No iMessages in iCloud Backups - Solution

Just posting it here because I have had other experts asking about it. There is a thing called iMessage Cloud sync where Apple will not include iMessages in backups but "sync" the data in the cloud. If you use a tool like Elcomsoft PPB to download the backup you won't get the messages. You can download the messages using the "Download Sync'd data" function but it is a pain in the ass to work with and parse.

The counter-intuitive solution …

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