How to export a WhatsApp chat on Android

You get a .txt file with the messages, plus the media files if you include them. Most phones bundle everything into a .zip.

Steps

1. Open WhatsApp and go to the chat you want to export.
2. Tap the three dots (⋮) in the top right corner.
3. Tap More, then Export chat.
4. Choose Include media or Without media.
5. Pick where to send it: Google Drive, Gmail, or save it to your phone with Files.

Tip: saving to Google Drive and downloading it on a computer is the easiest route for big chats.

With or without media?

• Without media: messages only. Photos appear as “<Media omitted>”.
• Include media: adds photos and other files. WhatsApp includes fewer recent messages when media is attached (about 10,000 vs 40,000 according to its help pages).

Turn it into a PDF

Open Paperthread, drop in the .zip or .txt, choose a layout and download. Everything happens in your browser; we never see your messages.

Problems?

• No “Export chat” under More: update WhatsApp from the Play Store.
• Got several files instead of one zip: upload the .txt file. Photos are only included if they’re in a zip together with it.
• Dates look wrong: Paperthread detects day/month order from your file automatically. If a chat only has dates up to the 12th it uses the message order to decide. Check the preview.

See also: iPhone guide · All ways to make a PDF