Resetting an Android smartphone to factory settings is a necessary procedure when selling a device, eliminating critical errors, or preparing for a firmware update. However, along with settings and applications, they are irrevocably erased, including important confirmation codes, correspondence with banks and an archive of personal conversations. According to all SMS messages, including important confirmation codes, correspondence with banks and an archive of personal conversations. According to StatCounter, more than 60% of Android users lose data during a reset precisely because of the lack of a backup copy.

In this article you will find current ways to save SMS in 2026, including official tools from Google, hidden firmware functions MIUI and EMUI, as well as proven third-party applications with encryption support. We will compare methods in terms of speed, reliability and compatibility with different versions of Android - from Android 8 Oreo to Android 15. Particular attention is paid to problems with saving MMS messages from services (for example, SberPay or Tinkoff).

Why standard Google backup does not save SMS

Many users mistakenly believe that the function Backup to Google Drive (located in Settings → Google → Backup) automatically saves SMS. Actually:

  • 📱 Android 9 and below: SMS are not included to backup by default. They need to be saved separately via Google Messages or third-party services.
  • 🔄 Android 10–12: SMS are copied, but only if you use the Messages application from Google. Third-party instant messengers (for example Samsung Messages) are ignored.
  • 🚫 Android 13+: Google has removed support for SMS backup via adb backup, leaving only cloud solutions.

Another trap: even if SMS are copied to Google Drive, their you cannot restore selectively. When restoring, you will have to return all data (including settings and applications), which is not always convenient. For example, after a reset before selling the phone.

⚠️ Attention: On devices Huawei (EMUI) and Xiaomi (MIUI) the standard backup copying Google disabled by default due to modified firmware. Check your settings Settings → Accounts → Google → Data synchronization.
📊 How often do you backup SMS?
Never
Before resetting the phone
Once a month
Automatically via the cloud

Method 1: Export SMS through the Messages application from Google

Official application Google Messages (set by default to Pixel, Samsung, OnePlus and other devices) allows you to export SMS to a file .txt or .zip. This method works on all versions of Android, but has limitations:

  1. Open Google Messages → click on ⋮ (three dots) → Settings → Export chats.
  2. Select conversations to export (or click Select all).
  3. Specify the format: Text file (.txt) or Archive (.zip).
  4. Save the file to Device memory or SD card.

Advantages of the method:

  • 🔒 Does not require root access or connection to a PC.
  • 📄 Saves date, time and sender number.
  • 🌐 The file can be opened on any device (including PC).

Disadvantages:

  • 🚫 Does not export MMS (photo/video in messages).
  • 📱 On some firmware (for example, MIUI 14), the item Export chats may be missing.
  • 🔄 Restore messages back to your phone impossible —view only.

☑️ Preparing to export SMS

Done: 0 / 4

Method 2: Backup via SMS Backup & Restore

Application SMS Backup & Restore (developer SyncTech) is one of the most reliable solutions for saving SMS and MMS. It supports:

  • 🔄 Automatic scheduled backups.
  • 🔐 Password encryption of backups.
  • ☁️ Uploading to Google Drive, Dropbox or OneDrive.
  • 📱 Restore to a new device (including iPhone via .xmlfile).

Instructions for creating a backup copy:

  1. Download SMS Backup & Restore from Google Play.
  2. Launch the application → click SET UP A BACKUP.
  3. Select SMS and MMS (optional).
  4. Specify the save location: Local storage or Cloud.
  5. Click BACK UP NOW.

To restore after a reset:

  1. Install the application again.
  2. Go to Restore → select the backup file.
  3. Confirm the restoration (permission to send SMS is required).
⚠️ Attention: On Android 13+ application may request additional permissions to access SMS. If recovery does not work, check the settings in Settings → Applications → SMS Backup & Restore → Permissions → SMS.
Features Google Messages SMS Backup & Restore
MMS support ❌ No ✅ Yes
Recovery to phone ❌ View only ✅ Full recovery
Encryption ❌ No ✅ Yes (AES-256)
Automatic backup ❌ No ✅ Yes (scheduled)
Android compatibility 14 ✅ Yes ✅ Yes (requires manual permissions)

Method 3: Saving SMS to PC via ADB (for advanced users)

If you prefer manual control, you can export SMS via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method works on all versions of Android, but requires a connection to a computer and basic knowledge of the command line.

What you will need:

  • 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
  • 📱 Enabled USB debugging on the phone (Settings → About phone → Build number → press 7 times → return to Settings → System → For developers).
  • 🔌 USB cable (preferably original).

Commands for export:

adb backup -f sms_backup.ab -noapk com.android.providers.telephony

This command will create a file sms_backup.ab in the folder with adbTo read its contents, use the app Android Backup Extractor.

To restore:

adb restore sms_backup.ab
⚠️ Attention: On Android 12+, the command adb backup may not work due to Google restrictions. In this case, use an alternative:
adb shell content query --uri content://sms/ > sms_backup.txt
What to do if ADB does not see the device?

