How to Save Text Messages from iPhone to Computer: 4 Proven Methods

The Messages app is where you stay connected with family, friends, and coworkers. It stores a lot of important chat history, including text messages, photos, videos, and more. But sometimes, messages can be lost due to iOS updates, water damage, or even jailbreaking. To keep your information safe, it is recommended that you transfer text messages from your iPhone to your computer. You can also save or print them as PDF format. Whatever the reason, there are some easy and free ways to save text messages from iPhone to computer, even in different formats.

Method 1: Save Text Messages from iPhone to Computer via iOS Assistant

Want to save your iPhone text messages to your computer so you can read or print them anytime? Coolmuster iOS Assistant is a great tool to help you do just that. This handy iPhone transfer software lets you move all kinds of data between your iPhone, iPad, or iPod and your computer. Besides messages, you can also transfer photos, videos, music, ringtones, contacts, audiobooks, and more. Thus, when you want to get iPhone text messages on Windows 11/10 PC or Mac, you can use this tool to get it done.

Here's what Coolmuster iOS Assistant can do:

• Transfer text messages from iPhone to your computer in easy-to-read formats like HTML, TXT, or CSV.
• Back up and restore selected files like contacts, messages, photos, music, and apps.
• Move data from your iPhone to your computer and vice versa.
• View and manage your iPhone content directly from your PC or Mac.
• Compatibility with the latest iOS 18 and iPhone 16 series.

Coolmuster iOS Assistant offers two options for you on how to save iPhone text messages to a PC or Mac. No matter which option you select, just download and install the program and follow the tutorial to have a try.

Free Download for PC

 

Free Download for Mac

How to Save Texts from iPhone to Computer Selectively using iOS Assistant:

Video Tutorial:

Method 2: Transfer Text Messages from iPhone to Computer via iTunes

It's totally possible to save your iPhone text messages to your computer for free using iTunes, but there's a catch. iTunes doesn't let you back up just your messages. Instead, it makes a full backup of everything on your iPhone, including photos, settings, and apps.

Even though you can find where the backup is stored on your computer (whether you're using Windows or Mac), you won't be able to actually open and read your messages from there. The backup is all locked up in a format you can't browse. So unless you restore your iPhone from that backup, you won't be able to view the text messages directly.

Here's how you can back up your iPhone using iTunes (which also saves your messages):

Step 1: Download and install the latest version of iTunes on your computer.

Step 2: Plug your iPhone into your computer using a USB cable. iTunes should launch on its own.

Step 3: When your iPhone asks if you trust this computer, tap "Trust."

Step 4: In iTunes, click the little iPhone icon near the top-left corner.

Step 5: Go to the "Summary" section. Under "Backups," choose "This Computer" and click "Back Up Now."

Step 6: Hit "Apply" to begin the backup process.

Method 3: Copy Text Messages from iPhone to Computer Using iMessage

If you're using a Mac and have iMessage enabled on your iPhone, you can easily sync your iPhone texts to your Mac. Just sign in with the same Apple ID on both devices, and your messages will automatically appear in the Messages app on your Mac.

Keep in mind, though, that this method only syncs messages — it doesn't create a permanent backup. So if you delete a message on your iPhone, it will disappear from your Mac too. That's why this option isn't ideal if your goal is to save a backup of your texts. In that case, a third-party tool like Coolmuster iOS Assistant would be a better choice.

However, if you just want your messages to stay up-to-date across your devices, syncing via iMessage works great.

Here's how to sync iPhone messages to your Mac:

Step 1: On your iPhone, go to "Settings" > "Messages". Then, turn on "iMessage".

Step 2: Open the Message app on your Mac and Sign in with the same Apple ID you use on your iPhone.

Step 3: Click "Messages" in the top menu and choose "Preferences".

Step 4: Go to the "Accounts" tab and select your iMessage account.

Step 5: Check "Enable Messages in iCloud", then click "Sync Now".

Method 4: Download Texts from iPhone to Computer with Email

If your intention is to selectively save a handful of text messages from your iPhone to your PC, you can do so using email. Copy the desired messages and send them to your email address; subsequently, you can retrieve them by logging into your email account on the PC. As long as you refrain from deleting that specific email, the messages will remain perpetually accessible. Here is how to save texts from iPhone to computer with email:

Step 1: Go to your "Messages" app on your iPhone, tap one conversation you want to transfer and select one message by holding. (iPhone Text Messages Disappeared?)

Step 2: There are some options for you to select. Choose the "More..." button, and you can select more messages by ticking the messages.

Step 3: After selecting, you will see a blue arrow, which means "Share", in the lower right corner. Click that button and write the email address of the receiver.

Step 4: Then, sign in to your email account and download the messages on the computer.

FAQs for Saving Messages from iPhone to Computer

Q1: Is it possible to download all my text messages to my computer?

Yes, you can! There are handy apps and software that let you move your messages from your phone to your computer for backup or safekeeping. Tools like Coolmuster iOS Assistant or Samsung Smart Switch can help with this. Just keep in mind, the exact steps may vary depending on what phone you're using.

Q2: How can I save all my text messages as a file?

If you're using an iPhone, the easiest way is to back it up with iTunes. That backup includes your text messages. When you set up a new iPhone, you can restore that backup and get your old messages back.

Here's how to do it:

1. Plug your iPhone into your computer and open iTunes.
2. Click your iPhone when it shows up.
3. Choose "Back Up Now" to create a backup on your computer.
4. When it's done, you can find the backup file on your computer, and your messages will be inside.

Q3: How do I copy a full text conversation on my iPhone?

If you want to copy an entire chat, here's what you need to do:

1. Open the Messages app and go into the conversation you want.
2. Tap and hold one message until a menu pops up.
3. Tap "More…" and you'll see small circles appear next to each message.
4. Tap the circles to select the messages you want. You can select as many as needed.

Last Words

Here are four easy and safe ways to save text messages from your iPhone to your computer, each with its own advantages:

• Coolmuster iOS Assistant - This powerful tool lets you copy text messages from your iPhone to your computer. Once transferred, you can open and read them without any hassle.
• iTunes - Back up your entire iPhone, including text messages, to your computer. However, the messages are stored in a backup file and can't be directly viewed.
• iMessage - Syncs your messages across Apple devices like iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Keep in mind, this doesn't work with Windows PCs.
• Email - You can forward important texts to your email, which makes it easy to access and save specific conversations one by one.

Choose the method that best fits your needs to safely export your iPhone messages to a computer.

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