How to unzip WhatsApp chats on Android for free - briefly?
To extract WhatsApp chats from your Android device for free, you can use a third-party app such as "WhatsApp Backup and Restore." This tool allows you to easily export your chat history without any cost.
How to unzip WhatsApp chats on Android for free - in detail?
To successfully extract and unzip WhatsApp chat backups on an Android device without incurring any costs, you can follow a detailed step-by-step guide. This method involves using built-in tools and freely available applications to ensure a seamless process.
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Backup Your WhatsApp Chats:
Firstly, you need to create a backup of your WhatsApp chats. Open the WhatsApp application on your Android device, navigate to the 'Settings' menu, and select 'Chats'. From there, choose 'Chat Backup' and follow the prompts to back up your conversations to Google Drive. This step is crucial as it ensures all your chat data is safely stored in a single file.
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Locate the Backup File:
The WhatsApp backup file is typically saved in the internal storage of your Android device. You can find it by navigating to the following directory:
/sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases. Look for a file with the extension '.db' or '.crypt12'. This file contains all your chat history, media, and other data. -
Transfer the Backup File to Your Computer:
To unzip and extract the contents of the backup file, you will need to transfer it to your computer. Connect your Android device to your PC using a USB cable. Ensure that the connection mode is set to 'File Transfer' or 'MTP'. Once connected, locate the WhatsApp backup file in your device's internal storage and copy it to a folder on your computer.
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Install a File Archiver Application:
On your computer, you will need a file archiver tool that can handle '.db' and '.crypt12' files. A popular choice is 7-Zip, which is free to download and use. Visit the official 7-Zip website, download the software, and install it on your computer.
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Extract the Backup File:
Open the folder where you saved the WhatsApp backup file. Right-click on the file and select '7-Zip' > 'Open archive'. This action will open a new window displaying the contents of the backup file. You should see several folders and files, including your chat history, media, and other data.
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View Your Chat History:
To view your chat history, navigate to the 'msgstore' folder within the extracted files. Inside this folder, you will find a file named 'WhatsApp'. This file contains all your chat conversations in plain text format. You can open it with any text editor, such as Notepad on Windows or TextEdit on macOS.
By following these steps, you can easily unzip and extract WhatsApp chat backups on an Android device for free. This process allows you to access and review your chat history without the need for any paid software or services.