App for Saving Text Messages from iPhone to MacBook

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  hogwarts on 04/05/2016 - 20:58

  Did you iCloud backup it from when you set it up (options were setup as new iphone, backup from icloud and backup from itunes.

  Sad to hear your friend died.

  Thanks,
  Graham

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  hogwarts on 04/05/2016 - 20:59

  Or you could screenshot and put it on a cloud service (iCloud, Google Drive) or you could iMessage it to yourself

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  Msfrugal on 04/05/2016 - 21:56

  Graham, thanks for the replies.

  I've not yet done anything with the used 5s - except turn it on, change the iTunes details as still had former owners, and connect it to the wifi to see that it works (yay!).

  So I haven't yet tried to install my SIM and bring in the data from my iCloud account.

  I'm sorry to sound stupid, because I'm actually quite bright - but can I actually import from iCloud to the new phone without installing the SIM ?
  (here's where I get confused about whether iCloud is linked to the email address or the phone number.)

  I'm going to Ireland and want to use the 4s for an Irish sim and keep my 5s Aussie one. I don't know how it works with 2 different Sims and the same iCloud address? I figure I'll have to put a different iCloud address for the Irish sim.

  I'd love someone to be able to explain it to me! Maybe I'll drop into a telstra shop and they can explain!

  But I don't want to do anything at all without ensuring that I have the text messages saved somewhere.

  Thank you for your condolences. It was a tragic car incident just 6 weeks ago. He was driving to Sydney and fell asleep at wheel veering into path of an oncoming truck… instant. And we were renting a lovely house together and I so lost that too. It;s been crap .

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  jingy on 04/05/2016 - 22:14

  When I upgraded from my iPhone 4 to a 5 ( a couple of years ago), I backed up the 4 onto my computer, then when setting up the 5, I chose 'restore from backup'. Doing that kept my old messages and also my App data - things like high scores in games, in-App purchases, etc. But that was also a couple of years ago, when the iPhone 5 came out so I'm not sure if thats still the case.

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  sicklad21 on 05/05/2016 - 08:23

  I've backed up and restored multiple iPhones, and I always choose to do a full backup via iTunes on the computer. This method will preserve all data on the phone including Text messages and iMessages, and yes Jingy it is still the case at the moment.

  I've had bad experiences with iCloud so i prefer not to use it for backups.

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  Msfrugal on 05/05/2016 - 10:13

  Hi Sicklad, thank you for that confirmation that using iTunes will copy all messages.

  Been interesting trying to find an app to have them available to print…was hoping someone had already used an app and could recommend one.

  Found this one which seems to be what I want, cost us$39 for one licence - $59 for 5 (family option)

  https://www.macroplant.com/iexplorer/

  • 

    sicklad21 on 05/05/2016 - 10:33

    Give this guide a go, http://www.syncios.com/blog/how-to-print-iphone-sms-messages…
    Seems to be free, which is always better! $40 does seem a lot (As it will end up being around $50 due to the exchange rate)

    If you have backed up all your data there is no harm in trying these services, if they don't work, go for the paid option.

    Cheers.

    • 

      Msfrugal on 05/05/2016 - 13:18

      +1

      HI again.
      Thanks for that.
      Downloaded free trial and just like another one I tried earlier today, the free trial does not allow text messages.

      however this program's on sale US$29 instead of US$39 - so it'll save me $10!

      Looks like there's nothing out there free for the TEXT messages.

      Just tested this one with putting photos and notes from iPhone on my macbook.
      The photos all appear in a photos folder but the notes comes in a .xml file (I don't know what that is) and when I click it's got all these weird characters interspered in the note so no good for that. .

      Thank you again for help.
      Best,

      Clare

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      Msfrugal on 05/05/2016 - 13:47

      Thank you.
      I downloaded it - the Free trial doesn't allow transfer of messages.

      Doesn't give you the whole platform. I tried it and copied photos - copies them into a folder - and my 'notes'.
      However the 'notes' were in an .xml file (don't know what that is).
      I clicked on it and it opened and showed a lot of gobbly gook with the notes so not any good.

      Tried another free trial earlier today and same thing, wouldn't allow messages, have to buy the program.

      BUT this one is on sale for US$30 not US$40 so thanks - I'll save 10 bucks.

      Looks like theres nothing free out there to do messages.

      Sincerest thanks for the help.
      Best,
      Clare

      • 

        Msfrugal on 05/05/2016 - 13:48

        oops - thought I'd lost the first post as somehow closed my browser and lost everything - sorry for the double up!

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  verio on 05/05/2016 - 10:22

  What I would do if I were you:
  - check iCloud backup settings on the 4S on more time, make sure that you have a recent iCloud backup
  - since you have not done anything special with the 5S, I would reset it to default settings. System settings - General - Reset - Erase All Content and Settings
  - after that your 5S will act as a new phone, you will go through the first setup steps where you will be asked whether you want to set up the phone as new or restore from iCloud. Select restoring iCloud backup. You will be asked to enter your iCloud credentials which is your Apple ID email and password. After that you should have your 5S with the same messages and settings from your 4S.

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  Msfrugal on 05/05/2016 - 10:32

  Thanks bright Aussie.
  Appreciate it.
  Guess as a test it be good to try the iCloud and see if text and I messages transfer.

  But I like fact that going the iTunes via computer is a firm confirmation all will go. I forget to back up on computer so a good reminder to not be lazy.