How to backup Whatsapp Chats on Any/Non-Rooted/Non-Jailbroken device

ORIGINAL POST

Goodevening all, I dont have enough knowledge so please bear with me. I want to backup the chat history including media but the option to store locally is not visible or i am too dumb to see.

As whatsapp is changing the terms so i want to delete whatsapp. The data consist of emotional value as few people i talked to are no more. Please help. How can i save my chat histories.

12 replies

sandbagfun1 · 4 years ago

I download from my Google Drive backup with https://github.com/B16f00t/whapa.

The media was unencrypted but the message database is.

I had to use https://github.com/EliteAndroidApps/WhatsApp-Key-DB-Extractor to install an older version which let's toy backup and extract the key.

I then used whapa again and used the key from above to decrypt the message database.

All done without root.

I had to make changes to get the extractor to work. I suggest avoiding the bat version if you're on Windows and using the power shell version.

2 upvotes on reddit

pattagobi · OP · 4 years ago

This is brilliant, gonna try this! Thank ypu very much

1 upvotes on reddit

sandbagfun1 · 4 years ago

Make sure you run a Google drive backup first.

The script uses adb to uninstall WhatsApp and install an older version which has the key locally rather than hidden in the protected 'data' directory.

It reinstalls it afterwards and I had no problems but worth a go.

With the key extractor I have to recompile 'abe.jar' - the Java app that converts the backup to a tar file to remove a version check (it may depend on the version of Android uses so if you're phone is older you may not need this)

1 upvotes on reddit

Avanchnzel · 4 years ago

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1 upvotes on reddit

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1 upvotes on reddit

sinholueiro · 4 years ago

If you are on Android, do the backup in the phone, not to Google Drive. Sync the Whatsapp folder with Syncthing to your server.

1 upvotes on reddit

pattagobi · OP · 4 years ago

Wont the chat be encrypted?

2 upvotes on reddit

sinholueiro · 4 years ago

Yes, sorry, I skipped that part. Send the chat by email is your best bet, I guess.

1 upvotes on reddit

bigredsun · 4 years ago

It is encrypted, yes. There's no sensible way to open them.

1 upvotes on reddit

dr100 · 4 years ago

I understand now they're in the news with the TOS change and everything but do we need to have this asked every hour when the answer didn't change for many years?

2 upvotes on reddit

sinholueiro · 4 years ago

It worked every time I use it, and I changed the ROM of my smartphone very frequently some time ago. Always on Android, I don't know if that changes anything.

1 upvotes on reddit

harzibolt · 4 years ago

I'd also like to know. There seem to be paid programms like "copytrans" that can do it. But a free option would be much appreciated.

1 upvotes on reddit

See 12 replies

r/whatsapp • [2]

Summarize

Thought I lost all my chat history, here's how I saved it.

Posted by Phantasmidine · in r/whatsapp · 1 year ago

Transferring to a new phone, but come to find out no backups were ever made, and by that time the whatsapp on the old phone was disabled so there was nothing I could do with it. Reinstalling on the old phone didn't work and all the chats were missing. I tried all the official solutions, nothing worked. I was devastated. Years of chats with loved ones, some no longer in my life.

Turns out whatsapp makes a daily little backup for itself that can be used.

What I ended up doing was hooking the old phone up to my computer, and copying the entire com.whatsapp folder to my computer, making sure everything in the Databases folder was intact with the proper dates.

Then on the new phone, I uninstalled whatsapp, made sure com.whatsapp was completely deleted, and copied in the com.whatsapp folder with the intact Databases folder. Then reinstalled whatsapp and began the setup. Low and behold during setup it saw a backup was present, so it recognized the databases I copied in, and everything was back.

Hopefully this helps someone with lost chat history that the official solutions don't work for them.

21 upvotes on reddit

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6 replies

AlvaroVlid · 25 days ago

When i look at com.whatsapp, there's no files.

1 upvotes on reddit

NewspaperAromatic464 · 1 day ago

What can I do for iPhone in this case?

1 upvotes on reddit

RabbittHoleSlope · 1 month ago

How to do this with iOS??? I didn’t know deleting the app would delete all messages from my fiancé and I’m devastated 😭😭😭 I didn’t do a backup, because my phone storage is full 🤬 heeeeellllppp

1 upvotes on reddit

Anas_1165 · 1 month ago

Any solution yet ?

