# How to save all photos and files from a chat in TextPort for Mac

## Quick answer

In TextPort for Mac:

1. Click the chat in the list on the left.
2. Click **Export** in the top right, or press **Command-E**.
3. Click **PDF** to drop it. Click **Attachments** to pick it.
4. Click **Export**.
5. Pick a folder and click **Export** again.

TextPort then says **Attachments exported**.

## What you need

- TextPort for Mac, set up with Messages access
- Access to the Attachments folder, so TextPort can read the photos

## Steps

1. Click the chat

   It is in the list on the left. Its messages show on the right.

2. Click **Export**

   It is the blue button in the top right. **Export Chat** opens.

   Tip: Or press **Command-E**.

3. Pick only **Attachments**, then click **Export**

   Click **PDF** to drop it. Click **Attachments** to pick it. Then click **Export**. A save window opens.

   Tip: The **Attachments** row says how many files the ZIP will have.

4. Click **Export**

   Pick a folder next to **Where** first. TextPort collects the files into one ZIP.

5. Click **Show in Finder**

   The sheet says **Attachments exported**. Finder opens with the ZIP file selected.

## Done

You have one ZIP file with the photos, videos, and files from the chat. Double-click it to open it.

## Problems

| What you see | What to do |
| --- | --- |
| **Attachments** is gray and says **No attachments in these messages**. | The chat has no photos or files in those dates. Click the menu next to **Dates**. Pick **All Messages**. |
| **Attachments** is still gray with **All Messages** picked. | TextPort found no photos or files on this Mac for that chat. Some may still be in iCloud. Open the chat in Messages. Click the name at the top. Scroll down and click **Download Attachments in iCloud**. Then try again. |
| **TextPort couldn’t read any of this chat’s attachments.** | Click **Choose Attachments Folder…** in the sheet. In the picker, click **Choose Attachments**. Then export again. |
| It says some attachments **couldn’t be read and were left out**. | Click **Choose Attachments Folder…** in the sheet. In the picker, click **Choose Attachments**. Then export again. |
| The chat shows **Show photos and attachments**. | TextPort cannot read the Attachments folder yet. See [missing photos](https://textport.com/guides/fix-textport-cant-read-your-messages-on-mac#problem-no-photos). |
| The save window says **TextPort can’t save in that folder** or **That drive is read-only**. | Pick another folder next to **Where**, like Downloads. Then click **Export** again. |
| 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

- Only need some dates? In **Export Chat**, click the menu next to **Dates**. The ZIP then has only those days, and its name has the dates.

## Questions

### What is the ZIP file called?

Attachments, the chat name, and today's date, like Attachments_Grace Liu_2026-11-12.zip.

### How are the files sorted in the ZIP?

There is one folder for each day. Each file name starts with the time and who sent it.

### Can I get the PDF and the ZIP together?

Yes. Keep PDF picked and pick Attachments too. TextPort makes a new folder inside the one you pick. It puts both files there.

### Can I save the photos from many chats at once?

Yes. Hold Command and click several chats. Click Export. Drop PDF and pick Attachments. Click Export, pick a folder, and click Export again. You get one ZIP for each chat that has photos or files.

### Are the photos smaller or changed?

No. TextPort copies the original files from Messages.

## Next guides

- [How to export one chat to PDF, CSV, or TXT in TextPort for Mac](https://textport.com/guides/export-one-chat-to-pdf-csv-or-txt-on-mac.md): You will get a file of one chat on your Mac, as a PDF, a spreadsheet, or plain text.
- [How to fix “TextPort can’t read your Messages” on Mac](https://textport.com/guides/fix-textport-cant-read-your-messages-on-mac.md): You will get TextPort for Mac to show your chats again, with photos and names.
- [How to install TextPort for Mac and give it Messages access](https://textport.com/guides/install-textport-for-mac-and-give-messages-access.md): You will have TextPort for Mac open, showing every chat saved in Messages on that Mac.

## On other platforms

- On Windows: [How to save photos and attachments as a ZIP in TextPort for Windows](https://textport.com/guides/save-photos-and-attachments-as-a-zip-on-windows.md)

TextPort guide for Mac. Updated 2026-11-12. Web page: https://textport.com/guides/save-all-attachments-as-a-zip-on-mac