How to export a WhatsApp chat
WhatsApp’s Export chat option creates a copy of an individual or group conversation that you can save and read outside the app. Start here if you want to share chat history, keep a readable record, or prepare a conversation for a chat viewer.
Export a WhatsApp chat on Android
Export one conversation at a time. Before sending the file to someone else, open it yourself and check that it includes the dates and messages you need.
- Open WhatsApp and choose the individual or group chat you want to export.
- Tap the three-dot menu, then More, then Export chat.
- Choose Without media for a text-focused export, or Include media to attach available media.
- Choose an available sharing or saving destination and keep the exported files together.
Export a WhatsApp chat on iPhone
Menu wording and available destinations can differ by app version. If an option looks different on your phone, check the official WhatsApp instructions linked below.
- Open the conversation in WhatsApp.
- Tap the contact or group name to open the chat information, then look for Export chat.
- Choose whether to attach media.
- Use the share sheet to save the export or send it to your chosen destination.
Should you export with or without media?
Choose without media when the message text is what matters. This usually gives you a smaller file that is easier to save, open, and search. Choose the media option when the photos or other available attachments are important to understanding the exchange.
Media is stored separately from the text transcript and may be packaged with it in a ZIP archive. An attachment name or a “media omitted” message is not the attachment itself. Keep the original export so you can check what was actually included.
Exports can be limited by WhatsApp and the sharing destination. Including media can affect the amount of chat history exported. Check the beginning and end of the transcript instead of assuming the file contains every message.
What to do with the exported chat
If the export is a ZIP file, extract it to inspect the contents. Open the TXT transcript in a text editor to check the messages. A chat export viewer can arrange the same conversation into message bubbles, making long exchanges easier to follow.
For sharing, review the participants, dates, and any sensitive details before choosing the part you want someone else to read. Preserve’s workflow is built around finding that range and presenting it as a conversation page.
A chat export is different from a WhatsApp backup
Exporting is useful for reading or sharing a copy outside WhatsApp. It is not a way to restore a conversation in the app, recover deleted messages, or move your WhatsApp account to another phone. Use WhatsApp’s supported backup or transfer process for those separate tasks.