Observed arrival · 2026-10-03
Message Crate puts your message archive on your own server
A free, self-hosted tool for importing iMessage, WhatsApp, and SMS backups into a searchable archive.
○Open
⊠Login
$Paid
†Ads
✦Pretty
●Pro
◎Niche
◉Human
⚑Risk
ƒJS
- For
- People who want searchable archives of their message backups
- Worth noticing
- The archive uses a single SQLite file and can be exported as JSON, CSV, EML, or MBOX.
Field notes
Setup is split between a Docker-hosted server and a desktop importer for macOS, Windows, and Linux; the browser is where archived conversations are searched and read. The page says the archive uses one SQLite file and lists exports in JSON, CSV, EML, and MBOX. It also describes household accounts with separate message visibility.
Observed signals
Read the marks
Editorial observations of this landing page, not a rating.
○OpenPublic substance visible
✦PrettyNotable craft visible
●ProPolished or operationally mature
◎NicheUnusually specific use
One card from the complete issue