How to read encrypted messages on whatsapp
3 Methods to Read Encrypted WhatsApp Messages
In this digital age, the security and privacy of information have become a considerable concern. To ensure full security for the people, WhatsApp has introduced end-to-end encryption. This feature depicts that all your messages and conversations with other individuals are fully secured and encrypted.
Through WhatsApp end-to-end encryption, only you and the receiver can read your messages. However, if you face an unidentified issue where you cannot read encrypted messages, this article will address how to read encrypted WhatsApp messages.
Part 1: What are Encrypted WhatsApp Messages?
Security of the user's data has always been a concern for all tech giant companies. One such most widely used platform is WhatsApp which has more than a billion users. To ensure the privacy and safety of the data of billions of users, WhatsApp relies on its end-to-end encryption feature.
Governmental authorities, agencies, cyber companies, and hackers cannot access your encrypted messages through WhatsApp encryption. It reflects that only the sender and receiver of the particular message can read and access it. This encryption uses an algorithm through which the message remains in its original state on the host and receiver's devices. Due to this security protocol, not even WhatsApp can reach encrypted messages.
Moreover, WhatsApp end-to-end encryption automatically works as a default function. So, any WhatsApp user can utilize this feature to ensure complete security and safety of their information.
Method 1: Read Encrypted WhatsApp Messages on WhatsApp Web
To read WhatsApp encrypted messages, you can navigate to the WhatsApp Web and log in to your account. You can easily access all your encrypted messages and read them without interruption through WhatsApp Web. To use WhatsApp web, you need to scan the QR code from your mobile to log into your account.
Moreover, WhatsApp has recently launched a Beta version through which you can access all the encrypted messages on WhatsApp Web without an internet connection connected to your phone.
Therefore, you don't need to be online on WhatsApp from your phone and can still use WhatsApp Web easily. So, even if your smartphone has not been connected to an internet connection, you can still read all the encrypted messages on WhatsApp Web.
Method 2: Read Encrypted WhatsApp Messages by Recovering WhatsApp Data
If you want to recover WhatsApp data for reading WhatsApp encrypted messages on your Android phones, this section will provide you with an excellent tool. Wondershare MobileTrans is a powerful tool that can instantly back up and restore your WhatsApp data.
MobileTrans is not only capable of backing up WhatsApp messages but can also recover photos, videos, contacts, and other files. After retrieving your encrypted messages from this tool, you can comfortably read them without interruption.
Here is a video for you to learn how to backup with MobileTrans:
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To read WhatsApp encrypted messages using MobileTrans on your Android device, here are the steps:
Step 1: Attach your Mobile with Computer
Run MobileTrans on your system and attach your phone to the computer.
Once done, proceed to the “Backup and Restore” option and then choose “Deleted WhatsApp Data Restore." Now, click on the “Restore” button to initiate the process.
Step 2: Disable Auto-Backup Feature
Now, head to your mobile and open your WhatsApp. Next, go to the “Settings” and tap on "Chats." From there, select "Chats Backup” and turn off the auto-backup option. Once done, tap on the “Restore” button.
Step 3: Install WhatsApp on Device
Now, from USB, install WhatsApp on your mobile device. After the installation, allow and give access to WhatsApp to your photos, contacts, and files.
Step 4: Recover WhatsApp Encrypted Data
Log into your WhatsApp account and tap on the “Next” button to restore backup files. Now you can view all the deleted WhatsApp messages. You can also choose the messages you want to recover and restore to your device to read them easily.
Method 3: Read Encrypted WhatsApp Messages via PC
You can read your encrypted WhatsApp messages by decrypting them on a PC in this method. The only condition for this method is to have a rooted Android device. Follow the below instructions to perform the steps instantly:
Step 1: To start, go to your mobile's "File Manage" internal memory and click on "WhatsApp." Tap on "Database" and locate the backup file of your WhatsApp messages, mgstore.db.cryt14.
