Export Messages

OVERVIEW

Export Messages can be used to transfer your SMS/MMS text messages to another application or location. You can select individual or all messages within a single thread, or select messages between different threads. You can also select all messages in all threads, which is a great way to archive your messages before deleting from your device.

WAYS TO EXPORT

After selecting message to export, click on the Export button on the Action Bar, which will bring up a submenu. There are 6 ways you can export your messages:

1. Copy to Clipboard
2. Export as Text File
3. Export as ZIP File
4. Export as PDF File
5. Export as XML File
6. Export as JSON File

The first 2 methods are for text only. If you have media attachments on any selected messages, they will not be part of the exported text. If you want them to be included, then you will need to select another export method.

Copy to Clipboard will copy the text of selected messages to the clipboard, and you can paste this text in any other application.

Exporting as a file type will prompt you if you want to create the file in the Library, or immediately share the export with another application.

The 'Export as Text File' will create a text file containing the message text of the selected messages.

The 'Export as ZIP File' will create a compressed ZIP file (application/zip), which will contain a number of items. First, a text file named messages.txt will be at the root level, which will contain the message text of the selected messages. Optionally, an HTML file named index.html will be at the same level, which shows a visual representation of the archived messages. The HTML option can be set in the Settings for 'Export to ZIP'. Contact images will be saved in a subfolder named 'contacts', and all media attachments will be saved in a subfolder named 'media'. As you can see, this export method results in a complete archive of the selected messages.

The 'Export as PDF File' will create a PDF file from the selected messages. Various options are provided in the Settings for 'Export to PDF' to customize the output file to your liking, including paper size, orientation, margins, and options for embedding contact and media images.

The 'Export as XML File' and 'Export as JSON File' will create XML and JSON files, respectively. These files can be used by programmers for various data management activities regarding the message data.

KNOWN ISSUE

Some users have said: "All of the messages do not appear in the app, but they do appear in the Messages app that is shipped with the device."

It is highly likely that these messages are a special type of message called RCS, or Rich Communication Services. RCS is a new technology, and there isn't yet an API for app developers to use to get to these messages; currently, only device manufacturers can access them. I know it is frustrating, and I'm so sorry for the inconvenience. As soon as there is an API available for app developers, Export Messages will be updated.

PERMISSIONS

There are certain permissions that need to be granted for the app to run correctly, which include:

WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE - used to export messages to a file on the device.
READ_SMS - needed to access your messages.
READ_CONTACTS - needed to match your messages with the sender of each messages, and also to get their contact image.
READ_PROFILE - needed to get your profile name.
READ_PHONE_STATE - needed to get the phone number of your device (no phone calls are made).
INTERNET - needed to share messages to other apps, or in locations on the internet.