# How to install TextPort and open it for the first time

## Quick answer

On your iPhone:

1. Open the App Store. Search for **TextPort**. Tap **Get**.
2. Open TextPort.
3. If iOS asks about tracking, tap **Ask App Not to Track** or **Allow**.
4. Tap **Continue**. Go through the pages that follow.
5. If TextPort asks you to unlock, tap the **limited access** link. Then tap each **X**.

**Saved Chats** then opens. Tap **Add Chat** to import your first chat.

## What you need

- An iPhone
- An internet connection

## Steps

1. Tap **Get** in the App Store

   Open the App Store. Search for **TextPort**. Tap **Get**. The app downloads.

2. Open TextPort

   Tap **Open** in the App Store, or tap the TextPort icon. TextPort opens.

3. Tap **Ask App Not to Track** or **Allow**

   iOS may ask this once. TextPort works with either one. The welcome screen opens next.

4. Tap **Continue**

   It is at the bottom of the welcome screen. It may say **Loading…** for a moment.

5. Go through the pages

   TextPort shows a few pages. Tap **Continue** or **Skip** on each one.

   Tip: TextPort may ask you to unlock. To go on without it, tap the **limited access** link at the bottom. Then tap each **X** until **Saved Chats** opens.

6. Check for **Saved Chats**

   **Saved Chats** opens. It says **Your saved chats live here**.

7. Tap **Add Chat**

   It is at the bottom. The import cards open. See [Pick a way to import a chat](https://textport.com/guides/pick-a-way-to-import-a-chat.md).

## Done

TextPort is on your iPhone and open on Saved Chats. You can import your first chat.

## Problems

| What you see | What to do |
| --- | --- |
| The button stays on **Loading…** | Check that your iPhone is online. Close TextPort. Open it again. |
| **You're offline** | Check that your iPhone is online. Tap **Try Again**. |
| You tapped the wrong answer about tracking. | In iOS **Settings**, tap **Privacy & Security**, then **Tracking**. Change the switch for **TextPort**. |
| 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

### Do I need to make an account or a password?

No. TextPort signs you in by itself. You do not type a name or a password.

### Will I see these pages again?

No. Next time, TextPort opens on **Saved Chats**.

### Does it change anything in my Messages?

No. TextPort makes its own copy of a chat when you import it. Your chats in Messages stay as they are.

## Next guides

- [How to pick a way to import a chat](https://textport.com/guides/pick-a-way-to-import-a-chat.md): You will know which way to import your chat, and where to tap to start it.
- [What the Saved Chats screen shows](https://textport.com/guides/what-the-saved-chats-screen-shows.md): You will know what each part of the Saved Chats screen means and what you can tap.
- [How to import iMessage and SMS with the TextPort Shortcut](https://textport.com/guides/import-imessage-and-sms-with-the-textport-shortcut.md): You will get a chat from Apple Messages saved in TextPort, with every message word for word.

## On other platforms

- On Mac: [How to install TextPort for Mac and give it Messages access](https://textport.com/guides/install-textport-for-mac-and-give-messages-access.md)
- On Windows: [How to install TextPort for Windows](https://textport.com/guides/install-textport-for-windows.md)

TextPort guide for iPhone. Updated 2026-11-05. Web page: https://textport.com/guides/install-textport-and-open-it-for-the-first-time