How to save whatsapp message history as a text file

How To Backup and Restore WhatsApp Chat History in 2023

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Table of Contents

How to Backup WhatsApp on iPhone
How to Backup WhatsApp on Android
Store Your WhatsApp Backup in the Cloud
- 1. Sync.com
- 2. pCloud
- 3. Icedrive
How To Restore Your WhatsApp Backup
Final Thoughts
Comments

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Unless you manually backup WhatsApp, you can easily lose access to important conversations, or worse, your contacts themselves. Here's how to backup WhatsApp to ensure that doesn't happen.

By Sapphire Fox (Editor)
— Last Updated: 02 Mar'22 2022-03-02T15:28:24+00:00

Whether you’re about to move to a new device or just worried about losing your conversations, there are many reasons why you should backup your data. Helpfully, some apps — including WhatsApp — have ways to backup your data automatically. In this article, we’ll show you how to backup WhatsApp messages and attachments on your phone.

Key Takeaways:

You can backup WhatsApp messages from within the app.
By default, Android devices use Google Drive and iOS devices use iCloud for the backup.
There are other services that can store the backup you create.
You can recover your WhatsApp chats during the installation process.

Although you can create a local backup on your phone, you can’t easily use it to move conversations to a new device and it won’t protect anything from most cybercrime or physical damage. Instead, you should keep a copy in the cloud. Luckily, it only takes a few taps to save all your WhatsApp data to either Google Drive or iCloud.

The easiest way to backup WhatsApp is with the built-in feature that lets you save your chats to either iCloud or Google Drive — on iOS or Android, respectively. Simply go into “settings,” “chats” then “chat backup.” Here, there will be a backup button and an auto-backup feature that you can set up.
When you install WhatsApp on your phone, it will ask you if it should restore chat histories. Make sure that your backup is on your device or your connected cloud storage — either Google Drive or iCloud — before downloading it, and then choose that option when it appears.
Simply follow the method to backup your WhatsApp data either locally or to the cloud, and then you can download that data file to your new device. However, if you’ve connected your phone to your iCloud or Google account, you should be able to restore your data without downloading it first.

How to Backup WhatsApp on iPhone

For most Apple device users, you’ll want to backup your WhatsApp chats to your iCloud storage — and you can read more on this service in our full iCloud review. You could backup everything on your iPhone, but the best way to backup just WhatsApp is to use the backup feature that’s built into the app, which is a simple four-step process.

Tap “Settings”
When you open WhatsApp from your home screen, you’ll notice five buttons along the bottom. Select the option on the far right, labeled “settings.”
In WhatsApp, tap the “settings” icon in the bottom-right corner.
Select “Chat Backup”
Choose “chat backup” from the “chats” page.
Go into your chat backup settings.
Tap “Back Up Now”
You can either tap “back up now” to start the backup process or select “auto backup” and change your backup frequency.
Tap “back up now” to start creating a backup.

How to Backup WhatsApp on Android

Although the process is similar, WhatsApp puts its buttons in slightly different places on Android devices. It’ll also save everything to your Google Drive account. Note that with this service, you give up some privacy and security in return for high speeds and a great third-party integration — and you can find out more in our full Google Drive review.

Tap “Settings”
Choose “settings” from the dropdown list.
Choose “settings” from the dropdown menu.
Go Into “Chats”
In WhatsApp’s settings, tap “chats” to get access to your conversation settings.
Go into your “chats” settings.
Select “Chat Backup”
You’ll find “chat backup” near the bottom of the page, next to an icon in the shape of a cloud.
Tap “chat backup” for your backup options.
Tap “Back Up”
Tap on “back up” to do a manual backup or “back up to Google Drive” to set your backup frequency. If you haven’t connected your phone to a Google account, it will only create a local backup.
Start to back your messages up to your Google drive.

Store Your WhatsApp Backup in the Cloud

With neither iCloud nor Google Drive being among the best cloud storage services for security, you may be worried about the privacy of your conversations. Luckily, you can use a more secure service by saving your backup files to your preferred remote storage app.

1. Sync.com

Sync.com’s incredible mobile app makes it one of the best.

At this point, it’s no surprise that Sync.com is our favorite cloud storage provider. Although our full Sync.com review goes into more detail, when it comes down to it, 2TB of space with high-end security for both PC and mobile devices at only $8.00 per month is practically unbeatable, plus you can get 5GB of cloud storage for free.

2. pCloud

pCloud is a solid option, especially for high-speed transfers.

