Where are MMS-messages stored in Android 15 ?

Post by Jesper
I have now spent some time searching for ways to find where MMS-messages
are stored on my OnePlus 12 mobile with Android 15. There is no end of
suggestions on how to do this, but nothing I have tested works.
Referring to menus or file structure not existing on my mobile.
It can't be that difficult, can it?

If you check the Android archives, it was discussed in the past.
From my recollection, you need to be rooted, but check the threads.
<https://tinyurl.com/nova-comp-mobile-android>

Andy Burns

2024-12-13 14:45:09 UTC

Post by Jesper
I have now spent some time searching for ways to find where MMS-messages
are stored on my OnePlus 12 mobile with Android 15.

Are they stored on the phone, or are they just URLs pointing to your
operator's MMS server?

Jesper Kaas

2024-12-13 15:00:25 UTC

Post by Andy Burns

Post by Jesper
I have now spent some time searching for ways to find where MMS-messages
are stored on my OnePlus 12 mobile with Android 15.

Are they stored on the phone, or are they just URLs pointing to your
operator's MMS server?

A good question that I cannot answer. But being just URL's sounds
probable.

Best regards

--
Jesper Kaas - ***@neindanke.online.no

VanguardLH

2024-12-13 19:55:27 UTC

https://www.google.com/search?q=android+where+mms+stored

See the AI-generated response which may be sufficient for you to realize
those are stored in a database file which means you won't be looking
inside of them using just a file manager.

https://www.magnetforensics.com/blog/android-messaging-forensics-sms-mms-and-beyond/

Apparently mmssms.db is a SQLite database file, and is unlikely to be
encrypted, so you could look into using SQL[ite] commands to interrogate
the database. There are SQLite viewer apps for Android, or you could
copy the .db file from Android phone to your PC; however, you probably
still need to know something of the records and their structure to know
on what to search. An SMS/MMS viewer app, or backup & restore app would
likely know the structure in the database file to present you the
messages stored there, but I've never used one to recommend any.

Are you only looking for where is the database file, or how to peek
inside of it?

Jesper

2024-12-13 20:20:09 UTC

https://www.google.com/search?q=android+where+mms+stored
See the AI-generated response which may be sufficient for you to realize
those are stored in a database file which means you won't be looking
inside of them using just a file manager.
https://www.magnetforensics.com/blog/android-messaging-forensics-sms-mms-and-beyond/
Apparently mmssms.db is a SQLite database file, and is unlikely to be
encrypted, so you could look into using SQL[ite] commands to interrogate
the database. There are SQLite viewer apps for Android, or you could
copy the .db file from Android phone to your PC; however, you probably
still need to know something of the records and their structure to know
on what to search. An SMS/MMS viewer app, or backup & restore app would
likely know the structure in the database file to present you the
messages stored there, but I've never used one to recommend any.
Are you only looking for where is the database file, or how to peek
inside of it?

I just wanted to get hold of a picture that was sent as MMS as a normal
picture file, .jpg or whatever. I first tried a long tap on the picture
in "Messages" , which did not bring up anything. Then my wife showed me
to use a short tap on the picture, which brought up icons, one of which
gave a "Share" menu. So simple. Embarrassed :-(

Best regards

--
Jesper

VanguardLH

2024-12-13 22:05:09 UTC

Post by Jesper

https://www.google.com/search?q=android+where+mms+stored
See the AI-generated response which may be sufficient for you to realize
those are stored in a database file which means you won't be looking
inside of them using just a file manager.
https://www.magnetforensics.com/blog/android-messaging-forensics-sms-mms-and-beyond/
Apparently mmssms.db is a SQLite database file, and is unlikely to be
encrypted, so you could look into using SQL[ite] commands to interrogate
the database. There are SQLite viewer apps for Android, or you could
copy the .db file from Android phone to your PC; however, you probably
still need to know something of the records and their structure to know
on what to search. An SMS/MMS viewer app, or backup & restore app would
likely know the structure in the database file to present you the
messages stored there, but I've never used one to recommend any.
Are you only looking for where is the database file, or how to peek
inside of it?

