Extract iMessage Attachments and Links into Organized Folders
I created a simple shell (zsh) script to help macOS users extract attachments (photos, videos, audio files) and URLs from their iMessages. The script pulls data directly from the Messages database (chat.db), organizes attachments into folders named after each contact or group conversation, and compiles all shared links into CSV files. This tool can be useful for anyone looking to back up or organize files shared over iMessage without needing the entire conversation history. It also handles macOS's complex local storage structure for attachments. No sign-ups or dependencies beyond macOS and…
In plain words
This tool is a zsh shell script that extracts attachments and links from macOS iMessages and organizes them into labeled folders. It reads directly from the Messages database to pull photos, videos, audio files, and URLs, sorting them by contact or group conversation and compiling links into CSV files. Designed for macOS users who want to back up or organize files shared over iMessage without storing entire conversations, the script requires only macOS and SQLite to run and outputs results to a desktop folder.
written from the facts on this page · September 2026
From the sources
In the maker’s words, at launch
I created a simple shell (zsh) script to help macOS users extract attachments (photos, videos, audio files) and URLs from their iMessages. The script pulls data directly from the Messages database (chat.db), organizes attachments into folders named after each contact or group conversation, and compiles all shared links into CSV files. This tool can be useful for anyone looking to back up or organize files shared over iMessage without needing the entire conversation history. It also handles macOS's complex local storage structure for attachments. No sign-ups or dependencies beyond macOS and SQLite. Just run the script, and it’ll create a neat export folder on your desktop. Would love feedback on any edge cases you encounter!
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