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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: 16 Dec 2024 14:33:06 GMT
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Arno Welzel <usenet@arnowelzel.de> wrote:
> Frank Slootweg, 2024-12-14 16:50:
> 
> > 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.
> 
> And "normal folders" are *not* private app storage folders. For example
> you can *not* read the contact database this way.

  True, you probably need 'adb pull' to access those. Anyway, as has
been said, things like contacts, (SMS/MMS) messages, etc. are the easy
bit, because there are lots of apps wich can can backup/export those.
The critical/difficult ones are the app-private folders and - as said - a
USB connection can access those.