Are you looking for a way to preserve your WhatsApp conversations in a convenient and shareable format? Exporting your WhatsApp chat to PDF can be an excellent solution. Whether for personal reasons like keeping cherished memories or for professional purposes such as documenting important discussions, knowing how to export WhatsApp chat to PDF can be incredibly beneficial.
By converting your WhatsApp chats into a PDF file, you can easily store, print, or share them with others while ensuring the content remains intact. In this article, we will guide you through the step-by-step process, so you can effortlessly create PDF versions of your precious WhatsApp conversations. Let’s begin with the article.
Things to Know Before Exporting Your WhatsApp Chat
Before exporting your WhatsApp chat, you should know a few things.
When you export your chat on WhatsApp, a text file contains the entire conversation history, including messages, media files, and other shared content. Do note the export file doesn’t include call logs, status updates, or other account-related data. Moreover, remember that exporting the chat does not remove it from your WhatsApp or the recipient’s account. The chat will remain accessible and visible to both parties unless it is manually deleted.
When exporting a chat file, it’s important to be aware that it may contain sensitive information, including personal conversations, photos, videos, or other media files. Therefore, it’s crucial to handle the exported file with care and ensure its security. Exercise caution when determining the storage or sharing of the location of the exported chat, as it may contain private or confidential information that you do not want unauthorized individuals to access.
WhatsApp allows you to export the chat with and without media. You can send up to 10,000 latest messages . Without media, you can send 40,000 messages. Moreover, you cannot export all chat threads simultaneously; you must export each chat individually.
Exporting the chat is a one-time process, creating a snapshot of the conversation during export. Any new messages or updates made after the export will not be included in the exported file. If you want an up-to-date chat copy, you’ll need to export it again.
Why You May Need to Export Your WhatsApp Chat
There are multiple reasons why one may need to export their WhatsApp chat.
1. For Legal Purposes
In any legal situation, you might want to present WhatsApp chats as evidence or proof of claim. Instead of taking screenshots that result in multiple images, a printable PDF file is more presentable.
Additionally, when you export WhatsApp chats as PDFs, it comes with detailed information like the timestamp of the chat messages. You can even choose to include media files (images, GIFs, etc.) in the PDF export. We’ll talk more about that later.
2. For Business Purposes
You could also export your WhatsApp conversations with a customer, supplier, retailer, wholesaler, or manufacturer just for business documentation. That would come in handy if most of your business conversations and transactions happen on WhatsApp.
3. For Research Purposes
If you’re conducting a survey or research and interviewing your sample population on WhatsApp, you could easily export their responses as PDFs. You can use exported chats in your research report and documentation.
4. As an Offline Backup Solution
It’s common practice to back up WhatsApp chats on online cloud storage platforms like Google Drive, OneDrive, etc. But having your WhatsApp chats saved offline as a backup on your computer or a personal storage drive is also not a bad idea.
With this understanding, let’s begin with the steps to backup WhatsApp messages as a PDF; keep reading.
Also Read : How to delete a WhatsApp message without opening it
Exporting WhatsApp Chats as PDFs via Email
Usually, people take screenshots of WhatsApp conversations, but that’s not a very efficient way to export your chat with another person on WhatsApp. Converting your chats makes them more accessible and shareable. Do note you can export all chats, even if the other person’s contact is not saved on your phone.
On Android
It is quite easy to export the entire WhatsApp chat as a PDF. Follow the below-mentioned steps.
Step 1 : Launch WhatsApp on your Android device and navigate to the chat you want to export.
Step 2 : Once you get into the chat, tap on the three-dot icon at the top, and from the drop-down, select More.
Step 3 : Tap Export chat, and from the pop-up, choose either Without Media or Include Media option.
Note : We are opting to go with the Without Media option.
Step 4 : Select Gmail (or your preferred email app) from the bottom sheet. The exported chat (.txt) file will be attached automatically to a new email. All you have to do is enter your email address and tap the Send icon.
On iOS
The method to convert WhatsApp chat into PDF begins with exporting the chat in the first place. Follow the below steps.
Step 1 : Launch WhatsApp on your iPhone and go to the chat you want to export.
Step 2 : Tap the contact’s name in the top navigation bar. You will be taken to the Contact Info screen. Scroll down and tap on Export Chat.
Step 3 : Select Attach Media or Without Media from the bottom sheet.
Note : We are opting to go with the Without Media option.
Step 4 : From the Share screen, select your preferred email app. Now, enter your email address, and tap the Send icon.
Note : Your WhatsApp chat will be attached to the email as a text (.txt) file.
There you have it. You have successfully exported your WhatsApp chat. Now, it is time to convert your WhatsApp chat into PDF; keep reading.
How to Convert WhatsApp Chat to PDF
There are multiple ways to convert your WhatsApp chat to a PDF. However, we are going with the WPS Office app. If you want to access the file on your desktop, you can open the file with a double click and convert the file to PDF . That said, follow the below steps.
Note : The steps are almost the same for both Android and iOS. For demonstration, we are going with Android. Download the WPS Office app from the Play Store or App Store before you begin with the steps.
Download WPS Office for Android
Download WPS Office for iPhone
Step 1 : Open the email app containing your WhatsApp .txt file. Navigate to the email, and download the file.
Note : In iOS, long press the .txt file, and from the menu, select Share and choose WPS Office from the list of Apps.
Step 2 : Once downloaded, open the WPS Office app. Tap on the Files tab at the bottom navigation and select This Device.
