3 Ways to Export Text Messages From Android to PDF

Android phones offer an excellent native option to back up text messages. However, there are times when we want to export Android text messages to use them outside of the Messages app. That could be for printing for court, as a memory, or for better readability on any device. So, if you want to export text messages from Android to PDF, we will show you three ways.

All the methods to download text messages in PDF format mentioned in this post are free and work on Samsung and other Android phones. With that out of the way, let’s begin.

Method 1: Using SMS Backup & Restore App

This is one of the best apps for taking and restoring the backup of text messages on Android phones. You can also use it to export text messages in PDF format.

We will first need to create a backup of text messages and then convert the same backup into PDF, as shown below. I have divided the steps into two sections for better understanding:

Part I: Create a Backup of Text Messages

Step 1: Install and open the SMS Backup & Restore app on your phone.

Download SMS Backup & Restore

Step 2: Tap on the three-bar icon and select Back up now.

Step 3: Enable the toggle next to Messages and turn off the toggle for Calls logs.

Step 4: Tap on Advanced Options to include attachments and media, select individual conversations, or select a date range for SMS.

Note: If you want to export any particular conversation as PDF, enable the toggle next to Selected Conversations only and choose the conversation to save as PDF.

Step 5: Under the Backup location option, choose the storage location where you want to save the backup. We will go with the phone. So, enable the toggle next to Your Phone.

Step 6: Tap on Backup. A confirmation pop-up will show up. Tap on Yes.

Tip: Know how to tell if a message was delivered on Android phone.

Part II: Convert Backup to PDF

Step 1: In the same app, tap on the three-bar icon and select View backups.

Step 2: Now, choose the storage location where you have saved the backup of messages. Then, choose the backup from the list.

Step 3: Next, select the conversation in the backup you want to export as PDF.

Step 4: Tap on the three-dot icon and select Print Conversation.

Step 5: Tap on Select printer and choose Save as PDF. Finally, tap on the PDF icon.

Step 6: The File Explorer app will open. Select the storage location to save your PDF and tap on Save.

That’s it. You have successfully exported your Android text messages in PDF format.

Tip: After creating a PDF, learn how to edit PDF on Android phones.

Method 2: Using Textra

The third-party SMS client, i.e., the Textra app, also lets you convert text messages (SMS) to PDF on your Android phone.

In this app, you must email the conversation to yourself in the TXT format and then convert the TXT file to PDF. Don’t worry. All the steps are given below:

Step 1: Install and open the Textra app on your Android phone. Make it your default messaging app when asked after opening it for the first time.

Download Textra SMS App

Step 2: Press and hold the conversation thread that you want to export as PDF and tap on the three-dot icon at the top, followed by Share as Email.

Note: If you don’t see the option, open the message thread first. Tap on the down arrow, press the three-dot icon, and select Share as Email.

Step 3: Select any app to share the txt file. You can send it as a WhatsApp message or email to yourself.

The purpose is to save the exported TXT file somewhere to convert it to PDF in the next step. For this tutorial, let us assume I emailed the file to myself.

Step 4: Open the email with the TXT file. Tap on the TXT file, which will open in a web browser.

Step 5: Tap on the three-dot icon in the browser and select Share.

Step 6: Tap on Print. Then, choose Save as PDF from the Choose a printer box at the top and tap on the PDF icon.

Step 7: Select the storage location on your Android phone to save the PDF file with the exported messages.

Tip: Know how to delete multiple or all text messages on Android phones.

Method 3: By Taking a Long Screenshot

Another method to save text messages to PDF on Android phones is by taking a long or scrolling screenshot of messages. Typically, a normal screenshot can fit only 2-3 messages. This is where scrolling screenshot comes into the picture. After taking a scrolling screenshot, convert the picture into a PDF using online tools.

The advantage of this method is that you don’t have to give access to your messages to any third-party app. However, the method will be tedious if you have many messages in a conversation.

Let’s check the step-by-step instructions in detail:

Step 1: Launch the Messages app and open the conversation whose screenshot you want to take.

Step 2: Go to the top of the message thread and take a screenshot.

Step 3: After taking a screenshot, you will see a pop-up at the bottom. Tap on the Scrolling screenshot icon.

Step 4: Select the area you want to capture and press the Save button.

The long screenshot will be saved in your phone’s gallery.

Step 5: Now, use any free JPG to PDF converter to convert the picture into PDF. We will use Ilovepdf. You can use any other tool of your choice. Open it in a browser on your phone or PC.

Ilovepdf.com

Step 6: Tap on Select JPG images and select the screenshot.

Step 7: Tap on Convert to PDF.

Step 8: Wait for the tool to convert the picture into PDF. Once done, tap on Download PDF.

In addition to the above tool, you can use the following websites as well:

• SmallPDF
• Free PDF Convert

Tip: If your Android phone doesn’t support long screenshots, check out apps that can take scrolling screenshots.

Print Text Messages

That’s how you can export text messages from Android to PDF. You can also print messages from your Android phone. Not only that, but before you go, learn how to print WhatsApp messages.