Downloading attachments in iMessages (problem)

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Level 2

198 points

Downloading attachments in iMessages (problem)

I have a new iPhone 17 Pro with the latest iOS 26. There is an older iMessage that is a few months old that I am active on again, with a friend. I want to download the attachments.

Unfortunately, when I go to do this, I see "Downloading 46 Attachments..." and it eventually resets. There is nothing wrong with my network (which is very fast), everything else is working just fine. I checked that iMessages are being synced in iCloud (that is my preference) -- restarted this a number of times and I've given up.

Am I running into a new bug? How else is this supposed to work properly?

iPhone 17 Pro, iOS 26

Posted on Dec 18, 2025 9:05 PM

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Answer 1

brbo

Level 8

38,635 points

Dec 26, 2025 11:11 PM in response to Forrest

Re: Downloading attachments in iMessages (problem)

Wondering if your Message attachments are saved into various apps (Eg: Photos, Podcasts, Documents etc ).

If so, (it is the default unless turned off) the attachments may already be available in "Shared with you" folders in those appropriate apps.

Else: Sorry I don't know of a way to quickly download multiple iOS Messages attachments all at once.

You may be able to use the method below, for one-at-a-time, (maybe multiples by selecing them all?)

Apple Support's online linked article: Use Messages on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

Eg: says:

"Find attachments from a conversation

Open the message.
Tap the name of the contact at the top of the message.
You'll see Photos, Links, Documents and more.

Touch and hold an image or attachment to show options, such as Save, Copy, Share and Delete."

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