Is there a way to save iMessages and import them into Sierra?

[BomexM3]

Currently I am on El Captain and I want to save my iMessages,do a clean install and import the iMessages back into Sierra.How would I do this? Thanks for the help.

 

[rogerbarton]

iMessages are attached to your Apple ID so they should still be there. Do you have an iOS device?

 

[BomexM3]

They don't store on the apple id.

 

[rogerbarton]

Right you are, looks like Apple store messages (encrypted) til they're delivered. They then delete them, so the messages are only stored locally.

Here's how you'd transfer from one Mac to another:

1) Open Finder
2) Select 'Go' in the nav bar
3) Choose '~/Library/Messages'
4) Copy the entire Messages folder (it should have 'Archive', 'Attachments', and the chat database)
5) Replace these files on your new Mac with the old ones