Google has removed iSMS2droid from the Play Store on March 19th, 2019.
This action came after their decision to restrict the SMS and Call Log permissions for 3rd-party apps like iSMS2droid, unless they received an exemption from these restrictions – which was initially granted to iSMSdroid, but later revoked for no apparent reason.
Further attempts to regain the exemption status (by submitting new approval requests and updated app versions with explanations, usage instructions and sample databases) were unsuccessful, as Google maintains the position that iSMS2droid does not require the “Default SMS Handler” permission, as it is not required for the core functionality of iSMS2droid.
This is of course not the case, as the core functionality of iSMS2droid is writing SMS messages to a device, and any app that wants to write SMS messages to a device (“restore”) has to be the “Default SMS Handler” since Android 4.4 (KitKat) in 2013, as explained in their blog post on this topic.
Being the “Default SMS Handler” is a requirement for iSMS2droid to work, and this very core functionality of “Backup and restore for users”, as Google calls it, is indeed listed as a valid exception to their general restriction for this permission in their support article.
I don’t know why they keep on rejecting my app, no matter evidence i provide to them that my app complies with their policies.
And not being able to speak to a human – about the exact reason why they think my app presents a danger to Android users – is very frustrating.
There seems to be no way to get iSMS2droid reinstated on the Google Play Store, which also means there won’t be any new versions with fixes for bugs or features like full support for attachments (which i am indeed working on!).
Until further notice, iSMS2droid should be considered dead.
PS: For those desperate enough, the previously retired Online Coverter is back online.
Timeline of Events
- 2018-11-16: First notice about new permission policy
- 2018-11-2?: Permissions Declaration Form (PDF) submitted
- 2018-11-28: PDF rejected, missing Privacy Policy page
- 2018-12-14: Second notice about new permission policy
- 2019-01-03: Final reminder about new permission policy
- 2019-01-0?: New PDF submitted
- 2019-01-09: Approval for “Backup and restore for users”
- 2019-01-10: Confirmation of permission extension(?) until 2019-03-09
- 2019-01-10: Permissions not granted, “unable to test”
- 2019-01-18: Contacted Developer Support, why revoked
- 2019-01-19: Reponse that they couldn’t test
- 2019-03-0?: New APK uploaded, with permission declaration
- 2019-03-10: APK rejected, “missing default handler declaration”
- 2019-03-10: New APK uploaded, declaring default handler
- 2019-03-10: APK rejected, “default handler not necessary”
- 2019-03-19: iSMS2droid removed from Google Play Store
Update 2019-06-03
I uploaded an updated APK with all the instructions and explanations i could fit into the 500 characters limit of the form that is provided, and my app got rejected again. Much to my surprise, this time they didn’t reject it because of the “Default SMS Handler” permission, but because they the “Write and Show Call History in Dialer” permission doesn’t match the core functionality i described.
Let’s hope they don’t reject the app the next time i submit it again and try to squeeze that second core functionality into the description/instructions, because an app can’t have two core functionalities? Either way i’ll give it one more shot.
I found Version 0.12.8 posted on another site. It starts working running about 15 messages per second but over the course of an hour it slows down to 5 message per sec and eventually 1 message. I have closed all apps, but doesn’t help. I would be willing to make a donation for any suggestions or help you could offer.
Thanks!
Philip
Hi Jan,
So now if i had download iSMS2droid before, i mean V0.12.8, could i use it to import messages?
i have tried several times, but finally no messages were found. i wonder if google restrict this service make import failed or the app is not suitable for SHARP cell phone?
Hope for your reply.
Cheers!
This is ridiculous.
would it be possible to get a copy to sideload onto my phone?
Thanks for the great app. I first used it in Nov last year and just tried to use it again when my wife changed change.
Google’s decision is great shame. Are there any other suggestions for a manual import (or other solution) that you would suggest for transferring call logs and SMS?
Thanks again,
C.
I have downloaded your app from a mirror site.
It works perfectly!
THANK YOU!
Is there any way for me transfer my contacts from my iphone to my new android phone???????
Really trying to move my iPhone messages to my new Android phone. Any ideas how to do this without your app? Hoping you can resolve your Google play issues. You’re one of the only reliable solutions as far as I can tell!
Is there still a way to convert the apple text database file to android xml file? Thanks
With Google, who knows!
This is a travesty! …so Google is becoming as restrictive as Apple, which basically removes the incentive to move from a more restrictive environment (Apple) to a less restrictive one (Android) . This removal leaves us with no resources at all to move messages from iOs to Android… terrible.