What if iCloud Drive is not in the list?

Turn on iCloud Drive in the Settings app. Tap your name, then iCloud. Or pick another place, like Google Drive.

What if iCloud Drive is full?

Pick another place, like Google Drive. Or tap Share instead of Files. Email the PDF to yourself.

What if some messages are missing in TextPort?

For Messages, import the chat again and pick more dates. For screenshots, see Fix wrong text, times, or missing messages.

What if photos are missing from the PDF?

Chats from screenshots show only the photos TextPort could cut out. Long press a message. Tap Add attachment. See Add a missing attachment by hand.

What if a video shows only as a file name in the PDF?

A PDF cannot hold a video. Save each video from the chat. See See all photos, videos, and files in a chat.

What if none of these problems match mine?

Email support@textportapp.com. Say which step you were on. Say what you saw. We usually reply within a day.

Is TextPort itself a backup?

Do not count on it alone. Photos and files in a chat stay only on this iPhone. A new phone or a new install of TextPort may not have them. A PDF in iCloud Drive opens without TextPort.

Can I put the chat back into Messages or WhatsApp?

No. TextPort makes a copy you can read, print, and share. It cannot put messages back into those apps.

Can I save many chats at once?

Yes. In Saved Chats , long press a chat and tap Select . Pick the chats. Then tap the export button at the bottom. See Export many chats at once .

How to back up a chat before you delete it or switch phones with TextPort

iPhone 11 steps · Updated Nov 10, 2026

Quick answer

Import the whole chat: tap Add Chat and pick how.
Open the chat. Tap Export, then PDF.
Tap the share button, then Files.
Tap the back button, pick iCloud Drive, then tap Save.
Open the PDF in the Files app to check it.

Then you can delete the chat or switch phones.

What you need

✓TextPort on your iPhone
✓The chat, still on your phone
✓Space in iCloud Drive or another place in Files

Steps

Tap Add Chat

It is at the bottom of Saved Chats. The import choices open.
Tap the way to import

For iMessage and SMS, tap Import from Messages (2). For other apps, pick the app at the top first.

Import all of the chat, not just a part.
Tap the chat in Saved Chats

The chat opens. Scroll to check that every message is there.
Tap Export

It is the blue button at the bottom. Export Chat opens.
Tap PDF

TextPort builds the PDF. PDF Preview opens.

TextPort may ask you to unlock this.
Tap the share button

It is the blue button in the top right. Share, Share Link, and Files show.
Tap Files

It is the folder tile. A Files save window opens.
Tap the back button

It is in the top left of the save window. A list of places shows.
Tap iCloud Drive

It is in the list of places. The save window opens that place.
Tap Save

It is the blue button in the top right. The PDF is saved.
Open the PDF in Files

Open the Files app. Tap the PDF. Check that it opens.

Done

You have a PDF of the chat in iCloud Drive. It stays there when you delete the chat or change phones.

Problems

What you seeWhat to do

iCloud Drive is not in the list.: Turn on iCloud Drive in the Settings app. Tap your name, then iCloud. Or pick another place, like Google Drive.
iCloud Drive is full.: Pick another place, like Google Drive. Or tap Share instead of Files. Email the PDF to yourself.
Some messages are missing in TextPort.: For Messages, import the chat again and pick more dates. For screenshots, see Fix wrong text, times, or missing messages.
Photos are missing from the PDF.: Chats from screenshots show only the photos TextPort could cut out. Long press a message. Tap Add attachment. See Add a missing attachment by hand.
A video shows only as a file name in the PDF.: A PDF cannot hold a video. Save each video from the chat. See See all photos, videos, and files in a chat.
None of these match.: Email [email protected]. Say which step you were on. Say what you saw. We usually reply within a day.

Tips

Do not use Share Link as a backup. The link stops working after 7 days.
To search the words later, also export Text. Save it the same way.

Questions

: Do not count on it alone. Photos and files in a chat stay only on this iPhone. A new phone or a new install of TextPort may not have them. A PDF in iCloud Drive opens without TextPort.
: No. TextPort makes a copy you can read, print, and share. It cannot put messages back into those apps.
: Yes. In Saved Chats, long press a chat and tap Select. Pick the chats. Then tap the export button at the bottom. See Export many chats at once.