Export guide
How to export text messages on Android
Android doesn't have a built-in way to export texts, so the usual tool is SMS Backup & Restore, a free app by SyncTech on Google Play. Turn on Selected conversations in its backup settings, back up only the conversation you want, and it saves an XML file in the SMSBackupRestore folder on your phone. Clarity reads that file directly. RCS "chat" messages are only included on some phones, so check that recent messages made it in.
Export one text conversation
- Install SMS Backup & Restore. Get the free app by SyncTech from Google Play and allow it to read your messages when it asks. Clarity doesn't ask for access to your text messages; it works from the file you choose.
- Choose the conversation. In SMS Backup & Restore, open Menu › Settings › Backup settings and turn on Selected conversations, then pick the conversation you want.
- Back up messages only. Start a backup with Messages selected. You can leave call logs out. Keep the backup location on your phone unless you have a reason to upload it.
- Find the file. The backup is an .xml file in the SMSBackupRestore folder in your phone's storage.
- Import it. In Clarity, tap Import File and choose the .xml file, or share it to Clarity from your file manager.
- Pick the person. If the backup holds more than one conversation, Clarity asks which one you want so your messages to other people aren't mixed in.
RCS ("chat") messages
Many Android phones now send RCS messages instead of plain SMS. According to SyncTech's FAQ, SMS Backup & Restore can back them up on Samsung phones using Samsung Messages and with Google Messages, but there are gaps:
- Since around May or June 2026, Google Messages hasn't been saving some outgoing RCS messages where backup apps can see them, so some of your own messages may be missing. SyncTech says the fix has to come from Google.
- On Android 17, end-to-end encrypted RCS messages can only be read by the default SMS app. SyncTech's Back up as default SMS app option (in Backup settings) can help with a manual backup.
After you import, scroll through the conversation in Clarity and check that the recent messages and both sides of the conversation are there.
Good to know
- Nobody is notified. A backup is a copy on your phone. The other person isn't told.
- A full backup works too. If you back up everything, Clarity reads the whole file and asks which conversation you want, keeping only that one.
- Group texts are saved as MMS. Clarity reads the text in them.
- On an iPhone? Clarity runs on Android. For a conversation on an iPhone, the simplest option is to take screenshots and import them into Clarity on an Android phone.
Then see what the conversation shows
Clarity is a free Android app that reads the file you export and shows where patterns like gaslighting, love bombing and DARVO appear, with the messages behind every flag, a health score and a timeline. Pattern detection runs on your phone.
Get Clarity on Google PlayNot sure what to look for? Read the red flag guides.
Questions
How do I export text messages from an Android phone?
Android has no built-in export, so use a backup app such as SMS Backup & Restore by SyncTech. It saves your texts as an XML file on your phone, and you can choose to back up only selected conversations.
Can I export just one text conversation?
Yes. In SMS Backup & Restore, turn on Selected conversations in Backup settings and pick the conversation before you back up. The resulting XML file contains only that conversation.
Are RCS messages included in an SMS backup?
On some phones. SyncTech says RCS messages can be backed up on Samsung phones using Samsung Messages and with Google Messages, but since mid-2026 Google Messages has not saved some outgoing RCS messages where backup apps can read them, so check that your own recent messages are included.
Does the other person know if I back up our texts?
No. A backup is a copy stored on your phone, or wherever you choose to save it. It does not notify anyone.
Sources
- SyncTech. SMS Backup & Restore (features).
- SyncTech. SMS Backup & Restore FAQs (selected conversations, backup folder, RCS).