I still get screwed by apps that require sliding left or right to commit
an action. For one app, I contacted support to ask how to remove an
item. Their app incorrectly sizes its window, so the bottom is
truncated, and that's where they put the Remove button, so it is not
visible. The rep said to slide the item to the left to see a Remove
option. Simple, but I wouldn't have thought of that since it was a new
feature in a recent version.

"Where are my eyeglasses?"
"On top of your head."

Andrew

2024-12-17 03:26:30 UTC

Post by Jesper
I just wanted to get hold of a picture that was sent as MMS as a normal
picture file, .jpg or whatever. I first tried a long tap on the picture
in "Messages" , which did not bring up anything. Then my wife showed me
to use a short tap on the picture, which brought up icons, one of which
gave a "Share" menu. So simple.

Glad you figured out where media is stored for your messaging app.

As far as I'm aware, each messenger can save the photos to sd0 storage.

Mine, for example, are auto-stored in /sd0/Pictures/Pulse/{image.jpg}

micky

2024-12-14 08:00:44 UTC

In comp.mobile.android, on Fri, 13 Dec 2024 15:13:19 +0100, Jesper

You can find where thigns were with lipstick, talcum powder, or smoke.

Wait, wrong ng.

Arno Welzel

2024-12-14 11:11:32 UTC

For security reasons *all* Apps store their data in their *private*
storage by default which is *not* accessible with file managers if you
don't have root access. If this would not be the case, *all* apps which
have the "read files" permission could read *all* your data, including
all your MMS, SMS, contacts and so on.

Gaining root access usually also means you need to unlock the bootloader
of your device and install at least software like Magisk. This is often
not possible without wiping the whole device and even installing a
custom ROM.

--
Arno Welzel
https://arnowelzel.de

Chris Green

2024-12-14 12:08:12 UTC

It's weird isn't it! It's only on mobile phones that this strange
system is applied. On any computer system access is controlled for a
**user** and programs run by that user can access any data that is
readable by that user. The computer model for access seems much more
reasonable to me. Surely if I have (say) an address list I want to be
able to use that from other programs on my device, it's my data, why
should I be prevented from using it from another program?

--
Chris Green
·

Jörg Lorenz

2024-12-14 12:43:15 UTC

Think about it. Even you can find that out. This system is smarter than
you think given the disaster prone Windows.

--
"Roma locuta, causa finita." (Augustinus)

Chris Green

2024-12-14 14:57:23 UTC

Think about it. Even you can find that out. This system is smarter than
you think given the disaster prone Windows.

Windows? What's that?

--
Chris Green
·

Jörg Lorenz

2024-12-14 17:00:54 UTC

Post by Chris Green
It's weird isn't it! It's only on mobile phones that this strange
system is applied. On any computer system access is controlled for a
**user** and programs run by that user can access any data that is
readable by that user. The computer model for access seems much more
reasonable to me. Surely if I have (say) an address list I want to be
able to use that from other programs on my device, it's my data, why
should I be prevented from using it from another program?

Think about it. Even you can find that out. This system is smarter than
you think given the disaster prone Windows.

Windows? What's that?

What 70%+ on this planet are using as desktop-OS and create nothing but
huge problems!

--
"Roma locuta, causa finita." (Augustinus)

Chris Green

2024-12-14 19:50:50 UTC

Think about it. Even you can find that out. This system is smarter than
you think given the disaster prone Windows.

Windows? What's that?

What 70%+ on this planet are using as desktop-OS and create nothing but
huge problems!

Well I'm a 70+ and I'm not using it! :-)

--
Chris Green
·

Jörg Lorenz

2024-12-14 21:49:22 UTC

Think about it. Even you can find that out. This system is smarter than
you think given the disaster prone Windows.

Windows? What's that?

What 70%+ on this planet are using as desktop-OS and create nothing but
huge problems!

Well I'm a 70+ and I'm not using it! :-)

70%+ not 70plus ... :-D

--
"Roma locuta, causa finita." (Augustinus)

Chris Green

2024-12-14 22:10:00 UTC

Think about it. Even you can find that out. This system is smarter than
you think given the disaster prone Windows.

