Don't Lose Your Texts! Transfer Messages to a New iPhone (2024)

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Use iCloud or computer backups to take them to your new device

By

Sam Costello

Don't Lose Your Texts! Transfer Messages to a New iPhone (1)

Sam Costello

Writer

  • Ithaca College

Sam Costello has been writing about tech since 2000. His writing has appeared in publications such as CNN.com, PC World, InfoWord, and many others.

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Updated on April 25, 2024

Reviewed by

Jerrick Leger

Don't Lose Your Texts! Transfer Messages to a New iPhone (2)

Reviewed byJerrick Leger

    Jerrick Leger is a CompTIA-certified IT Specialist with more than 10 years' experience in technical support and IT fields. He is also a systems administrator for an IT firm in Texas serving small businesses.

    lifewire's editorial guidelines

    In This Article

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    In This Article

    • Step-by-Step: Transfer Messages in iCloud
    • Step-by-Step: Transfer Using iCloud Backup
    • Step-by-Step: Move Texts Using Mac or PC
    • Frequently Asked Questions

    What to Know

    • iCloud Messages: Settings > Your Name > iCloud and toggle on Messages > log in on new phone.
    • Or: Settings > Your Name > iCloud > iCloud Backup > Backup Now > Restore from backup on new phone.
    • iPhone to computer: Open Finder (Mac) or iTunes (PC) > Back Up Now > Restore from backup on new phone.

    This article explains how to transfer your text messages and iMessage history from your iPhone to a new iPhone. Instructions cover Apple's Messages texting app that comes pre-installed on the iPhone. It does not cover third-party texting apps, such as WhatsApp.

    How to Transfer Text Messages from iPhone to iPhone With Messages in iCloud

    Perhaps the simplest way to transfer text messages from iPhone to iPhone is to use Messages in iCloud. This iCloud feature was introduced in iOS 11.4.

    When you enable it, it works just like iCloud syncing 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—and it covers both standard SMS texts and iMessages.

    Here's what to do:

    1. On your current iPhone, tap Settings to open it.

      You may prefer to be connected to Wi-Fi, since uploading your messages will likely be faster. But, in a pinch, uploading over a cellular network is OK, too.

    2. Tap your name.

    3. Tap iCloud.

    4. Move the Messages slider to on/green. This starts the process of backing up your messages to your iCloud account.

      Don't Lose Your Texts! Transfer Messages to a New iPhone (3)

      In iOS 16 and later, tap Show All > Messages in iCloud > and turn the toggle on for Use on this iPhone or Sync this device.

    5. On the new phone that you want to transfer the messages to, log in to the same iCloud account and repeat the steps to enable Messages in iCloud. The new phone will automatically download the texts from iCloud.

    How to Move Text Messages to Your New iPhone Using an iCloud Backup

    If you don't want to use Messages in iCloud (because you've got an older phone, don't want your texts saved in the cloud, you don't want to pay for extra iCloud storage, etc.), you can transfer messages from iPhone to iPhone via restoring from backup.

    1. On your current iPhone, tap Settings.

    2. Tap your name.

    3. Tap iCloud.

      Don't Lose Your Texts! Transfer Messages to a New iPhone (4)

    4. Tap iCloud Backup.

    5. Move the iCloud Backup slider to on/green.

      Don't Lose Your Texts! Transfer Messages to a New iPhone (5)

    6. Tap Back Up Now to start backing up right away. How long this takes depends on how much data you have to back up. Depending on the backup size, you may also need to upgrade your iCloud storage.

      If you don't select this option, backups happen automatically when your phone is plugged into power, connected to Wi-Fi, and the screen is locked.

    7. Start setting up your new iPhone once the backup ends. When you're asked to decide how to set up your new device, choose to restore from backup using the iCloud backup you just made.

      When you choose this set-up option, you import all of your backed-up data, including your messages, to the new iPhone.

    How to Move Text Messages to Your New iPhone Using a Mac or PC

    If you prefer not to back up to iCloud, but still need to transfer messages to a new iPhone, use the trusty old method of backing up your data to a Mac or PC.

    The Mac instructions apply to computers with macOS Catalina (10.15) and newer. For older versions, the instructions are largely the same except that you use iTunes instead of Finder to back up.

    1. Connect your current iPhone to your Mac or PC.

    2. Open a new Finder window (on a Mac) or iTunes (on a PC). If you're on a PC, skip to step 5.

      If you're using a PC and iTunes, iTunes should automatically back up your iPhone as soon as it's connected.

    3. Expand the Locations section of the left sidebar, if it's not already open. and choose your iPhone.

      Don't Lose Your Texts! Transfer Messages to a New iPhone (6)

    4. In the iPhone management screen that appears, select Back Up Now.

      Don't Lose Your Texts! Transfer Messages to a New iPhone (7)

    5. When the backup is complete, start setting up your new iPhone. When you're asked how to set it up, choose Restore from backup.

    6. Connect your iPhone to the computer you just used for the backup and then select the backup. All your backed-up data, including your messages, will be downloaded to the new iPhone.

    How to Back Up Your iPhone to an External Hard Drive

    FAQ

    • How can you tell if someone blocked you on iMessage?

      To see if someone blocked you on iMessage, and you know the other person also uses iMessage, send a text and see if it delivers like normal. If it doesn’t, and instead sends as a regular text, then the person may have blocked you.

