This is the tool that’s required to decrypt the file you just copied and then export the messages to a readable format.Ĭlick “Choose File” and then browse and open the one you copied from the iTunes folder.Ĭontinue to step 4 to “Choose your timezone”. Now that the file is on the Desktop for easy access, open the iPhone SMS website. If you have multiple folders here, select the most recent one to ensure you’re working with a recent backup.Īt this point, I find the best solution is to paste the above filename into the search box and then copy the resulting file to the Desktop. This set of characters is unique, so yours won’t look like this but it will be similar.
Mac OS X users: User>Library>Application Support>Mobile Sync>Backupįilename: A string of letters and numbers.Ĭopy the filename found in the appropriate location. Windows users: %APPDATA%\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup Find it by choosing the path below that corresponds to your operating system: There is a specific file in the iTunes backup folder that we need. Right click your phone and click “Back Up.”
For everyone else, you’ll need to plug your iPhone into your computer and open iTunes. If you already have a recent phone backup stored on your computer, you can skip this section. This encrypted file can then be uploaded to an online service that decrypts and exports the messages. We can then use the backup to extract a file that contains the messages.
The first way to save text messages on your PC is by making an iTunes backup of your phone. Save Text Messages Using an iTunes Backup Read this guide to find out exactly how this is done.
Our second method is a bit more restrictive but the result is a far better format. To do this we’ll need a certain backup file, an online decrypting service, and just a few minutes of time. That is, we’re going to use an iTunes backup of your iPhone to extract the backed up text messages. The first is only a few steps out of your regular routine. That is, they haven’t explicitly explained a way to do it nor have they made it a native feature, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done. Apple really should have included the option to backup messages via FTP, HTTP, or even iTunes but after all these years they still haven’t implemented a straightforward way to do so.