Windows? What's that?

What 70%+ on this planet are using as desktop-OS and create nothing but
huge problems!

Well I'm a 70+ and I'm not using it! :-)

70%+ not 70plus ... :-D

Ah, OK, sorry! :-)

--
Chris Green
·

Carlos E.R.

2024-12-14 14:59:18 UTC

For security reasons *all* Apps store their data in their *private*
storage by default which is *not* accessible with file managers if you
don't have root access. If this would not be the case, *all* apps which
have the "read files" permission could read *all* your data, including
all your MMS, SMS, contacts and so on.
Gaining root access usually also means you need to unlock the bootloader
of your device and install at least software like Magisk. This is often
not possible without wiping the whole device and even installing a
custom ROM.

I am not sure this is fully true. I make backups from Linux via USB
cable, and I get the WhatsApp store, the photos, many things. There are
just a few directories from the system that are not readable.

--
Cheers, Carlos.

Frank Slootweg

2024-12-14 15:50:19 UTC

For security reasons *all* Apps store their data in their *private*
storage by default which is *not* accessible with file managers if you
don't have root access. If this would not be the case, *all* apps which
have the "read files" permission could read *all* your data, including
all your MMS, SMS, contacts and so on.
Gaining root access usually also means you need to unlock the bootloader
of your device and install at least software like Magisk. This is often
not possible without wiping the whole device and even installing a
custom ROM.

Indeed. The same is the case if you connect the Android device [1] via
a USB-cable to a Windows system. All normal folders and specifically
\Android\* (data, media, obb , obj) are accessible in (Windows) File
Explorer. Of course this isn't a scurity/privacy issue, because you need
physical access to the device and the device must be unlocked.

As Chris Green noted, the Android model, of not letting a user access
their own data, is rather silly for users used to normal/real computers.
But it's probably the result of the design choice to only have a normal
user and not some kind of administrator/root. Whether that design choice
is a reasonable/sane/etc. one, is left up to the reader. As Android is
Linux-like under the hood, you probably can guess my position! :-)

[1] Android device: smartphone, tablet, etc..

Arno Welzel

2024-12-15 22:33:00 UTC

For security reasons *all* Apps store their data in their *private*
storage by default which is *not* accessible with file managers if you
don't have root access. If this would not be the case, *all* apps which
have the "read files" permission could read *all* your data, including
all your MMS, SMS, contacts and so on.
Gaining root access usually also means you need to unlock the bootloader
of your device and install at least software like Magisk. This is often
not possible without wiping the whole device and even installing a
custom ROM.

And "normal folders" are *not* private app storage folders. For example
you can *not* read the contact database this way.

--
Arno Welzel
https://arnowelzel.de

Frank Slootweg

2024-12-16 14:33:06 UTC

For security reasons *all* Apps store their data in their *private*
storage by default which is *not* accessible with file managers if you
don't have root access. If this would not be the case, *all* apps which
have the "read files" permission could read *all* your data, including
all your MMS, SMS, contacts and so on.
Gaining root access usually also means you need to unlock the bootloader
of your device and install at least software like Magisk. This is often
not possible without wiping the whole device and even installing a
custom ROM.

And "normal folders" are *not* private app storage folders. For example
you can *not* read the contact database this way.

True, you probably need 'adb pull' to access those. Anyway, as has
been said, things like contacts, (SMS/MMS) messages, etc. are the easy
bit, because there are lots of apps wich can can backup/export those.
The critical/difficult ones are the app-private folders and - as said - a
USB connection can access those.

Andrew

2024-12-17 03:25:19 UTC

Post by Arno Welzel
And "normal folders" are *not* private app storage folders. For example
you can *not* read the contact database this way.

Unrooted...

Frank is completely correct that Windows adb (& Android WebDAV servers)
allow my Windows PC almost complete read-only access to many of the Android
"system" files & folders over USB cable (which are not available otherwise)
<Loading Image...

