Switching to a new smartphone is always an exciting moment. Especially when it comes to saving important messages: correspondence with loved ones, confirmation codes, work chats, or just nostalgic SMS that you would hate to lose. Unfortunately Android does not offer a built-in tool for direct SMS transfer between devices, as iOS does with the Quick Startfunction. But this does not mean that the task is impossible.

In this article we will examine all current methods of transferring SMS between Android devicesfrom official Google solutions to little-known life hacks using a SIM card. You'll learn how to save messages without loss, which apps actually work in 2026, and why some methods may not work on phones with Android 14+. And also - how to avoid common mistakes due to which users lose years of correspondence.

1. Transferring SMS through a Google account (official method)

The most reliable and recommended method by Google is synchronizing messages through Google Drive. It works on most devices with Android 6.0+, but there are nuances: not all manufacturers (for example, Xiaomi or Huawei) enable SMS backup to the cloud by default. Here's how to do it correctly:

On old phone:

  1. Open Settings → Google → Backup.
  2. Make sure the switch is on Backup to Google Drive active.
  3. Click Configure backup copy and enable the option Messages (if it is in the list).
  4. Return to the main backup menu and click Back up now.

On new phone:

  1. When you turn it on for the first time, select option Copy data from old device.
  2. Log in to the same Google account as on the old phone.
  3. In the list of recovery data, find Messages and check the box.
  4. Wait for the process to complete (may take up to 30 minutes depending on the volume of correspondence).

Connect to Wi-Fi (mobile data may not be able to handle large volumes)

Free space in Google Drive (SMS takes up little space, but other data may overwhelm storage)

The Google account on both phones must be the SAME

The battery charge of both devices is >50%-->

⚠️ Attention: On some phones (for example Samsung Galaxy with shell One UI) backup SMS in Google Drive may be disabled by default. In this case, use a proprietary application Samsung Smart Switch (about it in the next section).

2. Using proprietary utilities from manufacturers

Large brands are developing their own tools for data migration. They are often faster and more stable than universal solutions, but are tied to a specific phone brand. Let's consider the most popular:

Brand Utility name Supported data Features
Samsung Smart Switch SMS, MMS, contacts, photos, applications Works via Wi-Fi, USB cable or via a computer. Even transfers messages from Samsung Messages.
Xiaomi Mi Mover SMS, contacts, notes, photos Requires installation on both devices. On Android 13+ may request additional permissions.
Huawei/Honor Phone Clone SMS, calls, multimedia, applications Supports cross-platform transfer (including from iOS). On new models, requires scanning a QR code.
OPPO/Realme/OnePlus Clone Phone SMS, contacts, calendar, files Works without a computer, but on devices with ColorOS 13+ may block the transfer of some system data.

🔹 How to use Samsung Smart Switch (example):

  1. Install the application on both phones from Galaxy Store or Google Play.
  2. On the old phone, select Send data, on the new one - Get data.
  3. Connect devices via Wi-Fi Direct or cable USB-C/OTG.
  4. In the data list, mark Messages and start transferring.
💡

If the manufacturer's utility does not see the old device, try connecting both phones to the same Wi-Fi network and restarting the application. On some models Xiaomi disabling the function MIUI Optimization in the developer settings helps.

3. Export SMS to file and import to new phone

If cloud services are unavailable for some reason, you can save messages to a file .xml or .csvand then download them to a new device. This method is universal, but requires manual configuration. You will need:

  • 📱 Old phone with root access (optional, but simplifies the process).
  • 💻 Computer with installed ADB (for an alternative method).
  • 📄 Application for export (for example, SMS Backup & Restore).

🔹 Instructions via SMS Backup & Restore:

  1. Install the application from Google Play on both phones.
  2. On the old phone, press Create backup → select Local backup.
  3. Tick the checkbox SMS and MMS, click Next.
  4. Select a storage location (for example, Internal memory or SD card).
  5. Transfer the received file SMS-YYYYMMDD.xml to a new phone (via Bluetooth, Google Drive or cable).
  6. On the new phone in SMS Backup & Restore select Restore and specify the path to the file.

⚠️ Attention: When restoring from an XML file existing messages on the new phone can be deleted. Before the procedure, make a backup copy of your current SMS or use the option Add to existing (if it is available in the application).

What to do if the application does not see messages?

If SMS Backup & Restore shows an empty list of messages, check:

1. Application permissions: there must be permission for SMS and Storage.

2. Default settings: on some phones (for example Pixel), you need to manually select SMS Backup & Restore as SMS application in Settings → Applications → Default.

