How to link messages from iphone to ipad

• You can sync your text messages across Apple devices by enabling the iCloud messages sync feature.
• Synced messages will all be viewable in the Messages app, whether you're using an iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, or Mac.
• You can only sync your text messages to iCloud on Apple devices.

Most people know that iCloud is a great way to store backups of your photos, contacts, and documents. 

But did you know you can also use it to sync your text messages, allowing you to access them from anywhere?

You can even send text messages without having your phone in your hand, straight from the Messages app on your Mac or another Apple device, and have any message you've sent or received viewable on any synced device. 

Here's how to sync text messages to iCloud so you can view them on all your Apple devices.

How to sync messages to iCloud on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch

1. Open the Settings app on your device.  

2. At the top of the Settings menu, tap your name to get to your Apple ID page.

3. Tap iCloud.

4. Toggle the Messages switch to the on position – this will turn it green.

Once you've done this, any text messages you send on your phone will automatically sync to iCloud. 

How to sync messages to iCloud on a Mac

1. Open the Messages app on your Mac.

2. In the menu bar at the very top of your screen, click Messages.

3. Select Preferences.

4. Click the iMessage tab at the top of the Preferences window.

5. Click the checkbox next to where it says Enable Messages in iCloud. 

You can now view your synced iCloud text messages in your Mac computer's Messages app or the Messages app on another synced device.

Melanie Weir

Freelance author

Melanie Weir is a freelance author for Insider, mainly focusing on the Tech Reference section, but occasionally contributing to Lifestyle and Entertainment topics as well. She is also a freelance writer for ScreenRant, and is the Lead Weekend News Editor at TheThings.com. In her spare time she writes plays for both stage and screen. She can be reached at , or through LinkedIn.

Read more Read less

Download Article

Download Article

• Enabling Message Syncing
|
• Troubleshooting

Once both your iPad and iPhone are logged in with the same Apple ID and Messages in iCloud has been enabled, your iMessages should sync across your Apple devices automatically. However, there have been issues in iOS 13 that may cause errors as you try to do this. This wikihow will show you how to enable messages in iCloud and troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve software issues.

Things You Should Know

• Open settings and navigate to the iCloud menu.
• Under ‘Apps Using iCloud,’ toggle on ‘Messages’ to turn on iCloud syncing.
• If this doesn’t sync your iPhone and iPad messages, try toggling off ‘Messages,’ waiting a few seconds, and turning it back on.

1. 

   1

   Open Settings

   
   . You'll find this grey gear app icon on one of your Home screens or inside the Utilities folder.
   • You'll need to repeat these steps for both your iPhone and iPad to enable Messages on each device.

2. 

   2

   Tap your name. This is next to your profile picture at the top of the menu.

   Advertisement

3. 

   3

   Tap

   
   iCloud. It's next to an icon of a cloud in the second grouping of menu options.

4. 

   4

   Tap the toggle next to "Messages" to turn it on

   
   . The iPhone and iPad menus will be similar, and you need to turn this switch on to sync your iMessages between your iPhone and iPad.[1]
   • If you follow these steps and your iPhone and iPad messages don't sync, continue to the troubleshooting method.

Advertisement

1. 

   1

   Reset Messages in iCloud. Go to Settings > Your Name > iCloud and switch "Messages" off, wait a few seconds, then switch it back on.

   • You can try this on just your iPhone, just your iPad, or both devices. If your messages still aren't syncing, continue to the next step.

2. 

   2

   Reset your iPhone or iPad. For iPhone and iPads older than iPhone X, you can just hold the sleep/wake button on the side of the device until a slider appears and drag it to power off the device. For an iPhone or iPad newer than the iPhone X, you'll need to hold the wake/sleep button and press one of the volume buttons for the slider to appear.

   • Turn your device back on by pressing and holding the wake/sleep button until the Apple logo appears.
   • If your messages still won't sync, continue to the next step.

3. 

   3

   Sign out of your Apple ID then sign back in. On both your iPhone and iPad, you'll go to Settings > Your Name > Sign Out, then go back to Settings and tap Sign in.[2]

4. 

   4

   Make sure iMessages is enabled. On your iOS devices, go to Settings > Messages > iMessages. Switch "iMessages" on so both your iPhone and iPad can send/receive iMessages.

Advertisement

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertisement

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

About This Article

Article SummaryX

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap your name.
3. Tap iCloud.
4. Tap the toggle next to "Messages" to turn it on.
5. Repeat on your iPhone and iPad.

Did this summary help you?

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 88,375 times.

Is this article up to date?

How do I link my iPad and iPhone text messages?

Why are my Messages not syncing between my iPhone and iPad?