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How Can I Archive a Single Text Message Thread From My iPhone or Mac?

I would like to archive/export/save one very long text message thread for safekeeping. It can be from my iphone or my mac – both have access to the same thread. Currently all of my messages are saved into iCloud but I do not trust that methodology long term.

I don’t mind purchasing a 3rd party app if that’s the best way.

My wife has a very long thread on her iphone that is of very sentimental value to her. I would like to be sure it will not be lost.
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Rob Mayer

Comments: 4 Responses to “How Can I Archive a Single Text Message Thread From My iPhone or Mac?”

    1 year ago

    Just Print, and then save to PDF.
    In the Messages app on your Mac, go to the conversation. Then use File, Print. Then click the PDF button to save that as a file.
    You may need to scroll back through the conversation to load all previous messages. Try it first, and then scroll back and try it to see if it makes a difference.

    Rob Mayer
    1 year ago

    I did just try that but it appears that trying to print much more than the initial screen's worth causes the program to crash. Is there any app or method that will just capture the whole thread, however large it is?

    1 year ago

    Rob: It shouldn't crash. Maybe try a restart and then print? Does it crash when you use File, Print. Or does it crash when you click the PDF button? This is the way to do it.

    Rob Mayer
    1 year ago

    It crashes as soon as I attempt to print more than 10 screens worth. I am using the PDF button. Sometimes I don't even get to the PDF button as it crashes just trying to use the File-Print option. It does work with less than 10 screens worth. FWIW I tried it on another Mac and got the same result (although that Mac was imaged from a backup of the first Mac).

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