How to print text messages from Android

How to print text messages from Android: 2 Simple ways

Quick Answers

  • Before printing text messages, ensure the printer and the Android device are connected to the same Wi-Fi so the phone can detect the printer.
  • To print SMS messages from your Android phone, take a screenshot of the desired text in your Message app. Now, open the screenshot > Share icon > Print > Select Printer > Tap Print icon.
  • You can also print transcripts of text messages. However, this cannot be used as legal evidence as it only holds the texts of the conversation.

Gone are the days of letters! Now, our text messages hold precious conversations and important information. So, you may wonder how to preserve these conversations in a tangible form. Printing text messages from your Android is a great way to keep a physical record of those special moments or showcase vital evidence.

However, printing text messages from my Android was tricky the first time. Here’s how I went about it.

How to print text messages from Android via screenshots

The native Messages app does not allow you to export texts directly from the app. In these cases, I find taking screenshots of text messages and printing them handy.

First, ensure your printer and device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Then, check if the printer has sufficient ink and paper and turn it on. Now, you need to connect your Android to the printer if not already done previously.

To find if the printer is paired before, go to Settings → Connected devicesConnection preferences → Select Printing → Tap Default Print Service Toggle on Use print service. Here, the desired printer must show up.
Go to Settings, Select connected devices, and connection preferences, and select Printing

If your phone can’t discover the printer, follow the steps below.

Connect the printer to your Android phone

  1. On the Default Print Services page, tap the three dots icon in the top right corner.
  2. Tap Add printer.
    Tap on three dot icon on Default Print Service page
  3. Toggle on Wi-Fi Direct printing if it’s disabled.
  4. Select Find Wi-Fi Direct printers.
  5. Finally, choose the printer you want to use.
    Turn on Wi-Fi Direct printing, Tap on Find Wi-Fi Direct printers and choose the printer to use

Once you have connected the printer to your device, you are all set to print the SMS messages from your Android phone.

How to print a screenshot of text messages

  1. Open the Messages app.
  2. Go to the conversation you want to print.
  3. Press the Volume up and Power buttons simultaneously to capture a screen.
  4. If you wish to capture a longer conversation, tap Capture more and drag the bounds of the capture box. This will create a scrolling screenshot.
    Open conversation, tap Capture more to capture more area of the conversation
  5. Tap the screenshot preview shown.
  6. Now, tap the Share icon in the top right corner.
  7. Locate and tap Print.
  8. Choose the Printer and tap the Print icon.
    Tap the share button at top right corner, Select Print option, and choose Printer and tap Print icon

That’s all! Now wait as your printer gives you the hard copy of your texts.

If you want to print an entire conversation’s text messages, taking so many screenshots and printing them is tedious. In that case, you may print conversation transcripts that only show the texts and exclude media and attachments. Let’s get to the steps.

How to print text message transcripts from Android

  1. Download and open the SMS Backup & Restore app.
  2. Tap Set Up a Backup.
  3. Go to Advanced Options.
  4. Tap Change to select the conversations you want to back up.
    Open SMS backup & Restore app, Tap on Set up a Backup, Go to Advanced optios and Tap on CHANGE
  5. Checkmark the chat → Tap Next.
  6. Choose where you’d like to store the backup and tap Next.
  7. Toggle off Schedule recurring backups → Tap Back Up Now.
    Checkmark the chat and tap NEXT, Choose where to store the backup and tap NEXT, Turn off Schedule recurring backups, Hit BACK UP NOW
  8. Once the backup is complete, tap the hamburger menu (three-line icon).
  9. Select View Backups.
  10. Now, open the backup you just created.
    Tap on hamburger menu, Tap view backup, Open the created backup
  11. Tap the three dots icon for the conversation you’d want to print.
  12. Hit Print Conversation.
    Tap on three dot at the right and select Print Conversation
  13. Choose the Printer and tap the Print icon.

Get your Android text messages handy!

Now, you can easily savor your cherished conversations in a tangible form by printing text messages from your Android. However, when using these prints as evidence, check if they are accurately dated. Also, if you want to retrieve and print deleted texts, recover deleted text messages on Android first and follow the same steps to print.

I hope you find these steps helpful. Mention in the comments if you have any further questions.

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Author

  • Samvida Sharan

    For more than three years, Samvida has seamlessly blended her legal acumen with a passion for writing, choosing to embark on a journey that deciphers intricate legal nuances with eloquence. As a dedicated lawyer turned wordsmith, she finds joy in crafting narratives that transform complex jargon into a language that’s both comprehensible and practical. Passionate about all things crypto, space, and tech, Samvida’s curiosity mirrors that of a perpetual learner. Through her dedication, she aims to share the knowledge she’s gathered, ensuring her readers save precious time in their quest for insightful information.


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