iMessage · iPhone-only route

Turn a visible iMessage thread into a PDF on iPhone.

TextTrace does not connect to your Messages database. It works from the screenshots or screen recording you deliberately select, then gives you a record to review before export.

Updated 2026-09-056 minTextTrace

Get TextTrace on the App Store See visual chat import

Available on the App Store for iPhone and iPad.

01Bring in the source

02Review the record

03Choose the useful output

Choose screenshots or a screen recording

ScreenshotsBest for a short, controlled selection where each frame can be checked.

Screen recordingBetter for a longer visible thread when you can scroll slowly and keep transitions readable.

Neither route reads hidden iMessage data. It captures what is visibly present in the source you choose. Keep dates, sender sides, and enough surrounding context on screen.

Capture for accurate review

Turn off interruptions and avoid pop-up notifications.
Start slightly before the first relevant message.
Scroll slowly without jumping or reversing direction.
Pause briefly when date dividers or attachments appear.
End after enough replies to explain the exchange.

Visual text recognition and layout interpretation can be wrong, so open important results and compare them with the Messages thread.

Understand the boundary

This is a practical visual capture workflow, not a direct Messages export, backup reader, forensic acquisition, or recovery tool. It cannot reveal deleted, unsynced, hidden, or off-screen messages. Preserve the phone and ask the intended recipient what source and format they require when the stakes are high.

Questions, answered precisely