# How to see all photos and files in a chat on Mac

## Quick answer

In TextPort for Mac:

1. Click the chat in the list on the left.
2. Click **Attachments** at the top of the chat.

To see the whole chat again, click **Messages**.

## What you need

- TextPort for Mac, set up with Messages access

## Steps

1. Click the chat

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

2. Click **Attachments**

   It is next to **Messages**. The chat shows only photos, videos, voice messages, and files.

## Done

You see every attachment in the chat, with its date and time.

## Problems

| What you see | What to do |
| --- | --- |
| **No attachments found** | The chat has no attachments in those dates. If you picked dates, click the date range in the toolbar, then **Reset**. |
| A file says **Didn’t sync to this Mac**. | In Messages, open the chat and click the name at the top. Then click **Download Attachments in iCloud**. When it is done, click **Check Again** in TextPort. |
| A chat says **Show Attachments Again**, or shows **Show photos and attachments**. | TextPort cannot read the Attachments folder. See [how to show photos and names](https://textport.com/guides/give-access-to-attachments-and-contacts-on-mac#attachments). |
| 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

### Does it go back to Messages by itself?

Yes. When you open another chat, TextPort shows Messages again.

### Does Export use this tab?

Yes. Click **Export** in the toolbar on this tab and the file leaves out the text. Click **Messages** first to export the whole chat.

### Can I save these files?

Yes. See [how to open or save one file](https://textport.com/guides/open-or-save-one-photo-or-file-on-mac.md), or [save them all as a ZIP](https://textport.com/guides/save-all-attachments-as-a-zip-on-mac.md).

## Next guides

- [How to open or save one photo or file on Mac](https://textport.com/guides/open-or-save-one-photo-or-file-on-mac.md): You will open one photo or file, or save a copy of it on your Mac.
- [How to save all photos and files from a chat on Mac](https://textport.com/guides/save-all-attachments-as-a-zip-on-mac.md): You will get one ZIP file with every photo, video, and file from a chat.
- [How to play voice messages and videos on Mac](https://textport.com/guides/play-voice-messages-and-videos-on-mac.md): You will hear a voice message or watch a video right in the chat.

## On other platforms

- On iPhone: [How to see all photos, videos, and files in a chat](https://textport.com/guides/browse-photos-videos-audio-and-files-in-a-chat.md)

TextPort guide for Mac. Updated 2026-11-05. Web page: https://textport.com/guides/see-photos-and-files-in-a-chat-on-mac