Clean Install but afraid of losing my Messages archive

[mikeyiphone]

I have a program which refuses to be removed from my laptop. Citrix Receiver, I had to download it for work.
I decided that I really do not need it on my laptop as its only for emails and scheduling. Both of which I can do while at work.

Problem is they are impossible to remove. I went to the website. I try uninstalling. I tried terminal and I'm fed up.

So my last hope is do a clean install of Mojove, reset it to factory settings. I am scared that I will lose my message archives. I have some messages threads going back as far as 2014. I had an issue in the past when doing a clean install of an older MacBook and lost all my messages. I don't want the same thing to happen.

 

[n-evo]

Enable "Messages in iCloud" first.

On macOS High Sierra / Mojave open Messages app > Go to Preferences in the menu bar > iMessage > Check "Enable Messages in iCloud"

Be sure to do the same on your iPhone and iPad in Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > Enable "Messages"

After performing the clean installation of macOS Mojave you go back the Messages app, turn the setting on and everything will sync back. Worked like a charm just an hour ago here.

 

[mikeyiphone]

I was just reading about this feature prior to your response.
Did it also save the photo and video history as well?

 

[Merackon]

I was just reading about this feature prior to your response.
Did it also save the photo and video history as well?

On my MBP it has for all the conversations. Be warned though, not sure if it was just a bug for me, but when doing the iCloud sync the bar is not necessarily accurate, and is worth force closing the app and relaunching before committing to the reinstall. I did this, and found that the sync progress jumped back to 75% (found a lot of media missing the first time). The third time it showed that everything had been synchronised, and everything showed on my devices.

 

[n-evo]

I was just reading about this feature prior to your response.
Did it also save the photo and video history as well?

It saves everything in the cloud as long as you have enough online storage. It wouldn't be much of a feature if it didn't. You can check your iPhone how big all your messages are and if you need more storage space. Personally I upgraded to 50 GB for € 0,99 per month.

 

[BLUEDOG314]

If you want to give one more shot at removing the program, I'm sure we could help you eliminate it. Can you tell me what you tried in terminal and what your processes were?

 

[bookemdano]

As an alternative (or adjunct) to messages in iCloud, you can easily back up and restore your Messages database.

I have used the steps in these instructions in the past and they worked perfectly for me.

 

[golfnut1982]

As an alternative (or adjunct) to messages in iCloud, you can easily back up and restore your Messages database.

I have used the steps in these instructions in the past and they worked perfectly for me.

Very helpful...Thanks

 

[jusacruiser]

When I "enabled messages in iCloud" my messenger was NOT able to successfully send any messages from my MBP.

So I unchecked that box and I sent a "test" message to somebody successfully. Why would that be??

The "Help" instructions say that the box should be checked so multiple devices can be synced. But when that box was unchecked it was still syncing anyway?

I would like to save all my texts somewhere. Are they not being archived if I have that box unchecked??

See helpful screenshots below:

 

[jusacruiser]

I have a program which refuses to be removed from my laptop. Citrix Receiver, I had to download it for work.
I decided that I really do not need it on my laptop as its only for emails and scheduling. Both of which I can do while at work.

Problem is they are impossible to remove. I went to the website. I try uninstalling. I tried terminal and I'm fed up.

So my last hope is do a clean install of Mojove, reset it to factory settings. I am scared that I will lose my message archives. I have some messages threads going back as far as 2014. I had an issue in the past when doing a clean install of an older MacBook and lost all my messages. I don't want the same thing to happen.

When I "enabled messages in iCloud" my messenger was NOT able to successfully send any messages from my MBP.

So I unchecked that box and I sent a "test" message to somebody successfully. Why would that be??

The "Help" instructions say that the box should be checked so multiple devices can be synced. But when that box was unchecked it was still syncing anyway?

I would like to save all my texts somewhere. Are they not being archived if I have that box unchecked??

See helpful screenshots below: