Signal-android: Signal not importing the SMS database

Created on 22 Jun 2019  路  14Comments  路  Source: signalapp/Signal-Android


Bug description

I installed signal for the first time ever on my phone. Everything went ok but for some reason Signal doesnt import sync my sms database, even though it says that it did. I have a 7000+messages database so this makes the app unusable. I have used the apk from the website since i dont use Google Play on my phone.(removed it) I still have Google play services with all the permissions enabled. (except location) My default SMS app is QKSMS, however i dont think that is the issue since i have tried to use the default Google messages and Signal didnt work as well.

Steps to reproduce

  • Install Signal on new phone
  • Complete the registration
  • When asked, make Signal the default sms app and sync it with the database
    Actual result: No messages are actually synced, even though Signal says it was successful
    Expected result: Messages are synced and all the conversation appear in the Signal app

Device info

Device: Huawei P20 Pro
Android version: 9.0.0
Signal version: 4.41.6

Link to debug log

https://debuglogs.org/5d4cde10eca963baf9d84137a938344e86143e3ef2810d795fbf2ba12d33c0f7

Most helpful comment

Sorry for the direct mention @alan-signal , but this issue seems to be persistent. Would be nice to know if a fix is possible or if we should abandon all hope

All 14 comments

Any update on this?

I'm having the same problem on my P20 Pro using Signal version 4.43.5.

The importing issue seems to be limited to Signal as other SMS apps (QKSMS and Textra SMS) that I've downloaded have been able to import my database without issue.

It looks like there have been issues with Huawei devices since 2017 https://github.com/signalapp/Signal-Android/issues/6198.

Same exact issue here as of today, Xiaomi Note Pro 8.

Also happens with Signal 4.52.4 on Huawei Mate 20 Pro EMUI 10.0.0.180

I have the same issue.
Signal 4.55.8
HUAWEI MATE 10 PRO
Cannot import SMS history from device after app install. Notification said it was successfully imported but no messages in app

Have the same issue on
Device: Huawei Honor 8 (FRD-L09)
Android version: 8.0.0 (with Huawei's EMUI 8.0.0)
Signal version: 4.58.5

Same issue.
Signal 4.57.1
Huawei P30 Pro, EMUI 10.0.0.186
Debug log: https://debuglogs.org/a521cd26e123003911beafc7462d3169562c893fe624d12855c7455e3cfd4cdd

Same issue.
Signal 4.58.5
Honor 20 Pro, 10.0.0.194

same here on Moto G6 plus, android 9, v4.59.6 and moto g5s plus, android 8.1.0

Sorry for the direct mention @alan-signal , but this issue seems to be persistent. Would be nice to know if a fix is possible or if we should abandon all hope

I'm having the same issue on a Honor View 20 with Android 10

@alex-signal Sorry to address you directly, but can you provide some feedback or ask someone from the team, about this issue?

One thing I noticed, after installing signal, although we say we want to give permissions, then the android OS is not poping up the typical confirmation.

If I go to Signal permissions, there plenty refused, including access to Messages.

Definitely something wrong on requesting permissions.
Still after total reset on Signal, giving all perms immediately and then redoing setup, the SMS import does not work

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