How to export a WhatsApp chat (iPhone and Android)
WhatsApp has a built-in export that turns any conversation into a text file. It's handy for backups, for keeping a record, or for running an analysis. Here's exactly where the buttons are.
Step-by-step tutorial
Mom
The girls 🌴
Julien
Work team
Sam
Open WhatsApp and pick the conversation.
Before you start
The export happens on your phone, inside WhatsApp. You can export a one-on-one chat or a group. The result is a .txt file, usually packed in a .zip.
You'll be asked whether to include media. For reading or analyzing the conversation, pick Without Media: the file is much smaller and quicker to share. Photos and videos aren't needed to read the text.
Export a WhatsApp chat on iPhone
It takes about five taps.
- 1Open WhatsApp and go to the conversation you want to export.
- 2Tap the contact or group name at the top of the chat to open the info screen.
- 3Scroll down and tap Export Chat.
- 4Choose Without Media.
- 5In the share sheet, tap Save to Files, pick a folder and tap Save.
Export a WhatsApp chat on Android
Same idea, different menu.
- 1Open WhatsApp and go to the conversation.
- 2Tap ⋮ in the top right corner.
- 3Tap More, then Export chat.
- 4Choose Without media.
- 5Pick where to send it: Files or Drive work well. You can also email it to yourself.
Common problems and quick fixes
The file is huge: you probably included media. Export again and choose Without media.
You have a file ending in .crypt14 or similar: that's WhatsApp's encrypted backup, not an export. Only WhatsApp can open it. Use Export chat instead.
The file is in Google Drive, iCloud or Dropbox but won't open: download it to your device first, or make it available offline, then choose it again.
The chat looks short: if the chat was cleared at some point, older messages won't be in the export. WhatsApp only exports what's still on your phone.
You switched phones recently: messages only come along if you restored a backup or transferred your chats. If the history isn't in the app, it won't be in the export either.
You can't find the file afterwards: on iPhone, open the Files app and look in the folder you picked, often On My iPhone or iCloud Drive. On Android, check Downloads or your Drive.
What to do with your export
Keep it as a backup, search it on your computer, or get it analyzed. On OttoKnows, you upload the .zip or .txt and Otto reads the whole thing: who texts first, reply times, double texts, late-night messages, the longest silence and the week everything changed.
The preview is free, with all the stats and a first analysis. The full report, with scores, awards, quotes and a verdict, is a one-time payment shown before you pay.
On privacy: the file is read in your browser and isn't stored on our servers. A text excerpt is sent to our AI provider to write the report, and it's never used to train AI. You can delete everything from the report page in one click.
Only export chats you're part of
An export includes the other person's messages. Use it for yourself, keep it private, and never export someone else's conversation from their phone without them knowing. If you share a report or a screenshot, hide the other person's name first.
FAQ
Does WhatsApp notify the other person when I export a chat?+
No, exporting doesn't send any notification. Still, the export contains their messages, so treat it with care.
Can I export a whole WhatsApp account at once?+
Not as readable text. Export chat works one conversation at a time.
Why is Export Chat missing?+
Some organizations disable it on managed phones, and it may be unavailable in some regions. If you don't see it, check that WhatsApp is up to date.
Should I pick .zip or .txt?+
Whatever WhatsApp gives you works. OttoKnows reads both.