In practice however, I have to enter the PIN six times over the course of several minutes while building one of our installers in Advanced Installer. (And six is very very low in comparison to what some other builds would entail!) That means sitting here and watching the boring build... copy and pasting a handful of times.

(As a bonus, if I'm too slow entering the PIN, one of the Advanced Installer build temp files gets locked somehow and I have to reboot the PC. That's a mystery for another blog post someday. But it is yet another reason that I have to sit here and actively monitor the build to enter the PIN fairly quickly. Ugh.)

So, like any frustrated software developer, I spent my Saturday afternoon seeing if there's any way to automate my way out of this frustration. Here's the abbreviated version of my research and finally my solution.

• First I looked in to the installer build settings. Advanced Installer unfortunately does not have any way to save the PIN in the project file. (It does allow for hooking up to Azure Key Vault. But, I don't want to store any of this to an online account, nor do I know if I even could.)

• Next I turned to Windows Security settings itself, and learned that there is no hope of caching the PIN in Windows 10 or 11 because it was patched out of windows 10.

• In Windows 10 and 11, it's now at the discretion of the smart card driver manufacturer to decide the PIN caching policy. Yubikey itself has ways to configure this when you're making the card, but the SSL.com Yubikey smart card we get for our EV codesign key is set to require the PIN every time.

• This person on Reddit was kind enough to do the heavy lifting of seeing if there's any way to adjust the Yubikey settings from the card SSL.com sent us. Spoiler alert: there's not. But, that Reddit post also inspired me to figure out how to use AutoHotkey to help me enter the PIN.

• This thread helped me learn how to write a little AutoHotkey script to check for a Windows Security window popping up, then I added the line to put in the pin/enter by reading the AutoHotkey help documents.

• I originally wrote this blog post in 2022, and I've had to update my AutoHotkey script a few times. Notably I had to do a big update when the assumptions about window id ordering massively changed because of window ids being reused a lot more in Windows 11 (or alternatively said, because of very brittle assumptions I made about window id order in the past!)

So, in the end, here's my slapped-together AutoHotkey script to check for new Windows Security pop-up windows, type in the PIN, and press enter.

#NoEnv
#SingleInstance Force
SendMode Input
SetWorkingDir %A_ScriptDir%
#Persistent

; Force the script to restart itself as Admin if it isn't already so we can look at active windows
if not A_IsAdmin
{
   Run *RunAs "%A_ScriptDir%\%A_ScriptName%"
   ExitApp
}

; Run the check every 500 milliseconds (2 times a second)
SetTimer, CheckForSecurityWindow, 500
return

CheckForSecurityWindow:
    ; Check if a window with Windows Security as the title exists AND is currently active
    IfWinActive, Windows Security
    {
        ; Check for the word "PIN" inside the window so I don't enter a PIN
        ; into the wrong "Windows Security" window (like the settings menu).
        ; WinGetText, winText, A
        ; IfInString, winText, PIN
        ; {
            Send, YOUR_PIN_HERE{Enter}

            ; Wait for this window to close or lose focus 
            ; so we don't type the PIN again into the same window.
            WinWaitNotActive, Windows Security
        ; }
    }
Return

With AutoHotkey installed, you run the script by double-clicking it. You can quit the script by right-clicking it in your dock and selecting to quit. When I'm making installer builds, I run a bash script, so I've added two lines before and after my Advanced Installer command to start the AutoHotkey script and then stop all AutoHotkey scripts. (I'm lazy, and this is the only AutoHotkey script I use.)

To start the script:

Start "" /b  "c:\program files\autohotkey\autohotkey.exe" "your_script.ahk"

To shut down all of the scripts:

taskkill /IM autohotkey.exe /F

Aside: It wouldn't surprise me if SSL.com corrects their Yubikey setup in the future allowing for PIN caching. All of my interactions with their customer service, including the validation to getting our EV codesign certificate, have gone really smoothly (And that is saying a lot. Extended validation is usually a bit of a pain for small businesses.) Their price point and customer service have been top notch every time I've interacted with them, so I would recommend them.

It’s important to remember that there are two ends on charging/data cable: the side that connects to your iPhone and the side that connects to your power brick or computer.

→ Jump to iPhone 5 through iPhone 14 series.

→ Jump to iPhone 15 / iPhone 16 / iPhone 17 series.

What are the kinds of USB Connectors currently in use in 2026?

The most common USB connectors you’ll encounter in 2026 are:

• USB-A: This is the traditional rectangular USB connector you've likely seen for years. It’s commonly found on older computers, car chargers, and some power adapters.

• USB-C: This is the newer, more versatile oblong-shaped connector. It's becoming the industry standard and is found on most newer devices, including new power adapters, many computers and even the newer iPhones.

Which Cable Do You Need? A Quick Guide:

The Lightning Era: iPhone 5 through iPhone 14

Starting in 2012, iPhones relied on Apple’s proprietary connector called Lightning. This small, reversible connector was used in iPhones from the iPhone 5 through the iPhone 14 series. If you have one of these iPhones, the port on the bottom of your device is a Lightning port. It’s recognizable by it’s hollow oval shape. (Hint: If there’s a little connector board in the middle the oval, it’s a USB-C port.)

That’s only half of the puzzle though; on the other end of the Lightning cable, you need the appropriate connector to plug into your power source or computer as well! It’s necessary to consider both the port on your phone and the port on the power adapter or computer you plan to use when choosing your cable.

This often means a Lightning to USB-A cable if you’re using an older style power adapter or computer port. The USB-A port is the traditional rectangular USB connector you’ve likely seen for years. It’s commonly found on older computers, car chargers, and some power adapters.

However, with more modern computers or power adapters, you might need a Lightning to USB-C Cable. This is the newer, more versatile oblong-shaped connector. It’s becoming the industry standard and is found on most newer devices, including new power adapters, many computers and even the newer iPhones.