Despite pCloud’s odd choice to make zero-knowledge encryption a paid add-on, pCloud and Sync.com are closely matched. If you’re looking for ease of use and speed, and you’re willing to pay extra for security, check out our full pCloud review. You can get started with 10GB of free cloud storage.

3. Icedrive

Icedrive is a young service, but it’s still one of the best.

Although it is newer to the cloud storage scene, Icedrive ties with Sync.com in our comparison. It doesn’t lack much in any category, including providing 10GB of free space — even if its customer support could be improved — and it’ll definitely keep your data safe. So if you’re willing to go for a younger service, read our full Icedrive review for more information.

How To Restore Your WhatsApp Backup

To restore WhatsApp from a backup, you’re going to need to reinstall it from an app store, such as Google Play. However, as WhatsApp limits how often you can receive verification text messages to a specific phone number, you should make sure you know what you’re doing before you begin.

Give WhatsApp the Necessary Permissions
In order to restore your WhatsApp message history, you’ll need to allow access to your contacts, photos, media and files. Start by tapping “continue.”
You need to tap “continue” to start the process.
Tap “Allow” on Each Permission
Make sure to allow every permission that WhatsApp asks for, or else you won’t be able to restore your messages.
Allow the permissions that WhatsApp asks for.
Start Restoring WhatsApp
After it has found a backup file, check that it’s from the source you expected and tap “restore” to recover all of your conversations.
Check to make sure it’s recovering from the right email address and tap “restore.”
Finish Setting Up WhatsApp
Once you’ve restored your WhatsApp chats from the backup, tap “next” to finish setting it up.
Tap “next” and finish setting up WhatsApp.

Final Thoughts: How to Backup WhatsApp

Whether you’re an iOS or an Android user, there’s no reason you can’t backup your WhatsApp chats and conversations. You can then use this backup to quickly recover all of your messages, as well as any photos, videos and other attachments that have been part of a conversation.

If you have saved your WhatsApp data to the cloud but can’t see it in there, be sure to look in your backup folder. Providers often keep this separate, so people don’t damage their backups by accident, but you can usually still access it through the official web page on your computer.

However, if you don’t need to use this recovery feature and are limited in space, you can instead use the “export chat” option under “chat history.” This’ll create a text file of the conversation you had with one person. You can even ignore photos and videos, so it doesn’t take up too much memory.

Keep in mind that to accomplish the backup you’ll need a reliable VPN to bypass the WhatsApp ban in Dubai and other countries where WhatsApp is banned. We also have a guide on how to unblock WhatsApp in China.

If you don’t plan on using WhatsApp anymore, our guide will help you understand how to delete your WhatsApp account and this piece will help you find a WhatsApp alternative. Plus, we also have a guide on how to recover data from a broken phone, in case you need it.

Have you tried to backup WhatsApp on your phone? Did you use one of these methods to keep your conversations safe? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below. Thanks for reading.

Let us know if you liked the post. That’s the only way we can improve.

How to Import and Restore WhatsApp Chat from TXT File

Category: Transfer WhatsApp

February 17, 2023 5 mins read

WhatsApp is the easiest way to communicate with each other. It keeps the chats over the years and allows the user to find any message of chat he wants. However, in some cases, WhatsApp chat is lost, and it could be frustrating for many people. In this article, we will how to import WhatsApp chat from txt file and how it can help in recovering WhatsApp chat on both Android and iOS devices.

Part 1. How to Import and Restore WhatsApp Chat from Text File

1.1. Restore WhatsApp Chat from Text File on iPhone
1.2. Restore WhatsApp Chat from Text File on Android

Part 2. Pro Tip about Convert WhatsApp Chat into Text File
Part 3. FAQs about Restore WhatsApp Chat from Text File

Part 1. How to Import and Restore WhatsApp Chat from Text File

iMyFone ChatsBack allows the user to recover and restore chats for both personal and business accounts. It is an easy tool that takes only a few steps to get all the data back.

iMyFone ChatsBack can help the user to recover WhatsApp chat in four different ways. These are from Device Storage, Google Drive, iTunes, and also from scanning records from previous iMyFone ChatsBack recovery. Let us see how we can recover WhatsApp chat on iPhone and Android.

1.1. Restore WhatsApp Chat from Text File on iPhone

iMyFone ChatsBack has slightly different steps according to the operating system; however, it recovers WhatsApp data easily on iPhone.