>

As Frank noted, these folders that are accessible to Windows adb (& to
WebDav servers) are NOT generally accessible to Android file managers.

Specifically for the one-and-only Android contacts sqlite database, in the
past I had tried to access the contacts folders with adb and, as I recall,
I failed - but if it's possible - I'd love to know how it can be done!

Why is it that any app can access the default Android contacts sqlite
database & the default Android SMS/MMS sqlite database, but I can't access
it?
<https://xdaforums.com/t/why-is-it-that-any-app-can-access-the-default-android-contacts-sqlite-database-the-default-android-sms-mms-sqlite-database-but-i-cant-access-it.4679128/>

Carlos E.R.

2024-12-17 14:11:01 UTC

Post by Andrew
Why is it that any app can access the default Android contacts sqlite
database & the default Android SMS/MMS sqlite database, but I can't access
it?

Probably because they are using an API, not trying to open the sqlite
files themselves.

--
Cheers, Carlos.

Arno Welzel

2024-12-15 22:32:07 UTC

For security reasons *all* Apps store their data in their *private*
storage by default which is *not* accessible with file managers if you
don't have root access. If this would not be the case, *all* apps which
have the "read files" permission could read *all* your data, including
all your MMS, SMS, contacts and so on.
Gaining root access usually also means you need to unlock the bootloader
of your device and install at least software like Magisk. This is often
not possible without wiping the whole device and even installing a
custom ROM.

Yes - that's a *backup*. But *backup* is not "access files with a file
manager on the device" and not all apps allow to backup their data.

--
Arno Welzel
https://arnowelzel.de

Carlos E.R.

2024-12-15 23:47:19 UTC

For security reasons *all* Apps store their data in their *private*
storage by default which is *not* accessible with file managers if you
don't have root access. If this would not be the case, *all* apps which
have the "read files" permission could read *all* your data, including
all your MMS, SMS, contacts and so on.
Gaining root access usually also means you need to unlock the bootloader
of your device and install at least software like Magisk. This is often
not possible without wiping the whole device and even installing a
custom ROM.

Yes - that's a *backup*. But *backup* is not "access files with a file
manager on the device" and not all apps allow to backup their data.

I seem to recall that filemanagers in Android need a special permission
to be able to see "everything". Or most things, anyhow.

--
Cheers, Carlos.

Arno Welzel

2024-12-17 10:36:32 UTC

[...]

Post by Arno Welzel
Yes - that's a *backup*. But *backup* is not "access files with a file
manager on the device" and not all apps allow to backup their data.

I seem to recall that filemanagers in Android need a special permission
to be able to see "everything". Or most things, anyhow.

Yes, they need to be a "system" app provided by the manufacturer so they
can more or less act the same way as if they got root access.

--
Arno Welzel
https://arnowelzel.de

R.Wieser

2024-12-16 09:08:52 UTC

Arno,

Post by Carlos E.R.
I am not sure this is fully true. I make backups from Linux via USB
cable, and I get the WhatsApp store, the photos, many things. There are
just a few directories from the system that are not readable.

Yes - that's a *backup*. But *backup* is not "access files with a file
manager on the device" and not all apps allow to backup their data.

Has the OP mentioned anywhere a restriction to any method for accessing that
data ? If not, don't complain that someone suggested a viable one you
didn't think of.

Also, your compaint that "not all apps allow" ... well, not what the OP
asked for is only good as a "it might not work" remark, but certainly not as
rejection of what Carlos suggested. And no, he wasn't suggesting that the
OP should make a backup. But you already knew that.

IOW, you would throw a perfectly good suggestion (solution?) away because
you think that there "is a chance" that it would not work ? Thats
downright stupid.

OP:
Follow Carlos suggestion, connect your smartphone to a PC and see what its
filebrowser* allows you to access. :-)

* or perhaps a specialized browser for your smartphone.

Regards,
Rudy Wieser

Jesper

2024-12-16 14:21:23 UTC

Post by R.Wieser
Arno,

Yes - that's a *backup*. But *backup* is not "access files with a file
manager on the device" and not all apps allow to backup their data.