1 upvotes on reddit

VED-PAT · 2 months ago

IT WORKED. Thank you 😊👍

1 upvotes on reddit

Plus-Rise-9602 · 1 month ago

🙂‍↕️

1 upvotes on reddit

See 6 replies

r/DataHoarder • [3]

Summarize

[TUTORIAL] How to backup whatsapp chats and media

Posted by Rc202402 · in r/DataHoarder · 4 years ago

As this gets asked often here, here's a quick tutorial on how to backup your chats (both root and non root)

How to backup Whatsapp Chats on Any/Non-Rooted/Non-Jailbroken device

You'll need:

Enough internet to upload your backup to your Google Drive (Chats only)
A linux/mac/windows/android device capable of running python3 with gui.
Patience

Instructions:

Download python3.7 (recommended) on your device. On android use termux with gui if you know how to. On Linux/Mac/Windows you can search google how to install it. Version 3.7 and 3.8 is recommended for less trouble.
Check "Install pip" during installation.
Download https://github.com/B16f00t/whapa/archive/master.zip. It's a open-source tool that fetches your google drive backups for you. If you're interested you can look into the code too. (It's not my code)
Unzip the folder and go inside the folder. Open a terminal/command shell/powershell inside the folder and run pip install -r ./doc/requirements.txt
Edit the config.cfg inside cfg folder with your data.
Now run the gui by typing python whapa-gui.py or run the bat file if on windows.
A gui window should pop and you can now go to the Ghadori tab
You can now download your chat backups from google drive
This tool will allow you to view the chats as well. The database file is your chat backup and you should now keep it safe. Cloud storage like mega is recommended.

How to backup Whatsapp Chats on Rooted device

Method 1:

Required:

Titanium backup for android or OandBackup
Patience

Instructions:

Install Titanium backup / Oandbackup
Search for whatsapp
Backup
It should create a backup archive (zip/tar.gz file). Extract it to obtain your key and unencrypted messages database.

Method 2:

Required:

A File manager that supports root (FX, and Xplore suggested)
Patience

Instructions:

Open the file manager and grant root permissions.
Open /data/data/com.whatsapp root folder
Copy all files there / zip it to sdcard (internal storage).
The files should contain key and unencrypted message database.

Hope this helps anyone who searches for it :)

25 upvotes on reddit

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12 replies

android_808 · 4 years ago

I just backup the existing WhatsApp folder via a network sync over night. No root, just termux. I've been able to restore it by just copying that back to the phone before reinstalling WhatsApp.

2 upvotes on reddit

Rc202402 · OP · 4 years ago

But those are encrypted databases, how do you decrypt them?

1 upvotes on reddit

android_808 · 4 years ago

I don't, I'm basically just following https://faq.whatsapp.com/android/chats/how-to-restore-your-chat-history/?lang=en but automated.

1 upvotes on reddit

kkiran · 3 years ago

Nice write up. Do you think we can extend this to iPhone? It is crazy that WhatsApp lets their uses transfer from iPhone to Samsung but not the other way around!

1 upvotes on reddit

dr100 · 4 years ago

I am sorry to report that as I was fearing google drive stores only an encrypted db of the chats (Databases/msgstore.db.crypt12), just as the external/normal storage WhatsApp from the Android phones (which is fully accessible and you can just copy via a USB cable or any app like foldersync or even the rsync/rclone from termux, etc.).

So you still need a rooted phone for Android (to get either the key or the db in plain text), no other way. I've read that for iPhone you can do local backups which you can explore and find the key/db there but I have no experience with that.

2 upvotes on reddit

Rc202402 · OP · 4 years ago

I heard that it's unencrypted in the drive backups. Hm. I think I'd have to look into this. Thanks for correcting btw. I'll do a check.

1 upvotes on reddit

No_Pomegranate7852 · 4 years ago

You should write that this is not possible for ios devices as they don't support google drive backups.

5 upvotes on reddit

Rc202402 · OP · 4 years ago

Hm. Interesting. Does it backup to icloud? Then there could be a tool that authenticates with icloud and downloads the unencrypted backup.

1 upvotes on reddit

Sepparated · 4 years ago

As far as I know it does backup to iCloud.

If you have a Mac you can see this by opening your terminal in

/Applications/Utilities

and do

cd ~/Library/Mobile\ Documents/ find *whatsapp*

unfortunately, the chats are encrypted.

1 upvotes on reddit

thebruhgamerthousand · 2 years ago

Does the Google drive backup really include everything in a chat?

1 upvotes on reddit

Rc202402 · OP · 2 years ago

Messages yes

Media no unless it was enabled

1 upvotes on reddit

thebruhgamerthousand · 2 years ago

wow I did not know that, I thought google backups were as limited as google backups

1 upvotes on reddit

See 12 replies

r/ChatArchive • [4]

Summarize

🆘 Lost Your WhatsApp Messages with No Backup? Here's a Last-Resort Way to Recover Them

Posted by chatarchive · in r/ChatArchive · 3 months ago

If you lost your WhatsApp messages — due to a phone change, accidental deletion, or a banned account — and don’t have a cloud backup, don’t lose hope just yet.

