How to Transfer Messages from iPhone to iPhone

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.

   

   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.

   

4. Tap iCloud Backup.

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

   

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.

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.

   

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

   

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.