# How to open or save one photo or file on Mac

## Quick answer

In TextPort for Mac:

1. Find the photo or file in the chat.
2. Click it to see a preview.
3. To save it, right-click it and click **Save File...**.
4. Pick a folder and click **Save**.

## What you need

- TextPort for Mac, set up with Messages access
- Access to the Attachments folder, so TextPort can read the file

## Steps

1. Right-click the photo or file

   A menu opens with **Quick Look**, **Open**, **Save File...**, and **Copy**.

   Tip: **Quick Look** shows a preview. **Open** uses the app for that file. **Copy** lets you paste it elsewhere.

2. Click **Save File...**

   A save window opens with the file name filled in.

   Tip: On a file card, the round **Save Attachment** button does the same.

3. Pick a folder and click **Save**

   Pick the folder next to **Where**. TextPort saves a copy there.

## Done

You have a copy of the file on your Mac. The original stays in Messages.

## Problems

| What you see | What to do |
| --- | --- |
| **TextPort Can’t Read This Attachment** | Click **Choose Attachments Folder…**. In the picker, click **Choose Attachments**. Then try again. |
| **Attachment Isn’t Available** | The file is not on this Mac. See [what to do when a file did not sync](https://textport.com/guides/see-photos-and-files-in-a-chat-on-mac#problem-in-icloud). |
| Right-click shows no **Save File...**. | The file is not on this Mac yet. See [what to do when a file did not sync](https://textport.com/guides/see-photos-and-files-in-a-chat-on-mac#problem-in-icloud). |
| 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. |

## Tips

- You can also drag a photo or file out of the chat to your Desktop or a Finder window.

## Questions

### Is the saved file smaller or changed?

No. TextPort copies the original file from Messages.

### Can I save every photo at once?

Yes. See [how to save all photos and files as a ZIP](https://textport.com/guides/save-all-attachments-as-a-zip-on-mac.md).

## Next guides

- [How to see all photos and files in a chat on Mac](https://textport.com/guides/see-photos-and-files-in-a-chat-on-mac.md): You will see only the photos, videos, and files from one chat.
- [How to save all photos and files from a chat on Mac](https://textport.com/guides/save-all-attachments-as-a-zip-on-mac.md): You will get one ZIP file with every photo, video, and file from a chat.

## On other platforms

- On Windows: [How to preview and save photos and files on Windows](https://textport.com/guides/preview-photos-and-files-on-windows.md)

TextPort guide for Mac. Updated 2026-11-05. Web page: https://textport.com/guides/open-or-save-one-photo-or-file-on-mac