There’s one powerful, often overlooked option:
👉 Ask friends or group members to export their chats with you.

You can then import these exports into the Chat Archive app and view the conversation history — beautifully preserved, even if it’s not from your own device.

Step 1: Ask a Friend to Export the Chat

Ask a trusted contact to:

Open the chat or group with you in WhatsApp
Tap the name at the top to open chat info
Scroll down and tap Export Chat
Choose “Include Media” if you want photos, voice notes, etc.
Select “Save to Files” or send the .zip file to you directly

What’s Inside the Exported Chat File?

The export comes as a .zip file containing:

A .txt file with the full message history
Any selected media files (photos, videos, stickers, voice notes)
All messages are timestamped and include the sender's name

This format is universal and doesn't depend on the original device or account. It works even if your number is no longer active.

Step 2: Import the File into Chat Archive Save the .zip file to your iPhone (e.g., via AirDrop or Files) Open Chat Archive and tap “Import Chat” Select the .zip file Done! The full conversation is now available to browse and search You’ll see:

The entire conversation exactly as it appeared Senders, timestamps, and media in the right place Voice notes with optional transcription A clean, private, offline view of your lost chat

A Note on Privacy Your chats are stored only on your device. Chat Archive doesn’t collect or upload any data. You can even use it without internet access.

Final Thoughts While this isn’t a full account restore, it’s often enough to:

Recover key memories, photos, or documents Get your group chat history back Find voice notes or addresses you thought were gone forever If you’re missing a critical message, try this — and get a little piece of your history back.

2 upvotes on reddit

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1 replies

horatio81 · 3 months ago

Where in whatsapp do i import the zip file?

1 upvotes on reddit

See 1 replies

r/whatsapp • [5]

Summarize

Can I reimport an exported chat?

Posted by Local_Surround8686 · in r/whatsapp · 2 months ago

My mom lost her WhatsApp chat without backup and some chats were really important to her. I was wondering if people could sent her exported chats and if she can reimport them somehow to restore them. Thank you in advance :)

2 upvotes on reddit

2 replies

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2 replies

subflat4 · 2 months ago

Short answer; no

1 upvotes on reddit

Emergency_Plate3956 · 2 months ago

When you export a chat it's saved as a .txt file and you can't put it back into WhatsApp.

1 upvotes on reddit

See 2 replies

r/oneplus • [6]

Summarize

How to backup WhatsApp chat history and media from iOS to Android for free and without spyware.

Posted by aytunch · in r/oneplus · 6 years ago

I am replacing my iphone 7 to OnePlus 7 pro and I need to have my old WhatsApp in my new phone. Its crazy that there does not seem to be a straight forward way to do this. I am sure lots of people had this need. What is the most elegant solution?

3 upvotes on reddit

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12 replies

Larnixva916 · 6 years ago

Backup via whatsapp, upload to Dropbox/googledrive/etc, download on new phone, restore?

I'm assuming that an IOS WhatsApp backup is compatible with Android WhatsApp of course.....

0 upvotes on reddit

aytunch · OP · 6 years ago

On iOS whatsapp the only choice for backing up is to iCloud

3 upvotes on reddit

Larnixva916 · 6 years ago

Ahh, the Android version lets you backup to the device as an option. Can you not access iCloud from a PC, download the backup and then manually upload it to something else (Dropbox etc) so you could download it to your new phone??

2 upvotes on reddit

[deleted] · 6 years ago

u are basically rip, cuz apple only allows icloud as for the backup. when i changed from iphone to op i had the same problem. i really tried many things but some Software that promised to help were behind paywalls and i didnt really bother too much after 6 hours and gave a fuck and said good bye to the chats :D

5 upvotes on reddit

aytunch · OP · 6 years ago

So basically the above comments saying stuff about google drive does not work right:(

3 upvotes on reddit

[deleted] · 6 years ago

on ios u are not able to use any other cloud service than apple to backup ur stuff in whatsapp. dont be sad, chats arent worth to be kept for ever. Also, u should anyway use telegram and WhatsApp :D

4 upvotes on reddit

carlitoperez · 6 years ago

you can backup your whatsapp to your google drive and then just do a restore. settings > chats > chat backup . it will backup chat history and pictures but not video

-1 upvotes on reddit

aytunch · OP · 6 years ago

How can I backup to Google Drive? There is no option in WhatsApp settings in iOS

2 upvotes on reddit

ikejrr · 6 years ago

In IOS the only backup is to iCloud.