Has the OP mentioned anywhere a restriction to any method for accessing that
data ? If not, don't complain that someone suggested a viable one you
didn't think of.
Also, your compaint that "not all apps allow" ... well, not what the OP
asked for is only good as a "it might not work" remark, but certainly not as
rejection of what Carlos suggested. And no, he wasn't suggesting that the
OP should make a backup. But you already knew that.
IOW, you would throw a perfectly good suggestion (solution?) away because
you think that there "is a chance" that it would not work ? Thats
downright stupid.
Follow Carlos suggestion, connect your smartphone to a PC and see what its
filebrowser* allows you to access. :-)

When this Android 15 smartphone is connected to my Windows11 PC via USB,
it does not show up in Windows Explorer at all. And no message on the
phone about allowing access. Therefore I use an app, Cx File Explorer,
for transfering files between Phone and PC. I have tried different
cables: one with USB-A in one end and USB-C in the other, and one with
USB-C in both ends.
My old Android 4 phone is visible in Windows Explorer on PC when
connected via USB, and files can be transferred.

Post by R.Wieser
* or perhaps a specialized browser for your smartphone.
Regards,
Rudy Wieser

--
Jesper

R.Wieser

2024-12-16 15:08:00 UTC

Jesper,

Post by Jesper
When this Android 15 smartphone is connected to my Windows11 PC via USB,
it does not show up in Windows Explorer at all. And no message on the
phone about allowing access.

It might be that you first need to allow possible access to your phone,
after which you, on connection, get such a "are you sure" confirmation
dialog.

IOW, look in your phones settings.

Post by Jesper
Therefore I use an app, Cx File Explorer, for transfering files between
Phone and PC

An app on your phone to talk with the PC ? That should mean that there is
nothing wrong with the connection/cable itself.

Regards,
Rudy Wieser

Frank Slootweg

2024-12-16 15:15:52 UTC

Jesper <***@gmail.com> wrote:
[...]

Post by Jesper
When this Android 15 smartphone is connected to my Windows11 PC via USB,
it does not show up in Windows Explorer at all. And no message on the
phone about allowing access.

Does it not show up at all or does it not show any folders/files?
Normally, there should be an icon with a picture of a phone and the
name of the phone. Mine shows a smartphone, i.e. just a screen. and
"Frank's Galaxy A51".

If you *do* see the icon+name, but no folders/files, that's probably
because your phone is (screen) locked. If so, just unlock the phone and
follow the prompts, if any.

Post by Jesper
Therefore I use an app, Cx File Explorer,
for transfering files between Phone and PC. I have tried different
cables: one with USB-A in one end and USB-C in the other, and one with
USB-C in both ends.

Use the cable which came with the phone! That cable should allow
charging and data transfer.

Post by Jesper
My old Android 4 phone is visible in Windows Explorer on PC when
connected via USB, and files can be transferred.

If the cable is the right one and not defective, it's probably a
matter of installing the right USB driver on your computer. The
website/documentation of the phone should be able to help you with that.
It may be as simple as installing the needed devices/drivers with Device
Manager. You should have a phone device under 'Portable Devices' and a
USB device under 'Universal Serial Bus Controllers' (mine is called
'SAMSUNG Mobile USB Composite Device').

As your old Android 4 phone works, you can use that to compare which
devices should be visible in Device Manager, i.e. connect *both* phones,
unlock them and compare.

Carlos E.R.

2024-12-16 23:04:53 UTC

Post by Frank Slootweg
As your old Android 4 phone works, you can use that to compare which
devices should be visible in Device Manager, i.e. connect*both* phones,
unlock them and compare.

No, modern phones use MTP
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Media_Transfer_Protocol), while old
phones actually mounted the phones similar as an USB stick.

--
Cheers, Carlos.

Frank Slootweg

2024-12-17 16:27:13 UTC

Post by Frank Slootweg
As your old Android 4 phone works, you can use that to compare which
devices should be visible in Device Manager, i.e. connect*both* phones,
unlock them and compare.

