Transferring imessages

[Woofie2010]

Hi,
I'm thinking about doing a fresh install of OSX, however i don't want to loose the imessages/text message that are currently saved on OS X.
Does anyone know how i can save them and transfer these to my new install or OS X or point me to a tutorial.

Thanks.

 

[mfram]

If you don't re-format your drive before re-installing then you won't lose any user files. If you want to re-format, then back up with Time Machine first and restore your files using Migration Assistant after the re-install.

 

[Woofie2010]

If you don't re-format your drive before re-installing then you won't lose any user files. If you want to re-format, then back up with Time Machine first and restore your files using Migration Assistant after the re-install.

I think I want to do a clean install where I format the HD.
I have a time machine copy of my current OSX drive, however if I restore using time machine I feel like the reinstall was a waste of time because it might reinstall the problem ( I'm trying to narrow down a problem and a clean install might just fix it. Plus it time for one).

I've never used migration assistant, is that different from a time machine?


I've done some googling and there apparently folder which I can restore, will migration assistant let me restore those folders?

 

[CoastalOR]

I think I want to do a clean install where I format the HD.
I have a time machine copy of my current OSX drive, however if I restore using time machine I feel like the reinstall was a waste of time because it might reinstall the problem ( I'm trying to narrow down a problem and a clean install might just fix it. Plus it time for one).
I've never used migration assistant, is that different from a time machine?
I've done some googling and there apparently folder which I can restore, will migration assistant let me restore those folders?

Here ia an Apple Support doc about moving content to a new Mac. Note the last graphic with a window titled "Select Information to Transfer".

 

[richard2]

Messages stores your conversation history at ~/Library/Messages (where the tilde represents the path to your home folder). You may be able to preserve your conversation history by copying this folder from your current system volume to your new one, but I haven't tested this.

Note: The folder ~/Library is hidden by default. To make it visible, do the following:

1. In Finder, press shift-command-H.
2. Press command-J.
3. Enable the option Show Library folder.

 

[amors]

Messages stores your conversation history at ~/Library/Messages (where the tilde represents the path to your home folder). You may be able to preserve your conversation history by copying this folder from your current system volume to your new one, but I haven't tested this.

Yes, it works (after restart).

 

[KarmaRocket]

Will transferring messages from ~/Library/Messages to OSX also sync messages to your iphone?

I don't know why Apple just doesn't let you sync messages to icloud. Sometimes I want to do a clean install on both my iphone and Mac.

 

[richard2]

Will transferring messages from ~/Library/Messages to OSX also sync messages to your iphone?

No — iMessage doesn't support the synchronisation of conversation histories between devices.