Best App for backing up text messages?

Question

Level 1

30 points

Best App for backing up text messages?

Hey guys, I was using SMS Backup App on my android which was very simple to use to backup on my Google account. I am seeking the same for iphone, any recommendations please?

Posted on Mar 26, 2019 5:36 AM

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Answer 1

Mar 26, 2019 2:21 PM in response to mikehende

The app TouchCopy for your computer can back up anything on your phone to view it offline. It's available for Mac & Windows. If you have a Mac you can also sync your messages to the Messages app on the Mac. Just turn Messages on in iCloud settings on both devices.

TouchCopy cannot restore your messages, but it can archive them.

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Answer 2

sergekills

Level 7

33,329 points

Mar 26, 2019 5:40 AM in response to mikehende

Just use iCloud or iTunes backups.

About backups for iOS devices - Apple Support

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Answer 3

Mar 26, 2019 2:35 PM in response to mikehende

Yes, they both do that. PhoneView is only for Mac, however.

Another option is frequent backups and a backup extractor program. The best I have found is iphonebackupextractor, however it is not free, and, IMO, is not even reasonably priced. If you google that name exactly it will be the first hit.

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Answer 4

mikehende Author

Level 1

30 points

Apr 15, 2019 6:16 AM in response to IdrisSeabright

Phoneview works GREAT guys, thanks! Super easy to use, didn;t need a manual.

Only one tweak I would like if possible the printed messages, any way to make the text bigger? I am not seeing a way in the print preview on my imac.

Also guys, i don;t want to create another thread for this but any shortcut key's to 'cut' a file? Only option I am seeing is to copy a file or folder, paste where i want then have to come back and move it to trash.

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Answer 5

Apr 10, 2019 9:23 AM in response to mikehende

I like PhoneView a lot. Have been using it for years.

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Answer 6

Mar 26, 2019 2:29 PM in response to mikehende

The application I like is PhoneView. Like TouchCopy which Lawrence mentioned, it can't restore the messages to your phone but it is very useful for archive the messages.

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Answer 7

Mar 27, 2019 8:24 AM in response to mikehende

Based on IdrisSeabright's research I would avoid anything from fonedog. Fonepaw has been banned from the forum for spamming and unethical behavior, and it appears that fonedog is an attempt to get around that restriction.

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Answer 8

mikehende Author

Level 1

30 points

Mar 27, 2019 7:10 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

This one looks good for a lesser price which will allow me to backup to Gmail:

https://www.fonedog.com/ios-data-backup-restore/backup-text-messages-iphone-to-gmail.html

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Answer 9

sergekills

Level 7

33,329 points

Mar 26, 2019 2:14 PM in response to mikehende

You can access your messages by restoring the backup on another iOS device.

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Answer 10

mikehende Author

Level 1

30 points

Apr 10, 2019 9:20 AM in response to IdrisSeabright

I looked at both which are good options but have decided on Phoneview because both seems to do the same thing but with Phoneview being $10 cheaper which I will get in a few days.

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Answer 11

mikehende Author

Level 1

30 points

Mar 27, 2019 7:20 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

Thanks for the warning, yes I am aware but nothing personal as backup really so not a major deal for me.

I won;t purchase until I may have something which needs to be backed up but will report back here should I do so.

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Answer 12

Apr 10, 2019 9:02 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

This is very helpful! Is there a way to archive on the message app without having to keep all of the messages on all devices? I just want to free up space on the iPhone, but would like to archive old messages.

Any pointers are appreciated!

I have the same problem with pictures on iCloud really.

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Answer 13

Apr 10, 2019 9:15 AM in response to travelerunknown

travelerunknown wrote:

This is very helpful! Is there a way to archive on the message app without having to keep all of the messages on all devices? I just want to free up space on the iPhone, but would like to archive old messages.