Guides
Short steps for every part of TextPort. Pick what you want to do.
iPhone
Getting started
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How to install TextPort and open it for the first time
You will have TextPort on your iPhone, open on the Saved Chats screen.
7 steps
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What the Saved Chats screen shows
You will know what each part of the Saved Chats screen means and what you can tap.
10 steps
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How to pick a way to import a chat
You will know which way to import your chat, and where to tap to start it.
4 steps
Import iMessage and SMS
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How to import iMessage and SMS with the TextPort Shortcut
You will get a chat from Apple Messages saved in TextPort, with every message word for word.
17 steps
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How to install the TextPort Shortcut
You will have the TextPort shortcut on your iPhone, ready to find your chats.
6 steps
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How to choose a chat and dates for a Messages import
You will have the right chat and the right dates picked, ready to start the import.
4 steps
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How to tell TextPort which person is you
Your own messages will show on the right side of the chat, marked as yours.
3 steps
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How to fix a stuck or failed Shortcut import
You will get a Messages import that finishes, or know exactly what to tell support.
7 steps
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How to recover missing photos and attachments
You will get the photos, videos, and files that were missing after a Messages import.
10 steps
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How to add a missing attachment by hand
You will put the right photo or file back on a message in your chat.
5 steps
Import from WhatsApp
Import with Scroll Capture
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How to import a chat with Scroll Capture
You will get a chat from any app saved in TextPort, made from a screen recording of you scrolling.
15 steps
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How to record your screen with the TextPort recorder
You will have a screen recording of a chat, open in TextPort and ready to process.
10 steps
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How to import a screen recording from Photos
You will get a saved chat in TextPort from a screen recording that is already in Photos.
8 steps
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How to trim a recording before processing
You will cut your recording so it starts and ends on the chat, then send it to be read.
6 steps
Import from screenshots
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How to import a chat from screenshots
You will get a saved chat in TextPort, made from screenshots you already took.
9 steps
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How to take good screenshots for TextPort
You will have a set of screenshots that TextPort can read with few mistakes.
7 steps
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How to fix wrong text, times, or missing messages
Every message TextPort read wrong from a screenshot or recording will say the right thing.
8 steps
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How to pick which app the chat came from
TextPort will know which app your chat is in and show the right ways to import it.
4 steps
Read and fix a chat
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How to read a chat in TextPort
You will know who sent each message and when, and how to hide or show the times.
7 steps
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How to edit a message's text or time
The message will show the right words and the right date and time.
5 steps
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How to delete a message in a chat
The extra message will be gone from the chat and from your exports.
3 steps
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How to change the year for many messages at once
Every message in your chat will show the right year.
7 steps
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How to edit the chat name and people's names
You will have the right chat name and the right name for each person in the chat.
7 steps
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How to see all photos, videos, and files in a chat
You will see every photo, video, and file in one chat, and save the ones you want.
6 steps
Export, print, and share
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How to export a chat to PDF
You will get a PDF of one chat, with names, dates, and times, ready to share or print.
6 steps
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How to print a chat from your iPhone
You will have a paper copy of one chat, with names, dates, and times.
8 steps
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How to export a chat to a CSV spreadsheet
You will have a CSV file of the chat, with one row for each message.
5 steps
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How to export a chat to a text file
You will have a plain text file of the chat, with one line for each message.
5 steps
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How to export only a date range
Your export will hold only the messages between the dates you pick.
7 steps
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How to add phone numbers to a PDF
Your PDF will show each person's phone number next to their name.
7 steps
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How to save an export to Files or iCloud Drive
Your exported file will be saved in the Files app or in iCloud Drive.
5 steps
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How to share an export by email, Gmail, or AirDrop
The person you pick will get your exported file or a link to it.
4 steps
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How to share a big export with a link
You will get a web link to your file that anyone with it can open for 7 days.
5 steps
Organize chats
Settings, privacy, and account
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How to lock TextPort with Face ID
TextPort will ask for Face ID before anyone can see your chats.
6 steps
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How to see and delete your data
You will see which files TextPort keeps on your iPhone, and you can delete them.
5 steps
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How to delete your account
Your TextPort account and all your saved chats will be gone for good.
5 steps
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How to contact support or report a problem
Your question or problem will reach TextPort support, with your email so they can answer.
5 steps
Mac
Set up TextPort for Mac
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How to install TextPort for Mac and give it Messages access
You will have TextPort for Mac open, showing every chat saved in Messages on that Mac.
9 steps
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How to show photos and names in TextPort for Mac
You will see photos and files in your chats, and names instead of numbers.
2 steps
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How to fix “TextPort can’t read your Messages” on Mac
You will get TextPort for Mac to show your chats again, with photos and names.
