How do I archive a single imessage thread?

[juan99999]

I have an iMessage thread (all messages with one person) that I’d like to archive including photos.

Is this possible?

My iMessages are in icloud.

Would it be possible to import back in the future?

 

[jamietshaw]

No simple way; I guess most people are happy with iCloud being the “archive”. Here are a few thoughts, but not an actual answer I’m afraid.

• For just text, select all and paste into a text editor.
• For pictures as well but stored as a PDF, do File > Print
• Get the actual files that Messages uses: go to ~/Library – see this website

Getting anything back into Messages might be tricky but might work if you fiddle with the files in ~/Library – someone on StackOverflow had a go and it doesn't look like they got very far, but this is probably a good starting point if you want to put lots of effort in and have enough technical skill/confidence.