Text messages have become an integral part of our daily lives. Whether it's for sentimental reasons, legal documents, or business records, having a paper copy of important text messages is priceless. So how do I print text messages? This blog will show you various ways to print text messages from your smartphone, ensuring you can preserve those conversations in a physical format.
Overview
The main methods for printing text messages on smartphones are to use third-party software or screenshots. The former is more suitable for printing large-scale message conversations that may span several years and are generally related to legal proceedings. The latter is more suitable for printing small amounts of information, more for memorial or record purposes.
Some popular third-party software are as follows, which usually require payment to use on computers:
|
SOFTWARE |
TRANSFER |
|
Tansee |
Android phone →Windows PC /Mac; iPhone →Windows PC /Mac |
|
TouchCopy |
iPhone →Windows PC /Mac |
|
Droid Transfer |
Android Phone →Windows PC |
|
iMazing |
iPhone →Windows PC /Mac |
In addition, there are some methods specific to certain platforms, such as converting text messages to PDF for printing on Mac for iPhone users, and printing on Android phones through file backup.
How to Print Text Messages
There are many ways to print text messages, each suitable for different needs and preferences. Below, we'll explore methods using third-party software, screenshots, converting messages to PDF, and file backups.
Using Third-Party Software
These computer software provide powerful solutions for exporting and printing information, especially when dealing with large amounts of information or when legally acceptable formats are required. Here are some popular third-party applications:
Tansee
Specifications:
Available for Windows & Mac computers.
Requires payment ($29.95-$45).
Supports SMS, MMS, iMessages, WhatsApp & WA Business, and WeChat.
How to Print:
Download and install Tansee on your computer.
Connect your smartphone to the computer using a USB cable.
Open Tansee and select the type of messages you want to export (SMS, MMS, etc.).
Follow the prompts to export the messages to your computer.
Open the exported file and print the text messages using your preferred printer.
TouchCopy
Specifications:
Available for Windows & Mac computers.
Free version (limited saving capabilities) and paid version ($30-40).
Supports SMS, MMS, iMessage, WhatsApp, and LINE.
How to Print:
Download and install TouchCopy on your computer.
Connect your smartphone to the computer.
Open TouchCopy and navigate to the messages section.
Select the conversations you want to print and save them to your computer.
Print the saved messages from your computer.
Droid Transfer
Specifications:
Available for Windows computers.
Free version (limited saving and printing capabilities) and paid version ($25-$35).
Supports SMS, MMS, iMessage, WhatsApp, and LINE.
How to Print:
Download and install Droid Transfer on your computer.
Connect your Android phone to the computer via USB or Wi-Fi.
Open Droid Transfer and select the messages you wish to print.
Save the messages to your computer.
Print the saved files using your printer.
iMazing
Specifications:
Available for Windows & Mac computers.
Free version (limited saving capabilities) and paid version (starting at $39.99).
Supports SMS, MMS, iMessage, and WhatsApp.
How to Print:
Download and install iMazing on your computer.
Connect your iPhone to the computer.
Open iMazing and navigate to the Messages section.
Select the conversations to export and save them as a PDF or text file.
Print the saved document from your computer.
Screenshot Printing
Screenshot printing is ideal for small quantities of text messages, perfect for commemorative or record purposes.
iPhone
How to Print:
Take a screenshot of the messages:
iPhone X and later: Press and hold the power button and the volume up button simultaneously.
iPhone 8 and earlier: Press and hold the power button and the home button simultaneously.
Go to the Photos app, select the screenshots, and tap the "Share" icon.
Select "Print" and adjust the print settings.
Alternatively, email the screenshots to yourself, then download and print them from your computer.
For efficiency, insert screenshots into a Microsoft Word or Google Docs file to print multiple screenshots on a single page.
Android Phone
How to Print:
Take a screenshot of the messages:
Use the shortcut key (usually power button + volume down) or the "Screenshot" icon from the top menu.
For longer conversations, use the long screenshot function.
Open the Gallery app, find the screenshots, and tap the "Share" icon.
Send the screenshots to your email, then download and print them from your computer.
To save paper, compile the screenshots into a Microsoft Word or Google Docs file before printing.
Convert Text Messages to PDF on Mac for Printing (iPhones Only)
For short conversations or segments, converting text messages to PDF on a Mac is another efficient method.
How to Print:
Open the iMessages app on your Mac.
Select the conversation you want to print and scroll to the desired starting point.
Click "File," then "Print" and then select "Save as PDF."
Choose the save location, title, author, and subject, then save the PDF.
Open the PDF file and print it.
Use File Backup to Print (Android Phones Only)
Using the SMS Backup & Restore app, you can back up and print your text messages efficiently.
How to Print:
Download SMS Backup & Restore from the Google Play Store.
Backup your messages to Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive.
Download the XML backup file to your computer.
Use a format conversion tool (e.g., FreeConvert) to convert the XML file to a PDF.
Open the PDF file and print it.
Preparation Before Printing
Before you begin printing, ensure the following:
Your printer has enough ink cartridges or toner cartridges and is loaded with paper.
The printer is connected to WiFi and ready to print.
Your smartphone is successfully connected to the printer.
Wrap It Up
We hope this blog has provided you with the necessary steps to smoothly print text messages. For long-term preservation and easy transfer, it is recommended to save text messages in PDF format. Whether you choose third-party software, screenshots, or backup methods, you now have multiple options to save important conversations on paper.