Okay! Now that we know you need a lightning cable for your iPhone, and whether you’re connecting to a USB-A or USB-C port, we know what kind of cable you need. It’s either a Lightning USB-A Cable or a Lightning USB-C Cable. Make sure you look at both ends of the cable to make sure they match up with what you expect.

If you would prefer a recommendation, here are two iPhone lightning cables we’ve used and know work for both power and data transfer:

• USB-A to Lightning - Apple Lightning to USB-A Cable

• USB-C to Lightning - Apple USB-C to Lightning Cable

The USB-C Transition: iPhone 15 Series and Newer

Starting with the iPhone 15 series, Apple transitioned to the industry-standard USB-C port. If you have an iPhone 15 or a newer model, you’ll notice that the charging port is now wider and oval-shaped, with a tiny board in the middle of the port. This means you’ll need a USB-C cable to charge your device.

Again, this is only half of the cable though; on the other side of the cable, you need the correct connector to plug into your computer or power adapter.

For newer computers and power adapters, the other side of the cable will also be USB-C. In that case, the port on your computer/power adapter will look just like the port on your iPhone. So in this case you will want a USB-C to USB-C Cable.

Or, if you’re using an older style power adapter or computer port, the port is likely a USB-A port. The USB-A port is the traditional rectangular USB connector you’ve likely seen for years. It’s commonly found on older computers, car chargers, and some power adapters. In that case, you will want a USB-C to USB-A cable.

If you would like a recommendation, here are one of each kind of USB-C cables that we’ve used and know work for both power and data transfer:

• USB-C to USB-C - Amazon Basics USB-C to USB-C 4 Fast Charger Cable (Bonus: this cable also supports fast charging. It also supports faster USB 3 data transfer for the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro.)

• USB-C to USB-A - Amazon Basics USB-C to USB-A

Considerations for Faster Charging: Don’t Forget the Power Adapter

While this article focuses on cables, it's crucial to remember that the charging involves two key components:

• The Cable: The two-sided connector that plugs into both the iPhone and into a power adapter/computer.

• The Power Adapter (Power Brick): This device plugs into the wall and has a USB-A or USB-C to which the other end of the cable plugs into. When choosing a power adapter, make sure it has the right port compatible with the cable you intend to use. Additionally, ensure it supports the correct power output for optimal charging. Apple recommends using its own power adapters, but many reputable third-party options are available.

Fast charging: iPhone 8 series and later support fast charging. To utilize fast charging, you will need a USB power adapter that supports Power Delivery (PD) 2.0, that is at least 18W (or even up to 30W for iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 series). That means a you're going to be using USB-C for the power brick side of the cable, and you want to make sure that your cable supports fast charging. Here's a few recommendations:

• For iPhone 8 series through iPhone 14 series (lightning ports): Apple 20W USB-C Power Adapter and Apple USB-C to Lightning Cable both support fast charging.

• For iPhone 15, iPhone 16, and iPhone 17 series (USB-C ports): Apple 30W USB-C Power Adapter and Amazon Basics USB-C to USB-C 4 Fast Charger Cable support fast charging at the higher wattage that the newer iPhones support.

With the Power Delivery (PD) protocol, the iPhone and power adapter will negotiate the amount of power that should be sent to the phone, so it is ok to use a higher wattage PD adapter than what your iPhone needs.

Considerations for Fast Data Transfers

If you are connecting your iPhone to a computer to transfer photos/videos or make a backup often, you will want to use a USB cable that supports the fastest data transfer rate your iPhone can handle.

Also important note: Just because a USB cable supports charging, does not necessarily mean it supports data transfer. If you want to use the cable for data transfer, be sure a cable you buy says it is a data cable versus a charging cable. A "charge only" cable does not support data transfer.

• For iPhone 14 and lower: Your Lightning data connection supports up to USB 2.0. Any cable that supports data transfer should support USB 2.0 - easy!

• For iPhone 15/15 Plus, iPhone 16/16 Plus, iPhone 17/17 Air: The not-pro model iPhone 15, iPhone 16, and iPhone 17 series support USB 2.0 transfer speeds. Any cable that supports data transfer should support USB 2.0 - easy!

• For iPhone 15 Pro/15 Pro Max, iPhone 16 Pro/16 Pro Max, and iPhone 17/17 Pro Max: The iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro series support USB 3 data transfer speeds. To utilize this faster USB data transfer protocol, you will need to ensure that you have a USB port on your computer that supports USB 3.0 or higher. On Windows PCs, these ports are usually colored blue. Mac thunderbolt USB ports are USB 4.0 and support USB 3 transfer speeds. Additionally, you will want to make sure the USB cable you select says it supports USB 3.0. (The cables we've recommended in this article support USB 3.0.)

In Summary

Choosing the correct charging cable for your iPhone is straightforward once you understand your phone’s connector type. Older iPhones require a Lightning cable, while newer models use USB-C. Always check your computer or power adapter’s port type (USB-A or USB-C) to ensure you choose the appropriate cable to connect to it. By keeping these points in mind, you can ensure your iPhone is always connecting correctly.

"I need to extract text messages from my iPhone. Is there an app that will enable me to copy and save the texts from my iPhone to my computer so that I can print out the messages I need?"
- Britta Stevenson, Brooklyn, New York.

Solution:

"Yes, the app Decipher TextMessage is the go-to program for iPhone users that need to export text messages and print them out. The popular app is known for its ease of use, accuracy, data privacy, and the program used by iPhone users around the world."

Overview

• Saving and printing iPhone text messages is easy with the app Decipher TextMessage.

• After your text messages are imported into the program, Decipher TextMessage will let you choose any contact and you can immediately export the text messages with that individual to your computer and print them out.

• Most users choose the PDF export option in the program which will generate a PDF file of their iPhone text messages, iMessages, and attachments with metadata like the timestamp and contact information on every message.

How does Decipher TextMessage display my iPhone text messages?

Below is an example of how the program looks when you run the app on your computer.

After selecting your iPhone and a choosing a contact, Decipher TextMessage will then display all the messages with that person including any photo or video attachments.

When I save iPhone text messages as a PDF, what does the exported file look like?

