# How to find and read a conversation on Windows

## Quick answer

In TextPort:

1. Click **Messages** at the top.
2. Type a name in **Filter by name**.
3. Click the conversation.
4. To see some days, click **All time** next to **Export**. Pick the days. Click **Apply**.

## What you need

- TextPort for Windows, with a backup open

## Steps

1. Click **Messages**

   It is at the top left. The conversation list opens.

2. Type a name and click the conversation

   Type a name, number, or email in **Filter by name**. Click the conversation. Its messages open.

   Tip: You can also press **Ctrl+K** to go to **Filter by name**.

3. Read the messages

   The newest are at the bottom. Scroll up for older ones. Click **Newest** to go back.

4. Click **All time**, then **Apply**

   Click **All time** next to **Export**. Pick a day under **From** and **To**. Click **Apply**.

   Tip: You can also press **Ctrl+G**. To see every day again, click **All time** in this window.

## Done

The conversation is open and shows the days you picked. You can export it from here.

## Problems

| What you see | What to do |
| --- | --- |
| **No conversations match “Maya”** | Check the spelling, or try part of the name, the number, or the email. Click **Clear filter** to see all conversations. |
| **No conversations in this date range** | The date button above the list limits it. Click **Clear date filter**. |
| **No messages in this date range** | This conversation has no messages in the days you picked. Click **Clear date filter**. |
| **No backup is open** | Click **Choose a backup**. Pick a backup. |
| **This backup didn’t finish** | Some messages may be missing. See [Fix a stuck or stopped backup](https://textport.com/guides/fix-a-stuck-or-stopped-backup-on-windows.md). |
| **No messages yet** | Click **Go to Backups**. Then [back up your iPhone](https://textport.com/guides/back-up-your-iphone-to-your-pc.md). |
| **Not in this backup** | This file wasn't in the iPhone's backup. Files kept only in iCloud aren't included. |
| 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

### Why are there two All time buttons?

The one above the list limits the list. The one next to **Export** limits the open conversation only.

### How do I see the newest messages at the top?

Click the button with two arrows, next to the **All time** button in the conversation. Its tip says **Show newest first**. Exports use the same order.

### How do I open a photo or file?

Click it, or **Preview**. See [Preview and save photos and files](https://textport.com/guides/preview-photos-and-files-on-windows.md).

### How do I see who is in a group?

Click **People** at the top of the conversation. See [Copy a message or go to a reply](https://textport.com/guides/use-the-message-menu-on-windows.md).

### Why does one person have two conversations?

iMessage and SMS are two conversations. Click the **Also:** line under the name to open the other one.

## Next guides

- [How to search all your messages on Windows](https://textport.com/guides/search-all-your-messages-on-windows.md): You will find a message in any conversation and jump right to it.
- [How to find words in a conversation on Windows](https://textport.com/guides/find-in-a-conversation-on-windows.md): You will find a word in one conversation and step through each place it shows.
- [How to preview and save photos and files on Windows](https://textport.com/guides/preview-photos-and-files-on-windows.md): You will see a photo or file from a conversation, and have your own copy if you want.
- [How to export only some dates on Windows](https://textport.com/guides/export-only-some-dates-on-windows.md): You will get a file with only the days you picked from one conversation.
- [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): You will get a file of one conversation on your PC, as a PDF, a spreadsheet, or plain text.

## On other platforms

- On iPhone: [How to read a chat in TextPort](https://textport.com/guides/read-a-chat.md)
- On Mac: [How to find and open a chat on Mac](https://textport.com/guides/find-and-open-a-chat-on-mac.md)

TextPort guide for Windows. Updated 2026-11-05. Web page: https://textport.com/guides/find-and-read-a-conversation-on-windows