There are many reasons you might want to save a text, notes from a loved one, important information, or just as a reminder…
But how do you do it? Apple hasn’t really addressed this issue on a system-level, but there are ways of making sure your best dad jokes aren’t lost.
One of the easiest ways to save a short section of text is by taking a screenshot.
If needed, you can include the date and time it was sent by sliding left on the message screen until the timestamps appear on the right side of the screen.
Then press the side and volume up button together to take the screenshot.
The screenshot method requires a bit of dexterity.
I slide and hold the message screen with my left thumb and use my right hand to snap the screenshot. Don’t worry, it’s really much easier than it sounds.
But if you want to save a lot of messages and timestamps are necessary you will need to download an app that allows you to export the messages to PDF or another format. A quick web search of “app to save iPhone text messages” will bring up the top options and you can choose from free or paid versions depending on your level of need.
If timestamps aren’t important to you, you can share or copy the texts directly in the Messages app. Here’s how.
Step 1. Open the Messages app and select the conversation you want to save.
Step 2. Long-press one of the text bubbles until the popup menu appears. Select the More…option.
Step 3. Tap the white bubbles on the left side of the messages to select the ones you want to copy or share. Then tap the Forward icon in the bottom right corner.
Step 4. That will bring up a new message screen. You can enter someone in the send field and forward the information. Or you can Select All in the text box and choose Copy. From there you can paste the text information into another format.
You can paste the copied information into a default app like Notes or something like Microsoft Word or Google Docs. Both are free to download but Word requires you to be a subscriber to use the mobile version of their app.
It is important to note that this method is very cut and dry and there is no formatting of the information and not useful if you want to share or copy more than a few pieces of text. Again, that is where an app that’s specific for this function will be helpful.
If you have a Mac, you can also save your text conversations to a PDF. It’s a pretty easy process too.
Step 1. Open the Messages app on your Mac.
Step 2. Select the conversation you want to save.
Step 3. Under the File menu select Print …
Step 4. Click on the blue down arrow beside PDF and from the drop-down menu select Save to PDF.
Step 5. Enter in the name of the file and the location you want it saved to and press Save when you are finished.
These steps are based on a MacBook Air running macOS Monterey version 12.1. If you are on a different Mac or running a different version, your steps may be slightly different after Step 3.
While there is no built-in Apple solution, there are options to make sure your conversations aren’t lost. Being able to recover deleted messages is still on our wish list but in the meantime, you can save the messages that are truly important.
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Your tips are wonderful and I read them. But how can I find them again, where are they store and how do I access them
I get spam messages, and saving/forwarding/blocking the sender is challenging.
I use MALWAREBYTES which doesn’t scan messages on my iPad, but will on iPhone.
Some messages display sender as an email, or multiple phone numbers, apparently to defy blocking.
The worst ones are scams concerning my bank account, and I try to forward/copy-email them to my bank’s fraud reporting email address. There was a federal.gov fraud address, but it seemed a waste to contact.
Any tips on handling the worst part of smartphone use – scam messages/emails?
George, Apple and Google mail have folders. Just name the folder and drag the original email into the folder once it’s read. Then when you need the info, just click on the link in the old email and it’s right there.
Maybe Pete can set up an app where we can go in and access past information with a search bar. That would be nice!!
I tried the “Other” in the text as suggested. It showed only the current message and didn’t provide me with any method of getting back to the whole list of texts. I’m pretty proficient with my phone (and other technology — 50 years experience as a computer consultant. Yup, I’m old). Even googling “iphone 13 how to get out of other in text messages” gave no useful link. Finally, powered my phone down. Back to the whole list again – thank goodness!
Love your tips so easy to follow.
I do need help with calendar as to adding appointments and reminder. Thanks
I’d love to know how to send balloons, stars,, etc… in a message.