How to Archive Text Messages on iPhone

Archiving text messages on your iPhone helps you save or organize important conversations without deleting them. However, iOS doesn't offer a built-in "archive" feature for the Messages app like you might find in Gmail or WhatsApp. Still, there are several effective ways to store, back up, and hide messages using the tools already available on your iPhone.

Can You Archive Text Messages on iPhone?

There's no direct "archive" option in the Messages app on iPhone. When people search for "how to archive texts iPhone," "how to archive text messages from iPhone," or "how can I archive messages on iPhone," they’re usually looking for ways to either hide conversations from their main view, or back up and store texts in another location. Below are the best methods to achieve that.

Methods for Managing On-Device Message View

These methods help declutter your main Messages app interface.

1. Hiding Alerts (Muting a Conversation)

This option keeps the conversation in your message list but stops notifications for new messages. This is useful for ongoing chats you don't need immediate alerts for.

• Steps:

  1. Open the Messages app.

  2. Locate the conversation you want to mute.

  3. Swipe left on the conversation.

  4. Tap the bell icon with a slash through it (or "Hide Alerts").

• To unmute alerts: Swipe left on the conversation again and tap the bell icon.

2. Deleting Conversations (Leveraging "Recently Deleted")

While this action removes a conversation from your main message list, your iPhone temporarily stores recently deleted conversations for approximately 30 days. This acts as a soft archive, allowing recovery if needed.

• Steps to Delete:

  1. Open the Messages app.

  2. Locate the conversation you want to remove from view.

  3. Swipe left on the conversation.

  4. Tap the red "Delete" button.

  5. Confirm by tapping "Delete" again.

• To Retrieve from "Recently Deleted":

  1. Open the Messages app.

  2. On the main Messages screen, tap "Filters" in the top left corner.

  3. Select "Recently Deleted."

  4. Here, you'll see conversations deleted within the past 30 days.

  5. To recover a conversation, select it and tap "Recover."

Methods for External Storage and Permanent Archiving

These options create copies of your messages outside the Messages app for long-term keeping.

1. Take Screenshots of Conversations

Taking a screenshot is one of the simplest ways to save messages.

• Steps:

  1. Open the Messages app and select the conversation.

  2. On iPhones with Face ID: Press the Side button and Volume Up button at the same time.

  3. On iPhones with Touch ID: Press the Home and Power buttons together.

  4. The screenshot will be saved in the Photos app, where you can organize it into albums.

2. Use the Notes App

You can copy and paste individual messages or parts of a conversation into the Notes app for long-term storage.

• Steps:

  1. Open the Messages app and select the message or part of the conversation.

  2. Tap and hold the message, then tap "Copy." (You might need to tap "More" to select multiple messages, then tap the copy icon).

  3. Open the Notes app, start a new note, and paste the copied message.

  4. You can delete the original message afterward if needed.

3. Email or AirDrop Conversations

This is useful for saving or sharing specific message threads manually.

• Steps:

  1. Open the text thread.

  2. Long-press on a message, then tap "More..."

  3. Select additional messages if needed by tapping the circles next to them.

  4. Tap the Share icon (a box with an arrow).

  5. Choose Mail to email the messages or AirDrop to send them to another Apple device.

4. Use Third-Party Backup Software

Apps like iMazing, AnyTrans, or iCareFone allow you to archive entire conversations and export them in formats like PDF or TXT to your computer.

• Steps:

  1. Download and install the backup software on your computer.

  2. Connect your iPhone via USB.

  3. Use the software to locate and export your message data.

  4. Store the files on your computer or external storage.

5. Back Up Messages Using iTunes (or Finder)

While not specific to messages, iTunes (on Windows) or Finder (on macOS Catalina and later) backs up all iPhone data, including texts.

• Steps:

  1. Open iTunes or Finder and connect your iPhone to your computer.

  2. Click your device icon and go to the Summary tab (iTunes) or General tab (Finder).

  3. Select "Back Up Now" to save all your phone’s data, including messages.

6. Use iCloud Backup

iCloud also backs up messages if the feature is enabled, saving them to your cloud storage.

• Steps:

  1. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup.

  2. Turn on "iCloud Backup" and tap "Back Up Now."

  3. Make sure your iCloud storage has enough space to include messages.

How to Retrieve Archived or Saved Messages

The method for retrieving messages depends on how you "archived" them:

• For Muted Conversations (Hide Alerts): These conversations remain in your main Messages list. Simply open the Messages app and find the conversation.

• For Deleted Conversations (Recently Deleted): Go to Messages > Filters > Recently Deleted to find and recover conversations within the 30-day window.

• For Exported Files (Screenshots, Notes, Email, AirDrop, Third-Party Software): Access these files from your Photos app, Notes app, email client, or the location you saved them on your computer/cloud storage.

• For iCloud or iTunes Backups: Messages can be restored to an iPhone by restoring the entire device from a backup. This is typically done when setting up a new iPhone or restoring an existing one.

Conclusion

There’s no built-in archive function for messages on iPhone, but you can still manage your conversations efficiently. Whether you want to hide, save, or back up text messages, your iPhone offers a range of options through its native features or with the help of third-party tools. For permanent and reliable archiving, exporting messages to files or using iCloud/iTunes backup is the most dependable method.