How to read old messages in steam

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Padoru Jun 1, 2021 @ 3:51am

How to read old messages in steam

I'm trying to read some older messages using the steam software but it seems I can't go further after I hit May 18, 2021.
I tried the https://help.steampowered.com/en/accountdata/GetFriendMessagesLog but it only shows me up to May 21, 2021. Lastly, I tried the steam app but it also show up to May 18, 2021.

Is there anymore ways to backread further? Thanks

Last edited by Padoru; Jun 1, 2021 @ 3:52am

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Showing 1-14 of 14 comments

ReBoot Jun 1, 2021 @ 4:08am

If you haven't backed them up yourself, they're gone, I'm afraid.

Ogami Jun 1, 2021 @ 4:13am

Message logs are only stored for the last 14 days.
Everything older will get deleted.
Like ReBoot already wrote, if you did not manually back them up they are gone forever.

Last edited by Ogami; Jun 1, 2021 @ 4:13am

Dr.Shadowds 🐉 Jun 1, 2021 @ 4:27am

If you use Steam mobile authenticator app, you can look at your old messages that way, as messages are kept in your cache on your mobile device. Otherwise it's just not possible to see any messages older than 2 weeks.

Last edited by Dr.Shadowds 🐉; Jun 1, 2021 @ 4:28am

Iceira Jun 1, 2021 @ 4:31am

what do you seek a forum post, a user, maybe other have diffrent ideas in help here.

Last edited by Iceira; Jun 1, 2021 @ 4:32am

Padoru Jun 1, 2021 @ 5:26am

Unfortunately, I don't have a a backup and I don't know how to do it. Could you kindly tell me how to backup steam messages?

Last edited by Padoru; Jun 1, 2021 @ 5:28am

ReBoot Jun 1, 2021 @ 5:31am

There's no official way, no tool. You basically just copypaste them into some text file. Or a table, a database, whatever you use to archive text.

Dr.Shadowds 🐉 Jun 1, 2021 @ 5:33am

Originally posted by Padoru:
Unfortunately, I don't have a a backup and I don't know how to do it. Could you kindly tell me how to backup steam messages?

By back up, he means you recording it yourself, or using something to record your messages.

The Steam mobile app chat keep chat messages saved in the cache on the mobile device, not server sided, that only if the mobile app was able to receive the message in the first place, you can keep cache long as you like, but when delete said cache, it's gone.

Padoru Jun 1, 2021 @ 5:44am

Originally posted by Dr.Shadowds 🐉:
Originally posted by Padoru:
Unfortunately, I don't have a a backup and I don't know how to do it. Could you kindly tell me how to backup steam messages?
By back up, he means you recording it yourself, or using something to record your messages.

Okay got it, thank you.

Originally posted by Dr.Shadowds 🐉:
The Steam mobile app chat keep chat messages saved in the cache on the mobile device, not server sided, that only if the mobile app was able to receive the message in the first place, you can keep cache long as you like, but when delete said cache, it's gone.

I do chat in the mobile, like I said in the post, it only shows up to May 18, 2021 and can't go further than that, and I don't delete cache.

Last edited by Padoru; Jun 1, 2021 @ 5:44am

Dr.Shadowds 🐉 Jun 1, 2021 @ 5:52am

There two Steam mobile chat apps, the authenticator app that has chat, store, forum, and more, then got the new Steam chat that support emotes, stickers, images, and more, that just a chat app.

The authenticator app support cache save chat, while the new Steam chat app does not support cache saved chats.

Last edited by Dr.Shadowds 🐉; Jun 1, 2021 @ 5:54am

Padoru Jun 1, 2021 @ 8:36am

Originally posted by Dr.Shadowds 🐉:
There two Steam mobile chat apps, the authenticator app that has chat, store, forum, and more, then got the new Steam chat that support emotes, stickers, images, and more, that just a chat app.

The authenticator app support cache save chat, while the new Steam chat app does not support cache saved chats.

I only have the authenticator app.

#10

wuddih Jun 1, 2021 @ 9:32am

the normal mobile app (the one that includes Steam guard authenticator) handles chat differently, it is outdated in regards of the chat.

chat is 2 weeks saved on server-side. the new chat app works with that. part is cached on the used device but purged regularly, same is on the pc client.

so if you wanna keep messages longer .. the smartest way would be to utilize
https://help.steampowered.com/en/accountdata/GetFriendMessagesLog
and code something around it. there are node.js libraries to handle Steam things, so that would be my suggestion to get started.

#11

Dr.Shadowds 🐉 Jun 1, 2021 @ 5:26pm

Originally posted by Padoru:
Originally posted by Dr.Shadowds 🐉:
There two Steam mobile chat apps, the authenticator app that has chat, store, forum, and more, then got the new Steam chat that support emotes, stickers, images, and more, that just a chat app.

The authenticator app support cache save chat, while the new Steam chat app does not support cache saved chats.
I only have the authenticator app.

What you do is open it, open chat, click on the friend you wanted see old messages for, then scroll up. But like I said if the app didn't catch the message, then won't have it saved to begin with, the authenticator app / Steam guard app is using outdated chat system.

#12