How to certify SMS, iMessage and Telegram messages
The ways to certify text messages and chats
A chat recorded with TrueScreen while you scroll it is certified at the moment of capture. An exported chat or a screenshot you already have is certified only as a file.
- Method 1Recommended
On your phone
Record the screen while you scroll SMS, iMessage, Telegram or any other chat. A temporary code ties the recording to the certification.
App for iOS and AndroidRecord the screen - Method 2
On your computer
Open Telegram Web or Messenger in the Forensic Browser and record the conversation, with audio.
Forensic BrowserUse the Forensic Browser - Method 3
iMessage on a Mac
Record the Mac screen from the Portal, in the browser. The recording has no audio.
PortalRecord the computer screen - Method 4
An exported chat or a screenshot
Certified as a file: content and certified date are fixed from the upload. It does not certify how the chat was captured.
App and PortalCertify an existing file
How do you certify SMS or a chat on your phone?
You record the screen while you open the conversation and scroll it. When you come back to TrueScreen, a temporary code ties the video to the certification.
How to certify your screen on your phoneVideo tutorial · 2:02
How to certify your screen on your phoneVideo tutorial · 2:02
How to certify your screen on your phoneVideo tutorial · 2:02
How to certify your screen on your phoneVideo tutorial · 2:02
How to certify your screen on your phoneVideo tutorial · 2:02
How to certify your screen on your phoneVideo tutorial · 2:02- 1
Download the app
Free to download on the App Store and Google Play. Requires iOS 18.2 or Android 8.0 or later.
- 2
Open Screen
Log in or sign up, then tap “Screen” under “Certify now”.
- 3
Start the recording
Tap “Start recording” and confirm the phone request to record the screen.
- 4
Show the conversation
Open Messages, iMessage or Telegram, show the contact, then scroll slowly from the first message to the last.
- 5
Stop and confirm
Go back to TrueScreen: the app shows a temporary code that the recording captures. Tap “Stop recording”, then confirm and send.
TrueScreenHow do you certify Telegram or Messenger on your computer?
Open Telegram Web or Messenger in the Forensic Browser and record the conversation, with audio.
With the Forensic Browser, step by step
Click “Start web session” and choose “Full recording”. Open Telegram Web or Messenger, sign in, show the contact and scroll the chat.
When you are done, click “End session” and certify.
How to certify a Messenger chat on your computerVideo tutorial · 1:37
How to certify a Messenger chat on your computerVideo tutorial · 1:37
How to certify a Messenger chat on your computerVideo tutorial · 1:37
How to certify a Messenger chat on your computerVideo tutorial · 1:37
How to certify a Messenger chat on your computerVideo tutorial · 1:37
How to certify a Messenger chat on your computerVideo tutorial · 1:37How do you certify iMessage on a Mac?
Record the Mac screen from the Portal, in the browser. The recording has no audio.
From the Portal, step by step
Under “Fast certifications” click “Screen”, then “Start acquisition” under “Record this screen”.
How do you certify an exported chat or a screenshot?
You certify them as files, from the app or from the Portal: content and certified date are fixed from the upload. This does not certify how the chat was captured: for that, record it with TrueScreen.
From the app
Under “Certify now” tap “File”, then “Import file” and choose the exported chat or the screenshot. Tap “Confirm and send”.
From the Portal
Under “Fast certifications” click “File”, drag the files into the window and click “Confirm”.
What a certified conversation contains
PDF report
The screen recording with the contact and the messages you showed, certified with date and time.
Electronic seal and timestamp
Qualified under the European eIDAS regulation.
SHA-256 fingerprint
If the recording changes, it shows.
Original recording
The whole recording, with the voice notes if you allow audio.
JSON data
The same data, readable by software.
Temporary code
Captured in the recording, it ties the video to the certification.
What legal value does a certified text message have?
A conversation certified with TrueScreen carries full legal and evidentiary value, worldwide.
Why a certified SMS counts as evidence: read the article →Why a certified SMS counts as evidence: read the article →
Forensic acquisition
The capture follows the international ISO/IEC 27037 standard for digital evidence.
Qualified electronic seal and timestamp
They fix the content and the date under the European eIDAS regulation.
Verifiable integrity
Any change to the capture or the report, however small, is detected.
Questions about certified text messages
Is a screenshot of an SMS valid as evidence?
An ordinary screenshot can be edited and does not prove when it was taken. A conversation recorded with TrueScreen is certified at the moment of capture, with a qualified electronic seal and a qualified timestamp.
Are voice notes certified?
Yes, if you play them during the recording with audio allowed: on iPhone turn off silent mode, on Android allow audio recording.
Does it work for Signal, Messenger and other chats?
Yes. On the phone, record the screen with the app while you scroll. Chats that have a web version can also be recorded with the Forensic Browser.
Can I certify a whole phone?
TrueScreen certifies the conversation you need. A full copy of the device is work for a technical expert.
What if the conversation is very long?
You can certify it in more than one recording, one after the other.
How much does it cost?
The cost depends on the type of capture and is shown before you confirm. When you sign up you get 2 free credits.
How can the recipient verify the certification?
With the ZIP package and the TrueScreen verification page: the check runs in the browser and nothing is uploaded.
Certify your first conversation
Sign up and get 2 free credits.
