How to fresh install and keep texts/iMessages?

[EJ8]

iMessages are the only thing I want to restore. I can't seem to remember if this is possible and how to do it.

 

[andyp350]

I could be wrong but I don't think you can. If you have them on your iMessage on iPad of Mac then you'll still have access to them but not on the phone if you do a clean install.

 

[Tammster]

I have the same question. The only other thing I'd want to preserve are photos and those save separately to icloud.

 

[jabingla2810]

I think restoring from backup is all or nothing.

 

[maflynn]

You have a choice, restore from a backup and get everything back, or fresh install and your data (including your messages) will be gone.

 

[grantmo]

Will your camera roll with all your pics and vids still be there with a fresh install?

 

[Kyotoma]

I have the same question. The only other thing I'd want to preserve are photos and those save separately to icloud.

If you're running Windows you can always download your saved camera roll pictures by accessing your iPhone like you would an external device or hard drive.

 

[codeman7]

I actually wanted to do this recently and accomplished it using these steps:

http://www.idownloadblog.com/2014/03/06/how-to-back-up-restore-sms-messages/

It's a bit of a pain, but seems to be the only way.

 

[jclardy]

Couldn't you go to your iCloud backup settings and disable everything except messages/photos? Then do a restore, and restore from the icloud backup with just messages/photos.

 

[Razeus]

I was going to ask this. I need a fresh install but I need my iMessages for business purposes/documentation.

 

[EJ8]

Couldn't you go to your iCloud backup settings and disable everything except messages/photos? Then do a restore, and restore from the icloud backup with just messages/photos.

This is the only idea I had. I'm not sure how many other random artifacts the backup may bring over but I think I'm going to try this.