# How to export a chat to a text file

## Quick answer

In TextPort:

1. Open the chat in **Saved Chats**.
2. Tap **Export** at the bottom.
3. Tap **Text**. **Text Preview** opens.
4. Tap the share button in the top right.
5. Tap **Share** to send it, or **Files** to save it.

## What you need

- TextPort on your iPhone
- A chat saved in TextPort

## Steps

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

   Open TextPort. The chat opens.

2. Tap **Export**

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

3. Tap **Text**

   It is the last row. **Text Preview** opens.

   Tip: TextPort may ask you to unlock this.

4. Tap the share button

   It is the blue button in the top right. A card opens.

   Tip: To paste the chat in another app, tap the copy button instead.

5. Tap **Share** or **Files**

   **Share** sends the file to an app. **Files** saves it on your iPhone or in iCloud Drive.

## Done

You have a text file. Each line has the date and time, the sender, and the message.

## Problems

| What you see | What to do |
| --- | --- |
| **Export Failed** | Tap **Try Again**. If it fails again, close the chat and open it once more. |
| Your messages say outgoing, not your name. | Your name is not saved for this chat. Add it in **Chat Details**. See [Edit the chat name and people's names](https://textport.com/guides/edit-chat-and-contact-names.md). Then export again. |
| There are no dates or times. | The chat has its times hidden. In the chat, tap **…**, then **Show Timestamps**. Export again. |
| You need only some dates. | See [Export only a date range](https://textport.com/guides/export-only-a-date-range.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. |

## Questions

### Are photos in the text file?

No. The line for a photo or file shows its name, not the picture.

## Next guides

- [How to export a chat to PDF](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 export a chat to a CSV spreadsheet](https://textport.com/guides/export-a-chat-to-csv.md): You will have a CSV file of the chat, with one row for each message.
- [How to export only a date range](https://textport.com/guides/export-only-a-date-range.md): Your export will hold only the messages between the dates you pick.
- [How to save an export to Files or iCloud Drive](https://textport.com/guides/save-an-export-to-files-or-icloud-drive.md): Your exported file will be saved in the Files app or in iCloud Drive.

## On other platforms

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

TextPort guide for iPhone. Updated 2026-11-05. Web page: https://textport.com/guides/export-a-chat-to-a-text-file