How to transfer all SMS from one Android phone to another: a complete guide

Moving to a new smartphone is always an exciting moment, especially when it comes to saving important data. SMS history often contains valuable information: confirmation codes, addresses, agreements or just cherished memories. Unfortunately, Android manufacturers do not always offer convenient built-in tools for transferring messages between devices of different brands. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods - from standard functions to third-party applications - so that you can choose the best option without the risk of losing data.

Many users mistakenly believe that synchronization with a Google account automatically saves SMS. Actually Google only backs up contacts, calendars and part of the settings, but not messages. This means that without additional actions when changing the phone, the correspondence history will remain on the old device. Below are detailed instructions for each method, including the nuances of working with different versions of Android and popular brands (Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei etc.).

1. Manufacturer's standard tools: when they work

Some brands offer their own solutions for migrating data between devices. For example, Samsung has a service Smart Switch, and Xiaomi — Mi Mover. These tools usually copy not only SMS, but also contacts, photos, and applications. However, there are important limitations:

• 🔹 Work only between devices from the same manufacturer (for example, from Galaxy S22 to Galaxy S23).
• 🔹 May not support older models (for example, Smart Switch does not always work correctly with phones running Android 8 and lower).
• 🔹 Sometimes they require connection via USB-OTG or Wi-Fi Direct, which is not always convenient.

To use the built-in tool, find an application for transferring data on your new phone (usually it is pre-installed on your old device). launch a similar application or download it from Google Play. Follow the instructions on the screen by selecting the option "Transfer messages" or "Copy SMS". The process takes from 5 to 30 minutes depending on the amount of data.

⚠️ Attention: If you are transferring data from your phone Huawei to a device of another brand, use Huawei Backup to create a backup copy to the SD card. Otherwise, messages may not be transferred due to firmware limitations. EMUI.

2. Export SMS to file and manual import

This method is universal and works on any device with Android 4.0 and higher. The idea is to create a backup copy of messages in .xml or .csvformat, which can then be imported to a new phone. To do this, you will need a third-party application, for example SMS Backup & Restore (free, without unnecessary water in the basic version).

Step-by-step guide:

1. Download and install SMS Backup & Restore on your old phone.
2. Launch the application and click "Create backup".
3. Select "Local storage" (or cloud, if necessary) and confirm the export.
4. The file will be saved in the folder SMSBackupRestore on the internal memory or SD card.
5. Transfer the file to the new phone (via USB, Google Drive or Bluetooth).
6. Install the same application on the new device and select "Recover".

The advantage of this method - full control over the data. You can choose which messages to save (for example, only for the last year), and also encrypt the backup with a password. However, there are also disadvantages:

• 📌 With a large volume of correspondence (10,000+ messages), the process can take up to an hour.
• 📌 Some instant messengers (for example, WhatsApp) are not exported through this application.

Important: If you use two-factor authentication via SMS, after the transfer, check the operation of the services (banks, social networks). Some platforms may block access if they detect a change in device.

3. Transferring SMS via Google Drive (limited support)

Starting with Android 6.0, Google offers a backup feature that should theoretically save SMS. However, in practice, this method is unstable: messages may not be restored or may be partially transferred. However, it’s worth a try - especially if you have a phone with “pure” Android (Pixel, Nokia, Motorola).

How to enable backup:

1. Open Settings → Google → Backup.
2. Activate the switch "Backup to Google Drive".
3. Make sure that there is an item in the list of backup data "SMS and MMS" (if it is not there, the method will not work).
4. On a new phone, when setting up for the first time, select option "Restore from backup" and log in to the same Google account.

⚠️ Attention: On devices Samsung i Xiaomi SMS backup via Google is often disabled by default. Check the application settings "Messages" —there may be a separate item for export.

If this method does not work, do not be discouraged: its reliability is about 60% depending on the phone model and Android version. In this case. proceed to the following methods.

Why doesn't Google backup SMS on some phones?

Manufacturers (for example, Samsung or Xiaomi) replace the standard Messages application with their own versions that are not integrated with Google services. As a result, backup via Google Drive only works for system data, but not for SMS.

4. Use of cloud services: Telegram, Gmail and others

If you need to save only the most important messages (for example, with access codes or work correspondence), you can use workarounds through other services:

Method 1: Forwarding SMS to email via Gmail

1. Open the application "Messages" on your old phone.
2. Select the desired SMS (holding your finger on message).
3. Click "Share" and select "Gmail".
4. Send a letter to your address. On the new phone, save the attachments (files .vcf or text).

Method 2: Export to Telegram

• 📱 Create a chat with yourself in Telegram 📤 Copy the SMS text and send it to this chat."Saved Messages").
• 📤 Copy the SMS text and send it to this chat.
• 🔄 On the new phone, open Telegram and copy the messages back to the application "Messages".

