How to transfer SMS and iMessage After Switching iPhones
SMS and iMessages are part of our technological life and when switching from a phone to another we want to be able to transfer them, just in case we will need them in the future. Or, why not recognise it, in case we want to read them again from time to time.
For instance, I have been waiting for the release of the iOS 6.0.1. untethered jailbreak, before I upgraded to the iPhone 5. But, no matter what type of upgrading you choose, you know it is an interesting operation to be done, especially if you are into do it yourself actions. Still, there is a problem with the upgrading process when it comes to iTunes. It doesn’t offer you the possibility of copying your text messages history to a new device directly. That is why you should restore the documents from a backup, process that doesn’t work in all the cases.
First thing you should know is that if you use iOS 5 and up, you won’t be able to use the tools that might help you on other devices, such as iTools.hk or CopyTrans Contacts.
Still, as there is a solution for every problem, at least when it comes to technological problems, there is an existent method, which should be followed step by step in order to be successful. It is available for iPhone when it comes to SMS and iMessages and for other devices (such as iPad and iPod touch) for iMessages only, of course.
If you go through this tutorial, you will be able to back up your SMS and iMessages, but also transfer these messages from your old device to your new precious one.
Note: Before we start, you should know that this tutorial describes the step-by-step process in order to have a successful operation. Nevertheless, in case you experience any problem with the data while doing the operation, we do not assume any responsibility.
First, we should look through the apps you need to have before you get started:
- iFun Box: it is a desktop application which helps you transfer files on your iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, via USB. Also, it can be used in order to manage apps and install or uninstall them.
- FTP client: as you probably know, FTP stands from File Transfer Protocol. So, it is a tool used to copy files from a computer to another, using the Internet. You have to be connected through a file host name, user name and password.
How to transfer SMS and iMessage After Switching iPhones
The first step is to “clean” your old iPhone of the iMessage and SMS database files. In order to do this you should follow the next instructions:
Step 1: Connect your old iPhone to your computer. This is the moment when you use the first tool:iFun Box.
You will see the iFunBox classic Tab on which you should click on.
Step 2: Open the device and the Raw File System. You should go to a specific shortcut, by accessing ‘var/mobile/Library/SMS‘. Here you will see the contents of your SMS folder, which you should copy to your computer. If you want to copy all the contents, just do it. If not, you have the chance to copy only the SMS data base, not the photo attachments and drafts. In order to do this, you need to copy only the sms.db, sms.db-shm, and sms.db-wal. elements.
Now that we have our iMessage and SMS database files backed up, we need to prepare our new device for receiving these files.
After the process has been ended, your iMessage and SMS database file is backed up.This is the moment when you should move to the new device and prepare it for the transfer.
Step 3: Take your new idevice (iPhone or iPad) and browse the Settings section in order to select “Mail, Contacts, Calendars”
Step 4: Go into your iCloud account and disable the Contacts section, using the menu
Step 5: At this step you should first be very careful not to open the messages section until the process is completed. So, the Messages app must be closed. To be sure it is closed, open the app switcher and check if it is turned off.
Step 6: Now you should connect your new device to the computer. After plugging it in, you must access the var/mobile/Library/SMS section from the iFunBox. Delete the existing data in the folder after backing it up. Next you should use the drag and drop option in order to copy the files from the old device to the new one. Still, pay attention to the Attachments and Drafts, which you might or might not need them in the future.
Step 7: Select all the files you copied, right-click on them and select the permissions option
Step 8: The permission setting should be 0755; also, you will have to change the ownership of the files. As you can see, now they are Root. The ownership should be on the Mobile option, in order for the messages to be able to access the database file.
Step 9 and the last one: Before launching the Messages section, you should reboot your device. In case you were in a hurry and you forgot about this last and most important step, you need to take the steps again and complete them, starting with step 6.
After you complete step 9 (rebooting your device), your data should be available and functional on your new device. That is how your iMessage and SMS history is kept even if you upgrade to new devices. Enjoy browsing your history data with your new device!
See? It is not that hard if you follow each step of the process and you have patience with the transfer.
Did you try to do this operation already? If so, please share with us the result or any other issue you have experienced during the process.
You can write to us in the case you want to try this operation and you have issues with any of the steps.
Meanwhile, if you are interested in any other issues regarding devices, follow our other articles and solve your problems. We are here to make your life easier!