Below is an example PDF of iPhone text messages exported with Decipher TextMessage.

Notice that the timestamp and contact metadata information is displayed on all text messages. This is important for accuracy if the text message conversations are being printed for legal reasons, court, or business documentation.

What are the quick steps to save and print my iPhone text messages?

Follow these simple steps to save and print text messages from iPhone:

1. Connect your iPhone to your computer.

2. Open Decipher TextMessage and select “Back Up / Make Backup” in the app.

3. Choose “Export” and pick the “Current Conversation PDF" option.

4. Select to where on your Windows PC or Mac you want to save the text messages.

5. To print the iPhone text messages, open the exported file on your computer and select "Print."

download_product{dtm}

Video tutorial to save and print text messages from iPhone

Here is a helpful instructional video that will show any iPhone user how to copy text messages, iMessages, and attachments to one's computer. ytvideo{ayywP8AGKM4}

When exporting text messages, does it matter whether I have a Windows or Mac computer?

Decipher TextMessage runs on any Windows or Mac computer. When you are on the download page on the official Decipher Tools website, your web browser will prompt you to download the program installer for either Windows or Mac depending on which type of computer you are using at that time.

What are the different export choices in the program? Can I export texts to PDF with Decipher TextMessage?

Decipher TextMessage gives iPhone users the ability to export text messages is different formats including PDF, HTML, CSV, and Text.

What if I only want to save just a few messages and not all my text messages?

There is a convenient PDF "Date Range" export choice in the program that gives iPhone users the option to narrow down any exports to just the specific times and date of the messages they need.

Do I need iTunes to back up my iPhone and export my text messages?

No, iTunes is not required. Decipher TextMessage has its own custom proprietary "Text Message Only" backup feature that enables users to only backup just their text messages and not their entire device. This process does not require iTunes.

Where is Decipher TextMessage made?

Decipher TextMessage software is made and developed in the USA.

Customer support and product questions can be submitted via the Decipher Tools software support page. Product reviews and customer testimonials can be read here.

Is there a way that to back up just my iPhone text messages and not my entire iPhone?
-Rhett Anderson, Seattle, Washington.

Answer:

Yes. The software Decipher TextMessage gives any iPhone user the ability to back up just their iPhone text messages and not their entire iPhone. iPhone users will then have a separate copy of all their text messages backed up and stored on their Windows or Mac computer for safekeeping.

Follow these steps to back up only text messages and not one's entire iPhone

1. Plug your iPhone into any Windows or Mac computer

2. Open Decipher TextMessage.

3. Select "Back Up" and choose the "Make Backup" option in the program.

4. After the backup finishes, all your text messages from all your contacts will be imported into the program.

5. You have now successfully completed making a backup of just your iPhone text messages to your computer.

download_product{dtm}

After the custom "Text Messages Only" backup completes, you will see your iPhone in Decipher TextMessage.

When you select any contact you'll see all your text messages with that contact or group chat displayed in the program.

You now have a complete back up of all your iPhone text messages from all your contacts on your PC or Mac.

After making the "Text Message Only" backup, will my iPhone text messages remain on my computer always?

Yes, after you use Decipher TextMessage to make a "Text Message Only" backup, all your text messages are then stored on your computer in the program.

The text message history is a separate stand-alone copy of all your text messages, iMessages, and photo / video attachments.

If I delete text messages off my iPhone will that affect any of the text message history stored on my computer in Decipher TextMessage?

No! The text messages imported into Decipher TextMessage are a completely separate stand-alone copy of your messages. Deleting text messages off your iPhone won't ever cause text message data in Decipher TextMessage on your computer to be altered or erased.

Now that I've made a back up of just my text messages on my computer, am I also able to export, save, and print text messages?

Yes, Decipher TextMessage also gives any iPhone user the ability to save and print text messages with any contact.

Simply choose a contact in the program and select EXPORT and select the PDF option. You can then export iPhone text messages as a PDF document to your PC or Mac computer.

Below is an example PDF of what iPhone text messages look like when exported using Decipher TextMessage. You can then print the PDF of your text messages or email and share the PDF with anyone you choose.

If you need any additional help to back up just your iPhone text messages and not the entire contents of your iPhone, feel free to send us a support email and one of our Decipher Tools team will reply back from either our San Francisco or Phoenix USA offices.

Today we’re going to walk you through instructions on how to save and print text messages from iPhone with metadata included in your printouts.

What is metadata?

Metadata is any data that provides information about other data. Metadata is known for giving context and information about whatever data is being used or harnessed.

What kind of metadata is associated with my iPhone text messages?

Metadata associated with text messages usually includes information such as:

• Sender and recipient first and last names.

• Sender and recipient phone numbers or the email address if the text message was sent from an email.

• Timestamps detailing when the text messages were sent and received.

What are some use cases for metadata and text messages?

Metadata on iPhone text message print outs is helpful for a wide range of people and industries including:

• Court, trial, or any legal matter where a judge or legal counsel require text message print outs to include as much detailed information as possible.

• Lawyers, Defense Attorneys, and Prosecutors often require metadata with text message printouts in order to prove evidence and show accurate and detailed case-related data documentation.

• Government Agencies including both law enforcement and regulatory agencies prefer text message print outs to have metadata for investigations and employee SMS records.

• Human Resources departments ask employees for text messages printouts with metadata in order to have detailed evidence for workplace disputes or harassment cases in an office or work environment.

• Forensics Experts always prefer iPhone text message print outs to include metadata. Information such as the timestamp and contact details on text messages assist forensics investigators with evidence and detailed data about who sent and received every text message or iMessage.

• Financial Firms often need to capture text messages with metadata for audits and compliance requirements.

• Business documentation or text message transcripts for individuals that need to save and print iPhone text messages for business purposes or between clients. This ensures that texts are documented accurately and can be accessed or retrieved at a future date if needed.

Do screenshots of text messages capture metadata?

