# How to install the TextPort Shortcut

## Quick answer

In TextPort:

1. Tap **Add Chat**, then **Import from Messages**.
2. Tap **Show me how**, then **Add Shortcut**.
3. In Shortcuts, tap **Add Shortcut**. Go back to TextPort.
4. On iOS 27, follow the cards to turn on the automation and notifications.

You do this once. The card then says **Next, find your chats**.

## What you need

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

## Steps

1. Tap **Add Chat**

   Open TextPort. It is at the bottom of **Saved Chats**.

2. Tap **Import from Messages**

   Check that **Messages** is picked at the top.

### iOS 27

3. Tap **Show me how**

   The card says **First, a quick setup**.

   Tip: If you set it up before, tap **I’ve already set it up**.

4. Tap **Add Shortcut**

   The card says **Add the TextPort Importer**. **Shortcuts** opens.

5. Tap **Add Shortcut** in Shortcuts

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

6. Tap **Continue**

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

   Tip: If Shortcuts asks for permission, tap **Always Allow** or **Allow**.

7. Tap **Open Automations**

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

8. Turn on the automation

   Find **When I get a notification from TextPort**. Turn it on. Then go back to **TextPort**.

9. Tap **I’ve turned it on**

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

10. Tap **Allow notifications**

    When iOS asks, tap **Allow**.

    Tip: If you see **Turn on notifications**, tap **Open Settings**. Turn on **Allow Notifications**.

### iOS 26 and earlier

3. Tap **Show me how**

   The card says **First, a quick setup**.

   Tip: If you added it before, tap **I’ve already added the shortcut**.

4. Tap **Add Shortcut**

   The card says **Add the TextPort shortcut**. **Shortcuts** opens.

5. Tap **Add Shortcut** in Shortcuts

   Scroll down to find it. Then go back to **TextPort**.

   Tip: If it says you already have one, tap **Cancel**.

### After that, on every path

Numbers continue from iOS 27.

11. Check for **Next, find your chats**

    The setup is done. Tap **Find chats** when you are ready. See [Choose a chat and dates](https://textport.com/guides/choose-a-chat-and-dates-for-a-messages-import.md).

## Done

The TextPort shortcut is on your iPhone. You do not need to add it again.

## Problems

| What you see | What 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](https://textport.com/guides/install-the-textport-shortcut#ios-26) steps. |
| **Update your iPhone first** | This import needs a newer iOS. Tap **Open Settings** and update. Or tap **Use Scroll Capture instead**. |
| Shortcuts is not on your iPhone. | Tap **Get Shortcuts**. Get it from the App Store. Then go back to TextPort. |
| **We didn’t hear from the shortcut** | On iOS 27, tap **Add Shortcut again**, then **Continue**. If Shortcuts says you already have one, tap **Cancel**, delete it there, and add it again. |
| **The shortcut didn’t start** | See [Fix a stuck or failed Shortcut import](https://textport.com/guides/fix-a-stuck-or-failed-shortcut-import#problem-shortcut-didnt-start). |
| **Add the TextPort shortcut first** | Tap **Add Shortcut**, go back to TextPort, then tap **Find chats**. If Shortcuts says you already have one, tap **Cancel**, delete every TextPort there, and add it again. |
| **The shortcut hasn’t started** | If Shortcuts asked to allow TextPort’s actions, go back and tap **Allow**. If not, delete any old TextPort shortcut. Then tap **Add Shortcut**. |
| **Update the TextPort shortcut** | TextPort needs a newer version. Tap **Update Shortcut**. If Shortcuts asks, tap **Replace**. |
| **Is there only one TextPort left?** | Open Shortcuts. If you see two, hold the second one and tap **Delete**. Go back to TextPort. Tap **Yes, continue import**. |
| Shortcuts asks for permission. | Tap **Always Allow** or **Allow**. It may ask twice. |
| 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 need a shortcut?

Apple does not let apps open your messages directly. Apple's Shortcuts app can, if you allow it. The shortcut reads the chat and gives it to TextPort.

### Do I add it every time?

No. You add it once. TextPort may ask you to update it later.

### Does the shortcut change my messages?

No. Nothing in Messages is changed.

## Next guides

- [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.
- [How to choose a chat and dates for a Messages import](https://textport.com/guides/choose-a-chat-and-dates-for-a-messages-import.md): You will have the right chat and the right dates picked, ready to start the import.
- [How to fix a stuck or failed Shortcut import](https://textport.com/guides/fix-a-stuck-or-failed-shortcut-import.md): You will get a Messages import that finishes, or know exactly what to tell support.

TextPort guide for iPhone. Updated 2026-11-05. Web page: https://textport.com/guides/install-the-textport-shortcut