No, modern phones use MTP
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Media_Transfer_Protocol), while old
phones actually mounted the phones similar as an USB stick.

As quoted above, Jesper's phone is Android 4. My Huawei Ascend Y300
phone came with Android 4.1.1 and that already had MTP (and PTP) and -
as you mentioned - 'USB mass storage'. I bought that phone in September
2013.

That's why I assumed Jesper can compare his old and new phone setups.

Anyway, this is all moot, because Jesper has reported that the
'problem' with the new phone was that he hadn't looked in the drag down
the notification area. Once he did, he saw the USB connection options.

Andrew

2024-12-18 02:18:21 UTC

Post by Frank Slootweg
Anyway, this is all moot, because Jesper has reported that the
'problem' with the new phone was that he hadn't looked in the drag down
the notification area. Once he did, he saw the USB connection options.

<Loading Image...

> USB default settings

croy

2024-12-16 16:40:21 UTC

Post by Jesper
When this Android 15 smartphone is connected to my Windows11 PC via USB,
it does not show up in Windows Explorer at all. And no message on the
phone about allowing access. Therefore I use an app, Cx File Explorer,
for transfering files between Phone and PC. I have tried different
cables: one with USB-A in one end and USB-C in the other, and one with
USB-C in both ends.
My old Android 4 phone is visible in Windows Explorer on PC when
connected via USB, and files can be transferred.

With respect to my Moto G5 Plus (circa 2017), when I connect it to my
Windows 10 PC, I have to go to Settings on the phone and tell it that I
want to allow file transfers (I can't remember just now what the exact
wording is). Then, on the PC, I have to tell Explorer to "Refresh", and
then the phone shows up. Explorer acts a little odd, when a device like a
phone or eReader is plugged in, in that when I click on the phone, any
other directory that was open, immediately collapses, and if I go back to
that directory, the phone directory collapses--weird. It took me qhhuite a
while to figure all this out, when I was recently given this phone (my
first cell phone). Anroid phones are incrdible devices, but for this old
DOS/Windows guy, the Android file system is still a mystery.

--
croy

Frank Slootweg

2024-12-16 18:50:44 UTC

croy <***@spam.invalid.net> wrote:
[...]

Post by croy
With respect to my Moto G5 Plus (circa 2017), when I connect it to my
Windows 10 PC, I have to go to Settings on the phone and tell it that I
want to allow file transfers (I can't remember just now what the exact
wording is). Then, on the PC, I have to tell Explorer to "Refresh", and
then the phone shows up. ...

Good point (for Jesper)!

When you connect the phone, drag down the notification area from the
top of your screen. There you should see a notification mentioning
'USB'. Tap the down arrow. It should be set to 'USB for file transfer'.
If not, tap on 'Tap for other USB options' and correct the setting. Do
*not* use the 'Transferring images' setting. With 'USB for file
transfer' you can transfer images *and* other files. With 'Transferring
images' you can only transfer images and probably not from/to all
places.

[...]

Frank Slootweg

2024-12-16 14:49:13 UTC

For security reasons *all* Apps store their data in their *private*
storage by default which is *not* accessible with file managers if you
don't have root access. If this would not be the case, *all* apps which
have the "read files" permission could read *all* your data, including
all your MMS, SMS, contacts and so on.
Gaining root access usually also means you need to unlock the bootloader
of your device and install at least software like Magisk. This is often
not possible without wiping the whole device and even installing a
custom ROM.

Yes - that's a *backup*. But *backup* is not "access files with a file
manager on the device" and not all apps allow to backup their data.

As Rudy mentioned, I don't think the OP (Jesper) said that the
information/file(s) should be accessible by a file manager *on the
(Android) device*. That's your restriction, not his.

Most, if not all, posters here have a computer. Jesper posted with
Mozilla Thunderbird, so he has a Windows or Linux (or mac?) computer
which he can use with a USB connection to his phone.

As to "not all apps allow to backup their data.": With the USB
connection, one can backup all app-private folders and files, so one
*can* backup the data of all apps. Unless there's some other kind of
restriction you're not divulging.

