How to View Text Messages on iCloud? [2023]

Can I see text messages on iCloud?

iCloud is a fantastic way to back up and sync photos, notes, messages, contacts, reminders, and other documents. You could restore your iPhone and iPad from iCloud backup when your devices are stuck if an iOS update failed or change to a new device.

However, for some reasons, iPhone users, like the one above, may want to know how to view text messages on iCloud. Is it possible to view iPhone text messages on iCloud? Apple doesn't allow users to check what their iCloud backup files are and where their iCloud backup is saved. If you want to view text messages on iCloud, you could access messages via iPhones or computers.

How to view text messages on iCloud from iPhone?

When you log in to your iCloud account on iCloud.com with your Apple ID and password, you could view photos, notes, calendar, contacts, reminders, mails, and other documents but messages are excluded. Because messages on iCloud are stored in a non-accessible format.

If you want to view text messages on iCloud from iPhone, you could restore an iCloud backup or sync messages to your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Follow the steps below to access text messages on iCloud from iPhone.

Step 1. On your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, Open “Settings” > [your name] > “iCloud”, and then turn on Messages. The messages on your iPhone will be uploaded to iCloud.

Step 2. To view text messages on iCloud, you could log in with your Apple ID on another iPhone, iPad, or iPod. Keep the Internet connection, your messages will be synced on the targeted iOS device.

How to view text messages on iCloud from PC/Mac?

iCloud Messages can also be viewed on your Mac and PC. You can view iMessage or text messages on Mac if you sign in with the same Apple ID as your iPhone. Furthermore, if you have enabled Messages in iCloud on iOS 11.4 or later, the iPhone messages will sync with Mac.

Step 1. On your Mac, Open “Messages”. In the dock option, choose “Messages” > “Preferences”.

Step 2. Click “iMessage” > tick “Enable Messages in iCloud”.

View text messages on iCloud from PC

To view text messages on iCloud from PC, freeware-FoneTool could be a good helper. Except for messages, you could view photos, music, videos, and contacts on your iPhone and iCloud. It’s an awesome way to back up text messages/iMessage without iCloud.

★Key features of FoneTool

Quickly backup iPhone/iPad/iPod photos, videos, music, contacts, messages, etc.

 Easily transfer data from iPhone to iPhone or computer.

Manage iDevice storage and data flexibly. 

Compatible with the latest iOS 16 and Windows 11/10/8/7

Step 1. Download and install FoneTool on your computer. Connect your iPhone to the computer via a USB cable. Tap “Trust” on your iPhone to trust the computer.

Step 2. Disable Messages in iCloud sync by going to “Settings” > [Your Name] > “iCloud” > turn off Messages and download all messages stored on iCloud to your iPhone.

Step 3. Click “Selective Backup” > "Messages" to select the iMessages or text messages you need.

Step 4. Set a backup storage path to save the messages and then click “Start Backup”.

How to view deleted text messages on iCloud?

If you accidentally deleted text messages, the best way to view deleted text messages is to restore your iPhone from iCloud backup. Before the steps to recover deleted text messages, you need to confirm you haven’t turned on iCloud sync in settings. Otherwise, the deleted text messages will be deleted permanently. Follow the steps below to restore your iPhone via iCloud backup.

Step 1. Go to “Settings” > “General” > “Transfer or Reset iPhone”/ “Reset” > “Erase All Content and settings”.

Step 2. Your iPhone will restart and follow the setup wizard to reset the iPhone. When comes to the “Apps & Data” screen, select “Restore from iCloud Backup”.

Step 3. Sign in to your Apple ID to check the iCloud backup list and select the backup which contains the deleted text messages to recover.

Bonus tip: How to transfer text messages from the old to the new iPhone

To transfer text messages from the old to new iPhone, the best way is to use an iPhone transfer freeware-FoneTool. This is a new method for transferring messages from an old iPhone to a new iPhone. It is compatible with all iPhone models, including the most recent iPhone 14, as well as iOS 16. Download FoneTool on your Windows PC, and follow the steps to transfer all iPhone data including text messages from iPhone to iPhone. You could also transfer text messages from iPhone to iPad with it.

Step 1. Click the "Phone Transfer" on the left bar of FoneTool home interface.

Step 2. The source and target devices will be listed. You could enable backup encryption to encrypt data in the source device. And then click “Start Transfer” to begin iPhone data transfer.

The bottom line

Hopefully, you get to know how to view text messages on iCloud from iPhone and PC/Mac in this guide. You need another iOS device to view text messages stored on iCloud or restore your iPhone from iCloud backup to view the deleted text messages.

To keep your text messages safe, it’s advised to make iPhone data backup via iCloud/iTunes backup or FoneTool -  freeware phone tools on iPhone data backup. You need to disable Messages in the iCloud sync function first to make sure text messages be included in backup files.

Moreover, if you want to quickly and stably transfer multiple photos, videos, music, and files from iPhone to iPhone, you could scan the QR code in the following or search FoneTool free app in App Store for iPhone data transfer.