How to transfer call and SMS history from one Android to another: a complete guide

Moving to a new smartphone is always an exciting time, especially when it comes to saving important data. The history of calls and SMS often contains critical information: numbers of business partners, personal correspondence, confirmations from banks or services. The loss of this data can result not only inconvenience, but also real problems - from the inability to restore access to accounts to the loss of valuable contacts.

Fortunately, Android offers several ways to transfer the history of calls and messages - from built-in Google tools to specialized applications. However, not all methods are equally effective: some save only part of the data, others require root access, and others may work unstable on custom firmware. In this article we will analyze 5 proven methodswhich are suitable for most devices - from Samsung Galaxy to Xiaomi Redmi, and also tell you how to avoid common mistakes when transferring.

Before you begin, make sure that both devices have enough battery charge (at least 50%), and that data transfer via Wi-Fi or mobile network is enabled on your old smartphone. If you use two-factor authentication via SMS, temporarily disable it or save backup codes - this will prevent accounts from being blocked during the transfer.

1. Transfer through the built-in Google “Backup” function

The easiest and most universal way is to use Android built-in backup, which automatically saves call history, SMS and contacts to your Google account. This method works on all devices from Android 6.0 and newer, but has limitations: Google does not save MMS and media files from messages, and call history may not be transferred to all models (for example, on some devices Huawei additional configuration is required).

To activate backup:

• 📱 Open Settings → Google → Backup on your old smartphone.
• ⚙️ Turn on the switch Upload to Google Drive and select the account to save.
• 🔄 Click Create a backup now and wait for completion (may take up to 10 minutes).
• 📲 On the new device, when you turn it on for the first time, select Restore data from a backup and log in to the same Google account.

If the new smartphone is already configured, go in Settings → System → Backup and press Restore. Please note: SMS and call history will be restored only if new ones have not yet been created on the new device data (for example, if you have already called or written messages, they may be overwritten).

Make sure that there is enough memory space on the new device

Disconnect the SIM card during recovery (avoids number conflicts)

Check the stability of the Internet connection (it is better to use Wi-Fi)

Do not interrupt the process until it is complete-->

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example, OnePlus or Oppo), call history may not be transferred through Google backup. In this case, use the alternative methods from the following sections.

2. Export call and SMS history to a file (without root)

If you prefer manual control or want to save the data in a separate file, you can export the history to .xml or .csvformats. This does not require root access, but it will require installing a third-party application. The most reliable options:

• 📄 SMS Backup & Restore (free version stores up to 500 messages, full - without restrictions).
• 📱 Super Backup & Restore (supports call history, SMS, contacts and applications).
• 🔄 My Backup Pro (paid, but with advanced settings for data sampling).

Instructions for SMS Backup & Restore:

1. Install the application on your old smartphone and open it.
2. Click Set up a backup → select SMS and Call logs.
3. Specify the save location (for example, Google Drive or local memory).
4. After completion, copy the file to a new smartphone and restore the data through the same application.

The advantage of this method is selective transfer: You can save only important messages or calls for a certain period. However, please note that My Backup Pro may not work correctly on Android 12+ due to changes in the data access policy.

What to do if the application does not see SMS?

If the application does not detect messages, check:

1. Permissions to access SMS (Settings → Applications → Permissions → SMS).

2. The presence of system restrictions (on some firmware MIUI or ColorOS additional permission is required in Settings → Special permissions → Access to SMS).

3. Conflict with other applications (for example, Truecaller or banking applications may block access).

3. Transfer via Samsung Smart Switch (for Samsung devices)

Smartphone owners Samsung Galaxy have access to a proprietary tool - Samsung Smart Switch, which transfers not only the history of calls and SMS, but also application settings, wallpaper, notes and even data from some games. The application works both over cable and over Wi-Fi, but for a complete transfer it is recommended to use USB-C cable (included with new devices).