Taking screenshots will capture whatever text messages are present on screen on a device, however screenshots don't have the ability to capture text messages with metadata since metadata such as the timestamp, phone number, and contact info is not displayed by default in the Messages app on the iPhone.

In order for text message print outs to display metadata, a third-party software program is required to capture and and print the texts which include any associated metadata.

What is the best software to print iPhone text messages with metadata?

Decipher TextMessage is one of the most popular and trusted third-party software programs for saving and printing iPhone text messages with metadata included in the print outs.

Decipher TextMessage runs on any Mac or Windows computer and enables any iPhone user to generate and print out text messages with metadata in a variety of formats including PDF, HMTL, CSV, and as a text file. The text messages print outs also include any photo attachments.

Reasons to use Decipher TextMessage software to save and print iPhone text messages with metadata

• Contact Name and Phone Number Metadata - Decipher TextMessage includes metadata such was the contact info and phone number on every text message sent and received.

• Timestamp Metadata - The software also includes the timestamp metadata on each text messages and iMessage.

• Privacy - When you Run Decipher TextMessage all a user's text message data is private on their computer. Only the user has access to the data and no text message data is ever stored on servers or in the cloud.

• USA based software company - Decipher TextMessage is designed and developed in the USA and is a trusted third-party program used globally by lawyers, solicitors, law enforcement, government agencies, and individuals that need to print iPhone text messages.

How to print iPhone text messages with metadata

Follow these specific steps to print iPhone text messages with metadata on every print out:

1. Plug an iPhone into your computer.

2. Open Decipher TextMessage.

3. Select "Back Up" in Decipher TextMessage to back up the iPhone.

4. Once the backup completes, restart the program and select your iPhone.

5. Choose the contact whose text messages you want to print.

6. Select Export to save the text messages with metadata to your computer.

7. Open the PDF and choose "Print" to print out your iPhone text messages with metadata included.

download_product{dtm}

After backing up your iPhone on your computer, Decipher TextMessage will read in all your text messages and display them with the important metadata.

Here's an example of what your iPhone text messages look like when imported into the program. Note: Decipher TextMessage imports messages with metadata (timestamp and contact information) on every message.

What does a print out of iPhone text messages with metadata look like?

Here is an example of how iPhone text messages with metadata are displayed when printed with the third-party software program Decipher TextMessage:

iPhone text messages printed with metadata as a text file.

When you print iPhone text messages as a PDF the document includes chat bubble formatting in the same manner that your iPhone text messages and iMessages are displayed on the phone itself.

However many people also require text messages to be printed with metadata as a plain text file without any formatting or layout.

Here an example of how iPhone text messages look when printed as a text file including metadata:

How do I set preferences to print iPhone text messages with metadata?

Follow these instructions in Decipher TextMessage to ensure that your iPhone text message print outs will include metadata:

• Select Preferences in Decipher TextMessage.

• Choose "Show Message Viewed Time."

• Select "Show Message Delivered Time."

• Pick "Show Contact on Every Message."

• Select "Show Contact Number After Name."

Do you need additional help printing iPhone text messages with metadata?

We hope that today's instructions about how to print text messages with metadata from iPhone have been helpful.

We're a USA-based software company and if you have any questions or need assistance printing text messages from iPhone or iPad, simply email us via our Decipher Tools support page and we'll be happy to reply back and help! You can also read Decipher Tools customer reviews and product testimonials here.

There are two popular ways to save and print text messages from iPhone.

The first method is to take screenshots of the iPhone text messages.

The second method is to use a third-party software program on your computer that enables you to save the text messages to your PC or Mac and print out the texts in PDF format.

Both options are easy and quick ways to export and print iPhone text messages.

Depending on the amount of iPhone text messages you need to print and whether you also want specific meta-data like the time stamp and contact info displayed on the print outs, it's important to consider which method works best for your immediate needs and goals.

Method 1 - Screenshots

One of the easiest ways to save and print text messages from your iPhone is by taking screenshots on your device.

A screenshot is when you capture a photo of whatever is currently on your iPhone screen.

The photo or "screenshot" is then saved to the Photos app in your iPhone camera roll and from there you can text or email the screenshot to anyone. You can also AirDrop the screenshot of your text messages to your computer to print out the photo that contains the text messages.

How to take a screenshot on iPhone:

iPhones with Face ID - Screenshots

• Simultaneously press and then release the "side button" and also the "volume up" button.

• You will then see a thumbnail of screenshot appear in the lower-left corner of your iOS device screen.

• You can then tap thumbnail to view the screenshot.

iPhones with has Touch ID - Screenshots

• Press and then release the "side button" and the "home button" at the same time.

• You will then see a thumbnail of screenshot appear in the lower-left corner of your iOS device screen.

• You can then tap thumbnail to view the screenshot.

Pro Tip: All screenshots taken on your iPhone or iPad are automatically saved to the Photos app on your device. If you want to view or forward the screenshots simply open Photos, select Albums, and choose "Screenshots" under the Media Types option.

If you only have a few iPhone text messages to save and print, then taking screenshots of the messages is a simple way to accomplish that task.

If you have more than a few iPhone text messages to save and print and you want to ensure that the text messages are documented with the time stamp and contact info on every message, then taking screenshots will not be very user-friendly for those situations and you will want to use a third-party software program for printing your iPhone text messages.

Method 2 - Software to print text messages from iPhone

Another great way to print iPhone text messages is with a software program that captures the text messages for you. To do this, we recommend using the trusted and popular program Decipher TextMessage.

Decipher TextMessage runs on any Mac or Windows computer and give iPhone users the ability to save and print iPhone text messages in different formats including as a PDF file.

The software will import all your contacts and then display text messages and attachments so you can export and print them out.

The program also includes the time-stamp and contact info on every single text message both sent and received.

download_product{dtm}

Follow these specific steps to print iPhone text messages:

1. Connect your iPhone to your Windows or Mac computer.
2. Open Decipher TextMessage.
3. Select "Back Up."
4. Pick a contact that has iPhone text messages you want to print out.
5. Choose "Export as PDF."
6. Open the PDF and select "Print" to print iPhone text messages.

