How to export a WhatsApp chat on Android

Export the chat from Android

WhatsApp's interface can vary by version and device, so start from the chat and use WhatsApp's current export instructions if the option has moved.

1. Open the chat in WhatsApp on Android

   Start from the conversation you want to keep.

2. Open chat info or the menu

   Look for Export Chat in the chat options. If your screen looks different, check WhatsApp's current Help Center instructions.

3. Choose Attach Media

   For the best archive, include media. Chat Archive can only show attachments that WhatsApp includes in the ZIP.

4. Save the ZIP

   Use Google Drive, email, a computer, a cable transfer, or another place you can reach from iPhone.

5. Move the ZIP to iPhone

   Use Files, iCloud Drive, AirDrop from a Mac, email, external storage, or another transfer method you trust.

6. Open and review

   Check messages, dates, media, files, and voice messages before deleting or clearing anything.

Choose Attach Media for the best archive

If photos, videos, documents, audio, or voice messages matter, export with media. Chat Archive can only show attachments that WhatsApp includes in the ZIP. A text-only export is smaller and easier to move, but it will not carry the files that make many old chats useful.

Move the ZIP to your iPhone

Save the export to Google Drive, iCloud Drive, Files, email, a computer, external storage, or another transfer method you trust. Once the ZIP is available on iPhone, open it in Chat Archive.

If the ZIP is large

Media-heavy chats can produce large files. Save the ZIP to cloud storage, external storage, or a computer instead of relying on a messaging app. If needed, create a second text-only export, but keep the media export when attachments matter.

What Chat Archive does next

After the ZIP is on iPhone, open it in Chat Archive to turn the export into a readable chat. You can read messages in order, search names and phrases, review included media and voice messages, and preview a PDF before saving or sharing it.

An export is not a WhatsApp backup

Use a WhatsApp backup when you want to restore WhatsApp itself. Use an export when you want a separate copy of one conversation that you can keep, read, search, or save as a PDF.

Check before deleting anything

Open the export and confirm the messages, dates, media, files, and voice messages you care about are included before clearing WhatsApp storage or deleting the original conversation.

After you export the chat