How to Backup Text Messages on iPhone

If you have text messages that contain personal memories or important life events on your iPhone, backing them up is a smart move.

So, how can I back up text messages on my iPhone? Don't worry, it's easier than you think! Below, I've highlighted methods to back up and save your messages to the cloud or local.

Back up iPhone Text Messages to iCloud

For a convenient method to back up iPhone text messages and access them effortlessly, iCloud is second to none. iCloud can back up all your iPhone data in one place, such as messages, photos, apps, etc. All backups are automatic once your iPhone is connected to a WiFi network.

Besides, as long as you use the same iCloud account on Apple devices, like Mac or iPad, you can easily check and react to your backed-up messages.

Backing up text messages on your iPhone using iCloud is super easy, just follow:

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Back up iPhone Text Messages to Computer Locally

If you're looking for ways to transfer or backup iPhone text messages to a computer locally, then you have to utilize the most common tools: iTunes and Finder (Mac only).

They're completely free and allow you to back up all your text messages without worrying about iCloud storage limitations. However, let me remind you that the two tools don't offer an entrance for viewing the messages you backed up.

Below is a step-by-step guide on how to back up iPhone text messages to a computer.

For Windows:

For Mac:

View Your Text Message from Backups

After backing up your text messages, you might be wondering how can I view them. This part will eliminate your doubt.

For iCloud Backup

If you use iCloud to back up your iPhone text messages, it is easy and convenient to view them on other Apple devices as long as you have the iCloud credentials. So, you can send and receive texts from your iPad, Mac, and other Apple devices.

Now, follow the steps below to do that:

For iTunes/Finder Local Backup

If you choose to back up your iPhone messages on your local computer via iTunes or Finder, you can only access the messages to your iPhone by restoring it from backups.

Note that you cannot view them in the message or file format on your computer because the backups are encrypted. In testing, when I tried to look at the backups on my Windows PC through this path "C:\Users\[Username]\Apple\MobileSync\Backup," it only showed me folders with unreadable files.

Other Ways to Save Your Text Message on iPhone

Apart from backing up your conversations, you can try to save your iPhone text messages instead, which can also protect against data loss due to device failure, loss, or upgrade. Here are extra tricks to save text messages on iPhone:

Take Screenshots

You can also take a screenshot of a specific message you want to save and save in your photos, files, or iCloud drive. Though this method does not update automatically, it will give you access to your text messages offline.

Print Text Messages to PDF

If you have a few messages or specific messages you want to save, you simply export them and save them as PDFs. In this manner, saved messages are easy for viewing and sharing. Wondering how to print text messages to PDF? Here's how to do that with a Mac:

Manually Forward Text Messages

You can manually forward text messages to save them on your iPhone. This method works by sending the messages to your email or a trusted recipient. However, this may result in losing the context of the conversation, as only the selected message is saved without the surrounding dialogue and sender and recipient.

FAQs about Backing up iPhone Message

Final Words

To back up text messages on your iPhone using any method, make sure your phone is fully charged. This helps ensure the process is completed successfully without interruptions.

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