WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. One of the key features of WhatsApp is voice and video calling, allowing users to easily connect with friends and family. While the calls themselves are not recorded or saved by default, it is possible to download and save your full WhatsApp call history with some effort.
In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through the various methods to download your entire call history from WhatsApp to your device. We will cover techniques for both iPhone and Android users. With the right tools and techniques, you can have a permanent record of all incoming and outgoing WhatsApp calls.
Why Download WhatsApp Call History?
Here are some of the main reasons you may want to download and save your full WhatsApp call history:
- To have a record of all calls made for reference
- To retrieve important information discussed during a call
- To view call durations and frequencies over time
- To recover deleted call history
- For use as evidence if required
While WhatsApp calls are end-to-end encrypted for privacy, having your own saved copy can be useful in many circumstances.
Requirements for Downloading WhatsApp Call History
Before proceeding with the various methods to download call history from WhatsApp, there are a few requirements and notes to consider:
- You need to have the latest version of WhatsApp installed on your device
- Your device needs to be rooted (Android only)
- You need enough free storage space for the call history files
- Downloaded call history will be saved as .txt files
- Some methods only allow exporting a limited number of recent calls
- The full call history is device-specific and cannot be merged across devices
As long as you meet these requirements, you will be able to successfully download your WhatsApp call history.
How to Download WhatsApp Call History on iPhone
For iPhone users, there are limited options available to download your full WhatsApp call history. Here are the main methods:
Using iMazing App
One of the easiest ways to download WhatsApp call history on iPhone is by using the iMazing app. Here are the steps:
- Download and install the latest version of iMazing on your Mac or Windows PC.
- Connect your iPhone to your computer using the USB cable.
- Open iMazing and select your device.
- Navigate to Apps > WhatsApp > Documents.
- You will see all of your WhatsApp call history files stored here. Select all files and export them to your computer.
The main benefit of using iMazing is convenience. The app quickly detects all of your WhatsApp call history files and allows exporting them in one go. However, the free version only allows exporting limited recent calls. You need to upgrade to the paid version to get your full call history.
Using iTunes Backup
You can also use iTunes on your computer to take a full iPhone backup, which will include your WhatsApp call history:
- Connect your iPhone to your computer and launch iTunes.
- Under Backups, select “This Computer” and then Back Up Now to take a new backup.
- Navigate to the iTunes backup folder location on your computer (default location is: ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/) and find the most recent backup folder.
- Inside this folder, locate the `3d0d7e5fb2ce288813306e4d4636395e047a3d28` file which contains the WhatsApp information.
- Copy this file over to another location on your computer and change the extension from .crypt12 to .zip.
- Extract the .zip file. Your WhatsApp call history will be located in the documents folder as .txt files.
While complex, this method allows you to access your entire WhatsApp call history without any limits. However, it does require some technical skill to locate the right files and process the iTunes backup.
Using Third-Party Apps (Limited History)
Some third-party apps like iExplorer and PhoneView also allow viewing and exporting your WhatsApp call history from an iPhone backup. However, most only show a limited recent call history. Still, they provide an easy way to export some of your WhatsApp calls.
How to Download Full WhatsApp Call History on Android
For Android users, it is possible to export your entire WhatsApp call history as long as your device is rooted. Here are the steps:
Using WhatsApp Database Extractor
One of the best apps for this purpose is WhatsApp Database Extractor by Shubham Mobile. Here is how to use it:
- Download and install WhatsApp Database Extractor on your Android device.
- Grant root permission when prompted.
- Open the app and select WhatsApp Call History.
- The app will automatically extract all of your WhatsApp call history and display it.
- Tap export to save the full call history in a .txt file on your device.
This provides an automated and convenient way to export all WhatsApp calls with just a few taps. However, your device needs to be rooted for the app to be able to access the WhatsApp database.
Using WhatsApp Database Files
You can also directly access the WhatsApp database files on a rooted Android device:
- Install a file manager with root access. We recommend Solid Explorer.
- Launch the app and enable root explorer.
- Navigate to `data/data/com.whatsapp/databases`.
- Here you will find the `msgstore.db.crypt12` file which contains your call history.
- Copy this file to another location such as external SD card.
- Use a database decryptor/extractor app to convert the file to readable format.
- Your full call history will now be available in plaintext format for export.
While more complex, this gives you direct access to the WhatsApp database for full control over backing up your call history.
How to View Exported WhatsApp Call History
Once you have used any of the above methods to successfully export your WhatsApp call history, you will have one or more .txt files containing all your calls. Here is how you can view the call history:
- Open the .txt files in a text editor or word processor app.
- You will see the call history formatted with details like date, time, duration and contact name.
- For convenience, you can also import the .txt files into a spreadsheet app like Excel to better organize and analyze the call records.
- Use the app’s search and sorting functions to easily find specific calls.
- You may need to adjust the column widths in Excel for the date and time fields.
This provides a simple way to review and work with your downloaded WhatsApp call history with full sorting and searching capabilities. The records can also be filtered by date ranges or contact names if required.
Important Considerations When Downloading WhatsApp Call History
While it is possible to download your full WhatsApp call history with the right tools, there are some important considerations to keep in mind:
- Downloaded records contain personal information so keep them secure.
- Records only include calls made within WhatsApp, not regular cell calls.
- Call history is specific only to that device and cannot be merged.
- You need enough free storage space on your device for the call history files.
- WhatsApp does not support or endorse downloading call history.
- Downloaded records may not be admissible as legal evidence.
- Avoid any unethical use of other users’ private call records.
In summary, exercise caution when downloading your WhatsApp call history and use the records responsibly respecting other users’ privacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about downloading WhatsApp call history:
Is it possible to download WhatsApp call history online?
No, there is no official way to download WhatsApp call history directly from the servers online. The call records are only stored locally on each device. You need physical access to your device to be able to export WhatsApp call history using the methods described above.
Can I merge WhatsApp call history from multiple devices?
Unfortunately, that is not possible. The call history is device-specific and stored in different databases on each device. There is no way to combine WhatsApp call records from an iPhone, Android phone, and WhatsApp Web into one file.
How far back can I download WhatsApp call history?
You can download your entire WhatsApp call history on that device since you first started using the app. So if you have been using WhatsApp for 5 years, you can get call records going back 5 years as long as you used the same device.
Can I export WhatsApp call history from my computer?
No, WhatsApp call history is only stored on your mobile devices like smartphones and tablets, not on the desktop app or WhatsApp Web which do not have access to your local databases. You need to use your actual mobile device to export call records.
Is it illegal to download WhatsApp call history?
It is not illegal if you are downloading your own WhatsApp call history from your own device for personal use. However, accessing someone else’s WhatsApp account to download their call history without consent is illegal and a violation of privacy laws in most countries.
Conclusion
WhatsApp call history contains a wealth of information about your conversations and can be downloaded for record keeping or other purposes. While WhatsApp itself does not provide official tools to export call history, using third-party apps and techniques described in this guide, both iPhone and Android users can save their full WhatsApp call log. Handle these records securely and avoid unethical use for maximum privacy.