Use the "Save as PDF" option (if you have one in your messaging app) or use a third-party app like "SMS Backup & Restore" to export messages as a PDF. Edit the PDF later if you want to save only parts of it.
How to Print Text Messages from Android Phones
Most people in the world use Android phones because of how accessible it is. But most people also don't know how to do one of the most basic tasks on Android—printing.
Printing text messages from an Android phone can be useful if you're preserving cherished memories, compiling evidence for legal purposes, or maintaining professional records. Which is why in this post, we teach you how to print your SMS easily and fix common problems when doing so.
Common Reasons to Print Text Messages
It's not a new thing, but it's not very common either. People print text messages for all different kinds of reasons, including:
- Legal documentation: When text messages serve as evidence in court cases or legal issues.
- Cherishing memories: Printing out parts of text messages for memories (perhaps a photo album) or even putting it on a cake (something that's been getting popular recently).
- Professional use: To keep records of work-related communications.
- Archiving information: Some people just want a physical backup of important conversations that happened online.
Of course, there could be many other reasons if people get creative, but we'll leave that up to you!
Different Ways to Print Text Messages
Printing text messages from Android phones isn't hard, it's just unfamiliar. There are multiple easy and slightly complex ways to print text messages and other documents/pictures from Androids.
In this blog post, however, we are going to display only the three most efficient methods to print text messages from Android phones. We will use both in-built features and third-party apps, so you can choose at your convenience.
1 Using Built-in Android Features
Luckily, most modern Android phones have easy ways to print directly from the phone or at least share it to a printer-connected computer easily. There are two ways to do so, starting with the one for less-tech-geeky people out there:
Print Text Messages via Screenshots
- Step 1. Open the messaging app and the conversation you want to print.
- Step 2. Take a screenshot by pressing the Power + Volume Up/Down buttons at the same time (or use your device's specific screenshot or preferred method).
- Step 3. Open the screenshot in your gallery app.
- Step 4. Select the Print option from the three dot icon you see at the bottom/top corner (or click "Share" to share to a connected printer via a computer or cloud service if that's easier for you).
Note: Remember that you can only capture a little bit of the conversation with a screenshot, so you have to take multiple screenshots continuously or a scrolling screenshot (if you have a Samsung or the feature) to capture everything you want. It's good for short tidbits, but if you want to print full conversations, refer to the next method, please.
Save Messages as PDF
- Step 1. If your messaging app has the option to export chats, open it and select the chat you want to print.
- Step 2. Tap the Share or More option (should be found in three dots).
- Step 3. Choose Save as PDF or select Print and then save as a PDF.
- Step 4. Transfer that to your computer or print directly from your phone if you're using a wireless printer or a printer that can be connected to your phone.
Notice: Not all messaging apps have the feature to export directly in PDF, so make sure your app has it first.
2 Using a Third-Party App
It's possible that your default messaging app, or whatever you use, doesn't have the feature export chats as PDF. Here's where third party apps come in. A popular option is SMS Backup & Restore. This is the one we recommend using for the sake of this blog post.
Apps like SMS Backup+, Textra, and Print Text Messages are also usable for this task, but avoid apps like Smart Switch or DroidGeeker. They are NOT effective for this purpose and will only waste your time and money.
Using SMS Backup & Restore to Print Text Messages
- 1. Download SMS Backup & Restore from Google Play Store.
- 2. Open it and grant necessary permissions to access your messages.
- 3. Set up backup only for messages. Click "Advanced Options" and "Selected conversations only." Select the chat you want to export.
- 4. Select "Your local storage" when they ask for a location to save and keep "Internal app folder" selected.
- 5. Choose "Daily" when prompted to schedule recurring backups. Or turn it off if it's for one-time use. Go ahead with "BACK UP NOW."
- 6. After clicking on "VIEW DETAILS" you should be able to see a backup with today's date. Click on it. Then you can finally see the conversation you want to export.
- 7. Now click on the three-dot icon you see on the right and select "Print Conversation."
- 8. Now you can finally click on the "Save as PDF" button with the download icon to save your conversation as a PDF file.
- 9. Transfer the exported file to a computer via USB, email, or cloud storage (Google Drive, Telegram, WhatsApp, Terabox).
- 10. Open the file on your computer and print it as usual.
Just make sure the app supports your Android version, as it may not be compatible with latest Android versions.
3 Printing from Google Drive or Cloud Backups
If your messages are backed up to Google Drive or another cloud service, you're lucky because you can access and print them easily.
- Step 1. Open Google Drive on your computer or phone.
- Step 2. Locate the backup file containing your text messages (often in XML or CSV format).
- Step 3. Download the file and open it in a text editor or spreadsheet software.
- Step 4. Then you can format and edit it, before printing using a connected printer on PC or send it to your PC.
Make sure your backup includes the important parts, as some backups may only store recent messages.

How to Print Text Messages for Court or Legal Use
To ensure the evidence isn't tampered with, you need to backup and print all messages ASAP. We highly recommend using SMS Backup & Restore in this case as it can backup multiple conversations simultaneously and has an easy-to-use "Print Conversation" option.
- Use SMS Backup & Restore to capture messages exactly as they appear without changing anything. Print using your phone or a PC connected to the printer. If you're printing long PDFs, we recommend using a PC for better handling capabilities.
- Check with your legal authority if a certified statement or notarization is required to validate the messages.
Consult with your lawyer or a relevant legal professional to stay compliant with local regulations. The last thing you want to hear is trouble after you print everything out.
Conclusion
Printing text messages from your Android phone is pretty straightforward with the right apps and methods. Whether you're saving memories, documenting for legal purposes, or archiving professional communications, we've covered it all.
Options like screenshots, third-party apps, or cloud backups only make the process accessible based on your needs. Choose the method that best fits your needs and follow the steps shown for a perfect experience.
And if you're a parent who wants to monitor their children's messaging on Android, check out AirDroid Parental Control. It offers advanced features like remote monitoring, instant alerts, AI-powered content blocking, time limits and screentime activity reports. Visit us at https://www.airdroid.com/parental-control/ for the best offers at your service.
FAQs


Using apps like "SMS Backup & Restore," you can transfer the file to your computer via messaging apps, file transfer apps, email, cloud storage, USB, anything—then you can print it as usual.

Yes, use a third-party app to export all messages as a PDF file, then print from a computer. However, large conversations may require significant storage or processing.

Use an app like "SMS Backup & Restore" to export messages with timestamps and sender details intact. Verify with legal authorities if certification or notarization (having it signed up) is needed.


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