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From: Frank Slootweg <this@ddress.is.invalid>
Newsgroups: comp.mobile.android
Subject: Re: Where are MMS-messages stored in Android 15 ?
Date: 14 Dec 2024 15:50:19 GMT
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Carlos E.R. <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:
> On 2024-12-14 12:11, Arno Welzel wrote:
> > Jesper, 2024-12-13 15:13:
> > 
> >> I have now spent some time searching for ways to find where MMS-messages
> >> are stored on my OnePlus 12 mobile with Android 15. There is no end of
> >> suggestions on how to do this, but nothing I have tested works.
> >> Referring to menus or file structure not existing on my mobile.
> >> It can't be that difficult, can it?
> > 
> > For security reasons *all* Apps store their data in their *private*
> > storage by default which is *not* accessible with file managers if you
> > don't have root access. If this would not be the case, *all* apps which
> > have the "read files" permission could read *all* your data, including
> > all your MMS, SMS, contacts and so on.
> > 
> > Gaining root access usually also means you need to unlock the bootloader
> > of your device and install at least software like Magisk. This is often
> > not possible without wiping the whole device and even installing a
> > custom ROM.
> 
> I am not sure this is fully true. I make backups from Linux via USB 
> cable, and I get the WhatsApp store, the photos, many things. There are 
> just a few directories from the system that are not readable.

  Indeed. The same is the case if you connect the Android device [1] via
a USB-cable to a Windows system. All normal folders and specifically
\Android\* (data, media, obb , obj) are accessible in (Windows) File
Explorer. Of course this isn't a scurity/privacy issue, because you need
physical access to the device and the device must be unlocked.

  As Chris Green noted, the Android model, of not letting a user access
their own data, is rather silly for users used to normal/real computers.
But it's probably the result of the design choice to only have a normal
user and not some kind of administrator/root. Whether that design choice
is a reasonable/sane/etc. one, is left up to the reader. As Android is
Linux-like under the hood, you probably can guess my position! :-)

[1] Android device: smartphone, tablet, etc..