WATool
The tool you've been waiting for
When I released a blog post in June 2011 about how to extract the WhatsApp chat history from an iPhone backup with a Python script I didn't expect such an enormous feedback. Unfortunately this script wasn't easy to use so I decided to dive into Objective C and build a native Cocoa app to help you extract your chat history from WhatsApp and export it into a csv file.
If you are interested in the source, I have put it on GitHub.
1. Select your Backup
WATool automatically scans your iTunes backups and checks if it contains a WhatsApp backup.
2. Load the Backup
Click "Load Chat History" and select a contact name from the sidebar.
3. Enjoy & Export
Now you can read the entire chat history that is stored in the backup. If you want, you can export it to a csv file and do whatever you want with it.
FAQ
- How does it work?
WATool reads unencrypted backups of your iPhone that iTunes created and then extracts the relevant information from the ChatStore.sqlite file.
- Does it work with encrypted backups / iCloud backups?
Unfortunately not (yet). I'm trying to reverse-engineer the iCloud storage system and maybe will add iCloud support in a future release.
- What about media files?
For now WATool only exports plain text messages.
- I'm using Android. Can you help me?
No. It's all your own fault. Maybe I'll extend it to support Android later.
- I love it!
Wow, that's nice to hear! :) If you like you can donate via PayPal.
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