# How to install TextPort for Mac and give it Messages access

## Quick answer

On your Mac:

1. Get TextPort from [textport.com/desktop/mac](https://textport.com/desktop/mac).
2. Open it and click **Continue**.
3. Click **Choose Messages Folder**, then **Choose Folder**.
4. If asked, click **Choose Attachments Folder**, then **Choose Attachments**.
5. Click **Continue** to show names, or **Maybe Later**.

Your chats then show in the list on the left.

## What you need

- A Mac with macOS 14.6 or newer
- Messages signed in on that Mac, with chats in it

## Steps

1. Click **Download on the Mac App Store**

   It is on [textport.com/desktop/mac](https://textport.com/desktop/mac). The **App Store** opens.

2. Click **Get**

   The App Store installs TextPort. Then click **Open**.

   Tip: TextPort is also in your Applications folder.

3. Click **Continue**

   It is at the bottom of the welcome window. **Read Messages From This Mac** shows.

4. Click **Choose Messages Folder**

   A folder picker opens, already in the **Messages** folder.

5. Click **Choose Folder**

   Do not open anything in the folder. Click the blue button at the bottom right.

   Tip: If the picker shows your Library folder, click **Messages** once, then **Choose Folder**.

6. Click **Choose Attachments Folder**

   You see this only on some Macs. It lets TextPort show photos and files.

   Tip: To do it later, click **Skip for Now**.

7. Click **Choose Attachments**

   The picker opens in the **Attachments** folder. Do not open a folder in it.

8. Click **Continue**

   macOS asks if TextPort may use your Contacts. Allow it.

   Tip: To skip names for now, click **Maybe Later**.

9. Click a chat

   Your chats are in the list on the left. The chat opens on the right.

## Done

TextPort for Mac is set up. Every chat saved in Messages on this Mac is ready to read and export.

## Problems

| What you see | What to do |
| --- | --- |
| The picker opened in a different folder. | Press **Command-Shift-G**. Type **~/Library/Messages** and press Return. Then click **Choose Folder**. |
| The picker says the folder **doesn’t contain your messages**. | You picked a different folder. The picker opens again for you. Click **Messages** once, then **Choose Folder**. |
| The picker says you chose a folder **inside the Messages folder**. | The picker opens again for you. Click **Choose Folder** without opening anything. |
| The picker says **This Messages folder has no messages yet.** | Open Messages on this Mac and sign in. Then go back and choose the folder again. |
| TextPort shows **Almost ready** or **One last thing**. | See [Fix “TextPort can’t read your Messages” on Mac](https://textport.com/guides/fix-textport-cant-read-your-messages-on-mac.md). |
| Chats from your iPhone are missing. | TextPort shows only chats saved on this Mac. Turn on **Messages in iCloud** on your iPhone and your Mac. Wait for the chats to sync. |
| 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 does TextPort ask for a folder instead of Full Disk Access?

macOS lets an app read one folder you pick. You pick the Messages folder once, and TextPort remembers it. It never changes your messages.

### Do my messages leave my Mac?

No. TextPort reads Messages on this Mac. Your messages never leave your device.

### Can I pick the folder again later?

Only when TextPort loses access to it. Then TextPort shows **Almost ready** with **Allow Access** or **Choose Again**. See [the fix guide](https://textport.com/guides/fix-textport-cant-read-your-messages-on-mac.md).

## Next guides

- [How to fix “TextPort can’t read your Messages” on Mac](https://textport.com/guides/fix-textport-cant-read-your-messages-on-mac.md): You will get TextPort for Mac to show your chats again, with photos and names.
- [How to export one chat to PDF, CSV, or TXT on Mac](https://textport.com/guides/export-one-chat-to-pdf-csv-or-txt-on-mac.md): You will get a file of one chat on your Mac, as a PDF, a spreadsheet, or plain text.

## On other platforms

- On iPhone: [How to import iMessage and SMS with the TextPort Shortcut](https://textport.com/guides/import-imessage-and-sms-with-the-textport-shortcut.md)
- On Windows: [How to install TextPort for Windows](https://textport.com/guides/install-textport-for-windows.md)

TextPort guide for Mac. Updated 2026-11-05. Web page: https://textport.com/guides/install-textport-for-mac-and-give-messages-access