how do I copy a very long iPhone text thread and email to myself?

Would be nice to have a "Select All Messages" option.

Thank you ...this was helpful

Too bad that it did not keep the dates/times, and the separations of who said what.....

I am very surprised the Apple has such an archaic method making the ability to save text conversations, which is becoming more and more a way of people doing business, into an easier methodology.

If you open the Message, you can hold your finger on one of the Message Segments until a pop-up shows up and click More ...then you can tap on each circle to the left of each Message Segment, then at the bottom of the screen you will see a curved arrow, click on it. All you message segments will now be integrated on another page. Then you can click on that and choose Select All and you can Copy and put it in an Email.

See, instead of having to go through and select your messages one by one to forward, you only need to go through and select your messages one by one, then forward them. Much easier.

This is the only way I know of to do this. Put your iPhone down. Go to your Facebook account on your Mac or PC. Select MESSENGER from near the top left. Select the person whose conversation you want to copy. You will see every conversation you had with that person. Select and copy whatever portion you want.

I honestly don't think there is another way to do this. Certainly not as easy as this. Good Luck

In response to AskMissAMay 28, 2014 2:18 AM

Would be nice to have a "Select All Messages" option.

Yes, it sure would be nice, and it's completely predictable that someone might want this functionality.

<Edited by Host>

Yes, seriously. I wasn't complaining, but the solution was essentially a recap of what Boxergirl was trying to get around. I didn't think it mattered or is relevant that the post was a year old nor that I signed on today. In any event, sincere apologies if you thought my comment was rude. I shouldn't take out my frustrations with text messaging limitations on others.

Thanks for the app suggestion. Unfortunately, I am a Mac user so I think I am back to the drawing board.

There are many legitimate reasons why someone might want to send a lengthy text conversation by email. In my case I am selling a car and the buyer contacted me initially by SMS. After a lengthy text conversation it turned out to be a scam. The police asked me if I can send them a copy of the conversation which is why I need to do this.

If you use a Mac, it's pretty easy.

1) Enable forwarding of text messages to your Mac.

On your iPhone:

Settings/Messages

Enable iMessage

2) Open Messages on your Mac

3) Open the desired message

4) Highlight the desired text

5) right click and select copy

6) Post into whatever application necessary

Note: I cut and pasted into the Notes application and everything copied correctly, INCLUDING the photos

Hope this helps...

If you use the macos version of messages that syncs with your iPhone , you can simply scroll up until all the messages load. Cmd-A to select all, Cmd-C to copy and paste into whatever document you would like.

I don't think there is any quick way. Apple has some odd quirks for Mark All or Select All. In my opinion, they should have it all across the board for text messages and emails, but somehow it doesn't exist for text messages.

Okay, point taken. And humbly so.

I think I read Boxergirl's issue differently than you did and it seemed like WiseJD was suggesting more or less exactly what she was trying to avoid. But it's irrelevant because you are right -- when I stepped back and looked at it from your perspective, I can see how I didn't say that I was here looking for a solution to the same problem and it might have just looked as though I was being snarky. I guess in my mind, the only reason why I would be on here is simply because I am looking for a solution and this thread came up in my search. I will exercise greater care in future.

I'll give the TouchCopy a try. Thanks for the tip. I have a very lengthy hread I need to copy and forward for work purposes and WiseJD's suggestion as you spelled it out for me is still way too time consuming.

ChrisJ - I don't think it's fair to assume that those of us looking for a solution to this problem are all interested in saving some type of long business thread. I agree that business communications shouldn't be done via text.

In my case, I lost my spouse two years ago, and since that time, I have saved long threads of messages between myself and my kids, and other close family and friends. I occasionally go through and delete meaningless stuff, but want to keep the meaningful and/or funny little text message conversations. At the same time, I need to delete as much as possible from my phone due to Apple's ridiculous requirements for space for an upgrade. Solution - find a way to export the threads I want to keep.

I will be using WiseJD's suggestion.

FYI the original answers FID NOT ADDRESS THAT THE TXT FILE OPENS IN NOTES AS A TEXT FILE NOT READABLE ON OPENING.

So. If people are having problems and continue to ask. Please offer better solutions as the one who says useboutside app.

That ejlpef

Oh, ChrisJ4203, I hope that this reaches you 3 years after you posted it.

Oh yes, I do, indeed know what the "Real Purpose of SMS was." Yup, "Short" was, indeed, part of the acronym. I was in the industry when the precursors to SMS were being created.

That doesn't really matter though.

Why are you being so judgemental about someone's need to not only use texting/MMS/SMS for very long, involved, multi-person messages? If it is an important topic, something that they either need to document or record for future use or even to take a walk down memory lane, OMG, is that a violation of your code

. (Pun intended.). As an example, how about several family members in different locations, across different time zones, on different platforms, communicating over a multi-week period of time about, say, an illness (OR a surprise party or marriage or their ancestry discoveries...)?

To want to have a record of a monumental event is a great idea. Real life happens.

I would like to have a record of the conversation that my family just went through over the last month. Two out of four of us are in the biz yet found neither the time for or need to shop for an appropriate product during a crisis.

I actually don't care if I have to mark each entry in order to get an archive. It is that important to me. I'm guessing that there is an easier, better way.

Ack! May I suggest some "Getting Along with Others" practice? You probably could have a lot to offer to help others, as long as you don't chop their heads off at the onset.

Either that or "Just Don't." By all means, judge all that you want and get some good chuckles. Don't hit the response button. Much appreciated.

(I have most likely made a spelling or punctuation error in this response. Point them out if you must but know that you'll be whistling in the wind.)

Peace