Messages in iCloud is now available for Mac users who are running the latest versions of Mac OS system software.
The Messages in iCloud feature allows Messages to be updated automatically on all devices using the same Apple ID by syncing all iMessages through iCloud. Essentially that means Messages are now syncing through iCloud, so if you delete a message from one device it will remove from others, and vice versa. This also means that Messages will be stored in iCloud, potentially saving some storage space on a Mac by offloading the Messages media like photos, videos, and conversations, into iCloud.
This tutorial will show you how to enable Messages in iCloud on a Mac.
Messages in iCloud for Mac requires macOS 10.13.5 High Sierra or later, earlier versions do not support the feature. Additionally, if you an iOS device you will need to enable Messages in iCloud on iPhone and iPad as well in order for the feature to work as expected across multiple Mac and iOS devices.
How to Enable Messages in iCloud on Mac
Enabling Messages in iCloud on a Mac requires you to visit the Messages app preferences, rather than iCloud Settings in system preferences. Here is where Mac users can look to enable the feature on their computer:
- Open the Messages app in Mac OS, it’s found in the /Applications folder
- Pull down the “Messages” menu and choose “Preferences”
- Click on the “Accounts” tab and select your Apple ID from the accounts list
- Check the box next to “Enable Messages in iCloud”
Once enabled, Messages in iCloud will start to sync messages to iCloud, if you have a lot of large message threads it can take a while particularly if you send and receive a lot of media messages like photos, videos, or files, and depending on the internet connection speed.
There’s also a “Sync Now” button in Messages Preferences on the Mac if you enable the feature and the messages do not appear to be syncing to or with iCloud as expected. Simply enabling the setting for the first time should trigger a sync to iCloud (and other devices) but if it does not work then the Sync Now button can be helpful for troubleshooting.
Remember, if you have an iOS device you will need to enable Messages in iCloud on iPhone and iPad directly as well. And if you have multiple Macs that you want to use iMessages in iCloud for, you will need to enable the feature individually on each Mac, assuming they fit the requirements to use the feature.
Now that Messages in iCloud is enabled on the Mac, all messages should automatically sync between that Mac and all other devices using the same Apple ID. If you delete a message from one device, it will delete from others automatically. Also, messages should now sync automatically to all other iOS devices, which may help prevent Messages showing out of order on iPhone or iPad devices if that issue has been persisting for you.
Since Messages in iCloud uses iCloud, you will obviously need iCloud storage available to use this feature as expected. Users can always update their iCloud storage and pay for more space if need be.
Are you using Messages in iCloud on the Mac? What do you think? Let us know your experiences in the comments below.
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