[Guide] How to backup and restore SMS messages on your Android phone

So you’ve got a shiny new Android phone… but wait, what happens to all the SMS messages you have saved on your current device? If you’re like me, that’s a lot of messages. You know, the one with the perfect comeback or perhaps a really special message you want to save! It could be important work information you need to refer back to.

Well, on Android, it’s quite straightforward to do this with the SMS Backup and Restore app that does what it says on the tin! The app backs up your messages and can save them on your device, upload them to a cloud storage provider like Google Drive or export them to your laptop or tablet. You can save them to more than one location depending on what you chose to do, so join us after the break, where we break down the steps on how to backup and restore your text messages.

Backing up your SMS messages

First, you need to download and install the SMS Backup and Restore app onto your device, easily found in the Google Play Store. Launch the app once installed, and it takes you straight to the main menu.

Second, tap Set up a backup.

You now have the option to choose what you want to save and where you want to save it to as described above. This saves images, emojis, GIFs, and other message content attached to SMS. You can also name the files to make them easier to sort through.

You can also set the app to automatically backup your messages and call history on an hourly, daily, or weekly basis through the menu options using the menu icon in the top left corner and following the step-by-step prompts. It is very user-friendly and easy to go back to if you select the wrong option.

Choose whether to store your calls and messages backup locally on the device, its memory card (if it has one), or in the cloud with Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive.

You can also organize your backups by opening your main menu in the app and select View Backups. This will show you when you last made a backup, and let you delete older backups as necessary.

How to Restore your SMS messages

You’ve set up your device and now want to restore your messages to your new phone. Open up the Play Store and download and install the SMS Backup and Restore app as you did before.

Tap on the menu option at the top left-hand corner, and you will see an option called Restore, tap on it.

The SMS Backup and Restore app will now ask you to sign in to your chosen cloud storage location, for example, Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox. You can also restore a backup from the device storage or the expandable memory card if you have that option and have already transferred the file over or inserted the memory card on the new phone.

Once you have logged in, you can then restore the backup of your choice. There's a general option that will show in the top half of your screen, or you can click on advanced options and refine your selection to date range: only restore backup since or restore a full backup. You can also select or deselect the option to restore media, pictures, and group messages in advanced options, shortening the restore process but leaving you without the media. Now that you've chosen a backup file, click on Restore in the bottom right-hand corner

The app will inform you that you need to set SMS Backup and Restore as the default messaging app, click OK.

Select SMS Backup and Restore as the default messaging app, and your chosen backup file will begin to be restored to your device. Once completed, tap on the Messages app on your phone and you'll be asked to set it as the default, click OK, and browse your messages as you wish.

The SMS Backup and Restore app makes backing up and restoring your messages and call history an easy, seamless process. As long as you remember to back up or set an automated option, you can move all your SMS from one device to another as you need or wish. You can always refer back to that info you need or a special message that gives you a boost when you need it!

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