WhatsApp Desktop does not have a native "Export Chat" feature. Unlike the mobile app on iOS and Android, the WhatsApp Desktop application and WhatsApp Web do not include an export button. To export a WhatsApp chat with media as a ZIP file from your computer, you must first export the conversation from your phone, then transfer the file to your PC. This guide covers all four workarounds and shows how to convert your export into a professional PDF.
Can You Export Chats from WhatsApp Desktop?
No. WhatsApp Desktop (the Windows and macOS app) and WhatsApp Web (the browser version) do not include an "Export Chat" option. This is one of the most common frustrations for users who primarily use WhatsApp on their computer.
Here's what each platform actually supports:
| Feature | Mobile (iOS/Android) | WhatsApp Desktop | WhatsApp Web |
|---|---|---|---|
| Export Chat | Yes | No | No |
| Export with Media (ZIP) | Yes | No | No |
| Print Conversation | Via export | Ctrl+P (basic) | Ctrl+P (basic) |
| Download Individual Media | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Search Messages | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Why WhatsApp Desktop Doesn't Have Export
WhatsApp Desktop is a companion app — it mirrors your phone's messages but doesn't store them independently. The export feature on mobile works at the operating system level, generating a .txt file (or .zip with media) that the OS then shares via email, cloud, or other apps. Desktop operating systems handle file sharing differently, and WhatsApp hasn't built this bridge yet.
This means if you need to export a conversation, you must start the process on your phone, even if you plan to work with the files on your computer.
What You Get When You Export WhatsApp Chat with Media (ZIP)
When you export a WhatsApp conversation with media included, you receive a ZIP file containing:
ZIP File Contents Breakdown
WhatsApp Chat - John Smith.zip ├── _chat.txt (full message log with timestamps) ├── 00000001-PHOTO-2026-01-15.jpg ├── 00000002-PHOTO-2026-01-16.jpg ├── 00000003-VIDEO-2026-01-18.mp4 ├── 00000004-AUDIO-2026-01-20.opus ├── 00000005-STICKER-2026-01-21.webp └── 00000006-DOCUMENT-2026-01-22.pdf
The _chat.txt file is the core of the export. It contains every message with timestamps and sender names in a structured format like:
[15/01/2026, 14:32:01] John Smith: Hi, can we discuss the contract? [15/01/2026, 14:33:15] You: Sure, I'll send the draft now [15/01/2026, 14:33:16] You: <attached: 00000001-DOCUMENT-2026-01-15.pdf>
Export Limits: With Media vs Without Media
| Export Type | Message Limit | File Size | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| With Media | ~10,000 most recent messages | Up to several GB | Text + photos, videos, voice notes, documents |
| Without Media | ~40,000 most recent messages | Usually under 10 MB | Text only (.txt file) |
For most use cases — including legal evidence, personal archives, and record-keeping — the text-only export is sufficient and much easier to handle. If you need photos or videos as evidence, choose the media export.
4 Ways to Export WhatsApp Chat from Your PC
Since WhatsApp Desktop doesn't have native export, here are four reliable workarounds ranked from most complete to quickest:
Method 1: Export from Your Phone and Transfer to PC (Recommended)
This is the most reliable method and produces the complete export file that courts, archives, and PDF converters expect.
- On your phone, open WhatsApp and go to the chat you want to export
- Tap the three dots menu (Android) or contact/group name (iPhone)
- Select "Export Chat"
- Choose "Include Media" for a ZIP file, or "Without Media" for text only
- Share the export via:
- Email: Send to yourself and download on PC
- Cloud storage: Save to Google Drive, OneDrive, iCloud, or Dropbox
- AirDrop: (iPhone to Mac only) instant wireless transfer
- USB cable: Transfer the file directly via file manager
For detailed phone-specific instructions, see our iPhone export guide or Android export guide.
Method 2: Use WhatsApp Web Browser Print (Quick Text-Only)
If you just need a quick copy of a conversation without media, you can use your browser's print function:
- Open web.whatsapp.com in your browser
- Navigate to the conversation you want to save
- Scroll up to load the messages you need (this can be tedious for long chats)
- Press Ctrl+P (Windows) or Cmd+P (Mac)
- Select "Save as PDF" as the printer destination
- Click Print/Save
Method 3: WhatsApp Linked Devices + Phone Export
If you use WhatsApp's linked devices feature (which keeps your Desktop app synced even when your phone is offline), the messages are mirrored — but export still must happen on your phone.
The linked devices feature is useful for reading messages on your computer, but it doesn't unlock any additional export capabilities. Think of it as a mirror, not a separate copy.
Method 4: Convert Your Export to PDF with PrintChat
Once you have the export file from Method 1, you can convert it into a professional, formatted PDF:
- Go to PrintChat's converter tool
- Drop your exported .txt file or .zip into the upload area
- Choose your layout:
- Chat bubbles: Familiar WhatsApp-style look, great for personal archives
- Legal transcript: Professional format with Bates numbering for court evidence
- Download your PDF — processed entirely in your browser, your messages never leave your device
This is the best option if you need a clean, printable document from your WhatsApp export, especially for legal proceedings or professional record-keeping.