1 upvotes on reddit

salmanjawed98 · 6 years ago

Backup Trans is the way to go. But it is a paid solution :)

1 upvotes on reddit

furh · 6 years ago

WazzapMigrator extractor

5 upvotes on reddit

ikejrr · 6 years ago

Didnt work for me

1 upvotes on reddit

See 12 replies

r/IndiaTech • [7]

Summarize

Is iCloud the only backup option for WhatsApp chats? What options do I have to transfer all the WhatsApp chats from ios to android ? I seriously don’t want to pay for iCloud upgrade

Posted by After-Opportunity422 · in r/IndiaTech · 7 months ago

Is iCloud the only backup option for WhatsApp chats? What options do I have to transfer all the WhatsApp chats from ios to android ? I seriously don’t want to pay for iCloud upgrade

2 upvotes on reddit

9 replies

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9 replies

Few_Stand1041 · 7 months ago

yeah its limited to icloud only but the good part is that you dont need backup to transfer chats.

however, for safety, i do take backups once a year atleast and this time its over 7gb lmao and i am def not interested in paying for another subscription other than apple music fr. koii hota toh saathme leta par akela toh its crazy expensive

1 upvotes on reddit

Zealousideal-Role-24 · 7 months ago

You cant transfer the chats to android via icloud anyway, so no point of that

1 upvotes on reddit

speedballandcrack · 7 months ago

If you can afford iphone then you can also afford a icloud subscription, if you can't then why did you buy iphone in the first place

2 upvotes on reddit

After-Opportunity422 · OP · 7 months ago

It’s not like I can’t, but it feels weird to pay just to get off the ios hook

1 upvotes on reddit

speedballandcrack · 7 months ago

If you feel weird about things like this, then iphone is not for you.

-1 upvotes on reddit

invasu · 7 months ago

Yeah. Wonder why WA can’t have it’s own Cloud, or give options like Dropbox, Box, etc.?

1 upvotes on reddit

After-Opportunity422 · OP · 7 months ago

Ikr. That would be so much convenient. At this point the only thing that’s stopping me from getting a new phone every two or so years is the hassle of transferring all that data from one phone to another 😆

1 upvotes on reddit

humorSapien7 · 7 months ago

There is actually an option in whatsapp, under chats section in settings where you can move all your chats to your android or ios.

3 upvotes on reddit

After-Opportunity422 · OP · 7 months ago

Yes. Just found out about that . Thank you for the help 😃

2 upvotes on reddit

See 9 replies

r/degoogle • [8]

Summarize

How do you backup/restore whatsapp chats without Google?

Posted by jackandbake · in r/degoogle · 2 years ago

I know WhatsApp is bad but some people insist on using it. Do you still need to do the database renaming trick or is there an easier way?

2 upvotes on reddit

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12 replies

r3dsc4n · 2 years ago

I did it manually since the firsts versions. I think it's really tricky, but you have to copy this directory "Android/media/com.WhatsApp"

maybe you can zip that (without compression for increasing speed, because all files have already his own compression model) directly to an USB output drive (without reading/writing in the same starting point drive)

Before that, I do the backup action (not on gdrive obviously, but only the local) inside the app, to ensure the files are updated

after that, to avoid lost messages, I kill the app running process from the settings (long pressure on app icon -> info)

Once that, when you restore it, you have to do that:

on the formatted phone or in the new one, you have unzip (or copy, depends of what's way you choose) the "com.WhatsApp" directory in the "Android/media" path (as the starting form) once that, before starting the WhatsApp app for the first time, you have to manually delete the duplicated files of the database, following this method:

in the subdirectory "Android/media/com.WhatsApp/WhatsApp/Databases" you'll find various files, there all copies, you must delete all except "msgstore.db.crypt14" all other files are named the same but with a date in it (for example "msgstore-2023-04-20.1.db.crypt14")

this manual process, avoid in the restoring process, the possibility of WhatsApp to restore a previous backup, you don't want to (the WhatsApp procedure don't work well, so we have to guide it)

Only after that, you can start the new WhatsApp instance

I hope this could help you

1 upvotes on reddit

rotten_gongjunim · 1 year ago

hello! stumbled upon your reply from google. if you dont mind me asking, do you know the trick to 'merge' the backup data (the zip file you talked about) on the whatsapp with two accounts? i dont think whatsapp makes two different folders on the Android/media for two accounts... please help ;-;

1 upvotes on reddit

r3dsc4n · 1 year ago

I really don't know if this could work with multiple accounts! So sorry!

p.s.: this is why we absolutely need mutiple work profiles in app like insular or shelter! I know it is an O.S. limitation, but I hope for workaround!

