How to View iChat Transcripts
By Joshua Phillips
An instant messaging program, iChat enables Mac users to chat with not only other Mac users but also with other IM users on different services, such as AIM and Google Talk. For a business owner or employee, saving your conversations with other employees or clients in a transcript makes it possible to review the information at a later date, helpful if you are looking for a specific piece of information. Once you have set your iChat settings to automatically save your conversations, you can view them at any time in your Documents folder on your Mac.
Launch iChat.
Click "iChat" followed by "Preferences" in the drop-down menu.
Click the "Messages" tab.
Click the check box next to Automatically Save Chat Transcripts.
View your iChat transcripts by opening the iChat folder located in your Documents folder. Double-click any chat transcript to read it.
Tips
You can also view your transcripts by clicking "Open Folder" next to Automatically Save Chat Transcripts in the Messages tab.
For a network administrator, it is possible to set up your server to record all iChat messages (see Resources).
Warnings
Any conversations held before turning on the transcript feature are not recorded in iChat and there is no way to access them.
References
Resources
Writer Bio
Joshua Phillips has done it all when it comes to video games: strategy guides, previews, reviews, in-depth interviews with developers and extensive public relations work. He has written for websites such as Hardcore Gaming 101 and MyInsideGamer.