Exhibitly vs iMazing, TouchCopy and Decipher TextMessage for exporting texts
By Kayabyte · Last updated 31 October 2026
Short answer: several Mac apps can export iPhone messages to a file: iMazing, TouchCopy (which lists exports as PDF, HTML, CSV or text) and Decipher TextMessage are long-established. Exhibitly is built for one job, showing a conversation to a lawyer or court: numbered pages, an Excel file, original attachments with SHA-256 fingerprints, a verification page, redaction and, in the Evidence Bundle, Bates numbers. We make Exhibitly, so check the others on their own sites; they are mature products and may fit you better.
How to choose
| If you need | A good fit |
|---|---|
| To manage an iPhone (transfers, backups, apps) and sometimes save messages | iMazing or TouchCopy, which cover far more than messages |
| A quick export of messages to a file | Any of the three tools above, or Exhibitly |
| Evidence for a lawyer or court: page numbers, fingerprints of every file, a verification page, redaction, optional Bates numbers and exhibit cover | Exhibitly |
| Windows | The others (Exhibitly is Mac only, macOS 14 or later) |
| Exhibitly 1.1.0 reads WhatsApp export files (iPhone and Android) and WhatsApp inside an iPhone backup. Check what the other tools support on their own sites | |
| Android phones | Not Exhibitly, except WhatsApp export files from an Android phone. It does not read Android backups or Android SMS |
What Exhibitly does
- Reads the full history from an iPhone backup made in Finder (encrypted backups work with your password) or from the Messages app on your Mac.
- Since 1.1.0, also WhatsApp chats: Export chat files (.txt or .zip) and WhatsApp inside an iPhone backup, in both editions at the same price. It does not read WhatsApp for Mac’s own database.
- Exports a PDF with every message, date, time and sender, inline photos and “Page 3 of 41” numbering, an Excel file, a folder of original attachments, SHA256SUMS.txt and a verification page.
- Lets you pick a whole thread, a date range or an excerpt, and hide details before exporting.
- Works offline: messages never leave your Mac. Free preview (50 messages per export, watermarked), Personal USD 39 once, Evidence Bundle USD 69 once, 30-day refund.
- It does not decide admissibility. Rules differ by court and country; ask a lawyer.
See a sample export made from invented messages before you download anything.
Related guides
- How to print text messages from an iPhone for court
- The best way to export text messages for court
- Print text messages without screenshots
More guides
- Custody evidence binder: what to include
- How to export an iMessage conversation to PDF
- How to export iPhone messages to Excel
- Export text messages from iPhone to PDF for court: what the PDF should show
- How to export a WhatsApp chat to PDF for court (Android)
- How to export a WhatsApp chat to PDF for court (iPhone)
- How to make an iPhone backup on a Mac (and encrypt it)
- How to make a memory book from text messages
- How to print iMessages from a Mac
- How to print WhatsApp messages on a Mac
- How to redact a WhatsApp chat before sending it to a lawyer
- Text messages in child custody cases: what helps, and how to present them
- Text messages as evidence in family court: a practical checklist
- WhatsApp chat as evidence: export file vs iPhone backup