What gets included in a WhatsApp chat export?

Check the export before you rely on it.

A WhatsApp export can be text-only or include media. Chat Archive helps you open the ZIP on iPhone, review what WhatsApp included, and decide whether it is complete enough for what you need.

Download on the App StoreHow to export a chat

Quick answer

A text-only export includes the conversation text, dates, and sender names. An export with media can also include available photos, videos, documents, audio, voice messages, stickers, and other files WhatsApp places in the ZIP.

Why the raw export is hard to read

The export is made for moving and storing data, not for comfortable reading. Chat Archive reconstructs the text file and included attachments as a readable chat, with messages in order and media near the conversation.

What text-only exports include

A text-only export is smaller and easier to move. It is useful when you only need the written conversation. It does not include the original photos, videos, documents, voice messages, or file previews that make many chats useful later.

What exports with media include

For the best archive, export with media. Chat Archive can then place included photos, videos, documents, audio, voice messages, stickers, and attachments back beside the messages they belong to.

What to check before deleting or relying on it

Open the ZIP in Chat Archive and check the parts of the conversation that matter before you clear WhatsApp storage, share a PDF, print a copy, or use the archive for documentation.

  1. Known messages

    Search for names, phrases, dates, receipts, decisions, or places you expect to find.

  2. Date range

    Check that the export covers the time period you need.

  3. Participants

    Check that names and group context look right.

  4. Media and files

    Open important photos, videos, documents, stickers, and attachments.

  5. Voice messages

    Play the audio and search transcriptions when they are available.

  6. PDF preview

    Preview the PDF if you plan to save, share, or print a copy.

Why something may be missing

Chat Archive shows what is inside the export. If a photo, video, voice message, or file was not downloaded, was deleted, was unavailable, or was excluded during export, it may not be in the ZIP.

Keep the original ZIP

A PDF is useful for reading and sharing. The ZIP is the source file you imported, so keep it if the archive matters.

What Chat Archive can and cannot prove

Chat Archive helps you open, read, search, review, and save or export a PDF. It shows what is in the ZIP; it does not certify that the export is complete, original, or valid evidence.

For formal use

If you need a chat for legal, official, workplace, school, or compliance purposes, ask the relevant professional what format and handling they require.

Check before you save, share, or delete

How to save a WhatsApp chat as a PDF

Turn a WhatsApp export ZIP into a readable PDF on iPhone. Review the chat, media, voice messages, and pages before saving, sharing, or printing.