Messages not syncing to iPad

Question

Messages not syncing to iPad

I’m running iOS 12.2 on both an iPhone and iPad and currently have over 8GB worth of messages stored in iCloud. Due to various reasons, the iPad hasn’t been turned on for the past few months.

Upon turning it on today, and updating all the apps etc, I thought I would see the iPad immediately start synching Messages from iCloud, but I can only see the old messages from when the iPad was last turned on. I have tried rebooting the iPad, and force closing the Messages App, but to no avail. The iPad can receive any new iMessages that are sent, and these are being synced with my iPhone, but is it not able to see the full history as stored in iCloud.

When I view the Messages settings (Settings > Messages), I can’t see an iMessages on iCloud option to turn it off and back on again.

Any help would be appreciated.

iPad mini 4, iOS 12

Posted on May 12, 2019 12:56 PM

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Answer 1

sberman

Level 10

272,274 points

May 12, 2019 1:03 PM in response to Lightingman2003

It’s not at all clear which of several ways you have set up your message housing.

Perhaps you chose to keep all your messages in iCloud.

Keep all your messages in iCloud - Apple Support

If not (likely), then it’s not clear if you’re talking about iMessages only, SMS text messages, or both.

The SMS text messages will not show up on your iPad unless you elected to keep all your messages in iCloud.

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Answer 2

sberman

Level 10

272,274 points

May 12, 2019 1:31 PM in response to Lightingman2003

Lightingman2003 wrote:

When I view the Messages settings (Settings > Messages), I can’t see an iMessages on iCloud option to turn it off and back on again.

You have looked in the wrong place.

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Answer 3

May 12, 2019 1:12 PM in response to sberman

Hi @sberman,

I am indeed keeping all my Messages in iCloud. In addition to my iPhone and iPad, Messages are being synced with my MBP 2016. Apologies if this isn’t 100% clear. Currently I only have my iPhone and iPad as my MBP is with Apple for repair.

My understanding of https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208532 means that Messages should be kept in sync across all devices.

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Answer 4

May 12, 2019 1:39 PM in response to sberman

Thanks, but not sure you’re following. I already have this enabled, and I have over 8.5GB worth of Messages stored in iCloud.

I don’t really want to disable this as I’m concerned it’ll remove all 8.5GB of Messages, and put me right back to square one. If it’s not possible to do a full sync, I’ll just live without Messages on my iPad.

Thanks

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Answer 5

sberman

Level 10

272,274 points

May 12, 2019 1:52 PM in response to Lightingman2003

I am following. In your first post, you said:

Lightingman2003 wrote:

When I view the Messages settings (Settings > Messages), I can’t see an iMessages on iCloud option to turn it off and back on again.

So I told you where to find this option.

Then in your last post, you said you actually do not want to turn it off and back on again.

OK, then.

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Messages not syncing to iPad

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