Q: How do I Transfer my texts from my iPhone to my MacBook ?
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Aug 12, 2016 3:32 PMby tim_135,HelpfulHello Harelug,
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
From your post, I understand that you would like to transfer your text messages from your iPhone to your MacBook Pro. I know how important it is to keep a copy of your messages. At this time there is not a method to transfer your messages to your MacBook Pro from your iPhone. You can, however, set up Continuity which will allow your messages to show up on your Mac going forward. This article has the steps to set up Continuity:Use Continuity to connect your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Mac
For messages specifically follow these steps:
SMS
With Continuity, all the SMS and MMS text messages that you send and receive on your iPhone can also appear on your Mac, iPad, and iPod touch. You can also reply to your contacts from whichever device is closest to you, including your iPad or Mac.
You can start a conversation in the Messages app or click a phone number in Safari, Contacts, or Calendar.
Set up SMS and MMS with Continuity
- You need iOS 8 or later on your iOS devices and OS X Yosemite or later on your Mac.
- Sign in to iMessage with the same Apple ID on your iPhone, your other iOS devices, and your Mac.
- On your iPhone, go to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive. Add a check to both your phone number and email address. Then go to Settings > Messages > Text Message Forwarding and enable the device or devices that you want to forward messages to.
- Look for a code on the Mac, iPad, or iPod touch that you enabled. Then enter this verification code on your iPhone.
Cheers
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Aug 12, 2016 3:36 PMby Harelug,HI Tim, thank you for your reply.
Does this method only apply to 'new' text messages or does it include the old(er) ones I am needing a more convenient acces to.
Divorce has is trying periods, hence my need to get my older texts available and extract certain ones.
I hope to hear from you in due course.
Harelug.
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Aug 12, 2016 4:14 PMby chris_g1,Harelug,
I am sorry to hear you are going through a divorce at this time. I understand how trying they can be. In this scenario, your messages will only be on your Mac from the time you set up Continuity. The only way to backup messages at this time would be to create periodic backup files using iTunes or iCloud. The backup files cannot be accessed except by restoring them to an iPhone. So the messages will be saved, but you will not be able to read them until the backup file is restored to your iPhone.
If you go into Settings > Messages and scroll down to Keep Messages and make sure that it is set to Forever, then your messages won't be deleted after 30 Days or 1 Year and will be backed up every time you create a backup file.
Just in case you need it, here is the article with the ways you can create either an iCloud or iTunes backup file:
How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch
Best Regards
