Using this guide, you’ll find out everything you need to know about backing up and restoring your text messages and even call logs. We’ll show you how to do it with your phone’s built-in settings and also with third-party applications.
How to Backup SMS with Your Google Account
Since the 8.1 version of Android, the backup of your SMS messages through your Google Account is now possible. However, this is an automatic process and it might be unsuitable for your needs. You can’t read the backed up messages, they are stored in Google Drive, where they will eventually expire. Let’s see what this is about!
1. Go to Settings and then to Google Settings
Go to your phone’s settings and scroll down until you reach the Google Settings button, then tap on it.
2. Select Backup
Scroll down the options until you reach the Backup button, then tap it.
3. Check if SMS Text Messages is being backed up
You will see a list of Active Backups, and if SMS Text Messages in on the list, it means that is it automatically backed up.
How to Backup SMS with Third-Party Apps
If you’re interested in saving your text messages to your Gmail account, we recommend you read our guide on Saving your SMS to Your Gmail Account. If you want more control over the backup process, then you should use a third-party app for this. There are plenty of apps that can help you with this, some are easier to use than others. We’re going to show you 2 apps as a recommendation, SMS Backup and Restore, and Super Backup and Restore.
1. SMS Backup and Restore – Free
This app is dedicated to backing up your texts and messages. It’s pretty simple to use: after you install it, all you have to do is select a folder you want to store your data on and tap the checkboxes next to what you want to have backed up. You can also back your files up on the cloud, like Google Drive, Dropbox or OneDrive. Features:
Local device and cloud storage supportFast transfer with WiFi DirectXML Format
This app is really easy to use and it has a straightforward interface. We recommend backing up your files on the cloud, this way you can also clear up some of your storage. If you’re interested in backing up all your files, not only your SMS or Call logs, check out our article How to Backup Data on your Android Device.
2. Super Backup & Restore – Free with In-app Purchases
This is an app for backing up and restoring all of the data on your smartphone, not only text messages. It works with most Android versions and it comes with a relatively small memory footprint. If you want to know more about the backup and restore of your Android device, read our guide How to Backup and Restore Your Android Device. Features:
Backup download links for installed apps on Google PlaySchedule automatic backupsAuto-upload scheduled backup files to your Google Drive or Gmail
The app is really easy to use, just select the files you’re interested in having a backup of and tap on it. Then, from the options presented, select backup and then pick the folder you want to save them to. After the data has been saved in a folder, you can also upload it to the cloud, in order to free up space.
SMS Backup and Restore – Never Lose Important Conversations
While backing up your entire Android device is recommended, you should definitely consider backing up your messages regularly if your device has important messages. You might even be interested in the best Android backup apps in the app store to go beyond just backing up your text messages. Did you use any of the methods above? What was your experience? Don’t hesitate to share your opinion in the comments down below!
