Question Text messages randomly disappearing

[Sportschicfla]

Recent some of my text messages in existing chats have been randomly disappearing. My RCS chats are on and have been for a bit. And it isn't always in the same thread that they disappear from. I'm on a Samsung S23 Ultra. My husband was also having the same issue on his S22 Ultra and it was happening so often that he finally switch apps. I've tried switching apps to Google, Samsung, SMS Organizer, True Caller and Textra SMS and still have the same issues. I have also tried switching service providers as well as done a factory reset. All with no success.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Sportschicfla]

A new phone, that's extreme, but I understand.

While we're struggling to help you solve the cause behind the disappearances perhaps another course of action can help take the sting out. Being that these messages are important perhaps the next action should be capture. Have you considered using an app to backup your messages? Apps like MyBackUp Pro, allow scheduling of backups, including SMS and MMS. There are apps just for SMS and MMS backup too. By backing up the messages, on a regular schedule, every night, everyday at noon, both, or whatever you hopefully would be able to capture these messages before an event so even if they do go missing there is a record or backup of them.

You mentioned deleting apps, to try and head this off, are all of your apps from the Play Store or reputable places like that? No random online app store, side loaded APKs, or anything like that correct? I'm still struggling to conceive of how another app could reach across and affect your messaging app but something is happening.

Yes, I have SMS Backup on my phone but unfortunately there is no regularity to the apps deleting. It could be the middle of the day or night..

Yes, all of my apps have been from either the Play Store or the Galaxy Store.

 

[VidJunky]

Are you saying that your backup app is not capturing these messages?

Are you doing any off device messaging? Both Samsung Messages and Google Messages can be sent and viewed from a PC or laptop. Have you tried this with either of them before or since this issue?

I asked that question because when I asked Google this question, will removing an SMS from your desktop extension for Google Messages delete the message on your device, I got this response.

No, deleting an SMS from your desktop extension for Google Messages will not delete it on your device. Once a message is sent and received, it's stored separately on each device. Deleting from your desktop only removes it from your desktop view; the message will still be present on your phone. Google Help notes that deleting a message from your own device only removes it from your own device. Another Reddit post confirms that deleting from the desktop extension will not remove the message from your phone. [1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4]

Initially I thought, hey what if they were being removed from the device because of being removed from the extension, but when I got this response I thought, hey maybe this is could work as a better backup. Since the messages can disappear at any time I understand how a scheduled backup might not be enough. So what if there were 2 copies of the message in two different locations, surely one would survive. Especially, if the two devices are in a sense independent of one another.

Creating a second message brought to mind Tasker. I don't know the extent of Google Assistant Routines or Bixby Routines in matters like this, they are free though so it may be worth looking into, but with an app like Tasker it is possible to perform these actions, in near real time. This eliminates the possibility of missing the message, because it disappeared before the scheduled backup. Tasker is an automation app that can preforms actions based on logic statements, like IF, AND, OR and THEN. Both of the Routine apps use logic statements but simplify these statements to make them user friendly. In their simplicity their functionality is affected. Where Tasker has a vastly larger capability at the cost of a learning curve and a bit more complication. But if this means dollars in your pocket it might be worth it to learn. Anyway, with Tasker you can send the message to yourself, or anyone, almost as soon as you get it or you can simply capture the text of the message and save it as a note. I don't want to get overly involved in describing Taasker but it is possible to single out numbers to save, or if no specific number it can be limited to a time of day, business hours for instance, or several other limiting factors that wouldn't cause every single message to be handled however. So it isn't an all or nothing thing, where you'll end up with hundreds of needlessly saved messages.

 

[VidJunky]

I wonder if Google Voice could work. With Google Voice (VC) it is an on device alternative to Google Messages or Samsung Messages. You can get GV with an alternative number or using your primary number. Since you say this at least partially business based, GV gives users a second number that functions just like one's primary number. Accepting calls, texts, and voicemail. If by some chance it is your service that is causing this issue GV can provide an alternative service, which may not be affected by whatever is behind the issue with you're primary service.

Just trying to figure out if not a solution, an alternative that works and helps you retain your messages.

 

[Sportschicfla]

I wonder if Google Voice could work. With Google Voice (VC) it is an on device alternative to Google Messages or Samsung Messages. You can get GV with an alternative number or using your primary number. Since you say this at least partially business based, GV gives users a second number that functions just like one's primary number. Accepting calls, texts, and voicemail. If by some chance it is your service that is causing this issue GV can provide an alternative service, which may not be affected by whatever is behind the issue with you're primary service.

Just trying to figure out if not a solution, an alternative that works and helps you retain your messages.

Unfortunately, I have had my business number for way to long to use GV as an option to this.

 

[Sportschicfla]

Are you saying that your backup app is not capturing these messages?

Are you doing any off device messaging? Both Samsung Messages and Google Messages can be sent and viewed from a PC or laptop. Have you tried this with either of them before or since this issue?

I asked that question because when I asked Google this question, will removing an SMS from your desktop extension for Google Messages delete the message on your device, I got this response.

No, deleting an SMS from your desktop extension for Google Messages will not delete it on your device. Once a message is sent and received, it's stored separately on each device. Deleting from your desktop only removes it from your desktop view; the message will still be present on your phone. Google Help notes that deleting a message from your own device only removes it from your own device. Another Reddit post confirms that deleting from the desktop extension will not remove the message from your phone. [1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4]

Initially I thought, hey what if they were being removed from the device because of being removed from the extension, but when I got this response I thought, hey maybe this is could work as a better backup. Since the messages can disappear at any time I understand how a scheduled backup might not be enough. So what if there were 2 copies of the message in two different locations, surely one would survive. Especially, if the two devices are in a sense independent of one another.

Creating a second message brought to mind Tasker. I don't know the extent of Google Assistant Routines or Bixby Routines in matters like this, they are free though so it may be worth looking into, but with an app like Tasker it is possible to perform these actions, in near real time. This eliminates the possibility of missing the message, because it disappeared before the scheduled backup. Tasker is an automation app that can preforms actions based on logic statements, like IF, AND, OR and THEN. Both of the Routine apps use logic statements but simplify these statements to make them user friendly. In their simplicity their functionality is affected. Where Tasker has a vastly larger capability at the cost of a learning curve and a bit more complication. But if this means dollars in your pocket it might be worth it to learn. Anyway, with Tasker you can send the message to yourself, or anyone, almost as soon as you get it or you can simply capture the text of the message and save it as a note. I don't want to get overly involved in describing Taasker but it is possible to single out numbers to save, or if no specific number it can be limited to a time of day, business hours for instance, or several other limiting factors that wouldn't cause every single message to be handled however. So it isn't an all or nothing thing, where you'll end up with hundreds of needlessly saved messages.

I had not been using my desktop for any of my texting.

 

[Sportschicfla]

I am at a loss. This almost stops for a bit and then all of the sudden messages will start deleting again. I am not sure where to turn at this point.

Here's an example from the Beeper app that shows when a Google message is deleted. One time the message is there, and then i go look for it again and it is no where to be found and this is the only trace of it. On the Google app nothing appears...so you could think you just lost your mind...and that you never got a text.