Tutorial & Backup

Download WhatsApp Chat History: Conversations & Messages

Changing smartphones, losing your device, or simply running out of storage: our precious chats are never completely safe.

Looking for a way to recover your WhatsApp chat history? Discover the official, free method to export your chats (with or without media), back them up permanently and read them outside the app.

Jump straight to the tutorial:

Export from an iPhone (iOS)
Export from an Android
What to do with your export file?

How to download your messages from an iPhone

Automatic backup (via iCloud) helps restore WhatsApp on a new device, but you cannot read messages outside the app. Manual export gives you a readable text file. Here is how.

Open WhatsApp on your iPhone. Go to the « Chats » tab and open the conversation you want to export.

Tap the contact name at the top to open « Contact Info ». Scroll down and tap « Export Chat ».

Choose whether to include media (photos, videos).

« Without Media » creates a light text file ; « Attach Media » creates a heavier .zip archive.

In Apple's share sheet, select « Save to Files ». Pick a folder on your phone and confirm.

Critical backup tip: Do not use the « Mail » app to send the export. Email attachments are capped at 15 MB, which will truncate much of your history. Always use « Save to Files ».

How to download your messages from an Android

Open the WhatsApp chat you want to export. Tap the three dots (⋮) in the top-right corner.

In the menu, tap « More », then select « Export chat ».

WhatsApp asks for a backup format. You must choose « Without media » to get the full text history, then save to Google Drive or local storage.

Android technical note: Exports with media are often cut off by the system. To recover all messages, « Without media » is required.

What to do with your export file?

You have successfully backed up your WhatsApp history — great protection against data loss. But let's be honest: a raw file is cold and hard to read. To browse, share or gift it, take the next step with MonLivreSMS (see below).

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Can I export a WhatsApp chat without photos and videos?

Yes — on Android it is required for a full text history. On iPhone, choose « Without Media » for a light .txt file, or « Attach Media » for a heavier .zip archive.

Why avoid emailing the export from iPhone?

Email servers cap attachments at about 15 MB. Long chats get truncated and you lose messages. Use « Save to Files » instead.

Can I read the export outside WhatsApp?

Yes: you get a .txt file or .zip archive you can open on a computer, store in the cloud or archive. It is the ideal base for a lasting backup.

Can MonLivreSMS turn this export into a book?

Absolutely. Upload your file at app.monlivresms.com: we rebuild chat bubbles, count messages and photos, and generate a free book or PDF mock-up.

MonLivreSMS

From WhatsApp export to a book that matters

A .txt or .zip file is a solid backup — but not much fun to read. To gift or preserve your chats, you deserve proper layout.

MonLivreSMS securely imports your WhatsApp export, rebuilds chat bubbles and offers a PDF or printed book made in France.

01

Export your conversation

WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram, iPhone or Android SMS — in minutes from your phone.
02

Customize your book

Cover, bubble colors, highlighted photos — shape the story your way.
03

Receive your book at home

Quality printing, careful delivery. A keepsake that stays on the shelf.

See MonLivreSMS in action

Turn your export into a book

Your jokes, photos and goodnight texts. Everything that should not stay trapped in a raw file.

Start my WhatsApp book