My wife's iCloud storage is full. I want to turn off iCloud messages as she doesn't use multiple devices. I turned off iCloud messages, but to free up space in iCloud I also need to delete the messages off iCloud. It says that I have 30 days to download the messages. I cannot find any info on how to download the messages on iCloud. How does this work?
Thanks!
Hello Rob Broadbent,
If you've already turned off Messages in iCloud in Settings > [name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Messages, the messages should be downloaded to the device, and should be present in the Messages app. If they aren't visible in the Message app, you'll want to tap "Undo Disable & Delete" in order to get your wife's Messages downloaded.
If necessary, Messages in iCloud is enabled, visit Settings > [name] > iCloud and turn off Messages here. This will disable Messages in iCloud for the device and download her messages to the device. Once the data is visible in Messages, it should be safe to then navigate to Settings > [name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Messages and tap "Disable & Delete."
Let us know if this helps!
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
Hello Rob Broadbent,
If you've already turned off Messages in iCloud in Settings > [name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Messages, the messages should be downloaded to the device, and should be present in the Messages app. If they aren't visible in the Message app, you'll want to tap "Undo Disable & Delete" in order to get your wife's Messages downloaded.
If necessary, Messages in iCloud is enabled, visit Settings > [name] > iCloud and turn off Messages here. This will disable Messages in iCloud for the device and download her messages to the device. Once the data is visible in Messages, it should be safe to then navigate to Settings > [name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Messages and tap "Disable & Delete."
Let us know if this helps!
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
Thanks but none of those links helps to answer my question. How do I download iCloud messages once I turn it off? I get a warning stating I have 30 days to do this, but I can find any info on how. Will my wife loose all her older messages if I do not download them?
OK that helps thanks. It sounds like when I turn off iCloud messages, the messages are then automatically downloaded to her iPhone. It's confusing though because when you turn it off there is a warning that states you have thirty days to download the messages from iCloud, which implies you must do something else to actually download them.
Agree. This is a very unclear process. Thanks for the help.
Hello Rob Broadbent,
I see that you have a question about using turning off Messages with iCloud. I'd be happy to provide you with some information to help.
You wouldn't be able to see those messages in iCloud. When you turn off Messages in iCloud those messages will then be saved in a separate iCloud backup. The articles below provide more details on using Messages with iCloud and turning this feature off.
Keep all your messages in iCloud
Get help with Messages in iCloud
If needed, I also included an article with some additional information to help with managing iCloud storage.
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
Download iCloud messages
