Problem reading all SMS messages on Android 13+

MIT App Inventor Help
1

Hi everyone,

I'm building an app in MIT App Inventor to monitor SMS messages from specific devices that send me a message with a specific text every few days.

To do this, I tried using several SMS reading extensions:

My problem is that while the extensions do read some messages (for example, messages from services like train or university show up), they do not read normal SMS messages from contacts or the device numbers I actually care about.

It seems that on Android 13, apps that are not the default SMS app cannot access all SMS messages, and the extensions only retrieve messages from special senders (service numbers, automated messages).

:smiling_face_with_tear: Has anyone encountered this limitation? Is there a workaround or another extension that can fully access SMS messages on recent Android versions?

Thanks in advance!

2

My texting extension should be able to read all messages from the inbox
Did you try my example app?
Are you using several sim cards in your device in parallel?

Also my paid sms receiver extension might be interesing for ypu to receive sms while your app is in the background and do something after a sms has been received from a special number

Taifun

3

Thank you for your answer!

Yes, I also tried your example app, but I still don't see all the SMS, only those from service numbers or automatic messages.

I don't understand if it's a permission issue, but I also assigned all permissions manually. (I'm using only one sim card)

4

I just tested the example app again on Samsung Galaxy A54 running Android 14 and it works fine for me
I have a dual SIM device and it displays sms from both SIM cards

try the apk file from here https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pBUVkhQ6XLr2t1CDY4QV1jTGTtJtV5XL/view?usp=sharing

you can limit the data by picking a min date, also select a folder, for example inbox and leave the filter for sender address empty to get all data

Taifun

5

I really don’t know what the issue is :smiling_face_with_tear: :smiling_face_with_tear:, but I tested your APK on two different devices:

  • My own phone: Realme GT Master Edition, Android 13
  • My friend’s phone: Samsung Galaxy S23, Android 15

In both cases, the app only shows automated or service messages.
Normal SMS messages from contacts or standard phone numbers do not show up at all, even after granting all permissions.

Could this be a regional or carrier-level restriction, perhaps something specific to Italy (or some European carriers), where the operating system or mobile providers restrict access to the entire SMS inbox, despite the READ_SMS permission?

7

I think I understand the problem!!

I just realized that the problem might be related to RCS (Rich Communication Services).

The conversations where the messages are not being read by the extension are actually RCS chats, not traditional SMS.

I'm going to test this by disabling RCS (chat features) on my phone and asking my contacts to send regular SMS only.

I'll keep you posted!

8

I just checked the sources and have seen that I'm still using an old solution to get the data https://stackoverflow.com/a/9494532

I will implement an up to date solution soon https://stackoverflow.com/a/41463479
You are invited to sponsor the new version... you can support my work here

Taifun