Have you ever been in a legal situation where you needed to produce SMS evidence to prove that someone threatened you or said something out of line, only to find you deleted the messages?
That can put a severe damper on your case because the evidence is king when it comes to the law.
We may have smartphones that can take screenshots, but those never hold up in court because a screenshot can be fabricated from scratch.
So, what would be the solution to this colossal conundrum? Backup apps with the ability to print out messages in different formats.
Backup apps can access and print out all the messages you may have exchanged with someone else, with all the essential details like timestamps.
In this post, I’ll explore the best apps to print text messages from iPhones for court and legal situations. If you’ve ever found yourself in this kind of situation, then read this to the end to know more.
Best Apps to Export iPhone Texts for Court-Approved Printing
With considerations out of the way, it’s time to look at the apps meeting this strict criteria. They include the following.
1. Decipher TextMessage
This is an independent app you won’t find in the app store, but it works perfectly regarding retrieving and printing important messages for court cases. It’s compatible even with iOS 16.4 and 16.5 beta.
As one of the best apps to print text messages from iPhones for court and legal needs, Decipher TextMessage has several vital features, like the ability to back up text messages and any other necessary files to iTunes from any compatible device.
You can also recover deleted texts from any timeline if you create backups.
And regarding compatibility, Decipher TextMessage also works on Macs that run on Monterey, Ventura, Big Sur, and Catalina.
You can save all types of messages alongside all the attachments that come with it. The installation process is also easy; you don’t need to jailbreak your device to get it running.
Most importantly, through several methods, you can print your text messages directly from your device straight to a printer. You can also export the text messages in well-spaced-out PDF, plain text, or CSV files.
Decipher TextMessage isn’t free; however, it has a range of one-time price plans, each with unique features depending on what you need. All the price plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
There’s also a free version for those who want to try it without committing to anything.
2. TouchCopy
TouchCopy is another reliable print text app that offers the seamless backup of messages and other files to iTunes and iCloud for retrieval at any time. You won’t find it on the App Store, but you can download it directly from its official website without jailbreaking your iPhone.
You can export your messages in PDF or HTML text and print them out as they are without affecting the overall quality.
Another fantastic feature offered by TouchCopy is the ability to filter out messages based on keywords, dates, or specific attachments like images. This makes finding the exact messages you need to print out for your court case much more manageable.
Furthermore, you’re not just limited to saving, retrieving, or printing messages from your official message app only. TouchCopy lets you do all that, even with other messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, or Signal, among many others.
TouchCopy is compatible with macOS 10.15 and higher, including macOS Ventura. It also works with all iPhone models, iPods, and iPads on the latest iOS updates.
There’s a free version with limited features and a premium version costing $40 for a one-time purchase and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
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3. iMazing
iMazing claims to be trusted by over 5,000 businesses for its services. Whether that’s true or not, it handles the storage retrieval and printing of text messages when you need to present them as evidence in a court case.
You can save all files directly on your backup cloud storage, including messages from your default apps, WhatsApp, Telegram, and any other instant messaging app. The app is compatible with Mac computers, iPhones, and iPads, with regular updates that ensure it keeps delivering what it promises.
The user interface is cleaner and easier to use than other alternatives and even comes with industry-leading message transcription that converts your voice messages into readable text.
Combine this with its fantastic data recovery abilities and you have the perfect app to take on any case requiring messages as evidence.
Notable export formats supported by iMazing include PDF, Excel, CSV, and text. It also preserves attachments like images, video, audio, and links.
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4. PrintCentral
You can download PrintCentral from the App Store. The app has been active since 2008, and it works on iPhones and iPads running on iPadOS 9.0 and later, as well as macOS 11.0 and any Mac running on the latest Apple M1 chip.
Notable features that make this one of the best apps to print text messages from iPhone for court and legal situations is its compatibility with a wide range of printers.
It works with printers that support WiFi, USB, Bluetooth, or network printing. In short, you don’t need to connect your device to the printer through cables.
Another helpful feature PrintCentral offers is export options like PDF, Word, text, and HTML. This makes accessing the retrieved messages and printing them a walk in the park even for people who’ve never used this app before.
However, this app isn’t free; it will cost you about $3.99 to unlock all its premium features if you want to get the most out of this.
