Every Android phone user uses the pre-installed Message app to send text SMS and receive all important messages. Many times the SMS gets deleted from the device due to various reasons.
But thanks to Google Drive which allows the users to back up the messages. So, if you have created a backup of SMS and now you want to restore it then, Don’t Worry! In this tutorial, you will find some easy solutions to restore SMS messages from Google Drive on Android.
You can also recover text messages from Google Drive if your phone has got stolen or has got damaged.
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Where Are SMS Messages Stored On Android?
The SMS messages are stored in a database in the data folder situated in the Android device’s internal memory. The location may vary from phone to phone models. Below, there are different locations according to your Android version.
Android 4.3 And Earlier:
/data/data/com.android.providers/telephony/database/mmssms.db
Android 4.4 And Above:
/data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/database/mmssms.db
Android 7.0 And Later:
/data/user_de/0/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db
Note: The SMS messages are stored in SQL database folder which can only find on a rooted Android device. The text messages are not on readable format, to read it you need to view in with a SQLite viewer.
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How To Retrieve Deleted Messages From Google Account
Many users think that the deleted messages from Google account can’t be recovered back. But it is not true. You can recover deleted messages from Google account.
When any update is made to any settings and data then your data (messages) are sent to your Google Drive by itself.
Here, follow the steps to recover deleted text messages from Google account.
Step 1: On your phone tap on Settings icon.
Step 2: Then find Google and tap on it.
Step 3: Now, choose the backup option.
Step 4: After that hit on your device’s name. Then on the next screen, you will find SMS Text Messages. Under the SMS you will find the time when you have taken the last Google backup of your phone.
Note: When you come to know that the text SMS has been deleted from your device then you should not use your phone and make sure that Android doesn’t re-create any backup.
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How To Restore SMS Backup From Google Drive On Android (When Backup Has Not Deleted From It)
You can easily restore the text messages from Google Drive if you have previously taken backup and it is not deleted from Google Drive.
Here, follow the simple steps to restore messages from Google Drive backup.
Step 1: Open Google Drive app on your phone or you can open Google Drive webpage in any web browser.
Step 2: After that, login to it with same ID and password.
Step 3: Now, you can view the SMS backup on Google Drive.
Step 4: Select the SMS which you want to restore and download then from there.
How To Restore Deleted SMS From Google Drive On Android Device
There is not any official way to restore SMS from Google Drive. Though, here I have discussed 3 methods to recover deleted or lost text messages from Google Drive.
Method 1: Restore Deleted Text Messages From Google Drive On Android
Currently, the official way to get back texts from Google is by doing a factory reset. The Android OS is not built to restore backups directly from Google Drive.
As you know that factory reset wipes all file types such as photos, videos, audios, SMS, WhatsApp chats and all the apps and settings which you have installed after buying the phone.
Therefore, before following the steps you should make sure that you have created backup of all important data from your Android device.
Now, follow the below steps to do it.
Step 1: Go to Settings > System > Reset.
Step 2: Then tap on Erase all data (factory reset).
Step 3: Now, you will find the list of all the data and services that are signed into it. Then tap on Deleted All.
Step 4: If it is asked to enter the password then do it.
Once the reset process ends, choose the restart or reboot option. Now, you will get a screen where you need to fill in all the login information of the Google account that has your backup. Then, follow the on-screen instructions to restore the text messages backup.
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Method 2: Get Back Deleted SMS Messages From Google Drive Via Google Takeout
Google Takeout is a tool for every Google user that backup Google account’s data into one file. It is not made for restoring data but it can be used to restore SMS from Google Drive.
Here, follow the steps to do so.
Step 1: To open the Google Takeout tool visit here.
Step 2: Now, find and choose the Google Drive option and then tap on Next Step.
Step 3: In the next screen, set up the settings that you wish and then hit on Export.
The drawback of this tool is that it doesn’t show you the systematic report. The Google Takeout zips up all data and give you a download link. Many users face problems in understanding the documents presented by it.
So, if you find this method hard then you can use method 3.
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Method 3: Restore Deleted SMS From Google Drive Using Android Data Recovery Software
The easiest way to restore text messages from Google Drive on Android is by using Android Data Recovery software.
This Android SMS Recovery tool recover deleted messages from all Android phone models no matter what is the reason behind the deletion of messages.
Download/Buy Now Android Data Recovery Tool Now To Recover Deleted Text SMS From Android
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Key Features Of Android Data Recovery Software:
- Provide three recovery modes that are Android Data Recovery, Broken Android Data Extraction, and Recover Data from Google Backup.
- Easily recover messages from Google Drive.
- You can retrieve SMS and other data from unrooted as well as rooted Android devices.
- Recover various data types such as photos, videos, audios, contacts, messages, documents, etc.
- You can preview all restored data on the screen before recovery.
- “Recover Data from Google Backup” mode will work on all Android phone models.
Note: It is important that you have created a backup of text messages before they get deleted. Also, check that you have disabled auto-sync when the SMS gets deleted from the device.
Now, follow the steps to restore SMS from Google Drive on Android using Android Data Recovery software.
Bottom Line
So, here I have provided you with different methods to restore SMS from Google Drive with or without backup. It is my suggestion that you should stop using your device as far as possible when you know that the text messages have been deleted from your device. When you have backup of SMS on Google Drive then you can manually restore them to your phone. But if it has deleted then you are should use Android Data Recovery tool to restore deleted SMS from Google Drive.
Jasper Madison is a passionate technical writer with more than 9 years of experience. She has a keen interest in Android and iOS and everything surrounding it. She is a technology enthusiast and fascinated with technology since her childhood days.