2 steps
Find and read chats on Mac
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How to find and open a chat on Mac
You will have the chat you want open on the right side of TextPort.
3 steps
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How to search inside a chat on Mac
You will find a message in a chat and jump right to it.
4 steps
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How to filter a chat by date on Mac
You will see only the messages from the days you pick.
4 steps
Export and print on Mac
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How to export one chat to PDF, CSV, or TXT on Mac
You will get a file of one chat on your Mac, as a PDF, a spreadsheet, or plain text.
5 steps
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How to export many or all chats on Mac
You will get one file for each chat, all in one folder on your Mac.
5 steps
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How to save all photos and files from a chat on Mac
You will get one ZIP file with every photo, video, and file from a chat.
5 steps
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How to print a chat from your Mac
You will have a chat printed on paper, with each message's date and time.
4 steps
Windows
Set up TextPort for Windows
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How to install TextPort for Windows
You will have TextPort open on your Windows PC, ready to back up your iPhone.
5 steps
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How to back up your iPhone to your PC with TextPort
You will have a backup of your iPhone on your PC, and your messages open in TextPort.
8 steps
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How to fix an iPhone not showing up on Windows
Your iPhone will show up in TextPort for Windows, so you can back it up.
7 steps
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How to turn off iPhone backup encryption on Windows
Your iPhone’s backups will be unencrypted, and TextPort will start the backup.
4 steps
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How to contact support and send logs on Windows
Your question will reach TextPort support, with the logs that help them answer.
3 steps
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How to move from the older TextPort app on Windows
You will use the new TextPort for Windows, with your old backups, and the old app gone.
4 steps
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How to change theme, text size, and usage data on Windows
TextPort will look and behave the way you want.
3 steps
Back up and find backups on Windows
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How to fix a stuck or stopped backup on Windows
Your iPhone backup will finish, or you will know what to send to support.
3 steps
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How to find your iPhone backups on your PC
You will see the folder of an iPhone backup in File Explorer.
2 steps
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How to open an Apple Devices or iTunes backup on Windows
You will read the messages in a backup that Apple Devices or iTunes made on your PC.
2 steps
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How to read messages while the backup runs on Windows
You will read your messages on your PC while photos and files are still copying.
4 steps
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How to change the backup folder or free up space on Windows
New backups will save where you want, or your PC will have more free space.
3 steps
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How to delete old backups on Windows
You will have more free space, with the backups you still need kept.
3 steps
Find and read conversations on Windows
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How to find and read a conversation on Windows
You will have the right conversation open on your PC, at the days you want.
4 steps
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How to search all your messages on Windows
You will find a message in any conversation and jump right to it.
4 steps
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How to find words in a conversation on Windows
You will find a word in one conversation and step through each place it shows.
3 steps
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How to preview and save photos and files on Windows
You will see a photo or file from a conversation, and have your own copy if you want.
4 steps
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How to copy a message or go to a reply on Windows
You will copy a message with its date and sender, find the message a reply answers, and see who is in a group.
2 steps
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Keyboard shortcuts in TextPort for Windows
You will know every keyboard shortcut in TextPort for Windows, and where to see the list.
3 steps
Export and print on Windows
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How to export a conversation to PDF, CSV, or TXT on Windows
You will get a file of one conversation on your PC, as a PDF, a spreadsheet, or plain text.
4 steps
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How to export only some dates on Windows
You will get a file with only the days you picked from one conversation.
4 steps
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How to print text messages from a Windows PC
You will have a printed copy of one conversation, with names, dates, and times.
6 steps
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How to save photos and attachments as a ZIP on Windows
You will have a ZIP file on your PC with the original photos, videos, and files from one conversation.
4 steps
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How to export all conversations at once on Windows
You will have one folder on your PC with a file for every conversation.
4 steps
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How to export several conversations on Windows
You will have one folder on your PC with a file for each conversation you picked.
4 steps
iPhone and Mac
Step-by-step recipes
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How to prepare text messages for court
You will have a PDF of the chat that shows who said what, and when, with phone numbers.
8 steps
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How to prepare messages for USCIS or immigration
You will have a PDF of the messages you need, with names, phone numbers, dates, and times.
8 steps
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How to send text messages to a lawyer
Your lawyer will get a PDF of the whole chat, with names, phone numbers, dates, and times.
11 steps
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How to back up a chat before you delete it or switch phones
You will have a PDF copy of the chat saved in iCloud Drive or another safe place.
11 steps
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How to move iPhone messages to a Mac or PC
You will be able to read and export your iPhone messages on your Mac or PC.
4 steps
Start exporting your messages
Available for iPhone, Mac, and Windows. No computer required.
