iMessage account different than iCloud

You can set iMessage up to use your iCloud ID or your registered phone numbers or all.

So go to:

Settings, Messages, and turn off iMessage.

Restart the phone

Turn iMessage back on.

You will be presented by means of starting messages and means of receiving. Check the ones you wish.

Thank you LD150!! It’s been driving me crazy trying to figure this out and I’m the meantime none of my photos have been backed up in my iMessages. 🙏😊

I would save them to Photos and safeguard them the same way that you backup your main photos.