SMS Access API
Please, provide a way to backup the texts.
Or, at least, provide a API access to the texts to allow developers to implement an application for SMS backing up.
Marco Mura
shared this idea
Thank you all for the spirited commentary! We understand that SMS Access is of vital importance to you and to our Windows Phone users. Your feedback has placed it very high on the consideration list for future Windows Phone releases. Keep those suggestions and votes coming!
255 comments
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Anonymous
commented
I changed my windows live id and didn't realize beforehand that it would screw up the whole functionality of my phone. I can't even download apps. This has been 3 months and I need to reset my phone. The only thing stopping me is I want to keep my text messages and I cant back them up. Im very frustrated and disappointed.
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Anonymous
commented
We need this API
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William
commented
Seriously there is no reason why you guys have not had this API available for 3rd party or better yet a native app for us users. C'mon, none of the other OS have this, and you guys want to stand out?
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steve jones
commented
Windows Phone 7.5 needs to be open to developers simular to the RIM OS with security consious so that it can become the new Buisness device. Access to the Bluetooth and SMS APIs are critical to developing Enterprise solutions.
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SecondChanceSilicon
commented
@Sean, @Chris, @Goncalo - I second your sentiments. I cannot develop for a phone that I can't hard reset until I can back it up properly. It's a beautiful, fast, intuitive phone and I really enjoy using it.. but it lacks system function accessibility and simple data extraction such as SMS access. My HD7 has sat on my desk, sim-less, for four months and only gets charged when I get the urge to check for an update so I can extract my SMS. I've waited long enough and have moved on.
As a side note: I suggest a contract system with carriers that allow updating your handsets with system specific critical updates directly, instead allowing the carriers to preinstall some things like backgrounds and locked apps/skins/UIs (that they could subsequently update) that pertain to their services. It would certainly stop carriers from dodging/preventing updates that are crucial to the handsets usage/abilities and still allow them some form of permanent brand customization.
After all.. when I buy a Mazda trade-in with a post-installed Bose stereo, I don't expect the Honda dealership I got it from to fulfill the remaining transferable year of the stereo warranty and two remaining transferable years of the transmission warranty. I expect Bose (or the install shop providing the install warranty) and Mazda to, respectively. Nor do I expect the Honda dealership to fulfill Mazda's recall repairs. I just expect the two years of free oil changes and $500 of free gas at Husky that they offered with the sale. Kinda like buying an HTC with WP7 from Bell with a tethering plan... eh?
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Saajan
commented
Please add some more settings in messaging.......
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Goncalo Oliveira
commented
My thoughts exactly... WP7 really is a great idea but if it doesn't shape up, that's all there is to it. My LG is aching with WiFi and battery problems, but I need to keep him because I need the sms messages, they are to be used in a law process and there's no other way than taking the whole phone - really sad for 2012. The thing is... I don't know if I want to wait anymore until Apollo comes out or whatever... it's taking too long. The same very issue with Windows 8 tablets, a giant waking up too late... I still have some hope on it, but at the same time, as a user and as a developer being forced to develop to android platform due to a lack of an ms alternative, I'm fed up...
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Sean
commented
@Chris.. I had the same thought.. for about a second. Then I thought of all the issues like the SMS issue here and vowed not to buy another WP7. I will wait till the next crop of WP8 handsets come out. (Dual core etc) and then decide. If issues like this aren't fixed, I crack the seal on my iPhone 4S or I'll sell it and get the new iPhone 5 (Yes MS I said iPhone 5 which will put your WP8 at the level of the iPhone 4S, maybe, and then you will be even further behind.)
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Chris
commented
I really want to go out and buy the Lumia 900. Two reservations: Future updates delivered by AT&T and SMS Access. I've already got 2 WP7 phones - and I NEED to keep all my text message data. I've already backed up all my SMS messages off my iPhone 3GS - so no problem there. But here my Focus sits, unused, just holding my SMS data. My Titan is great, so not sure I can justify a new Lumia, if can't get to my existing SMS data. Even if MSFT says it's coming (which they haven't but I wish they would - along with Visual VM) but AT&T won't commit to distributing the updates...well then it's hard to rationalize getting the Lumia. So, do we get the SMS API or not?
