What if you never see Read messages?

Look on Messages first. They may have opened by themselves. If not, they open when the backup is done. This happens when your iPhone sends its contacts late. It also happens when the backup folder is on some USB drives.

What if the Export window says photos are still being backed up?

You can still export. Each photo or file shows as [Attachment unavailable]. To include them, export again after Backup complete.

What if I see “Backup stopped”?

You can keep reading these messages. Photos and files were not copied. See Fix a stuck or stopped backup.

What if I see “Couldn’t open the finished backup”?

You can keep reading. Click Try again to get the photos and files.

What if none of these problems match mine?

Email support@textportapp.com. Say which step you were on. Say what you saw. We usually reply within a day.

Yes. The file has every message. Photos and files come only with an export after the backup is done. An export of several conversations waits until the backup is done.

Am I pulled away if I am reading another backup?

No. Click Read messages when you want to switch.

How do I go back to the backup?

Click Backups at the top. Or click the backup status next to the search box.

How to read messages while the backup runs on Windows

Windows 4 steps · Updated Nov 5, 2026

Quick answer

During a backup in TextPort:

Wait until your messages are ready. They may open by themselves.
If you see Read messages, click it.
Click a conversation.

Keep your iPhone plugged in. Photos and files show when TextPort says Backup complete.

What you need

✓TextPort for Windows, with a backup running

Steps

Click Read messages if you see it

You see it if you are reading another backup or on another page. Messages opens.

Messages opens by itself if no other backup is open.
Click a conversation

Read and search as usual. Photos and files say Still backing up.
Keep your iPhone plugged in

The bar at the top shows the progress. You can keep reading.
Wait for Backup complete

It shows at the top. The conversation stays open, and photos and files appear.

Done

You read your messages early. Now the backup is done, and photos and files are in too.

Problems

What you seeWhat to do

You never see Read messages.: Look on Messages first. They may have opened by themselves. If not, they open when the backup is done. This happens when your iPhone sends its contacts late. It also happens when the backup folder is on some USB drives.
Photos and attachments are still being backed up: You can still export. Each photo or file shows as [Attachment unavailable]. To include them, export again after Backup complete.
Backup stopped: You can keep reading these messages. Photos and files were not copied. See Fix a stuck or stopped backup.
Couldn’t open the finished backup: You can keep reading. Click Try again to get the photos and files.
None of these match.: Email [email protected]. Say which step you were on. Say what you saw. We usually reply within a day.

Questions

: Yes. The file has every message. Photos and files come only with an export after the backup is done. An export of several conversations waits until the backup is done.
: No. Click Read messages when you want to switch.
: Click Backups at the top. Or click the backup status next to the search box.