Can’t see, share, or print some (or all) of your messages?
There are many messaging apps available for Android phones. In some cases, third-party apps store messages in ways that aren’t compatible with the default Android messaging database. When that happens, SMS Share may not be able to retrieve or display those messages.
If you’re using WhatsApp or similar apps, those messages are not standard SMS/MMS. As a result, they will not appear in SMS Share.
However, it’s not always that simple. Some mobile carriers provide their own messaging apps with additional features, often branded as “RCS” (Rich Communication Services) or “Advanced Messaging.” These features can blur the line between standard SMS/MMS and other message types. Many of these apps also support sending and receiving messages from tablets or web browsers—not just your phone.
Even the default Android messaging app (often called “Messages” or “Messaging”) may be customized by your device manufacturer, which can sometimes affect compatibility.
SMS Share does not display:
Failed messages (unsent texts—only your default SMS app can access these)
Draft messages
Spam messages
Messages sent from connected devices such as tablets or web browsers (e.g., AT&T Web Messaging)
Testing for Unsupported Messages Using a Third-Party App
To confirm whether the issue is related to SMS Backup, Print & Restore or whether the missing messages are stored in an unsupported format, you can run a quick test using another third-party SMS app that supports standard SMS. For this test, we’ll use Textra SMS.
Install Textra SMS from the Google Play Store.
Open Textra SMS and check whether your SMS messages are visible.
Case 1: Messages Appear in Textra
If your messages do appear in Textra but are missing from SMS Backup, Print & Restore, this most likely indicates an app issue.
We work hard to support a wide range of messaging formats, carriers, and devices, but differences between providers and phone models can occasionally cause unexpected behavior.
Please contact our support team—we’ll be happy to investigate and help.
Case 1: Messages Do Not Appear in Textra
If your messages do not appear in Textra, they may be using RCS (Rich Communication Services)—which is only partially supported—or another unsupported messaging format. This would explain why SMS Backup, Print & Restore cannot access or display them.
Unfortunately, in this situation, third-party apps generally cannot access these messages. As a result, SMS Backup, Print & Restore will not be able to display them either.
Disabling RCS (Rich Communication Services) can help ensure that future messages are displayed correctly in SMS Backup, Print & Restore, since RCS may store messages in non-standard formats that are not compatible with the app.
Disable RCS
Standard SMS and MMS messages will typically appear in SMS Share. This issue usually occurs when RCS (a newer messaging protocol) is enabled. One option is to disable RCS. Please note that disabling RCS will not make older RCS messages available in SMS Share, but it can help ensure that messages you send and receive going forward are stored in a compatible format.
AT&T: You can disable RCS in your stock Messages app under Settings > Advanced Messaging > Use Advanced Messaging = OFF (you may need to set the stock app as the DEFAULT app before you can change this setting).
Google:
1. Open Messages by Google
2. Tap the three dots in the top-right corner
3. Tap Settings
4. Tap Chat features
5. Toggle off Enable chat features
T-Mobile Solution 1: On some phones, you can disable RCS in your stock Messages app under Settings > Enhanced messaging = OFF (you may need to set the stock app as the DEFAULT app before you can change this setting).
If this setting does not appear, try the following:
- From any Home screen, tap Phone.
- Tap the MORE icon.
- Tap Settings.
- Tap Voice over LTE settings.
- Select “Do not use VoLTE”.
T-Mobile Solution 2: See https://support.t-mobile.
T-Mobile Solution 3: Some users report that switching to the pre-installed messaging app, setting it as the DEFAULT, and then switching back to Textra (and setting it as the DEFAULT) resolves the issue.
T-Mobile Solution 4 (Digits): Android Settings > Cloud and Accounts > Multi-line settings (tap the three dots in the top-right corner for more options) and select “Log out”.
Verizon: Messages+ > Settings > Delete Account (for Integrated Messaging Services)...enter your number and delete. OR Android Settings > Apps > Messages+ > [UNINSTALL UPDATES]
Contact Support
If you’re experiencing an issue that isn’t covered in the known issues, or if you have details that could help us troubleshoot, please contact Support and we’ll do our best to assist.
Before you contact us, please gather the following information to share with Support:
- Review the known problems.
- Are the missing messages multimedia (MMS), text (SMS), or both?
- Which app did you use to send/receive these messages?
- Who is your mobile operator?
- Which device model are you using?
- Check whether there is anything unique about the missing messages (for example, a specific contact, date range, or message type).
To contact us through the in-app support chat:
- Open the app.
- Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
- Select “Help & Support”.
- Tap the chat button in the bottom-right corner.
You can also email us at [email protected]