People save a lot of important conversations with their loved ones or colleagues on their Android phones. It could be hard to lose them all at once due to any hardware or software issues. Therefore, it is clear to see that we need to store these important messages in other locations. Google Drive is a popular service that offers storage space, and it can be accessed anytime with an internet connection. In this blog post, we will cover the best ways to backup messages from Android to Google Drive.
Video Tutorial:
Why You Need to Backup Messages from Android to Google Drive
When we first buy an Android device, we often do not think about losing data, including messages or SMS. However, it’s important to have a backup of our messages as they contain very important and sensitive information that we do not want to lose. These messages could be those from our loved ones or conversations with colleagues. Some of the reasons for why we need to backup messages from our Android phones to Google Drive are:
• Accidental deletion: We could accidentally delete important messages. This could be devastating, especially if the message holds important information or memories.
• Phone damage: Our Android phone could face some hardware or software issues which could result in loss of all the messages that we have saved.
• Carrier issues: Sometimes, service providers might have technical glitches or issues that could result in messages getting lost.
• Keeping a copy: It is always a good idea to keep a copy of messages that are critical to us. Google Drive could be a perfect solution to this problem.
Now let’s discuss in detail how to backup messages from Android to Google Drive in several ways.
Method 1: Via SMS Backup+
SMS Backup+ is an application that automatically backs up SMS, MMS, and call logs from an Android device to Gmail or Google Calendar. This app is convenient and can be used frequently to back up messages to Google Drive.
1. Download and install SMS Backup+ from the Google Play Store.
2. Launch SMS Backup+ and log in to your Google account.
3. From the “Connect” screen, select the “Connect” button under “Google Drive Backup.”
4. Configure your backup preferences (backup frequency, backup type, etc.) and select “Backup Now.”
5. Wait for the app to finish backing up your messages.
Pros:
• The app is free to use.
• Easy to configure backup preferences.
• Supports call logs and MMS along with SMS messages.
Cons:
• Requires a Google account to use.
• You need to have a good internet connection for this app to work effectively.
Method 2: Via Google Messages Backup
Google has its own native Backup feature in its Messages app which allows users to save selected conversations to Google Drive. Here are the steps to backup messages via Google Messages Backup.
1. Open Google Messages.
2. Tap and hold on the conversation you want to backup.
3. From the drop-down menu, select “More.”
4. Select “Back up messages.”
5. Choose the Google Account you want to use for backup and select “OK.”
6. Choose the “Include videos” toggle if you want to backup videos too.
7. Select “Back up” to start backing up.
Pros:
• The process is pretty straightforward.
• You can select specific conversations to backup.
Cons:
• If you haven’t set up Google Messages to automatically backup messages, you will have to manually backup each conversation separately.
• The number of messages that can be backed up might be limited depending on your Gmail storage limit.
Method 3: Via Third-Party Apps
There are various third-party Android apps that are capable of backing up messages to Google Drive. Some popular ones are SMS Backup and Restore, Titanium Backup, and My Backup. Here, we will discuss how to use SMS Backup and Restore to backup your Android messages to Google Drive.
1. Download and install SMS Backup and Restore.
2. Launch the app and select “Set up a backup”.
3. Choose “Google Drive” as the location and choose the Google account you want to use for backup.
4. Configure the backup settings according to your needs.
5. Run a test backup to ensure that the app is working correctly.
6. Once the backup is finished, you can access the backed-up messages from your Google Drive account.
Pros:
• These apps offer a lot of customization options to the users.
• Third-party apps may feature additional storage options.
Cons:
• Some apps require payment to backup and restore messages.
• There is a higher risk for data privacy intrusion when using third-party apps.
What to Do If You Can’t Backup Messages from Android to Google Drive
Sometimes, you might encounter certain issues that will stop you from backing up your messages to Google Drive. In such instances, you can try these fixes:
1. Check your internet connection: Google Drive backup will not work effectively without a steady internet connection.
2. Clear the cache and data of the app: If you’re facing issues while using Google Messages or SMS Backup+, then consider clearing the app’s cache and data from your phone’s settings menu.
3. Update the app: Ensure that the app you’re using to backup messages is updated to its latest version.
4. Check your account storage: See if you have enough storage space available in your Google account to backup your messages.
5. Restart your phone: You can try restarting your phone if none of the above fixes work.
Bonus Tip
When backing up messages to Google Drive, ensure that you don’t just have a single copy. Consider keeping one or two physical backups of the messages, such as a printed copy or a copy on an external storage device.
5 FAQs
Q1: Will my messages be safe from data breaches?
A: Yes, once messages are backed up to Google Drive, they will be encrypted and protected with advanced security features.
Q2: Can I backup only specific conversations with Google Messages Backup?
A: Yes, you can select which conversations you want to backup with the Google Messages Backup feature.
Q3: Can I access my backed-up messages from another device?
A: Yes, as long as you log in to the same Google account on another device, you can access your backed-up messages.
Q4: Can I use Google Drive to backup other data from my Android device?
A: Yes, you can use Google Drive to back up your photos, contacts, app data, app-specific data, and more.
Q5: Can I use Google Drive to backup messages from an iPhone?
A: No, Google Drive backup is only available for Android devices.
Final Thoughts
It is essential to have a backup plan when it comes to important data on your Android device. Backing up your messages to Google Drive is a wise decision as it ensures that your data is safe from loss or damage. The methods discussed above should help you backup messages easily and efficiently. Remember to keep a backup of your backups by backing up your content to an external hard drive or another cloud storage service. We hope this blog post helped you learn how to backup messages from your Android device to Google Drive.