How to get the number from the WhatsApp archive?

How to get the number from the WhatsApp archive - briefly?

To retrieve a phone number from your WhatsApp archive, you can export your chat history. This process will include all messages and contacts associated with that specific chat.

How to get the number from the WhatsApp archive - in detail?

To retrieve a phone number from your WhatsApp archive, you'll need to follow a series of detailed steps. This process involves accessing your chat history and exporting it to an external device or cloud storage. Here’s how you can achieve this:

Firstly, ensure that you have backed up your WhatsApp data. WhatsApp offers two types of backups: local backups stored on your phone's internal memory, and cloud backups stored on services like Google Drive or iCloud. For the purpose of retrieving a specific number, accessing the backup is crucial.

On Android Devices:

1. Create a Backup:

   • Open WhatsApp.
   • Go to Menu > Settings > Chats > Chat Backup.
   • Tap on BACK UP to create a new backup. This process will save your chats, including the phone numbers, to Google Drive.

2. Restore from Backup:

   • If you need to restore this data onto another device, install WhatsApp on the new device and follow the prompts during setup.
   • When prompted to Restore, tap RESTORE to retrieve your chat history, including the archived numbers.

3. Access Backup Files Manually (Advanced):

   • If you prefer not to restore the entire backup, you can manually access the backup files. WhatsApp backups are stored in the /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases directory on your Android device.
   • The backup files are named msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt12, where YYYY-MM-DD represents the date of the backup.
   • You can use a file manager to copy these files to your computer for further analysis.

On iOS Devices:

1. Create a Backup:

   • Open WhatsApp.
   • Go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup.
   • Tap on BACK UP NOW to create a new backup. This will save your chats, including the phone numbers, to iCloud.

2. Restore from Backup:

   • To restore this data onto another device, install WhatsApp on the new device and follow the prompts during setup.
   • When prompted to Restore, tap RESTORE CHAT HISTORY to retrieve your chat history, including the archived numbers.

3. Access Backup Files Manually (Advanced):

   • If you need to access the backup files without restoring them, you can use a third-party tool or software designed for iOS backups.
   • These tools allow you to extract and view the contents of your iCloud backup, including WhatsApp chat histories.

Analyzing Backup Files:

1. Decrypt Backup Files:

   • WhatsApp backups are encrypted for security purposes. You can use third-party software or scripts to decrypt these files.
   • For Android, you might need a script that supports the crypt12 encryption algorithm used by WhatsApp.
   • For iOS, tools like iMazing or Decipher TextMessage can help you extract and view the contents of your WhatsApp backup.

2. Extract Phone Numbers:

   • Once decrypted, you can use database management software (like SQLite Browser for Android backups) to open the .db files.
   • Navigate through the tables to find contact information and phone numbers associated with your chats.

Important Considerations:

• Privacy: Ensure that you comply with privacy regulations and obtain necessary consents before accessing or sharing personal data from WhatsApp backups.
• Security: Be cautious when handling backup files, as they contain sensitive information. Use secure methods for transferring and storing these files.
• Legal Compliance: Verify that your actions comply with local laws and regulations regarding data retrieval and usage.

By following these detailed steps, you can effectively retrieve phone numbers from your WhatsApp archive, whether you're using an Android or iOS device.