Step-by-step guide:

1. Install Smart Switch on both devices (you can download from Galaxy Store or Google Play).
2. Connect your smartphones with a cable or select Wireless transfer in the menu.
3. On the old device, press Send data, on the new — Send data Get data.
4. Select Call history And Messages in the list of transferred data.
5. Wait for completion (may take up to 30 minutes depending on the amount of data).

Features Smart Switch:

• ✅ Transfers MMS and attachments in messages (photos, videos, voice).
• ❌ Does not work with devices from other brands (for example, you cannot transfer data from Samsung to Xiaomi).
• ⚠️ To Android 13+ may require additional permission to access notifications.

⚠️ Attention: If you transfer data from Samsung to Samsung via Smart Switch, but the call history is not displayed, check the application settings PhoneSometimes you need to reset the cache: Settings → Applications → Phone → Memory → Clear cache.

4. Using ADB (for experienced users)

If standard methods do not work (for example, on custom firmware or devices with limited rights), you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method requires a connection to a computer and basic knowledge of the command line, but guarantees the transfer all data without loss, including hidden system logs.

What you will need:

• 🖥️ Computer with ADB drivers installed.
• 📱 USB cable (preferably original).
• ⚙️ Enabled USB debugging on an old smartphone (Settings → About phone → Build number — press 7 times to activate developer mode, then Settings → System → For developers → Debugging USB).

Commands for export:

adb pull /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db
adb pull /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db

These commands will copy the SMS and contacts databases (including call history) to the computer. To restore them on a new device, use:

adb push mmssms.db /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/
adb push contacts2.db /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/

Important: this method requires root access on a new device to write to system folders. Without root, you can use an alternative - convert .dbfiles into a readable format using SQLite Browser and import them through applications like SMS Backup & Restore.

1. Reinstall the drivers (use Universal ADB Driver).

2. Change the USB cable (cheap cables often do not support data transfer).

3. Enable File transfer (MTP) in the notification shade when connecting.-->

5. Transfer through cloud services (Telegram, WhatsApp, etc.)

If you need to save only important messagesand not the entire history, you can use cloud services. For example, Telegram allows you to export chats to .html or .json, and WhatsApp to create backup copies in Google Disk. However, this method is only suitable for individual messages, not for the complete SMS history.

How to transfer messages via Telegram:

1. Open the chat with the desired messages.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Export history.
3. Select format (HTML or JSON) and confirm the export.
4. The file will be saved in the device memory - copy it to a new smartphone.

For WhatsApp:

1. Go to Settings → Chat → Backup.
2. Click Create a copy and wait for completion.
3. On a new device, install WhatsApp, log in and restore data from Google Drive.

Method limitations:

• ❌ Does not transfer history regular SMS (messengers only).
• ❌ B WhatsApp a backup is created only when connected to Wi-Fi.
• ⚠️ Exported files from Telegram cannot be imported back - they are intended for viewing only.

6. Alternative methods: Bluetooth, NFC and physical SIM card

If you do not have access to the Internet or a computer, you can use local transfer methods. They are less convenient, but they work in emergency situations.

Method 1: Transfer via Bluetooth

Some applications (for example, Super Backup) allow you to send backups via Bluetooth. To do this:

1. Create a backup copy of your call and SMS history in the application.
2. Select the option Send via Bluetooth and connect to the new device.
3. On the new smartphone, accept the file and restore the data through the same application.

The disadvantage of the method is slow transfer speed (about 1-2 MB/s) and the limitation on file size (usually up to 100 MB).

Method 2: Copying to SIM card

Old smartphones (before Android 8.0) supported saving SMS to a SIM card. To check this feature:

1. Open the application Messages.
2. Click on the message → More → Copy to SIM (if the option is available).
3. Move the SIM card to a new smartphone and import messages.

Please note: Modern SIM cards (nano-SIM, eSIM) do not support storage SMSand the storage capacity is limited to 20-30 messages.

