How to Export iMessage Chats

Export Guides · 3 min read

Apple doesn't offer a built-in export button for iMessage — here's the most reliable workaround.

Apple does not provide an official way to export a full iMessage conversation as a file, so copy-paste is the most reliable option on a phone.

Step 1. Open the conversation in the Messages app.

An open message conversation

Step 2. Tap and hold on a message, then tap More to enter selection mode.

The message action menu with More highlighted

Step 3. Tap each message you want to include, then tap the share icon to copy them.

Several messages selected ready to copy

Step 4. Open ThirdPerson AI and paste the copied text directly into the paste box instead of uploading a file.

The ThirdPerson AI paste box with the copied text in it

Step 5. For a longer conversation, repeat this for each section and paste them in chronological order.

Tip: Keeping the order intact matters more than getting every single message — a representative stretch of the conversation is enough.

If you use a Mac, the Messages app there allows you to select and copy a longer stretch of conversation at once, which can be faster than doing it message-by-message on a phone.

Your chats are analysed securely and never shared.

Takes about 2 minutes. Paste the text — there is no file to upload for this method.