Problem transferring texts from S9+ to S21 Ultra

[suzolin13]

I used Smart Switch and everything transferred fine except my texts. I use Textra and did resync...but my threads are all mixed up. Some group threads have individual threads mixed in and some threads only have images and no text.

I have tried deleting the app data from the S21 Ultra and restoring it again using SMS Backup and Restore and the same thing keeps happening.

Thoughts??

 

[mustang7757]

Hi, welcome to AC!

Smart switch from the app between phones?

 

[claykin]

Were you using Textra on both the S9 and S21? Textra uses the phones sms database, so Textra shouldn't be the cause. However, I do know that once you restore to the new phone Textra "optimizes" the sms database. Did you wait for this process to complete?

A few things, is the S9 Android OS up to date and does it have all play store apps updated? Any security/AV software? If so, try uninstalling.

Have you tried switching back to the Samsung messages app or Google Messages on the S9? Does everything look ok on the S9? If so, try using sms backup and restore again. Be sure to select the options to backup MMS messages and do not select the Text only MMS option.

After restoring to the S21 try the default Samsung or Google Messages app before reinstalling Textra.

Or try using Smart Switch on your PC to backup the S9 then to restore to the S21. More reliable than the phone to phone transfer.

 

[suzolin13]

Hi, welcome to AC!

Smart switch from the app between phones?

That's what I initially used to transfer everything over... I have since tried smart switch again over wifi and by connecting the 2 with a cord. I have the same result no matter what I do...

 

[Larry 609]

Hmmm... not sure what could be going on here, unless you missed something on the initial backup off your old phone (not hitting MMS, etc.). I also use both Textra and SMS Backup, and all of my threads appear to have come out just fine.

I only had a few weeks of texts to back up initially though, as I cleared them out on my old S9+ around the New Year. So if it's a fairly big backup, maybe there was a bug in how the backup turned out for some reason? Could be worth trying to back up your old phone again and see if that copy makes a difference. If not, maybe a phone rest would be an option somehow.

 

[suzolin13]

I intended to use Textra on both - it transferred over, and even after optimizing, It did not solve the problem. I even checked on Samsung Messages and Messaging+ from Verizon. They are all not working properly. I have re-backed up my texts from my old phone and tried to use that backup instead and that did not work.

My S9+ was completely up to date...No security or AV software.

When I used SMS Backup and Restore (which I've tried 3 or 4 times now) I needed to change the default app to that app, but I have also tried deleting Textra from my new phone and using Samsung Messages as the default on my old phone and transferring that way...I also turned off Google Backup because even after deleting my data my texts were still showing up! I also knew to not have the Text only MMS checked.

I am in the process of trying another app - Backup Your Mobile - to see if I can upload the backup to Google Drive and then use my new phone to restore. Part of the problem is, I have ALOT of texts, so each method I try takes forever and sometimes I get partway through the process and my old phone tells me I don't have enough storage space...

Didn't know I could use my computer with SmartSwitch...I'll probably try that next...thanks for the suggestion!

 

[mustang7757]

That's what I initially used to transfer everything over... I have since tried smart switch again over wifi and by connecting the 2 with a cord. I have the same result no matter what I do...

So try smart switch on the pc , return back to the stock message app then transfer to s21 and then choose textra as default app.

 

[suzolin13]

see my reply below...not sure why it didn't attach!

so I'm not missing anything, how is it best to make sure all my texts are off the new phone? Or is there an option to overwrite?

 

[claykin]

so I'm not missing anything, how is it best to make sure all my texts are off the new phone? Or is there an option to overwrite?

AFAIK, the messages database is hidden and not easily read. Textra offers some fairly granular delete options. Another option, which might be warranted here, is to factory default s21 and try again.

 

[mustang7757]

So s9 is correct with the messages?

 

[suzolin13]

ugh...not ideal...I deleted a few things earlier to make space for a local backup...factory reset would be a LAST resort.

yes - still have Textra installed on the s9+ and have even gone back & forth to stock Samsung with no issues...

I was worried that there was something on the S21 ultra that was preventing the new backup from loading properly

would love to find some way to overwrite the data on the s21

 

[mustang7757]

yes - still have Textra installed on the s9+ and have even gone back & forth to stock Samsung with no issues...

Ok so if I'm understanding you then make a backup on pc smart switch with then connect your s21 to pc smart switch and choose restore only highlight messages, and if everything looks good choose textra

 

[suzolin13]

ok - I'll try that when this other app finishes...

Thanks for all your help!!

 

[mustang7757]

Ok , your welcome!

 

[suzolin13]

If you can believe it, Smart Switch is not yet compatible with Big Sur! Arghh!

 

[mustang7757]

What do you mean?

 

[racedog]

What do you mean?

It means he's running a Mac. Big Sur is the newest version of MacOS.

 

[suzolin13]

When I open it, I get this:

We are awaiting approval from Apple for macOS Big Sur support.
Please understand that the delay is due to COVID-19, and we are sorry for any inconvenience.
We will be sure to provide the support as soon as we receive approval from Apple.

If you must use it urgently, please refer to the following temporary guide.
https://d2ogrndh9skxtm.cloudfront.net/33/Guide_En.pdf

I have an oldish backup from SMS Backup & Restore that used Dropbox that I'm restoring to see if the same thing happens...If it does, I think I'm going to have to factory reset because that would likely indicate that something didn't transfer properly the first time around.

 

[mustang7757]

It means he's running a Mac. Big Sur is the newest version of MacOS.

Ahh thanks

 

[suzolin13]

Is there a difference between the backup I have in Google Drive from SMS Backup and Restore and the backup I would get from using Smart Switch on a PC?

I'm thinking that if I've tried several different methods to transfer the messages and the problem still exists that something must have transferred to the new phone incorrectly that is causing the error and without a factory reset I may not be able to clear it...