUGGESTIONS: Photos & Videos: Use Google Photos to back them up for free with unlimited storage SMS (texting): SMS Backup +, it will backup all your texts if you want to keep them. Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync&hl=en
Using this for a long time https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
Try this one out, I use to use it before hangouts (Google voice).
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
What do you meab by "safe"? Secure? Or reliable? I use the sms backup app. It archives them in my gmail.
There is SMS backup + :
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync&hl=fr
>...For instance, there is a FOSS app called SMS Gate available on F-Droid - others who stumble across this thread might find that a useful alternative to the proprietary apps on Google's Play Store.
Interestingly in that page Source Code links to it's gitlab page where you can read:
>(based on https://github.com/jberkel/sms-backup-plus)
And that original SMS Backup+ app's page includes download links on both Play Store & F-Droid.
I use the Play Store version & sync to my Gmail account.
If you have problems setting it up see SMS Backup+ is now broken due to Gmail's API changes, but there's a workaround
I enabled IMAP in my Gmail account & used the browser authentication method when giving the permission to SMS Backup+ to connect to Gmail.
If you don't want to buy the popular apps or already have them, I would suggest you to donate money to some open source app through play store. I would link some open source apps which have the donation through google play rewards balance.
Or you can buy few of the privacy-friendly apps from Simple Mobile Tools
Only some apps use Drive backup, so I wouldn't entirely rely on it. Are there specific things you are looking to backup? Such as images, music, downloads?
I haven't used ADB backup in a long time, but I do know there are some apps that do not allow to be backed up in that way.
If you're looking for SMS/Call Log backups, these may be saved to your Google Account (along with your contacts), there are a few apps on the Play Store for that: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
OR: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.swiftapps.swiftbackup
If you're looking to backup your WhatsApp messages that are currently on your Android, you should be able to do that just fine within WhatsApp via: WhatsApp > 3-dot Menu > Settings > Chats > Chat Backup.
If you want to have a read about the rooting process, have a look here: https://squabbi.github.io/maowdroid/pixel2-xl/root/late2017.html
Disclaimer: I wrote that guide, I also made the video.
As always, I'm happy to answer any questions :)
I've used SMS Backup + which backs up your SMS and call logs to your Gmail account. It can also restore them on a new phone.
I've been using this https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync for a couple of years. Free, and sends everything to Gmail w a custom label so you can easily search.
SMS Backup + Sends your messages and call log to your email, so it'll be searchable with your Hangouts conversations.
You can also use this one. You can back it up in your email
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
I use SMS Backup+ on my Nexus. Works great! It backs up all your texts and call log to your Google Account.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
Silly me - I realize looking through the settings that my SMS backup app does this as an option:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync&hl=en
This app still works.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync&hl=en
sends your SMS MMS and Call log to your email address...
use this SMS Backup+ and Syncthing
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync&hl=en&gl=US
+
No it backs up locally. Here is the app you are thinking of:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
Jan Berkel's SMS+ works for me and it includes RCS.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
It doesn't work out of the box because Google made some changes to the API. But go to this link to set it up and you'll be good to go.
I started using the SMS Backup app. It backs up to Google Drive, Dropbox, etc. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
I use this
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync&hl=en
make a label in your gmail account and upload all sms there
This is my jam. Backs up your SMS to a Gmail label. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
I tried SMS Backup+ and it was unusably slow, I used SMS Backup & Restore and it worked fine. I backed up locally, transferred the backup file (1.9 GB) to the microsd card, then plugged that into a USB card reader and into the adapter that came with the phone. Solid Explorer saw the card no problems, copied it over and restored without an issue.
There is a nice app to back them up to Gmail in the play store. Just search for a 3rd party app.
I use SMS backup + and it saves all your sms to a folder in gmail. fantastic program! https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync&hl=en_CA
Depending on use-case, a better alternative would be https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync&hl=en_IN
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
If you're on Android then this app is a lifesaver. Everything gets backed up to your Gmail.
I've been using this one for maybe 7 or 8 years. I like having my SMS/MMS searchable via Gmail
You should also look at SMS backup+. Play store link
Looks like SMS Backup+ development is still alive: last version on Play is from 2015 but there's a new beta on F-Droid.
Set yourself up with this going forward, it uploads texts into your gmail
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync&hl=en
I've been using this for years
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync&hl=en
I've always had much better results using this app than the built in SMS backup:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
I use this for switching between Android devices: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
I used this and SMS backup+ https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync&hl=en
Another option is SMS Backup+ which will download them all to your gmail account in their own folder.
