How To Download Texts From Iphone 5

How Can You Download Text Messages from iPhone

If you are looking to back up the text messages on your iPhone or print iPhone text messages to PDF, you will need to download text messages from iPhone to computer.

But can you export text messages from iPhone?

As you may know, although Apple provides iTunes and iCloud to back up your iPhone content, including text messages (SMS), to a computer or the cloud storage, you cannot access, view, or extract the items from the backup. Therefore, if you want to download text messages from iPhone to computer in a readable format, you will need third-party software or find some tricks to get it done.

Method 1. How to Download Text Messages from iPhone Directly

The easiest way to save text messages on iPhone could be using an iPhone data transfer tool. There are many third-party tools that allow you to download text messages from iPhone to computer. Here I'd like to take one of them as an example.

The Tool You Need to Export Text Messages from iPhone

To save text messages from an iPhone to a PC, Mac, or laptop, you can use the reliable iPhone transfer software - EaseUS MobiMover. It is an iPhone data transfer tool that will save your iPhone text messages to computer with a few simple clicks.

Moreover, it not only allows you to download text messages from iPhone but also enables you to:

Transfer files from computer to iPhone/iPad
Copy data from one iPhone/iPad to another
Access, view, and edit iPhone/iPad content from a computer

Other types of content, like photos, videos, music, contacts, books, and more, are all supported.

3 Steps to Download Text Messages from iPhone

Step 1. Unlock your iPhone and connect it to your computer with a USB cable. Launch EaseUS MobiMover. Tap "Trust" when a prompt appears on your iPhone asking you whether to trust this computer or not. After a proper connection, choose "Phone to PC" and click "Next".

How to copy messages from iPhone to computer - Step 1

Step 2. As you can see from the below screenshot, you can copy items like audio, pictures, videos, contacts and other files types from iPhone to your computer all at once. To copy messages, you can customize a location to save the messages in advance. Tick the Messages icon and click "Transfer".

How to copy messages from iPhone to computer - Step 2

Step 3. Now it begins copying messages from your iPhone. The items will be stored as an HTML file on your computer, thus you can view the details with any browser you have.

How to copy messages from iPhone to computer - Step 3

If you need to, follow the related guide to print text messages from iPhone on the computer.

Apart from the file management features, EaseUS MobiMover has a video (& audio) download function. With that feature, you will be able to get the videos or music you like from websites like YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, SoundCloud, and more to your computer or iPhone/iPad for free. (For more details, refer to the guide on how to download YouTube videos to iPhone.)

Method 2. How to Save Text Messages On iPhone via Email/Message

Although there is no built-in "Export" feature for you to download iPhone text messages, you can apply a workaround to save text messages on iPhone via the Message app. One of them is to copy an entire text conversation on iPhone and then send it to another device via an email or message.

To copy and save text conversation iPhone:

Step 1. In the Messages app, tap the conversation you'd like to save. Then press and hold any of the texts in the conversation.

Select one of the texts in the conversation

Step 2. When the options appear, choose "More".

How to copy an entire text conversation on iPhone

Step 3. Now select the other texts you'd like to copy. Afterward, click the "Forward" icon in the lower right corner. Enter a phone number or email address and click the "Send" button to download text messages from iPhone via a message or email.

How to save text messages on iPhone via a message or email

With this tip, you are able to download text messages from iPhone to any other device that can receive a message or email.

Method 3. How to Download Text Messages from iPhone via Screenshots

If you want to keep the original appearance of a text conversation, the best solution is to take screenshots of the text chain.

To save text messages on iPhone via screenshots:

Step 1. Go to the Messages app on your iPhone.

Step 2. Find and click the message you'd like to save.

Step 3. Take a screenshot of your iPhone messages, including text messages, multimedia messages, and iMessages.

On an iPhone that uses Face ID: Press and quickly release the "Side" button and the "Volume Up" button.
On an iPhone that uses Touch ID and Side button: Press and quickly release the "Side" button and the "Home" button at the same time.

Screenshot iPhone Messages

Now you have successfully saved your iPhone messages to the Photos app. You can export, print, or transfer the screenshots according to your need.

The Bottom Line

If you want to transfer text messages from iPhone to computer with iTunes, you have to transfer other data and settings together with the texts and you cannot extract messages from the backup. What's more, you can only regain access to the messages by restoring an iPhone from the iTunes backup. That's the same if you use iCloud.

Thus, using an iOS content manager like EaseUS MobiMover is necessary for you to download text messages from iPhone directly. If you don't mind using workarounds, follow one of the last two methods can also help to download text messages from iPhone.

After you export messages from iPhone to a computer, you can freely view or print the items.