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 may need to transfer text messages from iPhone to a computer for various purposes, such as create a regular backup of messages, print needed messages out via a computer, or transfer messages to another device to free up more available space for your iPhone. Whatever your purposes, this guide will help you transfer text messages from your iPhone to your computerin minutes, whether you have iTunes or not.

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

Transferring text messages from iPhone to the computer using iTunes provides you with a safe way to transfer data because the exported data is encrypted and cannot be viewed without authorization. But on the other side, iTunes is inflexible because iTunes doesn't support transferring specific data to the computer. That means you have to back up all content of your iPhoneinstead of messages only to the computer.

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-richiPhone data transfer toolthat allows you to transfer data from iPhone to a computer or vice versa. Unlike iTunes that doesn't allow you to export specific files, Qiling MobiMover lets you transfer specific messages, contacts, videos, photos, or other datato the computer.After transferring, you can check and view files whenever you want.

Other than that, if you want toenrich your iPhone or iPad with some videos, you candownload 4K videos from YouTubeor other 1000+ websites.

To transfer text messages from iPhone to computer without iTunes:

Free Download
Windows 11/10/8/7, 100% Secure

Step 1.Connect your iPhone to your computer and run Qiling MobiMover >Click"Trust" on your iPhone to trust this computer > From the main screen of Qiling MobiMover, choose"Content Management" > Choose "Messages"from the right pane.

Step 2.In "Settings," you can choose a location to save the messages you're going to transfer. Otherwise, the default location is on your computer Desktop.

Step 3.Select the messages you want to transfer and click the "Transfer to PC" button. When finished, you can go to the selected folder to check the messages. (The items will be saved an HTML file on your computer, thus you need to open it with a browser to view its details.)

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

As we all know that iCloud also enables usersto sync data between different iOS devices. If you are a Mac user and want to export iPhone messages to your Mac, you can follow these steps todo it.

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. Check the box next to "Enable Messages in iCloud." If you have other messages available to sync, you can click "Sync Now" to have them synced.

Step 5. Next, you canview your synced text messages in your Mac computer's Messages app.

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. Tap and hold the message until you see "Copy" and "More" options, choose"More."

Step 3. You'llsee a circle next to each text message. Tick thecircle next to the message you want to transfer.

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

Step 5. Enter your email address and tap Send.

Step 6. Sign in to your email account on your computer and download it.

Copy SMS from iPhone to PC

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

If you insist on using iTunes to transfer text messages, here's how. Note that starting with macOS Catalina, iTunes has been replaced by Finder. So you can use Finder to transfer messages from iPhone to Mac if you're using a Mac running macOS Catalina or newer. The procedure of doing this is similar to using iTunes.

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

Step 2. Open iTunes or Finder on your computer. (iTunes will automatically back up your iPhone)

On the Finder screen, click your iPhone > expand the Location section from the left panel > Click "Back Up Now" from the left panel.
On the iTunes screen, click "Restore from backup" from the right panel. Then, all your data, including your messages, will be saved to your iPhone.

The Bottom Line

That's all on how to copy SMS from iPhone to PC without iTunes. As you can see, with the help of Qiling MobiMover, you can easily transfer your text messages and other iOS files from the iPhone to the computer. Get it on your computer and have a try!