Jump to Key Sections
Do you have an important conversation on your Android phone that you want to print out for safekeeping or legal documentation? There are a number of reasons why you might want to print out text message conversations, such as for evidence in a court case or simply to have a physical backup of an important conversation. Whatever your reason for printing text message conversations from your Android phone may be, this blog post is here to guide you through the process.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of How to Print Text Message Conversation from Android
Printing out text messages from an Android phone can be challenging. Unlike with an iPhone, where you can simply use AirPrint to print out a screenshot of a text message conversation, Android devices require a different approach. One challenge is that most Android phones don’t have a built-in option to print out text messages. Additionally, there are various file formats that texts can be saved in, such as CSV, HTML, and TXT. Finally, many printing services don’t offer support for printing messages or require you to download an app or pay for their services.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before we dive into the different methods for printing text message conversations from your Android phone, there are a few things you should prepare for:
- Ensure that your Android device has enough storage space to save the messages, especially if you have lengthy conversations.
- Make sure you have a compatible printer that can connect to your Android device.
- Search for a suitable printing app or software that supports printing text messages from Android.
- You may need to export the conversation into a printable format, such as PDFs. In this case, save the exported files in a folder on your device for easy access.
- Invest in a reliable USB cable for connecting your device to your computer.
Method 1: Printing via SMS Backup & Restore
One of the easiest ways to print out text message conversations from your Android phone is by using the SMS Backup & Restore app. Here’s how to do it:
- Download and install the latest version of SMS Backup & Restore from Google Play.
- Launch the app and select "Backup" to create a backup of the text messages conversation you want to print.
- Choose export file format you prefer and then export.
- Connect your Android device to your computer using a USB cable.
- Locate the exported file in the backup folder, then copy it onto your computer.
- Open the file on your computer, and then follow the normal printing process with your printer application.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Free to download
Cons:
- Only can print out one conversation at a time or limited backup files
- Additional steps necessary to transfer the backup file from your Android to your computer
Method 2: Printing via Google Cloud Print
Another method to print out your text message conversation is to use Google Cloud Print. With this method, your files are saved to Google Drive and thus can be printed easily from any computer. Here’s how to do it:
- Connect Google Drive with the Google Cloud Print so that you can print the exported file directly.
- Create a backup of the text messages conversation you want to print, and then select the format you prefer to use.
- Select the file(s) that you’re going to upload to Google Drive and then upload it.
- Open Google Drive on your computer, and locate the uploaded file, then follow the normal printing process with your printer application.
Pros:
- The process is hassle-free if you are using Google Drive.
- Convenient to print-out from any computer as long the computer has internet access through Google Cloud Print
Cons:
- Requires an active Google Account
- Saving text messages as Image or PDF documents may take up a lot of storage on your Google Drive account.
Method 3: Printing via Third-Party Apps
If the above mentioned methods don’t work for you, there are third-party apps that you could try. One of the apps to consider is the Print Text Messages app, which is available for a fee on the Google Play Store. Here is how to do it:
- Download and install the Print Text Messages app.
- Once the app is installed, open it and from there select the conversation you want to print out.
- Choose the format you prefer to export the conversation to, then select either Google Drive or Dropbox.
- Download the exported file and then print it out from your computer.
Pros:
- Able to customize your print-process with support from the app
- Fluent in exporting documents to Google Drive or Dropbox
Cons:
- The app is not free
- Requires more steps than the other methods mentioned before.
Why Can’t I Print Text Message Conversations from Android?
There are several reasons why you may be unable to print your Android phone’s text messages, including:
1. Your printer doesn’t support printing from your Android device.
A way to fix this is to invest in a printer that supports printing via Android devices or use Google Cloud Print.
2. The printing service you’re using doesn’t support printing text messages.
If this is the case, you’ll need to find a printing service that offers support for printing text messages or use one of the above mentioned methods to print your messages.
3. File format issue.
As mentioned, there are several file formats that texts can be saved in–CSV, HTML, and TXT. Therefore, ensure that you’re exporting the conversation to a format that is compatible with your printer and the printing app that you’ll use.
Additional Tips
- Ensure that your phone is fully charged or plugged in while exporting and printing the conversation.
- Check the print preview before printing, to ensure that everything is correct, this could save you a lot of time later.
- Print out a hard copy of the conversation and store it in a safe place, or save it as a digital backup for easy access later.
5 FAQs about Printing Text Message Conversations from Android
Q1: How do I transfer the exported file to my computer?
A: Connect your Android device to your computer via USB first, then transfer the file manually. Or upload your file to your cloud service provider and download it via web browser later.
Q2: Can I print several conversations at once?
A: Unfortunately, each conversation needs to be printed separately.
Q3: Can I edit exported messages?
A: Yes. You could edit down texts with Microsoft Word after exporting it as a text file.
Q4: Would the texts be readable when they are printed out as an image?
A: Yes. The texts would be readable, but it would be slightly blurry.
Q5: Is it possible to select specific messages to print from a conversation?
A: Yes and no. Certain third-party apps, such as the Print Text Messages app, allow you to choose which messages to print, but most methods require you to print the entire conversation.
In Conclusion
Printing out text message conversations from an Android phone can be a bit of a challenge, but it’s not impossible. With the methods mentioned above, you can save and print out your important conversations with ease. Remember to prepare your printer and your Android phone accordingly, and always double-check the print preview before printing to save yourself time and effort.