The software allows the user to select the file that the user wants to recover. It could be WhatsApp chat, photos, videos, audios, contacts, and even files. It helps the user to recover WhatsApp in different scenarios. Whether the chat is lost accidentally, due to a system crash, lost device, factory reset, or even if the device is locked, the software works well and recovers the chat.

Let us see how we can recover the WhatsApp chat from the Text File on iPhone.

1,000,000+ Downloads

Key Features of iMyFone ChatsBack:

Both deleted/lost WhatsApp messages and attachments can be recovered from iOS/Android device/Google Drive backup or iTunes backup directly.
Suit for WhatsApp & WhatsApp Business data to revover data to iPhone/Android device.
Preview recoverable WhatsApp data before performing the final recovery.
The final recovery files can be HTML/PDF/Excel/CSV files and can be seen on PC.
Compatible with the newest iOS/Android devide.

Here is the free download link that you can try it for free.

Free Download

Step 1: Download and install iMyFone ChatsBack from the website first. It will take just one to two minutes. Open iMyFone ChatsBack. Here, you will see four different options to recover WhatsApp data. Click on 'Device Storage';. iMyFone ChatsBack will ask the user to connect the phone to the computer.

Step 2: When you connect the device to the computer, iMyFone ChatsBack will ask from which WhatsApp type you want to restore WhatsApp chat. WhatsApp Messenger or WhatsApp Business. Choose the WhatsApp type and click on 'OK'.

Step 3: Now, iMyFone ChatsBack will access the data from the device and start scanning. All the recoverable data will be shown below. You can preview all the data and select that you want to recover.

Step 4: After selecting the WhatsApp chat data the user wants to restore, there are two options. First, recover WhatsApp Data to PC, and second recover WhatsApp data to Device. If the user selects Recover to PC, then select the file format and the path or location to where the user wants data to be saved.

Step 5 (Alternative): If the user selects Recover to Device, then he needs to follow these steps. Turn off 'Find my iPhone';. Moreover, the data already on the device will be deleted after the recovery. So, it is advised to backup the data first. Click 'OK' to back up your data.

Step 6 (Alternative): Go to AppStore and download WhatsApp. Now, iMyFone ChatsBack will process the files, and your device will restart once. All the data will be recovered.

Free Download

1.2. Restore WhatsApp Chat from Text File on Android

When it comes to restoring WhatsApp chat on Android, then there is a slight change in steps. Not major, but just minor changes. Android also backs up the data on Google drive, but here, we will learn how to restore WhatsApp chat from the Text file on Android.

Step 1: The first step is pretty much the same. After installing and downloading iMyFone ChatsBack, open it on your computer. Connect the Android device to the computer. Before clicking on the 'Start' button, allow 'USB debugging' on Android Device so data can be read.

Step 2: Now, the scanning part is a little different. As mentioned earlier, iMyFone ChatsBack will scan and fetch the existing data and save it in History Records in case you need it in the future. After scanning complete, click on 'Next'.

Step 3: For data analysis iMyFone ChatsBack will require a grant or permission. Now, it will load the files and start data analysis. Enter the country code and the phone number of your WhatsApp. You will get an SMS for verification. Enter the verification code.

Step 4: After verification iMyFone, ChatsBack will estimate the keys needed for analyzing the database. Now, iMyFone ChatsBack will analyze the chosen database, and you can preview the files and recover the files that you want.

Step 5: To recover data to the device, iMyFone ChatsBack will install an older version of WhatsApp on your Android device. Back up the data first because the data on the device will be erased after recovery. iMyFone ChatsBack will process the files, and your data will be recovered.

Step 6: You can then log in to your WhatsApp account and experience the recovered data. Make sure to make a local backup and also update your WhatsApp to the latest version.

Part 2. Pro tip about Convert WhatsApp Chat into Text File

Anyone can convert WhatsApp Chat into a Text File. It is a readable format that users can use the Email Chat feature to read. It does not require any third-party tool.

The local backup that WhatsApp daily performs cannot be shared because it is not a Text File or in a readable format. WhatsApp gives an option to the user to create a backup with or without the media. When we are talking about Text files, it means without media. This is how anyone can convert WhatsApp Chat into a Text File.

Step 1: Open WhatsApp on your phone and click on three vertical dots, which will show more options, and navigate to settings. In settings, you will see an option of Chats. Click on it.

Step 2: Toggle to Chat and go to Chat History. Now, click on 'Email Chat';. Click on whichever option you want.

Step 3: The user now has the option to email the attachment without media or with media. Click on without media and send WhatsApp using 'Gmail'.

