# How to pick a way to import a chat

## Quick answer

In TextPort, tap **Add Chat**. Tap the app name at the top. Pick the app the chat is in. Then tap a card:

- **Import from Messages** for iMessage and SMS, word for word.
- **Import from WhatsApp** for a WhatsApp chat with its photos.
- **Import with Scroll Capture** or **On Your iPhone** for any app, from a screen recording or screenshots.
- **Continue on Mac or Windows** for a long Messages chat with all its attachments.

## What you need

- TextPort on your iPhone

## Steps

1. Tap **Add Chat**

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

2. Tap the app name at the top

   It may say **Messages**. **Select Chat App** opens.

3. Tap the app the chat is in

   Type in **Search apps...** to find it fast. The sheet then shows the ways for that app.

### Messages

4. Tap **Import from Messages**

   It saves iMessage and SMS word for word. Then follow the Messages steps on screen.

   Tip: If the first card says **On Your iPhone**, there is no Messages card. Tap **On Your iPhone**.

### WhatsApp

4. Tap **Import from WhatsApp**

   It is the only card for WhatsApp. **Import from WhatsApp** opens.

### Other apps

4. Tap **On Your iPhone**

   It works for any chat app. **Scroll Capture** opens.

5. Tap **Scroll Capture** or **Screenshots**

   **Scroll Capture** records your screen while you scroll. **Screenshots** reads photos you took.

## Done

You are in the import for your chat's app. Follow the guide for that way below.

## Problems

| What you see | What to do |
| --- | --- |
| Your chat is in Messages, but there is no **Import from Messages** card. | It needs iOS 26 or newer. Update iOS and TextPort. Or tap **On Your iPhone** and use Scroll Capture. |
| The chat is very long, or you need every photo. | For Messages, see [Continue on Mac or Windows](https://textport.com/guides/continue-on-mac-or-windows.md). For WhatsApp, use **Import from WhatsApp**. |
| The cards are for the wrong app. | Tap the app name at the top. Pick the right app. See [Pick which app the chat came from](https://textport.com/guides/pick-which-app-the-chat-came-from.md). |
| Your app is LINE. | See [Import a chat from LINE](https://textport.com/guides/import-a-chat-from-line.md). For photos, tap **On Your iPhone**. |
| 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

### Which way is best for iMessage and SMS?

**Import from Messages**. It reads the real messages, so nothing is missed.

### Which way is best for Instagram, Telegram, Signal, or Messenger?

**On Your iPhone**. Record your screen while you scroll, or take screenshots. TextPort reads the text.

### What is the difference between Scroll Capture and Screenshots?

Scroll Capture records your screen while you scroll the chat. Screenshots uses pictures you already took. Scroll Capture is faster for a long chat.

## 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 export a WhatsApp chat to TextPort](https://textport.com/guides/export-a-whatsapp-chat-to-textport.md): You will get a WhatsApp chat saved in TextPort, with every message and photo.
- [How to import a chat with Scroll Capture](https://textport.com/guides/import-a-chat-with-scroll-capture.md): You will get a chat from any app saved in TextPort, made from a screen recording of you scrolling.
- [How to import a chat from screenshots](https://textport.com/guides/import-a-chat-from-screenshots.md): You will get a saved chat in TextPort, made from screenshots you already took.

## 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 back up your iPhone to your PC with TextPort](https://textport.com/guides/back-up-your-iphone-to-your-pc.md)

TextPort guide for iPhone. Updated 2026-11-05. Web page: https://textport.com/guides/pick-a-way-to-import-a-chat