Step 3 : Under This Device section, go to the Download folder. Navigate to the WhatsApp chat file and open it.
Step 4 : Once the file gets opened, tap on the Tools tab at the bottom navigation, and from the bottom sheet, select ‘Export to PDF.’
Step 5 : Select the Basic button in the Export to PDF preview and tap ‘Export to PDF.’
Step 6 : Select a location on your device where you want to save the exported chat and name it.
You may see a preview screen; tap ‘Export to PDF’ to confirm. With this, you have successfully converted WhatsApp chat into PDF. Once converted, if you want, you can print the PDF document and take the chat off the digital records.
Other Ways to Export Your WhatsApp Chat
There are other alternatives to export your WhatsApp chat. We explored various methods, including attempting to export the ‘mgstore.db.crypt14′ file from WhatsApp’s database folder. However, we encountered an issue as the WhatsApp Viewer software only supports crypt5 files’ decryption, not crypt14. Unfortunately, this means we were unable to proceed with that approach.
Additionally, we explored alternative options such as Droidkit and other third-party tools that claim to provide chat reading and exporting capabilities. However, upon careful consideration, we felt uncomfortable recommending them due to the potential privacy risks they may pose.
When you export WhatsApp chats, a file containing the chat history and media files (if included) is created. The exported file is typically saved as a .txt file. Once you have exported the WhatsApp chats, you have full control over the file and can choose how to use or store it. The exported WhatsApp chats serve as a backup or record of your conversations.
No, other participants in the WhatsApp chat cannot see or receive any notification when you export the chat. Exporting a chat is a personal action that only affects your own account and device. It does not send any notifications or alerts to other chat participants.
By default, your WhatsApp chat history is private. It can only be accessed by you and the participants in the conversation. Other people cannot see your WhatsApp chat history unless you explicitly choose to share it with them. The chats are end-to-end encrypted, meaning they are securely transmitted and stored. To maintain the privacy and security of your WhatsApp chat history, it’s important to use strong passwords, enable two-step verification, keep your device secure, and be cautious about sharing or forwarding sensitive information.
Read Your Chats without Opening WhatsApp
Exporting WhatsApp chat to PDF is a simple and effective way to preserve and manage your conversations. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily convert your chats into PDF files and ensure their long-term accessibility. You may also want to read 3 ways to edit a WhatsApp message .
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- Open the desired chat in WhatsApp, tap on the three-dot menu > More > Export Chat to save the conversation as a text file or with media.
- Send the exported chat file to your email address for easy access on your computer.
- Open the chat file on your computer, and use the print option from the file menu or shortcut to print the conversation.
Note : When exporting chat history, WhatsApp doesn’t let you select a specific timeframe. Moreover, WhatsApp doesn’t include media in the exported file, instead, it creates a separate folder for your pictures.
Print WhatsApp Messages on Android
Exporting a WhatsApp chat is available on iPhone and Android. We will start with the Android app and move on to the iPhone version. Let’s get started.
Step 1: Open WhatsApp on your Android phone and select a thread you want to print.
Step 2: Tap the three vertical dots menu at the top-right corner.
Step 3: Expand More .
Step 4: Select Export chat .
Note : You can export chat without media or with media. Exporting chat with media will increase the file size. Let’s select Without media.
Step 5: WhatsApp exports a file with your messages and opens the Android share sheet to save it.
Step 6: You can upload the file to Google Drive, email someone, send it via Bluetooth to a PC or Mac, and simply save it to your preferred file manager.
We have used the Solid Explorer app on Android and saved the WhatsApp chat to the Documents folder. It’s one of the best file manager apps on Android.
After you export a WhatsApp chat, print it out using the steps below.
Step 7: Since we have saved the exported file to the Documents folder, open it in your file manager app.
Step 8: Select the .TXT file and open it with Google Docs .
Step 9: Once opened, tap the three vertical dots menu at the top-right corner and enable Print layout .
Step 10: Select Share and export and tap Print .
Step 11: Select your preferred printer from the following menu, make the necessary changes, and print your WhatsApp messages.
If your printer isn’t showing up on your Android phone, read our dedicated post to fix the problem.
Print WhatsApp Messages on iPhone
You can print your WhatsApp messages from your iPhone too. Here’s how.
Step 1: Open WhatsApp and select a chat you want to print.
Step 2: Tap the contact’s name at the top.
Step 3: Scroll to Export Chat .
Step 4: Export a chat with or without media.
Step 5: WhatsApp generates a .ZIP file and opens the iOS share sheet. Tap Save to Files .
Step 6: Select a relevant folder and hit Save at the top-right corner.
Step 7: Open the Files app and select the folder in which you exported the file.
Step 8: Tap on the .ZIP file to unzip it. Open .TXT file .
Step 9: Tap Share at the bottom and select Print .
Step 10: Select your printer and hit Print at the top.
You can read our separate post to learn how to print from iPhone with and without Wi-Fi .
Print WhatsApp Chat From WhatsApp Web
WhatsApp web and desktop apps mirror your messages from your phone. You can’t check your entire chat history on the desktop and export it. However, if your printer is connected to your desktop, you can use a workaround to print WhatsApp messages on Windows and Mac.
When you export WhatsApp chat on your phone, email, or send the file to the desktop. You can check messages on a big screen and print them out.
With many organizations and businesses using WhatsApp, having a physical copy of your chat is important. You can also use them as a legal defense in specific situations.
