I backed up my iMessages via iCloud, via the iMessages backup feature, as recommended by Apple. Now I've accidentally deleted some message threads. How do I access the backup to retrieve those messages? Or how do I recover those messages?
Is it possible that the iCloud backup mechanism for iMessages doesn't actually protect from accidental deletions, e.g. by creating a backup of the messages?
iPhone 11 Pro
If you’re using messages in iCloud (Keep all your messages in iCloud - Apple Support) that is intended to keep your messages synchronized across all your devices. Changes made on any device are reflected in iCloud and across all devices sharing that iCloud account. That includes deletions. Messages deleted when using messages in iCloud are permanently deleted. There is no recovery of them.
If you’re using messages in iCloud (Keep all your messages in iCloud - Apple Support) that is intended to keep your messages synchronized across all your devices. Changes made on any device are reflected in iCloud and across all devices sharing that iCloud account. That includes deletions. Messages deleted when using messages in iCloud are permanently deleted. There is no recovery of them.
I am considering turning the "Messages in iCloud" off, but I am not sure what the result would be. E.g. would it delete old messages that may not be on my phone?
Based on my previous experience with Apple reps, as mentioned above, I'm not sure that I would be provided an accurate and reliable answer, so I feel stuck with a bad feature that does not meet my needs.
It seems that iMessages is the only major feature for which Apple does not provide a true backup option, a trash option, or an undo option.
An Apple rep (a few years ago) recommended the "Messages in iCloud" feature to me as the best way to back up my messages. "Messages in iCloud" is not a sensible backup method, even though it would be relatively easy feature to make it that way.
This experience definitely does not live up to my expectation for Apple quality.
How do I access my iMessages backup in iCloud?
