WhatsApp stores valuable conversations, media, and documents, making it essential to back up or transfer chats to a PC. Whether for record-keeping, business purposes, or personal archives, exporting WhatsApp chats ensures you never lose important data. Fortunately, WhatsApp offers multiple ways to export chats, including built-in features, email, Google Drive, and third-party tools.
This guide will explore step-by-step methods to export WhatsApp chats to a PC with or without media. By the end, you'll know the best way to securely save your messages on your computer for easy access. Let’s get started!
Which Method Is Best for You? A Quick Comparison
Here's a comparison table of the different methods to export WhatsApp chats to PC:
| Method | Ease of Use | Includes Media | Format | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MobileTrans | Very Easy | Yes | PDF/HTML | Paid (Free Trial Available) |
| Export to PDF | Medium | No (Requires separate transfer) | Free | |
| Export via Email | Easy | Yes (Optional, but limited by email size) | TXT (Zipped) | Free |
| Local Backup (Android) | Technical | Yes (Media files only) | N/A (Direct file access) | Free |
Method 1: Export WhatsApp Chats with a Single Click Using MobileTrans
Most users like to export WhatsApp chats to backup their important conversations. If you have the same idea, then why not use the help of MobileTrans – WhatsApp Transfer. The desktop application can instantly save all WhatsApp data to your computer, and at the same time it can export WhatsApp chat history to PDF. You can restore it to any device in the future without compatibility issues.
To learn how to export all chats from WhatsApp to your computer and you can read it as PDF/html documents with MobileTrans, just follow these steps:
Step 1: Launch the MobileTrans application
To begin with, just launch the MobileTrans – WhatsApp Transfer application, select the Backup & Restore option from the sidebar, and choose to back up your data.
Step 2: Connect your smartphone
Now, using a working cable (USB or lighting), just connect your device to the system and let MobileTrans detect it. The application will automatically display a snapshot of the connected device.
Step 3: Export WhatsApp data to your computer
You can now access your backed-up WhatsApp messages and attachments and export them to your computer. Save exported messages in PDF or HTML format for easy viewing.
Method 2: How to Export WhatsApp Chats to PDF on PC
One of the best things about WhatsApp is that you can export individual chats to a text file if you want to. As of now, the feature to export chats in WhatsApp only lets us save messages and not the shared attachments. Once you have exported your chats as a text file, you can transfer it to your computer, and save it in PDF format. If you think the process to export WhatsApp chats to PDF sounds complicated, then follow these steps:
Step 1: Export chats in a TXT format
At first, you can just launch WhatsApp on your device and go to the conversation that you wish to export. Now, tap on the three-dot icon from the top to select the “Export Chat” option on WhatsApp. In the newer versions, it would be listed under More > Export Chat instead.
This will provide different options to export the chats as a TXT file. You can select a preferred mode to save the TXT file on the device or can just upload it to Google Drive to easily share it.
Step 2: Export WhatsApp chats to PDF
Once you have shared the exported chats to Google Drive, you can access it on your PC and download the document. Now, simply open the WhatsApp chat on MS Word to view the conversation. Finally, go to its Main Menu > File > Save As and choose to save the document as a “PDF” file under the “Save as type” field.
That’s it! This will let you export all chats from WhatsApp to your PC in a PDF format.
Method 3: How to Export WhatsApp Chats to PC via Email
This is another convenient way to export chats in WhatsApp that can be done on both Android and iOS devices. The process to export WhatsApp chats is pretty similar on iOS and Android, but the overall interface would vary. As you would export chats from WhatsApp via an email, the app will give you an option to include or exclude videos. Ideally, it is recommended to exclude videos since most of the email clients have a maximum capacity of only 20 MB per mail.
Method 1: Export WhatsApp Chats on iPhone
Firstly, you can just launch WhatsApp on your iOS device, select a chat, and swipe it to visit More Options > Export Chat. Alternatively, you can also open the conversation, tap on the more options from here, and choose the “Export Chat” feature.
Now, WhatsApp will give you options to include or exclude videos in the zipped WhatsApp chat file. Later, you can select “Mail” as an option to export chats from WhatsApp. This will launch the Mail app on iPhone with the attached WhatsApp chats that you can send to anyone (or yourself).
Method 2: Export WhatsApp Chats on Android
The process to export chats from WhatsApp on Android is pretty similar as well. Once you have opened the WhatsApp conversation, tap on the three-dot icon from the top, and select More > Export Chat feature.
Furthermore, you can choose to email the WhatsApp chat and select a preferred email server from the list. You can log-in to your email account from here and its window would automatically be opened with the attached document that you can later send to your email id.
Method 4: Using Local Backup on Android to Access Files on PC
For more technically inclined users, WhatsApp's local backup feature on Android offers a way to access backup files directly on a PC. This method provides a free alternative, although it requires a bit more technical know-how.
WhatsApp on Android periodically creates local backups of your chats and media. These backups are stored in the phone's internal storage.
Step 1: Accessing the Backup Folder
Using a file manager on your Android phone, navigate to the WhatsApp folder. Typically, this is located in the internal storage, in a directory named "WhatsApp".
Step 2: Locating the Databases and Media Folders
Within the WhatsApp folder, you'll find several sub-folders. The most relevant ones are "Databases" and "Media".
The "Databases" folder contains the encrypted database files (usually named something like `msgstore.db.crypt12`). These files store your chat messages. Note that these files are encrypted and require special tools or decryption keys to be read.
The "Media" folder contains all the photos, videos, and audio files shared in your WhatsApp chats. These files are generally accessible and can be directly copied to your PC.
Step 3: Connecting Your Phone to PC and Transferring Files
Connect your Android phone to your PC using a USB cable. Select the "File Transfer" or "MTP" mode on your phone.
You can now access your phone's internal storage from your PC. Navigate to the WhatsApp folder and copy the "Media" folder (or specific media files) to your computer.
Important Considerations:
- • The chat database files are encrypted and not directly readable. Decrypting them requires specialized tools and knowledge.
- • This method primarily allows you to access media files. Accessing the actual chat content from the database files is more complex.
- • Regularly backing up your WhatsApp data is crucial to prevent data loss.
While this method is more technical, it provides a free way to access WhatsApp media files on your PC. It's particularly useful for users who want to archive their photos and videos without using third-party tools.
Whether you need to download WhatsApp messages to your computer for legal reasons or simply want to archive a memorable conversation, these methods provide a reliable solution. Since these techniques to export a chat in WhatsApp can be complicated, you can simply use MobileTrans – WhatsApp Transfer. With just a single click, it will let you backup and restore your WhatsApp data directly to and from your PC like a pro.
FAQs
Q1: Why is the 'Export Chat' option greyed out or missing?
This can happen in certain regions due to local regulations (e.g., Germany). Try using a VPN or one of the software-based methods.
Q2: Can I download an entire WhatsApp conversation with thousands of messages?
The native export feature has limits (e.g., 40,000 messages without media). For very long chats, a tool like MobileTrans is recommended.
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Axel Nash
staff Editor