"Where in the file system are SMS messages stored? I'm using ES File Explorer to browse around but can't seem to find this - is it on the phone or the SD, and where? I have an HTC Wildfire, but I would imagine it doesn't vary hugely from a vendor to vendor (although I am an iOS developer who knows little about Android)."
- Alex Coplan
Where are texts stored on Android phones? Or, in other words, where does Android store text messages? Many people want to figure it out because they want to back up or recover the text messages from their Android device. If you are curious about this question, continue reading this post to find out the answer.
Part 1. Where Are Texts Stored on Android Phone?
Part 2. How to Back Up/Manage Android Text Messages?
Part 3. Where Are Deleted Text Messages Stored on Android?
Part 4. How to Recover the Deleted Messages on Android?
Where are text messages stored on Android phones? Or, what file are text messages stored on Android phones? Generally, the folder where messages locate is in a database in the Android internal memory. However, the Android SMS location may vary from device to device. You can find the Android text message folder location according to the Android version of your phone.
Where are SMS messages stored on Android 4.3 or earlier versions?
Open the Files app on your Android phone, click Internal memory > data > data > com.android.providers > telephony > database > mmssms.db
Where are messages stored on Android 4.4 or later versions?
Go to the path: Files/Internal memory/data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/database/mmssms.db
Where are Android text messages stored on Android 7.0 and higher versions?
Navigate to the storage path: Files/Internal memory/data/user_de/0/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db
Where are text messages stored on the Android file system? Now you get the answer. Nevertheless, note that you can only access the SQLite database folder on a rooted Android phone. Also, the stored messages file is not in a readable format. So, you will need to view it using an SQLite viewer.
If you have manually stored the MMS photos, you will find them in the Android Gallery app. If not, you can open the Messages app and check the photos in the MMS chats.
If you want to back up the text messages on Android, you may need the professional Android manager - Coolmuster Android Assistant. After connecting your Android device to a computer, it can quickly read the text messages on your Android device and display them on the interface. You can then directly export, import, delete, forward, send, and reply to the text messages.
What can you do with text messages on Coolmuster Android Assistant?
* Back up and restore Android text messages on a computer in one click.
* Export text messages in the format of HTML, TXET, CSV, BAK, and XML.
* Import the message backups from the computer to your Android device.
* Delete unwanted messages from your phone directly.
* Forward, send, and reply to text messages on the computer.
* Support Android 4.0 and above, such as Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra/S23/S22/S21/S20/S10/S9, LG V60/V50/V40/W41 Pro, Google Pixel 7/6/5, Sony Xperia 1 V/ Xperia 10 V/Xperia 1 IV/Xperia 5 IV/Xperia 10 IV/Xperia Pro-I, Huawei, HTC, Xiaomi, etc.
How to back up and manage texts on an Android device in one click?
1. Install Coolmuster Android Assistant on your computer.
After installing the app on your PC, please open it and choose Android Assistant from the interface.
2. Connect your Android device.
Plug your Android phone into the computer via a USB cable. Please make sure to enable the USB debugging on your phone as prompted. Once recognized, you will see the main interface below.
3. Back up and manage Android text messages.
Choose SMS from the left panel and preview the texts shown on the interface.
To back up messages to your PC, you can check the texts you want and hit the Export button on the top menu.
To import text messages to your Android phone, you can click the Import button on the top menu, choose the message backup file on your computer, and click the Open button to bring them onto your Android device.
To delete text messages on an Android phone, you can check the SMS you want to delete and hit the Delete button.
To forward/copy text messages on an Android device, you can tick one conversation group, select one message from the right window, and click the Forward/Copy icon below the message.
To send/reply to text messages on an Android device, you can click the New button to edit a new message and send it out.
Further reading:
Top 5 Ways Focusing on How to Transfer Contacts from Android to Computer
Back Up and Restore Android Data with One Click [Top 3 Ways in 2025]
When you delete text messages on your Android phone, they are not removed permanently from your device. On the contrary, they will still keep in the Android internal memory, and the system marks them as replaceable before the new data generates on your device and overwrites them.
Therefore, if you hope to recover the deleted text messages, you will have to stop using your Android phone, switch off the Wi-Fi and cellular data, and power it off before recovery.
To recover the deleted text messages from your Android device, I recommend you trying Coolmuster Lab.Fone for Android. This program breezily scans out the deleted messages on your phone and selectively recovers them to a computer for backup. Besides, it also backs up the existing texts from your Android phone to the computer.
Key features:
* The Android Data Recovery mode allows you to preview and selectively recover the deleted messages, call logs, contacts, music, and other files from Android internal memory and SD card (if any) to a computer.
* Back up the existing text messages and other files from your Android device to a computer.
* Easy operation and user-friendly interface.
* No data quality loss after recovery.
* Work well with most Android devices running Android 4.0 and up.
Here's how to recover deleted messages on an Android device.
1. Enter the Android Recovery module.
Install and launch Coolmuster Lab.Fone for Android on your computer. After that, click Android Recovery in the initial interface.
2. Connect your Android device to the PC.
Use a USB cable to connect your Android device to the computer and follow the on-screen prompts to move on. If you cannot find the wanted messages after connection, try rooting your Android device and connect again.
3. Recover deleted SMS on Android device.
Click Messages from the left window, preview and tick the texts you want to recover, and hit the Recover button below to start the recovery process.
You may like:
Top 5 Android SMS Recovery Apps You'd Better Know [Tutorials Included]
3 Proven Ways to Restore Deleted Contacts on Android Phone Memory & SIM Card
Where are texts stored on Android devices? Now you've got a specific answer. If you worry about losing texts from your Android phone, you can back them up with Coolmuster Android Assistant. Even if you have lost text messages on Android, don't panic. By referring to our guide and using Coolmuster Lab.Fone for Android, you can easily find back the deleted text messages.
Therefore, whether you wish to back up or recover text messages on Android phones, follow our tutorial and take action now!
Finally, if you find this article helpful, please share it and let more people see it.
Related Articles:
How to View Text Messages on Computer for Android Phone Users? (Solved)
How to Retrieve Deleted Texts on Samsung? (Easy & Effective)
How to Transfer Text Messages from Motorola Phone to Computer? (4 Ways)
2 Ways to Recover Deleted Text Messages from SIM Card on Android Phones
How to Transfer Text Messages from Android to Computer? (Windows/Mac)
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