A similar email is being sent to ordinary users of Gmail. This one refers to a restriction commencing July 15, 2019.
SMS+ Backup.pdf

I had the same experience as @MarkMessinger. Very worried that we'll lose THE best SMS backup app around.

Same - July 15 will stop working if "unable to meet the deadline to comply with our updated data policy requirements"

I have also received this email

Same email.

Hi,

Although you don’t need to do anything, we wanted to let you know that the following apps may no longer be able to access some data in your Google Account, including your Gmail content. If these apps are unable to meet the deadline to comply with our updated data policy requirements, they'll lose access to your Account starting July 15th, 2019.

SMS Backup+
We are making this change as part of ongoing efforts to make sure your data is protected and private.

You can always view, manage and remove apps you’ve given access to your account by visiting your Google Account.

Thanks,
The Google Accounts team

It seems that the app must pass a verification process to continue accessing GMail accounts the way it does.

The Google API scopes to create and read GMail messages (used by SMS Backup+ to backup and restore SMS messages) are now restricted scopes, and apps that use them need to be audited by Google to verify that they comply with the OAuth security policies and to verify that they do not make an ilegitimate use of that APIs.

And for the app to be verified, the developer must apply for that verification. There are limit dates for that too. The too-late deadline is July 15th, when the app will loose access to that APIs if nothing is done.

About restricted API scopes:
https://developers.google.com/terms/api-services-user-data-policy#additional-requirements-for-specific-api-scopes

About the verification process:
https://support.google.com/cloud/answer/9110914#restricted-scopes

We need the developer urgently.

Please, do not clutter this thread by repeating the same information a hundred times. We all have received the same message today, Jun 25th, so there is no need to post it more than once nor repeating ”me too” once and again.

Let's try to get a solution, not to make a whinning cry of this.

It's worth pointing out that, while it will be a bit obnoxious, you don't need to use the default OAuth-based mechanism to back up your texts. As stated in the docs here you can configure the app to use plain old vanilla IMAP.

It's worth pointing out that, while it will be a bit obnoxious, you don't need to use the default OAuth-based mechanism to back up your texts. As stated in the docs here you can configure the app to use plain old vanilla IMAP.

We can keep backing up to gmail, just through IMAP? Would it still track the same SMS label that we've applied to the texts?

I think using GMail IMAP is subject to the same restrictions that require the aforementioned verification process.

Asides, using another IMAP server is a no go for me. This app is not only a backup utility, it also allows to search for specific SMSs using GMail and search for calls you issued using Google Calendar. It's not just a backup, it's much more when combined with a Google account.

The fact is that I think the app already complies with the OAuth security requirements claimed by the Google verification process. So we only need the developer to apply the app for that verification process. I have just emailed him asking for his help. I hope he has a bit of time and interest in keeping his awesome creature alive.

@jberkel send help

It's worth pointing out that, while it will be a bit obnoxious, you don't need to use the default OAuth-based mechanism to back up your texts. As stated in the docs here you can configure the app to use plain old vanilla IMAP.

Yes, we can fallback to vanilla IMAP. And no, Gmail won't let it happen.
According to experience from K-9 mail, Gmail will do its best to prevent you access IMAP even with "less secure apps ON" or "2-factor-authentication OFF". (See thunderbird/thunderbird-android#655)

Hello everyone. I'm sorry about this situation, SMS Backup+ will no longer have access to Gmail, mainly because it's not an email reading app.

I applied for an exception but it was declined, as expected. Vanilla IMAP might work, but for how long I wonder. And it's very tricky to set up for a casual user. Unfortunately the Android platform is getting more and more closed.

I'm not sure what to do at this point, either remove the app from the store or release a new version which removes the automatic account setup, since that is broken / will be broken soon.

Off topic: I took the opportunity to hit Donate in the app, thanks for years of great software @jberkel & the other committers.

Is it possible to use some kind of personal developer key (assuming such a thing exists)?

I was able to whitelist the app in my Google Apps domain. Do you think that will eventually stop working as well?

Oh no! This is an unwelcomed shock to me.
Thank you @jberkel for your wonderful app. Like so many others, I am not happy about Google's decision. SMS Backup+ has proved invaluable to me over many years.
Please, please provide an alternative prior to 15 July 2019 if possible.
Ho hum. Google (along with Apple and Microsoft) are controlling too much (IMHO).
Please let us know if you are able to provide another app which Google deem acceptable. Thank you.

@jberkel Great work on the app. It has served us all so well for so long. Keep up the great work!!

Thanks @jberkel for the help decluttering my communication. Donation done.

Forgive my ignorance, but what will happen to my backup of messages already on my google account?

What will happen to my backup of messages already on my google account?

Probably nothing. They're uploaded and currently indistinguishable (from Google's perspective) from regular email messages, save for the unique label if you used it.

^That is greatly relieving. Thank you.

So does that mean, that the app cannot save sms back to gmail anymore? Or just restore them from there?

Im perfectly fine, if the app can just copy them to gmail, that is why i use this application, not for restore.

