Where are the WhatsApp files located on the PC?

Where are the WhatsApp files located on the PC - briefly?

On a Windows PC, WhatsApp files are typically stored in the following directory: C:\Users\\AppData\Local\WhatsApp

On a Mac, they can be found here: ~/Library/Application Support/WhatsApp

Where are the WhatsApp files located on the PC - in detail?

On a Windows PC, WhatsApp files are typically stored in two primary locations:

  1. User Data Folder: The main storage location for WhatsApp files is within the user's data folder. This directory contains the databases and other essential files that WhatsApp uses to function. To access this folder, follow these steps:

    • Open File Explorer.
    • Navigate to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\WhatsApp.
    • Here you will find several key files and folders, including:
      • Database: This contains the chat history and other essential data. The primary database file is named msgstore.db, while older backups are named with a timestamp (e.g., msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.crypt12).
      • Media: This folder stores all media files (images, videos, documents) that you have sent or received via WhatsApp. The files are organized into subfolders based on the contact or group they were shared with.
      • Backup: This folder contains backups of your WhatsApp data. By default, WhatsApp creates daily backups at 2 AM and saves them in this location.

  2. AppData Folder: In addition to the user-specific data folder, some WhatsApp files are stored in the AppData folder, which is a hidden system directory. To access this location:

    • Open File Explorer.
    • Navigate to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\WhatsApp.
    • Here you will find similar files and folders as described above, including the database and media files.

For Mac users, WhatsApp files are typically stored in:

  • User Data Folder: ~/Library/Application Support/WhatsApp
  • This directory contains the same key files and folders as on a Windows PC (Database, Media, Backup).

It's essential to note that these directories are hidden by default. To view them, you may need to enable the display of hidden files in your file explorer settings. Additionally, accessing or modifying these files without proper knowledge can lead to data loss or corruption. Always create a backup before making any changes.