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You Asked: Backing up SMS messages in Android

Jesse Simms • November 8, 2013

A couple seated at table look at a phone screen together

There are dozens of seemingly-identical apps on the Google Play store that vow to backup your personal messages. Whether in the cloud, in your email or on an SD card, there are various storage methods you can use to ensure your conversations won’t vanish into the digital abyss.

At Ting, we actively encourage you to ask us questions. Through our Ask Ting Anything’s on Facebook, Ting Hangouts and blog posts, we’re always interested in what’s on our customers minds. For this installment of our “You Asked” series, we take a look at several SMS backup apps and run through the various features of each.

SMS Backup +

SMS Backup + is an app that uses Gmail (or any IMAP server) to automatically save your SMS (text messages), MMS (picture messages) and call logs entries. Upon connecting your Gmail account with SMS Backup +, your personal data is saved in a separate label and can be automatically backed up to Gmail. Are you a WhatsApp user? You can transfer those messages to your Gmail account as well! Unfortunately, SMS Backup + can only restore SMS messages to your device, not WhatsApp or MMS messages. If you don’t know how to enable IMAP, don’t fret! This fellow will show you how in under a minute! The developers have also set up an awesome FAQ page in case you need more help!

G Cloud Backup

G Cloud Backup is a comprehensive backup app that saves your Android information securely on a cloud and can be accessed by logging into your G Cloud account. Using its simple interface, easily backup and protect your SMS messages, call logs, documents, settings, photos, music, and more on multiple devices! Unfortunately, G Cloud Backup cannot currently backup your MMS messages. By creating an account you instantly receive 1 GB of cloud storage free and can pick up 8 GB just by referring friends, tweeting about the app, and liking G Cloud Backup’s Facebook page. They also offer paid tiers for 16 GB and 32 GB, which is useful if you have a ton of data to save, or multiple devices to backup. Have any further questions? Check out their FAQ page!

SMS Backup and Restore

SMS Backup and Restore focuses specifically on SMS messaging and lets you easily save texts to an SD card and restore them at a later date. These backups are created in XML format, can be converted to other file types and easily viewed on your device and computer. Your saved contents can also be emailed or uploaded to cloud storage through Dropbox or Google Drive using the official Add-On. For more information check out SMS Backup and Restore’s detailed FAQ!

Ting’s recommendation: SMS Backup +

If you’re still unsure of which app to choose, we recommend SMS Backup +. If you own an Android device you already have a Gmail account, making the initial set up super easy. In just minutes, your SMS, MMS, and call log entries will be saved in a Gmail label and can be retrieved from your phone or a computer whenever you desire!

What backup app do you swear by? Let us know in the comments!