How to Export Text Messages for Court

Why text messages matter in family court

Text messages are often the most important evidence in custody and support cases. They document parenting communication, threats, agreements about the children, and patterns of behavior that are otherwise difficult to prove. Courts accept them as exhibits when they are properly exported with timestamps intact and submitted as part of a declaration.

Screenshots alone can be questioned as incomplete or manipulated. A full export from your phone’s backup is harder to challenge and shows the entire conversation in context.

Method 1 — Onbello Extract (free, recommended)

Onbello Extract is a free desktop tool that reads your iPhone backup and exports conversations as organized, court-ready files. It is the fastest way to get your messages into the Onbello Legal wizard.

Mac

1. Connect your iPhone to your Mac with a USB cable.
2. Open Finder and click your iPhone in the sidebar under Locations.
3. Under Backups, select “Back up all of the data on your iPhone to this Mac.”
4. Uncheck “Encrypt local backup”— Onbello Extract requires an unencrypted backup to read your messages.
5. Click Back Up Now and wait for it to finish (this can take several minutes).
6. Download Onbello Extract from onbello.com/extract.
7. Open Onbello Extract — it will automatically find your backup.
8. Select the conversations you need.
9. Click Export — files are saved to your chosen folder.
10. Upload the exported files to the Onbello Legal wizard to build your exhibits.

Windows

1. Install iTunes from the Microsoft Store if it is not already installed.
2. Connect your iPhone to your PC with a USB cable.
3. Click the phone icon in iTunes when it appears in the top toolbar.
4. Under Backups, select “This computer.”
5. Uncheck “Encrypt local backup.”
6. Click Back Up Now and wait for it to finish.
7. Download Onbello Extract from onbello.com/extract.
8. Open Onbello Extract — it will find your backup automatically. Follow the same steps as Mac to select conversations, export, and upload to the Onbello Legal wizard.

Method 2 — iMazing (paid alternative, $50)

iMazing is a commercial iPhone management tool that can also export text messages. It is a reliable option if you prefer a polished UI or if you are already familiar with the software.

1. Download iMazing from imazing.com and install it (Mac or Windows).
2. Connect your iPhone and select your device in the sidebar.
3. Click Messages in the left panel.
4. Select the conversation you want to export.
5. Click Export and choose CSV format.
6. Upload the CSV file to the Onbello Legal wizard.

Method 3 — Android (free)

Android does not have a built-in backup method for SMS, but a free app called SMS Backup & Restore makes it straightforward.

1. Download SMS Backup & Restore from the Google Play Store (free).
2. Open the app and tap Set Up A Backup.
3. Select the conversations you want to include.
4. Choose Local Backup Only — this saves the file directly to your device.
5. Find the XML backup file in your Downloads folder (or wherever the app saved it).
6. Upload the file to the Onbello Legal wizard.

Tips for using text messages as evidence

• Export the full conversation, not just the messages you think help. Judges notice gaps in message threads. If you cherry-pick, the other side will point it out and it will hurt your credibility.
• Cover the right date range. Include messages from the time period that is directly relevant to your motion or case — not years of history unless the pattern itself is the point.
• Never edit or alter messages. Altering evidence can destroy your credibility with the judge and may have serious legal consequences. Submit the raw export exactly as it comes out of the tool.
• Use the Onbello wizard to select your exhibits. If you have thousands of messages, you do not need to submit all of them. The Onbello wizard helps you identify the 10–20 messages that are most relevant and formats them as labeled exhibits the judge can quickly reference.