2 ms·

iMessage actually isn’t included in iCloud backups by default. It’s the one thing toggled off in the settings of a fresh iOS install.

• ummonk 5y ago
  It's included in iCloud backups, just not toggled to use end to end encrypted iCloud sync (in which case iCloud backups would back up the decryption key). See https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207428 https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207428, https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208532 https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208532, https://support.apple.com/guide/security/security-of-icloud-backup-sec2c21e7f49/1/web/1 https://support.apple.com/guide/security/security-of-icloud-..., and https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202303 https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202303