Archiving specific text messages received on iPad

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Archiving specific text messages received on iPad

For legal purposes, I must archive specific text messages received from multiple individuals. However, an archiving or "save as" option does not appear to exist on my iPad (or iPhone). After selecting the message(s), the only available option appears to be delete. Backing up the text messages to icloud, unfortunately is not appropriate for my purposes.

Any assistance or advice on archiving text messages would be appreciated.

iPad 6th gen

iOS v. . 14.2

TIA,

Umrk

iPad, iPadOS 14

Posted on Nov 13, 2020 9:48 AM

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Answer 1

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LotusPilot

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Nov 13, 2020 9:54 AM in response to Umrk111

iOS/iPadOS doesn’t provide a native method to archive messages. There are, however, third party Applications that run on PC or Mac that may be suitable for your needs.

One potential solution is iMazing:

https://imazing.com/guides/how-to-archive-iphone-messages-sms-to-your-computer

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Answer 2

Nov 13, 2020 10:14 AM in response to Umrk111

I agree with LotusPilot. A third party app is the way to go. The one I use is PhoneView.

However, I'd also suggest that, since this is a legal matter, you discuss strategies with your lawyer. If you save a message in the wrong way, it may affect its evidentiary value.

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Answer 3

Umrk111 Author

Level 1

39 points

Nov 13, 2020 10:07 AM in response to LotusPilot

Thank you for the reply. I was hoping to avoid adding a 3rd party app, but if that is the only option, then I have no choice. In the interim, I am hopeful someone has a suggestion that does not involve installing a 3rd party app.

In the interim, given that important communications occur via text messages millions of time each day, Apple's demonstration of such short shortsightedness by excluding an archiving option is astounding, considering that Apple once was at the forefront of innovation. Perhaps, one day Apple will see fit to include the option to archive individual text messages so they can be available any time they are needed.

UMRK

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Answer 4

Nov 13, 2020 10:16 AM in response to Umrk111

Perhaps your understanding and mine, in context of “archiving”, differ. An Archive is an entirely separate backup.

If you enable Messages in iCloud, your messages will be also be stored in iCloud. This is not, however, an “archive”; messages deleted from your device will also be deleted from the iCloud Message store.

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Archiving specific text messages received on iPad

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