what to know
- iCloud Messages: Settings > your name > iCloud and open Messages > Sign in on your new phone.
- Or: Settings > Your name > iCloud > iCloud Backup > Back up now > Restore from backup on new phone.
- iPhone to computer: Open Finder (Mac) or iTunes (PC) > Backup Now > Restore from backup on new phone.
This article explains how to transfer text messages and iMessage history from iPhone to new iPhone. Instructions cover the Apple Messages text messaging app that comes preinstalled on iPhone. It does not cover third-party text messaging apps such as WhatsApp.
Perhaps the easiest way to transfer text messages from iPhone to iPhone is to use Messages in iCloud. This iCloud feature was introduced in iOS 11.4.
Once you enable it, it works just like iCloud sync does for other data: you upload content to iCloud, and then all other devices signed in to the same account download messages from iCloud. Pretty simple - it covers standard SMS text and iMessage.
How to do:
On your current iPhone, tap "Settings" to open it.
You may prefer to connect to Wi-Fi as uploading messages may be faster. However, in a pinch, uploading over cellular will work.
Click on your name.
Click iCloud .
Move the Messages slider to On/Green. This will start the process of backing up your messages to your iCloud account.
In iOS 16 and later, tap Show All > Messages in iCloud >, then turn on the toggle for Use on this iPhone or Sync this device .
On the new phone you want to transfer messages to, sign in to the same iCloud account and repeat the steps to enable Messages in iCloud. New users will automatically download text messages from iCloud.
If you don't want to use Messages in iCloud (because you have an older phone, don't want to save text messages in the cloud, don't want to pay extra iCloud storage fees, etc.), you can transfer messages from iPhone to iPhone by restoring from backup.
On your current iPhone, tap Settings .
Click on your name.
Click iCloud .
Click iCloud Backup .
Move the iCloud Backup slider to On/Green.
Click Backup Now to start the backup immediately . How long this takes depends on the amount of data you need to back up. Depending on the size of your backup, you may also need to upgrade your iCloud storage.
If you don't select this option, the backup will occur automatically when your phone is powered on, connected to Wi-Fi, and the screen is locked.
Start setting up your new iPhone after the backup is complete. When you're asked to decide how to set up your new device, choose Restore from Backup using the iCloud backup you just made.
When you select this setup option, you will import all your backup data (including messages) to your new iPhone.
If you don't want to back up to iCloud but still need to transfer messages to your new iPhone, use the tried-and-true method of backing up data to Mac or PC.
Mac instructions are for computers with macOS Catalina (10.15) and later. For older versions, the instructions are basically the same, except you use iTunes instead of Finder to back up.
Connect your current iPhone to your Mac or PC.
Open a new Finder window (on Mac) or iTunes (on PC). If you are using a PC, skip to step 5.
If you are using a PC and iTunes, iTunes should automatically back up your iPhone as soon as you connect it.
Expand the "Places" section of the left sidebar if it's not already open. and select your iPhone.
In the iPhone management screen that appears, select Backup Now .
After the backup is complete, start setting up your new iPhone. When asked how to set it up, select Restore from Backup .
Connect your iPhone to the computer you just used for backup and select Backup. All your backup data, including messages, will be downloaded to your new iPhone.
To see if someone has blocked you on iMessage and you know someone else uses iMessage, send a text message and see if it goes through. If it doesn't, and it comes as a regular text message, the person may have blocked you.
To turn off iMessage on your Mac, go to Messages > Preferences or Settings > iMessage > Settings > Sign Out > and confirm you want to sign out.
To leave a group chat in iMessage, open the group you want to leave > tap the group name > Leave the conversation . You may also see an option to block the thread by selecting "Delete and block this conversation."
