Two Safe Ways to Print iPhone Text Messages

When you need to export or print iPhone text messages, one of the first things to think about is how to ensure that your text message data is safe, private, and secure when saving and printing the text message chats.

The two primary ways to save and print iPhone text messages is by taking screenshots or by using a third-party software program to export the text message data.

In order to decide which method is best for your own personal needs and data privacy, there are several things to consider:

How many text messages do you need to save and print?

Screenshots - If you have a very small amount of iPhone text messages to save and print, you might consider taking screenshots.

Screenshots are a safe, easy, and quick way to capture the text messages so that you have a basic photo or "screenshot" of the important conversations.

However, if you need to save more than a few messages, taking screenshots is not very ideal or user-friendly.

It can take a large amount of time to take the screenshots and then you have to figure out a way to organize the screenshots into a format that is cohesive and printable.

Third-party Software - If you have a need to print out many text messages, then using a third-party software program to export and print the texts is a smart choice.

Third-party software enables you to print as many iPhone text messages as you need without the hassle of taking a lot of screenshots.

If you use a trusted third-party software program like Decipher TextMessage, the software will organize and export your messages in a variety of options including as a PDF file.

You can then email or share the exported text message document with friends, family, business colleagues, lawyers, legal counsel, or anyone.

Cost and budget

Screenshots - Taking screenshots of text messages on your iPhone or iPad is free and doesn't cost anything. This is great if you have a limited budget.

Third-party Software - Using third-party software is not free, however the features and functionality of a reputable third-party software program to save text messages will enable you to quickly and reliably export and print text messages while simultaneously save you time and effort.

If you decide to go with a third-party software program to save and print text messages from iPhone, do your research to ensure you pick an app that doesn’t have any subscriptions, recurring monthly charges, or hidden billing. Decipher TextMessage is a program that meets all these important requirements.

Data Safety and Privacy

Screenshots - When you take screenshots of text messages on your iPhone or iPad, all the screenshots are private on your iOS device. The screenshots can only be seen or viewed by you or whoever has permission to access and use your device.

Third-party Software - When you use a third-party software program to save messages, it is important to make sure that the software you are using is reputable and doesn’t store your text message data on servers/in the cloud. (Text message data stored on someone else's server is vulnerable should that server be compromised.)

When saving and printing iPhone text messages with a third-party app, it's important to choose a program that guarantees data privacy and that the user of the software is the only person with access to their text messages and exported message history.

What is a trusted third-party software program that prints text messages while keeping my data safe and private?

We recommend the popular USA-made third-party software Decipher TextMessage for this task.

Decipher TextMessage enables users to save and print text messages on any Windows PC or Mac computer and the program is known for its reliability and data safety.

When you use Decipher TextMessage to export and print text messages, all of one’s data is completely private on the computer where the software is used. Nothing is ever stored on servers or remotely in the cloud.

Download Decipher Text Message

Method #1 - How do I take screenshots of iPhone text messages?

Here is how to take iPhone screenshots:

• Open the Messages app on your iPhone and select a contact.

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

• Open the camera roll and select the screenshot. You can now tap "Print" which will let you print the screenshot.

• Repeat this step for however many text messages screenshots you need to print.

Data Source: Apple Support.

Method #2 - How do I save and print iPhone text messages with a third-party software app?

These are the exact steps to print your iPhone text messages:

1. Open Decipher TextMessage software on your computer.

2. Plug your iPhone into your computer and choose "Back Up" in the program.

3. When the backup completes, select your iPhone.

4. Choose a contact and select Export / PDF to save the iPhone text messages to your computer.

5. Open the PDF and select "Print" to print out your iPhone text messages in a safe, private, and secure manner on your computer.
   
   

Here is an example of what iPhone text messages look like when exported to PDF using the safe and secure software Decipher TextMessage.

Metadata - Do you need the timestamp and contact info displayed on your iPhone text message print outs?

One of the benefits of using Decipher TextMessage to export and print iPhone text messages is that the program generates print outs with important metadata like the timestamp and contact information on every text message that you have both sent and received.

The example above shows this metadata timestamp and contact on ever single text message feature which is unique to Decipher TextMessage and often required by lawyers, attorneys, and legal counsel when generating text message transcripts for evidence.

The metadata option in Decipher TextMessage is also a simple and helpful way to ensure your text message conversations are organized and comprehensive, giving any user a clear understanding of when texts were sent and received and by whom.

Things to avoid when printing iPhone text messages - Safety and privacy

If you are concerned about safety and data privacy when printing iPhone text messages, here are several important things to avoid and be cautious about:

• Apple ID - Do not give out your Apple ID to any software program requesting it for text message export purposes.

• iCloud password - Never give out your iCloud password to any third-party company to save and print iPhone text messages.

• Data uploads to servers or the cloud - Stay away from programs that require you to upload your text message data to external servers or cloud storage.

• Jailbreaking - Do not use software that requires you to Jailbreak your iPhone in order to export and print text messages.

• Public computers - Never use a public computer to back up your iPhone or to save and print text messages.

Read reviews - Always read product reviews before purchasing third-party software to save and print iPhone text messages.

Before you use or purchase a third-party program to export and print iPhone text messages, it's recommend that you Google the software and read product reviews and testimonials.

Reviews for Decipher Tools, the USA-based software company that develop and support Decipher TextMessage, can be viewed at https://deciphertools.com/testimonial.html.

Decipher Tools software has an established track record and are experts in saving, printing, and managing iPhone text messages both for individual users and also enterprise clients in the legal and business world.

Stephen H.
January 2026

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"I Googled and found a Reddit comment was a listing of 2-3 software programs that might work to save and print iPhone text messages. I downloaded one called Decipher TextMessage from Decipher Tools onto my Windows 11 laptop and within an hour, everything loaded and worked to perfection. I was able to download 8,323 pages of all our texts since 2018 into a searchable PDF and archive the whole thing. Amazingly, for only one reasonable purchase price with no monthly/annual subscription required (unlike the software that failed so miserably!)"

Wrapping Up

We hope that today's instructions about how to safely and securely print iPhone text messages has been helpful.

Following the steps outlined above should enable you to evaluate which method of saving and printing iPhone text messages is best for your own personal needs. You will also have the peace of mind knowing that your important text message data is safe and secure when transferring the text messages, SMS, and iMessages to your PC or Mac computer.