Introduction
iPhone messages often contain important personal, legal, or business information. This tutorial shows how to access, search, and export your conversations with iExplorer.
You can export full threads or selected messages and save attachments such as photos, videos, and contacts.
What you will need
- iExplorer
- An iPhone, iPad, or iPod
- USB cable to connect your iPhone, iPad, or iPod
- A Mac or PC with iTunes or the Apple Music app installed
Before you begin
If you don't already have iExplorer installed, download it below. For full install instructions, click here.
Already installed? Skip to steps
Step-by-step instructions
Quick Steps
Follow these steps to export messages from iPhone to your computer:
- Connect your iPhone or iPad and open iExplorer.
- In Device Overview, go to Data → Messages.
- If prompted, create or refresh your iTunes backup.
- Select a conversation and choose an export format (PDF, TXT, or CSV).
- Optionally select individual message bubbles and click Export # Messages.
In-Depth Tutorial
iExplorer can load and export messages from a connected iPhone or from an existing iTunes backup.
To access live device messages, connect your iPhone and open Data → Messages.
You can also open Backups → Messages from the left panel.
Access Messages from an iTunes Backup
iTunes backups store message data in hard-to-read databases. iExplorer extracts and formats this data so you can review and export it quickly.
Click Explore Backups, choose the backup you want, then open Messages.
View, Search, and Export SMS/iMessage Conversations
After loading messages, use the conversation list on the left. You can sort by name, date, or message count.
Select a conversation to export in PDF, TXT, or CSV format. You can also export all conversations in one pass.
You can filter and export attachments (images, videos, vCards, and more), and review storage used by attachments per conversation.
You can also filter by date range using the built-in date controls.
Need help with a step? Visit the Support Center for iExplorer FAQs, or contact us directly.