How to Save a Text Message from an iPhone

Last Updated: August 20, 2019

This wikiHow will show you how to save a text message from an iPhone. No matter what the reason for saving a text message, the process is simple. While there is no functionality to save, download, or export messages within the iMessages app, there are a few workarounds you can take to save your text messages.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Taking a Screenshot

1
Open Messages. This app icon looks like a white speech bubble on a green square. You'll find this in your Dock or on your home screen.
- This method allows you to save your text messages without needing a computer or any special software.
2
Open the message you want to save. You may need to swipe down on your phone to hide the keyboard.

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3
Take a screenshot. For newer iPhones, press the button on the right side of the phone (the power/lock button) and press the volume up button on the left. For older iPhones with the physical home button, press the sleep/wake and home buttons at the same time.
- Repeat this process of taking screenshots of the texts until you are done.
- These screenshots are now in your Gallery. You can share them via email or save them to iCloud.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using a Backup with a Computer

1
Create a backup with iTunes. Connect your phone to your computer with a USB cord, open iTunes, select your iPhone icon, then select This computer under the Backups section of the Summary. Then click the option to Back Up Now.
- Using this method, you'll need your iPhone, a computer, and software to read the backup file.
2
Navigate to the main backup directory. In Mac, you'll most likely find the backup file in: ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/.
- In Windows, you'll most likely find the backup file in: C:\Users\USERNAMEEXAMPLE\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup.
3
Navigate to the specific backup folder. This filename will have an auto-generated name that includes lots of numbers and letters, like 9182749a9879a8798a798e98798798f9879877c98798. That file with the weird name is the file that holds within it the saved texts.
4
Navigate to the file with your text data. You'll find a file named 3d0d7e5fb2ce288813306e4d4636395e047a3d28 with either a .mddata or .mdbackup ending.
- You need to access this file again, so you can either make a copy of it on your desktop or memorize the path to accessing it.
- The file is in SQLite format, so you'll need an SQLite Management app, like MesaSQLite for Mac OS X, and SQLite for Windows.
5
Open the text data file in your SQLite application. You can do this from inside the app with the Open command in the File tab, or you can right-click on the backup file and click Open With… and choose your SQLite app.^{[1]
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