[Q] SMS backup and restore - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

HI Guys- first post here. Hope you can help
Rooted my phone HTC desire HD last night and now trying to restore my sms- I used android app SMSbackup (I took a note of the name of the app before rooting). It turned out to be that there are 10's of SMS backup apps with this name. I could not remembr which one I used to back up my folders through to the SD card!! I don't recall a visual image of the logo.
I have the back up folders as I can see them on the SD card but so far all back up app I downloaded from PLAY could not recognise the sms files. I suspect that this is due to the fact they have been backed up in an db. format and not xml???
Can any one please advise how to go round this issue (e.g. is there db. converter to xml? is there a known sms back up app which reads db.? etc)
thanks in advance

Related

Free backup app?

Hi!
I'm gonna submit my Samsung Galaxy S2 back to the company where i bought it from because it is not possible to call with it (people hear me very bad and it echoes for them). I have NOT rooted my phone. Is there a FREE backup app that I can take backup of all contacts, messages, apps, games, any settings, etc? And then save it on your computer or something, so if I get a new Samsung Galaxy S2, i can have everything back.
Thanks!
My backup root can back everything up, needs root though.
Contacts = your taking the piss right??
games = you can just re-install them, tied to your account
messages = http://www.galaxys2forums.com/samsu...ransfer-sms-from-android-to-computer/new/#new
mybackup and sprite back up "apparently " can without root
rafflan said:
Hi!
I'm gonna submit my Samsung Galaxy S2 back to the company where i bought it from because it is not possible to call with it (people hear me very bad and it echoes for them). I have NOT rooted my phone. Is there a FREE backup app that I can take backup of all contacts, messages, apps, games, any settings, etc? And then save it on your computer or something, so if I get a new Samsung Galaxy S2, i can have everything back.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For backing up your contacts, you can use your Google account or even Kies. Similarly, your Google account may restore your apps (fresh install), depending on your settings for your account (Back up apps and data enabled?). Nevertheless, this only restores apps directly downloaded from the market (non-backed up). You'll need to copy the folders in which your game data is stored (e.g. "gameloft" in your sd card), as restoring the app will not keep that data. Just copy the whole directory to your computer. [EDIT]
angelomaldito said:
For backing up your contacts, you can use your Google account or even Kies. Similarly, your Google account may restore your apps (fresh install), depending on your settings for your account (Back up apps and data enabled?). Nevertheless, this only restores apps directly downloaded from the market (non-backed up). You'll need to copy the folders in which your game data is stored (e.g. "gameloft" in your sd card), as restoring the app will not keep that data. Just copy the whole directory to your computer. [EDIT]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Allright, thank you very much! If i copy the gameloft folder to my desktop and then put it on the new phone. Will they be installed directly?
For SMS I would recommend SMS backup+
would be good if google backed up app data to the cloud as well in case of a reinstall when moving phones
rafflan said:
Allright, thank you very much! If i copy the gameloft folder to my desktop and then put it on the new phone. Will they be installed directly?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes and no! You'll need to download the game app (about 3mb) (but not the full game) again. But for all the data which is part of the game (about 300mb) you can simply copy the folder. If you have a paid full version, you not need do do anything else (at least for gameloft games). You don't even need to backup the game app, as you'll be able to download the trial version again. After pasting the copied "gameloft" folder back on your phone, the trial version will become a full version automatically.
Just be carefull to enable "USB Utilities" on "Wireless and Network" settings before copying, otherwise you'll risk copying an empty folder.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
angelomaldito said:
Yes and no! You'll need to download the game app (about 3mb) (but not the full game) again. But for all the data which is part of the game (about 300mb) you can simply copy the folder. If you have a paid full version, you not need do do anything else (at least for gameloft games). You don't even need to backup the game app, as you'll be able to download the trial version again. After pasting the copied "gameloft" folder back on your phone, the trial version will become a full version automatically.
Just be carefull to enable "USB Utilities" on "Wireless and Network" settings before copying, otherwise you'll risk copying an empty folder.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Aight, so first i copy it to the computer. Then on the new phone, i download "game app" from the.market. Then copy the folder.
Exactly.
However, I was just wondering... The only thing is that I did it many times but with the same phone (i.e. new firmware but same IMEI number). I'm not sure if it will be hassle free if you do this in a phone with different IMEI number, as there might be some sort of protection against copying a paid game to another device.
Nevertheless, as you have paid for it you probably still have how to prove it to gameloft should you have any trouble. and download a new key if this is the case.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App