Step 2: Now, find the Key file that will include the decryption key for the decryption purposes of the encrypted file. The destination for the Key file is “/data/data/com.whatsapp/files/key.” Once done, attach your phone to your computer and copy the database file called mgstore.db.cryt14 along with the Key file.
Step 3: Install WhatsApp Viewer on your system and open its main interface. Go to the “File” button and select “Decrypt.
crypt14.”
Step 4: A small window will pop up where you have to upload your database and Key file. Tap on the “Three-dot” icon and upload the database and Key file. Once done, tap on the “OK” button to initiate the decrypt process of the database file.
Step 5: Once the decryption is completed, you will receive a notification saying, "Database decrypted to file mgstore.decrypted.db.” You can find the “msgstore.decrypted.db" file in the same folder where you have saved the database and Key file.
Step 6: Head back to the WhatsApp Viewer, go to the "File" button, and tap on “Open." Now click on the "Three-dot" icon to upload the “mgstore.decrypted.db” file. Once imported, tap on the “OK” button.
Step 7: On your screen, you can choose the phone number from the left side and can explore the chats on the right side. You can also export this file in various formats such as Text, JSON, and HTML.
Part 2: FAQs about Encrypted WhatsApp Messages
1. Can you decrypt WhatsApp messages?Yes, it's possible to decrypt the WhatsApp messages. For this, you would need special tools or software to decrypt the encrypted WhatsApp messages. If you have easy access to the target's phone, the process can become simple and fast. However, the process can become complex without access to the target's phone.
2. Can WhatsApp encryption be hacked?The end-to-end encryption of WhatsApp messages is a great measure to keep your data and information secured. However, these security measures still have minor lacks that can result in the hacking of encrypted data.
3. Where is the WhatsApp encryption key stored?To find your WhatsApp encrypted key, go to the “Data” folder on your Android phone. Select “Data” and then click on “com.Whatsapp." Now tap on "Files," where you can find the "Key" for the decryption.
Conclusion
Data security and safety should be the most priority of every platform and tech company.
WhatsApp end-to-end encryption is a great initiative to tackle security and privacy concerns. This encryption has enabled the users to comfortably send and receive their messages without worrying about security issues. This article has shed light on how to read encrypted WhatsApp messages from different methods for users' convenience. Also, we have suggested an excellent tool to recover and read your deleted WhatsApp data effortlessly.
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3 Proven Ways to Read Encrypted WhatsApp Messages
Category: Transfer WhatsApp
December 7, 2022 4 mins read
WhatsApp is the leading instant messaging app with over two billion monthly users. While it lasts for just 24hours, WhatsApp allows you to choose who sees your status. Being able to choose who sees your status is another area where WhatsApp has excelled over the years.
Their privacy and security innovations are some of the best in the industry.
Many users still complain that WhatsApp collects far too much user data.
Nowdays, it begins rolling out end-to-end encryption for chat backups after privacy fears. While it has allowed users to securely message each other since 2016. Now it becomes more difficult to decrypt WhatsApp messages, although not impossible.
This article addresses means of offering three effective ways to read encrypted WhatsApp messages.
- Part 1. Are WhatsApp Messages Encrypted?
- Part 2. Read Encrypted WhatsApp Messages online
- Part 3. Read WhatsApp Encrypted Messages with WhatsApp Recovery Tool
- Part 4. Read Encrypted WhatsApp Messages on Android without Key (only for Android)
- FAQ: How to Enable and Disable End-to-end Encryption Backup in WhatsApp?
Are WhatsApp Messages Encrypted?
Yes, WhatsApp messages are encrypted using end-to-end encryption. This means of security ensures that every communication on WhatsApp stays between the sender and recipient of the message.
That way, no third-party individual or organization can access the messages while it is being sent.
