After a long wait, iCloud support for the stock Messages app finally goes live with iOS 11.4. So, you can now enable “Messages in Cloud” both on your iPhone and Mac to secure your conversations, attachments and all the memorable shared images.
Thanks to the integration with iCloud, managing iMessage has become plain sailing. For instance, if you clean up unnecessary conversations on your iPhone, the result would reflect on your other devices like Mac or iPad. Aside from providing the needed security to your messages, it can also let you free up some precious storage on your device.
How to Sync Messages with iCloud on iPhone and Mac
Quick Navigation
- How to Enable “Messages on iCloud” in iOS 11.4 on iPhone and iPad
- How to Enable “Messages on iCloud” in macOS High Sierra on Mac
- How to Disable “Messages on iCloud” in iOS 11.4 on iPhone and iPad
- How to Disable “Messages on iCloud” in macOS High Sierra on Mac
Enable Messages on iCloud in iOS 11.4 on iPhone and iPad
- Messages in iCloud stores your entire iMessages, SMS texts, attachments and images
- The changes made on one device instantly show on the other, thereby making it a lot easier to take control of everything
- Another obvious advantage of this feature is that when you sign in using your Apple ID on a new iPhone, you will get all of your messages history
- Your messages are protected with top-level end-to-end encryption
- One thing worth mentioning up front is that you must have to turn on “Two-Factor Authentication” to be able to sync your message with iCloud. So, get it done now
Step #1. Launch Settings app on your iOS device.
Step #2. Now, tap on the Apple ID banner.
Step #3. Next, tap on iCloud.
Step #4. Find Messages and turn on the switch next to it.
Note: you will be asked to turn on Two-Factor Authentication, if you haven’t done it already.
Now, ensure that your iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi to allow the message history to sync with the iCloud. The time it will take to upload your contents depends on the number of chats and attachments you have on your device.
Turn On Messages on iCloud in macOS High Sierra
The process is just as straightforward on macOS.
At any time you decide to stop syncing your iMessage with iCloud, you can easily turn it off. You have the option to disable it on a particular device or for all the devices. If you keep it enabled on a device, the messages will keep on syncing with the cloud service.
Step #1. Launch Messages app on your Mac → Click on Messages menu at the top left corner and select the Preferences.
Step #2. Now, you need to click Accounts tab in the Messages preferences window.
Note: You have to select your iMessage account from the list on the left-hand side and then check the box next to “Enable this account,” if it is not already.
Step #3. Next up, check the box next to “Enable Messages on iCloud.”
Disable Messages on iCloud on iOS 11.4 on iPhone and iPad
Step #1. Open Settings app → Apple ID banner → iCloud.
Step #2. Now, turn off the switch next to Messages.
Turning it off on Mac isn’t a big deal either. Keep reading…
Disable Messages on iCloud in macOS High Sierra
Step #1. Open Messages app on your Mac → Messages menu → Preferences → Account tab.
Step #2. Just uncheck the box next to Enable Messages on iCloud.
Stay tuned:
Better late than never! I’m really glad to see this long-awaited feature. It has indeed made managing messages hassle-free. What’s your take on it?
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