Backing up and restoring Google Messages on Android is done using Google One in the Settings app. However, you cannot do this directly from the Google Messages app. This may change soon.
According to 9to5Google, a Google Messages app beta (version 20241118_02_RC00) contains references to a backup and restore option within the app. Android Authority has been able to examine photographs of the new functionality, providing early insight into how it works.
The entry screens for the recently discovered “Backup & Restore” area in Google Messages feature a lot of information, including:
- “Backup works better with Messages. Restore your conversations, media, and other content at any time in the app.”
- “Your backup will be end-to-end encrypted and secured by your screen lock.”
- “Your conversations restore automatically when you sign in.”
Furthermore, the screenshots show that Google Messages will now urge you to activate the backup feature. If you don’t want to do this right now, you may find the option later in the app’s settings menu under “Backup & Sync.”
Other aspects revealed include the ability to back up and recover “conversations, media, and more” as well as use end-to-end encryption. The latter, however, requires the device’s screen lock to be enabled in it to function. It has also been noticed that when you sign into Messages, your conversations are instantly restored. This means you won’t need to restore your chats, making the procedure easier.
Finally, the new backup and restore options are designed to provide some previously lacking flexibility. For example, there is a switch to only sync photographs and videos over Wi-Fi. As Android Authority puts it: “That’s a handy addition in line with other messaging apps, allowing you to sync your text history over mobile data while preserving your mobile data cap.”
The new Google Messages function is meant to provide confidence and flexibility during the backup process. Currently, the backup method using Google One has restrictions. However, the contents of this upgrade, including the public release date, are unknown. Hopefully, we’ll have more details shortly.
Google Messages is continually developing. Earlier this month, for example, it added the option to exchange pictures using RCS. In October, the app received an update that boosted scam prevention.