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5. CopyTrans Contacts
CopyTrans Contacts was designed to make it easy to back up your contacts across all your devices. But it’s a very capable option for people looking to back up their messages and then print them out at their convenience.
It has an SMS backup option that saves all your text exchanges from iMessage, WhatsApp, Line, Viber, and the rest to your computer or cloud storage. This includes messages that come with attachments like images, links, documents, voice messages, videos, and so much more.
As for export options, CopyTrans Contacts supports PDF, Excel, Word, Plain Text, HTML, and CSV. That’s more than most other options on this list, making it very dependable for court cases.
The app isn’t free and offers the complete bundle at a lifetime price of $19.99.
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6. AnyTrans
AnyTrans is another reliable app for printing text messages and retrieving deleted ones on the App Store. It works on iPhones, iPads, and macOS (although it has not been verified for most Mac computers).
Besides messages, this app allows users to back up other important files like images, videos, and documents, syncing them across all devices. All you would need to access them is to have your account’s login credentials.
The app also supports backups on all types of cloud storage like iCloud, Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox, making it very convenient if you are the type that loves diversifying its storage options.
When it comes to printing, you can quickly share your messages to any printer through Bluetooth, WiFi, or USB and print them out without compromising quality. On top of fantastic security and user privacy, you can export your messages in PDF, Word, text, and HTML.
AnyTrans is free.
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7. Princh
This cloud-based option allows people to save all their files and messages to the cloud and print them directly from there.
What makes this a fantastic option is that you don’t need to create an account. You simply follow an intuitive process to store your essential files and then print them out whenever you need them.
This is a convenient way of getting your evidence to the court in the best format possible.
Another Princh advantage is that you’re not just limited to your iOS device. You can access it via the web and still get your hands on your important files. This means you can use it anywhere and on any device, which makes it a flexible and convenient alternative on this list.
You must upload your documents to the cloud, get the Princh app, and send the files to any printer through WiFi, Bluetooth, Network, or USB.
However, this resource isn’t free. You can find details on its cost by submitting a price quote request on the official website.
8. Tansee iPhone Transfer SMS
Tansee is a whole package with several tools, including saving your messages on any cloud storage option and retrieving them anytime needed. You can create backups of your text messages from iMessage and other instant messaging apps, as well as MMS and SMS.
The app works on iPhones and other Apple products on iOS 16 and below. You can use it on iPhone 14 Pro Max to iPhone 3G, all coming with updates that make the app work efficiently, no matter how outdated your device may be.
If you ever delete important messages necessary for a court case, this app allows you to access all your backups, providing you with all the required information.
The retrieved messages come with all their attachments and time stamps.
As for message printing, Tansee iPhone Transfer SMS supports PDF, HTML, JPG, and Rich Text exports and works with all printers with support for wireless transfer of files using the internet or Bluetooth.
Tansee iPhone Transfer SMS has a free version with limited features. If you want to unlock everything and fully exploit the app, a premium version will cost you $19.95 for a one-year license and $35 for a three-year license.
9. Tenorshare UltData
If you ever delete the messages needed for a court case and don’t know how to retrieve them, Tenorshare UltData is what you need. This is one of the best data recovery tools for smartphones and PCs and works very well for iPhones.
As long as you store your essential files in any cloud service, the Tenorshare UltData app will grant you access to anything important that may have been accidentally deleted. It works for iTunes and iCloud.
The app offers support for LINE, Viber, WhatsApp, WeChat, and Kik, which means you don’t have to limit yourself to one instant messaging app. As long as you’ve activated the automatic backup, you can always access the messages no matter how many devices you switch to.
The recovery process is also safe, so you don’t have to worry about important messages getting overwritten by accident. The app is also straightforward to use and can connect to printers through several options that don’t require any physical connection through a cable.
There are free and premium versions that range from $55.95 to $79.95 per month, and you can access unlimited tools that work on both your Mac and iPhone devices.
10. iMyFone D-Back
This is similar to Tenorshare, with its primary purpose being the retrieval of messages and other files that you may have deleted or lost due to a phone reset.
But just like any other tool on this list, you need first to have a backup it can retrieve data from since it can’t magically pull things from the air.
Some messaging apps that work with iMyFone D-Back include iMessage, WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram, and many more. So you can rest easy knowing that all your chats from different platforms get a secondary backup just in case you end up in court with a case that requires the messages as evidence.
