transfer sms and call history from old phone to new one (both android)

Does anybody know a good way to transfer sms and call history from old phone (Nexus 4) to new Pixel 4a?

Google backup options on the N4 are so old it's an all-or-nothing affair and I don't want to backup app settings, wifi passwords, etc etc. I want a clean install on the pixel but with the contacts (downloadable as a file via pc), SMS and call history. (Calendar is already web-synced to the cloud so that one is fine.)

A quick web search suggests there are many softwares that claim to do this and just need "this access" and "these permissions" to do it. I'd rather avoid giving anything too much unfettered access if I can help it. Am I asking for too much here? Is it not possible to do this manually in some way via pc?

Can't you just connect a cable between both phones and use the built in software, thats what I normally do. Something like this :

https://support.google.com/pixelphon...l=en-GB#zippy=

I think you can but like I said I want a clean install bar a few things. SFAIK connecting the two together starts trying to copy everything over which I want to avoid happening.

Normally you can choose what is copied

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Originally Posted by Jonj1611

Normally you can choose what is copied

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I'll give it a go. Worst is a factory reset right?

Yeah if its not for you, factory reset and you are back to the beginning

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Originally Posted by ik9000

I'll give it a go. Worst is a factory reset right?

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How did you get on with it?

smsbackup ?

oh wait you said no "apps" i don't know if it is possible to actually get to the data where the sms's are.

I was going to suggest 'SMS Backup+' but if you don't want to use an app I think you are stuck.

I've been using it for years and it backs up SMS,MMS and Call Logs to Gmail, and in theory can restore them too. So maybe install once, and remove after restoring the data?