How to Print WhatsApp Messages from Desktop
If your goal is specifically to print WhatsApp messages from your computer, you have two options:
Browser Print vs PDF Conversion
| Feature | Browser Print (Ctrl+P) | PrintChat PDF Conversion |
|---|---|---|
| Formatting | Messy, broken layouts | Clean bubble or transcript layout |
| Timestamps | Often missing or cut off | Every message timestamped |
| Sender Names | May be unclear | Clear sender identification |
| Page Numbers | Basic browser pagination | Professional pagination + Bates numbering |
| Legal Use | Not court-ready | Court-ready with legal transcript format |
| Long Chats | Must scroll to load (can crash) | Handles any conversation length |
| Privacy | Data stays in browser | Data stays in browser (WebAssembly processing) |
For anything beyond a quick personal reference, the PDF conversion method produces far superior results. If you're printing messages for court evidence, divorce proceedings, or workplace disputes, always use the proper export-and-convert approach.
Step-by-Step: Export WhatsApp Chat with Media as ZIP
Here's the complete process to get a WhatsApp export ZIP file onto your computer:
On iPhone
- Open WhatsApp on your iPhone
- Go to the chat you want to export
- Tap the contact or group name at the top of the screen
- Scroll down and tap "Export Chat"
- Choose "Attach Media" — this creates a .zip file with all photos, videos, and documents
- Select your sharing method (AirDrop, Mail, Files, cloud storage)
For the full walkthrough with troubleshooting, see our complete iPhone export guide.
On Android
- Open WhatsApp on your Android phone
- Open the chat you want to export
- Tap the three dots (⋮) in the top right
- Select More → Export Chat
- Choose "Include Media" for the ZIP file
- Select your sharing method (Gmail, Google Drive, Bluetooth, etc.)
For device-specific instructions (Samsung, Pixel, Xiaomi), see our complete Android export guide.
Transfer the ZIP to Your Computer
Once you've exported from your phone, get the file onto your PC:
- Email: Send the ZIP to yourself via Gmail, Outlook, etc. and download on your computer. Works for files under 25 MB.
- Google Drive / OneDrive / Dropbox: Upload from your phone, download on PC. Best for large files with media.
- AirDrop (iPhone → Mac): The fastest wireless option for Apple users.
- USB cable: Connect phone to PC and copy the file directly. Most reliable for very large exports.
- iCloud Drive (iPhone): Save to iCloud on your phone, access from icloud.com on your PC.
Convert Your WhatsApp Export to Professional PDF
Now that you have the export file on your computer, convert it to a clean, formatted PDF:
- Open PrintChat in your browser
- Upload your file: Drag and drop the .txt or .zip file
- Preview your messages: Verify the conversation loaded correctly
- Choose your layout:
- Chat bubbles — WhatsApp-style appearance for personal use
- Legal transcript — Professional format with Bates numbering, timestamps, and clear sender IDs for court submissions
- Download your PDF — everything is processed locally in your browser using WebAssembly
Drop your exported .txt or .zip file into PrintChat and get a professional PDF in seconds — with chat bubbles or legal transcript formatting. All processing happens in your browser. No server uploads.
Convert Your Export to PDF →
First conversion free. Works with iPhone and Android exports. Legal transcript format included.
FAQ: WhatsApp Desktop Export
Can you export WhatsApp chats from the desktop app?
No. As of 2026, WhatsApp Desktop (Windows and macOS) does not have a native "Export Chat" feature. You must export from your phone and transfer the file to your computer. See our four workaround methods above.
How do I export a WhatsApp chat as a ZIP file with media?
On your phone: open the chat → tap the menu → select "Export Chat" → choose "Include Media" (iPhone) or "Include Media" (Android). This creates a ZIP file containing the full message log plus all shared photos, videos, voice notes, and documents. You can then transfer this ZIP to your PC via email or cloud storage.
What's inside a WhatsApp export ZIP file?
A WhatsApp export ZIP contains a _chat.txt file (the complete message log with timestamps and sender names) plus numbered media files (photos as .jpg, videos as .mp4, voice notes as .opus, documents as .pdf, etc.). The text file references each media file by its numbered filename.
How do I export WhatsApp chat on Windows PC?
WhatsApp for Windows doesn't support chat export. The workaround is: (1) export the chat from your phone, (2) email or cloud-sync the export file to your PC, (3) optionally convert to PDF using PrintChat. See our step-by-step guide above.
Can you export chats from WhatsApp Web?
No. WhatsApp Web (web.whatsapp.com) does not have an export chat feature. You can use Ctrl+P to print the visible conversation, but this produces poor formatting and misses messages you haven't scrolled to. For a proper export, use your phone.
How do I print WhatsApp messages from my computer?
Two options: (1) Open WhatsApp Web and use Ctrl+P/Cmd+P — quick but messy formatting. (2) Export from your phone, transfer to PC, and convert to PDF using PrintChat — clean formatting with timestamps, sender names, and professional layouts. Option 2 is far superior for any purpose beyond a quick reference.
Is there a message limit on WhatsApp chat export?
Yes. When exporting with media, WhatsApp includes approximately the 10,000 most recent messages. When exporting without media (text only), the limit increases to approximately 40,000 messages. Very long conversations may be split across multiple export files.
How do I convert a WhatsApp export to PDF?
Upload your exported .txt or .zip file to PrintChat. Choose between chat bubble layout (WhatsApp-style) or legal transcript format (with Bates numbering). The conversion happens entirely in your browser — your messages are never uploaded to any server. Full guide here.
Next Steps
- Export now: Don't wait — export from iPhone or export from Android
- Transfer to PC: Use email, cloud storage, or USB to get the file on your computer
- Convert to PDF: Use PrintChat for a clean, professional document
- For legal use: Choose the legal transcript format and review our court evidence guide
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