3. Phone manufacturer: on devices Huawei with EMUI 12+ you may need to disable Personal data protection in the security settings.

4. Transfer SMS via SIM card (limited method)

An old but sometimes useful method is to save messages to a SIM card. It has serious limitations:

  • ❌ Only saved text SMS (without MMS, emoji, attachments).
  • ❌ Volume limitation: usually fits on one SIM card no more than 250 messages.
  • ❌ Not all phones support this function (for example, Google Pixel and many models Samsung after 2020 it was removed).

🔹 How to transfer SMS via SIM card:

  1. On your old phone, open the standard application Messages.
  2. Select the desired dialog → press ⋮ (Menu) → Copy to SIM.
  3. Repeat for all important messages (it’s more convenient to copy entire dialogs).
  4. Move the SIM card to the new phone.
  5. In the application Messages of the new phone, find the option Import from SIM.

⚠️ Attention: On phones with Android 11+ The function of copying SMS to SIM is often hidden. To find it, you may need:

  • Use a third-party application (for example, SIM Card Messages).
  • Enable Developer mode and activate option USB debugging (sometimes unlocks hidden functions).
  • Try other launcher (for example, Nova Launcher), which can show hidden menu items.

Google Cloud

Proprietary utility (Smart Switch, Mi Mover, etc.)

Export to file (XML, CSV)

SIM card

I have never transferred, this is my first time-->

5. Transferring SMS using ADB (for advanced users)

If standard methods do not work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) —a tool for low-level access to the system. This method requires a computer and basic command line knowledge, but guarantees transfer all messages, including system and hidden ones.

🔹 Step-by-step guide:

  1. Download and install ADB Tools on your computer (for example, the official package from Google).
  2. On your phone, activate Developer mode (click on Build number 7 times in settings) and turn on USB debugging.
  3. Connect the phone to the computer via a USB cable and confirm ADB access.
  4. Open the command line (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) and run:
adb backup -f sms_backup.ab -apk com.android.providers.telephony
  1. A request to create a backup will appear on your phone - confirm and wait for completion.
  2. The file sms_backup.ab will appear in the folder with ADB. Copy it to the new phone.
  3. Connect the new phone to the computer and perform a recovery:
adb restore sms_backup.ab

⚠️ Attention: On phones with Android 10+ the command adb backup may not work due to manufacturer restrictions. In this case, try an alternative method via adb pull:

adb pull /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db

Then transfer the file mmssms.db to the new phone in the same folder (you will need root access).

💡

ADB is the most reliable way to transfer SMS if other methods have not worked. However, it requires technical skills and may not be supported on phones with custom firmware or strict security policies (for example, Huawei without Google services).

6. Third-party applications for transferring SMS: what to choose?

Q Google Play hundreds of applications for backing up messages, but most of them either do not work or are loaded with advertising. We tested the top solutions and chose the best:

Application Rating Pros Cons
SMS Backup & Restore 4.7 ⭐ Free, export to XML/CSV, automatic backup, MMS support. The interface is outdated, it Android 13+ requires manual permission settings.
Super Backup & Restore 4.6 ⭐ Copies SMS, contacts, applications, calendar. There is a cloud backup. Advertising, limit on the number of backups in the free version.
SMS Backup+ 4.4 ⭐ Synchronization with Gmail (messages are saved as letters). Not updated since 2020, may not work on new Androids.
Pulse SMS 4.3 ⭐ Cloud synchronization, web interface, RCS support. Paid subscription for full functionality, complex setup.

🔹 How to choose an application?

  • 📌 If you need a simple backup — SMS Backup & Restore.
  • 📌 If it is important automatic synchronization — Pulse SMS (paid).
  • 📌 If necessary save SMS in Gmail — SMS Backup+ (but check compatibility).
  • 📌 If required transfer along with contacts and applications — Super Backup.

⚠️ Attention: Applications for SMS backup often request permission to Reading SMS, Storage and Contact. Before installing, check the security reviews - some little-known apps may steal data. We recommend using only applications with a rating higher 4.5⭐ and the number of downloads from 1 million+.

7. Frequent problems and how to solve them

Even with detailed instructions, transferring SMS messages may not go according to plan. Here are the most common errors and their solutions:

🔴 Problem: Messages from Google Drive are not restored on the new phone.

  • 🔹 Make sure that both phones have the same Google account.
  • 🔹 Check if SMS backup is enabled in the settings of your old phone.
  • 🔹 Try reset network settings on a new phone (Settings → System → Reset → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth).

