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How to print text messages from an iPhone

iPhone has no "print conversation" button. Here are four ways to do it, from quickest to most complete. Pick the one that fits how many messages you need.

1. Screenshots: best for a few messages

1. Open the conversation in Messages.
2. Swipe left on the conversation and hold. The exact time of each message appears on the right.
3. While holding, take a screenshot: press the side button and volume up together.
4. Repeat as you scroll. Then open Photos, select the screenshots, tap Share, and choose Print.

This is free, but it gets slow past a few screens. Screenshots also don't show the other person's phone number unless you open their contact card, and the other side can say you left messages out.

2. Print from a Mac

If you have a Mac signed in to the same Apple Account with Messages in iCloud turned on:

1. Open Messages on the Mac and select the conversation.
2. Scroll all the way to the top so older messages load. This can take a while for long chats.
3. Choose File › Print, then PDF › Save as PDF.

This only prints what's loaded on the Mac, doesn't number messages or pages, and often stalls on very long conversations.

3. The whole conversation as a PDF, on Windows or Mac

This is the most complete option. It works from a backup of your iPhone on your computer, which already contains every message stored on the phone.

1. Back up the iPhone to your computer. On Windows, use Apple's free Apple Devices app or iTunes. On a Mac, use Finder. Make sure "Encrypt local backup" is not ticked. Step-by-step backup guide
2. Open the backup in TextTranscript using Chrome or Edge.
3. Choose the conversation, set the dates, and star the messages that matter most.
4. Download the PDF. Every message is numbered, with the date, time, sender and phone number. Pages have numbers and Bates IDs, and starred messages are listed on an index page.

Everything happens in your browser. The backup isn't uploaded anywhere.

4. Desktop software

Programs like iMazing, Decipher TextMessage and TouchCopy also export messages to PDF. They cost about $30–$80, need to be installed, and work with your iPhone connected by cable. They're a good choice if you also want other features, such as full device management.

If it's for court

• Print the whole conversation for the dates involved, not only the messages that help you. Judges and the other side will ask what's missing.
• Make sure every message shows the date, time and who sent it, ideally with the phone number.
• Bring three copies: one for the judge, one for the other side, and one for you. Some courts want evidence filed days before the hearing, so check your court's rules.
• Keep the phone and the backup unchanged in case anyone asks to see the originals.
• If the other side says the messages are fake, ask a lawyer about a forensic extraction.

This is general information, not legal advice.

If messages are missing

With Messages in iCloud turned on, your iPhone may keep older messages only in iCloud to save space, and then they won't be in a backup. To bring them back to the phone:

1. Make sure the iPhone has enough free storage.
2. Go to Settings › [your name] › iCloud and turn off Messages in iCloud (on some versions, tap "Show All" first). Choose to download the messages.
3. Wait for the download to finish, connected to Wi-Fi and power. Then make a new backup.