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How do I save WhatsApp chat history as PDF?

WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. It allows users to exchange messages, photos, videos and other media with individuals or groups. As conversations on WhatsApp build up over time, many users want to save or backup their chat history as a record or for sentimental value.

One convenient way to save your WhatsApp chats is to export them as a PDF document. This allows you to store them securely and share them easily if needed. PDFs can also be printed out physical copies. Exporting WhatsApp chats as PDFs only takes a few simple steps.

Why Save WhatsApp Chats as PDF?

Here are some key reasons why you may want to save your WhatsApp chats as PDF files:

  • Preserve important conversations as a record
  • Free up phone storage space while backing up chats
  • Easy to share and print as tangible copies
  • Keep sentimental chats for memories or nostalgia
  • Protect old chats if you change phones
  • Organize archived chat records
  • Searchable format to find old information

Requirements for Exporting Chats as PDF

To successfully save your WhatsApp chats as PDFs, you’ll need:

  • WhatsApp installed on your phone
  • Chats you want to export saved in WhatsApp
  • PDF converter app installed on your phone
  • Internet connection and enough storage space

How to Export WhatsApp Chats as PDF on Android

Follow these steps to save your WhatsApp chats as PDF files on Android phones:

  1. Open WhatsApp and go to the individual or group chat you want to export
  2. Tap on the three dots in the top right corner to access More Options
  3. Select ‘More’ then tap on ‘Export chat’
  4. Choose without media to export just the text
  5. Tap on Export to begin the export process
  6. Select the PDF converter app you want to use
  7. Allow access permissions if prompted
  8. The app will now process and convert the chat to a PDF
  9. Once finished, the PDF will be saved to your phone’s storage
  10. Access the PDF file through your phone’s File Manager

Some good PDF converter apps for Android include Adobe Scan, CamScanner, PDF Converter and Fast Scanner. Make sure you have one installed before beginning the export process. The steps may vary slightly between different Android models.

How to Export WhatsApp Chats as PDF on iPhone

Here is how to save WhatsApp chats as PDF files on iPhones:

  1. Open the WhatsApp chat you want to export in the app
  2. Tap and hold on the conversation to select it
  3. Tap on Export Chat in the menu bar at the top
  4. In the Share menu select Options to access more actions
  5. Choose ‘Save to Files’ to save the chat to your phone’s local storage
  6. Open the Files app and find the chat document that was saved
  7. Tap the share icon and select Print
  8. In the Printer Options menu, choose Save as PDF
  9. The chat will then be converted and saved as a PDF file
  10. The PDF will be accessible through the Files app

The key steps are accessing the export chat feature, saving to your files, then using the print to PDF option. The latest versions of iOS and WhatsApp are required.

Apps to Convert WhatsApp Chats to PDF

There are also dedicated third-party apps you can use to convert your WhatsApp chats into PDF documents both on Android and iPhone. Here are some top options:

App Platform Key Features
Chat2PDF Android, iOS – Convert individual or multiple chats to PDF
– Customize PDF name, size and layout
– Password protection available
WhatsApp Chat Export Android – Bulk export chats to PDF
– Simple one-click conversion
– Include or exclude media
Save All for WhatsApp iOS – Auto-detect and convert all chats
– iCloud support for storage
– Custom sort order options

These dedicated PDF converter apps often provide faster and more customized ways to save your WhatsApp chats, with options to bulk export all chats. However, you need to download additional apps instead of using features built into WhatsApp.

Tips for Exporting WhatsApp Chats as PDF

Follow these useful tips for the best results when converting your WhatsApp conversations to PDF files:

  • Check you have the latest version of WhatsApp installed.
  • Connect your phone to a WiFi network for smoother exports.
  • Export one chat at a time instead of bulk to avoid issues.
  • Rename each PDF file after export for easy organization.
  • Double check the PDF converted properly before deleting chats.
  • Use cloud storage like Google Drive to back up the PDF files.
  • Make sure you have enough free storage space on your phone.
  • Try a dedicated app if you want faster bulk exports.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Some common issues faced when trying to save WhatsApp chats as PDFs include:

Problem Solution
Can’t find export chat option – Update to the latest WhatsApp version
– Export option may be under More on some devices
PDF is not saving properly – Clear app cache and try again
– Export chats individually instead of bulk
PDF file is corrupted – Re-export the chat and make sure it converts fully
– Try a different PDF converter app
PDF won’t open after export – Make sure a PDF reader app like Adobe Acrobat is installed
– Re-export the file if still not opening

If issues persist, try restarting your phone, check for app updates, or get in touch with customer support.

Conclusion

Saving important WhatsApp chats as PDF files is easy on both iPhone and Android devices. You can use the built-in export chat features in WhatsApp and convert to PDF using phone tools or third-party apps. The process may vary slightly across devices but generally involves accessing the share menu, exporting the chat, then converting to PDF format before saving to your phone storage. With these handy tips, you can easily preserve sentimental or important conversations for convenience and safe record keeping.