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How to export a WhatsApp chat

WhatsApp lets you save any conversation as a text file. It works for making a backup, for reading it on a computer, or for analysing it. You do it from the app, in under a minute, and you don't need any extra software.

On Android

  1. Open the conversation you want to export.
  2. Tap the three dots (⋮) at the top right.
  3. Go into "More".
  4. Tap "Export chat".
  5. Choose "Without media".
  6. Choose where to save it or who to send it to. The most practical option is saving it to Google Drive or emailing it to yourself.

On iPhone

  1. Open the conversation.
  2. Tap the contact's or the group's name, right at the top.
  3. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen.
  4. Tap "Export chat".
  5. Choose "Without media".
  6. Choose where to save it: Files, Mail, or whichever app you prefer.

With media or without media?

Choose "Without media" almost every time. The difference is large:

  • Without media: a single .txt file of a few megabytes, with every message in it. It exports in seconds.
  • With media: a .zip that includes every photo, audio and video in the chat. It can weigh hundreds of megabytes and take a long time.

If what you want is to read or analyse the conversation, the .txt is enough: the photos still show up, marked as an omitted file.

What the file contains

A .txt with one line per message: date, time, who sent it and what they said. Files that weren't exported show up marked as omitted. It does not include deleted messages, nor the ones that are no longer on your phone.

Common problems

I can't find the "Export chat" option

Update WhatsApp to the latest version. In some countries and on some business accounts the option may not be available.

The export hangs

This usually happens with very long chats and media turned on. Try again choosing "Without media".

I exported the chat but I can't find the file

Check where you sent it. If you chose to save it on the phone, it usually ends up in the Downloads folder. If you emailed it to yourself, check your inbox.

So what do I do with the file now?

You can open it with any text editor, or upload it here to see the conversation's statistics: who talks the most, who takes longest to reply and who always starts. It is processed in your browser, it is not uploaded to any server.