🔴 Problem: The backup application does not see the messages.

  • 🔹 Assign it default application for SMS.
  • 🔹 Check permissions: Settings → Applications → [Application name] → Permissions.
  • 🔹 Reboot your phone - sometimes this resets OS restrictions.

🔴 Problem: Messages were transferred, but without contact names (only numbers).

  • 🔹 First transfer contacts, then SMS.
  • 🔹 In the application settings for backup, find the option Link to contacts.
  • 🔹 If you use Google Contacts, wait for full synchronization.

🔴 Problem: The new phone does not have a standard Messages application.

  • 🔹 Install it from Google Play (called Android Messages).
  • 🔹 Or use an alternative: QKSMS, Textra, Pulse SMS.
  • 🔹 On phones Huawei without services Google install Messages via AppGallery.
What to do if messages were transferred in a chaotic order?

If the SMS dates are wrong, this is due to a difference in time zones or a failure during recovery. To fix:

1. Open the backup application and. find the option Correct timestamps (available in SMS Backup & Restore).

2. Export messages to CSV, edit dates in Excel and import back.

3. Use the application SMS Fix & Transfer for automatic sorting.

8. Alternative methods: when nothing helps

If standard methods do not work, try non-obvious solutions:

🔹 Transfer via computer (without root):

  1. Connect your old phone to the PC and copy the SMS database file (usually located at /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db).
  2. Use SQLite Browser to export data to CSV.
  3. Import CSV to the new phone via SMS Backup & Restore.

🔹 Using RCS chats (for new phones):

  • If both phones support RCS (for example, Google Messages with the feature enabled Chats), correspondence can be automatically synchronized through your Google account.
  • To do this, the application must be installed on both devices Google Messages and RCS activated.

🔹 Manual transfer of important messages:

  • If there are few messages, you can send them to yourself by email:
    1. Open the dialog in the application Messages.
    2. Click ⋮ → Export chat (or Send by email).
    3. Select messages and send to your email.
    4. On the new phone, save attachments from the letter.

⚠️ Attention: On phones with Android 14+ Google has tightened its security policy, and some methods (for example, access to mmssms.db without root) may not work. In this case, the following remain:

  • Manufacturer's proprietary utilities.
  • Cloud backup via Google (if supported).
  • Manual export of important messages.

    • FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

    ❓ Is it possible to transfer SMS from Android to iPhone?

    Yes, but not directly: Use the intermediate step:

    1. Export SMS to file XML on Android (via SMS Backup & Restore).
    2. Convert the file to a format compatible with iPhone (for example, via iMazing or Backuptrans on a PC).
    3. Import to iPhone via iTunes or Finder.

⚠️ On iPhone, messages will appear in the application Messages, but like regular SMS (without chat history).

❓ Why did emojis and pictures in MMS disappear after the transfer?

This happens due to:

  • 🔹 Encoding incompatibility between phones (for example, Samsung and Google Pixel use different MMS formats).
  • 🔹 Application limitations for backup (many do not save MMS by default).
  • 🔹 Lack of Internet during recovery (MMS are downloaded separately).

    • Solution: Use SMS Backup & Restore with enabled option Save MMS or transfer messages via Smart Switch (saves multimedia).

❓ How to transfer SMS if your phone is old broken?

If the phone does not turn on, but the screen responds to touches:

  1. Connect it to the computer and try to copy mmssms.db via ADB (if debugging is enabled).
  2. Use recovery mode (if there is a custom recovery type TWRP).

If the phone is completely dead:

  • 🔹 Contact a service center to extract data from flash memory (expensive, but possible).
  • 🔹 If synchronization with Google was enabled, check Google Drive or Gmail (if you used SMS Backup+).
❓ Is it possible to transfer SMS without a computer?

Yes, all the methods from this article, except ADB, work without a PC. The most convenient options without a computer:

  1. Google Drive (official method).
  2. SMS Backup & Restore (export to SD card or cloud).
  3. Smart Switch (via Wi-Fi Direct).
  4. Bluetooth (if you transfer few messages manually).
❓ Why don’t new SMS messages arrive on a new phone after transfer?

Probable reasons:

  • 🔹 Inactive SIM card (check your balance and network coverage).
  • 🔹 Message blocking (in the application settings Messages may be enabled Spam filter).
  • 🔹 Application conflict (if several SMS messengers are installed).
  • 🔹 Operator error (call back to support or restart the phone).

Solution: Set Google Messages as the default application and check the settings Message Center with your operator.