FAQ
Find answers to common questions about TextExhibit.
General Questions
What is TextExhibit?
TextExhibit is a desktop application that converts text message backups from Android and iPhone devices into professionally formatted, court-ready PDF documents. It’s designed for attorneys, paralegals, and legal professionals who need to present text message evidence.
What platforms does TextExhibit support?
TextExhibit runs on:
- Windows 10 and Windows 11
- macOS 10.15 (Catalina) and later
Is my data sent to any servers?
No. TextExhibit processes all data locally on your computer. Your clients’ text messages never leave your machine. See our Privacy Policy for more details.
Backup Format Questions
What Android backup format does TextExhibit support?
TextExhibit supports XML backups created by the SMS Backup & Restore app, available free on the Google Play Store. The backup files are typically named sms-YYYYMMDDHHMMSS.xml and mms-YYYYMMDDHHMMSS.xml.
What iPhone backup format does TextExhibit support?
TextExhibit supports two iPhone formats:
.textexhibitfiles (Preferred) - Created by your client using TextExhibit Extractor. This packages only the selected conversations into a single, easy-to-transfer file.- Full Apple Devices/Finder backups - Standard backup directories created on Windows (via Apple Devices) or Mac (via Finder). Both encrypted and unencrypted backups are supported.
Can TextExhibit read encrypted iPhone backups?
Yes, but you will need the backup password. TextExhibit will prompt you to enter the password when you select an encrypted backup. If you don’t know the password, ask your client or create a new unencrypted backup.
Does TextExhibit support WhatsApp or other messaging apps?
Currently, TextExhibit only supports native SMS/MMS messages. WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and other third-party messaging apps are not supported at this time.
Output & Features Questions
What is Bates numbering?
Bates numbering is a method of indexing legal documents for easy identification and retrieval. Each page receives a unique sequential identifier (e.g., DOC-000001, DOC-000002). TextExhibit can automatically add Bates numbers to every page of your output PDFs.
What is the hash verification report?
The verification report documents the integrity of your source files and output PDFs using cryptographic hashes (SHA256 and MD5). This provides chain of custody documentation showing that the files have not been tampered with.
How are large conversations handled?
Conversations with more than 100 messages are automatically split into monthly PDFs for easier navigation. Each PDF covers one calendar month of messages.
Can I filter messages by date?
Yes. TextExhibit includes date range filters so you can include only messages from a specific time period relevant to your case.
What happens to images and videos in messages?
MMS attachments (images, videos, audio) are extracted and saved to a media folder. The PDFs reference these files so you can view them alongside the message content.
Android-Specific Questions
How do I get the device serial number for Android?
Android apps cannot access the device serial number for security reasons. If you need this information in your PDF footer, ask your client to:
- Open Settings > About Phone
- Find and copy the Device name and Serial number
- Send this information to you via email
My client’s backup file is very large. What should I do?
Large backup files (over 25MB) may be difficult to email. Ask your client to upload the file to a private client upload folder via SharePoint or to a cloud storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox and share the link with you.
iPhone-Specific Questions
What is TextExhibit Extractor?
TextExhibit Extractor is a free companion tool that your clients can use to create .textexhibit files. It extracts only the specific conversations they choose from their iPhone backup, packaging them into a single file that’s easy to transfer to you. See the iPhone Backup Instructions for details.
Where are full iPhone backups stored?
If working with full iPhone backups (instead of .textexhibit files):
- Windows:
C:\Users\[Username]\Apple\MobileSync\Backup\ - Mac:
~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/
My client forgot their backup password. What can they do?
If your client doesn’t remember their backup password, they can create a new unencrypted backup. In the Apple Devices app (Windows) or Finder (Mac), uncheck the “Encrypt local backup” option before creating a new backup.
Can I read a backup from iCloud?
No. TextExhibit only supports local backups. iCloud backups cannot be accessed directly. Ask your client to create a local backup on their computer and use TextExhibit Extractor to create a .textexhibit file.
Licensing Questions
Is there a trial?
Yes. TextExhibit runs in trial mode with watermarks on output PDFs. This allows you to fully evaluate the software before purchasing.
How do I activate my license?
After purchasing, go to Help > Activate License in TextExhibit, enter your license key, and click Activate. See the Purchase page for detailed instructions.
Can I use my license on multiple computers?
No. Each license is valid for a single computer. Contact support if you need to transfer your license to a different computer or inquire about volume licensing.
Troubleshooting
TextExhibit says “No messages found”
- Verify you selected the correct source type (Android XML vs iPhone backup)
- Ensure the backup file is not corrupted or incomplete
- For iPhone, make sure you selected the backup folder, not a file inside it
The generated PDFs are missing some messages
- Check your date range filters - messages outside the range are excluded
- Verify that the backup includes all message types (SMS and MMS for Android)
Images aren’t appearing in the PDFs
- Ensure “Extract Media” is enabled in export options
- Check that the source backup includes MMS data (for Android, this requires a separate MMS backup)
Still Have Questions?
If you didn’t find your answer here, please contact support.