Resolved: Where Are Texts Stored on Android Device? [6 Practical Tips]

Summary

Although most of us now rarely chat with others via the Messages app on Android, it is still a vital function for us. On the one hand, many important notifications are sent by SMS. On the other hand, we need to send messages in some special occasions. But where are texts stored on Android?

If we want to back up valuable text messages to a computer, we need to find them in the File Manager first. But we cannot find them in any folder. That sounds a little weird, but it is true. Thus, to solve this problem, we will talk about 6 related tips in the following. After that, we will get the answer.

Part 1: Where Are Texts Stored on Android Devices?

Text messages (SMS and MMS) on Android devices are primarily stored in a SQLite database file within the phone's internal memory. This file is typically named mmssms.db.

The exact path to this database can vary slightly depending on your Android version:

You can find the detailed location via the following routes:

1. On Android OS 7.0 and above:
/data/user_de/0/com.android/providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db

2. For Android 4.4 to 6.x:
/data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/database/mmssms.db

3. For Android 4.3 or earlier:
/data/data/com.android.providers/telephony/database/mmssms.db

Bonus: Are text messages stored on a SIM card? No, in general, text messages are stored on Android internal memory, not the installed SIM card. Thus, others cannot see your messages, although they have your SIM card. By the way, you can move your messages to your SIM card.

Part 2: Where Are MMS Pictures Stored on Android Phones?

MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) pictures on Android phones are handled a bit differently than the text part of SMS messages. When you receive an MMS message, the image (or video/audio) is initially "embedded" or linked within the mmssms.db database file along with the text message data.

This allows your messaging app to display the multimedia directly within the conversation thread. However, the actual media file itself isn't stored as a standalone, easily accessible file at this point.

If you want to access the MMS picture outside of the messaging app, you typically need to manually save the attachment. Here's how:

Step 1: Open the Messages app on your Android phone, and navigate to the message that contains the picture you want to save.

Step 2: Long-press on the picture within the conversation thread. A menu will usually pop up with options like "Save attachment", "Download attachment", or "Save to Gallery".

Step 3: After that, the picture will be saved in /Internal Storage/Pictures/Messages/, /Internal Storage/Download/, or /Internal Storage/DCIM/. Anyway, you can open the Photos app or Gallery app to view it directly.

Tips: Where are MMS stored on Android phones? Well, your MMS are stored in the same folder as your SMS, so that you can find your MMS data using the method mentioned in Part 1.

Part 3: How to Transfer SMS from Android to Computer in 1 Click?

After finding where text messages are stored on Android, you might want to transfer them to your computer. However, you cannot view your text messages on the computer, though you can directly transfer them to your computer. In this case, you will need an SMS transfer tool - Samsung Messages Backup. It can transfer and save text messages to a computer in an easily readable format.

What's more, it not only transfers text messages from Android to a computer, but also transmits contacts, apps, music, videos, photos, documents, and so on without data loss. Besides, you can manage your Android data on the computer without effort, like editing contacts, receiving and sending text messages, creating playlists, etc.

This software supports most Android devices, such as Samsung Galaxy S/A/F/M/Z/Tab series, OnePlus, Honor, TCL, Tecno, itel, Vivo, OPPO, Redmi, Motorola, Google Pixel, etc. As long as your Android device is running Android 6.0 or later, it can work well for your mobile device.

Here's how to transfer SMS to your computer:

Step 1: Download and install the software on the computer.

Step 2: Open it and connect your Android phone to the computer via a USB cable.

Step 3: Choose the "SMS" category, and pick the messages by ticking. Then click the "Export" icon to save the selected messages in a readable format. Then you can access your messages on the computer at any time.

Further reading:

Wonder how to easily transfer text messages from one Android device to another? These 4 solutions are for your reference.

With these ways, you can easily print your SMS from Android and iOS devices as evidence for legal issues.

Part 4: How to Back Up the Text Messages Stored on Android to Google Cloud Space?

Would you like to store your text messages on Google cloud storage? Backing up data to cloud storage will not occupy your local storage memory, and your data will not be damaged even if your device is broken. Therefore, SMS Backup & Restore is a feasible option. Moreover, no matter where your Android text message folder location is, it can back up SMS in XML format. Also, it works for MMS and call logs.

Here's how to transfer messages from Android SMS location to Google cloud space:

Step 1: Please download this app from Google Play to your Android phone. Then launch it and click the "GET STARTED" icon.

Step 2: Tap the "SET UP A BACKUP" icon, and enable the "Messages" option. Next, click the "NEXT" icon to select Google Drive as your backup location.

Step 3: After selecting a location, you will be required to log in to your Google Account. Finally, hit the "BACK UP NOW" button to transfer your Android SMS to Google Drive.

Maybe you need: You can also transfer messages from your iPhone to Android in 1 click.

Part 5: Where Are Deleted Android SMS Messages?

So, where are deleted text messages stored on an Android phone? Undoubtedly, after you deleted a message, you can't view it on the Messages app anymore. Does it completely disappear? No, it is still on your Android phone memory, but the storage it used will be marked as readable. In other words, the new data can use its storage at any time.

Additionally, new Android devices support "Recycle bin" for deleted messages. You can find it on the Messages app. If you delete usefule messages by mistake, please:

Step 1: Open the Messages app, and click the "Menu" icon. Then navigate to the "Trash" option, which will retain your deleted messages within 30 days.

Step 2: Next, select the messages, and click "Restore". After that, you can directly access your messages with the Messages app.

If there is no recycle bin for deleted messages on your Android device, or you have deleted your messages over 30 days, please go to the session to recover your deleted text messages from your Android device.

You might like: Where are contacts stored on Android? This post has already solved this problem.

Part 6: How to Get Deleted SMS Back on Android?

How can you recover deleted text messages on Android? In this case, the SMS recovery software - Samsung Data Recovery, can help you. This is an effective Android data recovery program, supporting contacts, photos, call logs, SMS, documents, music, and video recovery. By the way, in case the new data overwrite your deleted SMS, any recovery software will be invalid.

Here's how to recover deleted SMS on Android:

Step 1: Install the recovery software on your computer, and link your Android phone to the computer using a data cable.

Step 2: Once connected, please select the "Messages" category and tap the "Next" icon. Then choose a scanning mode, and click the "Continue" button.

Step 3: It requires you to root your Android device. You can also skip the step if your deleted SMS is stored on your SD card. Next, it will scan your text messages out, and you can select them on the interface. At last, click the "Recover" icon to save the SMS to your computer.

Conclusion

This post has found out where Android text messages are stored, and backed up messages and recover deleted SMS. You can click the part you want to know with ease, such as transferring your messages to your computer with Samsung Messages Backup, backing up to cloud with SMS Backup & Restore, restoring deleted SMS using Samsung Data Recovery, etc.

Besides, if you still have something confusing, you can leave your messages in the comments section. We will answer you as fast as possible.

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Sophie Green Chief Editor

Sophie Green, Chief Editor of Samsung-messages-backup website, has been focusing on the realm of Android Recovery, Android Transfer (Backup), Android Device Tips, Phone Clean, and Phone Transfer technologies. Recognized contributions on leading platforms attest to her esteemed expertise and reliability.