VanguardLH

2024-12-16 17:51:24 UTC

Post by Frank Slootweg
As Rudy mentioned, I don't think the OP (Jesper) said that the
information/file(s) should be accessible by a file manager *on the
(Android) device*. That's your restriction, not his.
Most, if not all, posters here have a computer. Jesper posted with
Mozilla Thunderbird, so he has a Windows or Linux (or mac?) computer
which he can use with a USB connection to his phone.
As to "not all apps allow to backup their data.": With the USB
connection, one can backup all app-private folders and files, so one
*can* backup the data of all apps. Unless there's some other kind of
restriction you're not divulging.

And shall we delve into encrypted files? A file may get backed up, but
that doesn't mean you can get inside it. Also, just because you know
where is a file, and can access or copy it, doesn't mean you can
casually view it. On Android, SMS messages are stored in an SQLite
database, so you need an SQLite viewer, editor, or extractor. You need
to know which record to extract, and perhaps the structure of those
records. Repetitive inspection might lead to which record and which
field. There are SQLite apps for Android, but I haven't used any there.

All of this is now somewhat moot as of 3 days ago after Jesper noted he
managed to get at the picture inside an MMS that he wanted to share.
However, that doesn't bar wandering off onto tangents discussing the
trials and tribulations of using an over-wresting OS.

Frank Slootweg

2024-12-16 18:38:25 UTC

And shall we delve into encrypted files? A file may get backed up, but
that doesn't mean you can get inside it.

Yes, put this part of the thread *is* about backup, not about getting
inside the information/file(s).

Post by VanguardLH
Also, just because you know
where is a file, and can access or copy it, doesn't mean you can
casually view it. On Android, SMS messages are stored in an SQLite
database, so you need an SQLite viewer, editor, or extractor. You need
to know which record to extract, and perhaps the structure of those
records. Repetitive inspection might lead to which record and which
field. There are SQLite apps for Android, but I haven't used any there.

As I mentioned elsewhere [1] in the (sub-)thread, both backing up and
exporting SMS/MMS messages and contacts is *not* a problem on Android.
There are umpteen apps that do that kind of thing.

Post by VanguardLH
All of this is now somewhat moot as of 3 days ago after Jesper noted he
managed to get at the picture inside an MMS that he wanted to share.
However, that doesn't bar wandering off onto tangents discussing the
trials and tribulations of using an over-wresting OS.

What!? Thread drift!? On *Usenet*!? Can't be!

[1] Message-ID: <***@ID-201911.user.individual.net>

Jesper Kaas

2024-12-16 20:08:34 UTC

And shall we delve into encrypted files? A file may get backed up, but
that doesn't mean you can get inside it.

Yes, put this part of the thread *is* about backup, not about getting
inside the information/file(s).

As I mentioned elsewhere [1] in the (sub-)thread, both backing up and
exporting SMS/MMS messages and contacts is *not* a problem on Android.
There are umpteen apps that do that kind of thing.

What!? Thread drift!? On *Usenet*!? Can't be!

There are spin-offs in thread-drifting, so it sure can be a good
thing. To sum up: I was hoping to dig a picture in a MMS-message out
as a separate file, but quite early in this thread I learnt from wise
people, that most apps in Android store their data in a restricted
restricted area you can only see if the phone is rooted (or something
like that).
Then in the part about getting access to the the phones storage from
windows I learnt something: All my prior phones popped up a message
asking why to do, as soon as a USB-connection to a PC was established.
Not with this new one. It did not cross my mind to drag down to see
the information area. But drag down and there it is, asking what to
do.
Anyway, it is easier to connect to PC via wifi and use a file explorer
on the phone.

Best regards

--
Jesper Kaas - ***@neindanke.online.no

Andrew

2024-12-17 03:37:03 UTC

Post by Jesper Kaas
I was hoping to dig a picture in a MMS-message out
as a separate file, but quite early in this thread I learnt from wise
people, that most apps in Android store their data in a restricted
restricted area you can only see if the phone is rooted (or something
like that).