Saving text/rooting phone

Hi there, I know how to unlock and root my phone. Right now it is bone stock because I just got a refurb. (problem with charging port)
I have a few saved texts with the stock app and also have a backup sms app. I have a few very important texts that need to be saved for court purposes.
If I unlock and root, I know it will wipe my phone. Will the backup app and stock app definatley save my texts?
Thanks
I use my backup pro to save texts when flashing as it allows the option of saving online or sd card, I have never lost messages I needed to save using this.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using XDA
make sure you back them up to the external SD card and your computer just in case and u should be fine
Yeah I F'ed up once with the INC and the wife's T-Bolt. I used a app to save the text, but I didn't have the app to my sd card. I had a wife that was a little up set with me... LOL
I backed up texts from when I was stock on the stock sms app and it saved them to the actual SD card. Then when unlocked and rooted I was able to restore them back to the stock app. So I think you should be fine doing it with the stock app.
Sent from my ICS Rezound
SMS Backup and Restore has worked well for me. Just make sure you set the backup directory to your external SD card. It also gives you an option to email the backup file. Considering the importance of your texts, you probably want to put a copy on your computer to be extra cautious.
^^this. That app is awesome and what I've been using for quite some time now. Just change the directory to external SD card and ur golden, the app can be redownloaded on the new rom and SMS restored. Its fast too!
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2 Beta-6

Restoring contacts?

Hello
I just flashed CM9 on my Infuse coming from ZEUS and I'm LOVING IT. Such a perfect ROM <3
I can think of only one minor bug (flashlight) but CM9 is beyond quick, gives me a lot of control, and I love all the many UI options. Thanks to anyone who was on the CM9 development team
I had backed up contacts to my SIM AND my SD card in addition to backing up through Titanium Backup before I flashed. Is there any way to retrieve them from any of these?
Restoring everything through Titanium (though I didn't try JUST restoring contacts, I ran the batch operation) gave me crazy frequent force close messages that forced me to reflash. I'm pretty sure that the Contacts backed up in Titanium while I was running ZEUS are no longer compatible with CM9, though I'm not sure. I don't want to risk the FCs again because I already restored everything else (which work absolutely perfectly)
Contacts>Menu Button>Import/Export>Import from SIM Card
^Told me that there were no contacts on my SIM.
How is that possible when I know I backed them up?
Settings>Apps>On SD Card
^Shows me that there isn't anything on the card at all. Yet when I go to Storage in the Settings menu, it shows me the correctly occupied SD card space and when I USB connect to the computer and browse the folders, all my old stuff appears. What's going on?!?!?!
I tried (and failed) backing up to Google multiple times before doing the SIM backup and Titanium (SD) backup. I dunno, I never got Sync to work for me
The XDA moderators might be mad at me for completely abusing this forum with the 3 threads in 3 days... This will be my last for a little while so that I'll ease their annoyance
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Sent from my SGH-I997 using xda app-developers app
Have you tried importing from sd? If that didn't work Download some sort of file manager app. Find contacts backup, Should be in emmc, move to sdcard. Try to import again in contacts. The settings> apps > on sdcard is only going to show APPS that were installed/moved to your sd, out of the data partition. Definitely keep trying to get your contacts backed up with Google, so much easier. Hope this helps.
EDIT try the single restore for contacts in titanium backup
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda app-developers app
Tnallen said:
Have you tried importing from sd? If that didn't work Download some sort of file manager app. Find contacts backup, Should be in emmc, move to sdcard. Try to import again in contacts. The settings> apps > on sdcard is only going to show APPS that were installed/moved to your sd, out of the data partition. Definitely keep trying to get your contacts backed up with Google, so much easier. Hope this helps.
EDIT try the single restore for contacts in titanium backup
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks so much for the quick reply!
I tried the Titanium single restore.
Good news: No FCs
Bad news: None of the contacts appeared even though I got the notification that the restore was successful.
I even rebooted, ran the back up again and rebooted again after THAT to no avail. :-/
But there are no FCs which really is welcome news for me.
Regarding the other method you described: in ES File explorer, I couldn't find "emmc" anywhere. Is it its own directory? Thanks!
Sent from my SGH-I997 using xda app-developers app
EDIT:
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!! IT WORKED I FOUND THE .vcf, moved it, and everything imported!!! Thank you so much!
EDIT AGAIN:
There are FCs whenever I try to text through the stock messaging app now
On the plus side, it appears I got Google to work syncing contacts.
Just putting the info out there in case anyone else finds themselves in my position.
Try wiping data on your messaging app. Glad you got your contacts back
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda app-developers app

What is best method to backup and restore?

