How to Export a WhatsApp Chat (Android & iPhone)
Want to back up a conversation, read it on your computer, or turn it into a keepsake? WhatsApp can export any chat to a text file — with or without the photos and videos. Here is exactly how to do it on Android and iPhone, what you actually get, and how to open it nicely afterwards.
What “export chat” actually does
Exporting makes a copy of one conversation as a file you can keep. You get a plain text file called _chat.txt with every message, who sent it and the time. If you choose to include media, you instead get a .zip that holds that same text file plus the images, videos and documents from the chat. It does not touch the original conversation — nothing is deleted or changed in WhatsApp.
Export on Android
- Open the chatOpen the individual or group conversation you want to save.
- Tap the menuTap the three dots ⋮ in the top-right corner, then More.
- Tap “Export chat”Choose Export chat from the list.
- With or without mediaPick Without media for a quick text-only file, or Include media to also export the photos and videos.
- Send it to yourselfThe share sheet opens — email it, save it to Drive or Files, or send it to another app so you can open it later.
Export on iPhone
- Open the chatOpen the conversation, then tap the contact or group name at the top to open its info page.
- Scroll to “Export Chat”Scroll all the way down and tap Export Chat.
- Choose media optionTap Without Media or Attach Media.
- Save or shareUse the share sheet to save it to Files, mail it to yourself, or send it on.
Already have an exported file?
Open it in Chat Tree — freeWith media vs. without media
- Without media — tiny file, fast, just the words. Perfect if you only want the text, or the chat is huge.
- Include / attach media — a
.zipwith the photos, videos and files too. Bigger, but it looks like the real chat when you view it. Note WhatsApp limits how many media files it will attach, so very long chats may not include every image. - Long chats — WhatsApp also caps the number of messages a single export can hold, so an extremely long conversation may come out trimmed. That is a WhatsApp limit, not something a viewer can undo.
How to open and read the exported chat
On its own, _chat.txt is hard to read — it is one long wall of lines, and a .zip just shows loose files. The nice way is to open it in a viewer that rebuilds the conversation:
- Open Chat TreeGo to chattreeapp.fun and choose Upload exported chat.
- Drop in your fileGive it the
_chat.txtor the whole.zip(the zip brings the photos and videos back too). - Relive itThe chat comes back as a real-looking WhatsApp conversation you can scroll, search, translate, and export as an image, PDF or keepsake book.
There is a full walkthrough here: how to open & view an exported WhatsApp chat.
FAQ
Does exporting include photos and videos?
Only if you choose Include / Attach Media. That attaches the photos, videos and documents (WhatsApp caps how many). Without Media gives a small text-only file.
Where is the exported chat saved?
Wherever you send it — WhatsApp opens a share sheet, so you can email it to yourself, save it to Files or Drive, or pass it to another app. There is no fixed export folder.
What is inside the file?
A _chat.txt with every message, sender and timestamp. If you included media, it comes as a .zip holding that text file plus the media.
Can I read it on my computer?
Yes. Send the file to yourself, open Chat Tree in any browser and upload it — it works the same on phone or desktop.
Is it safe and private?
The export is just a copy of your own conversation. Viewing it in Chat Tree stays in your browser; nothing leaves your device unless you choose to save the chat to your account.
Ready to read your chat?
Open Chat Tree — it’s freeNot affiliated with WhatsApp or Meta. WhatsApp is a trademark of Meta Platforms, Inc.