Anchor

AnchorImporter for macOS

AnchorImporter is a small notarized macOS app that imports your iMessage thread with your partner into Anchor. It runs once, uploads over an encrypted connection, and then you can quit it.

Download AnchorImporter for macOS

Latest version · macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later.

Verify your download

Verify download integrity: compare the SHA-256 below with the output of shasum -a 256 AnchorImporter.dmg in Terminal. If the values do not match, do not open the file — re-download or contact support. 

<SHA256_FROM_RELEASE>  AnchorImporter.dmg

Grant Full Disk Access

AnchorImporter reads your local iMessage database (~/Library/Messages/chat.db). macOS protects that file behind Full Disk Access, so you'll need to grant permission before the importer can run.

  1. 1. Open Full Disk Access

    Open System Settings, then go to Privacy & Security → Full Disk Access.

    System Settings showing the Full Disk Access pane under Privacy & Security.

  2. 2. Add AnchorImporter

    Click the + button, locate AnchorImporter in your Applications folder, and add it to the list. Make sure the toggle next to it is on.

    The macOS file picker with AnchorImporter selected from the Applications folder.

  3. 3. Restart AnchorImporter

    Quit AnchorImporter if it is running and open it again. The permission only takes effect on the next launch.

    AnchorImporter listed in Full Disk Access with its toggle switched on.

System requirements

  • macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later.
  • Apple silicon or Intel Mac.
  • The Messages app signed in to the iCloud account that holds the conversation you want to import.