How to export one chat to PDF, CSV, or TXT on Mac
You will get a file of one chat on your Mac, as a PDF, a spreadsheet, or plain text.
What you need
- ✓TextPort for Mac, set up with Messages access
On Mac, exporting is one shortcut. Pick a chat, press Command-E, and save.
Steps
-
1
Click the chat
Open TextPort. Click the chat in the list on the left (1). Its messages show on the right.
-
2
Press Command-E
Or click Export in the toolbar (2). Or right-click the chat in the list and click Export. The Export Conversation sheet opens.
-
3
Pick a format
Click PDF (1) for a document. Click Spreadsheet (2) for a CSV file that opens in Excel or Numbers. Click Text File (3) for plain text. Attachments (4) gives you a ZIP of the photos and files. A save window opens.
-
4
Pick a place and click Export
Choose a folder like Desktop or Documents. Click Export.
-
5
Click Show in Finder
When the export is done, the sheet says Export complete. Click Show in Finder to see the file.
Done
Your chat is saved as a file on your Mac.
Tips
-
Only need some dates? Click the date filter above the messages first. Then click Export in the toolbar. That export keeps the date filter.
-
Want to print instead? Press Command-P. See the print guide.
Questions
-
In the toolbar at the top of the chat. You can also press Command-E or use the File menu.
-
One row per message. Columns for date, time, sender, message, and attachments. It opens in Excel, Numbers, and Google Sheets.
-
Yes. Photos show in the PDF when TextPort has access to the Attachments folder. See the setup guide.
-
Yes. Hold Command and click several chats, then press Command-E. Or press Command-Shift-E to export every chat.
Next guides
-
How to install TextPort for Mac and give it Messages access
You will have TextPort for Mac open, showing every chat saved in Messages on that Mac.
-
How to fix “TextPort can’t read your Messages” on Mac
You will get TextPort for Mac to show your chats again.
-
How to prepare text messages for court
You will have a clean PDF of the chat that shows who said what, and when, with phone numbers.
Start exporting your messages
Available for iPhone, Mac, and Windows. No computer required.