I manually copied ~/Library/Messages from my old Macbook to my new Macbook.
Yet Messages still does not see the message history.
How can I get continuity of Messages if I'm not using Migration Assistant?
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Have you tried enabling Messages in iCloud on both Macs?– ThinkrCommented Jun 30, 2023 at 8:32
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@Thinkr You're right. Apple really wants us to use iCloud, even for (phone) text messages and media. And this is just a first step before moving iTunes music and photos (Photos) manually. Will those also not work using a simple folder copying?– Sam7919Commented Jun 30, 2023 at 13:02
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I think you will have to use iCloud Drive to move, copy, and sync folders between your devices. But enabling iCloud for Messages will sync your messages on all devices connected to the same Apple ID. No need to pay a subscription or anything to use iCloud for Messages. Just make sure you are connected to the same Apple ID on both your old and your new Mac.– ThinkrCommented Jun 30, 2023 at 15:08
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@Thinkr Actually Apple includes 5GB of iCloud with your AppleId. I am paying for more. Still, for sizeable data (photo collection, ..), and even for Messages, I wish we'd be given the option of using the 3.5GB/s Thunderbolt speed that we get on modern hardware.– Sam7919Commented Jun 30, 2023 at 16:21
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Oh. I see what you mean. I don't think this is possible (as you may have already noticed). Maybe try to contact Apple Support to let you know if it's possible or not. ;)– ThinkrCommented Jul 1, 2023 at 7:45
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1 Answer
Do not manually copy
~/Library/Messages from an old Mac to a new Mac.
Weird effects will ensue, such as being able to text some recipients from either iPhone or macOS and see the messages simultaneously appear in the other OS/device (as expected), but seeing the dreaded
when you attempt to text from macOS for some recipients. Those recipients remain reachable, but only through iOS.