Currently, this app is compatible with iOS devices ranging from iPhone 4 to iPhone 14. It keeps receiving regular updates, ensuring it works even on the oldest iPhone models without bugs.
You can export the messages into various formats and print them by connecting your device to any compatible printer through the internet, Bluetooth, or USB.
iMyFone D-Back has premium price plans for individuals and businesses, ranging from $49.99 to $139.99 per month. Each price plan comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
8 Crucial Factors to Consider When Choosing an iPhone Text Message Printing App
Before picking the apps for printing text messages from iPhone for court and legal, consider the following.
Compatibility and Ease of Use
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The app needs to be compatible with your iPhone device. You must check to see if the app has the latest update compatible with your current iOS version.
The problem with using outdated apps is that you’ll be running into bugs that may interfere with the smooth retrieval and printing of the messages in question.
The app should also be easy to use with straightforward instructions. It shouldn’t require you to seek help from other people.
Accuracy and Preservation of Metadata
Since the data you’re trying to retrieve and print is to be used in something as important as a court case, it’s paramount that the app gives accurate and verifiable data.
This includes essential metadata information like the time the message was sent, the attachments it came with, the location from where it was sent, and, if possible, the device’s model.
The more information and the higher the accuracy, the better the app will be suited for this task.
Security and Privacy
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Text messages contain private information, and where court cases are involved, you can find every explosive detail you wouldn’t want anyone else but your lawyer and the judge to see.
Therefore, while the app retrieves your message backups, it must assure you of the same security and privacy that Apple products usually guarantee their users.
Print Format and Customization Options
You should have the total freedom to customize the printing options offered by the app. For example, does the app allow you to resize the size of the print-outs so you can print them out in the largest size possible?
Can you change the fonts to make them more readable and visible? You should be able to organize your messages in whatever way you need to make things easier for you in court.
Compatibility with Legal Requirements
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The best apps to print text messages from iPhones for court and legal also need to meet the basic legal requirements admissible in court.
All your efforts will be in vain if you go to all the lengths to get the important messages only for that evidence to be thrown out because you used a dodgy app.
Before turning to any app, please consult with your legal team in advance so they can give you the right advice on how to proceed. Legal compliance is vital.
Export and File Formats
The more export options, the better the app. Assuming that everyone knows how to open a PDF file, for example, may work against you no matter how good the evidence is.
The ideal app should allow you to export your messages in PDF, Rich Text, Word, and HTML. This makes it easy for the files to be opened on any device, leaving no room for excuses.
User Reviews and Reputation
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User reviews are always critical when choosing the best apps to print text messages from iPhone for court and legal situations. Looking at what other people are saying is the fastest way to tell if your chosen app delivers what it promises.
But at the same time, never take every user review as fact because some may be lying to discredit one app in favor of another that they may have a stake in.
Customer Support and Updates
The app should have round-the-clock support that helps you troubleshoot any issues you may run into occasionally.
Furthermore, to ensure smooth functioning, the app should get constant updates that eliminate bugs as they pop up. So check the app’s details on the App Store to see any recent updates.
Challenges of Using These Apps
These apps provide a very convenient way for saving, retrieving, preserving, and printing important messages that could save your skin in court. However, here are some challenges you may experience from time to time.
They Rely on Cloud Storage
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They’re too reliant on cloud backups. They can only retrieve and print what was backed up in the first place. Therefore, if you don’t regularly habitually sync your messages to any cloud storage, these apps won’t be of much help.
Unavailable on the App Store
Some apps are not officially available on the App Store so you may experience issues installing them. A few of them may require you to jailbreak your iPhone device, which may void your warranty.
They’re Not Free
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Most are premium, and paying extra may not appeal to many people. At the same time, however, the free versions are unreliable, and some can even be too insecure to handle private information like messages.
Compatibility Issues
This is another common challenge where the app you intend to use may not be well-optimized for your iOS version, leading to bugs that can’t be fixed.
Limited Metadata
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Some apps may not provide necessary metadata like timestamps and attachments, making the messages you print out inadmissible in court.
Wrapping Up
You can print out your messages nicely for presentation in a court of law through countless other apps and tools.
Out of the best apps to print text messages from iPhones for court and legal we’ve just reviewed, iMazing stood out from the rest because of its smooth use and the many print-out options it offers users.
So before setting a date with your lawyer, check this list in detail and choose the best app for you.
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