How to Archive iMessages

Nowadays, a significant number of conversations are conducted through text messages, particularly those that pertain to business. Apple’s iMessage service is one of the most popular applications among Apple users for communicating. However, it presents a unique challenge for regulating industries because Apple does not provide any direct method to archive messages for evidence.

In the absence of direct methods to archive iMessages on iPhone, some alternative methods can assist in doing so. Within the contents of this guide, I will thoroughly discuss various methodologies and approaches aimed at effectively archiving iMessage.

Table of Contents

How to Archive iMessages

Methods to manually archive iMessages are listed below:

Using Third-Party PC Apps
Backing Up the iMessages to iCloud
Backing Up the iMessages with iTunes/Finder
Converting Screenshots to PDF

Archiving iMessage Using Third-party PC Apps

Installing third-party apps that save iMessage chats as PDFs is the easiest way to archive them.

The commonly used apps to archive iMessages on PC are listed below:

All the above-mentioned apps are paid; however, they offer trial versions as well to archive a limited number of text messages.

Archiving iMessages to iCloud

The iMessages can also be archived using the iCloud service. This service essentially saves the messages to the iCloud, hence making them available across all devices. This method secures the messages and makes them recoverable even on changing the device.

To back up iMessage to iCloud.

1. Go to Settings on iPhone.

2. Tap on your Name.

3. Tap on the iCloud option.

4. Tap on Show All and find Messages in iCloud in the Apps Using iCloud section and tap on it.

5. Enable the Use on this iPhone option.

iMessage Archiving with iTunes/Finder

The messages can also be archived using iTunes. On the latest Macs, iTunes is no longer available, Apple devices can now be managed through the Finder app. However, on Windows, you need to download the iTunes.

1. Connect the iPhone to your PC.

2. Open the Finder app (iTunes on Windows).

3. Click on the synced iPhone device.

4. There are two backup options; backing up on iCloud and backing up on Mac.

5. Choose the option and click on Back Up Now button.

iMessage Archiving through Screenshots

Another method for archiving iMessage conversations involves using screenshots, which can effectively capture and preserve messages for future reference.

Many apps allow you to select the screenshots and convert them to PDF. Moreover, the default Notes app can also be used to take screenshots and export them to PDF.

1. Open the Notes application from the home screen or search it by tapping on the search icon; and create a new note.

2. Add the screenshots by tapping on the Camera icon at the bottom of the new note.

3. Tap on the Share button, and then Print.

4. In the print section, adjust the settings, again tap on the Share button, and save the note to the Files app.

You can assign a specific name to this file, and then proceed to tap on the Save button in order to store it in the PDF format.

For better editing, I would recommend third-party apps from the App Store; some are listed below:

Why is iMessage Archiving Important?

The iMessage is one of the widely used applications for communication in the United States. According to Statista, Apple has more than 2 billion active devices in 2023. Following WhatsApp, a significant segment of the population in the United States demonstrates a preference for using iMessage as their primary messaging platform. Moreover, iMessage provides additional security such as end-to-end encryption, and continuity across all Apple devices.

Many regulatory industries require saving communication to comply with the rules. For example, Florida state permits only three attempts to communicate with the client within 24 hours and companies need to follow it. Moreover, there are laws in the United States to archive emails and text messages to protect both clients and companies, such as TCPA, CAN-SPAM Act, FRCP, and GLBA. Companies that do not adhere to these regulations run the risk of incurring penalties as a consequence of their non-compliance.

Conclusion

In recent years, text messages have become an important means not only for telemarketing but for sales, business management, and more. In the United States, business text messages are subjected to various regulations to protect customers and vendors. Seeing the importance of text messages, they have become an integral part of regulating industries, including emails and physical documents.

In the United States, iMessage is a very popular communication app among Apple users after WhatsApp. Apple does not provide any direct way to archive iMessage messages. However, you can back up using iCloud or use third-party applications to save iMessage conversations as PDFs.

In this guide, I converted various methods to archive iMessage conversations on iPhone, and PC. The recommended way is to back up the messages using iCloud, as it will store your message even on changing the device or losing it, the conversation will be recovered.