Bulk Download Pictures from Messages [duplicate]

Solution 1:

I had this same issue and was able to resolve it by extracting the data from a backup. I used the script (accessible via link) to accomplish this. Note that a Mac would be required - Also note, I am in no way affiliated with the source or content, just a user in the past.

1. Run a phone backup via iTunes while connected to your computer
2. In Finder, go to the Go menu -> Go to Folder, enter in ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup
3. Locate the most recently modified folder in the Backup folder
4. Create a folder named iOSBackup folder on the desktop
5. Copy the folder you found in Backup to iOSBackup
6. Download iOSMessageExport (zip) which includes a set of perl scripts. Unzip the files into the iOSBackup folder. (You should see similar to the screenshot below)
7. Open Terminal
8. Enter cd ~/Desktop/iOSBackup and press Return
9. Enter perl backup.pl --directory_path <folder>/ and press Return. Replace with the name of the backup folder inside of iOSBackup (will vary from backup to backup)
10. Once the script has finished running, go back to the iOSBackup folder and look for a folder named _export
11. Inside of _export you should see folders for each date a message was sent/received, images/movies are located in here. HTML files of each conversation (by day) are also available

Source: WonderHowTo