I deleted a text message a couple of months ago that I now require. I only deleted it a couple of weeks ago. I should be able to use TimeMachine to find it, however, I first need to know where to look for the folders that store text messages. Please advise, if you can point me in the right direction. Thanks.
If you are using Mojave, and probably High Sierra, past text messages are stored here:
~/Library/Containers/com.apple.iChat/Data/Library/Messages/Archive
Click on your Desktop to get Finders attention, and then press shift+command+G to open a Go To Folder dialog. Copy and paste the preceding link into it and press GO.
In the Archive folder, the text messages are organized into ascending order ISO8601 date stamped folders (e.g. 2018-05-12) that reflect the text date. The individual texts are stored in Apple binary plists with a name like:
Jon Jones on 2018-05-12 at 13.12.00.ichat
When in the Time Machine Restore panel, you can also utilize the shift+command+G technique, paste in the long folder path above, and land within the Archive folder. Move backwards in backup timeframe until you locate the folder bearing the date stamp of your deleted text, and select the specific text item that you want to restore.
If you are using Mojave, and probably High Sierra, past text messages are stored here:
~/Library/Containers/com.apple.iChat/Data/Library/Messages/Archive
Click on your Desktop to get Finders attention, and then press shift+command+G to open a Go To Folder dialog. Copy and paste the preceding link into it and press GO.
In the Archive folder, the text messages are organized into ascending order ISO8601 date stamped folders (e.g. 2018-05-12) that reflect the text date. The individual texts are stored in Apple binary plists with a name like:
Jon Jones on 2018-05-12 at 13.12.00.ichat
When in the Time Machine Restore panel, you can also utilize the shift+command+G technique, paste in the long folder path above, and land within the Archive folder. Move backwards in backup timeframe until you locate the folder bearing the date stamp of your deleted text, and select the specific text item that you want to restore.
Fantastic! Precisely what I was seeking. Yes, I am using Mojave. Thanks for your brilliance.
You are welcome.
Folder location for text messages
