# How to prepare messages for USCIS or immigration

## Quick answer

1. Import the whole chat: tap **Add Chat** and pick how.
2. Open the chat. Tap **Export**, then **PDF**.
3. Tap **Add** on the **Add phone numbers to this PDF** card. Add the numbers.
4. Tap the filter icon. Pick the dates you need.
5. Tap the share button, then **Files**. Save the PDF.

Keep the full chat on your phone. Ask your lawyer which pages to send.

## What you need

- TextPort on your iPhone
- The chat, still on your phone

## Steps

1. Tap **Add Chat**

   It is at the bottom of **Saved Chats**. The import choices open.

2. Tap the way to import

   For iMessage and SMS, tap **Import from Messages**. For other apps, pick the app at the top first.

   Tip: Pick dates that cover the whole chat. You can make the PDF shorter later.

3. Tap **Export**, then **PDF**

   Open the chat first. **Export** is at the bottom. **PDF Preview** opens.

   Tip: TextPort may ask you to unlock this.

4. Check the PDF

   Each message shows the name, the date, and the time.

5. Tap **Add**

   It is on the **Add phone numbers to this PDF** card. **Chat Details** opens.

   Tip: No card? Everyone has a number already, or you closed it. Go back to the chat. Tap the name at the top.

6. Add each number

   Tap a person. Type the number. Tap the back button, then the **X**. See [Add phone numbers to a PDF](https://textport.com/guides/add-phone-numbers-to-a-pdf.md).

7. Tap the filter icon

   It is in the top right, next to the share button. **Filter by Date** opens.

8. Pick the dates you need

   Tap the date next to **From**. Tap the date next to **To**. Tap the check mark. See [Export only a date range](https://textport.com/guides/export-only-a-date-range.md).

9. Tap the share button, then **Files**

   Save it to iCloud Drive or another safe place. See [Save an export to Files or iCloud Drive](https://textport.com/guides/save-an-export-to-files-or-icloud-drive.md).

10. 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

| What you see | What to do |
| --- | --- |
| 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](https://textport.com/guides/edit-chat-and-contact-names.md). |
| **Me** is next to the wrong person. | See [Edit the chat name and people's names](https://textport.com/guides/edit-chat-and-contact-names#problem-wrong-me). |
| 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 [support@textportapp.com](mailto:support@textportapp.com). Say which step you were on. Say what you saw. We usually reply within a day. |

## Questions

### Do I need to send every message?

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?](https://textport.com/articles/do-you-need-to-print-your-entire-chat-history-for-uscis)

### Will USCIS accept this PDF?

TextPort can not promise that. The officer decides what your evidence shows. Ask your lawyer what to send for your case.

### Can I print it?

Yes. See [Print a chat from your iPhone](https://textport.com/guides/print-a-chat-from-your-iphone.md).

## Next guides

- [How to export only a date range](https://textport.com/guides/export-only-a-date-range.md): Your export will hold only the messages between the dates you pick.
- [How to add phone numbers to a PDF](https://textport.com/guides/add-phone-numbers-to-a-pdf.md): Your PDF will show each person's phone number next to their name.
- [How to save an export to Files or iCloud Drive](https://textport.com/guides/save-an-export-to-files-or-icloud-drive.md): Your exported file will be saved in the Files app or in iCloud Drive.
- [How to send text messages to a lawyer](https://textport.com/guides/send-messages-to-a-lawyer.md): Your lawyer will get a PDF of the whole chat, with names, phone numbers, dates, and times.

## On other platforms

- On Mac: [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)
- On Windows: [How to export a conversation to PDF, CSV, or TXT on Windows](https://textport.com/guides/export-a-conversation-to-pdf-csv-or-txt-on-windows.md)

TextPort guide for iPhone. Updated 2026-11-05. Web page: https://textport.com/guides/prepare-messages-for-uscis