How To: Back Up Text Messages When Exchanging Phones

MatthiasII · 06/18/2009, 06:41 PM

Didn't see anything like this on the forums so figured I'd share my experience in saving my SMS messages, call log, and possibly other things when exchanging my Pre today.

This should theoretically work for backing up information as well, in case you are worried about bricking your phone, wipe clean every so often, etc.

Sorry in advance for the instructions, I am sure I left something out somewhere. I am not the most technical person in the world, but everything seems to be fine so far.

1) You will need to have rooted your Pre.
2) Copy /var/luna/data/dbdata/PalmDatabase.db3 to /media/internal
3) Connect via USB (or SFTP) and copy PalmDatabase.db3 to your computer.
4) Switch out Pre's!
5) Move the PalmDatabase.db3 back to the USB drive on your new Pre
5) Backup the current PalmDatabase.db3 (make sure the filesystem is in RW mode) [mv /var/luna/data/dbdata/PalmDatabase.db3 /var/luna/data/dbdata/PalmDatabase.db3.old]
6) Move your old database to the correct postion [mv /media/internal/PalmDatabase.db3 /var/luna/data/dbdata/PalmDatabase.db3]
7) Switch back to Read-Only mode
8) Reset the Pre
9) ...
10) Profit!

I was able to keep all of my text message conversations, call logs, and possibly some other things across the move.

Hope this helps anyone else looking to keep their SMSes across an exchange, or just looking for a way to backup/restore them!

Querida · 06/18/2009, 08:44 PM

thanks so much! I've been wondering how to do this.

DNic · 06/18/2009, 09:39 PM

Good info! Thanks.

backslide · 06/19/2009, 03:02 PM

Nice info.

Have you considered adding this to the pre dev wiki - pre dev wiki: Welcome to the Pre/webOS Development Wiki ?

bulls96 · 07/02/2009, 11:17 PM

is there any way to do this without rooting?

bulls96 · 07/09/2009, 04:51 PM

is there any update on doin this backup without rooting? thanks!

oktaner · 07/09/2009, 07:23 PM

Is there any way to merge my old Centro/Treo texts messages into this database? I kept all my old TXT messsages from 2001 all the way from the old Treo onto the Centro, but have been unable to keep them when I moved to the Pre.

rogerkang · 07/09/2009, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oktaner

Is there any way to merge my old Centro/Treo texts messages into this database? I kept all my old TXT messsages from 2001 all the way from the old Treo onto the Centro, but have been unable to keep them when I moved to the Pre.

Me, too! And my massive call log from all my treos and centro. It would be awesome if I could keep this history and transfer it to the Pre...

ruffrydasean · 07/09/2009, 09:32 PM

I'll remember this in case I ever have to, There are a few conversations I just dont want to delete

Kayem · 07/09/2009, 11:39 PM

Sorry if this has been answered somewhere else, but will rooting the phone present any problems when returning/exchanging the device?

Kayem · 07/09/2009, 11:42 PM

I guess you can ignore the above question since the answer is apparent from the OP (since this solution was validated through experience). Sorry... I'm sleepy

tdlonghorn · 08/10/2009, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bulls96

is there any update on doin this backup without rooting? thanks!

I would pay for a solution (Homebrew even) that does the backup (and restore) without rooting(linux access).

clipcarl · 08/10/2009, 09:20 PM

Do Not Do This!!!

I have been playing around with coming up with a backup solution for the Pre and this is one of the things I tried. While it does restore text message history and other info, if you do this in order to switch to a different phone you will eventually have problems (it may work OK to backup / restore to the same Pre). If you try this when you exchange phones the next time your phone tries to do a profile backup you will end up in the dreaded "Restart Required You are no longer signed in to your Palm Profile" loop. You will need to run WebOS doctor on your phone to fix it (or maybe move the other PalmDatabase.db file back).

In order to do this without messing up your replacement Pre you will need to backup and restore individual tables in the database and not the whole file.

bulls96 · 08/10/2009, 11:09 PM

what made you think that it will act differently if we restore it on the same phone>

ia517 · 08/11/2009, 03:15 AM

Like everyone else has asked, is there anyway of doing this without rooting?

irateb · 08/17/2009, 10:34 AM

Any updates on this? Anyone try this method and either it go sucessfully or run into the error that clipcarl said may happen? Just curious before I trade my phone in...

bulls96 · 08/31/2009, 02:40 PM

i need a this also... getting a replacement Pre tomorrow.

reynardmc22 · 09/18/2009, 09:49 AM

Someone should make an app for this, that would kick ***. I'd like to just be able to do a complete backup to the computer or do a image of my pre that i could restore to another pre.

