What Is Decipher TextMessage?
Decipher TextMessage is a tool from Decipher Tools that extracts and organizes SMS, MMS, and iMessage conversations from your iPhone backups.
It works on both Windows and Mac, and uses local backupsβmeaning your data never leaves your computer, which is important for privacy.
How It Works
Decipher TextMessage pulls message data from your encrypted or unencrypted iTunes/Finder backups:
1. Backup Your iPhone
- Connect iPhone to computer
- Open Finder (macOS) or iTunes (Windows)
- Choose Back Up Now
2. Open Decipher TextMessage
The software automatically scans your backups and displays:
- Message threads
- Contact names
- Date/time entries
- Deleted message fragments (if recoverable)
3. Export/Print
You can save conversations as:
- HTML
- CSV
- TXT
- Images for court-ready documentation
π Features Overview
β 1. Recover Deleted Messages
If a deleted message still exists in your backupβs database, the app can extract and restore it.
β 2. Search Across Conversations
Search by:
- Word
- Date
- Phone number
- Contact
β 3. Export for Court Use
Highly formatted transcripts used in:
- Legal cases
- Divorce/child custody
- Workplace disputes
The exported files include:
- Timestamps
- Contact info
- Apple-style bubble colors
β 4. Supports Attachments
Automatically extracts:
- Photos
- Videos
- Voice notes
- GIFs
- Stickers
β 5. Private & Offline
All processing is local, not cloud-based.
β 6. Clean, Simple Interface
Even non-technical users find it easy to navigate.
π₯ Installation & Setup
System Requirements
- Windows 10/11
- macOS 10.13+
- iPhone backups created via iTunes/Finder
Installation Steps
- Download from Decipher Tools website
- Install like any standard app
- Open it β it auto-detects your latest iPhone backup
- If using an encrypted backup, enter your password
User Experience
Effectiveness: Can It Really Recover Deleted Messages?
Yes β but only if your backup contains remnants of deleted messages.
If the message was deleted long ago and overwritten, no software can recover it.
Security & Privacy
Decipher TextMessage is strictly offline.
It:
- Does not upload data
- Does not sync online
- Keeps everything on your computer
- Allows you to delete your local backups anytime
For legal or sensitive matters, this is a major advantage.
π΅ Pricing
One-time purchase, typically around $29.99.
License includes:
- Unlimited devices
- Lifetime ownership
- Free updates for one year
This is much cheaper than cloud-based forensic tools.
π Alternatives
| Tool | Platform | Best For | Price Model |
|---|---|---|---|
| iMazing | Win/Mac | Full device management, exports | One-time |
| PhoneView | Mac | Mac users, message exports | One-time |
| Dr.Fone | Win/Mac | Recovery suite, broader tools | Subscription |
| AnyTrans | Win/Mac | Transfer + backup features | One-time |
Decipher remains the easiest for court-ready message exports.
β Final Verdict β Is Decipher TextMessage Worth It?
Yes.
Itβs one of the most reliable tools for safely recovering and exporting iPhone messages.
It shines in:
- Legal documentation
- Personal archiving
- Recovering accidental deletions
- Printing long conversations
Itβs simple, effective, private, and low-cost.
Rating: βββββ 4.8 / 5
FAQs
Does Decipher TextMessage work without a backup?
β No β a backup is required
Can it recover messages deleted months ago?
Only if they still exist in the backup database.
Does it support Android?
No β iPhone only.
Is it safe to use?
Yes β everything stays offline.
Can it read encrypted backups?
Yes β with the backup password.
Can Decipher recover deleted messages?
Yes β it scans the backup database for deleted SMS/iMessages and attempts recovery. However, it only works if remnants of those messages still exist in the backup. If the database has been overwritten or cleaned, recovery wonβt succeed.
What export and output formats does it support?
It supports exporting messages as PDF, HTML, CSV, TXT β and includes attachments (photos, videos, maybe GIFs) if present. This makes it suitable for records, archives, or even legal evidence.
Will it show group chats, attachments, and media?
Yes β group text threads, attachments (photos/videos/etc.), and media within messages are included in exports.
READ ALSO: Why Online Safety Is Important?
Hi, this is Masab, the Founder of PC Building Lab. Iβm a PC enthusiast who loves to share the prior knowledge and experience that I have with computers. Well, troubleshooting computers is in my DNA, what else I could sayβ¦.