Unable to Open Backed-up iMessages from External Hard Drive

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Unable to Open Backed-up iMessages from External Hard Drive

I have a 1TB external hard drive that I use to back-up my Macbook air. I recently was trying to find an old conversation I had and did a search on the external hard drive. I tried clicking on the message to open it, but it won't open. The conversations used to open in the Messages app, but they do not default to that app anymore since updating to BigSur (I am running the most up-to-date version). I tried searching for Messages and selecting the app as the default to open the conversations, but it gives me error code 13. Looked that up and tried making adjustments, but have hit a wall. Any help of ideas?

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 11.1

Posted on Jan 10, 2021 4:05 PM

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Answer 1

Leanne_68

Community Specialist

Jan 12, 2021 4:09 PM in response to swanderson90

Hello swanderson90,

We understand you are not able to open a message that is saved in your Time Machine backup. You’re in the right place, we’d be glad to assist in seeking a solution.

Try starting in safe mode to see if you can open it: How to use safe mode on your Mac.

If still occurring in safe mode you’ll need to create a new user, sign into that new user with your information, and test it out again. This article will show you how: Set up users, guests, and groups on Mac.

After following those steps, and you are still seeing the issue, reach out to Apple Support directly: Get Support

Take care.

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Unable to Open Backed-up iMessages from External Hard Drive

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