Skip to main content

How to upload phone data from a previously completed backup using the Hearsay Extractor

How to reopen a previously completed backup and share additional conversations without reconnecting your phone.

This article is for whoever is running the phone collection using the Hearsay Extractor.

If you have already completed a collection, you can reopen the backup and upload additional conversations without reconnecting your phone. This is helpful if you need to search for and upload threads that were not included in the original collection. Make sure the backup is still available on your computer or external drive.

The backup does not automatically include new messages sent or received after the original collection. To capture new messages, connect your phone and use Connect Device To Sync to update the backup.

Step 1: Open your backup

Click the Open button next to your case name under Last Opened.

If you do not see the case listed, click See History, then click Open next to the correct backup.

If the backup was saved to an external drive, make sure it is plugged in so the Hearsay Extractor can access the data. If the backup was completed on a different computer or the original save location has changed, click Find Existing Backup.

Step 2: Click Share New Conversations

Once the backup is open, click the Share New Conversations button to begin the selection process.

Step 3: Search, select, and share

Search for conversations by contact name, phone number, or keyword. Select the threads you want to share, then click Share. Only the selected conversations will be uploaded.

For detailed instructions on searching, selecting, and sharing conversations, see How to upload specific text message threads using the Hearsay Extractor.


Next steps

If the account holder sent you the extraction code:

You're done. They'll receive an email once the upload is complete.

  • Wait for their feedback before deleting the backup (unless you want to keep a copy).

  • When you're ready to delete the backup, follow this guide.

If you're the account holder:

Want to review the conversations that were uploaded? See How do I review phone data in Case Data? and How to export data from Case Exports.

Did this answer your question?