How to Transfer SMS from Android to Android

Quick Summary

1. Install an SMS backup app on the old Android.
2. Connect the app to your Gmail account.
3. Select messages to back up and choose a location.
4. Back up the messages.
5. Copy the backup file to the new Android.
6. Install the SMS backup app on the new Android.
7. Select the Restore option on the new Android.
8. Select the backup file to restore your messages.
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1
Using a Transfer App

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    Download an SMS backup app on your first Android. The quickest way to transfer SMS (text) messages from one Android phone to another is by using an SMS transfer app. There are a variety of these apps available on the Google Play Store. There is no official method of transferring SMS messages. Some of the more popular free apps include "SMS Backup+" and "SMS Backup & Restore".
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    Open the SMS backup app. Open the app on the device that you want to copy your SMS messages from. The process for "SMS Backup+" and "SMS Backup & Restore" is similar, and both will be detailed in this section.
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    Connect your Gmail account (SMS Backup+). SMS Backup + will backup your SMS messages to your Gmail account. Tap "Connect" to select your account. Use the same Gmail account as your Android device to make things easier during the restore process.[1]
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    Start the backup process. Tap the "Backup" button in either app to begin the backup process.
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    Set your backup location (SMS Backup & Restore). SMS Backup & Restore will create a local backup file for your SMS messages which can also be saved to a cloud storage service.
    • Tap "Local Backup and Upload" to select a cloud storage service, or to email the backup file to yourself.
    • Check the "Include MMS Messages" box to include group messages and messages with attachments like images.
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    Wait for the backup to complete. This may take a while if you have a lot of messages to backup. You can reduce this time if you disable MMS backups if you don't think you'll need them.
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    Transfer the backup file to your new phone (SMS Backup & Restore). Once the backup has been made on the first device with SMS Backup & Restore, you'll need to transfer the backup file to your new Android. If you only created a local file when making the backup, you can connect the phone to a computer and copy the XML file from the "SMSBackupRestore" folder onto your new device. If you uploaded the file to a cloud storage service when you created it, you don't need to worry about transferring it.
    • When you connect your Android to your computer, you'll be able to find it in the "Computer" window (Windows), or on your desktop (Mac). When you copy the XML file onto your new device, place it in the base directory of your device to find it easily later.
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    Install the SMS backup app on your new phone. Once your backup has been created, you'll need to install the same backup app on your new device.
    • If you're using SMS Backup+, make sure to connect the new device to the same Google account.
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    Tap "Restore" to begin the SMS restore process. Both apps will have a "Restore" button on the main screen. Tap it to begin.
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    Select the backup file (SMS Backup & Restore). After starting the restore process, you'll be prompted to select your restore file. If you've copied the file onto your device's storage, use the file manager that opens to select it. If you've uploaded the file to a cloud storage service, tap the ⋮ button and select the service from the list.
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    Set the backup app as your default SMS app. Before the restore can begin, you'll be prompted to set the backup app as the default SMS app for the device. You'll need to do this in order to restore the SMS messages. You'll be able to switch default apps back to your regular messaging app after the restore is complete.
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    Wait for the SMS messages to be restored. This may take a while, especially if the backup file is large.
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    Switch your default SMS app back. Once you've finished restoring your SMS messages, you can switch back to your regular SMS app to view them and send new ones.[2]
    • Open the Settings app.
    • Tap "More" in the "Wireless & networks" section.
    • Tap "Default SMS app" and select the messaging app you want to use.

2
Using Smart Switch (Samsung)

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    Understand what the app is for. The Smart Switch app from Samsung is designed to transfer data from one Samsung device to another, though you may be able to use it to transfer from a different Android device to a Samsung. Not all non-Samsung devices are supported. The app works best when transferring from one Samsung device to another.
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    Install the Smart Switch Mobile app on both devices. Both phones need to have the app installed in order to make the quick transfer. The app is free on the Google Play Store. Most new Samsung devices come with the app pre-installed.
    • The Smart Switch Mobile app may not work with your Android device. If that's the case, use the previous method to transfer your SMS messages.
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    Select "Android device" on both apps. This will allow the devices to connect to each other.
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    Place your two devices within four inches of each other. Smart Switch uses NFC to establish a Bluetooth connection, and works best when the two phones are placed right next to each other.
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    Tap "Start" on both devices. You'll be prompted to select the sending device.
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    Set the old phone as the "Sending device".
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    Set the new phone as the "Receiving device".
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    Tap "Connect" on sending device. A PIN will be displayed on the screen.
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    Tap "Next" on the receiving device. Enter the PIN if the device does not connect automatically. A list of data that you can transfer will be displayed.
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    Ensure that "Messages" is checked on the sending device. You can disable anything else that you don't want to transfer to your new device.
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    Tap "Send" on the sending device, and then "Receive" on the new device.Your messages and any other data you selected will be transferred to the new device.
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    Wait for the "Completed" message. This will indicate a successful transfer. You should now be able to find your old SMS messages in your new device's messaging app

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