There are many situations where people want to export their WhatsApp conversations. This is useful for creating a lasting record or reviewing long discussions. WhatsApp chats sometimes serve as evidence in legal matters like contract disputes, court cases, or divorce proceedings. Business professionals may export chats to keep records and understand client needs better. Exporting a group chat is helpful if you plan to exit a big group while preserving memories.

Fortunately, WhatsApp includes a built-in feature that allows users to export chat conversations, and the steps are straightforward on both platforms.

Things to Know Before Exporting WhatsApp Chats

The export process varies slightly between Android and iOS. You can export either individual chats or group chats, and the tool supports options with or without media files. Selecting the media option helps when you need to save photos from group discussions.

After choosing what to export, open the specific chat and follow the instructions below. Note that WhatsApp saves the data as .txt files on Android or .chat.text files on iOS, each including timestamps in a clear format.

Keep in mind that exported chats cannot be imported back into WhatsApp on any platform, including web or desktop versions. An export file differs from a backup, which restores chats to a new or existing device.

Finally, some individual chats cannot be exported if the other user has advanced privacy settings enabled.

Here is how to export a WhatsApp chat on Android and iOS devices:

On Android:

Open WhatsApp on your Android device and locate the individual or group chat you wish to export
Tap the three-dot menu at the top right
Select More
Choose Export chat
Pick either Without media or Include media
After processing, share or save the file locally on your device

On iPhone:

Open WhatsApp on your iOS device and locate the individual or group chat you wish to export
Tap the contact or group name, then scroll to find Export chat
Select from With all media, With select media, or Without media
After processing, share or save the exported file

FAQs

Can the exported chat file from WhatsApp be used to restore a backup?

No. Exported chat files are simple text files and cannot be used to restore a backup.

How long does the export process take?

Exports are usually quick, but the time taken depends on the size and length of the chat.

Is there a limit on messages when exporting chats?

There is currently no limit regarding the number of messages in an individual chat or group chat.