Spunks3 · 09/18/2009, 10:29 AM

Has anyone tried WebOSQuick install file copy/insert mode? Ik I was able to get the original boot logo using it...

yurgon · 09/21/2009, 10:28 AM

I'd pay for an application that could solve this problem. Can anyone confirm what Clipcarl is saying or what MatthiasII is saying? Does this solution cause problems or not? Clipcarl I'm guessing there's phone specific data in the table that causes an error when you backup?

06/18/2009, 06:41 PM	#1 (permalink)
MatthiasII Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 3 Likes Received: 0 Thanks: 1 Thanked 85 Times in 6 Posts	How To: Back Up Text Messages When Exchanging Phones Didn't see anything like this on the forums so figured I'd share my experience in saving my SMS messages, call log, and possibly other things when exchanging my Pre today. This should theoretically work for backing up information as well, in case you are worried about bricking your phone, wipe clean every so often, etc. Sorry in advance for the instructions, I am sure I left something out somewhere. I am not the most technical person in the world, but everything seems to be fine so far. 1) You will need to have rooted your Pre. 2) Copy /var/luna/data/dbdata/PalmDatabase.db3 to /media/internal 3) Connect via USB (or SFTP) and copy PalmDatabase.db3 to your computer. 4) Switch out Pre's! 5) Move the PalmDatabase.db3 back to the USB drive on your new Pre 5) Backup the current PalmDatabase.db3 (make sure the filesystem is in RW mode) [mv /var/luna/data/dbdata/PalmDatabase.db3 /var/luna/data/dbdata/PalmDatabase.db3.old] 6) Move your old database to the correct postion [mv /media/internal/PalmDatabase.db3 /var/luna/data/dbdata/PalmDatabase.db3] 7) Switch back to Read-Only mode 8) Reset the Pre 9) ... 10) Profit! I was able to keep all of my text message conversations, call logs, and possibly some other things across the move. Hope this helps anyone else looking to keep their SMSes across an exchange, or just looking for a way to backup/restore them!
	Liked by Thanked by alan7467, AndersonEllis, andyckr, Ben_K, bp6088, BrewCity, buyrihn, Cantaffordit, cjhlioness, copasetic, cue79, damnregister, Delight33, DNic, fishtale, FrameMaker, fredewins, fxspec06, Gaurav, happyalice, hemwick, IGNTNUNLMTD, inrelief, irateb, jaywaller, john-vogel, johnj2803, karstenskov, keenah, KJ78, kmehr, letscruz, llama233, mafia, mc_gusto, MicahDG, navyyang, neeranat, Nrbelex, odontastic, osmanmia, patthew, phillipah, prediot, Querida, r3ferrei, rcmarvin, rhong, Ricyteach, Rnp, Romantica1987, Siteoner, slimmo, Snazzy, special_k, spudland, SqyArc, StoneRyno, strudel, stuarty, swieder, tazboy591, technoviking, Tedcas, thewolley, trigonman3, trim81, tuxpower, Veritas06, virox, VoodooGod, wega1985, wprater, wwjd4pk, wynand32, yoshk

06/18/2009, 08:44 PM	#2 (permalink)
Querida Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 28 Likes Received: 0 Thanks: 3 Thanked 11 Times in 7 Posts	thanks so much! I've been wondering how to do this.
	Liked by

06/18/2009, 09:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
DNic Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 599 Likes Received: 0 Thanks: 174 Thanked 44 Times in 34 Posts	Good info! Thanks.
	Liked by Thanked By: Uthagentel

06/19/2009, 03:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
backslide Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 42 Likes Received: 0 Thanks: 3 Thanked 5 Times in 3 Posts	Nice info. Have you considered adding this to the pre dev wiki - pre dev wiki: Welcome to the Pre/webOS Development Wiki ?
	Liked by

07/02/2009, 11:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
bulls96 Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,051 Likes Received: 32 Thanks: 87 Thanked 110 Times in 76 Posts	is there any way to do this without rooting?
	Liked by Thanked By: FLY_N_NE_WEATHR

07/09/2009, 04:51 PM	#6 (permalink)
bulls96 Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,051 Likes Received: 32 Thanks: 87 Thanked 110 Times in 76 Posts	is there any update on doin this backup without rooting? thanks!
	Liked by

