[GH-ISSUE #1073] How to delete messages on Gmail (SMS label) and mirroring the clean on the phone ? #856

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opened 2026-02-26 01:32:07 +03:00 by kerem · 2 comments

kerem commented

2026-02-26 01:32:07 +03:00

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Originally created by @nonobio on GitHub (Feb 3, 2022).
Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/jberkel/sms-backup-plus/issues/1073

Hello,

I have a little question:

If I delete messages SMS on my phone and then I restore all messages with SMS Backup+: all is restored, including the deleted message: ok (https://github.com/jberkel/sms-backup-plus/issues/4)

But today I tried to delete messages on my Gmail backup, and then I did a restore: I hoped I would have the "cleaned" version of my messages but the deleted messages are always here on the phone after restoration completed.

I think it is because the SMS phone database hasn't been deleted before the restoration? Am I right?

If yes, should I delete it manually (if possible), before the restoration, or do you have any other recommendations?

What I would like is to clean my message by deleting which I don't want anymore. I found doing the cleaning on Gmail (or Thunderbird), easier, but is it possible?

Thanks :)

Expected behaviour

Delete messages on Gmail (SMS label) and mirroring the clean on the phone

Actual behaviour

Delete messages on Gmail (SMS label) are always present on the phone after a SMS Backup+ restoration.

Steps to reproduce the behaviour

Delete message on Gmail on the SMS label.
Start a restoration on SMS Backup+.

Please specify the following:

Android version 10
Phone model / brand Moto G7 Plus Motorola
SMS Backup+ version installed 1.6.0-BETA2
Messaging app Android Messages

Originally created by @nonobio on GitHub (Feb 3, 2022). Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/jberkel/sms-backup-plus/issues/1073 Hello, I have a little question: If I delete messages SMS on my phone and then I restore all messages with SMS Backup+: all is restored, including the deleted message: ok (https://github.com/jberkel/sms-backup-plus/issues/4) But today I tried to delete messages on my Gmail backup, and then I did a restore: I hoped I would have the "cleaned" version of my messages but the deleted messages are always here on the phone after restoration completed. I think it is because the SMS phone database hasn't been deleted before the restoration? Am I right? If yes, should I delete it manually (if possible), before the restoration, or do you have any other recommendations? What I would like is to clean my message by deleting which I don't want anymore. I found doing the cleaning on Gmail (or Thunderbird), easier, but is it possible? Thanks :) ### Expected behaviour Delete messages on Gmail (SMS label) and mirroring the clean on the phone ### Actual behaviour Delete messages on Gmail (SMS label) are always present on the phone after a SMS Backup+ restoration. ### Steps to reproduce the behaviour Delete message on Gmail on the SMS label. Start a restoration on SMS Backup+. ### Please specify the following: * Android version 10 * Phone model / brand Moto G7 Plus Motorola * SMS Backup+ version installed 1.6.0-BETA2 * Messaging app Android Messages

kerem closed this issue

2026-02-26 01:32:07 +03:00

kerem commented

2026-02-26 01:32:08 +03:00

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Owner

@ajhepple commented on GitHub (Feb 4, 2022):

Have you taken into account that when you delete a message in Gmail it isn't actually deleted immediately? Instead, Gmail adds a Bin label to the message which has the effect of hiding it from your inbox. Messages retain any other labels, including the SMS label. Messages labelled Bin are permanently deleted at some later date, determined by your account settings I think. I doubt SMS Backup excludes messages that have the Bin label when performing a restore.

@ajhepple commented on GitHub (Feb 4, 2022): Have you taken into account that when you delete a message in Gmail it isn't actually deleted immediately? Instead, Gmail adds a `Bin` label to the message which has the effect of hiding it from your inbox. Messages retain any other labels, including the `SMS` label. Messages labelled `Bin` are permanently deleted at some later date, determined by your account settings I think. I doubt SMS Backup excludes messages that have the `Bin` label when performing a restore.

kerem commented

2026-02-26 01:32:08 +03:00

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Owner

@nonobio commented on GitHub (Feb 5, 2022):

Hi,

Thanks for your reply, it's a good tip, but it seems that as I thought, by deleting the SMS database on my phone (done with SMS Backup & Restore: tools), I do not have my deleted SMS displayed anymore :).

Bye

@nonobio commented on GitHub (Feb 5, 2022): Hi, Thanks for your reply, it's a good tip, but it seems that as I thought, by deleting the SMS database on my phone (done with SMS Backup & Restore: tools), I do not have my deleted SMS displayed anymore :). Bye