Apple users enjoy the convenience of using Mac computers, as their features are versatile and user-friendly. One of the most used features on Macs is the messaging app, which enables users to send and receive iMessages in an efficient and secure way. However, it can be frustrating when you can’t find an important message that was sent or received months ago. This is where the "archive" feature comes in handy, allowing users to store messages they don’t need to see in the main iMessage conversation window. In this article, we will be discussing how to find archived iMessages on a Mac computer, and highlight some other methods for recovering lost messages.
Video Tutorial:
Why You Need to Find Archived iMessages
The need to find archived iMessages on the Mac computer varies from user to user. However, some of the reasons why people may need to find archived iMessages include:
- To recover important information or files shared through a message
- To find a conversation that was accidentally archived
- To retrieve a deleted conversation
Method 1: Via the iMessage Archive Folder
If you have archived a conversation in iMessage, it will be removed from the main conversation window but will still be found in the iMessage Archive Folder. Here is how to find archived iMessages via the Archive folder:
- Launch the Messages app on your Mac.
- Click on "File" at the top left of the screen.
- Select "New Smart Folder" or hit Command + Shift + N.
- After selecting "New Smart Folder," the system will give you a pop-up allowing you to create a search based on different criteria such as sender, subject, and date.
- Select the "Kind" field on the far-right and choose "Any" from the pop-up menu.
- Choose the "Message" field under Kind and select "Archived Messages" from the drop-down options.
- You’ll then see a list of all messages that have been archived.
Pros:
- Easy and straightforward method to find archived iMessages
- Accessible for beginners and advanced users
Cons:
- It’s time-consuming if you have a lot of messages
- If the messages are deleted permanently, archived iMessages are not recoverable
Method 2: Via Spotlight Search
Spotlight Search is a helpful tool to locate items on your Mac computer. It helps you find apps, documents, files, and even archived iMessages. Here’s how to use Spotlight Search to find archived iMessages:
- Click on the magnifying glass icon in the top right corner of your screen or press Command + Space bar to launch the Spotlight Search bar.
- Type in keywords from the message and then press the Return key on the keyboard or click "Search" in the Spotlight window.
- Any archived message that fits the searched keyword(s) will appear in the search results.
- Select the message you want to retrieve and double-click on it to open.
Pros:
- Quick and efficient way of finding archived iMessages
- Spotlight search is a built-in feature of the Mac operating system
Cons:
- If you forgot specific keywords from messages, it may be difficult to find them
- If you have deleted messages permanently, there’s no way of recovering them
Method 3: Using Aiseesoft Mac Data Recovery Tool
Aiseesoft Mac Data Recovery Tool is professional software that provides a solution to recover lost data from different devices, including Mac computers. It works for archived iMessages as well. Here’s how to use it:
- Download and install the Aiseesoft Mac Data Recovery Tool on your Mac computer.
- Open the software and select the file type you want to recover.
- Select the location where you want the data to be scanned.
- Wait for the scanning process to finish and then preview the items.
- Select the archived iMessages you want to retrieve and click "Recover."
- Select a location where you want the files to be saved and click "Save."
Pros:
- Ability to recover permanently deleted messages
- Flexible and user-friendly interface
- Works with different file types and devices
- Recover data from various scenarios e.g., crashed Mac computer
Cons:
- You have to pay for the software
What to Do If You Can’t Find Archived iMessages?
If you can’t find archived iMessages using the methods explained above, you can try the following:
- Check the Trash Folder for the deleted conversation or message
- Check the iCloud account for the archived iMessages
- Contact Apple Support for help
Bonus Tip: Use iCloud Sync to Store Messages
iCloud Sync provides an automatic backup of your iPhone and Mac data, and this includes messages. By enabling iCloud Sync on both devices, any message sent or received on the iPhone will also sync to your Mac’s messages app.
5 FAQs
Q1: How to prevent iMessages from being accidentally deleted?
A1: To prevent iMessages from being accidentally deleted, consider archiving them or enabling the Messages in iCloud feature. This feature keeps all messages updated and backed up on all devices that have iCloud enabled, reducing the risk of losing information.
Q2: How to recover deleted iMessages without backup on Mac?
A2: Without a backup, you might not be able to recover deleted iMessages. However, you can use third-party recovery tools like Aiseesoft Mac Data Recovery Tool, which is specialized for recovering lost data from Mac computers.
Q3: How to recover deleted iMessages from iCloud backup?
A3: To recover deleted iMessages from iCloud backup, follow these steps:
- Go to Settings on your iPhone/iPad, click On [Your Name].
- Select iCloud, then click iCloud Backup.
- Select Back Up Now to back up updated data, or choose Restore Backup to restore a previous backup.
Q4: How to turn off iMessage in Mac?
A4: To turn off iMessage in Mac:
- Open the Messages app.
- Click Messages in the menu bar.
- Select Preferences.
- Click Accounts.
- Deselect "Enable this account" to turn off iMessage on Mac.
Q5: Does Apple keep deleted iMessages?
A5: No, Apple does not keep deleted iMessages as the company prioritizes customers’ privacy. However, Apple may store messages on its servers temporarily to deliver them to the recipient device.
Final Thoughts
Archiving iMessages on Mac computers provides users with convenience when managing important conversations. However, the frustration of not being able to locate archived iMessages can be overwhelming. This article has highlighted various methods to ensure the safe retrieval of archived iMessages, and you can use any of these methods to get back lost conversations. Furthermore, providing the FAQs answers has solved some common iMessage problems users encounter.