How To Save Text Messages from iPhone to Windows PC and Mac as PDF, CSV, HTML, and TXT

Summary

Most iPhone users today have hundreds or thousands of text messages stored on their iPhone in the Messages app. These messages include SMS text messages, iMessages, RCS messages, and also photo and video attachments that were sent as part of the text message conversations. With the help of the third-party application Decipher TextMessage, it’s easy to export iPhone text messages to any Windows PC or Mac computer to print them out.

Instructions to save iPhone text messages:

1. Open Decipher TextMessage.
2. Plug an iPhone into your computer.
3. Select Back Up in the program.
4. Click on your iPhone.
5. Pick a contact.
6. Select Export.
7. Choose Current Conversation.
8. Pick a folder on your computer to where you want to save your iPhone text messages.

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The only requirement to save text messages is that you have a Windows or Mac computer and the correct cord to plug your iPhone into your PC or Mac so that you can back up your iPhone or iPad and save the text messages.

Advanced steps to save / export iPhone text messages as PDF, CSV, HTML, and TXT file:

Follow these specific steps to save iPhone text messages to computer:

Step 1: Open Decipher TextMessage on your Windows PC or Mac.

Install Decipher TextMessage on your Windows or Mac computer and launch the software. The program will automatically read in any existing iPhone backups that are present on your computer. In order to save iPhone text messages that are currently on your iPhone, you first need to back up your iPhone on your PC or Mac.

Step 2: Connect your iPhone to your computer.

Use the cable that comes with your iPhone and plug your iPhone into your Windows PC or Mac computer. If you are not sure what cable to use, our guide to choosing the right iPhone cable should be helpful!

Step 3: Select "Back Up" in Decipher TextMessage to back up your iPhone.

When you select "Back Up" in Decipher TextMessage it will initiate the back up your iPhone on your computer. This custom Back Up option provided by Decipher TextMessage will back up only your text messages and not your entire iPhone.

Note: iTunes is no longer required to make a backup!

Step 4: After the back up completes, restart the program and select your iPhone.

After restarting your iPhone you'll see your iPhone in the leftmost column of the program. Select the iPhone by clicking on it and all your contacts will then appear in the middle column of Decipher TextMessage.

Step 5: Choose a contact that has text messages you want to export, save, or print.

In the middle column of Decipher TextMessage you will see a list of your iPhone contacts with whom you've exchanged text messages. Click on any contact to see the entire text message conversation including any photo attachments that were sent or received.

Note: Any group text messages will also be imported into Decipher TextMessage so that you can export the group conversations.

Step 6: Pick Export.

After selecting a contact whose text messages you want to save and print, choose the Export option in Decipher TextMessage.

Step 7: Select the specific export format option that best suits your needs. Options include, PDF, CSV, HTML, and TXT.

You will now be prompted to choose an export option. In our experience, we've found that most iPhone users prefer to save text messages as a PDF file. However, you can also easily export your iPhone text messages as a CSV, HTML, or TXT document.

Simply select the export option in Decipher TextMessage that you prefer and your text messages will be immediately exported and saved to your computer in that specific format.

Guide to the different export options when saving text messages from iPhone:

• PDF (Portable Document Files) - PDF files are one of the most common document types used when sharing files. The PDF design preserves the formatting of your text messages so that the messages can be viewed the same on any device. The PDF export option in Decipher TextMessage is the most widely-used method to save text messages and also for sharing the text messages with anyone.

• CSV (Comma-Separated Value) - CSV files are files that display data in a tabular format like a spreadsheet. When you save text messages with Decipher TextMessage's CSV export option, your texts can be opened and shared as an Excel file, as a Numbers file on Mac computers, or with any software program that reads CSV documents.

• HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) - HTML files are files used to structure and present content on the web. When you save your text messages in HMTL format, you can open the exported HTML document in your preferred web browser app (such as Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, or Apple Safari) to display all your text messages and attachments. The HTML export option in Decipher TextMessage also enables user to save a stand-alone dedicated folder of just the photo and video attachments that pertain to the specific text messages conversation that you've exported.

• TXT (Text) - TXT files are any files that store data in plain text format. Using this export option in Decipher TextMessage will allow you to export and save iPhone text messages as a text-based file without any formatting. For individuals who need a stripped down, simple text document of their text message conversations, this format is very useful and efficient. Legal teams (lawyers and attorneys) often request text messages in both PDF format and TXT format to have both formatted and unformatted versions of the text messages for evidence presentation and discovery.

Step 8: Choose any folder on your computer to save the text messages from iPhone.

You will then be prompted to choose where to save the text messages to your computer. You pick the folder or directory where you would like the document to be saved. Many users like saving the text messages to their desktop for convenience.

After successfully saving the messages to your computer, a window will conveniently open to the exact folder where the text messages were saved.

How are my iPhone text messages displayed when I export them as a PDF?

Here is an example of how text messages look when you’ve exported them as a PDF file with Decipher TextMessage software:

Note: The exported PDF includes metadata such has the timestamp and contact information on every text message that you sent and received. This preference in Decipher TextMessage is helpful to ensure accurate documentation, especially when saving text messages for evidence, court, or any legal situation.

Is it possible to only save iPhone text messages from a specific date range?

Yes. Decipher TextMessage has a Date Range export option that gives any iPhone user the ability to narrow down their iPhone text message export to just the specific dates and times of the text messages and iMessages needed.

This is helpful if you have a large amount of text messages with a specific person but only want to copy/transfer the messages that are relevant for your needs.

What about privacy? Are my iPhone text messages accessible by others?

When you use Decipher TextMessage to export and save iPhone text messages to your computer, all your data is private on your Windows PC or Mac. The only person with access to your text messages is you! Decipher TextMessage was developed and designed with data privacy in mind.

Key Takeaways

• To save and export iPhone text messages you need to have a Windows or Mac computer and be able to back up the iPhone on your computer.

• Whether you are saving and printing text messages from iPhone for personal use, business, or court or legal needs, the process can be simplified and made easy by using the right software.

• Decipher TextMessage has a wide variety of export options for saving text messages. These include being able to export texts as a PDF, CSV, HTML, and TXT files.

• Choosing a reputable third-party app like Decipher TextMessage enables any iPhone user to quickly and efficiently copy text messages in a variety of formats to their PC or Mac and print them out.