How to See Your Apple Messages History
Method 1 of 4:
Viewing Your iMessages (iOS)
- Open the Messages app.
- Tap a conversation you wish to view. If you're already in a different conversation, tap < in the top left corner of your screen first.
- Scroll up through the conversation's contents. This will allow you to see your Messages history from as far back as the conversation goes!
- You will not be able to see deleted messages here.
- Tap the Details button. This is the encircled "i" in the top right corner of your screen.
- Review your conversation's media. Media comes in two formats that you can switch between by tapping the pertinent button:
- Images - All images and videos from your conversation.
- Attachments - All attachments (e.g., audio clips) from your conversation.
- Tap Done. You have successfully seen your Messages history for a conversation!
Method 2 of 4:
Viewing Your iMessages (Mac)
- Open the Messages program. This is the blue speech bubble icon in your dock.
- Select a conversation. You can do so from the left side of your Messages program.[1]
- Scroll up through the conversation's contents. As long as your messages haven't been deleted, you can review the conversation's history!
Method 3 of 4:
Restoring an iTunes Backup
- Attach phone to your computer. Use your Apple charging cord to do this.
- Open the iTunes program. Depending on your computer's settings, it may open automatically.
- Wait for your iPhone to sync to iTunes.
- Click the device icon. This icon resembles an iPhone and is located beneath the "Account" tab.[2]
- Click Restore Backup. This is in the "Backups" box in the middle of your iTunes page.
- You may have to disable Find My iPhone on your phone before continuing.
- Select your restore point. You'll find this option in the "Restore from this backup" section; click the bar with your iPhone's name in it to select a restore point.
- You won't want to select the most recent one (e.g., the one your phone just performed) because it won't contain your deleted iMessages.
- Click Restore. Your iTunes will begin restoring your phone; you should see a "Time remaining" value on the bottom of the restoration pop-up window.
- Press the Home button.
- Enter your Apple ID password. Your iMessages should be restored along with the rest of your phone's data!
Method 4 of 4:
Restoring an iCloud Backup
- Open the Settings app.
- Make sure your software is up to date. You won't be able to restore from iCloud if you aren't running the latest version of iOS. To check for an update:
- Tap General.
- Tap Software Update.
- Tap Download and Install if there is an update available.
- Return to the "General" tab. If you had to update, you'll need to re-open Settings.[3]
- Tap Reset.
- Tap Erase all content and settings. If your iPhone has a passcode, you'll need to enter it to continue.
- Tap Erase iPhone.
- Wait for your iPhone to finish resetting. This may take several minute; once it's done, you can begin restoring your iPhone.
- Press the Home button.
- Set up your phone's preferences. These include:
- Preferred language
- Preferred region
- Preferred wifi network
- Enter your Apple ID and password.
- Tap Next.
- Choose to enable or disable location services.[4]
- Enter a passcode. You can also skip this step.
- Tap Restore from iCloud Backup. This should be on the "Apps and Data" screen.
- Enter your Apple ID and password again.
- Tap Agree.
- Tap your preferred iCloud backup date. Make sure you pick one that will hold the iMessages you wish to retrieve.
- Wait for your iPhone to finish restoring. This may take several minutes.
- Enter your Apple ID password. This will restore your phone and its data, including your lost iMessages!
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