Is there a way to transfer texts from old phone to the brax3 without signing into google?
Thanks!
1 Like
Is your old phone Android? If so take a look at SMS Import/Export
3 Likes
QKSMS is an open source text message application with the option to import and export. You can install it on your old device and create an export which can then be imported on your BraX3. QKSMS is available on F-Droid.
5 Likes
@blaster QKSMS sort of worked. It only ended up backing up about a 10th of my chats. And none of them were complete [missing current 3 years and all prior with only about 3 years of incomplete chats backed up] and none were in order. I ran the backup several times on my old phone with the same results each time. Thanks for the suggestion…it was certainly worth a try.
2 Likes
Be aware that SMS is not a secure or private mode of communication. Would you put private correspondence on a postcard? Worse yet, your ISP makes a copy to share with the government (or whoever hacks them).
Instead, convince your contacts to move to a secure messenger service with perfect forward secrecy, such as signal, simplex, or briar.
2 Likes
This is why I also suggested SMS Import/Export
So I still use SMS, for non-important stuff. I found that SMS Import/Export was the ONLY app that didn’t actually implode my entire contact database, or the links between contacts and SMS. LOL I would suggest you migrate both with the app.
The Fossify app has it’s own backup/restore, and it actually linked my SMS to the wrong contacts. I also tried QK and had mediocre results. Then I found SMS Import/Export and it moved all my info just fine. It’s free to download and use, but is on Google Play.
2 Likes
Bummer…I’ve never had a problem using it, but there must be some limitations in there somewhere that I haven’t ran into. There are many other messengers that also import/export, so there is probably a solution out there.
I think the one that blew my mind the most was the fossify backup feature.
Its the default messenger, yet it seems to have issues, on occasion, restoring from its own backups. Lol.
1 Like
fully aware of the privacy issue with sms. I have a lot of work contacts and older folks who are averse to change unfortunately.
1 Like
I know. Its amazing that most people are perfectly fine having tons of apps installed on their device, but the thought of having 2 messengers is just too much to fathom. I’ve had that conversation with a lot of people and have only convinced a few to switch to a secure messenger.
1 Like
I am definitely not a super tech with phone, but I needed to transfer messages from iPhone to Brax3. I looked at a few options, but ended up using a 3rd party software called Wondershare MobileTrans. Not free, but it worked very well transferring all data from iPhone to Brax3.
1 Like
Question…my S5 sms transfer software is asking what format to use for export (HTML, Text, or CSV?) Can you tell me which format is required for the Brax3? thanks.
Contacts? or messages? CSV usually works well, but just export in all available formats and try them one by one. Sooner or later you will find some app that will let you import them correctly. Just be sure and delete all data if the fields are messed up before trying another format.
this is likely due to different versions having different capabilities.
Sometimes yes, but in my case no. The version was consistent between the devices. This is a fossify thing, and it makes for a completely unreliable solution. There is nothing more frustrating than selecting a conversation, typing and sending a text, then watching the screen refresh, and the contact names change.
To anyone who wants to, I couldn’t find it on Play store, however I didn’t realize you could DL the .apk direct from the F-droid webpage without F-droid installed. Sideloading this is a piece of cake on modern Android (Android sideloading), but THIS IS AT YOUR OWN RISK even my beginner self knows this, but I was willing and it worked (just under 33k of Msgs & 7500 MMS!). Thanks people for suggesting that app!
1 Like
UPDATE: The transfer using SMS import / export as outlined above was super smooth and easy. I did encounter a recurring crash on import into the BRax3, but also a workaround- if I would tab away or let the phone lock the screen the import would error and halt. So I just left if opened and went about my work. I didn’t feel like changing my screen timeout and I was anxious to monitor it, so I just swiped the screen every couple of minutes instead, and no errors, the import completed including a total of SMS & MMS imported and the time it took (43 mins for mine).
This worked but the repeated attempts seems to have resulted in duplicates of many messages. Finding a duplicate remover will be my next step, lol. At least I didn’t lose history I wanted to keep tho.
1 Like
These are rational and prudent techniques.