What's a good way to import text messages from iOS to GOS?

80HD_82

Hi everyone, I backed up my iPhone 15 Pro Max, copied the file: "3d0d7e5fb2ce288813306e4d4636395e047a3d28" from the iTunes backup folder to my Pixel 9 Pro XL running GrapheneOS (build 2026030200), and then used iSMS2droid to try importing my text messages.

The import did not go well. A LOT of messages are missing, some are duplicated, and of course none of the attached photos or videos came over.

Is there a better way to migrate iPhone text messages, text photos and text videos over to GOS, or is this basically a lost cause? If it is a lost cause, is there a good app for PC or iPhone that can at least extract all of the text photos and text videos from my text messages?

DeletedUser713

80HD_82 usually, when you first transfer everything over to stock Android PixelOS, you can select to import all your SMS and iMessages. From there you can export them via a myriad of apps (like SMS Backup & Restore), which produce an XML file that you can later import and restore in GrapheneOS.
I have never heard before that you could even get iMessages out of iTunes backups honestly, so I'm not surprised it's extremely wonky.

80HD_82

DeletedUser713 thank you for this! I believe starting with iOS 26.3, Apple added an option to transfer data from iPhone to Android. Would you recommend that I reinstall the stock Pixel OS (Komodo), complete the transfer using that method, and then back up the Pixel (which would be Android format) and restore that backup onto GOS?

DeletedUser713

80HD_82 if the messages are so important to you, then it's probably worth the hassle.

DeletedUser713

80HD_82 and then back up the Pixel

Sorry, forgot to clear the misunderstanding: you don't backup the Pixel itself, only the SMS/messages. Then you export that file, on a computer or USB drive, install GrapheneOS and import it with that same app (like the one I named before).

80HD_82

DeletedUser713 I appreciate the clarification. I installed the stock Android OS on my Pixel and completed a full transfer from my iPhone. All of my text messages, photos, and other message attachments appear in the Google Messages app.

However, when I installed SMS Backup & Restore and tried to create a backup, I received the message: “No records found to backup.” I also installed Textra and set it as the default messaging app, but none of my text messages appeared there either.

Does Google store the SMS/MMS database differently than other messaging apps or is something else going on?

DeletedUser713

80HD_82 are you sure you gave it all permissions? If unsure, check in the App Info of SMS Backup & Restore. Or try a different app. Also, make sure to tick all boxes that appear in the app (I forgot how the interface looks like, but I think you can select what to back up).

80HD_82

DeletedUser713 yes, I made sure SMS Backup & Restore had full permissions. I also tried another SMS backup app but same issue. I emailed SMS Backup and Restore support and asked if they knew what might be causing this. One thing I was going to try is resetting my Pixel, disable Google Messages (unable to uninstall) and set Textra as default then try the transfer from my iPhone. If that doesn't work then I really don't know what to do. Looks like Google has really overcomplicated this!

DeletedUser713

80HD_82 yeah, it's weird. I don't even know why Google Messages would do that tbh. Makes no sense, but let's wait for the answer from support .

W1zardK1ng

DeletedUser713 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.idea.backup.smscontacts

Use this app

80HD_82

Success! I wiped/reset the Pixel, disabled Google Messages, installed Textra, set it to default and then started the transfer. After the transfer was complete I could see all my text messages, pics and videos in Textra and SMS Backup and Restore successfully made a backup. I was planning to use Google Messages on GOS but not after this! Would you recommend sticking with Textra or something else? I will also test importing the backup into GOS but I don't foresee any problems at this point.

Developer-Dude

80HD_82 Would you recommend sticking with Textra or something else?

Stock GOS texting app, QUIK SMS (my favourite), or Fossify Messages