Step 4: Open the draft in Gmail and download this chat that you just emailed yourself. The chat will be in a Text File that is in a readable format.

Part 3. FAQs About Restore WhatsApp Chat from Text File

01 How Do I Open a Text File on WhatsApp?

To open a text file on WhatsApp, you need an app. This app is known as Chat Viewer for WhatsApp. With this app, you can easily read the exported WhatsApp chats. As WhatsApp chat logs are saved in plain text format, this app allows the user to read the file just as viewed in the app. It has a similar GUI as WhatsApp.

02 How Do I Format WhatsApp Chat in Text?

There are certain techniques and shortcuts to format text in your WhatsApp chat.

For italic, you need to add an underscore at the start and end of your text. For example, _text_.
For bold, you need to add an asterisk at the start and end of your text. For example, 'text'.
For strikethrough, you need to add a tilde at the start and end of your text. For example, ~text~.
To monospace your message, you need to place three backticks at the start and end of your text. For example, '`text ```

03 How to Import Chat in WhatsApp from Text File?

The easiest way to import WhatsApp from Text File is through the phone. Firstly, make a backup of your chat. The backup is in the form of a Text File. Open WhatsApp and go to Settings. Under the option of settings, navigate to Chats > Chat Backup. Install WhatsApp on the target phone and log in to your same account (Google Account) as before.

04 How can I Convert a WhatsApp Exported Txt File into a Real Chat?

Nothing of such sort is possible. You can only recover or restore the chat only if you have a backup in WhatsApp. If the chat is saved in Google Drive, then you can retrieve it at any time you want.

05 Is There Any WhatsApp TXT Reader?

Yes. As mentioned in FAQ no.1. Chat Viewer for WhatsApp allows the user to read the text file just like reading in WhatsApp. This app is developed in such a way that it portrays a GUI of actual WhatsApp Messenger.

Conclusion

WhatsApp contains all the important chats of people these days. It is an easy-to-use tool and is completely free. There is also a business version of WhatsApp that allows the business runners or corporate sectors to keep in touch with employees.

However, the important chat can be deleted. We have discussed how you can restore and recover the WhatsApp chat in case of an accident or mishap. Despite having multiple backup options in WhatsApp, there are certain scenarios in which these backups don' t work. In this case, iMyFone ChatsBack works efficiently throughout and recovers all the data even if deleted.

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How to save all files from WhatsApp and transfer chats to Telegram

WhatsApp users began to actively prepare to leave the messenger. It is known that so far no restrictions are planned for the application, however, experts believe that it will not hurt to be ready in advance. About how to save all information from WhatsApp, transfer it to Telegram, to another smartphone or PC - in the material of Gazeta.Ru.

Better early

In connection with the blocking of the Instagram photo service in Russia, users of the WhatsApp messenger should, just in case, pay attention to ways to back up all data from the application. The reason is that WhatsApp and Instagram are owned by the same company, Meta (formerly Facebook).

It is now known that no restrictive actions are planned for the messenger.

Nevertheless, more and more users are interested in how to switch to other services, with the help of which you can quickly send and receive messages, but at the same time not lose years of correspondence both with friends and relatives, and on work or business issues.

Any messenger has a backup function that allows you to protect data and restore it in case of unforeseen events, Ivan Samoylenko, managing partner of B&C Agency, told Gazeta.Ru.

“Of course, users can take many screenshots of conversations or copy contacts to a text file, but people tend to have dozens of chats. This will take a significant amount of time,” the expert added.

According to the analyst, there are three ways that are much more effective than such practices.

The first way - third-party programs

Transferring backups using third-party programs is possible on smartphones with both iOS and Android, Samoylenko explained. Typically, such programs are used if you need to move WhatsApp data between smartphones with different mobile operating systems. However, for the purpose of creating a backup, they are also suitable.

Among the most frequently used programs are MobileTrans, WutsApper, WhatsApp Transfer and others.

The method of copying them may differ, but, as a rule, you need to connect both devices to the system: a gadget with data and a smartphone that will store the copy.

Such programs are also capable of more complex actions. For example, MobileTrans allows you to transfer all data, including photos and videos. The program has the functions of backing up WhatsApp to a computer and restoring a copy from a PC to a smartphone.

The second way is to Telegram

Users whose version of the messenger has been updated to a version higher than 7.4 will be able to copy WhatsApp chats (including group ones) to Telegram.

