Error during backup/restore: Temporary Gmail IMAP error, try again later.

[tonya]

I get this error all the time whenever I try to backup my messages. I have not fiddled with the IMAP server settings, and IMAP access is enabled in my Gmail account. I managed to backup about 70 out of 500+ SMS a while back over several tries, but it has not worked since. None of my MMS were backed up.

[drkvogel]

bump

[pamfu]

Hi! I too get this issue when ever I try to backup through WiFi! On the same WiFi, SMS Backup+ works initially without any problem. Then, after a some time, in my case a few days, this error starts popping up. I need to switch to my mobile carrier to ensure backup.

[drbubba]

Same here. Been unable to back anything up since the 17th.

[jsleroy]

Same here. I managed to get it working by disabling the Wifi connection.

[jberkel]

@drbubba @jsleroy @pamfu @drkvogel Android version / phone ?

[jsleroy]

Android 2.2.1 / HTC wildfire

[pamfu]

Android 2.3 / HTC Desire Now, Android 4.0.1 / HTC Desire

[craigmb24]

Same here, disabling wifi worked for me also.

Android 4.0.2 / Galaxy Nexus

[TTLucian]

Same here. Galaxy S2 ICS 4.0.3. First manual backup only worked on 3G connection, after disabling wifi. Sometimes I got IMAP error and other times I got IO error.

[BurntSushi]

I can also confirm that I had this issue, and disabling wifi seems to have solved the problem.

Android 4.0.4 / Galaxy Nexus / Verizon

[DaleEMoore]

Has anyone found a resolution to this problem?

[iMilnb]

Same error, same "fix", SMS Backup+ seems to fail when working over WiFi.

[pR0Ps]

Same issue. Fails over WiFi, works over data connection. Tried with both XOAuth and plaintext.

HTC Desire C, Andriod 4.0.3

EDIT: Works perfectly on a different WiFi connection. The first connection had some custom proxy settings which was probably the issue.

[bompstable]

I'm also having this problem. I have a Google Apps account with Two Factor Auth enabled. I'm connecting using the default IMAP server settings. The first time I connect my account, SMS Backup+ connects and backs up okay. It then manages for the next few attempts (I'm running frequent manual backups in batches of 100). However, after a few more backups it fails to connect. This generally occurs within half an hour of the first successful connection. When it does, the connection spends a long time saying "logging in..." then eventually says "general error: temporary Gmail IMAP error, try again later.". All subsequent connection attempts fail after this - including several hours later.

This occurs on both Wifi and 3g and changing from one to the other does not fix this. The only temporary fix for me is to disconnect and reconnect my account by unticking and reticking the Connect tick box. The app then connects fine straight away, but after a few backups again gets stuck.

I wonder if this is to do with the fact that I use two factor auth on my Google Apps account? Do others having this problem also use it?

[jberkel]

is this with version 1.4.7?

[bompstable]

Yes, 1.4.7 running on a Nexus 4, Android 4.2.1.

[jberkel]

ok, i guess what's happening is that the token expires after a while. i can send you a debug builld you can install to verify this. token expiration is not documented AFAIK. the tokens returned from the browser based log-in don't seem to expire that quickly.

[bompstable]

That sounds plausible. Happy to run a debug build if that helps.

For now I've generated an app specific password for SMS Backup+ and set it to use that instead. I'll report back on whether that cures things. So far so good. On 14 Jan 2013 12:33, "Jan Berkel" notifications@github.com wrote:

ok, i guess what's happening is that the token expires after a while. i can send you a debug builld you can install to verify this. token expiration is not documented AFAIK. the tokens returned from the browser based log-in don't seem to expire that quickly.

— Reply to this email directly or view it on GitHubhttps://github.com/jberkel/sms-backup-plus/issues/174#issuecomment-12216619.

[jberkel]

hm, why do you need a password? does the automatic login does not work?

[bompstable]

The automatic login works fine at first, but after a while stops working - as described above. I've only just started using the app-specific password in order to try and workaround the problems. By using a password, I'm hoping that problems related to the token such as it expiring will be bypassed.

On 14 January 2013 12:40, Jan Berkel notifications@github.com wrote:

hm, why do you need a password? does the automatic login does not work?

— Reply to this email directly or view it on GitHubhttps://github.com/jberkel/sms-backup-plus/issues/174#issuecomment-12216830.

[bompstable]

Using an app-specific password in place of the automatic login seems to have solved this for me - I was able to finish backing up my existing text messages for the first time. So it looks like it is a problem with the token and possibly related to my use of two factor auth.