Not sure if it'll do what you want, but I've always used sms backup + https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
Looks like this should work.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
SMS Backup + allows you to store them in your Gmail account under specified labels.
Next time install and coonfigure this to autobackup
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync&hl=en
It isn't compatible with custom ROMs. Use another solution like this.
SMS Backup+ backs up automatically to your Gmail. I've been using it for years.
I've used "SMS Backup +" to backup my SMS, MMS and call logs to my Gmail account for years. It's worked perfectly.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
So I use this tool to backup my text messages to a Gmail account. Does iOS have something similar?
I've used SMS Backup + every time I needed to reset a phone or transfer to a new one.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
I use this to store sms and calls in a label on my gmail.
Contacts, apps, and emails should all be automatically downloaded from Google when you sign into your account on the new phone.
You'll need to use an app to backup your text messages, I like SMS Backup+ https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
Photos and videos you'll have to transfer using any method you would use to transfer files. The easiest would be using a computer and a USB cable. Besides that you could use a MicroUSB flash drive, Google Drive, Dropbox various WiFi transfer apps (I like Superbeam ( https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.majedev.superbeam), Bluetooth (but it would take FOREVER).
I used to back up my texts using SMS Backup+ and it worked pretty well, though sometimes the timestamps got messed up on a restore.
Another vote for SMS Backup+ Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
While it hasn't been updated for almost a year it still works flawlessly on my Nexus 5X.
What I like about it is it's no frills, does two things well: 1) call log to Google Calendar and 2) text messages to Gmail as emails --> this is especially helpful because I get text in German (I reside there) but I don't know the language. Gmail translates your email so I know what the heck those foreign texts are.
Does this support backing up group chats? I've been using SMS Backup + and while its been working great my one problem is it doesn't back up group chats.
Use this app to back them up to your Gmail account:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
Then you can easily restore them on your next phone and/or read them via the Gmail website.
If you have a gmail account, try THIS - I've been using it for a while now, and works wonders. Get a new/different phone? No problem!
I use SMS Backup and have been for years. You can backup your text messages and your call logs to a folder in your gmail.
I use SMS Backup+ to sync calls, texts and MMS to gmail. I've never used it to restore them to my phone, but it claims it can restore calls and texts (but not MMS).
Check out SMS Backup+(Google Play Store link). There are other ways to do it but I think every way I've done it in the past required root. You can also check out ROM Toolbox(Google Play Store link), which has a feature for backing up SMS as well, but may require root.
SMS Backup+ is a nice app. It backs up all text messages to your Gmail account. Nice, simple, and good options.
Using a SMS backup app will work. I recommend SMS Backup +.
I recommend SMSBackup+ Backsup your SMS to your gmail just like Hangouts does. Pretty spiffy.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
Phone numbers and applications should be backed up to your Google account.
Photos should be backed up to Google Photos or Dropbox.
For messages I recommend SMS Backup+
I know it's too late now, but I use https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync to back up my SMS. It does it automatically every single night so that in case of a failure I have a backup copy in my email to reference if I lose my phone or it gets destroyed.
I use this. It'll back up messages to Gmail too.
SMS Backup+ copies your texts to your gmail account. Under Backup in Advanced settings you could set the label to "Inbox" (rather than the default "SMS") which I think would do what you want. Or leave the label as SMS and set up a rule in gmail to move new messages labelled SMS to the inbox.
and just to check, that app is this one?
Try /r/AndroidQuestions. Is there an app like SMS Backup for windows? you could try doing it through an app like that?
SMS Backup+ backs up and restores straight to your gmail account. Also makes all your SMS messages searchable in gmail.
Are your contacts saved to Google or to the phone? You can check when you enter a new contact that it's saved to "Google" and not "phone". How to backup contacts to Gmail with Android
For messages, you can also use an app called SMS Backup+. It will sync your texts to your gmail and allow you to view them in your gmail app/desktop. It also pulls them down to the new device (if you choose to.)
For photos, use Google Photos and save as the unlimited option. Once the pictures are saved to your google account, you can delete them from your phone freeing up space.
Most people don't know about this, and are often forced to get someone to transfer their stuff to the new device when they get a new one. Having worked in the business at Verizon, I would routinely just ask customers if they wanted it saved to make it easier for future reference. Majority said yes.
If you're one of those people who are freaked out by the opinion that papa google will have your info, then this is clearly not your option (not like they probably don't have your info already.)