You will have to go to advance setting SMS Backup+ then go into customize imap and set the imap.gmail.com:993 and use you email as user ID and your password. Make sure the authinication is set to clear text and security is tls.

After that go to a PC and login to gmail, in the right hand corner click the cog then setting then goto the tab "forward and pop/imap". Under the imap access change it to enable.

Now go to you gmail account settings on the left side click security. Scroll down to less secure settings and turn it on.

Now you should be able to continue to use the app. It is just not as secure.

Google will probably not close this method down anytime soon to many developers and admins you this method for logs

I'm not sure what to do at this point, either remove the app from the store or release a new version which removes the automatic account setup, since that is broken / will be broken soon.

Personally, I'm happy to keep using this app via IMAP(with gmail or any other IMAP service), so I hope you don't remove it :)

Silly question perhaps but could you fork something open like Thunderbird and add in the and backup feature as a feature of that?

I also have made a donation. Thanks very much. It was a great service while it lasted.

Oh, that's so sad. It was the best SMS backup app. Will there be any option to backup to somewhere else, if Gmail doesn't work?

but could you fork something open like Thunderbird and add in the and backup feature as a feature of that?

Was thinking the same thing! Happy to contribute to the effort as well.

Many thanks @jberkel and anyone else that has helped for years of really great service.

For wich reason your application was denied, @jberkel?
Was that finally, or are there any thing d for could change or provide to them to keep the app working?

Count me too: malversan@gmail.com

@eohrnberger I need to be able to provide Google support with at least six unrelated GMail account ID's of people who are "affected" by the previous decision to deny Sensitive Scopes access. I don't have time to work on it right now, but hopefully in a few weeks I will. I'll ask for people to send me their Gmail details then (so I don't lose them in the meantime).

Please contact me when you need Google account IDs I use backup from two accounts.

I it setup through Firefox working. Forget the steps, but it's somewhere in the thread
…
On Sat, Mar 5, 2022, 9:11 PM eohrnberger @.***> wrote: I remember there was a way to do two factor authentication that was published in this thread a year or two ago when we first learned about Google messing with "less secure apps". Does anyone know if that will still work after the May action is taken?

Hmm. I hadn't thought of that. My default browser on the phone is Brave. I change the default Chrome, tried the XOAUTH2 configuration, but received the same error message, 'App Blocked'. Downloaded FireFox, set to default browser, tried again, same error message result.

Sign me up if you need more Gmail accounts, and I will provide my address privately.

If replying to GitHub issues by email, please ensure that you remove all the quoted original message.

Better still, reply by logging into GitHub.

We've already had messages that included the senders own subscription control links, which would enable any recipient to impersonate them, at least for controlling their subscription to this thread, and possibly other functions as well.

I need to be able to provide Google support with at least six unrelated GMail account ID's of people who are "affected" by the previous decision to deny Sensitive Scopes access. I don't have time to work on it right now, but hopefully in a few weeks I will. I'll ask for people to send me their Gmail details then (so I don't lose them in the meantime)

I'm in: dan.blumenfeld@gmail.com

Any further movement or change in status here?
Any way where I might be able to help support?

hi, i was using this app fine until 2 days ago when i had to dop a phone reset then just go back to using the app, only this time, its broken

Allow less secure apps: ON. it was off. i think if i turned it off, it would block this app, correct? so i turned it back on

then i go to customize:
authentication: plain
server address: imap.google.com:993
my username
my password
security: i tried all 3: tls, startttls and none

and i still cannot get in.

i wish i hadnt reset my phone

is this app been murdered by google??

or is it still possible to get it working?

Allow less secure apps: ON
On May 30, 2022, this setting will no longer be available. Learn more

@timmy30274 are you using an app password or your main account password?

Google is (quite reasonably) not keen on people sharing their main account password with apps that they don't trust.

You may need to enable 2-factor authentication before you'll be allowed to create an app password, but I would strongly recommend that everyone do that anyway.

app directly. but i got it fixed. it was supposed to imap.gmail not google because hours after i posted this, i found a old conversation from several years ago on reddit which someone found the answer. this time i emailed the website to myself for future reference

my app is working again.

instead of blocking what they dont trust, the employees should have it on their phones so they can try it our themselves and say, OH WOW THIS IS AMAZING!!! then add it to the trusted apps

I confirm the information above. Testing procedure:

1. Created a test Gmail account
2. Enabled MFA
3. Created an app password for all the apps that need access, Outlook on Windows and SMS Backup on phone
	a. This is a one-time password, so no sense in storing it
	b. It will be a 16 characters like:	tkvgrjxatvgwprzw
	c. Established an actual connection with the app, provide the app password, otherwise, Google won't remember it, and it'll be denied later
4. Connected with Outlook 2016 - works
	a. Send / Receive through the Gmail account
	b. When prompted, enter the app password
	c. Validate the email did send through the Gmail account
5. Disabled MFA
6. Test that sending in Outlook through the Gmail account would still work

This was configured and tested on 3/3/22. I tested again on 4/7/22, Outlook still has IMAP access to Gmail using the app password. Apparently, they never expire.