Not even WhatsApp or Facebook, which is WhatsApp's parent company, can access the content of your communication. This encryption method works hand in hand with the Signal protocol encryption. Signal protocol protection uses cryptographic keys or, as WhatsApp calls it, private keys.
Private keys are unique identity keys that are needed to decrypt a message sent through WhatsApp. However, this will be impossible since no third party has access to these keys.
But in the bid to expand users' options of companion devices that can be used to access a WhatsApp account, a multi-device architecture was also added to the encryption procedure. Each device has a specific private key that WhatsApp account owners can use to list their different devices. To verify a new device, you will need to scan the QR code for that device.
Read Encrypted WhatsApp Messages online
You can log in to an account and read its encrypted messages through the WhatsApp Web.
However, you need the login details of the account you want to decrypt its messages.
Also, since each device connected to the account already has private keys, you need access to the device that the account is connected to. The WhatsApp Web will ask you to use the mobile device to scan the QR code it will display.
Read WhatsApp Encrypted Messages with WhatsApp Recovery Tool
You can read WhatsApp encrypted messages from iPhone and Android directly. If you want to read encrypted messages of from the Google Drive or iTunes backup, the tool can also decrypt the WhatsApp backup. The software tool to use is iMyFone ChatsBack.
It is the first WhatsApp Recovery Tool for both iPhone and Android. This tool also has the highest success rate of recovering lost data files on WhatsApp like contacts, images, messages, etc.
Free Download
Let’s take reading the encrypted WhatsApp messages from iPhone as example.
Please follow the below steps;
Step 1. Launch the iMyFone ChatsBack application on your computer, then connect your device to the computer.
Step 2. Select Device Storage from the home page. Choose WhatsApp Messenger from the next window and click Start to scan your iPhone.
Step 3. The encrypted message will be feasible to see after scanning. You can also recover the encrypted messages to your computer.
Read Encrypted WhatsApp Messages on Android without Key (only for Android)
Before using this method, you have to have unrestricted access to the device your WhatsApp account is connected to, i.e., get your mobile device rooted. You also have to download WhatsApp viewer on your computer, then have it installed. Once all that has been done, you can follow this process.
- Lunch your device’s File Manager application.
Navigate to the backup file for your messages depending on where it is stored.
- On your Root Storage: Device Storage → WhatsApp → Databases
- On your SD Card: SD Card → WhatsApp → Databases
- In your Databases folder, scroll through the list until you see the folder labeled as Files, then open it.
- Find the file titled Key, then copy it to a folder on your computer.
- Go back to your Databases folder and copy the file titled msgstore.db.cryptX to the same folder you copied the Key file on your computer.
- Open the WhatsApp Viewer app on your computer and select the File menu at the top of the screen. From the File menu options, choose Decrypt.crypt12.
- Now, load the two files you copied to your computer earlier. Click the OK button, then wait for the decryption to finish.
- In the folder you kept the two files, you will find a file named "msgstore.
decrypted.db.” Import the new file using the File menu as shown above, then press OK. - Select the account number from the right panel, and the app will display the chat on the left panel.
Bonus: How to Enable and Disable End-to-end Encryption Backup in WhatsApp?
Your cloud storage is where your chats and media are backed up after encryption. The 64-digit private key or your chosen password is how WhatsApp data are encrypted before being stored in your Google Drive or iCloud. However, you have the choice to turn on or off this feature.
- Open your WhatsApp Settings and select the Chats option in your WhatsApp Settings.
- Tap on the Chat Backup button at the bottom of the screen.
- Pick the End-to-end Encrypted Backup link and tap on Turn on or Turn off.
- Up next, follow the promptings by the app to create a password or key.
- Tap on Create to complete the process. Wait for WhatsApp to complete your end-to-end encrypted backup.
This process may take a while.
Conclusion
When asked the question, how can I read Encrypted WhatsApp messages? The answer is dependent on the user whose account you want to decipher its messages. Suppose the user does not give away their login details and does not allow access to the device that the account is connected to.