Yeah it saves to SD card. I'm not sure about MMS, since I don't have an MMS plan. You could just test it out by sending yourself an MMS, backing up, deleting it, then restoring.
I do know that SMS Backup + does back up MMS to Gmail - at least for received images, again I don't know about group or sent since I can't send MMS with my plan. It can't restore them though, they just get saved in your Gmail as emails.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
That should do what you're after. Uses your gmail account as a middleman.
Try with this useful app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
If you're using an Android phone, SMS Backup+ can back up your texts (SMS), Multimedia texts (MMS) and call logs (record of incoming/outgoing calls). https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
I've been using SMS backup+ for a few years without issues. All my texts (incoming and outgoing) are sent to my gmail account regularly and kept in organized threads there.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
No that I've ever heard of, but I would like to point you to this app for future use. It sends your texts to a Gmail folder.
I just use SMS Backup + to backup messages. Doesn't matter if they were sent or received from Textra or from stock app. Makes a folder in Gmail labeled "SMS"
If you have an android phone and don't use hangouts then you can use this program to backup your sms to gmail. If you use hangouts then i think that it already backs them up.
I've used SMS Backup and its always worked great for me. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
Hopefully someone more knowledgeable can help you but here is what I would do:
--Easy/Auto--
1) I would use Samsung Kies to backup your phone to a pc. It will backup contacts, snote, messages, s planner, call log, internal memory images/music/photos/ringtones/apps, alarms, email acct info, homescreen setup, wifi networks, lock screen preferences.
--Manual--
If you want to start super fresh and don't want to use Kies
1) Download sms backup + from the play store and backup your texts.
2) Connect your phone to your pc and manually save photos, music, wallpapers, etc.
3) Any program which tracks information by storing local data on the phone should be backed up to a cloud service like google drive. For me the program fitnotes stores my workout logs/graphs and has the option to store on google drive cloud.
Some apps you should backup data for on the cloud:
fitnotes, tasker, sleep for android/sleep tracker, rewire.
4) Applications which act as secondary authenticators need to be deactivated or set up so they can be transferred to the "new" device. These are programs like "microsoft account" and the blizzard authenticator.
Good info, thanks. I use SMS Backup and Call log Backup and am happy with the results.
So I guess the easy answer is I am stuck. Bummer.
In the future (with a working phone) I recommend https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
It'll back up your SMS, MMS and call logs to your gmail account. Been using it for years. Its great!
Look up http://www.backuptrans.com/
If you are on android, you can backup your sms to your gmail accn,
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync&hl=en.
I switched away from ios a while ago and have been backing up sms and call logs for two years.
If you phone storage (not the SD card) is running low, the OS will automatically purge them to free up resources.
You might want to look into SMS Backup+, which uses Gmail to backup/restore your SMS. This might avoid a bad surprise in the future.
I used this app since I had my Nexus S, upgraded to the Galaxy Nexus, and then the Nexus 4. It restored my SMS without problems. The OS will still clear them up if it runs out of space, but at least I can still find them when doing a quick search in Gmail.
I have never cared about them as I use IFTTT to log everything to Google Drive. But, if you use third party SMS apps, SMS Backup+ is the only option based on my Reddit browsing.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync&hl=en
I don't think there is a native way to back up texts but one app I have seen recommended is SMS Backup ( https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync&hl=en_US ) that probably does what you want.
Edit: The in app purchases that are mentioned looks to be just so you can donate to the programmer, no purchases are needed for the full functionality from what I can see.
I use this app to back up my texts to gmail. Then I can search my gmail to find texts from literally years ago. Maybe this would be helpful for you.
I've used this for the last few years https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync backs up to Gmail, so you can search your messages on the web. Backup is quick, never bothered restoring after a wipe
SMS backup + https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zegoggles.smssync
I use it since forever.
I've also had success with SMS Backup +
It backs your SMS messages to your gmail inbox, so you can search through your chats via gmail search!
I've noticed SMS Backup + will restore messages but the timestamps will not be in the right time. Will SMS Backup and Restore include the proper timestamps?
I would also make the suggestion that if your text messages are important to you, you should back them up to Gmail using an app such as sms backup plus. It will automatically back everything up, and you never have to think about it again.
Yes, its quite easy using an app.
I actually use an app to do something similar. It saves all my texts into my gmail. They're properly threaded and everything, its great.
So to do it nefariously wouldn't be hard, you'd probably not even notice a new app if it were installed, let alone if if it was designed to hide.