07/09/2009, 07:23 PM	#7 (permalink)
oktaner Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 25 Likes Received: 0 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Is there any way to merge my old Centro/Treo texts messages into this database? I kept all my old TXT messsages from 2001 all the way from the old Treo onto the Centro, but have been unable to keep them when I moved to the Pre.
	Liked by

07/09/2009, 09:32 PM	#9 (permalink)
ruffrydasean Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 89 Likes Received: 0 Thanks: 2 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts	I'll remember this in case I ever have to, There are a few conversations I just dont want to delete
	Liked by

07/09/2009, 11:39 PM	#10 (permalink)
Kayem Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 53 Likes Received: 3 Thanks: 6 Thanked 13 Times in 5 Posts	Sorry if this has been answered somewhere else, but will rooting the phone present any problems when returning/exchanging the device?
	Liked by

07/09/2009, 11:42 PM	#11 (permalink)
Kayem Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 53 Likes Received: 3 Thanks: 6 Thanked 13 Times in 5 Posts	I guess you can ignore the above question since the answer is apparent from the OP (since this solution was validated through experience). Sorry... I'm sleepy
	Liked by

08/10/2009, 09:20 PM	#13 (permalink)
clipcarl Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 950 Likes Received: 4 Thanks: 89 Thanked 492 Times in 94 Posts	Do Not Do This!!! I have been playing around with coming up with a backup solution for the Pre and this is one of the things I tried. While it does restore text message history and other info, if you do this in order to switch to a different phone you will eventually have problems (it may work OK to backup / restore to the same Pre). If you try this when you exchange phones the next time your phone tries to do a profile backup you will end up in the dreaded "Restart Required You are no longer signed in to your Palm Profile" loop. You will need to run WebOS doctor on your phone to fix it (or maybe move the other PalmDatabase.db file back). In order to do this without messing up your replacement Pre you will need to backup and restore individual tables in the database and not the whole file.
	Liked by Thanked by atlanta, comwom, cue79, freezefire, jdub2027, Paper-Cut, wprater

08/10/2009, 11:09 PM	#14 (permalink)
bulls96 Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,051 Likes Received: 32 Thanks: 87 Thanked 110 Times in 76 Posts	what made you think that it will act differently if we restore it on the same phone>
	Liked by

08/11/2009, 03:15 AM	#15 (permalink)
ia517 Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 31 Likes Received: 0 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Like everyone else has asked, is there anyway of doing this without rooting?
	Liked by

08/17/2009, 10:34 AM	#16 (permalink)
irateb Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: The Dec Shawty, GA Posts: 265 Likes Received: 0 Thanks: 90 Thanked 288 Times in 212 Posts	Any updates on this? Anyone try this method and either it go sucessfully or run into the error that clipcarl said may happen? Just curious before I trade my phone in... __________________ My 11 year Sprint journey: Denso Touchpoint --> Samsung A500 --> Palm Treo 650 --> Palm Treo 700P --> Palm Treo 700P w/755P ROM hack --> Palm Pre --> Sprint Palm Pre Plus & unlocked AT&T Palm Pre Minus --> iPhone 4s
	Liked by

08/31/2009, 02:40 PM	#17 (permalink)
bulls96 Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,051 Likes Received: 32 Thanks: 87 Thanked 110 Times in 76 Posts	i need a this also... getting a replacement Pre tomorrow.
	Liked by

09/18/2009, 09:49 AM	#18 (permalink)
reynardmc22 Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 37 Likes Received: 0 Thanks: 1 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Someone should make an app for this, that would kick ***. I'd like to just be able to do a complete backup to the computer or do a image of my pre that i could restore to another pre.
	Liked by

09/18/2009, 10:29 AM	#19 (permalink)
Spunks3 Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 132 Likes Received: 0 Thanks: 12 Thanked 59 Times in 17 Posts	Has anyone tried WebOSQuick install file copy/insert mode? Ik I was able to get the original boot logo using it...
	Liked by

09/21/2009, 10:28 AM	#20 (permalink)
yurgon Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 27 Likes Received: 0 Thanks: 8 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I'd pay for an application that could solve this problem. Can anyone confirm what Clipcarl is saying or what MatthiasII is saying? Does this solution cause problems or not? Clipcarl I'm guessing there's phone specific data in the table that causes an error when you backup?
	Liked by

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