How to print an iMessage conversation
iExport editorial · 4 min · Updated 2026-07-12
From iMessage to a print-ready PDF — with page numbers, proper margins and a legible font.
Need a conversation on paper — for the archive, a relative, or a lawyer? Screenshots quickly become unreadable. A PDF from iExport is formatted for print.
How to do it
- Open iexport.app and import chat.db.
- Pick the conversation and period.
- Buy the Basic plan ($9.99) or higher.
- Download the PDF and print from Preview / Adobe Reader.
Printing tips
- Use duplex to halve the number of pages.
- Pick 'Actual size' so margins stay correct.
- For archival: acid-free paper and a solid binder.
Frequently asked questions
- How many pages is a typical conversation?
- Roughly 40–80 messages per A4 page. A 5,000-message conversation is about 60–120 pages.
Related articles
- How to export iMessage to PDFA step-by-step guide to turning an iMessage conversation into a clean, searchable PDF — without uploading your messages to a server.
- Export iMessage as legal evidenceHow to produce an iMessage export suitable for court, insurance, HR and family cases — with checksums and a manifest.