Here's what your text messages look like after being imported into Decipher TextMessage:

You can save your iPhone text messages as a PDF by choosing "Export" and selecting "Export Current Conversation PDF."

After saving your iPhone texts as a PDF you can print out the messages. Note that the PDF of your iPhone text messages contains the contact name and time-stamp on every single text message.

Printing iPhone Text Messages - Video Guide

This helpful video tutorial will walk you through each step so that you can print iPhone text messages as a PDF on your Windows PC or Mac computer.

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Advantages of using the third-party software program Decipher TextMessage to print iPhone text messages

• Helpful if you have more than a few text messages to print - If you have more than several iPhone few text messages you want to print, using Decipher TextMessage is a big advantage over screenshots. The software makes saving and printing texts a simple and easy process rather than having to manually take many screenshots of all your important text conversations and then trying to format the screenshots together.

• Metadata and Time/Date Stamp - The metadata that Decipher TextMessage displays on printouts of iPhone text messages includes the time-stamp and date on every text message sent and received. This is crucial for documentation purposes and evidence especially if you are printing the iPhone text messages for court, legal cases, your lawyer, or for record keeping. The program also displays the contact name and phone number on every text message. Both of these features are unique to Decipher TextMessage and they help ensure that the text messages you are printing have accurate and reliable metadata on the print outs.

• Photo and Video Attachments - Decipher TextMessage software enables any iPhone user to save a separate folder containing all the photo and video attachments that are part of their text message and iMessage conversations. This is helpful if you need stand-alone copies of any of the attachments that are part of your iPhone text message chats.

• iTunes not required - Decipher TextMessage has a custom Back Up option in the program that enables users to back up only text messages and not the entire iPhone. iTunes is not required to save text messages.

What are the different formats for exporting and printing iPhone text messages?

When you use Decipher TextMessage to print iPhone text messages, there are several formats to choose from when exporting the text messages. These are:

• PDF - iPhone text messages are saved as a PDF. The user can print out the texts in PDF format or email and share the PDF with anyone. Photo attachments are also embedded in the PDF.

• HTML - Text messages are exported from iPhone in an HTML file that the user can open locally and privately in their web browser. The HTML Archive export option also includes a stand-alone folder containing any photo or video attachments that are part of the text message chats.

• CSV - iPhone Text messages are saved as a CSV file and can be open in Excel, Pages, or any software that allows the importing of a"comma-separated values" text files.

• Plain Text - Text messages are exported from iPhone in plain text format and can be printed out.

Can I print a specific date range of iPhone text messages?

Yes! If you don't need to print all the messages with a contact, you can narrow down the dates and times of the text messages that you want to print.

Simply select the PDF (Date Range) option to choose the specific days and times of the text messages that you want to export from your iPhone.

When printing iPhone text messages is my data private?

Yes! When you print iPhone text messages using Decipher TextMessage, all your data is private and local on your computer. The user controls everything and none of your text message data is ever stored on servers or in the cloud.

Final Thoughts - Printing text messages from iPhone

Printing out text messages from iPhone doesn't have to be a daunting task!

Between using screenshots or a third-party app, it's really easy to get your iPhone text messages and iMessages printed out and documented on your computer.

If you need any additional help or have questions, you can email us via our contact page and we'll be happy to reply back. We're a USA-based company with offices in San Francisco and Phoenix.

Good luck with printing your iPhone text messages!

Statista estimates estimates that approximately 3.51 billion users use messaging apps to communicate. That’s a tremendous amount of messages sent via mobile devices! This includes iOS, Android, and also popular messaging apps like WhatsApp Messenger, Viber, Line, and WeChat. With text messaging and messaging apps now solidified as one of the world’s most popular forms of daily communication, the need to document and preserve text / sms messages for evidence in court has increased dramatically.

What is the best way to document and print out my messages for a court case or legal proceeding?

No matter how you preserve text messages for evidence, you'll want to make sure that the records have all of the information necessary for them to be admissible in court. Consult a lawyer for the specifics in your region about what information is required. For most legal matters the following details should be visible in your text message documentation:

• The date and time of the messages.
• The real contact information for the other party or parties in the text message conversation. For SMS this is a phone number. For MMS or iMessages, this is either a phone number or an email address.

Whether you are a lawyer, law enforcement official, or simply someone who has a pending court case or legal matter, there are several solutions for saving and printing text messages so that you can preserve evidence from your mobile phone's sms message history.

iPhone

For iPhone / iPad, we recommend using Decipher TextMessage to save and print out your text messages for court. Decipher TextMessage is already a trusted and widely used program by lawyers and law enforcement officials for preserving any messaging data in a format that will hold up in a legal environment. Features include:

• The software has a free trial so you can try it out without spending any money.
• Text messages are saved with a time / date stamp and by contact ensuring that your documentation will be upheld in a legal setting.
• Depending on the formatting your jurisdiction requires for text message transcripts, you may need to show the iPhone contact information on every individual message. Decipher TextMessage allows you to print your text messages with the contact information on each message, or to turn that option off if you prefer.
• Decipher TextMessage presents your iPhone text messages and iMessages in a similar format as seen on the iPhone. (Here are links to specific instructions about printing iPhone text messages and exporting iPhone text messages to a PDF file.)
• The software saves your text messages locally on your computer. None of your data is accessible by anyone but yourself and nothing is stored in the cloud or on servers.
• Decipher TextMessage will also show you if there are any deleted iPhone text messages or iMessages accessible in a backup. This feature that is useful for attorneys, police officers, or governmental agencies for evidence. (Click here for our guide about recovering deleted text messages.)
• Decipher TextMessage is compatible with any iPhone running {latest_ios} all the way back to iOS 4.
• The program also supports Windows 7 and above including Windows 10 and 11. Decipher TextMessage works for macOS Sierra and above including Catalina, Big Sur, Monterey, Ventura, Sonoma, Sequoia, and Tahoe.
• You don't always need the iPhone to save your data with Decipher TextMessage. The software will automatically access and read in data from existing iTunes backups on any Windows or Mac computer.
• Decipher TextMessage allows for combining text message conversations from more than one contact/group as well as selecting only a certain span of days or period of time depending on your needs.