I'm happy to help debug this further if needed.

[bompstable]

A colleague using a non-apps Google account with two factor auth is having the same problems with 1.4.7. It worked when he initially connected but has silently stopped working since then. Now when he runs a manual backup it sticks on the logging in phase.

Googling suggests that you have to recreate the XOAUTH value for each new connection. http://stackoverflow.com/questions/3078921/imap-oauth-token-expiry

[sshaikh]

Same issue here:

4.2.1, nexus 4. Doesn't log in on wifi or network data, but will work if I clear down the auth and retick the box. Will try OTP passwords now. Oh and I also use 2-step.

[iTeedee]

I'm getting this error now. Just upgraded my phone from Galaxy S2 to Galaxy S2 HD LTE. Did the restore perfectly, but now getting the "gmail temporary IMAP error" when trying to do the backups on the new phone.

[Ltningbgs]

I am having the same issue. I'm not using two factor auth. The issue seemed to start after the last update. If i unconnected and connect again it will initially back up but will not back up anymore after the initial run. I've been using the app for a number of years witout issue. Runing 1.4.7 on a Motorola tonic android version 4.0.4. Feeling lost without this app.

[sshaikh]

I wouldn't even mind resetting AUTH if it didn't mean the sync date being reset too. Any way you can remove this dependency too?

[jberkel]

looks like the access token doesn't get properly refreshed. will release 1.4.8 soon.

[iTeedee]

Wonderful! I'm so excited and waiting. My original phone (Samsung Galaxy S2) was dying so I used your software to back it up. Received my warranty replacement phone (Samsung Galaxy S2 HD LTE) 2 weeks ago and restored everything fabulously!!

But I have not been able to back up current and new data from the new phone after restoring all my data. Found out today they shouldn't have shipped me that phone and I now have a Samsung Galaxy S3 which is my proper warranty replacement phone I should have received. Now I can't activate my new phone (S3) until I can get the new data off the phone I currently have (S2 HD LTE), backed up!

So I'm watching daily for the update to fix this. I have a fixed time period to return this phone before I'll get charged for keeping it!

Good luck!

[sshaikh]

In the meantime you can use this to transfer your SMS's offline:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.riteshsahu.SMSBackupRestore

[casiwito]

Bump... running into the same issue reagrdless of using 3G or WiFi networks (tried 4 different ones). I get passed 1000 items on my initial backup and it dies. I've tried this several times including reinstalls/reboots/2nd auth, no go either way. Looking forward to 1.4.8!!! (Huawei Mercury M886 running 2.3.6 on Cricket Wireless)

[jberkel]

@casiwito @iTeedee @Ltningbgs can you guys try 1.4.8-BETA1 ?

https://www.dropbox.com/s/i2jk68ualhlicms/sms-backup-plus-1.4.8-BETA1.apk

let me know if it fixes the problem.

[casiwito]

For some reason this last attempt today is working. I have 3450 of 4164 initial items backed up so far... i will test after this finishes (successfully or not)

Thanks for getting this new build out, I'll keep you posted

-Paul.

On Thu, Jan 17, 2013 at 3:46 PM, Jan Berkel notifications@github.comwrote:

@casiwito https://github.com/casiwito @iTeedeehttps://github.com/iTeedee @Ltningbgs https://github.com/Ltningbgs can you guys try 1.4.8-BETA1 ?

https://www.dropbox.com/s/i2jk68ualhlicms/sms-backup-plus-1.4.8-BETA1.apk

let me know if it fixes the problem.

— Reply to this email directly or view it on GitHubhttps://github.com/jberkel/sms-backup-plus/issues/174#issuecomment-12396072.

[Ltningbgs]

Bata already installed. Was able to do a manual back up of messages received since last time reinstalled. Waiting to see if autiback up will work & will post later

[casiwito]

So my initial backup failed at 3664 out of 4164 total items. I tried backing up twice using 1.4.7 and it failed every time. I then download and installed the 1.4.8 beta APK and it replaced the 1.4.7 app. After installation I initiated a manual backup once again and it has started to backup the remaining 500 items. Its on item 102 and I'm optimistic. Will keep you posted.

-Paul

On Thu, Jan 17, 2013 at 4:00 PM, Paul Lago casiwito@gmail.com wrote:

For some reason this last attempt today is working. I have 3450 of 4164 initial items backed up so far... i will test after this finishes (successfully or not)

Thanks for getting this new build out, I'll keep you posted

-Paul.

