How to transfer iMessage content from old to new computer?

Hallo everybody,

I have the same problem too. I did everything like Ralph said it and changed the ownership of all the files. When I open iMessages the old conversations are still gone and there is still a new conversation I startet before the process. Since I replaced all the folders (even the Archive) this shouldn't be possible. My only explanation is, that the changed files are the wrong ones.

Any ideas?

Kind regards

Patrick

PROBLEM SOLVED:

Apparently it was an user-error. I moved the new database-files on my desktop and copied the old ones form time machine in the right location mentioned by ralph. As I already said I was wondering how the new conversations in the new database-files could be displayed after that process. So i figured that iChat is using the moved db form the desktop. So I deleted them, performed a system restart and now I have all old conversations in iMessages.

I had an alert (well two actually) that there were new posts in this Thread but I can't see them.

I am writing this post as this sometimes shows the most recent items.

8:35 pm Thursday; January 22, 2015

Good to hear.

Glad you found the answer.

8:36 pm Thursday; January 22, 2015

Hi,

I just want to confirm:

1. I've started Messages on new MB to have all files/ folders initialized - no messages ;-)

2. Renamed original folders to *.empty -> just in case I need them

3. I've copied all messages files to two locations

~/Library/Messages

~/Library/Containers/com.apple.ichat/Data/Library/Messages

3. Checked ownerships, corrected if necessary as described by Ralph in post #2

Run Messages - still no messages !!!

4. Delete *.empty folders

5. Reboot system

6. Run Messages - works OK, all chats, pictures are present.

Thanks Ralph, thanks 50138

Hi,

Thanks for that.

I had not considered that the newly created but empty folders could be left in place and renamed and this might be an issue.

I would have removed them myself (at least to a place I could put them back from).

However this make me wonder if it is like when you move items in other places that app and searches can follow them such as creating and moving Aliases.

Good to hear you have it working.

9:19 pm Saturday; March 14, 2015

I just had the same problem as all of you guys.

I used Ralph Johns' steps but it didn't seem to work.

I was migrating from a Mac to another Mac with the same username.

The problem here is that your new mac wrongly recognizes you as the file owner already and doesn't let you switch it in the info panel.

While changing me to the file owner worked on the Attachments and archive folder, the Chat.db etc. were the problem.

The solution to this is to use a terminal command.

First you have to find out your exact user name. Use " Is /Users " and then press enter to find this out and copy it.

Now in the next line type " chown YourUsername FilePathHere"

Chown is the command used to make you the file owner.

YourUsername gets replaces by the username you found out in the step before

for FilePathHere just drag and drop the 3 databases from the -/Library/Messages/ folder in here.

Press enter (you might have to confirm with your password)

After you have completed this for all 3 Databases restart your Mac and everything should be working.

For those still having problems I made this little Youtube tutorial:

youtube.com/watch?v=4h17HE…

Hope it helps!

Hi Ralph,

I was wondering if you had any suggestions or insight on how to move messages from the application on my computer onto my phone. I restored a back-up on my phone from a little over a week ago, essentially deleting all conversations I've had between then and now. I still have access to these conversations on my computer, however, through the Messages app.

Thank you so much!

Lauren

Hi,

These are two different apps running on two different OS Systems.

Whilst the apps are compatible in sending and receiving iMessages they are not sorted in the same way and are not transferable in that way across the devices.

Think of it being like having the AIM app on a PC and AIM for Mac on your Mac and both saving chats.

The actual Saved Chats cannot be transferred.

Using an older iPhone Back up can get old chats on to a new iPhone.

Migration on the Mac can get older chats on to a New Mac.

However moving chats between the different types of devices cannot be done.

10:22 pm Wednesday; July 8, 2015

Ralph,

The reason why the images are not showing is because messages is trying to locate the attachment and the path to that has changed from the old mac to the new mac. Possibly, the old mac's directory had a different name. e.g.

"...sandbox extension creation failed: caller requested extension for path that could not be resolved to an absolute path: [/Volumes/.../Library/Messages/Attachments/13/03/4D536F5D-D036-467D-977C-129215 615DA5/Screen Shot 2015-06-15 at 8.02.37 pm.jpg]"

I'm seeing this too as I've move my home directory from an external volume and now want to put it back into another location.

I know the problem but I can't see how to tell messages where the new home directory location is. It's in a plist somewhere, but who knows where!

I suspect the location of the attachments are hardwired in the db file, so maybe going in with a SQL editor and updating it might be a solution?

Hi,

On the External Drive create a Alias of the item and then move the Alias to the internal Drive where it "should" be.

You may need to use modifier keys to "move" the Alias rather than copy it which is what normally happens between Volumes like this.

7:49 p.m. Sunday; September 20, 2015

Hmm. Maybe a symlink at the /Volume level.

Will give that a try.

Hi,

Whether you think in terms of the Windows "Shortcut" or the Mac "Alias" or the Command Line "Symlink" the result should be the same.

You need a pointer in the place on the computer where the file normally is to the place it has been moved to.

7:44 p.m. Monday; September 21, 2015

Export iMessages App allows you to Save Print Backup Recover Text SMS iMessages to your MAC/PC. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/export-messages-save-print/id952632588?mt=8