In that case, you probably cannot read the encrypted message of that WhatsApp Account. But if the account is yours - you have the login details, the device that the account is connected to - you can follow the processes mentioned above to decrypt your WhatsApp messages.
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Home > Transfer WhatsApp > How to Read Encrypted WhatsApp Messages
How to read encrypted WhatsApp messages on Android without keys
One of the reasons WhatsApp is becoming one of the most popular messaging services is because of its powerful security feature.
It encrypts messages end to end, so the only people who can read those messages are the sender and the recipient - unless someone else can open the sender's or recipient's phones.
But sometimes even the phone owner cannot access their phones due to technical failures. If you can't access your own phone, can you still read encrypted WhatsApp messages? nine0003
- Part 1: WhatsApp message encryption types
- Part 2: How to decrypt whatsapp crypt12/8 database without keys?
- Bonus tip: How to read deleted whatsapp messages on android without root?
Part 1: WhatsApp Message Encryption Types
In September 2012, WhatsApp introduced data encryption as a security feature. This step is taken to prevent session hijacking and packet sniffing that often happened in the past. And WhatsApp uses the forms crypt2, crypt5, crypt7, crypt8 and crypt12 to encrypt all data. This means that hacking the database files to read all chat messages has become almost impossible.
nine0003
But there are tricks you can use to decrypt the database without keys and supporting files. You can use this method to access your conversations.
Part 2: How to decrypt whatsapp crypt12/8 database without keys?
The trick below works when reading encrypted WhatsApp messages on Android devices. Before you start, you need to create a copy of your WhatsApp database to make sure you haven't destroyed the original file. nine0003
To do this, open Android Explorer or a file browser. Then create a new folder or SD card. Then navigate to this location on your SD card: /WhatsApp/Databases/msgstore.db.crypt. Then copy the msgstore.db.crypt files to the new folder you just created.
- Method 1. (For rooted devices) Decrypt crypt12 WhatsApp database without key on PC
- Method 2. (For non-rooted devices) Read crypt12 WhatsApp database without key on PC
Method 1. (For rooted devices) Decrypt crypt12 WhatsApp database without key on PC
Whatsapp encrypts all data in .
crypt5/7/8/12 format. But on a rooted Android phone, you can easily decrypt and read these encrypted messages with Whatsapp Viewer.
-
Locate the backup file of your WhatsApp message, such as msgstore.db.crypt 12, in device storage / WhatsApp /Database.
-
Find your key file containing the decryption key to decrypt the encrypted file from /data/data/com.whatsapp/files/key.
- Connect your phone to your computer and copy the database file named msgstore.db.crypt. and the key file to your computer.
-
Download and install Whatsapp Viewer on your computer. Open Whatsapp Viewer and navigate to File > Decrypt .crypt12.
-
Now you need to download the database file and the key file. Click on the "..." button next to the database file field to import it and do the same for the key file. After that click OK to decrypt the database file. nine0003
-
When you see the message "Database has been decrypted to msgstore.
decrypted.db", decryption is complete. You will find a file called "msgstore.decrypted.db" in the folder where you stored the database file and the key file. -
Launch the WhatsApp viewer again and click File > Open. Click on the "..." button to import the msgstore.decrypted.db file and click OK.
-
You can now select a mobile phone number in the right panel and view its chats in the left panel. You can export it in .text / .html / .json format if you like. nine0003
Method 2. (For devices without root) Read crypt12 WhatsApp database without key on PC
To decrypt the database into something human-readable, we can use the help of one of the decryption apps available on the Google Play Store. The recommended application that you can use is Omni-crypt. It can easily decrypt whatsapp database without root. Please note that in order to decrypt a database above crypt6 version, you will need whatsapp-key-db-extractor to extract the encryption key.
nine0003
- Connect your Android phone to your computer. Download and install Omni-crypt on your Android device.
- Download whatsapp-key-db-extractor to your computer from github.com.
