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

The two ways you provided are all very time-taking. Actually there are some third party software that can scan your iPhone and extract the messages into text format and save it to your PC or Mac.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4610133?answerId=20618414022#20618414022

You can also google search for more options.

Mark Harpenstein wrote:

I think Chris j slinked off to whatever cave he came from. By the way, apple could you seriously simply fix this for us.

Nope, still here. I'm a user like you, and I have opinions just like you. And you are not addressing Apple here. This is a user to user support forum, and Apple does not participate here. If you wish for them to see something, use their feedback page here, http://www.apple.com/feedback

Yep, another epic dictatorial #AppleFail - no wonder everyone is switching to Android.

Seriously??? You joined today to make a post to a thread that is over a year old and complained about someone's response? Actually, at this time, the best way is to purchase some 3rd party software and copy the thread that way. Try TouchCopy from Wide Angle Software.

Well, you didn't mention Mac, but to my knowledge, TouchCopy works on both platforms. And, my understanding of the OP was to send each one individually, whereas WiseJD was referring to selecting them all so you could copy them all and send, rather than emailing each individual piece.

It wasn't that I thought it was rude, but that it was a complaint about something that someone said a year ago. You did not come here to ask a question, or indicate at all that you were looking for a solution to a similar question. It was just that you came on, slammed a response and left it at that. Those of us that take the time to answer people's questions as volunteers and users just like you. If you spend a great deal of time here, you will see a lot of different types of questions/comments that can get on your nerves. Here is a link for TouchCopy and it does work on both platforms. http://www.wideanglesoftware.com/touchcopy/

I agree with it being time consuming. I am troubled, not by you, but by others that use text messaging for something so important that they need to save huge threads. While the program that I provided you the link for will allow you to save the threads, they are not formatted easily. It seems that people have gotten by the real purpose of SMS, short messaging service, and are using it for important business conversations, which it was never intended to be used for. But, I'm not going to debate all of that here. There really isn't a good solution for saving these large threads, and I believe it is because of the reason I stated above. Good luck with it, and I hope you find your time at ASC better after this. I'm sorry I jumped at you. Guess I was being snarky too. Have a great evening.

I have tried the suggestions in the replies to your message (consolidate and forward), and have one observation: I was unable to get the time and date of the message, which seems a pretty fundamental requirement for documentation. Am I doing something wrong?

Mark Harpenstein wrote:

If you want to be helpful, try responding to the lucid points made by cinmarly. THAT I would like to see.

The only point I will respond to is that it is possible to archive an SMS message thread, however it requires third party software. Depending on your computer platform, TouchCopy works for Windows, and that company also provides for the Mac platform as well. The company is WideAngle software. They provide a free trial, or you may have to purchase, depending on how much you wish to use. I've used TouchCopy with Windows and it is very good. It does more than just copy SMS threads.

Seriously? Not to be rude, but please see question above.

Agree 100%. Like in emails

Followed it all

Up to click spot on all txts but it then says go to new page i cant find that what fo I do please

Thank you

You are absolutely right. I think Chris j slinked off to whatever cave he came from. By the way, apple could you seriously simply fix this for us.

If you want to be helpful, try responding to the lucid points made by cinmarly. THAT I would like to see.