Messages from iPhone uploaded to iCloud are not showing up in my iCloud list of apps

Question

Level 1

4 points

Messages from iPhone uploaded to iCloud are not showing up in my iCloud list of apps

I'm trying to use iCloud to export my iPhone text messages to my Mac, but though my iPhone iCloud settings say I've backed up Message to iCloud, they don't seem to be accessible there from my Mac. You'd think Apple would make it easier to export text message threads in their entirety, btw, but no. I've spent all day signing into iCloud and backing up to it and it has been fruitless. Help.

Also: my iMessage preferences on the Mac don't show the "Enable iCloud" box, just the "Enable this Account" box. Help help. I'm running Catalina.

Posted on Oct 29, 2021 3:20 PM

Reply

Answer 1

FoxFifth

Level 10

475,733 points

Oct 29, 2021 3:26 PM in response to dayofemail

You cannot view the contents of an iCloud Backup at iCloud.com

You can only use the iCloud Backup to restore or setup a iOS or iPadOS device.

If you sync messages to iCloud using Messages in iCloud, see the following from Use Messages in iCloud - Apple Support

You can use Messages in iCloud on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple Watch, and Mac. For your privacy, Messages in iCloud is end-to-end encrypted,* which means you can't view or access Messages online via browser.

That covers what you can't do. What you can do is discussed in How to forward SMS/MMS text messages from your iPhone to your iPad, iPod touch or Mac - Apple Support (but I believe that may help with future messages and not previous messages but I'm not certain of that).

Reply

Answer 2

muguy

Level 10

92,826 points

Oct 29, 2021 3:41 PM in response to dayofemail

Are you sure that you are signed into your Apple ID on your Mac?

Reply

Answer 3

muguy

Level 10

92,826 points

Oct 29, 2021 3:48 PM in response to dayofemail

Check the “Keychain” checkbox in your iCloud system preference

Reply

Answer 4

dayofemail Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 29, 2021 3:30 PM in response to muguy

--In iMessage. Preferences > iMessage. You'll see enable messages in iCloud. You can also sync right from that screen.

That option doesn't appear, and I don't understand why. It should be right below the "Enable This Account" box, but it isn't.

The text thread I'm trying to export to my Mac (or sync?) is very long, and screenshots/tapping etc. just aren't feasible,and I need to preserve the dates and photos for legal reasons. Thanks for your reply.

Reply

Answer 5

dayofemail Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 29, 2021 3:31 PM in response to FoxFifth

Yes, you can forward current messages, but you can't export the entire attached threads apparently. Sigh.

Reply

Answer 6

dayofemail Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 29, 2021 3:38 PM in response to muguy

This option doesn't appear on this control panel for me. I'm using Catalina, so I can't figure out why. Ideas?

Reply

Answer 7

dayofemail Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 29, 2021 3:44 PM in response to muguy

Yes. Really frustrating.

Reply

Answer 8

dayofemail Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 29, 2021 3:48 PM in response to muguy

I've done all this, signed in to same Apple ID on both devices, running current OS and iOS. I can't figure it out.

Reply

Answer 9

dayofemail Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 29, 2021 3:56 PM in response to muguy

Hmm, may be onto something. I've enabled Keychain, but it's greyed out...though I've signed in with my password when asked when I enabled it. Hmm.

Reply

Answer 10

muguy

Level 10

92,826 points

Oct 29, 2021 3:24 PM in response to dayofemail

There is no option to export text messages. You can take screen shots of a thread, or long-press on a messages, tap more, and then select all messages to copy (but it's just one long block of copy).

Messages do not back up to iCloud. iCloud enables syncing messages across devices.

In iMessage. Preferences > iMessage. You'll see enable messages in iCloud. You can also sync right from that screen.

Reply

Answer 11

muguy

Level 10

92,826 points

Oct 29, 2021 3:39 PM in response to dayofemail

This guide will help you set up messages on your Mac: https://support.apple.com/guide/messages/access-messages-apple-devices-icht5b5d1e63/14.0/mac/12.0 Select the guide for the current version of the software you have installed.

Reply

Messages from iPhone uploaded to iCloud are not showing up in my iCloud list of apps

Similar questions