You need to launch WhatsApp on the device, select a chat, swipe it from right to left and click the "More" button, Samoylenko said. In the menu that appears, select "Export chat". Here you need to specify whether media files will be transferred - audio, photo and video recordings.

“Next, we indicate with which programs we want to share the correspondence. In our case, with Telegram. In this application, you can create a separate group in advance for your own correspondence, or save chats in "Favorites," the analyst noted.

The last step is to select the desired chat and click the "Import" button. According to the expert, you should not save personal correspondence in group chats, as they will be available to all their participants. When the data transfer is complete, "Imported" will appear.

The third way is in Google Drive

A Google Drive cloud backup can help if multiple users need access and the account is registered for doing business.

According to Samoilenko, for this method you need to log in to your Google account and be connected to the Internet.

“Next, open WhatsApp, the tab “Other options”, and in it “Settings”. In the “Chats” item, select “Backup Chats”, and then “Backup to Google Drive,” the expert said.

After that, you must also specify how often the data will be automatically transferred and stored in your Google account. For example, once a day at night (usually at two in the morning, when the owner is no longer using the app).

“This will allow you to have an up-to-date copy of correspondence every day and not save them manually every day. These backups can then be used to restore on a new device,” added Samoylenko. He clarified that it is also possible to store photos and videos in cloud services separately from correspondence.

According to the expert, the backup can also be transferred from Google Drive to a computer's hard drive, to another cloud service, or to a flash drive. The more backups a user has, the more chances to save data, the analyst concluded.

How to save chat history in WhatsApp

Saving correspondence is one of the most important functions of the WhatsApp messenger. It allows you to save important dialogs with the possibility of further restoration. This is done with a backup. The messenger also provides for the export of individual chats to text files. How to save the chat history and restore dialogs - the instructions from the article will tell.

We will study three functions:

Creating local backups;
Create cloud backups;
Export history from individual and group chats.

All this will help to keep the history of the most important dialogues and groups.

Saving history as local copies

This functionality is relevant for owners of Android smartphones. The system for creating local copies with chat history is implemented here. And it works regardless of whether the user wants it or not. The history is saved daily at 2 am, it stores the correspondence for the last seven days. The task is simple - find the files you need and save them.

Chat history files have the *. db.crypt12 format, their names indicate the creation date. Each of them stores the history of correspondence for the last seven days. The storage location is the /WhatsApp/Databases folder in the internal memory or on a memory card. To save your chat history, do the following:

Connect your smartphone to the computer using a cable - select the file storage in the connection settings;
Run any file manager on your computer - for example, Total Commander or regular Explorer;
Locate the folder above, where local copies of all correspondence are saved, and find the file with the latest date;
Download the file to your computer's hard drive - local chat history saved.

To restore the history, rename the file to msgstore.db.crypt12, upload it to the /WhatsApp/Databases folder on your smartphone, reinstall WhatsApp and run the restore suggested by the messenger.

Saving chat history in the cloud

The previous method requires some fiddling with the files, it may seem too heavy for inexperienced users. It is much easier to set up saving to cloud storage - Google Drive for Android smartphones and iCloud Drive for iOS smartphones. The frequency of saving is user-defined:

Daily is the optimal storage frequency;
Weekly - for those who rarely communicate;
Monthly - there is a risk of losing some important correspondence, the frequency of saving is too low.

It is also possible to save the chat history up to the last message manually.

Saving history is configured in the menu "Settings - Chats - Chat Backup". Setting instructions:

Go to the above menu;
Select the desired schedule - it is recommended to save the history daily so as not to lose important data;
Select the account in which the history will be saved - for those who have several accounts on their smartphone;
Specify whether to save chat history to the clouds via Wi-Fi only, or via Wi-Fi or mobile network;
Select whether to save video to the cloud.

History saving is configured - it will be created at the specified frequency of 2 am. If there is no Internet connection at this point, the save will be delayed until a connection is available. But subsequent messages will not be saved - only those that were sent / received before 2 am, when the last archiving was performed.

Export chat history

Do not trust cloud storage and local copies on your smartphone - store chat history on your computer's hard drive. This is done by exporting chats:

Launch WhatsApp and select the chat to be backed up;
Click the three dots at the top of the screen, select "More - Chat export";
A window will open that will prompt you to choose whether to save files - make your decision by clicking "No files" or "Add files";
Choose how and where to send the created archive - using instant messengers, by e-mail. You can also choose cloud storage or

The chat history file is in text format and can be opened with plain Notepad.