Secret Codes guide
Messages In iCloud on iPhone: How It Works
By Muhammad Shahid · · 4 min read
Quick answer
Keep your whole message history in sync, including new devices. Messages in iCloud stores your conversations in iCloud rather than only on each device. Set it up and your entire history, iMessage plus SMS, MMS and RCS, follows you onto a new iPhone instead of arriving empty. Text Message Forwarding is built into it, so you do not need both.
Secret CodesDial codes, SIM & network test · Free on the App StoreDownload free →| What it does | Keep your whole message history in sync, including new devices. |
|---|---|
| Published for | any iPhone |
| Type | iOS setting |
Keep your whole message history in sync, including new devices. This page explains what it does, how to use it on an iPhone and which carriers it applies to.
I build Secret Codes: IMEI & Carrier, a free iPhone app with 317 checked codes and guides, including this one. If you would rather tap than memorise, get Secret Codes on the App Store.
What is Messages In iCloud?
Messages in iCloud stores your conversations in iCloud rather than only on each device. Set it up and your entire history, iMessage plus SMS, MMS and RCS, follows you onto a new iPhone instead of arriving empty. Text Message Forwarding is built into it, so you do not need both.
The switch is not on the Messages settings screen. Go to Settings, tap your name, tap iCloud, then tap Messages. If Messages is not visible, tap See All in the Saved to iCloud section first. Turn on Use on this iPhone.
Two consequences to accept before you switch it on. Deleting a message on one device now deletes it everywhere, and your message history counts against your iCloud storage. Both are the price of the sync working properly.
How do I do it?
- Open the Settings app and tap your name at the top.
- Tap iCloud, then tap Messages. Tap See All under Saved to iCloud if you do not see it.
- Turn on Use on this iPhone.
- Repeat on your other devices using the same Apple Account.
Which carriers does this apply to?
| Published for | any iPhone |
|---|---|
| Type | iOS setting |
| Good to know | Available on iOS 17, 18 and 26. Other devices need iOS 11.4, iPadOS 13, macOS 10.13.5 or later for deletions to sync correctly. |
Related iphone phone and message settings
- Text Message Forwarding
- RCS Messaging
- FaceTime Reachability And Caller ID
- End-To-End Encrypted RCS
- Calls On Other Devices
- MMS Messaging Toggle
See all iphone phone and message settings or every category of iPhone codes.
How Secret Codes helps
Secret Codes keeps this and every other entry a search away. Pick your carrier once and each entry says whether it is published for your line. You can save favourites, add a private note, and record whether a code worked on your line.
Frequently asked questions
What is Messages In iCloud on iPhone?
Keep your whole message history in sync, including new devices. Messages in iCloud stores your conversations in iCloud rather than only on each device. Set it up and your entire history, iMessage plus SMS, MMS and RCS, follows you onto a new iPhone instead of arriving empty.
What else should I know about Messages In iCloud?
Text Message Forwarding is built into it, so you do not need both. The switch is not on the Messages settings screen. Go to Settings, tap your name, tap iCloud, then tap Messages. If Messages is not visible, tap See All in the Saved to iCloud section first. Turn on Use on this iPhone.
What are the steps for Messages In iCloud?
1. Open the Settings app and tap your name at the top. 2. Tap iCloud, then tap Messages. Tap See All under Saved to iCloud if you do not see it. 3. Turn on Use on this iPhone. 4. Repeat on your other devices using the same Apple Account.
Where do I find Messages In iCloud?
In the Settings app on your iPhone.
Is there a dial code for Messages In iCloud?
No. On iPhone this is not a dial code, so you use the steps on this page instead.
Which carriers does Messages In iCloud work on?
It is published for any iPhone. Available on iOS 17, 18 and 26. Other devices need iOS 11.4, iPadOS 13, macOS 10.13.5 or later for deletions to sync correctly.
Does Messages In iCloud work on Android phones too?
These steps are for iPhone. Android phones have their own menus.
Will Messages In iCloud work outside the US?
The iPhone steps stay the same, although some features depend on your carrier and region.
What if Messages In iCloud does not work on my iPhone?
Check that it applies to your carrier first, because carriers decide which services they offer and can change them. If it should apply to your line, contact your carrier.
What is related to Messages In iCloud?
Text Message Forwarding. Let green bubble SMS, MMS and RCS appear on your Mac, iPad or Vision Pro.
What else is in this category?
RCS Messaging. Better texting with Android phones: high quality media, read receipts, typing dots.
Can I find Messages In iCloud in an app?
Yes. Secret Codes, a free iPhone app, includes it with its steps and carrier details.
Sources
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