Advice for SMS backup & restore Android apps

Because the ability to write to the SMS Provider is restricted to the app the user selects as the default SMS app, any existing app designed purely to backup and restore SMS messages will currently be unable to restore SMS messages on Android 4.4. An app that backs up and restores SMS messages must also be set as the default SMS app so that it can write messages in the SMS Provider. However, if the app does not also send and receive SMS messages, then it should not remain set as the default SMS app. So, you can provide a functional user experience with the following design when the user opens your app to initiate a one-time restore operation:

1. Query the current default SMS app's package name and save it.

   String defaultSmsApp = Telephony.Sms.getDefaultSmsPackage(context);

2. Request the user change the default SMS app to your app in order to restore SMS messages (you must be the default SMS app in order to write to the SMS Provider).

   Intent intent = new Intent(context, Sms.Intents.ACTION_CHANGE_DEFAULT);
   intent.putExtra(Sms.Intents.EXTRA_PACKAGE_NAME, context.getPackageName());
   startActivity(intent);

3. When you finish restoring all SMS messages, request the user to change the default SMS app back to the previously selected app (saved during step 1).

   Intent intent = new Intent(context, Sms.Intents.ACTION_CHANGE_DEFAULT);
   intent.putExtra(Sms.Intents.EXTRA_PACKAGE_NAME, defaultSmsApp);
   startActivity(intent);

Prepare to update your SMS app

We encourage you to update your apps as soon as possible to provide your users the best experience on Android. To help you make the changes, we'll soon be providing the necessary SDK components for Android 4.4 that allow you to compile and test your changes on Android 4.4. Stay tuned!