SMS Apps (Android)

[clamum]

Do you guys know of any Android SMS apps that store messages on your SIM card? Or if this is even possible? I thought I saw this as an option in the default messaging app, but I like to use a third-party app like Textra.

If not, any messaging apps you guys recommend or use?

 

[lxskllr]

Doesn't store anything on the sim, but I use SMSSecure. stores messages encrypted, and has the option of encrypted communication.

https://f-droid.org/repository/browse/?fdfilter=smssecure&fdid=org.smssecure.smssecure

 

[clamum]

Hmm, that's pretty nice. Do both people need to have the SMSSecure app installed for the communication to be secure?

The reason I'd like for messages to be stored on the SIM is that I just dropped Cyanogenmod and now I've got the stock OS back on my phone, and now don't have my messaging history. It's not like I switch OSes all the time but being able to store messages on a SIM card would be nice.

 

[sweenish]

I've only ever understood wanting to keep a message history in the context of Android flashaholics. They're resetting so often that something will get lost.

Otherwise, if I get texted worth keeping, I don't rely on my SMS app for archival. But you're not me.

I'd recommend ditching SMS and usng something like Hangouts or FB Messenger or just about any other messaging service.

 

[lxskllr]

Hmm, that's pretty nice. Do both people need to have the SMSSecure app installed for the communication to be secure?

Yes, both sides need to use tbe program for encrypted communication. Messages are stored encrypted, so that's worth it for me. It would be nice if more people took privacy/security more seriously though.

 

[clamum]

Yeah it would be nice for just the encrypted storage. I may switch to that app, thanks lxskllr.

So I found this app (there's probably others too) from a quick Google search: SMS Backup & Restore. It's a separate app from your SMS app but that's fine with me, as long as I can do backups. I just like the idea of storing conversation history; there's times I just want to review convos with someone to get something they said. For the same reason I think it's f'ing ridiculous Steam chat isn't saved. I used to actually copy all text and paste it into a new text file when I was done chatting with my bro.

Anyway, thanks for your help guys.

 

[razel]

You can backup your messaging history using Helium (Carbon) or SMS Backup and Restore. When you use Helium to backup 'messaging' it also will backup call history, only bad part is it won't restore MMS/SMS pictures. Or at least, it pics won't work with the default Android Messaging app or Hangouts. SMS Backup and Restore will. SMS Backup and Restore also does a great job of cleaning up dupicates and the backup it produces is a human readable XML file. If you are a programmer, you can do many things with XML such as db queries or open just opening it using internet explorer or even importing into Excel. That could help you bulk filter/save your messages with your brother.

 

[EvilYoda]

I've used other apps like SMS Backup & Restore to have my conversations saved elsewhere but eventually stopped using it.

For a general messaging app recommendation, I've been using Disa for a while - handles texts, Facebook, and WhatsApp messaging. I like the UI and it seems to work very smoothly. If it included Google Chat it'd be perfect for me.

 

[leilah]

Disa? is that a free app or a paid one?