WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps with over 2 billion users worldwide. With WhatsApp groups, you can connect with family, friends, coworkers and more. However, you may want to extract the mobile numbers of group participants for various reasons.
Here are some common scenarios when you may need to extract mobile numbers from a WhatsApp group:
Quick Answers
Is it possible to extract mobile numbers from a WhatsApp group?
Yes, it is possible to extract mobile numbers from a WhatsApp group using third-party apps or your phone’s file manager.
Is it legal to extract mobile numbers without permission?
No, it is illegal in many countries to extract personal data like phone numbers without consent. Make sure you have permission first.
What are some apps to extract numbers from WhatsApp?
Some popular apps are WhatsApp Number Extractor, Get Numbers and Export Chat. Many require root access on Android. On iPhone, apps like iMazing and PhoneView can export numbers.
Can I extract numbers from WhatsApp backup?
Yes, you can use your phone’s file manager to access the msgstore.db.crypt12 file in your WhatsApp backup and extract numbers from there.
Does WhatsApp notify when you extract numbers?
No, WhatsApp does not send any notification when you extract numbers from the app. As long as you use a third party app or method, WhatsApp cannot detect it.
Reasons to Extract Mobile Numbers
Here are some common reasons you may want to extract mobile numbers from a WhatsApp group:
- To save the numbers to your phone’s contacts
- To message or call group participants outside of WhatsApp
- To export numbers to a document or spreadsheet
- To backup the numbers for future reference
- To migrate chat history when switching phones
- For business purposes like marketing campaigns
While your reasons may be harmless, it’s important to only extract numbers if you have the consent of the group participants. Their numbers are personal data that should not be accessed or used without permission.
Methods to Extract Mobile Numbers from WhatsApp
Here are the main methods you can use to extract mobile numbers from a WhatsApp group:
Using WhatsApp Tools
WhatsApp itself does not provide any built-in way to export the phone numbers of group participants. However, there are some workarounds using WhatsApp’s tools:
- Manually save each number to your contacts one by one.
- Use WhatsApp’s Click to Chat links – type https://wa.me/ followed by the phone number.
- Email chat history to yourself, then extract numbers from the attached HTML file.
However, these methods are time consuming and do not give you an easy way to extract all numbers at once.
Using Third-Party Apps
There are several third party apps and tools available to extract all numbers from a WhatsApp group more easily:
| App | Platform | Root Required? |
|---|---|---|
| WhatsApp Number Extractor | Android | Yes |
| Get Numbers | Android | No |
| Export Chat | Android | No |
| iMazing | iOS | No |
| PhoneView | iOS | No |
These apps can extract all numbers from your WhatsApp groups easily and save them to a CSV or spreadsheet file. However, many require root access on Android devices which can be risky.
Through Phone’s File Manager
You can use your Android or iPhone’s built-in file manager to access the WhatsApp database files and extract numbers:
- On Android, the msgstore.db.crypt12 file is usually in internal storage > WhatsApp > Databases.
- On iPhone, you need to connect to a computer and access the chat database files through iTunes or other software.
This method gives you raw access to all WhatsApp data, but requires technical expertise to extract the numbers you need.
Risks and Precautions
Before you extract numbers from a WhatsApp group, keep these important factors in mind:
- Legality – In many regions like the EU, scraping user data without consent is illegal.
- Malware – Beware of fake number extractor apps that may contain malware.
- Rooting – Rooting your Android device to use certain apps comes with security risks.
- Privacy – Only extract and use numbers for legitimate purposes with permission.
- Bans – WhatsApp may ban your account for violating their Terms of Service.
Make sure you thoroughly research any third-party apps, and manually check any extracted data for accuracy. Also be aware that WhatsApp does not allow the use of modified or hacked versions of their app.
Step-by-Step Guide
Here is a step-by-step guide to extract numbers from a WhatsApp group using a third party Android app:
1. Install WhatsApp Number Extractor
First, install the WhatsApp Number Extractor app on your Android device. Make sure to enable “Unknown Sources” in settings to install apps outside the Google Play Store. This app does not require root access.
2. Grant Permissions
When you open the app for the first time, grant it the required permissions like access to contacts and storage. This allows the app to access WhatsApp data on your phone.
3. Select Group
The app will display a list of all your WhatsApp groups. Tap on the group you want to extract numbers from.
4. Extract Numbers
Finally, tap “Extract Numbers” and the app will process the request. It will then show a list of all the extracted numbers.
5. Save Numbers
From here you can copy numbers individually, or tap Export to save the entire list as a CSV or TXT file which you can view and edit on your computer.
And that’s it! With just a few taps you can easily extract mobile numbers from your WhatsApp groups using this app.
Legal Alternatives
If you need to collect phone numbers for legitimate purposes, here are some legal alternatives to consider instead of scraping numbers without consent:
- Ask group admins to voluntarily share the list of participants.
- Directly ask members to share their numbers via a group poll or message.
- Use a legal contact discovery service designed for sales and marketing purposes.
- Build an opt-in list by inviting people to share their numbers.
While these methods take more effort, they ensure you have consent and avoid legal risks. You should also inform WhatsApp group members how you plan to use their numbers.
Conclusion
While it is possible to extract mobile numbers from WhatsApp groups using specialized apps and tools, this should only be done with caution, consent and for legitimate purposes. Manually confirming numbers and getting permission from each member is the best approach. Be very careful of any app that requires you to root your device, as this introduces security vulnerabilities. And keep in mind that scraping user data without permission is illegal in many regions.
Ideally, avoid extracting numbers altogether unless you have a compelling use case. With user awareness of privacy issues growing, group members likely will not take kindly to their personal data being scraped without consent. But if you do have a legitimate need to build a contact list from a WhatsApp Group, prioritize permission, transparency and ethics.