How to Access iMessages on iCloud: 2 Simple Methods

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

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  1. 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. The Settings app has an icon that resembles two gears. It's on your home screen.
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  3. Your name is at the top of the Settings menu next to your profile picture. This opens the Apple ID menu.
  4. It's next to the icon that resembles a blue cloud.
  5. The Messages or iMessage app has a green icon with a white speech bubble. This enable iMessage messages to be stored on iCloud. [2]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

On Mac

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  1. 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. Messages is the app that has a large blue speech bubble and a small white speech bubble.
  3. It's in the upper-right corner of the screen in the menu bar when the Messages app is open.
  4. It's in the Messages menu. This opens the Preferences app.
  5. 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. 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

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  • Question
    Will I lose my messages on my phone?
    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.
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  • Question
    How can I retrieve messages that are deleted?
    Fancyghost
    Community Answer
    You can't. Once messages are deleted, they're gone forever. Try another solution.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.theverge.com/2017/6/5/15732262/apple-imessage-update-announced-new-features-wwdc-2017
      2. ↑ https://www.cultofmac.com/525437/how-to-use-ios-11-imessages-in-icloud/
      3. ↑ https://www.cultofmac.com/551897/macos-update-messages-icloud/

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