# How to read a chat in TextPort

## Quick answer

Tap the chat in **Saved Chats**. Then:

- A gray line with a date starts each new day.
- Gray bubbles on the left are from the other people.
- Your messages are on the right, in a colored bubble.
- The date and time sit above each message. To hide them, tap **…**, then **Hide Timestamps**.

## What you need

- TextPort on your iPhone
- A chat saved in TextPort

## Steps

1. Tap the chat in **Saved Chats**

   Open TextPort. The chat opens.

2. Find the date line

   A gray line with a date starts each new day.

3. Find who sent each message

   Gray bubbles on the left are from others. Your messages are on the right.

   Tip: In a group chat, the sender's name sits above each gray bubble.

4. Scroll the chat

   Swipe up for newer messages. Swipe down for older ones.

5. Tap **…**

   It is next to **Export** at the bottom. A menu opens.

6. Tap **Hide Timestamps**

   The date lines and times go away. Only the bubbles stay.

   Tip: No **Hide Timestamps** in the menu? The chat came from Messages, WhatsApp, or LINE.

7. Check the chat

   Only the bubbles show now. Your PDF hides the times too.

## Done

You can read the whole chat. You know who wrote each message and when.

## Problems

| What you see | What to do |
| --- | --- |
| The times are gone and you want them back. | Tap **…**, then **Show Timestamps**. |
| In a group chat, the names above the bubbles are gone. | The names hide with the times. Tap **…**, then **Show Timestamps**. |
| A message says **No date**. | The screenshot or recording showed no time for it. Long press the message. Tap **Edit Timestamp**. See [Edit a message's text or time](https://textport.com/guides/edit-a-messages-text-or-time#time). |
| A message is on the wrong side. | See [Fix who sent a message](https://textport.com/guides/fix-who-sent-a-message.md). It works for chats from screenshots or Scroll Capture. |
| The year is wrong on many messages. | See [Change the year for many messages at once](https://textport.com/guides/change-the-year-for-many-messages-at-once.md). |
| 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

- To find a word, see [Search inside a chat](https://textport.com/guides/search-inside-a-chat.md).
- To go to another day, see [Jump to a date in a chat](https://textport.com/guides/jump-to-a-date.md).

## Questions

### Does Hide Timestamps change my PDF?

Yes. The PDF leaves out the times too. Tap **Show Timestamps** before you export a chat for a lawyer or a court.

### Why can't I hide the times in a Messages, WhatsApp, or LINE chat?

Those chats are exact copies, so they always show the date and time. **Hide Timestamps** shows only for chats from screenshots or Scroll Capture.

## Next guides

- [How to search all your chats with TextPort](https://textport.com/guides/search-all-your-chats.md): You will find a message in any saved chat and open it in its chat.
- [How to fix wrong text, times, or missing messages with TextPort](https://textport.com/guides/fix-screenshot-problems.md): Every message TextPort read wrong from a screenshot or recording will say the right thing.
- [How to edit the chat name and people's names with TextPort](https://textport.com/guides/edit-chat-and-contact-names.md): You will have the right chat name and the right name for each person in the chat.
- [How to change the year for many messages at once with TextPort](https://textport.com/guides/change-the-year-for-many-messages-at-once.md): Every message in your chat will show the right year.
- [How to see all photos, videos, and files in a chat with TextPort](https://textport.com/guides/browse-photos-videos-audio-and-files-in-a-chat.md): You will see every photo, video, and file in one chat, and save the ones you want.

## On other platforms

- On Mac: [How to find and open a chat in TextPort for Mac](https://textport.com/guides/find-and-open-a-chat-on-mac.md)
- On Windows: [How to find and read a conversation in TextPort for Windows](https://textport.com/guides/find-and-read-a-conversation-on-windows.md)

TextPort guide for iPhone. Updated 2026-11-10. Web page: https://textport.com/guides/read-a-chat