# How to export a WhatsApp chat to TextPort

## Quick answer

1. In TextPort, tap **Add Chat**. Pick **WhatsApp** at the top.
2. Tap **Import from WhatsApp**, then **Open WhatsApp**.
3. In WhatsApp, open the chat. Tap the name at the top.
4. Tap **Export chat**, then **Attach media**.
5. Tap **TextPort** in the share sheet.
6. In TextPort, tap **Import … Messages**.

The chat then opens in TextPort.

## What you need

- TextPort on your iPhone
- WhatsApp on the same iPhone

## Steps

1. Tap **Add Chat**

   Open TextPort. It is at the bottom of **Saved Chats**.

2. Tap the app name at the top

   It may say **Messages**. **Select Chat App** opens.

3. Tap **WhatsApp**

   It is near the top of the list. The sheet shows **Import from WhatsApp**.

4. Tap **Import from WhatsApp**

   **Import from WhatsApp** opens. It shows the steps.

5. Tap **Open WhatsApp**

   It is the blue button at the bottom. **WhatsApp** opens.

6. Tap the chat in WhatsApp

   Find the chat you want to save. The chat opens.

7. Tap the name at the top

   Tap the contact or group name. The chat info page opens.

8. Tap **Export chat**

   Scroll to the bottom of the page. WhatsApp asks about media.

9. Tap **Attach media**

   This keeps photos, videos, and voice notes. The share sheet opens.

   Tip: For text only, tap **Without media**.

10. Tap **TextPort**

    Find it in the row of apps. TextPort opens and shows **Reading your chat**.

11. Tap **Import … Messages**

    The button shows how many messages the chat has. TextPort shows **Importing your chat**.

    Tip: To save fewer days, tap **Custom range** first. Then pick **From** and **To**.

12. Tap your name, then **Import … Messages**

    You see this only if TextPort asks **Which one is you?** Tap your name. Tap **Import … Messages**.

13. Wait for the chat to open

    Keep TextPort open during the import. The chat then opens.

## Done

Your WhatsApp chat is saved in TextPort with every message. Now you can export it as a PDF, spreadsheet, or text file.

## Problems

| What you see | What to do |
| --- | --- |
| There is no **TextPort** in the share sheet. | Swipe the row of apps to the end. Tap **More**. Find **TextPort** there. |
| **Export chat** is gray or missing. | The chat may have Advanced Chat Privacy turned on. That blocks export for everyone in the chat. Ask the other person to turn it off. Or see [Import a chat with Scroll Capture](https://textport.com/guides/import-a-chat-with-scroll-capture.md). |
| The chat has no photos. | The export was made with **Without media**. Export the chat again. Tap **Attach media**. |
| The sheet says some attachments won't be saved. | The iPhone is low on storage, or a file is over 2 GB. Free up space. Then export the chat again. |
| **Couldn't import this chat** | Tap **Retry**. If it fails again, export the chat from WhatsApp again. |
| Your messages are on the wrong side. | You picked the wrong name. See [Choose which WhatsApp person is you](https://textport.com/guides/choose-which-whatsapp-participant-is-you.md). |
| TextPort asks you to unlock this. | Follow the steps on the screen. Then share the chat from WhatsApp again. |
| 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

### Does it work for group chats?

Yes. Each message shows who sent it.

### How long does it take?

A text-only chat takes seconds. With **Attach media**, a long chat can take a few minutes. WhatsApp first builds a bigger file.

### Can I put the chat back into WhatsApp later?

No. An export is a copy for reading and sharing. To restore chats, use WhatsApp's own backup.

## Next guides

- [How to choose which WhatsApp person is you](https://textport.com/guides/choose-which-whatsapp-participant-is-you.md): Your own WhatsApp messages will show on the right side, marked as yours.
- [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 print a chat from your iPhone](https://textport.com/guides/print-a-chat-from-your-iphone.md): You will have a paper copy of one chat, with names, dates, and times.

TextPort guide for iPhone. Updated 2026-11-04. Web page: https://textport.com/guides/export-a-whatsapp-chat-to-textport