Transfer SMS message history, without Google account How can I backup and restore SMS message history, and restore on a later Android version — using only the SD card storage?

I am upgrading from one device to another:


Existing device: Google Nexus One running Android 2.3 Gingerbread (CyanogenMod 7.1).
Destination device: HTC Incredible S running Android 4.4 KitKat (CyanogenMod 11).


Both devices have full root access in the operating system.

I have no Google account, and no non-free software. This means no Google Play, no GMail, etc.

The devices have existing means to transfer data, so Google should not need to be involved in this process at all. I'm looking for a solution that doesn't involve Google Play nor any proprietary services.

Apps which have failed so far:


The built-in Messaging app. There appears to be no “export” and “import” feature. Kind of an obvious omission, a great shame the Android basic apps don't have this.
Slight Backup easily backs up the messages, and I can restore them on CyanogenMod 11. But then the Messaging app shows “No conversations”.
SMS Backup+ has the same problem: it can backup and restore (via my choice of IMAP host), but after restoring all the messages it reports “1 item restored (NNN dups removed)”. The Messaging app shows “No conversations”.


How can I transfer the message history from the old device and have it imported to the new device's message history of conversations?

UPDATE: The new restrictions on SMS data access in Android KitKat is likely a major hurdle to this goal.

How can this be done?
There are several apps supporting to Backup SMS/MMS (and of course also to restore them), running locally in &quot;user-mode&quot; (if you prefer cloud storage, which by the question you do not, there are also ways to Backup SMS into the Cloud).
As your devices have root support, you might consider using Titanium Backup – which allows you a.o. to export your SMS/MMS as XML files (and also to restore that, of course). This solution should definitely work with CyanogenMod (while above mentioned apps should as well).
A note on the &quot;backups via ADB&quot; RossC referred to in his comment on your question:

Can adb be used to recover SMS messages while in permanent “Safe Mode”? deals with backing up the corresponding database file. When chosing that approach, you should make sure to only restore that on the very same device, ROM and Android version (e.g. after a factory-reset, but never after a ROM/Android upgrade or on a different device). Otherwise you might run into trouble (says one who had that issue in the past, so you can believe it ;))
How do I backup data (SMS/contacts) from a device with a broken screen? has answers with the same approach (to which the same warning applies), but some answers also mention tools simply utilizing ADB to access the device. I've never used any of those (as most seem to be Windows-only – like Moborobo, Myphone Explorer (most famous solution for Windows-people, offering a lot more than just SMS), Mobogenie, DroidExplorer (the dev is active here!) – and I'm on Linux – my only windows are for light and fresh air), but I'd assume they do more than simply &quot;copy the database file&quot;, so they might fit your requirements. Still, for above reasons, read their instructions carefully.