Set up iCloud for Messages on all your devices (2024)

FAQs

Set up iCloud for Messages on all your devices? ›

Set up iCloud for Messages on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. 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.”

Turn off messages in iCloud (settings > Apple ID > messages). You may then be prompted to disable and download messages not on your device. After completed, you can navigate to the Disable & Delete screen to recover the iCloud space.

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.

Make sure that “Text Message Forwarding” is turned on, on your iPhone. Tap “Show More” under “Apps using iCloud” OR simply turn on Messages, if already visible. Sometimes, those options go unused if not done intentionally when setting up the device.

If your messages aren't syncing, check the requirements for Messages in iCloud and make sure your devices are up to date. See the Apple Support articles System requirements for iCloud, Update your iPhone or iPad, or Update macOS on Mac.

Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud, then tap Show All. Turn on Messages (if it's not already turned on). To confirm which other devices will receive any SMS/MMS text messages you get on your iPhone, go to Settings > Messages > Text Message Forwarding.

It's stored only on the device you use and not in the cloud. This means: No Longer Synced: iCloud messages on iPhone, iPad, or Mac will not sync between each device. To view message logs, you must log in separately on each device.

Click Settings, then deselect Enable Messages in iCloud. Choose one of the following: Disable All: Turns off Messages in iCloud on all your devices.

If you haven't turned on Messages in iCloud, your messages are included in iCloud Backup. If you use Messages in iCloud, your messages automatically sync to iCloud so they aren't included in your daily backup.

Can someone see your texts if they have your iCloud? ›

If someone else has access to your Apple ID, they can view information that is synced across devices, which may include such things as Messages and location. Learn here how to secure your Apple ID on iPad, iPhone, and Mac.

The ability to send messages from iCloud offers several advantages. For one, it ensures durability of conversations across different devices. Whether you are texting from your iPhone, responding on your Mac, or typing away on your iPad, your messages stay in sync, allowing for a flawless communication experience.

Your Messages will be deleted from iCloud but remain on your device.

If you receive messages on one device but not the other

If you have an iPhone and another iOS or iPadOS device, like an iPad, your iMessage settings might be set to receive and start messages from your Apple ID instead of your phone number.

Rebooting your phone will get rid of a lot of hidden problems that could prevent the delivery of text messages. Unblock the iPhone number. If you previously blocked the iPhone number or forgot you blocked it, you'll need to unblock it to receive texts. Update your texting app.

Delete texts and attachments in Messages. When you use Messages in iCloud, all of your text messages and the attachments you send and receive use your iCloud storage. You can make more space available when you delete texts and attachments—like photos, videos, and files—that you don't need anymore.

Backup the Whole iPhone Including Messages: Go to Settings > Tap your Apple ID > Enter iCloud Backup and toggle on it > You can tap Back Up Now to make a backup immediately. If you had toggled on Messages, then they would be not included in the iCloud backup.