Almost all my data has been stored by default to my internal storage. Pictures, DL's, I figure I will sync to my laptop and back them up there, but there must be an easier way all you flash addicts are doing it. And TB is still preferred method to back up and restore all apps, msgs and call logs?
Is there a good startup noob guide? Things change so fast around here I never know if the guides are now obsolete.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 2
Clockworkmod recovery......for a complete backup...
and although TB is a great app, it seems to cause as many problems as it solves..
the app pulls data into a fresh build (on occasion) and causes problems when setting up..
I personally load "all" of my apps from the market again, on a fresh rom install....g
Most would store their downloads and pics on the external sd card. Contacts should be made google contacts that way they sync automatically. And Titanium backup works well. You just have to know what to restore. Issues are usually attributed to user error by not knowing fully what they are doing.
Taking everyone's valuable suggestions one step further, send backups from external sd card to Google Drive or Dropbox.
gregsarg said:
Clockworkmod recovery......for a complete backup...
and although TB is a great app, it seems to cause as many problems as it solves..
the app pulls data into a fresh build (on occasion) and causes problems when setting up..
I personally load "all" of my apps from the market again, on a fresh rom install....g
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
Agoattamer said:
Most would store their downloads and pics on the external sd card. Contacts should be made google contacts that way they sync automatically. And Titanium backup works well. You just have to know what to restore. Issues are usually attributed to user error by not knowing fully what they are doing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
rangercaptain said:
Taking everyone's valuable suggestions one step further, send backups from external sd card to Google Drive or Dropbox.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
Sent using the Greatest Device EVER!
So you change the default settings of where to store dl's and photos every time you flash a new rom?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 2
When I restore I log in to google and get TiBU.
I make sure it knows my backup folder location.
I restore the apps I backed up. Never select restore system apps.
Then I restore sms and calls. When I restored those apps they get their settins restore so I don't have to do anything.
So the only location I check/change is TiBU.
I used to CWM but now I use TWRP for flashing and creating backups. I also use TB pro and I have to say I haven't had any problems but I do only restore apps and their data and nothing else. I also have become a fan of My Backup. I am able to backup and restore how I have my icons saved on my screen. Makes it real easy and quick to get back up and running.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium
You can save the launcher and it's data with tibu also, no need for a second app...That's what i do
hell some launchers have a backup option built into them.
Serious? Well face palm myself. I never paid attention that TB did.
Sent from my cm_tenderloin using xda premium
Just so you know, nothing on your internal or external SD is affected by flashing a ROM. Sounds like you think you might lose your pictures and downloads. They will be safe unless you format them.
OK, so I bought the pro version of TiBu, actually had a tough time getting it to sync with the free version and recognize the key on fresh rom install....
But my bigger problem after rom install hand TiBU restore...I am getting 3 errors and it caused the phone to hang so bad, had to do a factory reset and start from scratch with everything.
1. Calendar sync not working properly
2. Messages sync not working properly
3. Android.process.acore not working properly.
I would love to flash roms more often but dont out of fear of having to restore everything I liked back manually (I have to learn how to backup launcher too BC that is a big time factor in setup after a flash)
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 2
The trick is the System Apps. If they're Green then you can usually backup and restore them without any issue. If they're Red then you shouldn't back them up and restores won't be useful.
For some of the Green items (e.g., messages, bookmarks, call log) there's a Yellow equivalent which indicates XML. For these, you should favor the XML since it'll restore across ROMs better.
For all apps, if you switch between ROMs that are extremely different (for example, if you jump straight from stock GB to CM9(ICS) then there can be problems. You can usually get around these by uninstalling the offending app, installing from Play Store and then restoring just the data.

Whatsapp backup restored without 'sent images'

Hello,
Two weeks I bought a new phone, a Samsung S23 Ultra. I transferred all data from my old phone, a S21, to my new phone. All went well according to the Samsung transfer tool, so I didn't look any further.
However, last week I noticed that I couldn't view any of the images that I sent with Whatsapp. When I click a greyed out image in a Whatsapp conversiation, it gives this error: "media file does not exist on internal storage whatsapp sent images". So I looked into that folder and there wasn't any old image there, only a few that I sent over the last few days.
At first I thought something must have gone wrong with the transfer from my old phone to my new phone, so I unstalled Whatsapp, reinstalled it and let Whatsapp do a restore from Google Drive instead. This didn't work either, it produced the same result, no sent images.
I think someting went wrong with the data transfer my old phone to my new phone, and because I noticed it only a few days later, Whatsapp made a new backup to Google Drive with an (almost) empty 'sent' folder, overwriting all existing sent images. I don't have my old phone anymore because I sold it. So I can't recover these images from my old phone, but now I lost years worth of images in all my Whatsapp conversations.
Does anyone know what I can do to somehow restore this? Is there a way to get an old backup from Google Drive?

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