Are the following inconsistencies expected in iMessage?
1) In iOS, a voice message does not delete automatically, but in OS X it does.
2) When I delete an iMessage attachment in iOS, it reduces the amount of data stored in iCloud, but this deletion is not reflected when I look at iMessage attachments in OS X. That does not make sense to me.
Thanks.
MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X El Capitan (10.11.6), null
Your settings might be different in iOS and OS X.
1. Check your settings/preferences. Especially for Message History and Expiration options.
2. See number 1 above. This is related to Message History options.
On iOS, my settings are set to keep messages forever and for audio messages to never expire. Where can I find a similar setting on OS X?
Although they seem to be the same App, they are not.
The OSX Messages app does not appear to have settings for message retention.
Thanks. Are the Attachments in OS X Messages saved in iCloud or is that local ?
There is no iCloud element for Messages. Messages does not sync to iCloud.
It's all local.
I suppose you could make a copy of the local Messages data and keep it in the iCloud Drive folder. Not exactly automatic, but you'd have some level of data backup.
Thanks. If Messages doesnt sync to iCloud then how do iMessages and attachments sent on the phone appear on the Mac and vice versa?
This a feature called Continuity.
Use Continuity to connect your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Mac - Apple Support
It's done through the Messages app, not any iCloud feature.
Gotcha, thanks - I was under the impression Continuity was a part of iCloud because you need to login to iCloud to have it work. I guess it just needs to be the same iCloud account, but nothing is actually stored in iCloud.
Actually... Instant HotSpot, Handoff and Cellular Calls require the iCloud account... Continuity is 4 different features, each with different requirements. None of the features use iCloud for storage.
SMS uses Messages, Cellular Call uses Facetime & your iCloud ID, Handoff needs your Apple ID, Bluetooth & the same Wifi network to be on, and HotSpot uses iCloud & Apple ID.
Inconsistent iMessage behavior between OS X and iOS
