How to Copy an Entire Text Conversation on Android

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Save copies of your texts on Android

Written by Darlene Antonelli, MA

Last Updated: November 13, 2024 Fact Checked

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• Saving an Entire Conversation with SMS Backup & Restore
|
• Copying Individual Messages
|
• Video

|Show more |Show less

Do you need to copy that text and keep it for proof later? Does your friend want a copy of your text history? It's super frustrating that the default Android Messages app cannot copy multiple messages, but some easy workarounds include the free backup app called SMS Backup & Restore. This wikiHow article teaches you how to copy text conversations on Android.

Copying Texts & Full Conversations on Android

• You can copy individual messages in the default Messenger on Android by tapping and holding the conversation.
• Use SMS Backup & Restore to easily copy multiple messages in a conversation.
• All messages and phone calls backed up with SMS Backup & Restore are timestamped.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Saving an Entire Conversation with SMS Backup & Restore

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1. 1
   Open SMS Backup & Restore. Tap the app icon that looks like an analog clock face inside two curved arrows.

   • Since you can't select an entire conversation with the default Messages app on Android, using SMS Backup & Restore is the best and easiest way to back up multiple chats in conversations and save them so you can see them elsewhere.
2. 2
   Tap Set Up A Backup. You'll see this button near the top of the page.
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3. 3
   Tap Advanced Options. It's at the bottom of the page and will expand more options.
4. 4
   Tap Selected conversations only. This option will allow you to pick specific conversations so the backup doesn't copy everything.
5. 5
   Tap Change. By default, 0 conversations are selected. You'll need to change that before you can continue.
6. 6
   Tap to select the conversations you want to include in the backup. You can select 1 or multiple different conversations.

   • Once you're done, tap the back arrow to go back to the other page.
7. 7
   Tap Next. You'll see this at the bottom of the page.
8. 8
   Select where you want to save your backup. Toggle the switches for "Google Drive'", "Dropbox", "OneDrive", or "Your phone" to save the backup in those locations.

   • Once you tap a switch for a cloud service, you'll need to log in with that service if you aren't logged in. Simply tap Log In to continue.
9. 9
   Tap Save. Tap Yes if prompted.
10. 10
    Tap Next. It's at the bottom right corner of your screen.
11. 11
    Select if you want to back up your data continuously. Tap the toggle to turn off scheduled backups, or choose if you want your information backed up every day, week, or hour.

    • So your phone doesn't back up continuously for an older conversation that's no longer used, you can turn off the toggle.
12. 12
    Tap Back Up Now. You'll see it in the lower right corner of your screen.
13. 13
    View your backup. Go to your cloud service, if you selected one, or open the .xml file on your computer or phone to see your backup.

    • If you're using the app on your phone, tap the three-line menu in the top left corner and select View backups. Tap the service where you saved the backup, then tap the SMS tile. Finally, tap the conversation, and you'll see each timestamped message in that conversation.
    • If you're on your computer, go to your cloud service and save the file to your computer. If it downloads a ZIP folder, extract the .xml file. Go to https://synctech.com.au/view-backup/, click Select, and select the .xml file. Once the file has been uploaded, click the All messages tile and click a conversation to view it. All chats in a conversation will be timestamped!
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Copying Individual Messages

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1. 1
   Open Messages. The default SMS app on your Android might be named something else (like Samsung Messages or Google Messages), but it should feature an icon of a chat bubble.

   • You cannot copy entire messages at once using the default messages app. You can, however, copy one at a time if the conversation isn't that long.
2. 2
   Navigate to the conversation with the text you want to copy. When you open the app, you'll see a list of conversations.
3. 3
   Tap and hold a chat bubble in the conversation. A menu will pop up at your finger.
4. 4
   Tap Copy text. The text is copied to your clipboard so you can paste it anywhere (like an email).

   • Repeat this copy and pasting process to copy all the text messages you want.
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