4 Easy Ways to Access WhatsApp Files on PC from iPhone

How to access WhatsApp files on iPhone from PC? This guide shows 4 easy ways to backup & transfer WhatsApp photos, chats, etc to your computer, no tech skills needed!

Kelsey by Kelsey Updated October 17, 2025
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How to see WhatsApp files in iPhone?

Where can I find my WhatsApp media files on iPhone? There are too many files within my WhatsApp, I want to export and view them on my Windows 11. Thanks a lot!

- Question from iPhone users

Why is it difficult to access WhatsApp data on a PC?

WhatsApp remains one of the most popular messaging apps, enabling users to share daily life moments, work updates, and personal media with friends and family. However, after prolonged use, the app accumulates significant data including photos, videos, documents, and chat history that users often need to access on their computers.

Access iPhone WhatsApp Data on PC

This guide provides four effective methods to access, backup, and export WhatsApp data from your iPhone to a Windows PC.

Method Speed Data Accessibility Best For
FoneTool ⚡ Fast Full files & selective export Comprehensive backups
File Explorer 🕒 Medium Photos only Quick photo access
iTunes 🐢 Slow Full backup (encrypted) Complete device backups
Email 🕒 Medium Individual files Small, specific transfers

Way 1. Fastest way to access WhatsApp files on iPhone from PC 

How to access WhatsApp folder in iPhone? FoneTool must be the most convenient way.

💡 Easily transfer WhatsApp or how to access whatsapp folder in iphoneWhatsApp Business data to PC at a super-fast speed, for example, GBs of data can be moved within minutes.
💡 A total USB connection ensures absolute data security, so you don't need to worry about any data leakage risks.
💡 You can transfer WhatsApp data from one Apple ID to another when you need to switch to a new iPhone.
💡 Efficiently export all or part of WhatsApp data from the backup to PC as you like.

Now you can follow the guidance below to access your iPhone WhatsApp media folder.

Step 1. Download and install FoneTool > Connect iPhone via USB cable > Tap "Trust" when prompted.

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Step 2. Launch FoneTool > Navigate to WhatsApp Manager > Select Backup WhatsApp > Click Get Started.

FoneTool WhatsApp backup manager with backup start button

Step 3. Enable Backup Encryption for privacy > Choose backup location > Click Start Backup.

WhatsApp backup configuration screen with encryption toggle

Step 4. Access backups via My Backups > Select target backup > Click View > Choose files > Export to Computer.

Exporting selected WhatsApp files from backup to computer

👉️ Tip: How to access iPhone app files on PC? For people who want to view other iPhone data from PC, FoneTool can also help you a lot. You can go to Phone Transfer > Choose iPhone to PC and then you can easily access iPhone files on PC via USB.

Way 2. See WhatsApp photos in iPhone gallery via File Explorer

If you don’t need a third-party app to import the WhatsApp data to a Windows laptop/desktop, then you can use the File Explorer to browse your WhatsApp photos on iPhone.

⚠️ Note: The File Explorer can only access your photos stored in the Photos app, so you need to save them to the app first.

Step 1. Save Photos to Camera Roll

💡 Multiple photos: WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Enable Save to Camera Roll

💡 Individual photos: Open photo > Tap share icon > Save

WhatsApp chat settings with Save to Camera Roll toggle activated

 

Step 2. Connect iPhone to PC via USB > Tap "Trust" on iPhone.

Step 3. Open File Explorer > Navigate to This PC.

Step 4. Select your iPhone under Portable Devices.

Step 5. Open Internal Storage > DCIM > Access and transfer photos.

Windows File Explorer displaying WhatsApp photos in iPhone DCIM folder

⚠️Note: This method only accesses photos saved to your Camera Roll, not other WhatsApp file types.

Way 3. Access WhatsApp media on iPhone via iTunes

You have an alternative method to back up WhatsApp data from your iPhone to your computer using iTunes. However, note that with this method, you can't directly browse your WhatsApp backup files on computer like FoneTool.

Step 1. Connect iPhone to computer > Launch iTunes > Click Summary in left menu.

Step 2. Under Backups, select This Computer > Click Back Up Now.

iTunes summary page with local backup initiation button

⚠️ Note: If you need to protect your private data, you can check the Encrypt local backup option to encrypt your iTunes backup.

Way 4. Get WhatsApp files from iPhone to PC via email

Email provides a straightforward method for transferring individual WhatsApp files to your PC. Now you can follow the guidance to know how to access iPhone WhatsApp files on PC via email.

Step 1. Open WhatsApp > Navigate to target conversation.

Step 2. Tap contact name > Select Export Chat > Choose Attach Media.

WhatsApp export chat menu showing media attachment selection

Step 3. Enter target email address > Send > Access files from computer email.

👉️ Tip: With this method, you can also back up only WhatsApp messages without media.

FAQs about how to see WhatsApp documents in iPhone

Conclusion

Now you can know how to access WhatsApp files on iPhone from PC. If you want to access all iPhone WhatsApp chats and documents on PC easily, the professional FoneTool will be your most ideal choice. With its powerful feature, you can also efficiently transfer WhatsApp to new iPhone with new Apple ID.

FoneTool - All-in-one iPhone Data Manager

Transfer, backup and manage data on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch in an easy way.

  • iOS 26 Compatible
  • iPhone 17 Supported

Free iPhone Manager - FoneTool

  • Full/Selective Backup iPhone
  • Transfer between iPhone and PC
  • 1-Click Transfer iPhone to iPhone
  • WhatsApp Backup & Transfer
  • Fully compatible with iOS 26
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