How to Download Text Messages from iPhone to PC/Mac Computer

How to download/export text messages from iPhone 6s/7/8/X/XS/XR to computer? This guide will tell you a quick & easy method to download text messages from iPhone to computer.

By Joy Taylor | Posted on: Dec. 21, 2017, Last Updated: Jun. 20, 2019

The Message App on your iPhone records your conversations with friends, partners, families, and loved ones. Most of them mean a lot to you, and some of them are even top confidential.

However, there are some possibilities that text messages could be disappeared accidentally, due to various factors, such as iOS upgrading, jailbreak, water damaged, and more. Or there are some situations when you need to export these text messages from iPhone, and print them in a paper for some purposes. At these moments, you can consider downloading text messages from iPhone to your computer, to backup them from their loss, or print them.

Tansfer Text Messages from iPhone to Computer

Transfer Text Messages from iPhone to Computer

The most common way to download text messages from iPhone is iTunes backing up. But this way could only back up your whole device, not just text messages. So it could be very time-consuming. Furthermore, they are just files that you cannot view because iTunes does not support backup previewing. So how can you print them? To get rid of such drawbacks of iTunes way, we will share three easy methods for how to transfer text messages from iPhone to the computer. Check all of them now.

Before we start, we’d like to tell you that this post works for all kinds of iPhones and computers.

Method 1. How to Transfer Text Messages from iPhone to Computer with AnyTrans for iOS

To download text messages from iPhone to the computer, all you need is a professional iOS data transfer tool that is easy-to-use, efficient and capable of saving text messages from the iPhone to the computer. iMobie AnyTrans for iOS is the way to go, why?

Follow the step-by-step tutorial below, to see how to download text messages from iPhone to your computer.

Step 1. Free download & install AnyTrans for iOS on your computer > Launch it > Connect your iPhone 6s/7/8/X/XS/XR to computer with a USB cable. Choose Device Manager in the main interface and switch to the interface of managing content by category.

Free Download

Free Download

* 100% Clean & Safe

Free Download * 100% Clean & Safe

How to Download Text Messages from iPhone – Step 1

How to Download Text Messages from iPhone – Step 1

Step 2. Choose the Messages category to enter the Messages manage page.

How to Transfer Text Messages from iPhone to Computer – Step 2

How to Transfer Text Messages from iPhone to Computer – Step 2

Step 3. Preview and select text messages you want to transfer. Tap To PC/Mac button in the upper right corner to transfer text messages to the computer.

How to Save Text Messages from iPhone to Computer – Step 3

How to Export Text Messages from iPhone to Computer – Step 3

 Not only text messages can be transferred, but also MMS messages, SMS messages, iMessages and Messages attachment can be exported or downloaded to computer through this method.

Method 2. How to View iPhone Text Messages on Mac

If you are a Mac user, congratulations, you could check your iPhone text messages on the computer simply with your Apple ID. The step-by-step guide below will show you how. Please keep reading and learn more about it.

Step 1. Find the icon of iMessages on your Mac.

Find the Messages icon on Mac

Find the Messages icon on Mac

Step 2. Sign in with the same Apple ID you used on your iPhone.

Log in with the same Apple ID

Log in with the same Apple ID

Step 3. Once you have logged in, your messages on iPhone will be synced to your Mac automatically.

Check the Messages on Mac

Check the Messages on Mac

Method 3. How to Export Text Messages from iPhone with iTunes Backup

The second way is exporting text messages from iPhone and save them on a computer with iTunes backup. Even though we have talked about iTunes’ shortcomings: backup the whole device and not support backup file viewing. But with some iTunes backup extractors can fix these issues. And in this part, we recommend PhoneRescue for iOS sincerely.

Working as a best iOS data recovery, PhoneRescue for iOS can also help you access every single text message item in iTunes backup files. Besides, you can also download them all or selectively to your computer. Why not give it a try now?

Free Download

Free Download

* 100% Clean & Safe

Free Download * 100% Clean & Safe

Step 1. Run PhoneRescue for iOS on your computer > Select Recover from iTunes Backup > Click right arrow to continue.

How to Download Text Messages from iPhone with iTunes Backup – Step 1

How to Download Text Messages from iPhone with iTunes Backup – Step 1

Step 2. Select the iTunes backup > Click right arrow > It will pop up a screen for you to choose data types. So choose Messages > Click OK button.

How to Download Text Messages from iPhone with iTunes Backup – Step 2

How to Download Text Messages from iPhone with iTunes Backup – Step 2

Step 3. Select the items you want to save on computer > Click on To Computer.

How to Download Text Messages from iPhone with iTunes Backup – Step 3

How to Download Text Messages from iPhone with iTunes Backup – Step 3

The Bottom Line

With AnyTrans for iOS, you can freely and easily transfer any files to computer, even among all your Apple devices, with 100% Safe & Security. If you have any question about this guide, please let us know in the comment section or via Email. Start taking a tour >

Joy Taylor

Member of iMobie team as well as an Apple fan, love to help more users solve various types of iPhone related issues.