How can I backup and restore SMS message history, and restore on a later Android version — using only the SD card storage?
I am upgrading from one device to another:
Existing device: Google Nexus One running Android 2.3 Gingerbread (CyanogenMod 7.1).
Destination device: HTC Incredible S running Android 4.4 KitKat (CyanogenMod 11).
Both devices have full root access in the operating system.
I have no Google account, and no non-free software. This means no Google Play, no GMail, etc.
The devices have existing means to transfer data, so Google should not need to be involved in this process at all. I'm looking for a solution that doesn't involve Google Play nor any proprietary services.
Apps which have failed so far:
The built-in Messaging app. There appears to be no “export” and “import” feature. Kind of an obvious omission, a great shame the Android basic apps don't have this.
Slight Backup easily backs up the messages, and I can restore them on CyanogenMod 11. But then the Messaging app shows “No conversations”.
SMS Backup+ has the same problem: it can backup and restore (via my choice of IMAP host), but after restoring all the messages it reports “1 item restored (NNN dups removed)”. The Messaging app shows “No conversations”.
How can I transfer the message history from the old device and have it imported to the new device's message history of conversations?
UPDATE: The new restrictions on SMS data access in Android KitKat is likely a major hurdle to this goal.
How can this be done?