Google Messages working on new in-app ‘Backup & restore’ system

For the most part, message backup on Android today is handled on the system-level by Google (One). Google Messages is now readying an in-app “Backup & restore” experience.

About APK Insight: In this “APK Insight” post, we’ve decompiled the latest version of an application that Google uploaded to the Play Store. When we decompile these files (called APKs, in the case of Android apps), we’re able to see various lines of code within that hint at possible future features. Keep in mind that Google may or may not ever ship these features, and our interpretation of what they are may be imperfect. We’ll try to enable those that are closer to being finished, however, to show you how they’ll look in case that they do ship. With that in mind, read on.

The latest Google Messages beta (version 20241118_02_RC00) details a new system called “Backup & restore” that lives inside the application. According to strings:

Backup & restore should appear directly in Google Messages settings instead of requiring a visit to the system Settings app for a more direct experience.

Some devices won’t be “eligible for end-to-end encrypted backups.” One simple cause of that is not having a screen lock:

The app will advertise this feature as “Keep[ing] your messages safe by backing them up to your Google Account.” Overall, Google is more closely associating message backup with your Google Account and Google One (as more storage is needed).

You can continue to “Use Messages without backup,” while it can be turned off afterwards at any time in Google Messages settings. However, doing so will see conversations “permanently deleted from your Google Account.”

One preference you’ll have is to “Sync media only over Wi-Fi.”

Another aspect of Backup & restore will be the ability to “Sync across devices: Send and receive messages from your computer and tablet.” That might just be referring to the existing system, which already requires Google Account sign-in. 

Lastly, the existing “Google Fi Sync” system “isn’t yet compatible with Backup & restore,” but might come in the future.

With the launch of the Pixel 9, Google introduced full RCS transfer instead of downgrading to SMS and MMS. However, that only works over Wi-Fi or USB-C cable, with cloud restores still having that limitation.

Thanks to JEB Decompiler, from which some APK Insight teardowns benefit.