Save text messages for court

Follow these steps to print and save text messages for court

1. Launch Decipher TextMessage.
2. Backup an iPhone on your computer.
3. Choose a contact whose text messages you want to save for court.
4. Select Export to save the text messages.
5. Open the saved PDF and choose Print to print the text messages for court, trial, or your lawyer.

All your text messages for court will be read into the software and displayed in chat bubble format with the contact and time/date stamp on each message. Here's an example of what you will see in the program:

iPhone Screenshots

Another way to print out your iPhone text messages is by taking screenshots of each text message screen on your device. To take a screenshot you press the "Home" and "Sleep/Wake" button to capture what is on your iPhone screen. There are various pros and cons of using the screenshot method. Some of these include:

• Screenshots are quick and easy (and free!) if you only have a few text messages.
• One drawback of using the screenshot method is that it is time consuming. If you have lots of messages you will need to screenshot each individual screen and organize the images into a text message transcript manually.
• If you're required to show the time on every message, you'll need to slide left on the Messages app screen to reveal each message time. It's hard to do that and press the screenshot buttons, and cuts off some of the message text.
• If you don't have the iPhone in your possession, there would be no way to use the screenshot method.

Video Instructions - Documenting text messages for trial or legal matters

We have step-by-step instructions outlined in our helpful YouTube video which will walk any iPhone user through the exact steps and directions so that you can immediately save your text messages for court, trial, or your attorney.

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Android

There are several popular programs available for saving text messages from an Android device to your computer Some are free and some can be purchased for a fee in the Google Play Store. One popular app is SMS Backup +. The program stores texts in your Gmail account and lets you access them from any web browser.

• The app is free so you can try it out without spending any money.
• Printing out the text messages from any web browser is convenient and easy.
• It requires that you have a Gmail account. If you don't, you can simply register for one and then be up and running with the application within minutes.

Android Screenshots

To take a screenshot of any Android device is fairly simple, however the commands are different depending on your specific device.

• The first thing to try is pressing down the "sleep / wake" button and also the "volume down" button at the same time. If you see your screen "flash" then you have successfully taken a screenshot.
• For Galaxy devices and other Android phones that have a "home" button, try holding down the home button and the power button simultaneously until you see the screen flash.
• After taking a screenshot the image will then appear in the photo gallery app on your device. Simply look for the screenshot photo album and locate the image you just captured. You can then send, save, or share the screenshot depending on what is best for your needs.

Whether your device is an iPhone or an Android, we hope these tips for preserving and saving your text messages for court or a legal issue have been helpful. Remember to back up your mobile data to your computer on a regular basis so that all your important information is safe and secure.

Feature Phones

We've seen a few questions in the comments section of this article asking about documenting text messages for non-smart phones. Contact us via our support page if you're interested in this and we'll be happy follow up with you! Please be sure to mention the specific kind of feature phone from which you want to document sms/mms messages; the techniques and details vary depending on the phone manufacturer/operating system.

• There are two reliable and trusted ways to transfer text messages and iMessages from your iPhone to computer so that you can print them out.
  
  
• You can either take screenshots or you can use a third-party software program on your computer to export and print out the text messages and attachments.
  
  
• When printing text messages, remember messages data usually contains sensitive data. Always be cautious with any app that transmits your text messages data to their servers or processes the messages with AI.
  

Help! I suddenly have a need to save and print iPhone text messages.

Let's dive in so you can decide which method is best for your specific text message printing needs!

When iPhone users need to print text messages and iMessages, it can be a bit overwhelming to figure out the best and most secure way to export and print the text messages on one’s computer.

According to Wikipedia, as of last year there were over 3 billion iPhone sold! This amount of iPhones in use daily around the world means that it is commonplace for any iPhone user to wake up one day and have questions about what is the best way to extract, save, and print out text messages from their iPhone to computer as a PDF file.

Whether you need to export and print iPhone text messages for personal reasons, court, legal needs, business, or for family keepsakes and memories, today's instructional guide will help you figure out which method is right for you and we will also share some of the things to be cautious about when exporting or printing your personal iPhone text message data.

Screenshots - When is this the best solution?

Taking a screenshot of your text messages is a quick and easy way to capture the messages that are on your iPhone screen. You then instantly have a a photo / screenshot in your iPhone camera roll of the messages present on the screen when you capture the image.

Pros of using the screenshot method to export and print text messages:

• Free - Taking screenshots doesn't cost anything!

• Only a few messages - If you only need to save and print a few messages, screenshots might be for you.

• Quick and easy - You just take the screenshot and you've instantly captured any texts on your screen at that moment.

Cons of using the screenshot method to save and print text messages:

• Not good for a lot of messages - If you have more than a few text messages you need to save, taking screenshots is not ideal.

• Not way to format - It's difficult and time consuming to try and format all the screenshots into a cohesive document.

• No timestamp on texts - With screenshots, there is no metadata like the time stamp or contact information displayed on your text message captures or print outs.

Takeaway: Screenshots are best used if you only have a couple messages that you need to save. If you have more than a few text messages that you want to export and print from iPhone or iPad, screenshots are not the most effective choice or use of your important time.

Third Party software - When is this the best solution?

Third-party software can be your new best friend if you need to print iPhone text messages.

This way you can export text messages on your computer with ease in different formats and print out the text conversations without having to collate or organize your messages.

One of the key factors when using a third-party software program to print text messages it to make sure you use a program that is vetted and has a proven track record. It is essential that you retain full control over all your text messages data privately on your computer. For this reason we recommend the software Decipher TextMessage.

Decipher TextMessage is made in the USA and has been championed by individuals, businesses, law firms, legal experts, and other industries to be the leading software to reliably save and print text messages from iPhone. You can read customer reviews here.