1. Check if USB debugging is enabled.

2. Install drivers for your phone model (for example, for Xiaomi - Mi PC Suite).

3. Try a different USB cable or port.

4. In the command line, enter adb devices - the device should appear in list.

Method 4: Hidden backup functions in MIUI and EMUI

Firmware MIUI (Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco) and EMUI (Huawei/Honor) have built-in backup tools SMS, but they are hidden deep in the menu.

For MIUI (Android 10–14):

  1. Go to Settings → About phone → Backup and reset → Local backup.
  2. Select Messages → press Backup.
  3. The file will be saved in /MIUI/backup/AllBackup.

For EMUI (Huawei):

  1. Open Settings → System and updates → Backup and recovery.
  2. Select Local backup → check Messages.
  3. Encrypt the file with a password (optional).

Features:

  • 🔄 Recovery is possible only to devices of the same brand (for example, from Xiaomi to Xiaomi).
  • 📱 On some models (for example Redmi Note 12) backup does not include MMS.
  • ☁️ You can upload a backup to EMUI 13+ you can upload the backup to Huawei Cloud, but only for Huawei ID accounts.
💡

If you are selling a Xiaomi phone, delete local backups from the folder /MIUI/backup —they may contain personal data!

Method 5: Transfer SMS to a new phone via SIM card

The oldest, but still working method is saving SMS to SIM card. Suitable for short messages (up to 160 characters) and does not require the Internet. However, the method has many limitations:

How to save:

  1. Open the standard application Messages.
  2. Select dialog → ⋮ → Save to SIM card.
  3. Confirm saving (on some phones you need to enter the SIM PIN code).

Limitations:

  • 📵 Saved text only (no date, time, sender's name).
  • 📱 Most modern smartphones (Samsung Galaxy S23, Google Pixel 7) do not support do not support this function.
  • 🔢 The SIM card usually holds no more than 250 messages.
  • 🚫 MMS and group chats are not saved.

Where else is this method useful:

  • 📞 Transferring messages to feature phone (for example, Nokia 105).
  • 🔄 Recovering SMS after a reset on devices with Android Go (for example, Nokia 1.4), where there is no space for applications.

Method 6: Automatic synchronization of SMS with the cloud (Google Messages + iCloud)

If you use Google Messages as the main messenger, you can enable synchronization with the cloud. This will allow you to save SMS automatically and restore them on a new device.

How to set up:

  1. Open Google Messages → Settings → Messages backup.
  2. Turn on the switch Backup to Google Drive.
  3. Select a Google account to synchronize.

Important nuances:

  • ☁️ Messages are saved in encrypted, but the encryption key is stored by Google.
  • 🔄 Recovery works only on the first start Google Messages on a new phone.
  • 📅 Synchronization occurs once every 24 hours (not suitable for urgent backup).

For users iPhone:

If you are switching from Android to iPhone, use the application Move to iOS from Apple It transfers SMS only during the initial setup iPhone. After the transfer, messages will be available in the application Messages (green bubbles).

💡

Synchronization via Google Messages is the only official way to automatically backup SMS on Android 13+. However, it only works with the Google application and does not support MMS.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced users encounter problems when saving SMS. Here are the most common errors and their solutions:

Problem Cause Solution
Backup is not created Not enough space on the device Free up 500+ MB of memory or save a backup to an SD card
SMS cannot be restored Not enough permissions Manually allow access to SMS in the application settings
Export takes too much time Large volume of messages (10,000+) Split the export into parts (2000 SMS at a time)
MMS are not saved The application does not support MMS Use SMS Backup & Restore or adb backup
The backup file is damaged The copying process is interrupted Repeat the procedure with the charger connected

Additional tips:

  • 🔋 Always create a backup copy when battery charge >50% - this will prevent failures due to discharge.
  • 📡 If you are using the cloud, connect k Wi-Fi —mobile data may not cope with large files.
  • 🔍 Before resetting, check that the backup file opens (for example, an archiver or a text editor).

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to save SMS without root access?

Yes, all the methods from this article (except for some ADB commands) work without root. For most methods, standard Android permissions are sufficient.

How to transfer SMS from Android to iPhone after a reset?

Use the application Move to iOS during the initial setup of the iPhone. If the iPhone is already configured, export SMS to a file .xml via SMS Backup & Restoreand then import them to the iPhone using iMazing or AnyTrans (paid apps).

Why are there no messages from the backup? bank?

Banking SMS (for example, from Sberbank or Tinkoff) are often saved in a separate folder of the system application Telephony Provider. To export them, use SMS Backup & Restore with the option enabled Enable system messages.

Is it possible to restore SMS after a reset if there is a backup no?

Technically possible, but with great limitations:

  1. If the phone did not overwrite the memory after the reset, try apps like Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver (root required).
  2. Contact the service center - some workshops recover data from a memory chip (expensive, no guarantee).
  3. Check whether SMS are saved in your Google account (if used Google Messages).

Chances of success: ~20–30% depending on the phone model.

How to save SMS from two SIM cards?

Most applications (including SMS Backup & Restore) save messages from both SIMs, but they may be mixed in the backup To separate them:

  1. B Google Messages switch to the desired SIM before exporting.
  2. Use applications that support multi-SIM, for example Pulse SMS.
  3. Save chats separately for each SIM manually.