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Does WhatsApp export chat history?

WhatsApp is the most popular messaging app in the world, with over 2 billion active users. With its massive user base, WhatsApp processes 65 billion messages per day. Naturally, people using WhatsApp build up substantial chat histories over time. Managing and exporting these chat histories is a common need for many WhatsApp users.

Can you export WhatsApp chats?

Yes, it is possible to export your WhatsApp chat history. WhatsApp provides users with the ability to export their chat history as a text file or as an email attachment. This allows you to back up your chats or transfer them to another device.

There are a few different ways to export your WhatsApp chats:

  • From within the WhatsApp app on your phone
  • Using third-party apps or tools
  • From WhatsApp Web/Desktop

Let’s look at each of these options in more detail.

Exporting chats from the WhatsApp mobile app

The simplest way to export your chats is directly through the WhatsApp app on your phone:

  1. Open WhatsApp and go to the Chats tab
  2. Tap on the More options icon (3 vertical dots)
  3. Select More > Export chat
  4. Select the conversation you want to export
  5. Choose whether you want to export the chat With Media or Without Media
  6. Tap on Export
  7. Select the destination – either Email as an attachment or Save to Google Drive

This will export your chat history for the selected conversation either as a text (.txt) file attached to an email or saved in your Google Drive. Media files like photos and videos will only be included if you choose the With Media option.

Using third-party apps

There are many third-party apps and tools available that provide added functionality to export your WhatsApp chats. Some popular options include:

  • dr.fone – Transfer WhatsApp – Allows exporting chats to PC as HTML or TXT files
  • iMyFone iTransor – Exports WhatsApp chats to PDF or TXT format
  • CopyTrans Contacts – Exports chats and media to PC and retains timestamps
  • Mobile Trans – Backs up chats to PC readable formats like PDF, HTML, XML, CSV

The main benefits of using a third-party app are:

  • More export format options like PDF, HTML, CSV
  • Ability to transfer chats to a computer
  • Maintains complete timestamp info
  • Exports media along with chats
  • Allows mass export of all chats

Exporting from WhatsApp Web/Desktop

You can also export your WhatsApp chats from WhatsApp Web or the desktop app:

  1. Open web.whatsapp.com or WhatsApp Desktop
  2. Open the chat you want to export
  3. Click on the More options icon (3 dots)
  4. Choose More > Export Chat
  5. Select whether to include media
  6. Click Export
  7. Save the .txt file to your computer

This will save your exported chat as a text file on your computer. One limitation is that you can only export one chat at a time.

What gets exported from WhatsApp?

When you export your WhatsApp chats, here are the key items that will be included:

  • Messages – All exchanged texts, emojis, links
  • Call history – records of voice and video calls
  • Multimedia – Shared photos, audio messages, videos (if exported with media)
  • Timestamps – Date and time for each message
  • Contact names

Some things that don’t get exported from WhatsApp chats:

  • Group info – Group name, icon, description etc.
  • Sender contact info – Phone numbers
  • Message statuses – single tick, double tick etc.
  • Deleted messages

What formats can WhatsApp chats be exported in?

WhatsApp allows exporting chats in the following formats:

Format File Type Supports Media
Text File .txt No
Email Attachment .txt No
Google Drive .txt No

Using third-party apps expands the export possibilities to various formats like:

  • PDF (.pdf)
  • HTML (.html)
  • CSV (.csv)
  • XML (.xml)
  • Image Files like JPG, PNG

The HTML format preserves formatting like line breaks and allows embedding of media files for a rich export. PDF is also a nice portable format that maintains formatting.

Pro-tips for exporting WhatsApp chats

Here are some expert tips to make use of when exporting your WhatsApp chat history:

Enable chat backup

Before exporting chats, ensure you have enabled chat backup in WhatsApp’s settings. This will save your chats to Google Drive and ensure nothing is lost.

Use a third-party app for more flexibility

Apps like iMyFone and dr.fone provide more export options and the ability to transfer chats to your computer.

Export periodically

Don’t wait till you need to transfer your data. Export your chats to your computer every few months as a backup.

Save media separately

Export chats without media first, then use a tool like iMyFone iTransor to export just your WhatsApp media files separately.

Export to PDF for portability

PDF retains chat formatting and is easy to store and share. You can print it out as a record too.

Use HTML export for complete data

HTML export embeds media inline and preserves more meta data like timestamps for a complete record.

Conclusion

Exporting your WhatsApp chat history is easy to do right from within WhatsApp for Android and iOS devices. You can export chats as text files and email attachments. For more flexibility over formats, timestamps and media, a third party app like iMyFone or dr.fone is recommended.

Regularly backing up and exporting your WhatsApp chats is prudent to prevent losing your chat histories. The exported files allow you to store chats securely, print chat records and migrate chats across devices.