How to backup messages on Android: 5 proven methods

Losing important messages on a smartphone is a situation that almost every user has encountered. Android. System malfunctions, accidental deletion or factory reset can deprive you of valuable correspondence: SMS from the bank, work chats in WhatsApp, personal messages in Telegram or Viber. Fortunately, modern backup methods allow you to save the entire history of messages in a few minutes - the main thing is to know which method is suitable for your case.

In this article we will look at 5 working methods creating a backup of messages on Android, including built-in system tools, cloud services and specialized applications. You will learn how to save SMS and instant messenger chats without rootrights, transfer them to a new phone or computer, and restore data after a reset. We will pay special attention to the nuances of working with popular instant messengers - their backup settings are often hidden in non-obvious sections.

1. Backup SMS via Google Drive (built-in method)

The easiest way to save SMS and MMS is to use the built-in backup function from Google. This method does not require the installation of additional applications and works on most devices with Android 6.0 and newer. The main plus: the backup is automatically synchronized with your account Google, and you can restore messages when setting up a new phone.

To enable backup:

• 📱 Open Settings on phone and go to the section Google → Backup (on some devices the path may differ: System → Backup).
• 🔄 Turn on the switch Backup to Google Drive.
• ⚙️ Click Backup settings and make sure that there is an item in the list of selected data SMS messages (on some firmware it may be called Messages or Text messages).
• 💾 Click Create a backup nowto start the process manually.

Important: Google saves only the last 25 MB of SMS data (this is approximately 10-15 thousand messages). If your correspondence is larger, use alternative methods from the following sections. Also note that Google not. copies messages from instant messengers - only standard SMS/MMS.

2. Saving instant messenger messages: WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber

Each popular instant messenger has its own tools for backing up chats. Let's look at the features of each:

Messenger	Backup method	Where the copy is stored	Limitations
WhatsApp	Automatic backup Google Drive or locally on the device	Cloud Google Drive or folder /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases	Requires binding to a phone number. Local backup takes up space on the phone.
Telegram	Cloud storage (all messages are synchronized automatically)	Servers Telegram	No local backup. To restore, you need access to your account.
Viber	Manual export of chats to a file or backup to Google Drive	Google Drive or folder /sdcard/Viber/backup	Export is available only for text (without media files).

For WhatsApp path to backup settings: ⋮ (menu) → Settings → Chat → Backup. Here you can select the frequency of automatic copying (daily, weekly, monthly) and specify an account Google for storage. If you change your phone number, first create a fresh backup - otherwise, your chat history will be lost when you change your account.

Telegram Does not require manual backup: all messages (except secret chats) are stored in the cloud and linked to your account. However, if you need to save the correspondence locally (for example, for printing), use the function Export chat history (available by long pressing on the chat → ⋮ → Export).

3. Local copying of SMS using applications (without root)

If the built-in tools Android do not suit you, you can use third-party applications. They offer more options: selecting an export format (TXT, XML, CSV), filtering messages by date or contact, and saving to SD card or computer. Let's consider two proven solutions:

• 📲 SMS Backup & Restore (from SyncTech) - the most popular application for SMS and MMS backup. Allows you to save messages to the cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox) or locally. There is a scheduler function for automatic copying.
• 🔄 Super Backup & Restore - supports not only SMS, but also call logs, applications, contacts. Can send backups to email or cloud storage.

Instructions for SMS Backup & Restore:

1. Install the application from Play Market and open it.
2. Click SET UP A BACKUP (Set up backup copy).
3. Select which messages to copy (SMS, MMS or both types).
4. Specify the save location: Local storage, Google Drive or another cloud service.
5. Start the process with the button BACK UP NOW.

The backup file will have the extension .xml and can be read on a computer using a text editor or specialized apps (for example, SMS Backup Viewer).

Check the free space on the phone (need ~10–50 MB for SMS)

Connect to Wi-Fi (if you are copying to the cloud)

Close instant messengers (they can block access to the SMS database)

Make sure the battery is charged more than 30%

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4. (via USB or email)

If you need to save messages to PC or print them, you can export correspondence in a convenient format. Both specialized apps and manual methods are suitable for this.

Method 1: through the app SMS Backup & Restore

• Create a backup in the application (as described in the previous section).
• Connect the phone to the computer via USB and copy the file .xml from the folder /SMSBackupRestore.
• Open the file on your PC using Excel (after converting XML to CSV) or app SMS Backup Viewer.

Method 2: Export via email

Some applications (for example, Super Backup) allow you to send a backup by email:

1. In the main menu of the application, select SMS → Backup.
2. Specify the format (for example, TXT) and click OK.
3. After creating a backup, select Send Backup File → Email.
4. Enter your address and send a letter. The file will be available for download on any device.

How to open an XML file from an SMS on a computer?