Pros of using the USA made third-party software Decipher TextMessage to export and print text messages:

• Formatting- Decipher TextMessage enables you to export all your texts in chat bubble format.

• Metadata - The software displays timestamp and contact information on every message.

• Privacy - When you use Decipher TextMessage all your text message data is private and local on your PC or Mac.

• Free trial - The program has a free trial that lets you save and print just a few messages. This way you can try out the program to make sure it is what you want before purchasing.

• Robust export options - Decipher TextMessage lets users export and print text messages in a wide range of formats including PDF, HTML, CSV and TXT. Date range text message export option are also available.

• No subscriptions - Decipher TextMessage has no subscriptions, recurring monthly charges, or hidden billing.

• Text message only backup - The software has a custom back up option that will back up just your text messages and attachments and not your entire iPhone. iTunes is also no longer required for the backup.

What else should I consider when using Decipher TextMessage?

• Cost - To save and print all your text messages, Decipher TextMessage costs $29.99 USD. There are no subscriptions, no recurring charges, and no hidden billing ever.

• Windows or Mac computer required - Apple won't let iPhone users export messages directly on their device. You need a Windows PC or Mac computer to properly export and print your text messages.

Screenshots - Specific details on how to take iPhone screenshots to print text messages

A screenshot is a digital capture of whatever is on your iPhone screen when you take the screenshot. After you capture the image, the screenshot is immediately placed into your iPhone Camera Roll.

iPhone screenshot instructions:

• On your iPhone open the Messages app and pick a contact.

• Press and release the "side button" and also the "volume up" button. This will instantly save the screenshot to your iPhone's camera roll.

• Open the camera roll and select the screenshot. Tap "Print" which will let you print the screenshot of your messages out!

• Repeat this step for the amount of text messages screenshots you need to print.

Source: Apple Support official instructions to take screenshots.

Third-Party Software - Specific details on how to print out text messages from iPhone.

Follow these specific steps to print iPhone text messages:

1. Open Decipher TextMessage on your Windows PC or Mac computer.
2. Connect your iPhone to your computer.
3. Choose "Back Up."
4. After your iPhone backup completes, select your device.
5. Pick the contact that has text messages you need to print out.
6. Choose Export PDF and save the text messages to your computer.
7. Double-click to open the PDF on your computer and choose “Print” to print out your iPhone text messages.

download_product{dtm}

When you open Decipher TextMessage, your iPhone will appear in the program and you can select any contact with text messages or iMessages that you want to export and print.

Below is what a PDF export of your iPhone text messages looks like when using the software Decipher TextMessage:

Metadata - The PDF example above shows the metadata timestamp and contact information on ever single text message. This is a preference and feature is unique to Decipher TextMessage software.

Generating text message print outs and documents with metadata is often required by businesses, lawyers, attorneys, and legal counsel in order to provide thorough documentation and records.

The metadata option in Decipher TextMessage is also a great way for anyone to be able to easily discern who sent and received each specific text message and what phone numbers are tied to each specific text.

Here are a few of Decipher TextMessage's meta data settings and preferences:

Caution - Tips to make sure your iPhone text message data is private and safe

When exporting iPhone text messages, always be vigilant and use caution with any of the following:

• Apps that require your iCloud password or Apple ID - Always be wary and cautious of any software program or app on your device that requires you to enter your iCloud password or Apple ID. We recommend never giving out this private information to any program or app that claims they will help you export your text message data.

• Software that requires you to upload data or screenshots to their servers - Never let an app or third-party program upload your data to servers. Your text message data should always stay local and private on your computers/devices.

• Apps that use AI to process your texting data - Just like being wary of an app that uploads your messages data to their server, you should also be wary of any app that uses AI to process your text-message data. Your messages likely contain personal data that you want to remain private and only accessible by you and trusted parties you've selected.

Always read product reviews and testimonials prior to purchasing software to print iPhone text messages

• Before downloading a third-party program to transfer and print iPhone text messages, do a little homework and make sure the software you are looking into using is vetted and reputable.

• Check to see where the software is developed and what country the developer and support team are based in so you can evaluate as to whether the software is made and supported by a trustworthy and reputable business.

• Also, before purchasing any program to save and print text messages, it's a smart idea to look for feedback and reviews specifically about the software's customer support ahead of time, in case you need help using the software/app.

Customer testimonials for the USA made app Decipher TextMessage can be viewed at https://deciphertools.com/testimonial.html.

Terry S.
May, 2026

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"I learned of the Decipher TextMessage Tool from my daughter which helped her save/protect some very important text messages. I was so very amazed on how simple the tool was to use and how efficient it worked that I began to use it on my own. Since then I continue to appreciate the tool's capabilities and learn of the enhancements and improvements that continue to be implemented! Whenever I have had a question regarding functionality of Decipher TextMessage or it's behavior, the support team has been so amazing in providing excellent support and information quickly! Everyone that I have interacted with over the years has been great! A quality product, outstanding support. Cannot recommend this product and the Decipher Tools team enough!"

Final thoughts

Hopefully today's instructions have been useful as you decide what is the best method for your needs when it comes to exporting and printing out your iPhone text messages and iMessages to your computer.

It's a great feeling when you are able to save and print your iPhone text message with ease, accuracy, and also the peace of mind knowing that your text message data is private and secure.

If you have any questions or need help, feel free to drop us a support email via our contact page and one of our USA-based team will reply back with assistance. Happy text message printing!

When you select "Export" in Decipher TextMessage, you will first be prompted to choose the format for your text message export. In Decipher TextMessage, the robust export options include the following:

• PDF

• PDF (Date Range)

• HTML Archive

• HTML Archive (Date Range)

• Text Only

• Text Only (Date Range)

• CSV

• CSV (Date Range)

You will see these text message export options listed under the export menu choices in Decipher TextMessage.

After selecting one of the export choices, you will then be prompted to pick a directory or folder on your computer and you can then save the text messages to whatever location you prefer.

