Do I need to install anything?

No — iExport runs in the browser. You only need your message file.

A chat.db from an iPhone backup, or a message export from macOS. See the Help page for details.

Will the PDF be searchable?

Yes. Text is real text (not images), so PDF readers can search it.

How big will the file be?

Plain-text chats are small (typically under 10 MB). Media-heavy chats can be larger.

Can I export multiple conversations at once?

One conversation per export for now. You can run several exports back-to-back.

Export iMessage to PDF

A clean PDF is the easiest way to archive an iMessage conversation. Here's how to make one — without your messages leaving your device.

What you need

An iMessage file (chat.db from an iPhone backup or a macOS export).
A modern browser: Chrome, Safari, Edge, or Firefox.
A few minutes — longer for very large conversations.

Step by step

Open iexport.app in your browser.
Drag your message file into the drop area. The file is read locally.
Pick the conversation from the list that appears.
Pick a date range — entire history or a specific window.
Preview the conversation. Verify senders, dates, and attachments.
Click Download PDF and complete payment to unlock the file.

PDF or HTML — which format should you pick?

PDF is best for reading, printing, and archiving: layout, fonts, and images are locked and look the same everywhere.

HTML is best when you want to search the content or click links later. You can generate both from the same preview.

Security: what actually happens to your file

iExport does not upload your messages. Parsing and PDF generation happen in your own browser. The only thing that leaves your machine is anonymized payment data when you buy the export.

Limitations

Very large conversations need enough browser memory. Split into date ranges if your file contains tens of thousands of messages with images.

Try iExport now

Import and preview are free. You only pay when you're ready to download.

Try it free

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to install anything?: No — iExport runs in the browser. You only need your message file.
What file do I need?: A chat.db from an iPhone backup, or a message export from macOS. See the Help page for details.
Will the PDF be searchable?: Yes. Text is real text (not images), so PDF readers can search it.
How big will the file be?: Plain-text chats are small (typically under 10 MB). Media-heavy chats can be larger.
Can I export multiple conversations at once?: One conversation per export for now. You can run several exports back-to-back.

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Last updated: 2026-07-17