To read a backup file on a PC:

1. Rename the extension from .xml to .csv (for example, backup.xml → backup.csv).

2. Open it in Excel or Google Sheets.

3. If the data is not displayed correctly, use the app Notepad++ to edit the file structure.

5. Backup with root access (for advanced users)

If your phone has root-access, you can create a complete copy of the SMS database, including service messages and metadata. This method is suitable for advanced users, as it requires working with system ones. files.

The SMS database in Android is stored in the file /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.dbTo copy it:

1. Install a file manager that supports root (for example, Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to the path /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/.
3. Copy the file mmssms.db to a safe place (for example, to SD card or to the cloud).
4. To restore, simply return the file back and restart the phone.

The advantage of this method is 100% safety of all dataincluding deleted messages (if they are not already overwritten by the system). However, be careful: incorrect actions with system files can lead to malfunctions of the phone.

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Root access gives maximum control over the backup, but requires caution. Always make a copy of the original file mmssms.db before. editing.

6. Restoring messages from a backup

Creating a backup is half the battle. restore restore correctly messages, especially if you change your phone or reset your settings. Let's look at the main scenarios:

Recovery via Google Drive (for SMS and WhatsApp):

• 📱 When you first set up a new phone at the stage of logging into your account Google the system will prompt you to restore data from the backup (pay attention to the creation date!).
• 🔄 For WhatsApp: after installing the application and verifying the number, the system will automatically offer to restore chats from Google Drive (if there is a backup).

Recovery from a local file:

If you created a backup via SMS Backup & Restore:

1. Install the application on a new phone.
2. Move the backup file (.xml) to the folder /SMSBackupRestore on the phone.
3. In the application click Restore and select the desired file.

— Does the phone number match the one from which the backup was made.

— Is there enough space on the phone.

— Is the phone connected to the same Wi-Fi network as when creating the backup (sometimes this affects access to Google Drive).-->

7. Common errors and how to avoid them

Even when following the instructions, users often encounter problems when creating or restoring a backup. Let's look at common errors and their solutions:

• ❌ Backup is not created in Google Drive:
  Check that:
  • Synchronization with account is enabled on the phone Google.
  • In the settings Google Drive there is enough free space.
  • The application Google Play Services has been updated.
• ❌ WhatsApp does not restore chats:
  Make sure that:
  • You are using the same phone number and account Googleas when creating backup.
  • The backup file is not damaged (check the creation date in Google Drive).
  • The phone has enough space for recovery (chat chats can weigh several gigabytes).
• ❌ Local backup does not open on PC:
  Try:
  • Convert XML to CSV using online converters.
  • Use app SMS Backup Viewer to read file.

💡

If you regularly clear the cache Google Play Services, this may interrupt the backup process. Add the application to the battery optimizer exceptions.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example, Xiaomi, Huawei), the built-in backup tools may conflict with the services. Google. If backup is in Google Drive does not work, try disabling proprietary copy functions in the phone settings (section Additional → Backup and reset).

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to make a backup of SMS without an Internet connection?

Yes, to do this, use applications like SMS Backup & Restore and save a copy locally on your phone or SD cardYou can also export messages to a file TXT or CSV and transfer it to your computer via USB.

How to save messages from secret Telegram chats?

Secret chats in Telegram are not synchronized with the cloud and do not have a built-in backup. To save the correspondence:

1. Open the secret chat.
2. Click on the interlocutor’s avatar → Export chat history.
3. Select format (TXT or JSON) and export the file to your device or to the cloud.

Please note: exported messages will not be encrypted.

How much space does a backup of 10,000 SMS take up?

Usually 10,000 text SMS occupies about 1–2 MB in format XML. If messages contain a lot of media files (MMS, photos, videos), the volume can increase to 50–100 MBTo save space, use compression (for example, ZIP) or exclude media from the backup.

Is it possible to recover deleted SMS if no backup?

Without a backup, the chances are low, but you can try:

• Use data recovery apps (for example, Dr.Fone, EaseUS MobiSaver). They scan the phone's memory for deleted messages, but require rootrights for deep analysis.
• Contact your mobile operator - some save SMS logs for 3-7 days (the service is paid and does not guarantee results).

⚠️ Attention: The more you use the phone after deleting messages, the lower the chances of their restoration. New data overwrites old memory sectors.

How to transfer messages from Android to iPhone?

Transferring SMS from Android to iPhone is possible only through intermediate formats:

1. Create an SMS backup on Android in format XML or CSV (for example, via SMS Backup & Restore).
2. Transfer the file to your computer and convert it to a format compatible with iPhone (for example, VCF for contacts + TXT for messages).
3. Use the app iMazing or AnyTrans to import data to iPhone.

For messengers (for example, WhatsApp) the process is simpler: install the application on iPhone, log into the same account and restore chats from iCloud (if a backup was previously created).