What if my iPhone has iOS 27 but shows the older steps?

TextPort shows the older flow on your iPhone. Follow the iOS 26 and earlier steps.

What if the count stops going up?

See Fix a stuck or failed Shortcut import.

What if I see “No messages found”?

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

What if some photos are missing?

Tap the gray box where the photo should be. See Recover missing photos and attachments.

What if there is no Import from Messages card?

Update iOS and TextPort. It needs iOS 26 or newer. Or use Import 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.

Why does TextPort use a shortcut?

Apps cannot read Messages by themselves. Apple's Shortcuts app can, if you allow it. The shortcut reads the chat and gives it to TextPort.

What does the shortcut read?

First it reads your list of chats, so you can pick one. Then it reads only the chat and the dates you pick. You can see every step of it in the Shortcuts app.

Can I import more than one chat at a time?

No. Import one chat. Then start again for the next one.

How long does it take?

It depends on how many messages there are. A big chat can take several minutes. Fewer days is faster.

How to import iMessage and SMS with the TextPort Shortcut

iPhone 17 steps · Updated Nov 5, 2026

Quick answer

In TextPort:

Tap Add Chat, then Import from Messages.
First time only, add the shortcut: tap Show me how, then Add Shortcut.
Tap Find chats. Pick the chat and the dates.
Tap Start import.
Keep TextPort open on iOS 27, or Shortcuts open on iOS 26, until it is done.
Tap your name, then Finish import.

The chat then opens. It is also in Saved Chats.

On Mac: How to install TextPort for Mac and give it Messages access
On Windows: How to back up your iPhone to your PC with TextPort

What you need

✓TextPort on your iPhone
✓Apple's Shortcuts app (it comes with iOS)

Steps

Tap Add Chat

Open TextPort. It is at the bottom of Saved Chats.
Tap Import from Messages

Check that Messages is picked at the top.

iOS 27

Tap Show me how

You see this only the first time. The card says First, a quick setup.

If you set it up before, tap I’ve already set it up.
Tap Add Shortcut

The card says Add the TextPort Importer. Shortcuts opens.
Tap Add Shortcut in Shortcuts

Then tap ◀ TextPort in the top left. You are back in TextPort.
Tap Continue

Shortcuts opens once to check the shortcut. Then you are back in TextPort.

If Shortcuts asks for permission, tap Always Allow or Allow.
Tap Open Automations

The card says Turn on the automation. Shortcuts opens on Automation.
Turn on the automation

Find When I get a notification from TextPort. Turn it on. Then go back to TextPort.
Tap I’ve turned it on

TextPort may ask for notifications next. The card says Allow notifications.
Tap Allow notifications

When iOS asks, tap Allow. The card says Next, find your chats.

If you see Turn on notifications, tap Open Settings. Turn on Allow Notifications.
Tap Find chats

TextPort shows Finding your chats…. Then your chats show.
Tap the chat, then Continue

Tap the chat (1). You can search by name. Tap Continue (2). Which dates do you need? opens.
Tap the dates, then Continue

Tap 1 Month, 3 Months, 1 Year, or Choose dates (1). Tap Continue (2). What happens next opens.
Tap Start import

TextPort shows Importing your messages and a progress bar.
Keep TextPort open

Stay in TextPort until it is done. If you leave, the import pauses.

If you see Paused when you left, tap Resume.

iOS 26 and earlier

Tap Show me how

You see this only the first time. The card says First, a quick setup.

If you added it before, tap I’ve already added the shortcut.
Tap Add Shortcut

The card says Add the TextPort shortcut. Shortcuts opens.
Tap Add Shortcut in Shortcuts

Scroll down to find it. Then go back to TextPort.
Tap Find chats

Shortcuts opens for a moment. Then your chats show in TextPort.

If Shortcuts asks for permission, tap Always Allow or Allow.
Tap the chat, then Continue

Tap the chat (1). You can search by name. Tap Continue (2). Which dates do you need? opens.
Tap the dates, then Continue

Tap 1 Week, 1 Month, or Choose dates (1). Tap Continue (2). What happens next opens.
Tap Start import

Shortcuts opens and collects your messages.
Keep Shortcuts open

Do not close Shortcuts. Do not lock your iPhone. TextPort shows Importing messages... and a count.

If the count stops, tap Open Shortcuts.

Tap your name, then Finish import

When the import is done, TextPort asks Which one is you? Tap your name (1). Tap Finish import (2).
Read the chat

The chat opens by itself with every message. It is also in Saved Chats.

Done

The chat is saved in TextPort. Every message has its date and time.

Problems

What you seeWhat to do

Your iPhone has iOS 27, but the card says Add the TextPort shortcut.: TextPort shows the older flow on your iPhone. Follow the iOS 26 and earlier steps.
The count stops going up.: See Fix a stuck or failed Shortcut import.
No messages found: The chat has no messages in those dates. Tap Change dates. Pick more days.
Some photos are missing.: Tap the gray box where the photo should be. See Recover missing photos and attachments.
There is no Import from Messages card.: Update iOS and TextPort. It needs iOS 26 or newer. Or use Import 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

: Apps cannot read Messages by themselves. Apple's Shortcuts app can, if you allow it. The shortcut reads the chat and gives it to TextPort.
: First it reads your list of chats, so you can pick one. Then it reads only the chat and the dates you pick. You can see every step of it in the Shortcuts app.
: No. Import one chat. Then start again for the next one.
: It depends on how many messages there are. A big chat can take several minutes. Fewer days is faster.