Transfer iMessage conversation from iPad to iPhone

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CR125Honda Author

Level 1

4 points

Transfer iMessage conversation from iPad to iPhone

Deleted an entire 4 years worth of an iMessage conversation.

Was a mistake, thought I was just deleting one of the pictures in the conversation.

Conversation was deleted on my iPhone 6, IOS 12.

I still see that entire conversation on my old iPad2, IOS 9.

Is it possible to transfer that conversation back to my iPhone (from the iPad) without purchasing a $50 ~$60 software program?

My iMessages were not backed up in iTunes or iCloud.

PC's & Macs, Windows XP

Posted on Nov 28, 2018 10:04 AM

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Answer 1

SiHancox

Level 5

4,953 points

Nov 28, 2018 4:23 PM in response to CR125Honda

It's a pity Apple doesn't allow "selective" restores via iCloud but they don't so it's all or nothing I'm afraid (unless you use a third party App which we've already discussed).

If you just require the message(s) "content" on your iPhone you could try emailing it to yourself via the Notes app, but it takes a few steps because I believe you can know longer do it from within the Message App.

You have to first select and copy text from the relavent message which is then pasted into a new Note, I believe you can do this as many times as you like so several messages can be in the one Note, once done the Note can then be emailed.

It's not ideal and I've never done it myself but might be worth a try.

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Answer 2

SiHancox

Level 5

4,953 points

Nov 28, 2018 10:59 AM in response to CR125Honda

There is no technical reason why an iPad BackUp can’t be used to Restore the iPhone but the difference in iOS’s (ie 9 to 12) is somewhat larger than I have tried before. This “large” gap might/will leave various new areas of iOS12 unconfigured which I would consider will leave you with a degree of manual setup. Also it assumes you will be happy with the iPad’s layout on your iPhone.

When comparing the above with a third party app you may consider it’s money well spent, it all depends on how much importance you set on getting messages back on your iPhone. Also, I would advise you read up on reviews of the third party app you consider using because it has the ability to mess with your iOS in other areas.

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Answer 3

SiHancox

Level 5

4,953 points

Nov 29, 2018 12:11 AM in response to CR125Honda

CR125Honda wrote:

Gathering that it's third party software or I'm SOL..

Think so, as I said can't really come up with anything else, just be aware of the potential for damage/security to the iOS if using third party Apps, although iMazing appears to get good reviews. Also I believe that App "extracts" certain data from the BacKUp and not the device itself, may be due to security reasons, so in your case that would mean having an iPad BackUp available.

Best of luck and hope you finally resolve.

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Answer 4

CR125Honda Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 28, 2018 4:38 PM in response to SiHancox

Thanks again,

Tried something similar yesterday.

Long press on a message text / select more / then check the circles to the left side of the message and/or pic.

Then select the curved arrow to send the selection in a "new message".

That works, it just comes through as a long paragraph with no time or date stamps.

Gathering that it's third party software or I'm SOL..

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Answer 5

CR125Honda Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 28, 2018 1:39 PM in response to SiHancox

Thanks SiHancox,

I would like to put the conversation back on the phone but it's really not worth spending much money on.

Nothing earth shattering, just a friendly conversation history.

Was hoping for a procedure much less intrusive than changing IOS or a backup / restore of the entire iPhone.

Wishful thinking I guess, but more in line with a copy / paste.

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Answer 6

CR125Honda Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 29, 2018 9:23 AM in response to SiHancox

SiHancox wrote:

CR125Honda wrote:

Gathering that it's third party software or I'm SOL..

Think so, as I said can't really come up with anything else, just be aware of the potential for damage/security to the iOS if using third party Apps, although iMazing appears to get good reviews. Also I believe that App "extracts" certain data from the BacKUp and not the device itself, may be due to security reasons, so in your case that would mean having an iPad BackUp available.

Best of luck and hope you finally resolve.

Thanks again,

Will post back if I find a safe and easy way to do this without risk. If not, it won't happen.

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Transfer iMessage conversation from iPad to iPhone

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