I have been using SMSBackup+ for many years.  I switched over to 2 factor authentication when it became necessary to do so a few years ago.  It has worked perfectly ever since.  However, I recently installed Android 13 and, while the app still works with manual backups, it will no longer backup anything automatically.  I unchecked battery optimization as was suggested but that hasn't helped.  I even used a new password in the hope that it would help, but it did not.

Any suggestions on how to fix this would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Susan

@skrosen1 some devices now have separate permissions for "auto launch", "run services in the background", and "access the internet from the background".

On my phone those are accessible from the app settings (tap+hold on the Messages app icon, then:

• App Info → Battery Usage → Allow auto launch
• App Info → Battery Usage → Allow background activity
• App Info → Data Usage Details → Background data

For me, the options have different names:

• App Info → Battery Usage → Allow auto launch

I don't seem to have any option corresponding to this one 🤔

• App Info → Battery Usage → Allow background activity

In my phone this is at App info → App battery usage → Unrestricted.

• App Info → Data Usage Details → Background data

For me this is found at App info → Mobile data & Wi-Fi → Background data

I also have the following turned off: App info → Permissions → Pause app activity if unused.

Of the above, App battery usage → Unrestricted is the only one I hadn't toggled yet. I'll report back if that does the trick, but I suspect it won't 😞

For me, the options have different names:

• App Info → Battery Usage → Allow auto launch

I don't seem to have any option corresponding to this one 🤔

• App Info → Battery Usage → Allow background activity

In my phone this is at App info → App battery usage → Unrestricted.

• App Info → Data Usage Details → Background data

For me this is found at App info → Mobile data & Wi-Fi → Background data

I also have the following turned off: App info → Permissions → Pause app activity if unused.

Of the above, App battery usage → Unrestricted is the only one I hadn't toggled yet. I'll report back if that does the trick, but I suspect it won't 😞

I tried every option listed and looked everywhere else I could think of to allow any unrestricted option but Auto Backup is still not working. Still hoping for a workaround.

Thanks for all of the suggestions.

Update to add: Using Android 13, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4, Pulse SMS

Last night I tried using a yahoo email but couldn't get it to work. It was late & I might have entered something wrong. I go back to my orig Gmail email, enter my app-specific password & still wouldn't work at all. Grrrr.

Went to my Gmail account & created a new app-specific password & entered all info. Manually backed up & went to bed.
A few minutes ago I went to manually backup & all of my texts were already backed up!
So, try creating a New app-specific password & see if it works for you too!

@B150n Gmail has made a habit of suggesting that I turn off app passwords to improve the security of my account; I keep having to make a point of saying "no".

It's possible that some folk are following this recommendation and inadvertently disabling SMS-Backup+.

@kurahaupo

That’s a good suggestion for people to check within their GMAIL accounts. I haven’t received any notifications or suggestions to stop using App-specific passwords but will keep any eye out for it.

Some things that I’ve noticed and had to do since I last posted.

1. Within the Auto backup settings, it is a must that you ENABLE/check off the “Old backup scheduler” to get SMS Backup+ to Auto-backup whatsoever. Without it being enabled, none of my SMSs were being backed up.
2. Only the “Regular schedule” (when to backup SMS seems to be working. I set it at 30 minutes and it has been pretty consistent with the backups.
3. The “Incoming schedule” (when I set to 1 or 3 minutes) does not work. I miss this feature.
   I’ve been playing around with various settings and nothing will get it working.

I think I messed some setting up last night because I just looked at my gmail and SMS Backup+ had not backed anything up since yesterday. UGH! I probably forgot to re-enable the use old backup scheduler.
I just found what I believe is the last version made (1.6.0-Beta) and installed in on my phone. Testing now to see if it works. I did not do a completely clean install. I installed over version 1.5.1.1 but I did clear the app cache (not app data) and also cleared the phones system cache.

It's possible that some folk are following this recommendation and inadvertently disabling SMS-Backup+.

For the record, I do get these prompts and I have always responded "no" to them, to keep the SMS-Backup+ app password. So that's not the reason it's not working. (In fact, if I had disabled the app password, manual backups wouldn't work either.)

Within the Auto backup settings, it is a must that you ENABLE/check off the “Old backup scheduler” to get SMS Backup+ to Auto-backup whatsoever. Without it being enabled, none of my SMSs were being backed up.

Huh! I didn't have this checkbox marked! I have now enabled it, and will report if it makes the automatic backups start happening for me again.

Hi, Has anyone figured out how to get SMS Backup+ working again? I still keep getting the App is blocked window.

Hi I've attempted this several times and set up a new gmail to test it as well. Once I click on security, I don't see an option for App passwords. How do I locate this?

See this link https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/185833 .
To create an app password, you need 2-Step Verification on your Google Account.
Go to your Google Account.
Select Security.
Under "Signing in to Google," select 2-Step Verification.
At the bottom of the page, select App passwords.

Thank you, I finally got it to work! 👍