How to Backup Text Messages on Android

Written by Nicole Levine, MFA

Last Updated: December 5, 2022 Tested

This wikiHow teaches you how to back up your Android SMS and MMS messages using a free app called SMS Backup & Restore.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Installing SMS Backup & Restore

1
Open the Play Store
. You’ll usually find it on the home screen or in the app drawer.
2
Type sms backup and restore into the search bar. A list of matching results will appear.

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3
Tap SMS Backup & Restore. This app, developed by Carbonite, has a green chat bubble icon with a white clock inside.
4
Tap Install. The app will now install to your Android.
- Depending on your settings, you may have to grant the app permission to your phone or tablet before the download begins.
- When the app is finished downloading, the “Install” button will change to “Open” and a new icon will appear in the app drawer.

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Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Backing Up Messages

1
Open SMS Backup & Restore. It’s the green chat bubble icon containing a clock made of arrows. Since it’s your first time using the app, you’ll need to set it up.
2
Tap Get Started. A series of permissions windows will appear.
3
Tap Allow on all 4 screens. This gives the app permission to backup and restore your SMS messages.
4
Tap Set Up a Backup.
5
Select which items to backup. You can back up your messages and/or your call history. Since you definitely want to back up your messages, slide the “Messages” switch to
.
6
Tap Advanced Options. This expands additional options at the bottom of the screen.
7
Choose which messages to back up.
- To include group, photo, and video texts, slide the “Media, pictures, video, group messages (MMS)” switch to
  .
- Side “Emoji & special characters” to
  if you want these included in your backup.
- To back up all of your messages, select All Messages.
- If you want to select only specific messages to back up, select Selected conversations only, then choose which conversations to save.
8
Tap Next. It’s at the bottom-right corner of the screen.
9
Select a backup location. You can back your messages up to any of the accounts listed by sliding the corresponding switch to
. Since you’re using an Android, we’ll assume you’re going to back up to your Google Drive account for the rest of this method. The steps should be similar for other options as well.
10
Tap Next. This brings you to the Google Drive setup screen.
11
Sign in to your Google Drive. Tap Log In, select the account to which you want to back up, then tap OK. A pop-up window will appear.
12
Tap Allow. This gives the application permission to save messages to your Google account.
13
Select a folder for your backed-up messages. This is optional. If you want your messages to be saved to a new folder, type a name for that folder into the “Folder” blank.
14
Choose how to handle old backups. If you want old backups to be deleted after a certain period of time, tap the drop-down menu under “Delete backups older than” and select a period of time. If not, select Do not delete.
15
Tap Save.
16
Select recurring backup options.
- If you’d like the application to back up your messages on a certain schedule, slide the switch to
  and select your desired schedule.
- To back up your messages just this one time, make sure the switch is set to
  .
17
Tap Back Up Now. It’s at the bottom-right corner of the screen. Your messages will now back up to the desired location.

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Image titled Backup Text Messages on Android Step 21

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About This Article

Written by:

Nicole Levine, MFA

wikiHow Technology Writer

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Nicole Levine, MFA. Nicole Levine is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. She has more than 20 years of experience creating technical documentation and leading support teams at major web hosting and software companies. Nicole also holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Portland State University and teaches composition, fiction-writing, and zine-making at various institutions. This article has been viewed 21,904 times.

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Co-authors: 3

Updated: December 5, 2022

Views: 21,904

Categories: Android Applications | Texting

Article SummaryX

1. Install SMS Backup and Restore from the Play Store.
2. Open SMS Backup and Restore.
3. Tap Get Started.
4. Tap Set Up a Backup.
5. Toggle on "Messages."
6. Select messages and tap Next.
7. Sign into Google Drive.
8. Set your backup preferences.
9. Tap Back Up Now.

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