Question [SOLVED] Forward Text Msg to Email From Very Old Android Phone?

[Clueless in Seattle 1]

I'm in my 80s, and not at all tech savvy. I'm still using a very old Tracfone ZTE Z558VLB phone that was provided to me by a now defucnt government program years ago.

It's running Android 7.1.1.

I'd like to save some text messages to PC via email, but when I press "Share" it only offers me the option to share via text to other text phone.

I'd be grateful for some help figuring out how to do this.

 

[B. Diddy]

Try SMS Backup & Restore, which should still work on that phone: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.riteshsahu.SMSBackupRestore&pcampaignid=web_share

 

[bearone2]

s25+: try forwarding!!

 

[VidJunky]

What is your goal with these messages?

Are they regular messages, text only, or are they Pictures Videos and words?

Are you trying to save the whole thread, all of the messages sent and received, or just specific messages?

Does this phone have service? If it does not have service, are you able to insert your current SIM card and have service? Some older phones use a larger SIM cards and you cannot switch sizes.

Depending on your answers above, this could be very simple. If you just have some regular text only messages and you just want to capture a few key messages, you could screenshot them, which turns them into pictures of the conversation, and pictures are easy to save and move. A picture of the messages would also preserve the conversation structure. If you are talking about picture or video messages, again these are simple to capture by saving them to the device and then transferring them to a new device. If you are trying to save whole text threads, all messages sent and received, something like the SMS Backup app that was recommended would be better. This all comes down to what your goal is with these messages, are they just memories, something for legal or CYA reasons, or something else. Depending on the reason or use can dictate the best actions.

Let us know what you find, or if you've found your solution and we'll offer more advice.

 

[Clueless in Seattle 1]

Try SMS Backup & Restore, which should still work on that phone: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.riteshsahu.SMSBackupRestore&pcampaignid=web_share

Thanks, B. Diddy, I've downloaded and installed SMS Backup & Restore. I tried to run it, and got this warning: "We'll need permissions to access your messages, calls and storage to continue."​

Before proceeding I thought I should check in with you to make sure that that's a standard warning and that it's safe to continue.​

​

P.S. I somehow managed to delete the app icon for SMS Backup & Restore. I could use a brush up course in how to add that icon back on the screen that shows my most used apps.​

Try SMS Backup & Restore, which should still work on that phone: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.riteshsahu.SMSBackupRestore&pcampaignid=web_share

​

 

[Clueless in Seattle 1]

What is your goal with these messages?

Are they regular messages, text only, or are they Pictures Videos and words?

Are you trying to save the whole thread, all of the messages sent and received, or just specific messages?

Does this phone have service? If it does not have service, are you able to insert your current SIM card and have service? Some older phones use a larger SIM cards and you cannot switch sizes.

Depending on your answers above, this could be very simple. If you just have some regular text only messages and you just want to capture a few key messages, you could screenshot them, which turns them into pictures of the conversation, and pictures are easy to save and move. A picture of the messages would also preserve the conversation structure. If you are talking about picture or video messages, again these are simple to capture by saving them to the device and then transferring them to a new device. If you are trying to save whole text threads, all messages sent and received, something like the SMS Backup app that was recommended would be better. This all comes down to what your goal is with these messages, are they just memories, something for legal or CYA reasons, or something else. Depending on the reason or use can dictate the best actions.

Let us know what you find, or if you've found your solution and we'll offer more advice.

Hi VidJunky, I just want to forward the text of a few short text messages so I can share them with ChatGPT. I don't think ChatGPT can read the text in screenshots, can it?

 

[B. Diddy]

Thanks, B. Diddy, I've downloaded and installed SMS Backup & Restore. I tried to run it, and got this warning: "We'll need permissions to access your messages, calls and storage to continue."​

Before proceeding I thought I should check in with you to make sure that that's a standard warning and that it's safe to continue.​

​

P.S. I somehow managed to delete the app icon for SMS Backup & Restore. I could use a brush up course in how to add that icon back on the screen that shows my most used apps.​

​

That permission is to be expected, since this is a 3rd party app. It's a very well-established app, so it's safe.

To create an app shortcut icon on your homescreen, bring up your App Drawer (i.e., the screen showing all of your apps), typically by swiping up from the bottom of the screen. Then find the app, long-press it, and then drag it to the homescreen.

 

[Clueless in Seattle 1]

s25+: try forwarding!!

s25+? That appears to be a samsung phone model.

That permission is to be expected, since this is a 3rd party app. It's a very well-established app, so it's safe.

To create an app shortcut icon on your homescreen, bring up your App Drawer (i.e., the screen showing all of your apps), typically by swiping up from the bottom of the screen. Then find the app, long-press it, and then drag it to the homescreen.

That permission is to be expected, since this is a 3rd party app. It's a very well-established app, so it's safe.

To create an app shortcut icon on your homescreen, bring up your App Drawer (i.e., the screen showing all of your apps), typically by swiping up from the bottom of the screen. Then find the app, long-press it, and then drag it to the homescreen.

Thanks, B.Diddy, for that refresher course. I did get SMS Backup & Restore installed.

But it turned out my problem was a case of "operator error." I discovered that I had been using the wrong button to try to send a text to my email address. I had been tapping the "Forward" button but all it offered me were other text number destinations and no apparent option for forwarding to an email address. So today, out of curiosity, I tapped the "Share" button, and was surprised to be presented with a button for gmail. I gave it a try and it worked perfectly. Duh!

Thanks to everyone who posted replies to my query.

 

[bearone2]

s25+? That appears to be a samsung phone model.


Thanks, B.Diddy, for that refresher course. I did get SMS Backup & Restore installed.

But it turned out my problem was a case of "operator error." I discovered that I had been using the wrong button to try to send a text to my email address. I had been tapping the "Forward" button but all it offered me were other text number destinations and no apparent option for forwarding to an email address. So today, out of curiosity, I tapped the "Share" button, and was surprised to be presented with a button for gmail. I gave it a try and it worked perfectly. Duh!

Thanks to everyone who posted replies to my query.

yes it is, many different phones do exactly what you naked about!!

from your op:
"I'd like to save some text messages to PC via email, but when I press "Share" it only offers me the option to share via text to other text phone."

how was todays "share" different??

 

[VidJunky]

Hi VidJunky, I just want to forward the text of a few short text messages so I can share them with ChatGPT. I don't think ChatGPT can read the text in screenshots, can it?

It can read text in images, so you could have used a screenshot. Depending on what phone you have, which it looks like a Samsung, you likely already have circle to search which uses AI to look for things on your screen, so if this is enabled for you, you wouldn't even have to do any extra steps.

To enable circle to search on your S25+ follow these steps.

To enable Circle to Search on your Samsung Galaxy S25+, go to Settings > Display > Navigation bar and toggle on Circle to Search.

 

[B. Diddy]

s25+? That appears to be a samsung phone model.


Thanks, B.Diddy, for that refresher course. I did get SMS Backup & Restore installed.

But it turned out my problem was a case of "operator error." I discovered that I had been using the wrong button to try to send a text to my email address. I had been tapping the "Forward" button but all it offered me were other text number destinations and no apparent option for forwarding to an email address. So today, out of curiosity, I tapped the "Share" button, and was surprised to be presented with a button for gmail. I gave it a try and it worked perfectly. Duh!

Thanks to everyone who posted replies to my query.

Good work figuring it out! I marked this as solved.