How to Backup Text Messages to Google Drive on Android and iPhone

Preface

Backing up text measages is quite important for preserving and protecting precious information and memory, since the messages may contain the pictures or conversations between family or friends. Besides, a backup can help us perform a quick recovery when the messages are deleted by mistake. Last but not least, the messages backup can ensure you can efficiently switch devices without losing important chat history. All in all, backing up text messages is of great significance.

Google Drive is one of the most popular cloud storage service, helping users to back up and store various types of files. Backing up messages to Google Drive ensures chat history is saved on the cloud when your device is damaged or lost.

Benefits of Backing up Text Messages to Google Drive

Backing up text messages to Google Drive can help a lot in preserving important conversations, sentimental messages, and vital information. Without a backup, you risk losing your text messages if you switch devices, experience data corruption, or face accidental deletions. The benefits of backing up text messages to Google Drive include:

• Cross-Device Access: Text messages backed up through Google Drive can be accessed and restored on any device that supports Google Drive services, making it easy for users to maintain data consistency when switching between devices.
• Data Security: Google Drive provides data encryption and access control features, ensuring the security of the backup data and preventing unauthorized access and leaks.
• Easy Recovery: In the event of device loss or damage, users can quickly recover backed-up text messages from Google Drive, minimizing the inconvenience and loss associated with data loss.

Note: While Google Drive offers convenient backup services, users should ensure compliance with relevant privacy policies and legal regulations during use to avoid violations of personal privacy and information security.

Preparations Before Backing up Messages to Google Drive

1. Check Internet Connection: During the backup process, you need to keep your phone connected to the network. If your phone disconnects from the network or shuts down during the backup process, the backup process will be interrupted and you will need to start over.

2. Update Google Drive: Make sure you are using the latest version of the Google Drive app.

3. Check Storage Space: Verify that you have enough storage space available on Google Drive.  If not, the backup process cannot be completed, or even damage data integrity and lead to data loss. If there is not enough free space, try deleting unnecessary data to free up space, or move all data from Google Drive to another cloud and delete the source data.

If you’re considering migrating files from your current Google Drive to another cloud storage, MultCloud can be extremely useful. Trusted by over 3 million users, MultCloud is a multi-cloud management tool that facilitates the transfer or synchronization of files between various cloud services.

For instance, it allows for seamless file transfers from cloud drives like Google Drive to OneDrive without the need to download and then re-upload files. MultCloud also enables you to access and manage all your cloud accounts via a single application. Currently, it supports more than 30 different cloud services, including Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, Box, Google Photos, iCloud Photos, FTP, WebDav, and more.

4. Check Device Power: In addition, you also need to ensure that your phone has enough power. If your phone runs out of power during the backup process, the backup process will also be interrupted.

How to Backup Text Messages to Google Drive on Android

Backing up text messages on Android devices involves a few straightforward steps. Follow these instructions to ensure your SMS messages are safely stored on Google Drive.

Step 1: Install Google Drive

Launch the Google Play Store app on your Android device. Search the Google Drive and select the app from the result. Tap on "Install"  if you haven't already installed Google Drive on your device.

Step 2: Open Google Drive

Launch Google Drive: Open the Google Drive app from your app drawer. And sign in with your credentials.

Step 3: Access Google Drive Settings

Tap on the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the upper-left corner of the Google Drive app. Scroll down and tap "Backups“.

Step 4: Start the Backup Process

Tap ”Back up now“. Ensure SMS messages are selected for backup. You might also see options to include other data types like photos and videos.

Step 5: Verify Backup

Once the backup is complete, you can check the status by going back to the Backups section in Google Drive. You should see the date and size of the backup to confirm that your text messages have been backed up successfully.

Step 6: Regular Backups

To ensure your messages are regularly backed up, enable automatic backups in Google Drive settings if available. This can usually be found in Settings > Backup > Backup Frequency.

How to Backup Text Messages to Google Drive on iPhone

While iPhone primarily uses iCloud for backups, you can also use Google Drive for additional backup options. First of all, you have to install, and sign in your Google Drive on your iPhone. Besides, we need to know that Google Drive doesn’t directly back up SMS messages on iPhone, you may need to export messages to a file format that can be uploaded to Google Drive, such as using a third-party app that supports exporting SMS to a file.

Step 1. Open Google Drive: Go to the Google Drive app on your iPhone.

Step 2. Upload Files: Tap the + icon to upload important files or documents. For text message data, you may need to export messages to a file format that can be uploaded, such as using a third-party app that supports exporting SMS to a file.

For convenience, you can back up text messages to iCloud Drive.

Step 1. Open Settings: Go to Settings on your iPhone.

Step 2. Select Your Name: Tap on your name at the top of the Settings menu.

Step 3. Access iCloud Settings: Tap iCloud, then iCloud Backup.

Step 4. Enable iCloud Backup: Ensure that iCloud Backup is turned on.

Step 5. Start Backup: Tap Back Up Now to initiate the backup of your text messages to iCloud.

Potential Problem Troubleshooting (If Necessary)

If you do as the above steps but the backup fails, you can take the following measures.

• Check Internet Connection: Ensure you have a stable internet connection.
• Update Google Drive: Make sure you have the latest version of Google Drive installed. Go to the Google Play Store, search for Google Drive, and update if necessary.
• Clear App Cache: Go to Settings > Apps > Google Drive > Storage, then tap Clear Cache.
• Restart Device: Restart your Android device to resolve any temporary issues.

Wrap Up

With the help of this guide, you will learn how to back up text messages to Google Drive on both Android and iOS device. However, if you are using iPhone, it is more recommended to back up text messages on iPhone to iCloud instead of Google Drive. If you persist in backing up iPhone messages to Google Drive, you need to first export all messages as a file type that is supported by Google Drive, and then upload to the cloud. Or use MultCloud to transfer data from iCloud Drive to Google Drive (both clouds are supported by MultCloud).