Re: Where are MMS-messages stored in Android 15 ?

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..