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To preserve Messenger chats, use Secure Storage (also called Message storage) so end-to-end encrypted history can be restored in Messenger on another device. For a separate personal record, use Messenger.com on a computer to download secure-storage data. These are different operations: a downloaded archive is not documented as an importable restore file.
Meta says Secure Storage is being introduced gradually, so labels and availability can differ by account, device and region.
Choose the right kind of backup
| Your goal | Use this | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| See encrypted chats after changing phones or computers | Secure Storage / Message storage | Restoration of chat history inside Messenger |
| Keep an offline personal archive | Download secure-storage data | A file on your computer that may include messages and attachments |
| Save one important exchange | Screenshots, copied text or saved media | A selective record, not a complete Messenger backup |
| Recover messages already deleted | Usually no available method | Meta says deletion permanently removes messages from the backup |
Meta describes encrypted backups as remotely stored in a form it cannot read: its explanation of Messenger backup and deletion. This applies to the end-to-end encrypted chat system, not necessarily every historical Messenger message or message type.
Before you start
- Confirm that Messenger and Facebook are using the account whose chats you need.
- Update Messenger, but do not assume an update guarantees that the feature has rolled out to your account.
- Keep the current trusted phone signed in until you have tested restoration on the new device.
- Choose a recovery method and store its secret safely.
- Enable Secure Storage before uninstalling Messenger, changing phones or wiping the old device. A normal iPhone or Android device backup is not a substitute for Messenger Secure Storage; see Meta’s warning at this help page.
Turn on Secure Storage
From Messenger.com on a computer
- Open Messenger.com and sign in.
- Click your profile photo.
- Open Privacy & safety.
- Select End-to-end encrypted chats, then Message storage.
- In the Secure Storage section, choose Turn on secure storage.
- Select an offered security method and finish the prompts.
Meta’s current instructions are at Secure Storage help. Depending on the account, Messenger may offer a PIN, a 40-character recovery code, a Google Account (Android), an Apple account (iPhone or iPad), a one-time code delivered to a recently used mobile device, or device-only storage.
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From the mobile app
- Open Messenger and open the menu or profile/settings area.
- Tap Settings, then Privacy & safety.
- Tap End-to-end encrypted chats, then Message storage.
- Turn on Secure Storage or select the backup method shown for your account.
- Complete the on-screen verification and save the recovery information securely.
The exact menu wording can vary between Messenger, Facebook.com, Android and iPhone/iPad. If the controls are absent, check Messenger.com as well as the app; Meta says the rollout is gradual.
Android: save the key with a Google Account
On Android, Meta documents a Google method that stores a copy of the encryption key in Google Drive; it does not put a readable transcript of your chats in Google Drive. Follow this path:
- Messenger → menu → Settings → Privacy & safety.
- Open End-to-end encrypted chats → Message storage.
- Turn on Save key in Google Drive.
- Tap Continue with Google, choose the primary Google Account used to set up the Android device, and tap Continue.
Google Account restoration is for Android mobile devices, not computers. Details: Meta’s Android instructions.
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iPhone and iPad
Message storage may offer an Apple-account, iCloud Drive or iCloud Keychain option. Select the Apple-related method actually displayed under Message storage; Meta does not present one universal iOS layout. See the restoration-method guide and Meta’s end-to-end-encryption help index.
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Pick a recovery method deliberately
| Method | Useful when | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| PIN | You want a short Messenger-specific secret | A forgotten PIN may require another trusted device or one-time-code recovery; avoid weak or reused numbers. PIN guidance |
| 40-character code | You want a recovery secret independent of Google or Apple | Keep the original code safe. Generating a replacement does not restore the old history. Code guidance |
| Google Account | You will restore on another Android phone | Requires the authorized primary Google Account; the Drive item is a key, not a readable chat archive. Android details |
| Apple account or iCloud option | You remain in Apple’s device ecosystem | Availability varies and it is not interchangeable with Android restoration. Meta’s options |
| Device-only storage | You do not want a recovery key in remote account storage | Loss, reset or replacement of that device can make restoration difficult or impossible. Storage choices |
Download an offline copy on a computer
Meta currently documents this export for a computer, not as a complete mobile-app workflow.
- Open Messenger.com and sign in.
