There are many reasons to keep a conversation as a document: a dispute with a landlord or contractor, an insurance claim, a record of what an employer agreed, a complaint to a company, or simply a keepsake of messages from someone you love. A PDF is a convenient format because it keeps the conversation in order and can be stored or shared like any other document.
Option 1: Export the chat, then convert
Many messaging apps can export a conversation:
- WhatsApp lets you export a chat from the chat's menu (look for Export chat). It produces a text file of messages, with or without media.
- Other apps have similar export or backup features, which vary by version.
Open the exported text file and save or print it to PDF. On a computer, open it in a text editor, then print to PDF. The Docento.app text editor can open plain text in the browser and is one way to tidy and print it.
An export includes timestamps and sender names, which matters if the record may be used as evidence.
Option 2: Screenshots, combined into one PDF
For SMS and iMessage, which often lack a simple export, screenshots are the usual route:
- Take screenshots in order, overlapping slightly so nothing is missed.
- Make sure the contact name or number and the dates are visible.
- Combine the screenshots into a single PDF in order.
On iPhone, select the screenshots in Photos, tap Share → Print, then pinch out on the preview to create a PDF. On any device, a tool like Docento.app can turn images into one PDF with JPG to PDF in the browser, without uploading your private messages. See how to convert JPG to PDF.
Keep it complete and honest
If the PDF may be used in a dispute or legal matter:
- Include the whole relevant conversation, not selected messages.
- Do not edit, crop out or reorder messages.
- Keep the original messages on your phone as well.
- Note when and how you made the PDF.
Courts and organisations have their own rules on what they accept. If the matter is serious, ask a lawyer how they want the evidence prepared.
Protect other people's privacy
Conversations include other people's words and sometimes their personal details. Share only what is necessary, and redact unrelated personal information where appropriate. See how to redact text in a PDF.
Make it searchable
PDFs made from screenshots are images. Running OCR makes the text searchable, which helps if the conversation is long. See how to make a PDF searchable.
Takeaway
Export the chat where the app allows and convert the text to PDF, or take overlapping screenshots and combine them into one PDF in order. Keep the record complete and unedited, keep the originals, and share only what is needed.
