You can sort the list by name, date or number of messages.Īfter selecting a conversation, you can choose from several export options such as. On the left column, you'll see your conversation list. Viewing, Searching and Exporting iPhone SMSs and Text MessagesĪfter clicking on Messages for either an iPhone backup or a currently connected iPhone device, iExplorer will load your text message database. Then within that backup select, Messages. From the left column, under the Browse iTunes Backups section, select the backup you want to use. To access texts from an iPhone Backup, first open iExplorer, then click Explore Backups. iExplorer can do the heavy lifting for you and make these messages readily available and prettily formatted so you can read and export them on your computer. When you create a backup of your iPhone using iTunes, your text messages are saved to your computer, but they get buried deep within various semi-encrypted databases. Access Text Messages from an iTunes Backup of an iPhone From this screen navigate to Data -> Messages or from the left column, under your device's name, navigate to Backups -> Messages. You should see the Device Overview screen appear. To access text messages on an iPhone, open iExplorer and connect your iPhone to your computer.
This tutorial walks through both possibilities. IExplorer can load, read and export text messages that are either on your iPhone or ones that have been saved in an iTunes Backup already on your computer.
If you do already have an iTunes backup, and it's more than 24 hours old, iExplorer will ask whether you'd like to Use Last Backup or Refresh to create a new one.