Maybe you’re gathering evidence for court, saving a conversation with a loved one, or just want a backup that doesn’t vanish if iCloud fails. Whatever your reason, there’s no “Print” button in iPhone Messages—but don’t worry. Here are 3 simple, step-by-step ways to print your text messages from iPhone for real.
Quick Tip: Always export your iPhone messages to a print-friendly format first. Tools like Gbyte Recovery do it in one click, making the whole process faster and easier.
PDF report of iPhone text messages exported using Gbyte Recovery
Method 1: Print iPhone Text Messages Using Screenshots
Best for: Grabbing a few recent messages quickly.
Printing from screenshots is the fastest way to get a physical copy of your texts, especially when you only need a handful of messages.
Step 1. Open your Messages app.
Step 2. Take a screenshot:
On iPhone X or later: press Side button + Volume Up at the same time.
On older models: press Side/Top button + Home button.
Step 3. Open the screenshot in Photos.
Step 4. Tap the Share icon in the bottom-left corner, then select Print in the menu.
Step 5. Choose your wireless printer, adjust print settings, and tap Print.
Pro Tips
Save Screentshot as PDF: For a screenshot, tap the Share(up arrow) > Print > Share(up arrow) to convert your screenshot into a PDF. You can email it to yourself or move it to your computer for easier organizing.
Use a bigger screen: Access your iMessagas and messages on PC or Mac. This lets you capture entire conversations in one scrollable view.
Include identifying info: Make sure each screenshot shows the contact’s name, timestamps or phone number. This is essential if you need the printout for legal purposes.
Limitations
Screenshots get messy when you’re trying to export a large number of messages at once. Organizing dozens of images takes time, and some screenshots may miss timestamps or contact details you need. If you want something cleaner and more convenient, don’t give up yet—Method 2 make your life a lot easier.
Method 2: Use a Third-Party iPhone Messages Extractor Tool (Gbyte Recovery)
Best for: Legal evidence, archiving full message histories, recovering deleted texts, or exporting large amounts of messages at once.
If you need something more complete than screenshots, Gbyte Recovery is the most efficient way to export and print your iPhone text messages. It uses advanced data extraction technology to pull entire conversations, attachments, timestamps, and even deleted messages into a clean, printable format.
How It Works
Step 1. Launch Gbyte Recovery on your PC and choose Messages as the file type to export.
Step 2. Connect your iPhone to the computer using Apple ID and start the scan.
Step 3. Preview the results, then select the messages you want to export.
Step 4. Click Recover to export your conversations as an HTML file.
Step 5. Open the HTML file on your computer browser and press Ctrl + P (Windows) or Command + P (Mac) to open the print window.
Troubleshooting Tip
If messages don’t appear after scanning, turn off Messages in iCloud by going to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Messages. Back up your phone first, perform the scan again, then turn it back on. This won’t delete or overwrite your data.
What Gbyte Can Do
Forensic-grade extraction technology for highly detailed data output.
Complete metadata, including sender and receiver numbers, exact timestamps (down to the second), and attachment details.
Recover deleted messages, clearly labeled as “Deleted” so you can identify important missing information.
Beyond SMS and iMessage: Extract call logs, FaceTime history, voicemails, and messages from WhatsApp, WeChat, Telegram, Line, and Kik with full media.
Use it on iPhone & Android, Mac, or PC: Mobile versions let you preview data; exporting requires the PC/Mac version.
Multi-line support: If your iPhone uses multiple numbers, you can export messages from each one separately.
Social app exporting: Save chat histories and attachments from major social apps like WhatsApp, Line, Kik, WeChat, and Telegram.
Method 3: Print iPhone Text Messages by Forwarding to Email
Best for: Printing a handful of recent, non-deleted messages when you have no other tools.
How It Works
In a message thread, tap and hold a bubble > More.
Check the messages you want > tap the curved arrow icon.
Choose Mail and send them to your email.
Open the email on a computer and print.
✓ Pros: Uses built-in iPhone features; no new software.
✗ Cons:
Loses critical metadata (no sender numbers, vague timestamps like "Yesterday").
Attachments (photos, videos) often fail to forward.
Impossible for deleted messages.
FAQs
Q: Can text messages be used as legal evidence in court?
A: Yes—but only if they’re properly authenticated. Judges require proof that messages are unaltered and include metadata (timestamps, phone numbers). Screenshots or email forwards often get rejected. Tools like Gbyte Recovery generate certified PDF reports that hold up in court because they preserve forensic details.
Q: Can I print deleted text messages?
A: Only with specialized software. Once deleted, texts vanish from your iPhone’s visible storage. Gbyte Recovery scans your device’s deep storage to recover them—even after factory resets.
Q: What other messages can I print with Gbyte Recovery?
A: Beyond SMS/iMessages, it extracts full conversations from WhatsApp, WeChat, Telegram, Signal, Line, Kik, Viber, and Facebook Messenger, including deleted chats and attachments. Even call logs and voicemails are recoverable.
The Right Tool for Your Needs
You’ve got options—but not all are equal. For casual needs, screenshots work. For life’s weightier moments (custody battles, contract disputes, preserving a loved one’s last messages), trust a tool built for truth. Gbyte Recovery doesn’t just print texts—it rescues what matters, exactly as it happened.
