there are apps out there that allow backing that stuff up. the ones I've used in the past don't work like you think maybe they should. the BEST way I've found is to use an app like verizons message plus. back all your texts up to the cloud then pull them back on message plus. you can then install another text application you want a different one like textra for example. everything wil then transfer to that.not sure how that will all work with an older version of Android but it worked well for me when going from m to n android and also when doing a factory reset on that same phone.