How to Backup iMessages without iCloud (2 Free Ways)

Why Do You Want to Backup iMessages without iCloud?

iMessage is one convenient instant messaging service, with it you can send or receive not only texts but also emoji, photos, audio, videos, documents, location, and more attachments. Besides, in case of unexpected data loss, Apple offers 2 ways to help backup your messages via iCloud: you can make a whole iPhone backup including your iMessages or turn on Messages Sync feature to sync messages among your iOS devices.

However, iCloud only offers 5 GB of free storage space to store iOS data. If you have lots of iMessages need to be backed up you have to upgrade more storage plan. What’s more, sometimes you may meet iMessage sync not working problem. Or you may have forgotten your Apple ID and password so you want to backup iMessages without iCloud.

How to Backup iMessages without iCloud

Besides iCloud, you can also backup iMessages with the help of iTunes but it will backup your messages as well as other iPhone data. Fortunately, apart from official ways of backing up your iMessages, there’s one third-party tool that lets you only backup your iMessages. Next, I’ll show you the detailed steps of the two methods.

Method 1. Backup iMessages without iCloud but via FoneTool

FoneTool is one free iPhone backup export for Windows PCs. It supports all iPhone, including the latest iPhone 14/13, iPad, iPod touch devices and can help you backup messages, contacts, photos, music, etc. It provides outstanding features to satisfy your needs related to iMessages backup. It's also a good choice if you want to backup text messages on iPhone without iCloud.

★ Preview and select the iMessages you want to backup.

★ You can backup iMessages with no storage limit.

★ View the iMessages within this backup anytime you want.

What’s more, if necessary, you can choose to restore the backup files to your iPhone or other iDevices and it will not erase any existed data on the device. Download the tool right now and see how to backup iMessages in minutes.

Step 1. Run FoneTool, and you can see your iPhone information on the interface. Then choose Phone Backup and go to Selective Backup.

Step 2. Choose Messages to select the iMessages you want to backup > Click OK to confirm.

Step 3. Click Backup Storage Path to choose a location to save your backup files > Click Start Backup button to start backing up your iMessages.

When the process is finished, you can check the backup task on the Backup History screen. Here you can choose to locate, browse, restore or delete the backup files.

Method 2. Backup iMessages without iCloud but via iTunes

iTunes is another way you can try to backup iMessages. It will backup all the iPhone data and settings including your iMessages. Besides, there is no access for you to view the backup content.

Step 1. Download the latest version of iTunes on your computer.

Step 2. Connect your device to computer via the USB cable.

Step 3. Click Device > Go to Summary.

Step 4. Click Back Up Now to run a backup at once. It may take a long time to complete the backup because it backs up the whole device.

When the process is completed, you can find your backup under “Latest Backup”. Please be careful when you need to perform a restore because your existed iPhone data will be replaced with the backup content.

Conclusion

That’s all about how to backup iMessages without iCloud. Both FoneTool and iTunes can help you backup iMessages. Compared to iTunes, FoneTool offers more powerful functions, it allows you to only backup iMessages as well as view the backup files. And it will not do any harm to your device data after restore. Go for it now and discover more!