Simple answer: they don’t. You’ve actually got one set of keys for each device you add to iCloud, and each iMessage is encrypted independently for each device. So if you have two devices — say, an iPad and an iPhone — each message sent to you is actually encrypted (AES-128) and stored on Apple’s servers twice.
Does iMessage store messages on server?
“Because iMessage is encrypted end-to-end, we do not have access to the contents of those communications,” Apple said. “In some cases, we are able to provide data from server logs that are generated from customers accessing certain apps on their devices.”
Do iMessages go through Apple servers?
Unlike other APNs notifications, however, iMessage messages are queued for delivery to offline devices. Messages are stored on Apple servers for up to 30 days.
Can my service provider see my iMessages?
No. Your iMessages are secure, unless someone has your Apple ID and password, they won’t be able to read them. This means your ISP nor Apple can read your iMessages.
Can police read iMessages?
Law enforcement can retrieve messages via Google / iCloud backups. The chart shows that subpoenas will not grant access to message content for six of the nine secure messaging apps. The three that do give up “limited” content are iMessage, Line and WhatsApp.
Can police retrieve deleted iMessages?
Keeping Your Data Secure So, can police recover deleted pictures, texts, and files from a phone? The answer is yes—by using special tools, they can find data that hasn’t been overwritten yet. However, by using encryption methods, you can ensure your data is kept private, even after deletion.
How long are iMessages kept on servers?
Once your device has retrieved a message, that encrypted copy of the message is deleted from Apple’s servers. If you have multiple devices, another encrypted copy meant for another device might sit on their servers until it expires. Messages are stored for up to seven days.
Can iMessages be retrieved for court?
This is not a common occurrence, so, in short, the answer is, yes, text messages can be subpoenaed, but, no, they are not frequently used as evidence for the reasons above. Text messages can fall into the murky area of ‘hearsay evidence,’ which is inadmissible in court.
Is iMessage really private?
Apple’s iMessage for iPhone, iPad, and Mac always uses end-to-end encryption. Only the sender and receiver of the messages can see their contents. Photos, videos, and other file attachments are also encrypted. What’s more, Apple’s FaceTime service also uses end-to-end encryption for voice and video calls, too.
How long are deleted iMessages stored?
My iPhone is deleting text messages all by itself. How do I stop it? Go to Settings > Messages > Keep Messages and make sure it is set to Forever. The other options are 30 Days and 1 Year, after which your messages are deleted automatically.
Do iMessages show up on phone records?
Question: Q: Can I messages be seen on phone bills Answer: A: No, iMessages don’t show on your bill. They are sent as data.
Are iMessages Secure over Wi-Fi?
iMessages are texts, photos, or videos that you send to another iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac over Wi-Fi or cellular-data networks. These messages are always encrypted and appear in blue text bubbles.
Can iMessage be tracked through Wi-Fi?
The initial contact for iMessage is initiated via normal SMS, and does not travel through the wifi network.
Are iMessages permanently deleted?
Unless you take action, your iPhone will keep a permanent copy of all of your messages forever. You can delete an entire conversation by swiping left on it in your iPhone’s Messages app. To delete individual messages, tap and hold on the message until you see the pop-up menu, then tap it to get to the trash can.
Can FBI see your iMessage?
All but one (IP address) of iMessage can be accessed by the FBI. For WhatsApp, Line and iMessage, the access to message content is limited, while in the remaining, the FBI said it has no access to message content.
Are iMessages stored in iCloud?
You can sync your text messages across Apple devices by enabling the iCloud messages sync feature. Synced messages will all be viewable in the Messages app, whether you’re using an iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, or Mac. You can only sync your text messages to iCloud on Apple devices.
Where are Apple iMessages stored?
If you have chosen to save iMessage history, the iMessages are stored in ~/Library/Messages by default. Follow the steps below to find deleted or old iMessages on your Mac. Note: If you have set a storage limit for your stored messages, Mac will replace your old messages with the new ones once the limit is reached.
Does Apple keep record of text messages?
Apple saves your text messages in its iPhone backups—whether they’re saved locally on your PC or they’re part of an iCloud backup—which you should have. That’s good!
How can I view my iMessage history?
How to view your iMessage history. You can view your iMessage history by tapping Messages and then scrolling through your conversations. If your device is set to never delete conversations, all messages will be stored on your device and you can look through them.
Are deleted iMessages saved on iCloud?
You can retrieve deleted text messages on your iPhone by restoring it with an iCloud backup. If you save backups to your computer, you can use iTunes or Finder to recover your iPhone’s texts. If all else fails, reach out to your cellular carrier — they may restore deleted messages for you.
Does iMessage store messages on server?
“Because iMessage is encrypted end-to-end, we do not have access to the contents of those communications,” Apple said. “In some cases, we are able to provide data from server logs that are generated from customers accessing certain apps on their devices.”
How do I permanently delete text messages so they can’t be recovered?
Here’s how: Long-press the message thread you’d like to remove. It will highlight with a checkmark. Tap on the trash can icon at the bottom and confirm.
