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Chats are more than just text when they are stored in our phones as necessary information. Therefore, losing access to these conversations can be frustrating, especially when they also hold emotions. This is why downloading chat history is essential for anyone who values their data. Sometimes, you may also want to switch devices or keep a secure copy of your chats for reference.

In such moments, knowing how to download chat history becomes an invaluable skill. This process helps protect your data and ensures you control your digital interactions. Thus, this guide explores how to download WhatsApp chat history seamlessly on your preferred device. You’ll have everything backed up and available whenever required with just a few steps.

In this article
    1. Method 1. Try Export Chat Feature
    2. Method 2. Use Third-Party WhatsApp Backup App

Part 1. How to Download WhatsApp Chat History on iPhone & Android?

Although this texting platform offers a feature to save chat history, many people don't know how to use it. That's why this section will provide practical solutions for learning how to download chat history from WhatsApp on your preferred mobile device.

Method 1. Try Export Chat Feature

The first method is the platform's export chat feature, which quickly downloads specific conversations. It allows you to save chats with or without media to choose what suits your needs.

Plus, you can share the downloaded chats via email or cloud storage, which will be saved as a ZIP file. Below, we will explore how to download chat history in WhatsApp on both Android and iPhone:

For iPhone

Step 1. Begin by navigating the chatting app and accessing the specific chat you want to export. After that, tap the person's name to access its Settings screen and swipe up for the "Export Chat" option. Upon seeing a bottom-up menu, choose to export chat with or without media files that suit your needs.

export chat with or without media

Step 2. Moving forward, you must select the "Gmail" option or any other platform to send your selected chat. Then, type your email address in the "To" section so that you can access and download the exported chat on your desktop. After that, press the "Send" icon to share the chat successfully through Gmail.

share chat using gmail on iphone

Step 3. Following this, access the “Gmail” account on your desktop, where you recently sent the chat history. Upon seeing the platform’s main interface, open the mail with the WhatsApp chat history file. Now, click the “Download” icon to save the conversation on your PC.

download received chat with desktop
For Android

Step 1. To perform this task on your Android device, open the individual’s chat display on this texting app. Following this, just press the “Three Dots” to select the “More” option. Next, tap the “Export Chat” feature and select any option from the newly appeared dialogue box, including “Without Media” or “Include Media.”

proceed to export chat from android

Step 2. After selecting your preferred choice, tap the "Gmail" option to export your chat and download it on your computer. Then, input your email credentials in the "To" section and press the "Send" icon to share the ZIP file. Afterward, access the "Gmail" account on your computer that you enter to receive the chat history file. Then, open the newly received mail and click the "Download" icon to finish the task.

add credentials and move chat gmail

Method 2. Use Third-Party WhatsApp Backup App

While the Export Chat feature is excellent for saving individual conversations, it’s not practical for managing entire chat histories or frequent backups. For those seeking a seamless solution, third-party tools designed for efficient backups offer significant advantages. A specialized tool becomes essential when you need to back up your entire chat history without limitations or manual effort. This is where Wondershare MobileTrans is a standout option.

This WhatsApp backup software lets you back up all your WhatsApp data or other media files without losing a single piece of information. You don't need technical expertise to save your chats or switch them between devices. Thus, let's dive below to understand the backup process and learn how to download chat history from WhatsApp using MobileTrans:

Step 1. Launch this Dedicated Tool for the Backup Process

First, download the tool on your preferred desktop and open it to access its main interface. After that, navigate to the “Backup & Restore” tab and click the “Backup” button under the “App Backup & Restore” section.

backup from app backup & restore

Step 2. Connect Your Smartphone and Select the Data

Upon seeing the new interface showing various applications, click "WhatsApp." Then, you need to connect your mobile phone to the computer by using a reliable USB cable. When the software detects your phone, you will be able to see your phone in the "Source" section. Now, select the data you want to back up and press the "Start" button.

select data after source and destination

Step 3. Take Backup of Your Chats

Afterward, no additional actions are required for iPhone users during the backup. However, you need to disable the chat backup feature within WhatsApp if you are an Android user. Then, the tool automatically backs up all your select chats on your computer and gives you a confirmation screen.

turn off auto backup from android

Part 2. How to Download WhatsApp Chat History from Google Drive?

Restoring this data is essential for those using Google Drive for chat backups when switching devices or recovering lost messages. While this cloud-based service provides a built-in restore option, it often lacks flexibility, especially when transferring data across platforms. To overcome this challenge, you can safely use Wondershare MobileTrans to restore chats from Google Drive.

