How to Backup iPhone SMS/iMessage with/without iTunes

The messages on iPhone includes two different types.There's iMessage and SMS,iMessage, which is used when you and the recipient both use iPhones and the messages are sent to each other with WiFi or through a network connection.SMS,which is the traditional method that all phones use and send information through two kinds of mobile phones.

Whether your want to back up your text messages for record-keeping purposes or of you’re just getting a new iPhone and want your text messages to be restored on your new device,here’s the tutorial about how to back up iPhone messages.You can learn more about the difference between two solutions in this guide.One is do backup process with iTunes of your iPhone, or you can backup iPhone SMS without iTunes by Phone Transfer.

4 Methods to Backup iPhone Text Messages:

Method 1.How to Backup Text Messages from iPhone with iTunes

Note:Make sure you’ve connected your iPhone to computer and run iTunes on it.

If your device syncs through iTunes, it will automatically backup once you connect your iPhone to your computer and open iTunes.

If it doesn’t automatically sync, head to File > Devices > Back up. Depending on your iTunes version, you may have to right-click the device and choose “Backup” Now.

iTunes backup for the iPhone is able to achieve the overall data backup, data backup with iTunes may include:iPhone text messages,MMS, pictures, contacts, calendars, memos, camera roll, recent calls, favorites, sound settings, email settings, Safari browser settings (bookmarks), application settings (save games, etc.), network configuration information (saved Wi-Fi passwords, cellular data network, VPN, DaiLi services, etc.), other configuration information (system Settings user settings).The content can not be at the discretion of the iPhone user. So, if you want to preview and backup a part of content on iPhone instead of the complete files,you’d better use third-party synchronization assistant this assistant software.
 

Method 2.Backup iPhone SMS without iTunes by Phone Transfer

Phone Transfer is the best iOS files manager to backup, transfer and manage data on iPhone.It allows you to backup text messages and iMessages from iPhone to computer without iTunes, and you can preview them anytime and select to backup as you need.You can also copy contacts,photos and more personal files from iPhone to computer.Additionally, it supports to every models of iPhone,including iPhone 12/11/XS/XR/X/8/7/6S/6/5S/5/4S,as well as iPad and iPod.

Step 1. Connect your phone to the computer

Connect your device to the computer. Run the module "Backup" after you open MobileTrans.

Step 2. Select file types and begin backup

After that, MobileTrans will load all supported file types. It supports different file types for iPhone and Android phones. Select the file types you want to back up and click on "Start".

Here is an example for iPhone's file types to backup:

This is the supported file types for Android phones:

Step 3. Backup completed

Keep your phone connected and back up will complete in a while. You can view what's backed up using Restore from the "MobileTrans backup file" on the "Restore" module.

As you see,now all the selected SMS/iMessages have been backup to your computer.

Phone Transfer has the powerful ability to backup data from iPhone to computer,besides it allows to backup data from every brands of mobile phones to computer,such as the mobile system of Symbian,Android and iOS.

Method 3.Print iPhone SMS with iOS Data Manager (Mac & Windows)

TunesGo Retro- Easily Transfer Everything between iPhone, iPod & iPad to iTunes & Computer

-Backup iPhone text messages, MMS & iMessages with attachments as a HTML/XML/TXT file so you can easily print it out later. -Manage contacts: Import, export, remove duplicates & sync with Outlook.
-Transfer songs, videos, playlists, iTunes U, Podcasts to & from Your PC/iTunes.
-Transfer photos & albums to/from Your PC & iPhone/iPad/iPod
-100% compatible with iOS 9, latest iPhone 6s Plus and iPhone 6s.

Method 4.Print text messages from iPhone with iOS Data Recovery

Dr.Fone iOS Data Recovery is the World's First iOS Data Recovery Software for Personal Users

To Export Existing and Deleted Data on your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch

-Extract and Save all messages on iPhone to computer in HTML format, including SMS, MMS and iMessages.
-Transfer messages directly from iPhone, iTunes backup and iCloud backup.
-Not only messages, also supports contacts, notes, WhatsApp history, reminders, and more, up to 18 file types.
-Works for iPhone 12, iPhone 11, iPhone XS/XR/X/8/7/6S/6/5S/5/4S, all iPads and iPod touch 5/4.

Read More:

How to Backup iPhone Contacts to Computer

How to Backup iPhone Data to Computer