Is there a way to either save/copy/or email an entire iMessage conversation? Is there a one (or a simple) step process to either email myself, or cut/copy, an entire (like year long) iMessage conversation without having to buy an app/software or to go through and keep marking post groupings through "more" so I can send to my email?

I read about finding a hidden library folder in the question pertaining to the bulk download of pictures in iMessage. This did not really help.

Also, when I log into iMessage from my Macbook, my iPhone messages that predated the purchase do not show up. Even assuming it did, however, I still want to move the conversation out of iMessage so I can paste it into a word doc for posterity.
I'm only aware of how to do this natively on macOS


Sign in to Messages on OS X
Select the conversation you want to save
File -> Print -> Save 
(optional) Use whatever pdf editing software you choose to extract, copy, transform the PDF version of the conversation


There are third party solutions like PhoneView by ecamm to do this as well, but I don't know of an archive method on iOS. I'm a very happy customer of PhoneView - I sent them my money and have been satisfied by their continued updates of the product and the value.