Back Up Android Texts to Dropbox or Google Drive - Guide
Protecting Your Android Text Messages Through Backup
There are instances when recalling information from past text messages becomes necessary. To prevent data loss and ensure accessibility, regularly backing up your messages is crucial.
Fortunately, transferring your Android phone's text messages to cloud storage is a straightforward process.
Utilizing SMS Backup & Restore
The core of this process relies on an Android application known as SMS Backup & Restore, freely available on Google Play. This application allows for backups to multiple cloud platforms.
You can choose to back up your text messages to Dropbox, Google Drive, or your email account, or even utilize all three simultaneously.
The configuration and outcome will remain consistent regardless of the chosen service, allowing for easy replication of these steps.
Backup Method Considerations
It's important to note that backing up a substantial volume of messages via email may prove impractical due to file size limitations.
For email backups, a dedicated guide is recommended. SMS Backup & Restore functions optimally with Dropbox and Google Drive.
This tutorial will demonstrate the process using Google Drive.
Getting Started
With these considerations addressed, we can proceed with the backup process.
Configuring SMS Backup & Restore
After installing SMS Backup & Restore on your device, the initial step involves configuring the application. Launching the app will present you with a straightforward menu interface.
From here, select the “Backup” option. This action will allow you to define your specific backup preferences.
Numerous options are available, so carefully review and choose the data you wish to back up. You can include items such as Call Logs and MMS Messages, or opt to back up only selected conversations instead of all messages.
Having finalized your selections, activate the “Local Backup and Upload” toggle located at the bottom of the screen. This will reveal three additional options: Upload to Google Drive, Upload to Dropbox, and Upload to Email. Choose the method that best suits your needs.
Selecting either Drive or Dropbox will initiate a login sequence, presenting further options. First, you must log in to your chosen account. When utilizing Drive, the Account Picker will appear upon tapping the “Log in” button.
The application will then request permission to access your account. Granting this permission allows the backup process to proceed. You can then configure additional settings.
After logging in, you can restrict uploads to Wi-Fi connections, specify a destination folder for your backups, and choose whether to automatically delete older backup files. The Folder option requires manual entry of the desired path, as a file picker is not provided. Exercise caution to ensure accurate input.
Once all settings are configured, tap the “Test” button to verify the setup. This proactive step can prevent issues during the actual backup process. Upon successful completion of the test, save your settings.
Returning to the Create New Backup screen, select “OK” to finalize the configuration, or add a secondary cloud service if desired.
Tapping “OK” will initiate the backup process, followed by automatic uploading to your chosen cloud storage service. The process is remarkably simple.
Establishing a Backup Routine
You may choose to conclude the process at this stage if desired. However, to ensure continuous safeguarding of your most recent messages, configuring a synchronization schedule is recommended.
To initiate this, begin by selecting the three-dot overflow menu located in the upper-right corner of the screen, and then choose “Preferences” from the options presented.
Within this menu, locate the “Scheduled Backups” option. Select this feature to proceed.
Activate Scheduled Backups by toggling the switch on the right. Subsequently, define your preferred schedule. Frequency can range from every minute – though this is likely excessive – to intervals of up to 30 days.
You can also designate a specific time for the backup process to execute. Select a time that aligns with your schedule; the late-night hours are often ideal. For example, 3:00 AM.
Upon successful completion, a notification will confirm the backup. This notification can be disabled if preferred.
After setting your schedule, the configuration is complete. Simply tap “Save” to finalize the settings.
From this point forward, your text messages will be automatically backed up according to your specified parameters.
By default, the SMS Backup & Restore application saves files in XML format. These files are compatible with any web browser that supports XML interpretation. An “Archive Mode” option is also available, which appends new messages to the existing file instead of creating a new file for each backup. This setting can be found under Preferences > Backup Settings > Archive Mode.
