Can Fossify SMS Messenger import (XML) messages ?

[jehoshua7]

My SMS messages are backed up using "SMS Backup & Restore", see https://www.synctech.com.au/sms-backup-restore/
They are in XML format. Can Fossify SMS Messenger import an XML file please ? All contacts referred to in the XML backup file are already imported into the Contacts app, as a .vcf file , so there shouldn't be any unrelated contacts.

[Aga-C]

There's no possibility currently. If you'd like, you can create a feature request for it, but I can't guarantee at this moment that we will accept it for development.

[jehoshua7]

Okay, thanks.

[antodc]

@jehoshua7 You can use "SMS Backup & Restore" to restore the messages, and then use Fossify SMS Messenger to read them. Am I missing something?

[jehoshua7]

@antodc - Oh I had no idea that Fossify SMS messenger can read them after an import by "SMS Backup & Restore", thanks. I thought they would use different databases. I was trying to steer away from 'google' apps on a new (de-googled) phone, so am very interested in Fossify, F-Droid, Aurora store, etc.

Yet the "SMS Backup & Restore" app is downloadable from their site, so I don't have to go through a Google store process, so now I am assuming that the "SMS Backup & Restore" app has none of the tracking,etc.

Your solution is a good one, thank you.

[jehoshua7]

The format from SMS Backup and Restore is .XML. I see the Fossify/Messages format is .JSON. Will checkout some .XML to .JSON converters. Have exported messages from Fossify/Messages to inspect the format, as stuck on app permissions with restoring the .XML within SMS backup and Restore.

[antodc]

@jehoshua7 Maybe I was unclear. I do not think you need a XML/JSON converter.

Try the following steps:

1. Open SMS Backup and Restore
2. Restore your messages (the command is under the burger menu on the top left of the screen)
3. Open Fossify Messages

Do you see your restored messages in Fossify Messages?

[antodc]

EDIT Before point 1 above you should have created a backup of your messages with SMS Backup and Restore, if that was not already clear.

[jehoshua7]

@antodc - Your instructions were very clear. The problem was with SMS backup & Restore, a permissions problem. All permissions were granted except the "SMS" one, and I was unable to "Allow" that. The msg was "App was denied access". Therefor, I will follow up with the authors of that App.

Also, yes I did create a backup initially, it was from another phone. I did also mange to get some Python code going to convert from .XML to .JSON format. I do already have Fossify/messages going. These additional messages are from an old phone (Samsung S2) , so there is no rush. The contacts are loaded okay.

Thanks for your help. :)