Exporting from WhatsApp

How to export a WhatsApp chat on Android

Exporting a WhatsApp chat on Android is a short process that ends with a file you can save or send. This guide covers the steps, the two export options, and how to move the file to a computer so you can convert it.

Before you begin

Open the chat you want to keep on the Android phone that holds it. The same export option works for individual chats and group chats. The export only contains messages stored on your phone, so anything deleted before you export will not be in the file.

Android phones differ by manufacturer and by Android version. Menu positions can move around, and some phones show the options under a slightly different heading. If you cannot find an option described here, look for the same wording in the chat’s menu.

Step by step

1. Open WhatsApp and go to the chat or group you want to export.
2. Tap the three-dot menu at the top right of the screen.
3. Tap More, then tap Export chat.
4. Choose Include media to keep photos, videos and other files, or Without media for text only.
5. Pick where to send the file, such as Google Drive, Gmail, Nearby Share, Bluetooth or the Files app.

With media, the export is a .zip archive containing the chat text and the media files. Without media, it is a single .txt file. ChatIntoPDF accepts both.

Include media or Without media

Without media is the faster and lighter option. Every photo or video is replaced by a short placeholder in the text, so the record still shows what was shared and when. Include media keeps the attachments, which you need if you want photos to appear in the finished PDF.

If the chat is long and you only need the words, choose Without media. You can export the same chat again with media later if your plans change.

Moving the file to your computer

• Google Drive: send the export to Drive from the share sheet, then open it in a browser on any computer.
• USB cable: copy the file from the phone’s storage to your computer. This is reliable for large .zip archives.
• Email: send the file to yourself. This works for small exports but may fail for large archives.
• Nearby Share: a quick option when your computer supports it and is close by.

Confirm the file opens or appears complete on the computer before you remove anything from the phone. A damaged .zip archive will not convert.

Convert the export with ChatIntoPDF

Go to chatintopdf.com and upload the file you exported. Conversion happens in the browser, so the chat is read and arranged on the device you are using. Preview the conversation in your chosen layout, then decide whether to download the PDF. The preview is free, and a download is a one-time payment per chat from $1.99.

Troubleshooting

• The Export chat option is not in the menu: make sure you are inside the chat, then look under More. Update WhatsApp if it is still missing.
• The file will not upload: check that the download finished, and try the .txt export if the .zip is too large for your connection.
• Dates look wrong: check the preview, since the export follows the timestamps stored in the chat.
• Photos are not in the PDF: use an export made with Include media, and note that inline photos are reproduced on a higher tier.

Keep your exports private

A chat export is a personal record, so store it carefully. Keep it in a folder you control, avoid posting it publicly, and delete copies you no longer need once the PDF is safely saved. ChatIntoPDF is an independent tool and is not affiliated with WhatsApp or Meta.