Restore Messenger end-to-end encrypted chats with iCloud Drive

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We’re updating the way you access your chat history to make your Messenger experience even more reliable and secure.
After December 2026, you’ll no longer be able to access your chat history on new devices using the key saved in your Google Drive.
You will receive a notice on Messenger to create a PIN instead, and you can use your PIN to access your chat history going forward.
You can automatically restore your end-to-end encrypted messages from Messenger on iOS mobile devices connected to your Apple ID without entering your PIN.

Before you begin

  • This option only works on iOS mobile devices, not on MacOS computers. If you’re using an Android mobile device, learn how to restore chats with a Google Account.
  • Remember that this option is only available to you if you have previously allowed Messenger to restore your chats with iCloud Drive.
  • If you don’t have the option to Restore now, you can see other security options to restore your end-to-end encrypted chats.

Restore chats with iCloud Drive when you log in from a new device

  1. Open Messenger on a new iOS mobile device and log in.
  2. Tap Restore now.

Allow Messenger to restore chats with iCloud Drive from your settings

  1. Open Messenger on an iOS mobile device.
  2. Tap Menu, then tap Settings.
  3. Tap Privacy & safety, then tap End-to-end encrypted chats.
  4. Tap Message storage.
  5. Tap the switch by Save key in iCloud Drive.

How restoring end-to-end encrypted chats with iCloud Drive works

If you previously allowed Messenger to restore your chat history with your iCloud Drive, you allowed Messenger to keep a copy of a key to your backup within your iCloud Drive. This lets you access your chat history whenever you switch to another iOS mobile device or switch accounts on Messenger.
Learn more about other security methods to restore your end-to-end encrypted chats on Messenger.

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