Before Porting out, How to Save SMS Text Messages and Contacts?

LKitkat123 on 18/03/2025 - 08:40

Hi all,

I need some help as I do not know how to save my SMS text messages and contacts before porting out my mobile number to new provider/sim (Boost to Optus) on an Android phone. I couldn't find much info at all about how to save my data on my SIM before porting out! Just instructions about the porting process itself.

I don't port in and port out much at all, so I don't have much experience. I don't want to lose my text messages and phone contacts and only find out they weren't saved after I port out.

Many thanks

Mobile

Comments

  • scrimshaw on 18/03/2025 - 09:01
    +6

    SMS and contacts are no longer saved to your SIM card, typically speaking. Nowadays, any contacts you might have created most likely saves on the phone storage.

    To backup your contacts and SMS, please make sure you're logged into a Google account when you first set up the phone. Then follow instructions on syncing the contact info

    https://support.google.com/contacts/answer/9423168?hl=en

    SMS backup is part of device backup. This includes things such as
    Apps and app data
    Call history
    Contacts
    Device settings
    SMS, and MMS and RCS messages
    Pictures and videos through Google Photos

    Instructions on how to use device backup

    https://support.google.com/googleone/answer/9149304?hl=en&co…

    • Kitkat123 on 18/03/2025 - 11:29

      Thank you so much Scrimshaw for your help.

      I am helping a family member try to avoid what I recall happened before when I lost some contacts and texts a few years ago. I remember an old ohone asked me whether to save contacts to save on Sim or Save to Phone so I think I did both as I never remembered which option was better

      • scrimshaw on 18/03/2025 - 11:32

        If you have SIM or phone-only contacts that are not saved to Google, you may need to open your contacts app and move them. This will ensure they are saved to the backup when the phone auto-backup runs.

        Instructions here

        https://support.google.com/contacts/answer/1069522?hl=en&co=…

        But this is probably optional because if you have followed directions on here then it's possible that Google has already backed them up.
        Once the backup has completed, you should be able to see all the saved contacts by going to this website (on a normal web browser) https://contacts.google.com/
        Once you've verified all the contacts are there then you're all good to go and there's nothing else you need to do.

        • Kitkat123 on 18/03/2025 - 11:40
          +2

          Thank you so much Scrimshaw for your help and for these instructions. It is greatly appreciated. The ability to compare the contacts list is great. I will checj my faily members phones to do this andhopefully thetexts are easy to work out too with everyones comments

    • ATTS on 21/03/2025 - 09:57

      Oh never heard of rcs messages, what is it?

  • life is suffering on 18/03/2025 - 09:11
    -1

    Porting your number from Boost to Optus on your Android phone won’t affect the data stored on your phone itself. Here’s how you can back up your SMS text messages and contacts before porting out:

    1. Backing Up Contacts

    Your contacts are likely saved to your Google account or phone storage rather than the SIM card. Here’s how to back them up:
    • Google Account Backup (Recommended):
    1. Go to Settings > Google > Backup.
    2. Ensure “Backup by Google One” is turned on.
    3. Tap on “Back up now” to save everything to your Google account.
    • Export Contacts to a File (For extra security):
    1. Open the Contacts app.
    2. Tap the three-line menu (☰) or More options (⋮) and select “Settings”.
    3. Tap “Export” and choose where to save the file (usually as a .vcf file).
    4. Save it to your phone’s internal storage or upload it to cloud storage (Google Drive, OneDrive, etc.).

    1. Backing Up SMS Messages

    SMS messages are not automatically backed up with your Google account, so you need to use an app.
    • Using SMS Backup & Restore App (Free and Popular):
    1. Download SMS Backup & Restore from the Google Play Store.
    2. Open the app and tap “Set up a backup”.
    3. Select “Messages” and “Call logs” if desired.
    4. Choose a backup location (Google Drive, Dropbox, or your phone’s storage).
    5. Tap “Backup” to start the process.
    6. To restore messages later, use the “Restore” option from the app.

    1. Double-Check SIM Storage (Just in Case)

    If you have contacts saved directly to your SIM (less common these days):
    1. Open the Contacts app.
    2. Tap the three-line menu (☰) or More options (⋮) and select “Settings”.
    3. Look for an option like “Import/Export”.
    4. Tap “Export to SIM card” if you want to transfer phone contacts to the SIM card (though not necessary if you’ve backed them up already).

    1. Proceed with Porting

    Once you’ve completed the backup, you can proceed with porting your number to Optus without worrying about losing your contacts or messages.

    Would you like me to guide you through the porting process to Optus as well?

    • Kitkat123 on 18/03/2025 - 11:35

      Thank you very much for taking time to help and listing out insturctions for each of these categories. It is very helpful.

      Yes re the SMS messages, I came across that app but wasnt sureif there was a more simple way rather than downloading app to do this. We dont want to lose the sms text messages as there are info in thse previous texts that we want to look up in the future if need.

      Thank you so much for Step 3 Double Check SIM Storage just in case. I cant see this option on my phone but will go and check my family members phone

      Thanks very much again for your help

      • MS Paint on 18/03/2025 - 11:47
        +1

        Thanks very much again for your help

        You do realise they just copied your question into an AI tool and posted the results. Literally 5 seconds work. I wouldn't be thanking them (especially twice).

        • life is suffering on 18/03/2025 - 14:29
          +3

          It looks like you might be frustrated with someone using AI to generate a response quickly without much effort. I get where you’re coming from. The important thing is that you got the help you needed.

          If you want, I can guide you through each step in more detail to make sure everything goes smoothly. Also, if you’re feeling unsure about anything in the process, I’m here to help. Want me to walk you through it?

  • urahara on 18/03/2025 - 09:15

    You just switch the numbers, the data (texts) stays in on your phone mate.
    Just the thingy that says Vodafone on the top changes to Boost/Telstra or whatever

  • legend30836 on 18/03/2025 - 11:20

    How about porting from Beyond to Amaysim on an iPhone?

  • CaptainJack on 18/03/2025 - 12:33
    +3

    Do what my mate did a few years back and write them all down on a piece of paper so you can re-enter them. Absolute drop kick.

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