How can I save my iPhone text messages?

Ericus Macabeus · Aug 22, 2011, 01:56 PM

I searched the forums and found nothing. I need to save all of my text messages to a PC. Does anyone have a good way to rip them off od my phone? Thanks in advance!

greytmom · Aug 22, 2011, 01:59 PM

Images ok? You could do a screen shot, but if you have tons of messages you are trying to save, that gets a little cumbersome.

TaterToT · Aug 22, 2011, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ericus Macabeus

I searched the forums and found nothing. I need to save all of my text messages to a PC. Does anyone have a good way to rip them off od my phone? Thanks in advance!

Phoneview

IrishVixen · Aug 22, 2011, 02:07 PM

Definitely PhoneView (or TouchCopy on Windows). It's a brilliant program for backing up all kinds of things from your phone in a more easily accessible way than iTunes allows for.

MasterTick · Aug 22, 2011, 02:34 PM

I never get why people are so desperate to save SMS conversations.

I used to be like that until I was forced to do a clean restore, then I realized I didn't care lol

msb3079 · Aug 22, 2011, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MasterTick

I never get why people are so desperate to save SMS conversations.

I used to be like that until I was forced to do a clean restore, then I realized I didn't care lol

I can only speak for myself... but there is a specific, several-day long (several-hundred) text message conversation with my ex-gf I'd like to save (complicated reasons)...

fireshot91 · Aug 22, 2011, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msb3079

I can only speak for myself... but there is a specific, several-day long (several-hundred) text message conversation with my ex-gf I'd like to save (complicated reasons)...

Heh, sorry for you being in that position.

That really sucks.

msb3079 · Aug 22, 2011, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fireshot91

Heh, sorry for you being in that position.

That really sucks.

Yeah... especially since I have now found out she is a sociopath. Crazy stuff. Thanks though.

Eddy Munn · Aug 22, 2011, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msb3079

Yeah... especially since I have now found out she is a sociopath. Crazy stuff. Thanks though.

Careful what you say then.

msb3079 · Aug 22, 2011, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddy Munn

Careful what you say then.

Haha... oh much worse has been said on twitter and she has easy access to that. Sociopath does not mean violent. The biggest aspect is the inability to feel guilt/remorse... well really feel much at all. Most is an act for personal gain. I've learned a lot and oddly find it interesting now. But anyway.. sorry to go off-topic!

Ericus Macabeus · Aug 22, 2011, 03:14 PM

Thanks for the phoneview but is it an app from the app store or do I download it to my computer?

ann713 · Aug 22, 2011, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ericus Macabeus

Thanks for the phoneview but is it an app from the app store or do I download it to my computer?

It's available for download directly at their website.

Ericus Macabeus · Aug 22, 2011, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ann713

It's available for download directly at their website.

Thanks. I need it for someone else who is using a PC so TouchCopy it is.
I found it at download.com.

IrishVixen · Aug 22, 2011, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MasterTick

I never get why people are so desperate to save SMS conversations.

I used to be like that until I was forced to do a clean restore, then I realized I didn't care lol

For a lot of things, I agree. But I have long conversations from a couple of friends that I do save, and the ones between my husband and myself. I don't tend to be the sentimental type usually, but it's nice to have them on the computer so that if the phone goes sideways or *horrors* I switch away from Apple, I won't lose them completely. I've seen other people save them for legal reasons (see sociopath issue above) or because the other person has passed away. It's worth at least knowing the option is out there to save them.

Punker · Aug 22, 2011, 04:12 PM

Here is what i did. I didnt write this myself, but found it and saved it because it worked for me. You have to work from your backup files (saved by iTunes)

EDIT: I misread and thought you wanted to import them again in another Iphone or a restored one. I'll leve it here anyway, could be useful for others.

----

Here is a repost of what I did to copy text messages on a clean install:
(note: this was for going from 3.1.3 on a 3GS to 4.0 on an iPhone 4, so I don't know if it would be the same on older phones or firmwares)

1. Sync the phone you want to copy text messages from
2. Go to the folder with your backups
3. sort the folders by date modified to find the one containing your the backup you just made (this step is only necessary if you have multiple backup folders, such as if you've synced more than one phone on that computer)
4. Make a copy of the backup folder in case anything gets ****ed up
5. copy the following files from that backup folder to a new folder
-status.plist
-manifest.mdbx
-manifest.mbdb
-manifest.plist
-info.plist
-3d0d7e5fb2ce288813306e4d4636395e047a3d28
6. Set up the phone you want to transfer texts to as a new phone
7. make a new backup after it is set up
8. go to the folder with the new backup created in step 7, delete everything in it leaving an empty folder
9. Copy the 6 files listed in step 5 to the empty folder from step 8
10. right click the phone in iTunes and restore to backup
11. You should have a fresh phone, set up new but with all of your texts saved

It might give an error message when the restore finishes, but don't panic; take a look at your text messages and they should be there.

Agent-P · Aug 22, 2011, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MasterTick

I never get why people are so desperate to save SMS conversations.

I used to be like that until I was forced to do a clean restore, then I realized I didn't care lol

I used to be like that too. I never thought there was a reason to keep them. But recently my girlfriend moved to Germany and I found myself going back though our endless thread of conversations (I know, sappy and whatnot). Although we still keep in touch through other online forms of communication, SMS just feels more personal. Now I understand the want people may have for keeping them.

aonali21 · Aug 22, 2011, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ericus Macabeus

I searched the forums and found nothing. I need to save all of my text messages to a PC. Does anyone have a good way to rip them off od my phone? Thanks in advance!