Method 3: NFC (for devices with support)

Some smartphones (for example, Sony Xperia or Google Pixel) allow you to transfer small files via NFC. To do this:

1. Activate NFC on both devices (Settings → Connected devices → NFC).
2. Create a backup copy of the history in the format .xml (for example, via SMS Backup & Restore).
3. Touch the devices together and confirm the transfer.

This method is only suitable for small amounts of data (up to 1-2 MB).

Transfer method	Speed	Internet required	Supports MMS	Difficulty
Google Backup	Medium	Yes	No	⭐
Samsung Smart Switch	High	No (Wi-Fi/cable)	Yes	⭐
SMS Backup & Restore	Low	No	Partly	⭐⭐
ADB	High	No	Yes	⭐⭐⭐
Bluetooth/NFC	Very low	No	No	⭐⭐

⚠️ Attention: On devices with Android 10+ access to call and SMS history is limited by default. If backup applications ask for permission to access to notifications or special rights, provide them - otherwise the data will not be copied.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Even when using proven methods, users often encounter problems. Here top 5 errors and ways to solve them:

1. Data is not transferred through a Google account.

   Reason: The new device already has a call or SMS history that conflicts with the backup copy.

   Solution: Reset application data Phone and Messages (Settings → Applications → Reset) before restoring.

2. The application does not see SMS.

   Cause: Missing permissions or conflict with other software (for example, Truecaller).

   Solution: Disable all SMS-related applications and provide manual permissions in Settings → Special access → Access to SMS.

3. Call history has been transferred, but without contact names.

   Cause: Contacts are not synchronized with Google or saved only on the SIM card.

   Solution: Export contacts separately via Settings → Google → Contact synchronization.

4. ADB does not recognize the device.

   Cause: Outdated drivers or incorrect connection mode.

   Solution: Install Universal ADB Driver and select mode File transfer (MTP) when connection.

5. Samsung Smart Switch freezes at 99%.

   Cause: Conflict with the antivirus or unstable connection.

   Solution: Disable the antivirus, use the original cable and repeat try.

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 🔋 Battery charge level (less than 20% can interrupt the process).
• 📶 Stability of the Internet connection (for cloud methods).
• 📱 Firmware compatibility (on custom ROMs, manual transfer via ADB may be required).

1. Synchronizing contacts with Google (without this, names will not appear in the call history).

2. Availability of free space on the new device (at least 500 MB for backups).

3. No ad blockers or VPNs - they can interfere with the operation of synchronization services.-->

FAQ: Answers to popular questions

Is it possible to transfer call and SMS history from Android to iPhone?

Yes, but with restrictions. To do this:

1. Export the data to a file via SMS Backup & Restore.
2. Send the file to iPhone (for example, by email).
3. Use the application Backup Trans (App Store) to import.

Please attention: call history to iPhone is transferred only via iCloud or iTunes, and SMS - partially (without MMS).

Why after transfer some SMS are displayed without a date?

This is due to a conflict in date formats between devices. Solution:

• Check your regional settings (Settings → System → Date and time).
• Use applications to restore timestamps (for example, SMS Fix & Restore).

Is it possible to transfer call history from a broken screen?

If the smartphone turns on, but the screen does not work:

1. Connect the device to the computer and use ADB to export data.
2. If ADB is not available, try connecting a keyboard/mouse via OTG cable and control the smartphone blindly.

If the device does not turn on, contact the service center to retrieve data from the memory.

How to transfer only the call history for the last month?

Use SMS Backup & Restore:

1. When creating a backup, select Set up backup copy.
2. Specify a date range (for example, from June 1 to July 1).
3. Export only Call logs.

Is it safe to use third-party applications for transfer?

Most popular applications (for example, SMS Backup & Restore or Super Backup) are safe, but:

• Check reviews and ratings Google Play (avoid apps with a rating below 4.0).
• Do not grant rights device administrator unknown apps.
• Use official sources (for example, APKMirror to download APK).

For additional security, turn off the Internet while the application is running.