backup iMessages on Time Machine?

Joined
Oct 4, 2010
Messages
364
Reaction score
5
Points
18
is there a way to include iMessages in Time Machine backups? Or another way to backup iMessages? I run Carbonite and they told me I would have to export the messages to a Desktop folder and then include that folder with Carbonite. But I cannot figure out a way to export iMessages.
 

Raz0rEdge

Well-known member
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Jul 17, 2009
Messages
15,745
Reaction score
2,071
Points
113
Location
MA
Your Mac's Specs
2022 Mac Studio M1 Max, 2023 M2 MBA
As far as I know there is no built-in way of exporting messages from iMessage. That data is stored on the iCloud servers and should be restorable from there. If you want to export the messages to PDF or something else you'll have to use 3rd party software to do that.
 
Joined
May 21, 2012
Messages
10,703
Reaction score
1,158
Points
113
Location
Rhode Island
Your Mac's Specs
M1 Mac Studio, 11" iPad Pro 3rdGen, iPhone 13 ProMax, Watch S7, 2018 15" MBP, AirPods Pro
Aren't the text messages part of your providers service? They may have a way for you to get a copy, if that's what you're looking for?
 
OP
B
Joined
Oct 4, 2010
Messages
364
Reaction score
5
Points
18
As far as I know there is no built-in way of exporting messages from iMessage. That data is stored on the iCloud servers and should be restorable from there. If you want to export the messages to PDF or something else you'll have to use 3rd party software to do that.


I turned on Messages in iCloud. Now the Messages App is saved in iCloud and Messages are being saved there. But all you can do with it is Download it. And if I delete a Message it is gone from the backup / download from iCloud. So I still cannot come up with a way to permanently backup Messages
 
OP
B
Joined
Oct 4, 2010
Messages
364
Reaction score
5
Points
18
Aren't the text messages part of your providers service? They may have a way for you to get a copy, if that's what you're looking for?

No, I'm using Carbonite and there is no way to include Messages in the Carbonite backup. They told me to save the Messages in a Desktop folder. But there is no way to export Messages to a folder. And I also use Time Machine to an external HD and I do not see a way to recover backed up Messages from Time Machine. Apparently TM does not backup iMessages.
 

chscag

Well-known member
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Jan 23, 2008
Messages
65,248
Reaction score
1,833
Points
113
Location
Keller, Texas
Your Mac's Specs
2017 27" iMac, 10.5" iPad Pro, iPhone 8, iPhone 11, iPhone 12 Mini, Numerous iPods, Monterey
And I also use Time Machine to an external HD and I do not see a way to recover backed up Messages from Time Machine. Apparently TM does not backup iMessages.

Try this to see if it works: Open your Messages app and keep it open. Enter Time Machine and chose a date. See if Messages show up and can be recovered. You'll likely have to restore all at once since they are stored in a DB format.

The best way to recover messages is to use Carbon Copy Cloner or SuperDuper to make backups.
 
OP
B
Joined
Oct 4, 2010
Messages
364
Reaction score
5
Points
18
To backup Messages to iCloud you must have Two-Factor Authentication turned on. I do not like using Two-Factor. It's a nuisance. I always have to have my iPhone or MacBook near me when I'm on my iMacs. I use 4 "devices". A 21 inch iMac, a 27 inch iMac, a MacBook and an iPhone. Two-Factor is constantly asking you to enter the 6 digit security code on one device or the other. That's OK if all 4 devices are sitting in your lap. So to backup iMessages on iCloud it asked me to turn on Two-Factor. This is on an iPhone running iOS 12.1, MacBook and iMacs on Mojave 10.14
 
Joined
May 21, 2012
Messages
10,703
Reaction score
1,158
Points
113
Location
Rhode Island
Your Mac's Specs
M1 Mac Studio, 11" iPad Pro 3rdGen, iPhone 13 ProMax, Watch S7, 2018 15" MBP, AirPods Pro
To backup Messages to iCloud you must have Two-Factor Authentication turned on. I do not like using Two-Factor. It's a nuisance. I always have to have my iPhone or MacBook near me when I'm on my iMacs. I use 4 "devices". A 21 inch iMac, a 27 inch iMac, a MacBook and an iPhone. Two-Factor is constantly asking you to enter the 6 digit security code on one device or the other. That's OK if all 4 devices are sitting in your lap. So to backup iMessages on iCloud it asked me to turn on Two-Factor. This is on an iPhone running iOS 12.1, MacBook and iMacs on Mojave 10.14
The only time 2FA is needed, is when you (someone) is trying to get into your iCloud account. Why are you always trying to access your iCloud account, from a non trusted device?
 
OP
B
Joined
Oct 4, 2010
Messages
364
Reaction score
5
Points
18
Hmmm. I must be doing something wrong. I set up 2FA on all 4 of my devices. Every time I tried to use one of the devices, (NOT logging in to my iCloud account. Doing ANYTHING) the box popped up to enter the 6 digit code.
 

Shop Amazon


Shop for your Apple, Mac, iPhone and other computer products on Amazon.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
Top