Windows Computer - Here is what you'll see when being prompted to save your iPhone text messages on Windows:

Mac Computer - Here is what you'll see when being prompted to save your iPhone text messages on a Mac:

What is the best location on my computer to save my iPhone text messages?

You can export your iPhone text messages to any folder on your computer that you want. Saving text messages to either the Desktop or Documents folder are popular and convenient choices.

Save iPhone text messages to Desktop
Many users like to save text messages from their iPhone to the Desktop on their computer. This way it’s easy to find the exported PDF file on your Desktop and you don’t have to search or try and locate it elsewhere.

Save iPhone text messages to Documents folder
The Documents folder on any Windows or Mac computer is another familiar and convenient place for any user to save the PDF containing their text messages. After you export the text messages, simply navigate to the Documents folder and you can open and print the PDF of your iPhone text messages that was generated by Decipher TextMessage.

Can I save my iPhone text messages to an external hard drive or thumb drive?

Yes, after you export and save your iPhone text messages as a PDF to your computer, you can then copy the PDF document to any thumb drive or external hard drive.

Also, if you have the external drive plugged into your computer, you can save the text messages directly to the external drive instead of first saving the file to your PC or Mac.

Which of the export options is the most popular for exporting iPhone text messages?

Most Decipher TextMessage users choose the PDF export option. The PDF option enables users to export, save, and print text messages including any photo attachments include in the text conversations.

Metadata Preference - All exports made with Decipher TextMessage software include metadata like the timestamp and contact information on every text message both sent and received. This is very helpful and often necessary for documentation and organizational purposes.

How many text messages can I save and is my text message data private?

When you activate a device with your Decipher TextMessage product license code, you can export all the text messages from that specific iPhone forever as many times as you need.

Text Message Data Privacy - When anyone uses Decipher TextMessage software to export and print text messages from iPhone, the user's data is completely private and local on their computer. Only the user has access to their data and none of it is stored on servers and no Apple ID is required to extract and exports the texts. The user is in complete ownership and control of their data.

"Decipher TextMessage is a truly amazing app if you have a need to store and organize text messages! If you want to go back to a particular date and revisit every conversation you had in the order those texts took place this program will do it! Every question I had was quickly answered by the support team. I highly recommend both the application and this company to anyone looking to save and organize their text messages."

-Sam H. / April 6, 2026 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Source: Customer review / testimonial for Decipher TextMessage software to save and print iPhone text messages..

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Do you need additional help with exporting iPhone text messages to a Windows PC or Mac?

If you need any help saving and printing your iPhone text messages or are having issues picking a convenient location on your computer or external hard drive for the saved document, you can email us via our Decipher Tools support page and someone from our USA-based team will reply and help.

When you use Decipher TextMessage for copying, exporting, or printing iPhone text messages, the software not only makes the process of extracting your text messages easy, but the program's intuitive user-interface also makes it simple to choose the exact folder or directory so you can store and save your text messages to wherever is most convenient on your personal computer.

"Are the text messages on my iPhone exportable? I don't want to take screenshots since I have a lot of texts that I need to save to PDF and print out for work before I get a new iPhone. Is there a way to save all the text messages off the phone?"
-Michael Buck, San Diego, California

Answer:

"Yes, it is possible to export and save iPhone text messages from the Messages app on iPhone to any Windows or Mac computer. The popular third-party app Decipher TextMessage is the tool of choice for iPhone users who need to extract, save, and print text messages."

Follow along with these steps to export and save iPhone text messages to any computer:

1. Install the Decipher TextMessage app on your computer.

2. Plug an iPhone into your PC or Mac and select the “Back Up” option in the program.

3. Choose “Export” and pick “Current Conversation PDF.”

4. Select a folder on your computer to save the PDF of your iPhone text messages.

5. You have now successfully exported text messages from iPhone to your computer.

Bonus tip: To print the exported iPhone text messages, open the saved PDF in your PDF viewing software on your computer and select “Print” to print out the iPhone text messages.

After opening Decipher TextMessage and backing up your iPhone in the program, the software will display all your text messages with any contact. Here is an example of how your iPhone text messages and contacts appear when they are imported into the app on your Windows PC or Mac.

download_product{dtm}

What are my export options and choices when saving text messages from iPhone?

Decipher TextMessage gives any iPhone or iPad user the ability to export, save, and print text messages, iMessages, and SMS/MMS messages.

Decipher TextMessage offers the following helpful export format options:

• PDF

• PDF (Date Range)

• HTML

• HTML (Date Range)

• Plain Text (TXT)

• Plain Text (TXT) (Date Range)

• CSV / Excel

• CSV / Excel (Date Range)

When you are using Decipher TextMessage and select "Export," you'll see the different export options displayed in the program so that you can choose the one that best fits your specific SMS export needs.

What does an exported text message document in PDF format look like?

Below is an example document exported with Decipher TextMessage software. Notice that the software preserves the "chat-bubble" formatting as displayed in the Messages app on your iPhone.

Additionally, take note that there is important metadata like the contact information and date and timestamp on all text messages both received and sent. This is a unique preference in Decipher TextMessage software that is critical for organizing and archiving text messages for personal use, business reasons, court, evidence, or legal documentation.

"The ability to transfer and save text message threads for court purposes is very useful. Decipher TextMessage also provided a summary count of texts and attachments by month/year etc... Very helpful for billing proof!"

-Melinda / January 27, 2026 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Source: Customer testimonial / review for Decipher TextMessage software to save and print iPhone text messages..

When I use software to export text messages, is my text message data public?

Always make sure that the third-party software you are using is trusted and vetted.

If you are saving text messages with Decipher TextMessage, all your personal text message data is private on your PC or Mac computer. Anytime you purchase a program to copy and save text message data, make sure the software is reputable and doesn't ever store your text message data in the cloud or online!

Source: Decipher Tools Software / Decipher TextMessage verification and data privacy..

Is there a video I can watch so I can better understand how to save and export my iPhone text messages?

If you need additional help, here is a simple instructional video that walks you through how to export and print out iPhone text messages. ytvideo{ayywP8AGKM4}