How to Transfer Text Messages from iPhone to Computer with/without iTunes

Updated on Jun 19, 2024 | by Woodward

Quick Navigation:

Part 1. Transfer Text Messages from iPhone to Computer without iTunes
1. Transfer iPhone Messages to Computer via Qiling MobiMover [Mac & PC]
2. Transfer Text Messages from iPhone to Computer via iCloud [for Mac Only]
3. Copy SMS from iPhone to PC Without iTunes via Email
Part 2. How to Transfer Text Messages from iPhone to Computer with iTunes/Finder
The Bottom Line

You can transfer text messages from your iPhone to a computer for purposes such as creating a backup, printing messages, or transferring them to another device to free up space. This guide will help you do so in minutes, whether you have iTunes or not.

Part 1. Transfer Text Messages from iPhone to Computer without iTunes

Transferring text messages from an iPhone to a computer using iTunes is a secure option, as the exported data is encrypted and requires authorization to view. However, this method is inflexible, as it requires backing up all iPhone content, including messages, to the computer, rather than allowing for selective data transfer.

Given that, it's advisable to use a more controllable and flexible way to transfer messages. Here are some recommended workarounds for this purpose.

1. Transfer iPhone Messages to Computer via Qiling MobiMover [Mac & PC]

Qiling MobiMover isa feature-Qiling MobiMover is a data transfer tool that allows you to transfer data from your iPhone to a computer or vice versa. Unlike iTunes, which only syncs all data at once, MobiMover lets you select specific files to transfer, such as messages, contacts, videos, photos, or other data. Once transferred, you can access and view these files on your computer at any time.

If you want to enrich your iPhone or iPad with some videos, you can download 4K videos from YouTube or other 1000+ websites.

To transfer text messages from iPhone to computer without iTunes:

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Step 1.Connect your iPhone to your computer and run Qiling MobiMover. Click "Trust" on your iPhone to trust this computer.

Step 2.In the "Settings" section, you can select a location to save the transferred messages, and if no location is chosen, the messages will be saved to the computer's Desktop by default.

Step 3.Select the messages you want to transfer and click the "Transfer to PC" button, then go to the selected folder to view them in a browser.

2. Transfer Text Messages from iPhone to Computer via iCloud [for Mac Only]

You can export iPhone messages to your Mac by using iCloud, which allows syncing data between different iOS devices. As a Mac user, you can follow these steps to transfer your iPhone messages to your Mac.

Step 1. Open the Message app on your Mac.

Step 2. At the top of your Message app screen, click "Messages."

Step 3. Select "Preferences..."

Step 4. To sync messages in iCloud, check the box next to "Enable Messages in iCloud" and click "Sync Now" if other messages need to be synced.

Step 5. To view your synced text messages on your Mac computer's Messages app, follow these steps: open the Messages app, click on "Messages" in the top menu bar, select "Preferences," click on the "Accounts" tab, select the phone number you want to sync messages from, click on the "Sync" button, and wait for the messages to sync. This process may take a few minutes, and make sure your iPhone and Mac are connected to the same iCloud account with the Messages app enabled on your iPhone.

Sync messages from iPhone to Mac

3. Copy SMS from iPhone to PC Without iTunes via Email

If you have one or two messages to transfer, you can use Email to transfer them to the computer with ease. Here are the detailed steps on how to do this.

Step 1. Open the Messages app and select the conversation you want to transfer.

Step 2. To copy the message, tap and hold on it until you see the "Copy" and "More" options, then choose "More".

Step 3. You'll see a circle next to each text message. Tick the circle next to the message you want to transfer. If you want to transfer multiple messages, select them all by ticking the circle next to each one.

Step 4. Tap on the "Forward" button at the bottom right.

Step 5. Enter your email address and tap Send.

Step 6. You can download the attachment from your email account on your computer by signing in to your email account and then clicking on the attachment you want to download.

Copy SMS from iPhone to PC

Part 2. How to Transfer Text Messages from iPhone to Computer with iTunes/Finder

Here's how to transfer text messages from iPhone to Mac using Finder: if you're using a Mac running macOS Catalina or newer, you can use Finder to transfer messages from iPhone to Mac, following a similar procedure to using iTunes.

Step 1. Connect your iPhone to your PC or Mac.

Step 2. Open iTunes or Finder on your computer, and it will automatically back up your iPhone.

On the Finder screen, click your iPhone and select it, then expand the Location section from the left panel, and click "Back Up Now" from the left panel.
To restore your iPhone from an iTunes backup, go to the iTunes screen, click "Restore from backup" from the right panel, which will save all your data, including messages, to your iPhone.

The Bottom Line

With Qiling MobiMover, you can easily transfer your text messages and other iOS files from your iPhone to your computer without using iTunes. This software allows you to copy SMS from your iPhone to PC, making it a convenient and hassle-free process. Get it on your computer and have a try!