- Click your profile photo → Privacy & safety → End-to-end encrypted chats → Message storage.
- Under Manage secure storage, choose Download secure storage data.
- Enter your Messenger/Facebook PIN, or use a one-time code if Messenger asks you to restore access first.
- Choose Download file.
- Enter your Facebook password when prompted, confirm, and download the prepared file.
Preparation can take several minutes. The export may contain messages and attachments such as files, images and other media from encrypted chats. Meta’s procedure is at Download your encrypted Messenger data.
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Treat the downloaded file as sensitive personal data. Meta describes it as a copy for download, not as a file that can be imported into Messenger to recreate conversations. Therefore, enable Secure Storage first and use the export as a second, offline layer.
Restore chats on a new device
After signing in, Messenger may request the Secure Storage method you selected.
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PIN
- On Messenger.com, sign in and enter the Secure Storage PIN when prompted.
- If no prompt appears, open profile photo → Privacy & safety → End-to-end encrypted chats → Message storage, turn on Secure Storage and enter the PIN.
See Meta’s PIN restoration steps.
One-time code
- On the new device, sign in to Messenger.com and choose Use a one-time code instead.
- Check a mobile device where Messenger was recently used.
- Approve the request there by tapping This was me.
- Enter the displayed code on the new device.
The code cannot be received on a computer; you need access to a recently used mobile device. One-time-code help.
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Original 40-character code
Enter the same 40-character code created when Secure Storage was configured. Creating a new code does not recover the previous history: Meta’s code guidance.
Google Account on a new Android phone
- Open Messenger and sign in.
- Tap Restore now.
- Select the primary Google Account used on the phone.
- Tap Allow.
This works only if Secure Storage was previously enabled and Messenger was authorized to use that account. Android restoration details.
Apple account on iPhone or iPad
Use the Apple-account, iCloud Drive or iCloud Keychain option shown under Message storage. Controls differ by account, so follow the displayed prompts rather than assuming an Android-style path.
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If you forgot the PIN or recovery code
- Check whether Messenger is still active on the old phone or another trusted device.
- Try Use a one-time code instead while that recently used phone is available.
- Use the linked Google Account on Android or Apple method on iOS if you configured one.
- Enter the original 40-character code if you saved it.
- Do not generate a new 40-character code expecting it to restore old chats.
- Do not reset the security method until you understand the consequences; if no method remains, recovery may not be possible.
Meta documents one-time-code recovery at this page and the available methods at this page.
When restoration or downloads do not work
No “Restore now” prompt
- Secure Storage may never have been enabled, or may not yet be available to the account.
- Verify the Facebook/Messenger account and update Messenger.
- Try Messenger.com and inspect Privacy & safety → End-to-end encrypted chats → Message storage.
- Do not expect reinstalling Messenger to recover history that was never secured.
- Google restoration is not available on a computer, and a one-time code requires a recently used mobile device.
Rollout and device qualifications are covered by Meta’s Secure Storage information and its reinstall guidance.
Some chats or attachments are missing
- Confirm that you signed in to the correct account.
- Check whether the conversation was deleted rather than archived.
- Allow the restoration to finish; attachments may load later.
- Consider whether you are viewing a different encrypted-chat instance.
- Do not expect deleted messages to return: Meta says deletion permanently removes them from the backup.
Archiving hides a chat without deleting it. Deletion controls such as Delete for you or unsend/delete-for-everyone can change what remains visible; rely on the wording Messenger shows at the time.
Can you back up only one conversation?
Yes, but only selectively. Take screenshots, copy text, or save individual photos and files. Those methods create a personal record of chosen material; they do not capture a complete encrypted-chat history, metadata or future messages. For a full history, use Secure Storage and, if needed, the computer export.
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Security and privacy precautions
- Never share your PIN, 40-character code or one-time code with another person or service.
- Avoid “Messenger backup” utilities that request Facebook passwords, browser cookies, recovery codes or encryption keys. They are not Meta’s documented backup path.
- Store recovery information in a password manager or another protected location, not in a publicly synced note.
- Encrypt the downloaded archive and delete local copies securely when they are no longer needed.
- Keep the old trusted device until you have confirmed that the new device can open the required chats.
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