How to Turn Off AT&T Messages Backup and Sync? Complete Guide

If you don’t want to store your messages online, you need to know how to turn off AT&T messages backup and sync.

This service can slow down your messaging and increase the risk of other people reading your texts when enabled.

We present you with 5 surefire ways to turn off this feature to avoid this issue.

Turning off the AT&T Messages Backup & Sync service on your smartphone is easy. Simply go to the Message settings and select AT&T Messages Backup & Sync. Then, choose Stop Backup and press OK to confirm. Your device will stop backing up your texts and storing them in the cloud.

Why Turn Off AT&T Backup and Sync Feature?

While Backup and Sync allow you to access your texts online, they come with a few disadvantages.

Some of the reasons you need to disable the feature include:

Slow Messaging Experience

The AT&T Messages Backup & Sync service can slow down your messaging experience when enabled.

It continuously floods your device with old messages and contacts, which can be frustrating.

By turning off the feature, you don’t have to manually re-delete a ton of your contacts every time. 

Privacy Concerns

You cannot guarantee your privacy if you don’t turn off the AT&T Backup and Sync feature.

Other people may be able to read your messages, especially those who have your cloud login credentials.

A good example is parents using the service to keep an eye on their children.

Monitoring children, particularly minors, is fine, but some may use it to spy on others.

Improve Your Personal Security

When you enable the AT&T Backup and Sync service, your personal security may be at risk.

It is no longer safe to send your account details and PINs through text.

When stored in the AT&T cloud, other people might view private conversations and pictures that they can use against you.

Stop storing your texts and pictures online by turning off AT&T Messages Backup & Sync.

With the service enabled, you may be able to access your sent and received messages, but so can others.

Note: On the first time that you run the app, you are given the choice to use the feature or not. Do not accept it if you don’t want to use it.

Anyway, you can enable it anytime by heading to your messaging app’s Settings, then go to AT&T Messages Backup & Sync.   

How to Turn Off AT&T Messages Backup and Sync

If the Backup and Sync service is up and running, all your messages will be automatically backed up in the AT&T cloud and synced with your smartphone.

If you wish to disable it, follow the solutions below.

Solution #1: Using the Messaging App on your Phone

The easiest way to disable the Backup and Sync feature is through the messaging app on your phone.

You can start from the home screen and select Messages or Messaging app.

1. Tap the Menu icon and select Settings.
2. Choose AT&T Messages Backup & Sync.
3. Select Stop Backup.
4. Review the prompt and confirm your choice.

Note: If you don’t use the service for over 90 days, it will also be terminated without notice.

All your messages in the cloud will be deleted, but the messages on your phone will remain.

Solution #2: Through the MyAT&T App on your Phone

Another way to turn off the feature is through the MyAT&T App on your smartphone.

The app allows you to manage your account anywhere, including the Backup and Sync add-on service.

1. Go to Account Overview and open the My Wireless option.
2. Scroll down to Manage device & add-ons.
3. Choose the device you want to look at. Click on Manage device & features.
4. Click on Get or Manage add-ons.
5. Look for Messages Backup & Sync and tap Remove.

Note: The AT&T Backup and Sync service is only available on supported smartphones.

When you open the messaging app on a compatible phone for the first time, you will be presented with a choice of using the feature or not.

Solution #3: Via your Account Portal on the AT&T Website

You can also disable the feature through your AT&T account portal on the AT&T website.

First, go to your account overview and open the My wireless section.

1. Please scroll down to Get or manage add-ons and click Let’s go.
2. Choose the device you want to remove the feature from.
3. Look for Messages Backup & Sync and tap See details.
4. Select Remove.

Note: Before you disable the AT&T Backup and Sync feature, update and sync your Message app.  

Solution #4: Update and Sync Message First, then Disable the Feature

If none of the above-stated methods work, you should try clearing the cache of your messaging app.

Be sure to update and sync your messages first to avoid data losses.

Specific brands and models of smartphones have different ways of updating and syncing messages.

While some have straightforward methods, others involve long processes that include clearing data.

Update and sync your messages from your phone:

1. Go to Settings > More Settings > Restart AT&T Messages Backup & Sync.
2. Click Restart.
3. Tap the Home button, and then wait for a few moments.
4. Tap the Messaging app. You should see the status confirming that your messages are getting securely backed up in the cloud for up to 90 days.
5. Choose Sync Messages.

If you have a special text message you want to save, forward it to your email address. You can directly send it from the messaging app on your smartphone.

Note: If you choose you don’t want to store your messages in the cloud anymore, disable the feature from your messaging app or your AT&T account. 

Solution #5: Call AT&T Customer Support

If you have tried all the solutions cited above but still have no idea how to stop AT&T Messages Backup and Sync, call AT&T Customer Care at 800.331.0500 or 611 from your mobile device.

They can provide you with helpful tips to disable the service.

Note: The AT&T Messages Backup and Sync feature is integrated into the messaging app of select smartphones. You cannot uninstall them.

If you decide to remove the service, it will no longer use any data and will be idle until you enable it again.

Read Next: How to Fix AT&T Call Protect App Not Working?

Last Thoughts

If you want to know how to turn off AT&T Messages Backup and Sync from your phone, you’ve come to the right page.

You will find some compelling reasons to disable the feature and several ways to do it.

If you no longer want to use the service, you need to remove it from your account.

Visit Account Overview on the AT&T website and remove Messages Backup and Sync from the list of add-ons.

If you are having trouble turning off the feature, call AT&T customer support for additional assistance.