How do I turn a Facebook Messenger chat into a PDF?
Last reviewed 1 November 2026
Messenger has no "save as PDF" button. Ask Facebook for your information, choose JSON, download the file, then drop the zip into VaultXT's pack maker. It builds a dated PDF on your device.
The Facebook export takes a while to arrive, so start it first.
How do I download my Messenger messages?
- On a computer, click your profile picture, then Settings and privacy, then Settings.
- Click Accounts Centre, then Your information and permissions, then Export your information.
- Click Create export, pick your profile, then choose Export to device.
- Choose what to include (Messages), a date range, the JSON format and media quality. Photos and videos make the download bigger.
- Click Start export. Meta may ask for your password.
- When Facebook emails you, download the file from Available downloads. You have four days.
Choose JSON, not HTML. HTML is made to read in a browser. JSON is the one VaultXT reads.
How do I make the PDF?
- Unzip the download.
- Your chat is a folder holding message_1.json. A long chat is split into message_2.json and so on.
- Drop the whole zip into VaultXT so no part is missed. A single message_1.json file reads only that file.
- Check the messages, then make your pack.
What should I know first?
- Times are UTC. Messenger stores each time as a universal time, not your phone's clock. The PDF shows UTC and says so, so a time can differ from what you saw on screen.
- Unsent messages appear as "This message was unsent".
- Photos and voice notes show as attachments by file name. They are not embedded as pictures.
- One chat at a time. Pick the folder for the person or group you want.
- Your chat stays on your device while the PDF is made.
Run the file through the chat export checker if something looks missing, or check a finished pack.
What next?
Same job on an iPhone? See iMessage to PDF. For printing rules, read print text messages for court, and are text messages admissible in court for the wider picture.
Questions people ask
Can I get a PDF without an export?
Screenshots work for a quick look, but the export holds the dates and senders for the whole chat.
Does it work for group chats?
Use the same steps with the group's folder, then run the checker on the result.
General information only, not legal advice. VaultXT can't promise any court or body will accept a document.