rbelusko

Q: Merging messages from an older iTunes backup to another

Hi all,

I know this is not a new topic, and I also know that Apple does not offer a way to do this.

 

Beyond that, I know there is 3rd party software which *CAN* do this, but it seems that these programs can only "insert" message threads from older backups onto the top of the messages thread in the current backup, rather than chronologically in the middle of that backup where it should belong (sorted by 'date').

 

I'm wondering if anyone knows if Apple Engineers would make a special case to perform a request like this if you asked. Assuming you provided very clear instructions:

  • the backup(s) you want messages merged from.
  • the backup you want the messages merged to.

 

Does anybody know? It kills me to have archived messages from several backups laying around and no way to view them all on my current phone.

 

If not, the one thing I think might work would be to build a new backup (no messages) and use the 3rd party apps to restore data from the older backups on at a time so it does fall in the correct date order. I'm not sure how that would work though with threads for the same phone # from different dated backups though.... would it all be automatically sorted?

 

Thanks

Bob

iPhone 6s, iOS 9.3.2, backup and restore

Posted on Sep 21, 2016 12:42 PM

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Q: Merging messages from an older iTunes backup to another

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  • by javaliga,

    javaliga javaliga Sep 21, 2016 1:21 PM in response to rbelusko
    Level 4 (3,569 points)
    iCloud
    Sep 21, 2016 1:21 PM in response to rbelusko

    As you know, backup/restore is an all or nothing process.  There is no "Apple approved" way to merge items in backups.  I doubt very seriously that an Apple Engineer would make a special case.  But since I/we don't work for Apple I/we have no way of knowing for sure.  Looking at it another way, there is no harm in asking.

  • by Lawrence Finch,

    Lawrence Finch Lawrence Finch Sep 21, 2016 4:20 PM in response to rbelusko
    Level 8 (38,064 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 21, 2016 4:20 PM in response to rbelusko

    Apple engineers have no real independence; they create applications for a billion devices, not one. This would be a useful feature, but more to the point, the ability to merge multiple backups onto one device would be a great feature. Or even merge a backup onto a current device. But neither of these exist, and based on past history, probably won't. Even the ability to recover messages from "trash" would be a nice enhancement.

     

    So the alternative is to find a 3rd party app that can do it. Unfortunately, as you have discovered, the ones that exist can only append, not merge. That may be a limitation of the data structures in iOS; I really couldn't guess. If you find one please let me know!

     

    Sorry I can't help more.

  • by rbelusko,

    rbelusko rbelusko Sep 23, 2016 4:18 PM in response to Lawrence Finch
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Sep 23, 2016 4:18 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

    Hey Lawrence/all,

     

    This looks like it MIGHT be possible with this app: http://www.backuptrans.com/tutorial/how-to-restore-sms-from-itunes-backup-to-iph one.html

     

    I've ran some primitive testing with the trial version. So far I can confirm that you can:

    • Create a new iPhone message database on your PC and import messages from other backups into it.
    • restore messages from the database back to the phone in the correct chronological order.

     

    I'm not sure how it would handle duplicates and/or message attachments. I'm going to buy the full version (only 25$) and see what it can do.

     

    I'll report back when I have more info.

    -Bob

  • by rbelusko,

    rbelusko rbelusko Sep 26, 2016 3:05 PM in response to rbelusko
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Sep 26, 2016 3:05 PM in response to rbelusko

    Hi,

    Raise the champagne glasses! I am happy to report back that this works EXACTLY as we would like it to!!!

     

    I merged messages from 3 older backups into my current backup. Backuptrans automatically sorts and merges everything for you - I was amazed at how easy it was and how well the end result looked. It works by downloading the message database to your computer, then creating a new database which you can modify - all before uploading the new database back to the phone.

     

    One thing to note: this process is for advanced users only. You really need to understand how everything works on the inside. Non-advanced users should proceed with caution and ALWAYS make a backup before you start messing with your iphone configuration.

     

    I also had to buy an extra 'license' for 14$ as I was utilizing data across 4 different physical phones. The initial 25$ payment for Backuptrans covers 3 phones.

     

    Cheers!

    Bob