    • How do you turn off iMessage on a Mac?

      To turn off iMessage on a Mac, go to Messages > Preferences or Settings > iMessage > Settings > Sign Out > and confirm you want to sign out.

    • How do you leave an iMessage group chat?

      To leave a group chat in iMessage, open the group you want to leave > tap the group name > Leave this Conversation. You might also see an option to block a thread by selecting Delete and Block This Conversation.

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    Don't Lose Your Texts! Transfer Messages to a New iPhone (2024)

    FAQs

    Don't Lose Your Texts! Transfer Messages to a New iPhone? ›

    Connect your new iPhone to your computer with a USB cable > Open iTunes on your computer and select your device. Click on the Restore Backup option > Choose the backup that contains the messages you want to transfer.

    Will all my text messages transfer to my new iPhone? ›

    iPhone messages are backed up via iCloud, which is great because it means that you can restore old messages to a new iPhone! This works best if you have a brand-new iPhone, as the iCloud backup from your old iPhone will replace any data on your new device.

    When you switch phones, do you lose text messages? ›

    Messages are saved locally to a phone unless you have backups enabled, meaning if you get rid of the device, the messages will be gone, too. Will text message backups take up space in my Google Drive or iCloud account?

    How do I sync my text messages to my new iPhone? ›

    On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud. Do one of the following: iOS 17.2, iPadOS 17.2, or later: Tap Show All, tap Messages in iCloud, then turn on “Use on this iPhone.” iOS 16 to 17.1 or iPadOS 16 to 17.1: Tap Show All, tap Messages, then turn on Sync this [device].

    How do I transfer all text messages to my new phone? ›

    How to Transfer Android Text Messages Wirelessly
    1. On the source device (the phone you want to transfer text from), download SMS Backup and Restore from the Play Store. ...
    2. Tap Allow to grant the necessary permissions.
    3. Tap the Menu icon (the three lines).
    4. Tap Transfer, then tap Send From This Phone.
    Jan 4, 2024

    Does iPhone keep all text messages? ›

    You can choose to automatically delete your iMessages from your device after 30 days or a year, or to keep them on your device forever. For your convenience, SMS, MMS, Apple Messages for Business, and iMessages are backed up in iCloud and encrypted if you have enabled either iCloud Backup or Messages in iCloud.

    Why haven't my text messages transferred to my new phone? ›

    Install SMS Backup and Restore on both phones, then use it to back up your SMS history on your old phone, move the backup to Drive, import it to your new phone and restore it there.

    Does iCloud save text messages? ›

    When you set up iCloud for Messages, your messages are stored in the cloud, with only the most recently accessed Messages stored locally on your device. You can see them on any device that's set up for iCloud and Messages, including your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Mac.

    Why didn't my iPhone transfer everything? ›

    Based on expert analysis and user feedback, you can face this problem due to any of these factors: Poor internet connection as both iPhones need a stable Wi-Fi connection to move files. A minor glitch in either iPhone can also hinder the normal functioning of the Quick Transfer feature.

    Can I keep my text messages when I get a new phone? ›

    Before you switch phones, you can allow Google to backup your texts so you can restore your messages to a new phone. info Settings and features vary by device and Android version.

    How to transfer messages from iPhone to iPhone without iCloud? ›

    If you already set up your new device, you need to erase it first and repeat the set up process again. Connect your new iPhone to your computer with a USB cable > Open iTunes on your computer and select your device. Click on the Restore Backup option > Choose the backup that contains the messages you want to transfer.

    Can I transfer my old text messages to my new iPhone? ›

    Go to Setting -> Your Name -> iCloud then Scroll down and enable toggle of “Messages”. Wait for sync process. Now on second iPhone do the same process as above and wait for sync. After some time, your messages will appear in your message app.

    How do I get my old text messages back on my new iPhone? ›

    How to transfer messages to a new iPhone
    1. Turn on your new iPhone.
    2. Go through the setup process. ...
    3. When asked, tap Restore from iCloud Backup and Next. ...
    4. Your new phone will start to download everything from your back-up, including all your messages.
    Aug 8, 2018

    How do I transfer everything from one iPhone to another? ›

    Once you have backed up your old iPhone into iCloud, turn on your new iPhone. Proceed in the setup process and connect the new iPhone to WiFi. In the “Apps & Data” -view, select “Restore from iCloud Backup” and sign in to iCloud. Choose the backup you want to restore and wait for the backup to finish.

    Can another iPhone get your text messages? ›

    To automatically forward SMS/MMS messages to one or more of your other devices, the other device must be signed in with the same Apple ID as your iPhone, and your iPhone must be connected to a Wi-Fi or cellular network.

    Do text messages transfer to new iPhone without iCloud? ›

    Key Takeaways: To transfer text messages to a new iPhone without using iCloud, you can use the Quick Start or Move to iOS feature. This feature allows you to transfer data, including text messages, from your old iPhone or Android to your new iPhone wirelessly.

    How do I merge messages from two iphones? ›

    Keep the following in mind if you're planning to sync messages:
    1. All devices that you want to synch must be logged in to the same Apple ID/account.
    2. Check the iCloud settings on each device and make sure that Messages is turned on.
    3. Make sure that the settings for where you can ve reached are the same on each device.
    Jul 17, 2022

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