How to print text messages from iPhone (free and for court)

Prepare before you print

• Open the conversation and scroll to the start so you know how long it is.
• Turn off Do Not Disturb and notifications so no pop-up appears in a screenshot.
• Show the contact name or number at the top of each screenshot.
• Charge your phone and check that there is enough storage for many screenshots.
• Decide the format: a paper copy, a PDF to email, or a file for a lawyer.

Show dates and times on each message

Messages shows the date once for each group of messages, not for each one. To show the time for each message, swipe left on the conversation and hold. A time appears on the right for every message. Take your screenshot while holding. For court, a clear date and time on every message matters more than looks. If the thread spans many days, scroll slowly so the date headers appear at least once in each screenshot.

Print directly from your iPhone with AirPrint

Select the screenshots in Photos, tap Share and choose Print. Pick an AirPrint printer on your Wi-Fi, set the number of copies and tap Print. If you do not see a printer, check that the iPhone and printer are on the same network and that the printer supports AirPrint. If not, save the pages as a PDF and print from a computer. For paper size or scaling help, read changing print size when printing from iPhone.

Combine screenshots into one PDF

A single PDF is easier to email and keeps the order. In Photos, select the screenshots, tap Share, then Print, and on the preview pinch outward on a page to get a PDF. Tap Share again and Save to Files. You can also use our free photos to PDF converter in your browser, which keeps the files on your device and lets you reorder pages before you save. Check the PDF before you send it.

Print texts for court or legal use

Courts may ask how the messages were captured and whether they are complete. Screenshots can work, but they show only what is on screen and can be questioned. An export from a computer app that reads the whole conversation, with dates, times and phone numbers, is often easier to present. Keep the original messages on your phone and do not delete anything. Take screenshots of the contact's name and number as well. Rules differ by state and by case, so ask a lawyer or the court clerk what format they accept before you print.

• Back up your iPhone before you start, so nothing is lost. See how to back up an iPhone.
• Do not edit, crop or annotate screenshots meant for evidence.
• Keep a list of when and how you captured them.
• If messages are deleted, see recovering deleted texts on iPhone before you print.

Export with a computer app

Apps such as iMazing or Decipher TextMessage read your iPhone backup and export conversations as PDF or spreadsheet files with dates and times. Most are paid, with free trials that limit what you can export. Use a well-reviewed app from the maker's own website, and avoid tools that ask for your Apple Account password. Back up your iPhone to your computer first, then choose the conversation and the date range. Check the PDF carefully, since emoji, photos and long messages sometimes appear differently.

Print a single message or a short chat

For a few messages, touch and hold a message, tap Copy, paste it into Notes or Mail and print from there. You can also forward it with the forward option to an email address and print the email. This keeps text readable but removes the look of the original, so it is fine for personal use and not for evidence.

Troubleshooting

• The printer does not appear: restart the printer, join the same Wi-Fi network and update iOS.
• Screenshots print too small: use Share › Print and pinch to zoom or adjust the paper size.
• Photos in the chat look blurry: save the original photo from the message and print it separately.
• Group chats look confusing: add the names of all members to a note on the first page.

Keep a safe copy of important messages

If texts matter, such as an agreement, a receipt or a threat, back them up now. Take a full iPhone backup, save PDF copies in iCloud Drive or on a computer, and keep them in a folder with the date. Turn on Messages in iCloud in Settings › [your name] › iCloud › Show All › Messages, so your messages sync across your Apple devices. If your messages disappear after a software change, see recovering deleted texts on iPhone.

Privacy when you print

Printed texts often show names, numbers and private details. Do not print them at a shared office printer unless you stay and collect them. Cover or remove details that are not needed if you share a copy with someone who does not need all of it, but keep the original untouched in case someone asks for the complete record.

Make the pages easy to read

A stack of screenshots can be hard to follow. Number the pages, write the date range on the first page and put your name on the top if you will give them to someone. If the chat has links or photos, add a note about what they are, because printed links cannot be clicked. In a long thread with different dates, a short list on the front page saying who is in the chat and the first and last dates is useful for a lawyer, a judge or an insurer.

Print from an iPad or Mac

If you use Messages on a Mac, you can select text, copy it and paste it into a document, or choose File › Print to print a conversation window. The result is not complete for long threads. You can also open the screenshots on a Mac and print them, which gives you more control over page size and layout. iPad users follow the same steps as iPhone users.

Print from an Android phone

Android users have different options, and the steps depend on the Messages app. Screenshots and a print service plugin work on most phones. See how to print text messages from Android for the steps.

Frequently needed extras

• Attach photos and voice messages by saving them from the chat first. Touch and hold the item and tap Save.
• Put long group chats in several screenshots and include the top of the chat with the names.
• Give each file a clear name such as Messages-Name-Date, so you can find it later.
• Keep both the PDF and the original screenshots in a safe place.

If you need a certified copy for a legal case, ask your lawyer. Some cases need a forensic export, which a professional performs, and a printout alone may not be enough.

Check every page before you hand it over. Make sure no page is cut off, the dates are readable and the order is right, because a missing page can raise questions later.