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

## Quick answer

1. Import the whole chat: tap **Add Chat** and pick how.
2. Open the chat. Tap **Export**, then **PDF**.
3. Tap the share button, then **Files**.
4. Tap the back button, pick **iCloud Drive**, then tap **Save**.
5. 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

1. Tap **Add Chat**

   It is at the bottom of **Saved Chats**. The import choices open.

2. Tap the way to import

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

   Tip: Import all of the chat, not just a part.

3. Tap the chat in **Saved Chats**

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

4. Tap **Export**

   It is the blue button at the bottom. **Export Chat** opens.

5. Tap **PDF**

   TextPort builds the PDF. **PDF Preview** opens.

   Tip: TextPort may ask you to unlock this.

6. Tap the share button

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

7. Tap **Files**

   It is the folder tile. A Files save window opens.

8. Tap the back button

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

9. Tap **iCloud Drive**

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

10. Tap **Save**

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

11. 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 see | What 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](https://textport.com/guides/fix-screenshot-problems.md). |
| 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](https://textport.com/guides/add-a-missing-attachment-by-hand.md). |
| 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](https://textport.com/guides/browse-photos-videos-audio-and-files-in-a-chat.md). |
| None of these match. | Email [support@textportapp.com](mailto:support@textportapp.com). 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

### 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](https://textport.com/guides/export-many-chats-at-once.md).

## Next guides

- [How to export a chat to PDF with TextPort](https://textport.com/guides/export-a-chat-to-pdf.md): You will get a PDF of one chat, with names, dates, and times, ready to share or print.
- [How to pick a way to import a chat with TextPort](https://textport.com/guides/pick-a-way-to-import-a-chat.md): You will know which way to import your chat, and where to tap to start it.
- [How to share a big export with a link in TextPort](https://textport.com/guides/share-a-big-export-with-a-link.md): You will get a web link to your file that anyone with it can open for 7 days.
- [How to rename or delete a chat with TextPort](https://textport.com/guides/rename-or-delete-a-chat.md): Your chat will have a clear name, or it will be gone from TextPort.

## On other platforms

- On Mac: [How to export one chat to PDF, CSV, or TXT in TextPort for Mac](https://textport.com/guides/export-one-chat-to-pdf-csv-or-txt-on-mac.md)
- On Windows: [How to export a conversation to PDF, CSV, or TXT in TextPort for Windows](https://textport.com/guides/export-a-conversation-to-pdf-csv-or-txt-on-windows.md)

TextPort guide for iPhone. Updated 2026-11-10. Web page: https://textport.com/guides/back-up-a-chat-before-deleting-or-switching-phones