How to prepare messages for USCIS or immigration
Quick answer
- Import the whole chat: tap Add Chat and pick how.
- Open the chat. Tap Export, then PDF.
- Tap Add on the Add phone numbers to this PDF card. Add the numbers.
- Tap the filter icon. Pick the dates you need.
- Tap the share button, then Files. Save the PDF.
Keep the full chat on your phone. Ask your lawyer which pages to send.
- On Mac: How to export one chat to PDF, CSV, or TXT on Mac
- On Windows: How to export a conversation to PDF, CSV, or TXT on Windows
What you need
- ✓TextPort on your iPhone
- ✓The chat, still on your phone
Steps
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Tap Add Chat
It is at the bottom of Saved Chats. The import choices open.
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Tap the way to import
For iMessage and SMS, tap Import from Messages (2). For other apps, pick the app at the top first.
Pick dates that cover the whole chat. You can make the PDF shorter later.
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Tap Export, then PDF
Open the chat first. Export is at the bottom. PDF Preview opens.
TextPort may ask you to unlock this.
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Check the PDF
Each message shows the name, the date, and the time.
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Tap Add
It is on the Add phone numbers to this PDF card. Chat Details opens.
No card? Everyone has a number already, or you closed it. Go back to the chat. Tap the name at the top.
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Add each number
Tap a person. Type the number. Tap the back button, then the X. See Add phone numbers to a PDF.
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Tap the filter icon
It is in the top right, next to the share button. Filter by Date opens.
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Pick the dates you need
Tap the date next to From (1). Tap the date next to To (2). Tap the check mark (3). See Export only a date range.
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Tap the share button, then Files
Save it to iCloud Drive or another safe place. See Save an export to Files or iCloud Drive.
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Keep the original chat
Do not delete the chat from your phone. You may be asked for more later.
Done
You have a PDF with names, phone numbers, dates, and times. You still have the full chat.
Problems
The PDF is too big to upload.
USCIS online filing takes files up to 12 MB. Tap the filter icon. Pick fewer dates. Make one PDF for each part.
There is no filter icon.
The chat came from screenshots or Scroll Capture, or it covers one day. Take screenshots of only the parts you need. Import those.
A name is wrong.
Tap the name at the top of the chat. See Edit the chat name and people's names.
Me is next to the wrong person.
The chat is in another language.
USCIS asks for a full English translation. Ask your lawyer or a translator. TextPort does not translate.
None of these match.
Email [email protected]. Say which step you were on. Say what you saw. We usually reply within a day.
Questions
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No. USCIS has no rule that asks for a full chat history. Many lawyers suggest a sample from across your whole relationship. Read Do you need your entire chat history for USCIS?
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TextPort can not promise that. The officer decides what your evidence shows. Ask your lawyer what to send for your case.
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Yes. See Print a chat from your iPhone.
Next guides
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How to export only a date range
Your export will hold only the messages between the dates you pick.
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How to add phone numbers to a PDF
Your PDF will show each person's phone number next to their name.
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How to save an export to Files or iCloud Drive
Your exported file will be saved in the Files app or in iCloud Drive.
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How to send text messages to a lawyer
Your lawyer will get a PDF of the whole chat, with names, phone numbers, dates, and times.
Start exporting your messages
Available for iPhone, Mac, and Windows. No computer required.