-
Open the WhatsApp-Key-DB-Extractor folder and find the file named WhatsAppKeyDBExtract.sh . Right-click on it and select Properties.
-
On the Permissions tab, select the Allow executing file as a program check box. nine0003
-
After that run WhatsAppKeyDBExtract.sh file in Terminal on Mac.
-
When prompted to unlock your device and confirm the backup operation, open your Android phone and tap BACKUP MY DATA.
-
Wait for WhatsAppKeyDBExtract to restore WhatsApp and press Enter when finished to exit the Terminal.
-
Now open Omni-crypt on your Android phone. Click on ENABLE CRYPT BACKUP 6-12 and then click on WHATSAPP database DECRYPTION. nine0003
-
Now open the Whatsapp-Key-DB-Extractor folder and navigate to the extracted folder.
Here you can see the 'msgstore.db' and 'wa.db' files. ‘msgstore.db' stores all messages along with attachments, while 'wa.db' stores all information related to contacts. - Use a utility called "Whatsapp Viewer" and specify the path to "msgstore.db" and "wa.db". You will see all chat messages that have been retrieved from the database.
Bonus tip: How to read deleted whatsapp messages on android without root? nine0015
That's all about how to read encrypted WhatsApp messages. These steps are a bit complicated for normal users. If you are looking for a way to read deleted WhatsApp messages, Tenorshare UltData WhatsApp Recovery offers you an easy way to recover WhatsApp messages and contacts from Android without root.
-
Step 1 After you have downloaded the software, you go to the main interface below:
-
Step 2 Then you need to login and debug usb on your android phone to connect properly. nine0003
-
Step 3Now it's time to scan and see what data has been listed.
Just choose what you want to recover. -
Step 4 Finally, successfully save the files to your computer or device and take a look at them.
Conclusion
Now you have learned how to decrypt WhatsApp database on Android phone. Even though we don't touch the original databases, there is always a chance that our actions will corrupt them. It's always best to back up your data first. And if you are looking for an easy way to read deleted WhatsApp messages on Android without root, Tenorshare UltData WhatsApp Recovery is highly recommended. nine0003
How to read encrypted Whatsapp messages on Android without keys
One of the reasons WhatsApp is becoming one of the most popular messaging services is its strong security feature. It encrypts messages end to end, so the only people who can read those messages are the sender and the recipient. But sometimes even the phone owner cannot access their phones due to technical glitches.
Is it possible to read deleted messages in WhatsApp? How to read encrypted WhatsApp messages on Android without keys? Let's see. nine0003
- Part 1: WhatsApp message encryption types
- Part 2. How to read encrypted Whatsapp messages without keys?
- Bonus tip: How to read a deleted Whatsapp message on Android without root?
Part 1: WhatsApp Message Encryption Types
In September 2012, WhatsApp implemented end-to-end encryption as one of its security features. This step is taken to prevent session hijacking and packet sniffing, which often happened in the past. nine0003
WhatsApp uses the form crypt 2, crypt5, crypt7, crypt8 and crypt 12 to encrypt all data. This means that hacking the database files to read all chat messages has become almost impossible.
But there are tricks you can use to decrypt the database without keys and support files. You can use this method to access your conversations.
Part 2. How to read deleted Whatsapp messages without keys?
The trick below works when reading encrypted WhatsApp messages on Android devices.
Before you start, you need to create a copy of the WhatsApp database to make sure you don't destroy the original file. nine0003
To do this, open the Android File Explorer or File Browser. Then create a new folder or SD card. Then navigate to this location on your SD card: /WhatsApp/Databases/msgstore.db.crypt. Then copy the msgstore.db.crypt files to the new folder you just created.
