How to Transfer Text Messages from iPhone to Computer for Free

Although there are different kinds of messaging apps for you to communicate with others, the built-in text message (SMS) service on your iPhone is still necessary for you when it comes to keeping in contact with the ones you know in real life. For messages that contain important information or precious memories, you will want to download iMessage history or transfer the text messages from iPhone to computer to make a backup or for other purposes. If you are looking to save text messages from your iPhone to a computer, be it a PC or Mac, read on, and you will know three ways to do it.

How to Transfer Text Messages from iPhone to Computer for Free

The free iPhone transfer software - EaseUS MobiMover is a top choice for transferring text messages from iPhone to computer. It enables you to save text messages, SMS, and iMessages in printable PDF format or in a readable HTML format. Every message retains its original date and time, so you won’t lose any contextual details essential for archiving or legal use.

Beyond text messages, EaseUS MobiMover supports WhatsApp chat transfers and offers powerful file management features, including the ability to edit and organize files right from your computer. Whether you're backing up important conversations or preparing to print messages for court, this software ensures your data is handled locally, eliminating worries about information leaks or privacy breaches.

Best of all, EaseUS MobiMover's free version allows you to transfer up to 20 items daily, providing ample opportunity to back up your messages at no cost. This combination of security, ease of use, and generous free access makes EaseUS MobiMover a standout solution for managing your iPhone message data safely and efficiently.

To transfer text messages from iPhone to PC for free:

Step 1. Connect your iPhone to your computer and click Trust on your iPhone. Launch EaseUS MobiMover and navigate to "Phone to PC".

Step 2. Click Next. Deselect other categories and choose Messages only (this will transfer all your messages). If you only have several threads to transfer, you can go to Browse & Transfer > Messages > Select the specific conversation > To PC.

Step 3. Your exported messages will be saved in HTML and PDF formats with the time and date. Double-click them to preview in Google or Edge.

Step 4. You can print the PDF or HTML file. For example, double-click the HTML file to open it in Google, click the three-dot icon, and click Print.

There is a video guide for you, which contains workable ways for you to import text messages from your iPhone to your computer.

1. 00:10 - Method 1. Transfer Text Messages via EaseUS MobiMover
2. 00:42 - Method 2. Download Text Messages via Screenshots
3. 01:39 - Method 3. Back Up Text Messages via iTunes

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How to Transfer Text Messages from iPhone to Computer [Completely Free of Charge]

If you only need to save or share a small number of iPhone text messages quickly, taking screenshots is a simple and effective way. Just press the Side button and Volume Up button simultaneously to capture the screen. Screenshots are saved in the Photos app and can be easily shared via email or imported by the Photos app on your computer. This method allows you to transfer text messages from iPhone to PC for free, with no third-party software or extra charge.

Step 1. Navigate to the conversation you want to save and scroll to the portion you want to capture.

Step 2. Take a screenshot of the text message. 

• For iPhones with Face ID (no Home button): Press the Side button and the Volume Up button simultaneously, then quickly release both.
• For iPhones with the Home button: Press the Home button and the Side button at the same time, then quickly release both.

Step 3. A thumbnail of the screenshot appears in the lower-left corner. Tap it to edit or markup, or swipe it away to save automatically.

Step 4. You can email or AirDrop the screenshots to your computer. Also, you can connect your iPhone to your computer and import photos via the Photos app on your Windows or Mac.

How to Transfer Text Messages from iPhone to Computer with iTunes

It's not surprising that you can also save text messages from iPhone to computer for free using iTunes. The problem is that when you export text messages from iPhone with iTunes, you have to export other types of content on your mobile phone, too. That's because iTunes works to transfer text messages from iPhone to computer by backing up your device.

Moreover, although you can access the iPhone backup location on Windows or Mac, you won't be able to access and view the details in the backup. Thus, even if you download text messages from iPhone to computer successfully, you cannot view the messages freely as you want to. The only way you can access the iPhone messages from the iTunes backup is to restore your iPhone data from the backup.

To transfer text messages from iPhone to computer with iTunes:

Step 1. Download and install the latest version of iTunes on your computer.

Step 2. Connect your iPhone to your computer with a USB cable and wait for iTunes to launch automatically.

Step 3. When the prompt asking you whether to trust the computer appears on your iPhone, click "Trust".

Step 4. In iTunes, click the device icon in the top left corner of the window.

Step 5. Choose "Summary" and select "This computer" > "Back Up Now" in the "Backups" section.

Step 6. Click "Apply" to start transferring text messages and other supported files from your iPhone to the computer.

Also read: How to copy text messages on iPhone

How to Transfer Text Messages from iPhone to Mac Computer via iMessages

If you use a Mac computer and have turned on iMessage on your iPhone, you can copy the text messages on your iPhone to your computer by turning on iMessage on your Mac. Afterward, all your texts and conversations will be synced to your Mac's Messages app automatically.

Unlike you transfer text messages from iPhone to computer using a tool like EaseUS MobiMover, the messages you synced to your Mac computer will also be deleted if you remove them from your iOS device. Given that, if you intend to make a backup of your iPhone texts, using iMessage is not advisable.

On the contrary, if you just want to sync your messages across your devices, using this solution is highly recommended.

To copy text messages from iPhone to Mac:

Step 1. Launch the Messages app on your Mac.

Step 2. Enter the Apple ID and password you use on your iPhone.

Step 3. Click "Messages" from the Apple menu and choose "Preferences".

Step 4. Go to the "Accounts" tab and click your iMessage account.

Step 5. Select "Enable Messages in iCloud" and choose "Sync Now" to sync your iPhone messages to your computer.

Bonus Tip: How Can You Copy an Entire Text Conversation on iPhone

Other than questions like "How can I transfer text messages from my iPhone to my computer for free?", many users also ask the question "How do I copy an entire text conversation on iPhone?" related to iPhone texts. If you also have a problem copying a whole conversation, follow the steps below to learn how to do it.

Step 1. Open the Messages app on your iPhone and click the conversation you'd like to copy.

Step 2. Press and hold one of the texts in the conversation until options appear.

Step 3. Choose "More..." and then you will see there is a checkbox before each of the texts.

Step 4. Click the checkbox to select the entire text conversation as you want to.

The Bottom Line

The three ways in this guide work differently to export text messages from your iPhone:

• EaseUS MobiMover helps you to transfer text messages from iPhone to computer for free and you can access and read your iPhone messages on your computer easily.
• iTunes works to back up your iPhone content, including text messages, to your computer. But you cannot access the items in the backup.
• iMessage syncs messages across your devices but is unavailable on Windows computers.

Carry out one of the simple and safe ways to download text messages from iPhone to your computer with ease.

FAQs Related to Text Message Migration from iPhone to PC for Free

1. Can I download all my text messages to my computer?

Yes, you can download your text messages to your computer by using a third-party software or app that allows you to transfer and back up your messages from your phone to your computer. Some popular options include EaseUS MobiMover and Samsung Smart Switch. Remember that the process may vary depending on your phone's operating system and model.

2. How do I save all text messages to a file?

You can back up your iPhone using iTunes and your text messages are included in your backup file. Once you switch to a new iPhone, you can restore the backup file and access the message history on your new iPhone.

• Connect your iPhone to your computer and open iTunes.
• Select your iPhone when it appears on iTunes.
• Click on the "Backup" option to create a backup of your iPhone on your computer.
• Once the backup is complete, you can navigate to the backup folder on your computer to find the text messages file.