How Chat Archive works.
Export a chat from WhatsApp. Open the ZIP on iPhone. Chat Archive rebuilds it as a readable archive you can search, review, and save as PDF.
The short version
Chat Archive is an iPhone app that opens WhatsApp export ZIP files. It turns the text file and exported attachments into a local, searchable chat archive with media, voice messages, and PDF export.
The workflow
Export a chat from WhatsApp
In WhatsApp, open the conversation, tap the chat name, scroll to Export Chat, and choose whether to include media. Including media gives Chat Archive the photos, videos, documents, and voice messages that belong with the messages.
Save or share the ZIP
WhatsApp creates an export file. Save it in Files, iCloud Drive, Google Drive, email, AirDrop, or another place you can reach from your iPhone.
Open the ZIP in Chat Archive
On iPhone, open the ZIP with Chat Archive. The app reads the exported text file and the files inside the ZIP.
Review the reconstructed chat
Chat Archive shows the conversation in order, with chat bubbles, dates, participants, media, documents, voice messages, and attachment previews.
Search, browse, and save
Search names, dates, places, and phrases. Browse media and files. Transcribe voice messages. Preview a readable PDF before you save, share, or print.
What Chat Archive reads from the export
The app works from the WhatsApp export ZIP you choose.
Message text
The exported text file provides messages, sender names, dates, and times.
Media and attachments
When media is included, the ZIP can contain photos, videos, documents, audio, and other shared files.
Voice messages
Voice messages stay with the conversation and can be transcribed on iPhone.
Only the export
Chat Archive opens exported files. It does not connect to a WhatsApp account or read live messages.
What you can do after import
Once the export is open, the archive becomes useful again.
Read it like a chat
Messages appear as a conversation instead of a raw text file.
Search old details
Find names, dates, places, phrases, receipts, and available voice transcripts.
Browse media
Review exported photos, videos, documents, audio, and files together with the chat.
Save a PDF
Create a PDF with chat bubbles, images, voice transcripts, and attachment previews.
Detailed guides
Use these when you need the exact workflow for a specific job.
How to export a WhatsApp chat on iPhone
Open the chat, use Export Chat, and save the ZIP.
What gets included in a chat export?
Understand text-only exports and exports with media.
Save a WhatsApp chat as PDF
Preview and save a readable PDF from the imported archive.
Lost a chat?
Ask another participant for an export if they still have the conversation.
Where your chat content stays
Chat Archive opens the export on your iPhone and processes imported chat content on your device. Keep the original ZIP somewhere you trust, especially before clearing space in WhatsApp.
Read privacy detailsBefore clearing WhatsApp storage
Open the export first. Check that the messages, photos, files, and voice messages you care about are included and render well. Then decide what to remove from WhatsApp.
Read the storage guide