Windows Phone: Print SMS history - how it works

If you want to print an SMS history from your Windows Phone, you unfortunately have to take a detour. We show you in our practical tip what options you have.

Windows Phone: Save SMS history

• If you are concerned that your SMS history will be lost, you can activate SMS backup.
• If you reset or lose your phone, your SMS histories will be restored the next time you log in with your Windows account on a Windows Phone.

Print SMS history from Windows Phone as screenshots

Unfortunately, there is no function or app that enables the printing of SMS histories directly. However, you can create individual screenshots and compile and print them out.

1. In this practical tip, we will show you how to take screenshots with your Windows Phone.
2. You can send the screenshots to your PC, for example, by email. If you sync your images with OneDrive, you can also access the screenshots through the cloud service.
3. You can now insert and position the individual screenshots, for example, in a Word file. Then print out the document.

Print SMS history from Windows Phone as text

Alternatively, you can print out your SMS history as text. However, the formatting is lost:

1. Open the SMS history on your Windows Phone and swipe to the first SMS you want to print.
2. Long tap on the first SMS until the "Options" opens. Select "Copy" here.
3. Now open "Office" in the application list, tap on the little plus and create a new Word document.
4. Now tap on the insert symbol above the keyboard.
5. Switch back to the SMS history and repeat the process for all SMS that you want to print.
6. When you're done, email the file to your PC or save the file to OneDrive.
7. Open the Word file on the computer and print it out as usual.

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In the next practical tip, we will show you all the new functions of Windows Phone 8.1.