iPhone 18 Pro Stuck on Downloading Messages from iCloud, Fix

If you own more than one Apple devices (e.g., iPhone, iPad, Mac Pro etc), you can set up iCloud Message Syncing, aka, Messages in iCloud. What this means is that you can use iCloud to keep all of your messages updated and available across devices by using Messages in iCloud. This will even help you save space since attachments (e.g., photos) are stored in iCloud. This feature can be turned on by going to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > See All > Messages in iCloud and then turn on Use on this iPhone. On your Mac, in the Messages app, choose Messages > Settings, click iMessage, then select Enable Messages in iCloud.

I turned this feature on last night for the first time. At first it looked like it is working perfectly. Then I realized that I could not find all of my messages on one of my devices; my iPhone 18 Pro. There was a loading bar that was saying “Downloading Messages from iCloud”. And after more than 15 hours, it was still saying the same message. It was stuck. This article explains what I did to resolve this problem.

iPhone 18 Pro Messages in iCloud Stuck, Fix

When you first turn on Messages in iCloud, it may take some time for all your messages to appear on each device. You can send and receive messages during this time. If you are having this problem too, please try the following tips to resolve:

1. It is possible that Apple’s servers are experiencing issues temporarily. Potential issues with Apple’s iCloud servers may lead to this issue. You can quickly and easily check to see if Apple services are down. Go to Apple’s system status website. Locate iCloud services to see if they are available or not.
2. Update your iOS devices to the latest version of the iOS software by going to Settings > General > Software Update.
3. Update your Mac to the latest version of the macOS software. Use Spotlight in the menu bar to search for “Software Update,” then click to open it from the search results. Or choose System Settings from the Apple menu in the corner of your screen. In the window that opens, click General in the sidebar, then click Software Update on the right.
4. Make sure that on all of your devices you are signed in with the same Apple Account.
5. Restart all of your devices. Press and hold either volume button and the side button until the power-off slider appears. Drag the slider, then wait 30 seconds for your device to turn off. To turn your device back on, press and hold the side button (on the right side of your iPhone) until you see the Apple logo.
6. Disable iCloud in Messages and enable again. Here is how:
   1. iOS: Settings > [your name] > iCloud > See All > Messages in iCloud and toggle off Use on this iPhone and wait a few seconds and enable again. Please note that when you are turning this off, a warning popup will say “Messages have not been fully downloaded” tap Disable and Download Messages.
   2. macOS: Messages > Settings > iMessage and uncheck “Enable Messages in iCloud”. And wait a few seconds and turn it on again.
7. On all of your devices, sign out of iCloud and wait a few seconds and sign back in. Here is how:
   1. iOS: Open the Settings app, then tap [your name]. Scroll down to the bottom. Tap Sign Out. Choose Erase this iPhone or Sign Out But Don’t Erase. If you chose Sign Out But Don’t Erase, tap Confirm and Sign Out. Then sign back in.
   2. To log out of iCloud on your Mac, go to System Settings > [your name] > Sign Out.