Why You Need to Back Up Samsung Messages Now
Samsung has confirmed that its long‑running Messages app will be shuttered in favor of Google Messages on phones running Android 12 or newer. The change is scheduled for July, ending nearly 16 years of Samsung’s proprietary texting platform. Once the transition is complete, you’ll be pushed toward Google Messages or another SMS app, and relying on the old Samsung Messages backup alone may not be enough. If you’ve built up years of conversations, photos, and one‑time codes, now is the time to create a Samsung Messages backup. The good news is that you can back up text messages free using tools already on your phone—no paid subscriptions or risky third‑party utilities required. With a proper messaging app backup, you’ll be able to restore your SMS history when you switch devices or move to Google Messages or another texting app.
Method 1: Back Up Samsung Messages Locally with Smart Switch
The most secure way to save SMS messages is to store them locally on external storage using Samsung Smart Switch. Before you begin, quickly clean up unneeded threads, such as expired two‑factor codes and old transaction alerts, to keep your backup smaller and easier to manage. Then, connect an external drive—like an SSD—to your phone. On your Samsung device, go to Settings > Accounts and backup > Smart Switch. In Smart Switch, tap the storage icon in the top‑right corner, choose the external drive, select Back up, and then check Messages. Your phone will package your conversations into a file on the drive. This method keeps your Samsung Messages backup offline and under your direct control. Later, you can plug the same drive into another Samsung phone and use Smart Switch again to restore your texts or migrate them alongside your other data.
Method 2: Use Samsung Cloud or Google Drive for Free Cloud Backups
If you prefer a set‑and‑forget option, you can back up text messages free to the cloud using Samsung’s built‑in services. Open Settings > Accounts and backup > Back up data, then choose either Samsung Cloud or Google Drive (via Google One backup), sign in to the appropriate account, and ensure Messages is selected before starting the backup. Samsung Cloud works best for Galaxy‑to‑Galaxy transitions, backing up many Samsung apps and deep device settings. However, it typically offers 5GB of free space. Google Drive, on the other hand, provides 15GB of free storage shared across Drive, Gmail, and Photos, and is accessible on the web, iOS, and Android devices. That makes it ideal if you might switch away from Samsung hardware in the future. Whichever you choose, check that the backup page shows today’s timestamp so you know your Samsung Messages backup completed successfully.
Restoring Your Messages and Moving to a New App
Once your messaging app backup is done, you’re ready for Samsung’s July shutdown of its Messages app. When you set up a new phone or switch texting apps, you can restore your messages from the same place you created the backup: Smart Switch for local files, or the Samsung Cloud or Google Drive backup menu in Settings. If you restore to another Samsung phone, your SMS threads will usually appear automatically inside the default SMS app you choose during setup—likely Google Messages on newer devices. Because Google Messages is tightly integrated with Android and supports RCS across carriers, it’s a strong replacement for Samsung Messages. You can also start testing Google Messages or other alternatives now while keeping your backup as a safety net. With your SMS history preserved, you’re free to experiment without losing important conversations, verification codes, or personal memories stored in old threads.