This guide will show you how to set up and use Messages in iCloud on your iPhone, iPad and Mac. We’ll show you the steps to get it up and running, explain what exactly Messages in iCloud is and why you might want to use it.
Apple announced Messages on iCloud in 2017, but didn’t roll out the feature until mid-2018. You will need to install the iOS 11.4 update on your iPhone and iPad to use it. To take full advantage of these features, you also need to install macOS 10.13.
What is Messages in iCloud?
What is Messages in iCloud?
Messages in iCloud is a way to sync and backup your messages to iCloud. This will keep all your messages in the box, from texts to iMessages. This includes all your attachments, so your photos and videos are always backed up.
With the new Messages feature in iCloud, all your messages will also stay in sync. If you delete a message on one device, it will also be deleted on other devices connected to your iCloud.
When this feature is turned on, all your messages are stored online on Apple’s servers, and when you get a new iPhone or iPad, messages are synced to it. A handy way to keep your messages even if you set up iPhone as a new iPhone.
Another useful feature is that your attachments are stored in iCloud with Messages in iCloud; this will free up space on your iPhone, iPad and Mac – without having to delete conversations or photos when space is running low.
How to Open Messages in iCloud
You’ll need to do a little prep work to use Messages in iCloud. This includes installing iOS 11.4 or later, macOS 10.13.5 or later, and then enabling two-factor authentication on your iCloud account. Two-factor authentication makes your iCloud account more secure. It’s an improvement over the old two-factor mode that Apple offered, and I’ve been using it for a long time without issue. This uses your iCloud storage. If you only have 5GB of free storage from Apple, you may not have enough space, so you may need to purchase more iCloud storage.
Messages in iCloud on iPhone or iPad
How to open Messages in iCloud on iPhone and iPad.
This is how you can turn on this new feature on your iPhone or iPad. Start here and open it for your Mac if available.
- Open
- Tap on
- tap on
You need to turn on Messages in iCloud for each device you use. Repeat this on your iPad. There are no additional options to open it. If you are doing this with a new device or an outdated device, you must connect to WiFi and plug into power for the sync to complete.
Messages in iCloud on Mac
How to open Messages in iCloud on Mac.
You can use these instructions to turn on Messages in iCloud on your Mac. It’s not in iCloud settings, so you’ll have to go to the Messages app instead.
- Open
- click
- click
This will turn on the feature on your Mac. If you use more than one Mac, you will need to do this on each of your computers.
How to Use Messages in iCloud
From here, you don’t need to do anything to use Messages in iCloud. This happens in the background and syncs across all your devices, such as iCloud Photo Library.
You can manage this by going to iCloud -> Manage Storage -> Messages -> Conversations. From here you can delete messages or disable and delete your messages.