# How to send text messages to a lawyer with TextPort

## Quick answer

1. Import the whole chat: tap **Add Chat** and pick how.
2. Open the chat. Check that each message has a date and time.
3. Tap **Export**, then **PDF**.
4. Tap **Add** on the **Add phone numbers to this PDF** card. Check names and add numbers.
5. Tap the share button, then **Share**. Email it to your lawyer.

Your lawyer then has the PDF.

## What you need

- TextPort on your iPhone
- The chat, still on your phone
- Your lawyer's email address

## 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: Import all of the chat, not just a part. Your lawyer needs the full story.

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

   The chat opens.

4. Check dates and times

   Scroll the chat. Each message shows a date and a time.

   Tip: If the times are hidden, tap **…**, then **Show Timestamps**.

5. Tap **Export**

   It is the blue button at the bottom. **Export Chat** opens.

6. Tap **PDF**

   TextPort builds the PDF. **PDF Preview** opens.

   Tip: TextPort may ask you to unlock this.

7. Tap **Add**

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

8. Check each name and add numbers

   Tap each person under **People**. Fix the name and type the number.

   Tip: **Me** is next to your name. If it 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).

9. Tap the **X**

   It is in the top right of **Chat Details**. TextPort makes the PDF again.

10. Tap the share button

    It is the blue button in the top right. **Share**, **Share Link**, and **Files** show.

11. Tap **Share**

    It is the first tile. Pick your email app. Send it to your lawyer.

    Tip: If the file is too big to email, tap **Share Link**.

## Done

Your lawyer has a PDF of the whole chat, with names, phone numbers, dates, and times.

## Problems

| What you see | What to do |
| --- | --- |
| The file is too big to email. | Tap **Share Link** instead of **Share**. Send the link. See [Share a big export with a link](https://textport.com/guides/share-a-big-export-with-a-link.md). |
| There is no **Add phone numbers to this PDF** card. | Every person has a number already, or you closed the card. Tap the name at the top of the chat to open **Chat Details**. |
| Your lawyer wants only some dates. | In **PDF Preview**, tap the filter icon. Set the dates. It shows only for chats from Messages, WhatsApp, or LINE that cover more than one day. |
| Photos are missing from the PDF. | Chats from screenshots show only the photos TextPort could cut out. Long press a message. Tap **Add attachment**. See [Add a missing attachment by hand](https://textport.com/guides/add-a-missing-attachment-by-hand.md). |
| A time is wrong in a screenshot chat. | Long press the message. Tap **Edit Timestamp**. Chats from Messages and WhatsApp keep the times from those apps. You cannot edit them. |
| 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

- Do not change what people wrote. Fix only names, dates, and times.
- Keep your own copy. Tap the share button again, then **Files**.
- Keep the chat on your phone. The PDF is a copy.

## Questions

### Should I send screenshots instead?

A PDF is easier to read. It shows every message in order, with names and times. Send screenshots only if your lawyer asks.

### Can the PDF be used in court?

Rules differ by court. TextPort PDFs can be used in court. Your lawyer will know what the court wants. See [Prepare text messages for court](https://textport.com/guides/prepare-messages-for-court.md).

### Is email safe for this?

Ask your lawyer how they want to get files. Some have a secure upload page. Save the PDF to **Files**, then upload it there.

### Can my lawyer get a spreadsheet too?

Yes. Tap **Export**, then **Spreadsheet**. Send it the same way.

## Next guides

- [How to prepare text messages for court with TextPort](https://textport.com/guides/prepare-messages-for-court.md): You will have a PDF of the chat that shows who said what, and when, with phone numbers.
- [How to add phone numbers to a PDF with TextPort](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 share a big export with a link in TextPort](https://textport.com/guides/share-a-big-export-with-a-link.md): You will get a web link to your file that anyone with it can open for 7 days.
- [How to export a chat to PDF with TextPort](https://textport.com/guides/export-a-chat-to-pdf.md): You will get a PDF of one chat, with names, dates, and times, ready to share or print.

## On other platforms

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

TextPort guide for iPhone. Updated 2026-11-10. Web page: https://textport.com/guides/send-messages-to-a-lawyer