How to transfer text messages to a new phone

How to transfer text messages to a new phone

If you've just gotten a new phone, you'll probably want to save your texts. How to Transfer Text Messages to a New Phone

Methods for Transferring Text Messages to a New Android Phone

You can backup and recover your text messages using your Android phone and Google account. First, make a backup of your SMS from your old phone:

1 - Launch the Settings app on your Android device.

2 - At the top of the screen, double-check that you're backing up to your desired Google account.

3 - Go to Google > Backup.

4 - Make sure backups are enabled.

5 - Scroll down to make sure SMS and MMS messages are included.

6 - To manually backup your messages, use the Back up now option.

After backing up your messages, you may transfer them to your new phone and perform the following to download them all:

1 - Log in to your new phone using the same Google account you used to generate the backup.

2 - When your phone asks if you want to restore the data associated with your account during the setup process, select Restore.

3 - After the setting is complete, you should be able to see your messages in the Messages app.

How to Transfer Text Messages to a New iPhone

Photo by Tyler Lastovich on Unsplash

On an iPhone, much like an Android phone, you can utilize your iCloud account to back up and recover your texts. First, on your old iPhone, perform the following steps:

1 - Make sure you're on iOS 11.4 or later.

2 - Connect your iPhone to Wi-Fi by plugging it in.

3 - Navigate to Settings > Apple ID > iCloud.

4 - Enable Messages to store them to your iCloud account.

5 - This may take some time, so leave your phone plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi until it is finished.

After backing up your messages, perform the following to transfer them to your new iPhone:

1 - Start your new iPhone.

2 - Follow the setup instructions.

3 - To recover your messages, hit Restore from iCloud Backup when asked.

4 - The transfer procedure may take some time, but once completed, you should be able to access your messages in the Messages app.

If the above methods do not work, you can try backing up and restoring your messages on a Mac. Here's what you should do:

1 - On your Mac, launch iTunes.

2 - Tap the iPhone symbol.

3 - Select This machine from the Backups menu. This will create a full backup of your iPhone on your Mac.

4 - When the backup is finished, you may download it to your new iPhone during setup.

How to Transfer iPhone Text Messages to Android

Messages may be transferred from an iPhone to an Android phone, but the procedure is more difficult. Here's what you should do:

1 - Start your new Android phone and go through the setup procedure.

2 - Tap Next when offered to "Copy applications and data."

3 - Turn your iPhone on and unlock it, then hit Next on the "Use your old phone" screen.

4 - The USB-C to USB-A adaptor that comes with your phone will be required. Attach the USB-C end to your phone, and then use a USB-to-Lightning converter to connect the other end to your iPhone.

5 - When asked, sign in using your Google account on your Android phone, then tap Next.

6 - You'll be asked what you wish to replicate. Make sure to choose Messages as well as anything else you want to copy. Then choose Copy.

7 - Tap the Continue button.

8 - Continue with the rest of the setup steps.

9 - Your Android phone will notify you that you need to disable iMessage on your iPhone. Make sure you do this so that you don't miss any future communications.

If you have a Samsung Galaxy phone, the process is a little easier. As an added advantage, you can do it at any time, not just when you first set up your new Android phone. Here's what you should do:

1 - On your Samsung mobile, install the Samsung Smart Switch app.

2 - Select Receive data after opening the app.

3 - Select the iPhone/iPad as the source. Check that your iPhone is turned on and unlocked.

4 - Connect the USB-C end of a USB-C to USB-A cable to your Samsung device and the other end to your iPhone's USB-to-Lighting dongle.

5 - The Smart Switch app will search your iPhone automatically. Select Messages as well as any other items you want to move.

6 - Select Transfer.

7 - The transfer procedure may take some time, however your Samsung smartphone will display a progress indication. Make sure the Keep screen on option is turned on so that nothing is interrupted.

8 - When the transfer is complete, hit Next.

9 - Your Samsung phone will notify you that you need to disable iMessage on your iPhone. Make sure you do this so that you don't miss any future messages.

How to Transfer Text Messages from an Android Phone to an iPhone

Apple provides a simple method for transferring texts from Android to iPhone. Here's what you should do:

1 - Install the Move to iOS app on your Android device.

2 - Start the setup procedure by turning on your new iPhone. Connect to a Wi-Fi network first.

3 - When the Apps & Data box displays, click Move Data from Android.

4 - Take note of the security code that appears on your iPhone.

5 - When asked, open Move to iOS on your Android smartphone and input the security code.

6 - Select the data types you wish to transfer in the Move to iOS app. Make sure you choose Messages.

7 - Complete the iPhone setup process.

Author, Youssef Shnino.