On Thu, Jan 17, 2013 at 3:46 PM, Jan Berkel notifications@github.comwrote:

@casiwito https://github.com/casiwito @iTeedeehttps://github.com/iTeedee @Ltningbgs https://github.com/Ltningbgs can you guys try 1.4.8-BETA1 ?

https://www.dropbox.com/s/i2jk68ualhlicms/sms-backup-plus-1.4.8-BETA1.apk

let me know if it fixes the problem.

— Reply to this email directly or view it on GitHubhttps://github.com/jberkel/sms-backup-plus/issues/174#issuecomment-12396072.

[casiwito]

1.4.8 was installed over 1.4.7 and was able to complete backing up the remaining 500 items which 1.4.7 would not do. All my items are now backed up and I'm thrilled. Nice job and thank you!!!

-Paul

On Thu, Jan 17, 2013 at 4:16 PM, Ltningbgs notifications@github.com wrote:

Bata already installed. Was able to do a manual back up of messages received since last time reinstalled. Waiting to see if autiback up will work & will post later

— Reply to this email directly or view it on GitHubhttps://github.com/jberkel/sms-backup-plus/issues/174#issuecomment-12397180.

[sshaikh]

Manual sync worked perfectly. Thanks for the quick fix!

[Ltningbgs]

Auto back up is working perfect! Thanks for the fast work in coming up with a solution to fix the problem!

[TCattd]

Came here to say i was having the same problem. 1.4.8 BETA1 solved the problem.

Thanks for the fix!

[iTeedee]

It's working! OMG, I'm so excited! At #59 of 21,412. Will let it run overnight to see if i get everything. Will post tomorrow. Will it pick up where it left off if it doesnr complete overnight?

[iTeedee]

Got through 10,000 last night. I'll get the other 11,000 tonight! Can't wait, then I can send this phone back and move to my new phone! A donation is coming at you. The speedy response with a solution and the grief you have saved me is well worth it. I hope everyone else with this problem that you've now solved will hit the donate button with me!

[casiwito]

Agreed. Donation is on its way! On Jan 18, 2013 5:23 AM, "iTeedee" notifications@github.com wrote:

Got through 10,000 last night. I'll get the other 11,000 tonight! Can't wait, then I can send this phone back and move to my new phone! A donation is coming at you. The speedy response with a solution and the grief you have saved me is well worth it. I hope everyone else with this problem that you've now solved will hit the donate button with me!

— Reply to this email directly or view it on GitHub.

[alexjohnson505]

Experienced the same issue. Turning off Google's two-step authentication, disabling wifi, then logging back into the app reset the counter, but allowed me to run a complete backup again.

[jberkel]

ok, thanks for beta testing. releasing this as 1.4.8 to google play store now.

[Gilesy]

Great! All working again now. Thank you.

[christophgysin]

I'm having the same issue since the beginning of the year. Installed 1.4.8 just now, but the problem still persists. Tried to disconnect and connect again with the stored gmail account. Moved the app to phone storage. Even rebooted the phone.

This is on Android 4.0.4 on SonyEricsson LT18i

[Libel]

Same problem .. Sony Experia J Installed 1.4.8, but problem still persist. I tried to backup sms on a diffrent gmail acount, still nothing. Logging in ..

[ashrutkhatter]

Selected this app due to good positive feedback on Google Play. But i am stuck with the same error, and after trying out everything suggested I still keep getting the same error

[uditch]

This error is still persisting in the update app. The backup only works when wifi is disabled and it is performed over on network data.

App version: 1.4.8 Android Version: 4.2.2 Device: LG/Google Nexus 4

[emerich]

I have the same issue with Sony Xperia Tipo Dual Sim : I uninstalled then reinstalled SMS Backup + and it works fine now. It may be that activating Wifi AND Data Connection (GPRS/EDGE/3G) seems to cause the problem also, but not sure. Anyway, this app is awesome. Thanks a lot.

[sanelson2000]

I'm having the same issue with the latest version (which claims to fix this error in the description) with the Galaxy S4 on Verizon. If WiFi is enabled I get the IMAP error. If I turn WiFi off it seems to work fine. It worked fine on my old phone (Motorola Droid Bionic).

I tried manually setting the IMAP settings, but it still persists.

Some details: GMail: Standard @gmail.com account, using 2 step authentication. Network: Verizon 4G LTE / CDMA (although it usually tends to be in 3G when I'm at home). WiFi: ASUS RT-N66U running DD-WRT, Connected on the Wireless N - 5Ghz spectrum. Phone: Samsung Galaxy S4 (SCH-I545) Android: 4.2.2

And, thanks for the app. It's great when it works!