How to Export WhatsApp Chats on iPhone in 2026 (Complete Guide)

Need to save WhatsApp messages from your iPhone? Whether you're backing up important conversations, preserving memories, or preparing evidence for legal proceedings—this guide shows you exactly how to export WhatsApp chats on iPhone in 2026.

Quick Answer: Export WhatsApp on iPhone

1. Open WhatsApp and go to the chat you want to export
2. Tap the contact or group name at the top
3. Scroll down and tap "Export Chat"
4. Choose "Attach Media" to include photos and videos
5. Select where to save (Files, Email, AirDrop, etc.)

That's it! But keep reading for detailed instructions, troubleshooting tips, and how to convert your export to a professional PDF.

What You'll Get When You Export

WhatsApp's native export creates:

• A .txt file containing all messages with timestamps
• A folder of media files (if you chose "Attach Media")
• Everything packaged in a .zip archive

The text file looks something like this:

[1/4/26, 9:15:32 AM] John Smith: Hey, are we still meeting tomorrow?
[1/4/26, 9:16:01 AM] Jane Doe: Yes! 3pm at the coffee shop
[1/4/26, 9:16:15 AM] John Smith: Perfect, see you then

Step-by-Step: Export WhatsApp Chat on iPhone

Step 1: Open the Conversation

Launch WhatsApp and navigate to the individual chat or group you want to export.

Step 2: Access Chat Settings

Tap the contact name or group name at the top of the screen. This opens the chat info panel.

Step 3: Find Export Option

Scroll down until you see "Export Chat". Tap it.

Step 4: Choose Media Option

You'll see two options:

• "Attach Media" — Includes all photos, videos, and voice messages
• "Without Media" — Text only, much smaller file size

Step 5: Save or Share

Choose your destination:

• Save to Files — Saves to your iCloud Drive or local storage
• Mail — Attach to a new email
• AirDrop — Send to nearby Apple device
• Messages — Send via iMessage
• Third-party apps — Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.

Convert Your Export to PDF

The raw .txt export is hard to read and looks unprofessional. To create a clean, presentable PDF:

1. Visit PrintChat.app on your iPhone or computer
2. Upload the .zip file you exported
3. Choose your format:
   • Visual Bubbles — Looks exactly like WhatsApp
   • Legal Transcript — Professional format for court or business
4. Tap "Generate PDF"
5. Download your beautifully formatted conversation

Troubleshooting Common Issues

"Export Chat" option not showing?

• Update WhatsApp to the latest version from the App Store
• Make sure you're tapping the contact name, not the profile picture
• Try closing and reopening WhatsApp

Export is taking too long?

• Large chats with thousands of messages can take several minutes
• Keep WhatsApp open and the screen on during export
• Connect to Wi-Fi for faster processing
• Try exporting without media first to speed things up

File too large to email?

• Most email services limit attachments to 25MB
• Use "Save to Files" and then share via cloud storage link
• Or export without media for a smaller file

Missing media files?

• Very old media may have been removed from WhatsApp servers
• Files not downloaded to your device won't be included
• Check that you selected "Attach Media" during export

Export stops or fails?

• Ensure you have enough storage space
• Close other apps to free up memory
• Restart your iPhone and try again
• For very large chats, try exporting in airplane mode

iOS 18 Changes (2026)

Apple's iOS 18 introduced some changes that affect WhatsApp exports:

• New Files app integration: Easier to save directly to iCloud Drive folders
• Improved sharing sheet: More export destination options
• Privacy controls: You may need to grant WhatsApp permission to access photos

The core export process remains the same—these updates just make saving and sharing easier.

What Format Should You Choose?

For Legal Purposes

• Always include media
• Convert to Legal Transcript PDF format
• Preserve timestamps and sender identification
• Keep the original .zip file as backup

For Personal Backup

• Include media to preserve photos and voice messages
• Visual Bubbles format for a nice keepsake
• Store in cloud backup for safety

For Business Records

• Legal Transcript format for professional appearance
• Include media if relevant to the record
• Consider archiving monthly or quarterly

Export Multiple Chats

Unfortunately, WhatsApp doesn't allow bulk export of multiple chats at once. You'll need to export each conversation individually. For users with many chats to preserve, we recommend:

1. Prioritize your most important conversations
2. Export one at a time over several sessions
3. Convert each to PDF as you go
4. Organize PDFs into folders by topic or contact

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I export WhatsApp Business chats the same way?

Yes, the process is identical for WhatsApp Business.

Will the other person know I exported the chat?

No, exporting is completely private. No notification is sent to other participants.

Can I export deleted messages?

No, only messages currently in the chat can be exported. Deleted messages are gone.

How far back can I export?

You can export all messages in a conversation, from the very first message to the most recent.

Is the export legally valid?

WhatsApp exports can be used as evidence, but proper authentication may be required. See our chain of custody guide for legal use cases.

Start Exporting Your WhatsApp Chats

Now you know exactly how to export WhatsApp conversations on your iPhone. Whether you're preserving precious memories or preparing important documentation, the process takes just a few minutes.