I did a clean install of Catalina. I put all my apps and docs back manually by way of an external backup. However I would like to get all my text messages back. Where do I look for that on my time machine?
iMac Line (2012 and Later)
Hi, navigate to ~/Library/Messages and restore the contents of that folder, from a TM backup, which is previous to your clean install.
Were you using iCloud Syncing for Messages? If so, they should repopulate once you have logged into your Apple ID.
If you were not using iCloud Syncing, they should be part of your back up. I don't know why restoring a back up hasn't brought them back. However, if you now activate iCloud Syncing for messages, I believe you should get them all back if they're on your other devices.
If you use an IMAP account for email and leave your data on the provider's server, then after you re-configure your email account your messages should download to your email app.
I restored the contents of the messages folder, but it did not actually bring back my conversations. What am I missing?
Hmmm... do you have the messages on another iCloud enabled device. Have you activated Messages in iCloud; System Prefs? And Sync Messages in Message Prefs?
Messages are fine on iPad and iPhone. New messages are showing up good. I don't see the option to Sync Messages anywhere?
I was not using iCloud. Can I no longer access the messages from before the clean install if they were not on iCloud?
I started up in Recovery mode and did a disk repair. Upon restart all the old messages were back. Fingers crossed!
Awesome!
how to recover messages after clean install
