How to unzip a WhatsApp chat on iPhone?

How to unzip a WhatsApp chat on iPhone - briefly?

To unzip a WhatsApp chat on an iPhone, you can use the built-in Files app or a third-party file manager like Documents by Readdle. Simply locate the zip file in your iCloud Drive or other storage service, and extract it using the respective app's features.

How to unzip a WhatsApp chat on iPhone - in detail?

To extract and view the contents of a WhatsApp chat backup from an iPhone, you need to follow these detailed steps:

  1. Create a Backup:

    • Open the WhatsApp application on your iPhone.
    • Navigate to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup.
    • Tap on Back Up Now and ensure that the backup process is completed successfully. This will create an encrypted backup file stored in iCloud.

  2. Download the Backup:

    • Go to your iPhone's Settings app.
    • Scroll down and tap on your Apple ID profile at the top.
    • Tap on iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups.
    • Select the relevant backup that you want to extract.
    • Tap on Download All to save the backup to your device. Note that this step is crucial because it ensures that you have a local copy of the backup file.

  3. Transfer the Backup:

    • Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
    • Open iTunes (or Finder if you are using macOS Catalina or later).
    • Click on the device icon in the upper-left corner of the window.
    • Click on Summary > Manage Backups.
    • Select the backup that corresponds to your WhatsApp chat and click on Download. This will transfer the backup file from your iPhone to your computer.

  4. Extract the Backup:

    • Navigate to the location where iTunes/Finder saves backups on your computer:
      • On Windows, this is typically in a folder named after your device within C:\Users\<Your Username>\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup.
      • On macOS, it’s usually found at ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup.
    • Locate the most recent backup file (it will have a .crypt12 extension) and copy it to another location on your computer for easier access.

  5. Decrypt the Backup:

    • To decrypt the backup, you can use specialized software designed for WhatsApp backups. One popular option is WhatsApp Extractor. Download and install this tool from a trusted source.
    • Open the software and follow the on-screen instructions to select the encrypted backup file.
    • Enter your iCloud password when prompted, as this is necessary to decrypt the backup.

  6. View the Chat:

    • Once the decryption process is complete, you will be able to view and export individual chats or media files from the WhatsApp backup.
    • The software typically provides an interface where you can browse through different chat threads and select specific messages or attachments to save onto your computer.

By following these steps meticulously, you can successfully unzip and view the contents of a WhatsApp chat backup on your iPhone.