"iPhone text message backup software"
Download and install above software onto your pc...connect your iphone and transfer sms.....!

lauraconnelly · Mar 26, 2012, 02:18 PM

I use the decipher text message program to save my messages to my pc. http://www.deciphertools.com My husband uses it at his law firm and seems to also like it. A couple of lawyers in his office have to document their sms stuff so they archive things each month.

xcbx · May 23, 2012, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MasterTick

I never get why people are so desperate to save SMS conversations.

I used to be like that until I was forced to do a clean restore, then I realized I didn't care lol

Well my friend died last week and I would like to save some of the conversations we had over the last year.

I don't get why when people ask for help, we get useless posts like yours belittling things. Thanks!

MasterTick · 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xcbx

Well my friend died last week and I would like to save some of the conversations we had over the last year.

I don't get why when people ask for help, we get useless posts like yours belittling things. Thanks!

I'm not belittling, just stating why I don't think it's necessary.

sviato · Jun 19, 2012, 04:20 PM

I save messages for blackmail or irony

Qens · Jul 16, 2012, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ericus Macabeus

Thanks for the phoneview but is it an app from the app store or do I download it to my computer?

Searched from download.com and found a program called Backuptrans iPhone SMS Backup & Restore feed your need.

Download link: http://download.cnet.com/Backuptrans...-75745840.html

Mic'sBook · Jul 16, 2012, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qens

Searched from download.com and found a program called Backuptrans iPhone SMS Backup & Restore feed your need.

Download link: http://download.cnet.com/Backuptrans...-75745840.html

Do you or does anyone know there is a Mac equivalent of that? Thanks in advance.

Qens · 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mic'sBook

Do you or does anyone know there is a Mac equivalent of that? Thanks in advance.

There is a Mac version. Please refer to iPhone SMS Backup & Restore for Mac.

mattopotamus · Jul 29, 2012, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MasterTick

I never get why people are so desperate to save SMS conversations.

I used to be like that until I was forced to do a clean restore, then I realized I didn't care lol

i actually hate the fact that when i restore they are all backed up via the cloud!

Aug 22, 2011, 01:56 PM	#1
Ericus Macabeus macrumors newbie Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Delray Beach, Florida	How can I save my iPhone text messages? I searched the forums and found nothing. I need to save all of my text messages to a PC. Does anyone have a good way to rip them off od my phone? Thanks in advance! __________________ iPhone 16gb 3G black iPhone 32gb 4G black 15.4" MacBrook Pro
	1

Aug 22, 2011, 01:59 PM	#2
greytmom macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jun 2010	Images ok? You could do a screen shot, but if you have tons of messages you are trying to save, that gets a little cumbersome. __________________ The person who coined the term "fanboy" needs to be boiled in honey and staked out naked on an anthill.
	-2

Aug 22, 2011, 02:07 PM	#4
IrishVixen macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jun 2010	Definitely PhoneView (or TouchCopy on Windows). It's a brilliant program for backing up all kinds of things from your phone in a more easily accessible way than iTunes allows for. __________________ IPhone 5, 6.1 JB; iPhone 4/5.0.1 JB; iPad 1/4.3.3 JB; still bootable Mac+ in the basement
	1

Aug 22, 2011, 03:14 PM	#11
Ericus Macabeus Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Delray Beach, Florida	Thanks for the phoneview but is it an app from the app store or do I download it to my computer? __________________ iPhone 16gb 3G black iPhone 32gb 4G black 15.4" MacBrook Pro
	1

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Aug 22, 2011, 02:34 PM	#5
MasterTick macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2009	I never get why people are so desperate to save SMS conversations. I used to be like that until I was forced to do a clean restore, then I realized I didn't care lol
	1

Aug 22, 2011, 04:12 PM	#15
Punker macrumors member Join Date: Jun 2009	Here is what i did. I didnt write this myself, but found it and saved it because it worked for me. You have to work from your backup files (saved by iTunes) EDIT: I misread and thought you wanted to import them again in another Iphone or a restored one. I'll leve it here anyway, could be useful for others. ---- Here is a repost of what I did to copy text messages on a clean install: (note: this was for going from 3.1.3 on a 3GS to 4.0 on an iPhone 4, so I don't know if it would be the same on older phones or firmwares) 1. Sync the phone you want to copy text messages from 2. Go to the folder with your backups 3. sort the folders by date modified to find the one containing your the backup you just made (this step is only necessary if you have multiple backup folders, such as if you've synced more than one phone on that computer) 4. Make a copy of the backup folder in case anything gets ****ed up 5. copy the following files from that backup folder to a new folder -status.plist -manifest.mdbx -manifest.mbdb -manifest.plist -info.plist -3d0d7e5fb2ce288813306e4d4636395e047a3d28 6. Set up the phone you want to transfer texts to as a new phone 7. make a new backup after it is set up 8. go to the folder with the new backup created in step 7, delete everything in it leaving an empty folder 9. Copy the 6 files listed in step 5 to the empty folder from step 8 10. right click the phone in iTunes and restore to backup 11. You should have a fresh phone, set up new but with all of your texts saved It might give an error message when the restore finishes, but don't panic; take a look at your text messages and they should be there.
	3

Mar 26, 2012, 02:18 PM	#18
lauraconnelly macrumors newbie Join Date: Mar 2012	I use the decipher text message program to save my messages to my pc. http://www.deciphertools.com My husband uses it at his law firm and seems to also like it. A couple of lawyers in his office have to document their sms stuff so they archive things each month.
	1

Jun 19, 2012, 04:20 PM	#21
sviato macrumors 6502a Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Mississauga, Canada	I save messages for blackmail or irony
	4

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