Introduction
If you’re like most people, your iPhone is likely filled with thousands of text messages from loved ones, friends, and colleagues. Sometimes, you may need to print out a text message conversation for legal purposes, sentimental reasons, or to use as evidence in a dispute. However, printing text messages from an iPhone isn’t easy- especially if you’re not tech-savvy. In this article, we’ll explore various methods for printing your text messages from an iPhone.
Step-by-Step Guide
One of the easiest methods for printing text messages from an iPhone is using the built-in AirPrint feature. Here are the steps involved:
1. Open the Messages app and select the conversation you want to print.
2. Tap and hold the message bubble until the “More” option appears.
3. Tap “More” and select the messages you want to print.
4. Tap the forward arrow in the bottom right corner.
5. Select “Print” from the list of options.
6. Choose your printer and adjust any print settings, such as double-sided printing or selecting specific pages.
7. Tap “Print” to start the print job.
If your iPhone can’t find your printer, make sure it’s connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your phone. Additionally, older printers may not work with AirPrint. If you encounter issues with this method, double-check that your printer is compatible and update its firmware if necessary.
Third-Party Applications
Another option for printing text messages is using a third-party app. Here are some popular choices:
1. iExplorer – A paid app that lets you export and print text messages, as well as other types of data, from your iPhone.
2. CopyTrans – A free app that allows you to export text messages in HTML format, which can then be printed from any browser.
3. TouchCopy – Another paid app that can export your text messages to your computer and print them from there.
Before installing any third-party apps, make sure to research their safety and authenticity. Additionally, some apps may require you to jailbreak your iPhone, which can void your warranty and put your data at risk.
Print to PDF
If you don’t have access to a printer, or if you’d prefer to keep a digital copy of your text messages, you can convert them to PDF format and print from there. Here’s how:
1. Open the conversation you want to print in the Messages app.
2. Take a screenshot of the conversation by pressing the home button and power button simultaneously.
3. Open the screenshot and tap “Full Page” in the top right corner.
4. Tap the share icon in the bottom left corner and select “Print.”
5. Pinch out with two fingers on the print preview to open the share sheet.
6. Select “Save as PDF.”
7. Choose your desired location for the PDF file, such as your iCloud Drive or Dropbox.
8. Print the PDF from your computer using your preferred PDF reader.
iPhone Print App
If you have a newer iPhone running iOS 10 or later, you can use the built-in print app to print messages directly from your phone. Here’s how to set it up:
1. Make sure your printer is AirPrint-compatible and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your iPhone.
2. Open the Messages app and select the conversation you want to print.
3. Tap and hold the message bubble until the “More” option appears.
4. Tap “More” and select the messages you want to print.
5. Tap the forward arrow in the bottom right corner.
6. Swipe the bottom row of icons until you see “Print.”
7. Tap “Print” and select your printer from the list of available printers.
8. Adjust any print settings, such as page range or double-sided printing.
9. Tap “Print” to start the print job.
If you encounter any issues when setting up the print app or printing messages, check that both your phone and printer are updated to the latest software version.
Another easy way to print your text messages is by emailing them to yourself and printing from there. Here’s how:
1. Open the Messages app and select the conversation you want to print.
2. Tap and hold the message bubble until the “More” option appears.
3. Tap “More” and select the messages you want to print.
4. Tap the forward arrow in the bottom right corner.
5. Select the email app you use, such as Gmail or Apple Mail.
6. Compose a new email and enter your own email address as the recipient.
7. Choose “Send” to email the messages to yourself.
8. Open the email on your computer and print the messages from there.
You can also choose to save the messages as a PDF instead of emailing them. Just select “Save PDF” instead of choosing an email app.
iMessage Cloud Sync
If you have multiple Apple devices, you can use iMessage cloud sync to access your text messages from any device and print them from there. Here’s how:
1. Go to “Settings” on your iPhone and tap your Apple ID at the top of the page.
2. Select “iCloud” and make sure the “Messages” toggle is turned on.
3. On your computer, go to the iCloud website and sign in with your Apple ID.
4. Click on “Messages” and select the conversation you want to print.
5. Copy and paste the messages into a text editor or word processor.
6. Print the messages from your computer.
Conclusion
Printing text messages from your iPhone may seem daunting at first, but with the right tools, it’s relatively easy. From using AirPrint to printing from a PDF, there are several methods available to suit your needs. If you encounter any issues along the way, try troubleshooting the problem or reaching out to customer support for assistance.