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export text messages in Messages...

My new iMac's Messages app does not have any of the received/sent text messages that my old one does. Both iMacs are 27" machines and both are running Mac OS X 12.2 Monterey. Is there a way that I can export from the old iMac to the new iMac? I'm pretty sure that the Migration app won't let me migrate the data from just the Messages app residing on the old iMac. Suggestions?

iMac 27″, macOS 12.2

Posted on Feb 3, 2022 3:11 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Feb 3, 2022 6:09 AM

Do this on both Macs running macOS 12.2:

  1. In the System Preferences panel, click the Apple ID icon.
    1. Select the iCloud entry in the left column
      1. Select iCloud Drive, and then click Options…
      2. On that Options… panel, select Messages
  2. Both Macs must be using the same Apple ID and be signed in to iCloud


These steps allow my Messages to be synchronized across multiple Macs, some running Mojave, Big Sur, or Monterey.


You may need to reboot each Mac for this to take effect.

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 3, 2022 6:09 AM in response to Alan Blair

Do this on both Macs running macOS 12.2:

  1. In the System Preferences panel, click the Apple ID icon.
    1. Select the iCloud entry in the left column
      1. Select iCloud Drive, and then click Options…
      2. On that Options… panel, select Messages
  2. Both Macs must be using the same Apple ID and be signed in to iCloud


These steps allow my Messages to be synchronized across multiple Macs, some running Mojave, Big Sur, or Monterey.


You may need to reboot each Mac for this to take effect.

export text messages in Messages...

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