What if the count goes up slowly?

The import works. Big group chats are slow. Wait.

What if Shortcuts keeps searching. Or it says Messages quit?

Restart your iPhone (step 4). Then start again with fewer days.

What if I see “Paused when you left”?

On iOS 27 the import runs in TextPort. It pauses when you leave TextPort. Tap Resume.

What if I see “The import stopped”?

On iOS 27, tap Try again. Your messages so far are saved. If it stops again, tap Import not working?

What if I see “The shortcut didn’t start”?

On iOS 27, tap Open Automations. Turn on When I get a notification from TextPort. Go back to TextPort. Tap Try again.

What if I see “No messages found”?

The chat has no messages in those dates. Tap Change dates. Pick more days.

What if the import stops when the iPhone locks?

In iOS Settings, set Auto-Lock to Never for the import. Set it back after.

What if Shortcuts says the TextPort shortcut is missing?

In TextPort, tap Add Chat, then Import from Messages. Tap Add Shortcut again.

What if the import is done, but some photos are missing?

Old photos may still be in iCloud. See Recover missing photos and attachments.

What if nothing works?

Use Import with Scroll Capture. It works for any chat. See Import a chat with Scroll Capture.

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.

Can I stop an import?

Yes. Tap Stop import . TextPort asks Stop this import? Tap Stop and keep 120 messages (120 is your count) to save the messages it has. Tap Discard messages to throw them away.

Why must Shortcuts stay on the screen?

iOS pauses Shortcuts when it goes to the background. The import then stops until Shortcuts is in front again.

How to fix a stuck or failed Shortcut import

iPhone 7 steps · Updated Nov 5, 2026

Quick answer

An import is stuck only when the count on Importing messages... has not moved for three minutes. Then try these in order:

Tap Open Shortcuts. Leave Shortcuts on the screen.
Close Shortcuts and open it again.
Restart your iPhone. Start again with fewer days.
Tap Import not working?, then Contact support.

On iOS 27 the import runs in TextPort. Tap Resume or Try again.

On Mac: How to fix “TextPort can’t read your Messages” on Mac
On Windows: How to fix a stuck or stopped backup on Windows

What you need

✓TextPort on your iPhone
✓Apple's Shortcuts app

Steps

Check the count

Open TextPort. Look at the count on Importing messages.... If it goes up, the import works. Wait.
Tap Open Shortcuts

Leave Shortcuts on the screen. The count starts again.
Close and reopen Shortcuts

Swipe up from the bottom and hold. Swipe Shortcuts up and away. Then open TextPort and tap Open Shortcuts.

Do this only if the count has not moved for three minutes.
Restart your iPhone

Hold the side button and a volume button. Slide to power off. Turn the iPhone on again.
Tap a shorter range, then Continue

Start the import again. Tap 1 Week (1), or 1 Month on iOS 27. Tap Continue (2). Fewer days are less likely to stop.
Tap Import not working?

It is at the bottom of the import card. Import not working? opens with a list of fixes.
Tap Contact support

Support opens. Type your email. Say which step you were on and what you saw. Tap Submit.

Done

The import is done. Or support has what it needs to help you.

Problems

What you seeWhat to do

The count goes up slowly.: The import works. Big group chats are slow. Wait.
The count has not moved for three minutes.: Do steps 2 and 3.
Shortcuts keeps searching. Or it says Messages quit.: Restart your iPhone (step 4). Then start again with fewer days.
Paused when you left: On iOS 27 the import runs in TextPort. It pauses when you leave TextPort. Tap Resume.
The import stopped: On iOS 27, tap Try again. Your messages so far are saved. If it stops again, tap Import not working?
The shortcut didn’t start: On iOS 27, tap Open Automations. Turn on When I get a notification from TextPort. Go back to TextPort. Tap Try again.
No messages found: The chat has no messages in those dates. Tap Change dates. Pick more days.
The import stops when the iPhone locks.: In iOS Settings, set Auto-Lock to Never for the import. Set it back after.
Shortcuts says the TextPort shortcut is missing.: In TextPort, tap Add Chat, then Import from Messages. Tap Add Shortcut again.
The import is done, but some photos are missing.: Old photos may still be in iCloud. See Recover missing photos and attachments.
Nothing works.: Use Import with Scroll Capture. It works for any chat. See Import a chat with Scroll Capture.
None of these match.: Email [email protected]. Say which step you were on. Say what you saw. We usually reply within a day.

Questions

: Yes. Tap Stop import. TextPort asks Stop this import? Tap Stop and keep 120 messages (120 is your count) to save the messages it has. Tap Discard messages to throw them away.
: iOS pauses Shortcuts when it goes to the background. The import then stops until Shortcuts is in front again.