How to export WhatsApp Chat

Julie Abecassis

Customer success manager

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Exporting chats can be essential for preserving memories, backing up important conversations, or meeting documentation needs.

In this blog post, we’ll walk you through how to:

Best practices when exporting your chat,
Export WhatsApp chat on iPhone,
Export WhatsApp chat on Android,
Export WhatsApp chat to another phone
Frequently asked questions.

Best practices for exporting WhatsApp chats

When exporting WhatsApp chats, it’s crucial to prioritize privacy, organization, and efficiency. Sensitive conversations should be handled with care by using secure sharing platforms like encrypted email or cloud storage to prevent unauthorized access.

Proper file management can help you stay organized—consider labeling exported chats with dates and contact names for easy reference. Additionally, ensure that backups are stored in multiple locations, such as cloud services and external drives, to avoid data loss.

Be mindful of file size limits, especially when exporting chats with media attachments. Large files may exceed the capacity of certain sharing methods, so it’s advisable to export extensive chats in smaller segments if necessary.

Three ways to export WhatsApp chat

At the time of writing, WhatsApp’s desktop application does not support the function to export chats.

1. Exporting chats on Android

Open the chat you want to export in WhatsApp.
Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner and select More > Export Chat.
Choose whether to include media (photos, videos) or export text only:
- With Media: Includes attachments but may increase file size.
- Without Media: Exports only the conversation text.
Select a sharing method, such as email, Google Drive, or messaging apps.
Access the exported file in the chosen destination.

2. Exporting chats on iPhone

Open WhatsApp and navigate to the chat you want to export.
Tap the contact or group name at the top of the screen.
Scroll down and select Export Chat.
Choose to include media or export text only.
Save or share the exported file using apps like Mail, iCloud Drive, or AirDrop.

3. Exporting chats to another phone

If you want to transfer a WhatsApp chat to another phone, use the following steps:

Export the Chat: Follow the export instructions for your device (Android or iPhone) to save the chat as a file.
Transfer the File: Send the exported file to your new phone using email, cloud storage (e.g., Google Drive or iCloud), or a file-sharing app.
Access the Chat: Download the file on the new phone and open it using a compatible text editor or app to view the conversation. Note that the exported chat won’t integrate into WhatsApp directly but remains as a separate file for reference.

Conclusion

Exporting WhatsApp chat is easy. Now, you know how to export your WhatsApp chat using three different methods. We’ve also included a FAQ section below incase you encounter any common troubleshooting issues.