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Fremen Cosplay commented
I'm pretty sure Android can do this because I have a cool app called GoSMS that replaces my SMS app on my Android phone and lets me automatically direct incoming SMS messages to different folders, and even block them. I'm surprised that you can't do this in Windows Mobile 7.5 and that its left out intentionally. If all the millions of Android phones can do it, then obviously its not such a big deal...
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andycted
commented
@cliff
That came out a bit harsh. Sorry, I was listening to Italian politicians on the radio while writing :)
But it will be hard to talk at an event, I've never been at one, too far from here hehe.
If you meant that opinions can sway easily in the mobile world, that could be, but not randomly. In fact the opinions regarding WP have changed, for worse, in the last year. You need to do something better than maybe implement SMS API access in one of the future updates, to turn some heads. You're almost surely not going away soon, as a mobile platform, but living at borderline relevancy levels can't be enticing fr us developers
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andycted
commented
@cliff, opinions regarding what ?
If I understand what you mean I can guarantee you that almost everyone I know that stuck with through the thick and thin, while you abandoned the mobile world basically after wm 5, while you dumped the courier, while you failed a tiny update process, while your app hub exploded repeatedly and sunk our app rankings, well, almost everyone that experienced this , has now had enough of perennial promises.
I am writing this from an iPad. Until 2011 people would pick on me (rightly) because of my dislike for Apple. For the last three months people would make fun of me because I've changed my mind. Now at last I can feel a bit normal without trying to defend an undefendable mobile ecosystem.I wanted to stop ranting but you awaked me :)
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One last item to @andycted - you might be surprised at how opinions can vary. If we're ever at the same event, let's grab a frosty beverage and I can share some very amusing stories. :)
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Hi folks, poking my head in here again quite briefly. For folks on the thread on three points:
1. This suggestion (and this site) is around developer APIs; consumer capability to backup SMS in the OS is something that is handled by the OS Platform team - and best discussed over at the consumer UV forums @ http://windowsphone.uservoice.com/
2. As mentioned before, I honestly can't comment one way or another on the importance or status of items on this site until we disclose. As someone who personally changes phones every couple weeks, I can't agree more on a personal level - but I can't comment on the capability on behalf of the product or the engineering teams. I absolutely love your passion and love the fact that your putting your frustration here where engineering can/does see it, but I unfortunately can't do anything to ease or allay it than say 'stay tuned' (for a time period that is also, unfortunately, unspecified :( ).
3. For the ability to create custom keyboards, add your voice/votes to those topics on here on those matters. -
G
commented
This should be part of the MyPhone Windows Live offering - backing up texts and pics to your skydrive which makes it easy to pull down if you need to tranfer phones or reset your existing phone - this seems like a no brainer and unfortunately puts MS and WP7 on the back foot yet again compared to your competitors - pls MS start being innovative, intuitive and cool again for consumers please!
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Marco Mura
commented
Is it so hard for you (microsoft) to release an app for backing up the texts while you're thinking so hard if including the APIs in the next sdk is a problem or not?
I'm waiting for 1 year and a half for a way to backup my texts and now I'm pretty tired of it.
It's very likely that my next phone will not be a windows phone. -
Ian
commented
I'm into my 1 week honeymoon with my LG Optimus 7. Having issues with battery life so was suggested to factory reset the phone... AFTER finding out there is no SMS messages backup feature.... I will most certainly change phones next week. I need to retain my messages due to my line of work... WM7 is a major disappointment. Why the hell did I leave Android!!!! Well now this will be a TALKING point with friends and family. Won't be getting a vote from me.. Coming from experience!!
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StevieBallz commented
As Cliff said: they can't say done or anything else here prior to an official anouncement as it would be picked up by news sites an blown out of proportion. My guess is that most of the things that are now listed as "under review" actually will show up in the next version but the actual use cases might influence the implementation details still.
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Sean
commented
@Nick,
Ditto, actully what would be nice would be able to design our own keyboards. Like Android. -
tonys
commented
Nice.
