Send and receive iMessages on all of your Apple devices—even your Mac

This wikiHow teaches you how to access iMessages on iCloud. With iOS 11.4 iMessages are now available on iCloud. This means that your messages sync across all your devices. Messages you receive or delete on your iPhone will also carry over to your Mac or iPad.[1] Before settings up iMessages on iCloud, be aware that all your old messages will no longer be available.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

On iPhone and iPad

  1. 1
    Update to iOS 11.4. If you haven't already done so, update the operating system on your iPhone to iOS 11.4 or later. Read "How To Update iOS" to learn how to update latest version of iOS on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. 2
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  3. 3
    Tap your name. Your name is at the top of the Settings menu next to your profile picture. This opens the Apple ID menu.
  4. 4
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

On Mac

  1. 1
    Update to MacOS High Sierra. If you don't have the latest version of MacOS, you need to update to MacOS 10.13.5 to enable Messages on iCloud. Read "How to Upgrade Mac System Software" to learn how to upgrade to the latest version of MacOS.
  2. 2
    Open Messages. Messages is the app that has a large blue speech bubble and a small white speech bubble.
  3. 3
    Click Messages. It's in the upper-right corner of the screen in the menu bar when the Messages app is open.
  4. 4
    Click Preferences. It's in the Messages menu. This opens the Preferences app.
  5. 5
    Click the Accounts tab. It's the second tab at the top of the Preferences window. It has an icon with a blue circle with a white "@" sign in the middle.
  6. 6
    Check "Enable Messages in iCloud". It has a checkbox next to it you can check under the "Account tab in the preferences window. This enables iMessage messages to be stored on iCloud.[3]
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    Will I lose my messages on my phone?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    No, you will not lose your messages. They are saved to your iCloud, or your Mac may be synced with your phone number.
  • Question
    How can I retrieve messages that are deleted?
    Fancyghost
    Fancyghost
    Community Answer
    You can't. Once messages are deleted, they're gone forever. Try another solution.
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About This Article

Travis Boylls
Written by:
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Travis Boylls. Travis Boylls is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. Travis has experience writing technology-related articles, providing software customer service, and in graphic design. He specializes in Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux platforms. He studied graphic design at Pikes Peak Community College. This article has been viewed 79,250 times.
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Co-authors: 3
Updated: May 31, 2022
Views: 79,250
Categories: Apple Messages | ICloud
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