I want to clarify that statement above because, as I understand the
situation, originally you asked a completely *different* question than what
you found as your solution.

What you found as your solution is that every text messenger app seems to
have an option for automatically (or manually) saving incoming media to a
location on your Android file system that the file manager can access.

But what you originally asked, as I understand it, is where is the original
messaging data (including all the text messages) stored.

Those are two completely different questions.
Therefore, the answers are completely different.

One is stored in a plaintext file out in the open for all to see.
The other is stored in an XML database only accessible to text messengers.

In summary, if all you wanted was a copy of the incoming media (not the
originals, mind you), then that is what you found was very easy to access.

Getting a hold of the original database is what is hard to do without
rooting.

Arno Welzel

2024-12-17 10:41:02 UTC

Frank Slootweg, 2024-12-16 19:38:

[...]

Post by Frank Slootweg
As I mentioned elsewhere [1] in the (sub-)thread, both backing up and
exporting SMS/MMS messages and contacts is *not* a problem on Android.
There are umpteen apps that do that kind of thing.

Yes - because "read SMS" is a permission which can be granted to apps
and not because messages received via SMS is just lying around somewhere
and every app can read it.

Also see:

<https://developer.android.com/reference/android/Manifest.permission#READ_SMS>

--
Arno Welzel
https://arnowelzel.de

Arno Welzel

2024-12-17 10:38:23 UTC

Frank Slootweg, 2024-12-16 15:49:

[...]

Post by Frank Slootweg
As to "not all apps allow to backup their data.": With the USB
connection, one can backup all app-private folders and files, so one
*can* backup the data of all apps. Unless there's some other kind of
restriction you're not divulging.

At least many Banking apps usually do not allow to backup their data.
And it does not matter, if the backup is done via ADB or as part of the
Google app backup.

--
Arno Welzel
https://arnowelzel.de

Frank Slootweg

2024-12-17 18:16:44 UTC

Post by Arno Welzel
[...]

At least many Banking apps usually do not allow to backup their data.
And it does not matter, if the backup is done via ADB or as part of the
Google app backup.

And *how* can those banking apps "not allow to backup their data"!?
Especially for the ADB case.

Remember I said "Unless there's some other kind of restriction you're
not divulging.".

Arno Welzel

2024-12-17 23:30:55 UTC

Post by Arno Welzel
[...]

At least many Banking apps usually do not allow to backup their data.
And it does not matter, if the backup is done via ADB or as part of the
Google app backup.

And *how* can those banking apps "not allow to backup their data"!?
Especially for the ADB case.

Their app manifest forbids it. This can be achieved like this:

<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools"
tools:replace="allowBackup"
android:allowBackup="false" />

The entry tools:replace="allowBackup" makes sure, that any libaries used
by the app which have their own manifest, do not allow backup accidentally.

And ADB will obey that and won't pull lany backups for those apps.

--
Arno Welzel
https://arnowelzel.de

Frank Slootweg

2024-12-18 10:27:04 UTC

Post by Arno Welzel
[...]

At least many Banking apps usually do not allow to backup their data.
And it does not matter, if the backup is done via ADB or as part of the
Google app backup.

And *how* can those banking apps "not allow to backup their data"!?
Especially for the ADB case.

<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools"
tools:replace="allowBackup"
android:allowBackup="false" />
The entry tools:replace="allowBackup" makes sure, that any libaries used
by the app which have their own manifest, do not allow backup accidentally.
And ADB will obey that and won't pull lany backups for those apps.

Thanks for your information. It might come in handy if I ever
encounter any such apps.

FWIW, I'm not worried about my banking apps not being allowed/able to
backup their data, because any relevant data can most likely be
recovered from my accounts on the banks servers. I.e. if lost, the
on-device data is recoverable.

N.B. It would be interesting to know if other computer programs - such
as Samsung's 'Smart Switch' - also honor the manifest settings, but
given my above mentioned low interest, I don't think I will try.

Andrew

2024-12-18 19:15:38 UTC