How to open a WhatsApp file?

How to open a WhatsApp file - briefly?

To open a WhatsApp file, you can use the official WhatsApp desktop application or the web version of WhatsApp. Simply drag and drop the file into the chat window or click on the "+" icon to attach it from your computer.

How to open a WhatsApp file - in detail?

To open a WhatsApp file, you need to follow these detailed steps:

1. Identify the File Type: WhatsApp typically uses two types of files for backups and media sharing. The first type is the database backup file, which has a .db extension. The second type includes multimedia files like images, videos, and documents, which have extensions such as .jpg, .mp4, or .pdf.

2. Opening WhatsApp Database Backup Files (.db):

   • On Android: Use a file manager app to locate the backup file. It is usually found in the 'WhatsApp' folder within your device’s internal storage. Rename the file from msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.db.crypt12 to msgstore.db.
   • On iPhone: You will need a third-party application like iExplorer or Dr.Fone for iOS. Connect your iPhone to your computer, and use the software to export the WhatsApp backup file.
   • Once you have the .db file on your computer, you can use specialized tools such as DB Browser for SQLite to open and view the contents of the database.

3. Opening Multimedia Files:

   • Images (.jpg, .png): Simply double-click the image file, and it will open with your default photo viewer application. Alternatively, you can use software like Adobe Photoshop or GIMP for more advanced editing.
   • Videos (.mp4, .3gp): Double-click the video file to play it using your default media player. For better control and additional features, consider using VLC Media Player or any other professional video software.
   • Documents (.pdf, .docx): Double-click the document file to open it with a suitable viewer like Adobe Acrobat Reader for PDFs or Microsoft Word for DOCX files.

4. Using WhatsApp Web/Desktop: If you prefer not to deal with individual files, you can use WhatsApp Web or Desktop application:

   • Open WhatsApp on your phone and go to 'Settings'.
   • Select 'Linked Devices' and scan the QR code displayed on your computer screen using your phone.
   • This will link your account, allowing you to access your messages and media directly from your computer without needing to manually open files.

By following these steps, you can effectively manage and open WhatsApp files on various devices and platforms.