These methods are suitable for a small number of messages (up to 100-200 pieces). mass transfer, they are ineffective, but do not require the installation of additional apps.

5. Transferring SMS through a computer (for experienced users)

This method is suitable for those who prefer to work with data via a PC. You will need a app Android SDK Platform Tools (official tool from Google) or a utility Moborobo. Let's consider both options.

Method 1: Via ADB (Android Debug Bridge)

1. Download and install Android SDK Platform Tools.
2. On your phone, turn on Developer mode (click on Number assembly 7 times in settings) and activate USB debugging.
3. Connect the phone to the PC and run in the command line:

   adb backup -f sms_backup.ab -shared

   On your phone, confirm the creation of a backup.

4. Copy the file sms_backup.ab to a new phone and restore it using the same command with the flag -restore.

Method 2: Via Moborobo

• 🖥️ Download and install Moborobo on your computer.
• 📱 Connect your old phone via USB, allow access to data.
• 📤 In the app, select partition "SMS" i click "Export" (format .csv or .txt).
• 📥 Connect a new phone and import the file back.

The advantage of ADB is complete security (data is not transferred through third parties servers), but the method requires technical skills. Moborobo is simpler, but may not support the latest phone models.

⚠️ Attention: When using ADB on phones with MIUI (Xiaomi) or ColorOS (Oppo/Realme), additional permission may be required in the security settings. Otherwise. command adb backup will end with an error.

6. Specialized applications for transferring SMS

If standard methods are not suitable, pay attention to third-party utilities. We tested several popular solutions and compiled a comparative one. table:

Application	Free version	Android support	Features	Cons
SMS Backup & Restore	Yes	4.0+	Export to XML, encryption, cloud storage	No automatic synchronization
Super Backup & Restore	Yes (with advertising)	5.0+	Supports MMS, contacts, call log	Advertising in the free version
SMS Backup+	Yes	4.0+	Synchronization with Gmail, automatic backup	Not all models support recovery
My Backup Pro	No (paid)	2.3+	Full system backup, including SMS and applications	Paid license (~$3)

For most users, the optimal choice will SMS Backup & Restore - it is free, supports encryption and works on 90% of devices. If you need automatic synchronization, pay attention to SMS Backup+, but keep in mind that message recovery may not work on phones with heavily modified firmware (for example, Flyme OS from Meizu).

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To make the choice easier, we will summarize all methods into a brief recommendation:

• 🔄 Same brands phones? → Use built-in tools (Smart Switch, Mi Mover).
• 📱 Do you need to transfer all messages without loss? → SMS Backup & Restore or ADB.
• ☁️ Is automatic backup important? → SMS Backup+ (synchronization with Gmail).
• 💻 Do you have access to a computer? → Moborobo or Android SDK Tools.
• 📧 Do you need to save only a few SMS? → Send them to email or Telegram.

If in doubt, start with the simplest method - export via SMS Backup & Restore. It will take no more. 10 minutes and is guaranteed to work on 99% of devices.

What to do if messages are not transferred?

1. Check if there is enough space on the new phone (SMS takes up little space, but sometimes an error occurs because of this).

2 Make sure that the same version of the application is installed on both phones. transfer.

3. Try rebooting both devices and repeating the process.

4. If you are using the cloud, check your Internet connection - slow Wi-Fi may interrupt the download.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about transferring SMS

Is it possible to transfer SMS from Android to iPhone?

Yes, but this is not possible using standard means. You will need a computer and a app MobileTrans or iMazing. An alternative is to manually forward important messages to email, and then add them to iMessage via "Import SIM contacts" (does not work with all SMS).

Why after transfer some SMS are displayed without a name contact?

This happens if the contacts are not synced with the new phone. Before transferring SMS, make sure that all numbers are saved in Google Contacts or on the SIM card. After the transfer, update the list of contacts in the application "Messages".

Is it possible to transfer SMS without root access?

Yes, all the methods described in the article work without root. The exception is some advanced functions in Titanium Backup, but they are not needed for standard SMS transfer.

How to transfer SMS if the old phone is broken?

If the phone turns on, but the screen does not work, connect it to the PC and use ADB or Moborobo to create a backup copy. If the device does not respond, contact the service center - technicians can extract data via EDL mode (specialized equipment is required).

Will MMS (multimedia messages) be saved during transfer?

It depends on method:

• 🔹 SMS Backup & Restore — saves MMS if they are stored in a standard format.
• 🔹 Google Drive — MMS are rarely transferred (depending on the firmware).
• 🔹 ADB — MMS are included in the backup copy, but are not always restored correctly.

For reliable MMS transfer, use Super Backup & Restore.