It supports retrieving complete chat histories, including media, directly from your cloud backup. Moreover, the tool preserves all conversations and attachments during restoration without risking data loss. So, go through the steps below to understand how to download WhatsApp chat history from Google Drive:

Step 1. Access the Tool to Restore Google Drive Backup Chats

After downloading MobileTrans on your computer, open it to start the process. Next, click the “Google Drive to WhatsApp” feature on the main interface to move further.

pick google drive to whatsapp feature

Step 2. Access Your Backup File in the Tool

Afterward, you must enter your "Google Account" credentials, where the backup you want to download is stored. When you connect to the account, you can see your recent backup WhatsApp file.

enter google account credentials to continue

Step 3. Restore Chat Files on Your Device

Now, access the backup file and navigate to the chats that you want to download. After that, just press the “Export As PDF” button to save the selected backup file on your device.

press export as pdf button

Pro Tip. Uncover Someone's WhatsApp Hidden Online Status to Have Real-Time Communication

Although downloading chat history helps preserve past conversations, real-time communication is equally important for effective interactions. While saving chats ensures you retain valuable data, knowing when someone is actively online enables instant engagement. Sometimes, people hide their online status, which makes it difficult to know when they're available. This can lead to missed opportunities for real-time discussions, especially when quick responses are needed.

Such situations require a tool that helps uncover hidden online statuses. WaLastseen Online Web is the perfect solution for tracking someone's online activity. It allows you to monitor when a contact is active, even if their status is hidden. So, after learning how to download chat history in WhatsApp, using WaLastseen ensures you stay connected with your loved ones by knowing their online time.

Key Features
  • Compatibility: Being an online tool, it works seamlessly on any mobile device as well as on desktops.
  • Activity Timeline: Users will be able to view detailed logs of a contact’s online and offline timings.
  • Multiple Tracking: This dedicated tool lets you monitor the activity of up to three contacts simultaneously.
Pros
  • This online tracking tool provides a detailed activity timeline, like exact online and offline timing.
  • Apart from using its online tool, the WaLastseen application is also available for Android users.
Con
  • You have to buy its premium plan before starting the tracking process.
How to Use WaLastseen to Uncover Someone's WhatsApp Hidden Online Status

Go through the detailed step-by-step guidelines below to see someone's hidden online activity using this tool:

Step 1. Open this Online Tracking Tool

Launch your chosen browser on your mobile device and navigate to the official WaLastseen Online website. Next, create a new tracking account by providing your credentials. After registering, enter the contact information you wish to track and press the “Track Now” button.

launch tool online and track now

Step 2. Connect WhatsApp Account to WaLastseen

Later, tap the “Link WhatsApp” button in the tool's display to connect your messaging app account with WaLastseen. Subsequently, a QR code will be shown on your display, which you must scan and connect to your account via the scanner.

link whatsapp by scanning qr code

Step 3. Track the Activity of Selected Individual

Once your accounts are linked and the subscription is acquired, you will be directed to the activity screen. On this display, you can view comprehensive online statistics for your chosen contacts. In addition, tap the "Calendar" icon adjacent to the date range to see the activity from the last week or month.

monitor account activity via calendar

Conclusion

To sum up, conversations on messaging apps hold immense value, and preserving these chats ensures they are never lost. The above guide has already provided detailed guidelines for exploring how to download chat history from WhatsApp. For users who want a reliable and feature-rich solution to save chats, Wondershare MobileTrans is the best option.

The tool allows users to back up or restore complete chat histories without hassle. Additionally, monitoring someone's WhatsApp online activity can enhance communication by ensuring timely interactions. To cater to these needs, you should use WaLastseen Online Web to track the hidden online statuses of any preferred person.

FAQ

  • Q1. How does the Export Chat feature work in WhatsApp?
    This feature allows you to save individual chat conversations as a ZIP file. You can choose to include media files during export and send the data via email or save it to cloud storage. While useful, this method is time-consuming for large backups and lacks advanced features compared to third-party tools.
  • Q2. Can I recover deleted chats on WhatsApp?
    Deleted chats can be recovered if a backup is stored on Google Drive, iCloud, or a local device. Tools like Wondershare MobileTrans simplify this process by restoring backups across different platforms. It ensures that all your messages and media are recovered securely without complications.
  • Q3. Can I monitor someone’s WhatsApp activity without them knowing?
    Yes, tools like WaLastseen Online let you track someone's online activity discreetly. It provides real-time updates on their online and offline status without notifying the user. Alongside that, you will be able to see someone's activity even if they blocked you.
Wondershare Recommends
WaLastseen
  • Track WhatsApp contacts' last seen status.
  • Get instant online and offline notifications of them.
  • Analyze their WhatsApp daily usage.
  • Compare chat probabilities of two contacts.
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Stay in the know with your cared ones.
See the online/offline status even of users who have set it to hidden.
Get to know the online/offline status for not one but multiple contac.
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