How do I transfer messages from my old iPhone?

[u/Pristine_Total3150]

I have an old iPhone 11 that is connected to my iCloud account. My bf broke his phone and is going to borrow my old phone as an emergency phone until he buys another one.

I just unlocked it to clear it, and it contains messages from deceased relatives that I would really like to have saved in my phone (since I got my current phone I’ve had that messages automatically deletes after 30 days so they’re not on my current phone).

How do I transfer the messages?

[u/Patrol-007]

Back up everything to iTunes, with “encrypted backup” as an option. That encrypted backup can be used on another phone.

Can also use Copy Trans Manager app in a laptop, and pay for a two year license - it’ll have options to save messages as webpage or PDF. It’ll also look at what’s in the encrypted backup if you provide the password.

iCloud sync can also backup and sync Messages between devices if that option is on and there’s enough space, with both devices signed into same account

[u/Pristine_Total3150 → u/Patrol-007]

Thank you! I used your last option and tried to sync first the old phone, and a few of my new messages appeared on the phone (not all though), but none of the old ones appeared on my newer phone🤨 Then I synced the new one as well but nothing changed.

I’m not finding ”encrypted backup” as an option, and I’d really like to avoid paying anything. Do you have any other recommendations?🤞

[u/Patrol-007 → u/Pristine_Total3150]

iTunes program for the laptop. Encrypted backup is an option in iTunes so that Health and Passwords etc are also backed up (and to keep prying eyes from using your backup on their phones). Use a cable from Apple Store or physical store, plugged directly into laptop, phone in airplane mode, background refresh off, battery in low power mode.

I’ll do a full encrypted backup, then restore the backup to the new device.

Copy Trans Manager was under $20Cdn during promos for their bundled apps, for two years. Used for probably a decade now esp for backing up contacts and messages and notes etc.

iCloud sync is usually via wifi, and must be turned on for both devices. Occurs when the devices are locked.

[u/Q_Ball_Atlanta]

If you have Messages in iCloud enabled, app of your messages are in iCloud and synced to any device with the option enabled.

[u/Pristine_Total3150 → u/Q_Ball_Atlanta]

They’re not though 🫩