1 upvotes on reddit

kgoutham93 · 1 year ago

Thankyou for the detailed steps.

In the new/formatted device, should we install a new instance of WhatsApp from playstore or create the folder structure manually?

1 upvotes on reddit

r3dsc4n · 1 year ago

It's OK to install the app before the copy of the directory, the important thing is to not start the app before that, so the app could find the path and identify that as a backup to import

1 upvotes on reddit

chrmu91 · 1 year ago

Thanks for these detailed steps! Really needed this right now.

2 upvotes on reddit

jackandbake · OP · 2 years ago

That is great thank you!

1 upvotes on reddit

Sirito97 · 1 year ago

Thank you, worked!

1 upvotes on reddit

iamnotsurewhyiamhere · 1 year ago

Please tell me this still works NEED IT TO WORK

1 upvotes on reddit

amoguscharacter2 · 1 year ago

Same bruh, google just sent me a message that they're going to be taking into count my WhatsApp data to gdrive

1 upvotes on reddit

sandersoni · 6 days ago

Does enabled end-to-end encrypted backup make a difference to the process?

1 upvotes on reddit

martaetelvina · 9 months ago

If you want to back up and restore WhatsApp chats without Google, you can manually handle the database file. Here's how:

Backup: Use a file manager to navigate to WhatsApp/Databases on your phone, and copy the latest .db.crypt file to a safe location (like your PC or another cloud service).
Restore: Install WhatsApp on the new device, paste the .db.crypt file into the same Databases folder, and WhatsApp will detect and restore it during setup.

For a simpler method, tools like Dr.Fone - WhatsApp Transfer can automate backups and transfers between devices without relying on Google. It’s straightforward and works well across platforms.

1 upvotes on reddit

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r/whatsapp • [9]

Summarize

Restoring chat from backup

Posted by stormy575 · in r/whatsapp · 2 years ago

I just upgraded to a new phone. When I did the data transfer today from the old phone to the new for some reason it looks like the last day or so of WA chats didn't transfer. (There's only one conversation that I had yesterday, so I'm basically looking to recover the last day of one particular chat.)

I tried uninstalling and reinstalling the app but it didn't do anything. The app automatically backs up each morning so the data should be there. How can I access it and restore what was lost?

1 upvotes on reddit

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BiriyaniMonster · 2 years ago

Always take manual backup before reinstalling the app or switching phones, I learnt this lesson in 2015. Whatsapp create automatic backup at 2:00AM. So any chat between 2:01AM to 1:59AM isn't backed up. If you have unregistered Whatsapp from the old phone, I am afraid that nothing can be done now.

2 upvotes on reddit

stormy575 · OP · 2 years ago

Thanks. What's weird is that the conversation I was trying to recover was from the prior day (Sunday), so it should have been saved when it was backed up at 2am Monday morning, no? I did the transfer Monday at noon.

1 upvotes on reddit

evermorex76 · 2 years ago

Are you sure it actually did the backup on Monday morning? You looked at the status beforehand? Or are you just assuming it did? It's not uncommon for automatic backups for apps like this to fail occasionally, and not necessarily notify you, and at least some people have even been unable to force a backup at times.

The local backups on Android are a minor pain to check as you have to browse the filesystem, but you might be able to see if there was a backup on the old phone and copy it to the new one, and and manually force it to restore (though you'd lose anything more recent). iPhone does not make local backups. You can look in Google Drive or iCloud at the backup that was taken to see when the last one was, but it may have been wiped by now.

1 upvotes on reddit

BiriyaniMonster · 2 years ago

Is Whatsapp folder still available on that old phone? And how did you restore chats on new phone?

1 upvotes on reddit

See 4 replies

r/degoogle • [10]

Summarize

Is there any way i can back up whatsapp messages without google drive?

Posted by TheOneHowKnocks · in r/degoogle · 24 days ago

2 upvotes on reddit

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5 replies

No-Hospital5028 · 24 days ago

Skip Google Drive ,WhatsApp saves local backups in Internal Storage/WhatsApp/Databases, or copy the folder to your PC your chats stay private and fully under your control.

3 upvotes on reddit

midu2957 · 24 days ago

Is there any guide online?

1 upvotes on reddit

OutlawFett01 · 23 days ago

here

This works for me, i'm using GrapheneOS (no Google play services installed)

2 upvotes on reddit

OutlawFett01 · 23 days ago

here

This works for me, i'm using GrapheneOS (no Google play services installed)

1 upvotes on reddit

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