- Method 1. Decrypt WhatsApp crypt 12 database without key on PC(C Root)
- Method 2. Read WhatsApp Database crypt12 without key on PC(No Root)
Method 1. Decrypt WhatsApp crypt 12 database without key on PC(C Root)
Whatsapp encrypts all data in .crypt format 5/7/8/12. But on a rooted Android phone, you can easily decrypt and read these encrypted messages with Whatsapp Viewer.
-
Locate the backup file of your WhatsApp message, such as msgstore.db.crypt 12, in Device Storage/WhatsApp/Database.
-
Find your key file containing the decryption key to decrypt the encrypted file from /data/data/com.
whatsapp/files/key. nine0003 - Connect your phone to your computer and copy the Database file named msgstore.db.crypt. and the key file to your computer.
-
Download and install Whatsapp Viewer on your computer. Open Whatsapp Viewer and go to File > Decrypt .crypt12.
-
Now you need to download the Database file and the key file. Click on the "..." button next to the Database file field to import it and do the same for the key file. Then click OK to decrypt the Database. nine0003
-
When you see the message "Database is decrypted to msgstore.decrypted.db", decryption is complete. You will find a file named "msgstore.decrypted.db" in the folder where you stored the Database file and the key file.
-
Launch WhatsApp viewer again and click File > Open. Click on the "..." button to import your msgstore.decrypted.db file and click OK.
-
You can now select a mobile phone number in the right panel and view its chats in the left panel.
You can export it in .text / .html / .json format if you like. nine0003
Method 2. Read WhatsApp Database crypt12 without key on PC(No Root)
To decrypt Database into something human readable, we can use one of the decryption apps available on the Google Play Store. The recommended application that you can use is Omni-crypt. It can easily decrypt Database WhatsApp without root. Please note that in order to decrypt Database above crypt6 version, you will need WhatsApp-Key-DB-Extractor to extract the encryption key. nine0003
- Connect your Android phone to your computer. Download and install Omni-crypt on your Android device.
- Download WhatsApp-Key-DB-Extractor to your computer from github.com.
-
Open the WhatsApp-Key-DB-Extractor folder and find the file named WhatsAppKeyDBExtract.sh. Right click on it and select "Properties".
-
On the Permissions tab, check the box before allowing the file to run as a program.
nine0003 -
After that, by running WhatsAppKeyDBExtract.sh file in terminal on Mac.
-
When prompted to unlock your device and confirm the backup operation, open your Android phone and tap BACK UP MY DATA.
-
Wait for WhatsAppKeyDBExtract to restore WhatsApp and press Enter when finished to exit the terminal.
-
Now open Omni-crypt on your Android phone. Click ENABLE CRYPT 6-12 BACKUPS and then click DECRYPT WHATSAPP DATABASE. nine0003
-
Now open the Whatsapp-Key-DB-Extractor folder and navigate to the extracted folder. Here you can see "msgstore.db" and "wa.db" files. "msgstore.db" stores all messages along with attachments, while "wa.db" stores all information related to contacts.
- Use a utility called "Whatsapp Viewer" and specify the path to "msgstore.db" and "wa.db". You will see all chat messages that have been retrieved from the database.
Bonus tip: How to read a deleted Whatsapp message on Android without root? nine0015
This is all about how to read encrypted whatsapp messages.
But the steps are a bit complicated for normal users. If you want to know how to read deleted WhatsApp messages, Tenorshare UltData WhatsApp Recovery offers you an easy way to recover and read deleted WhatsApp messages from Android without root.
-
After you have downloaded the software, you will go to the main interface below. Click on the Restore WhatsApp Data button and then connect your mobile phone to your computer. nine0003
-
Then you need to authorize and perform USB debugging to properly connect your Android phone.
-
After the software detects your Android device, click "Start" to begin the process.
-
You can now scan and see what data has been listed. Just choose what you want to recover. Finally, successfully save the files to your computer and examine them carefully. nine0003
Conclusion
Now you have learned how to decrypt WhatsApp database on Android phone. Even if we do not touch the original databases, there is always a possibility that our actions will lead to their destruction.
