Transfer WhatsApp Messages to PC from Android/iPhone

WhatsApp chats and messages will fill up storage on your phone. You should transfer WhatsApp messages to PC from Andriod/iPhone to backup and export WhatsApp chats. This article provides you 5 proven methods.

Kelsey by Kelsey Updated October 17, 2025
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Why Export WhatsApp Messages to Your PC?

Long-term WhatsApp conversations can consume significant phone storage and slow down your device. Transferring WhatsApp messages to your PC provides three key benefits:

✅ Free Up Phone Storage - Remove large chat histories from your device

✅ Create Secure Backups - Protect against device loss or damage

✅ Archive Important Conversations - Preserve work, family, or sentimental chats

Export WhatsApp from iPhone to PC

Whether you use Android or iPhone, this guide provides suitable methods to transfer your WhatsApp chats to computer.

Method Suitable For  Encrypted Speed
Email Export Short chats ❌ No 🐢 Slow
USB File Copy (Android) Media files ❌ No ⚡ Fast
FoneTool (iPhone) Full backups ✅ Yes ⚡ Fast
Screenshots Critical messages ❌ No 🐢 Slow

Part 1. Transfer WhatsApp Messages from Android to PC

We'll show you two effective ways on how to save WhatsApp chat on PC from Android., check them out. 

Method 1. Export WhatsApp Chats to PC via Email

The WhatsApp app has built-in a convenient feature to transfer chat history on Android or iPhone via email. You can check out the steps below to learn how to transfer WhatsApp messages from Android to PC:

Step 1. Open WhatsApp > Navigate to target conversation.

Step 2. Tap More (three dots) > Select Export chat.

Step 3. Choose Gmail or your email service.

WhatsApp export chat interface with email service selection

Step 4. Edit an email and enter the email address you accept, then click Send.

Step 5. Access email on PC > Download attached chat files

Note: Usually Email service attachments have a limited file size, you are not able to email 10,000 messages when you are attaching media files or export WhatsApp chat more than 40,000 without media files.

Method 2. Directly Copy Android WhatsApp Messages to PC

Access WhatsApp folders directly through USB connection for media file transfer. Learn how to backup WhatsApp messages from Android to PC for free.

Step 1. Connect Android to PC via USB cable

Step 2. Open File Explorer > Browse phone storage.

Step 3. Locate and open WhatsApp folder.

Android file directory displaying WhatsApp media folders

Step 4. Copy media files to computer.

Note: The WhatsApp messages cannot be read on your computer, and you can only view media files such as photos, etc.

Part 2. Transfer WhatsApp Messages from iPhone to PC

If you are using WhatsApp on your iPhone, here are three ways to help you export WhatsApp messages to PC. 

Method 1. One-click Move WhatsApp Messages from iPhone to PC

You can also try professional WhatsApp data transfer software like FoneTool to export all WhatsApp chats to PC. Besides, it also exports all WhatsApp photos, videos, attachments, and so on. And with a stable USB connection, WhatsApp transfer using FoneTool can be done quickly.

Best WhatsApp Transfer Software

 

  • Transfer chats, photos, videos, and attachments.
  • Quick transfer WhatsApp between iPhone and PC, and iPhone to iPhone.
  • No data and privacy will be leaked during the transfer.
  • Preview and select the data before backup and restore.
  • Supports WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business.

Here are the steps to use this tool to export WhatsApp chat from iPhone to PC. Free download FoneTool to your computer, and let’s get started.

Step 1. Connect iPhone via USB > Open FoneTool > WhatsApp Manager > Backup WhatsApp > Get Started.

FoneTool WhatsApp manager interface with backup start option

   ★ Tip: Using FoneTool is a safer way to export data to another location by backing up WhatsApp messages to PC.

Step 2.  Enable encryption > Click Start Backup.

WhatsApp backup settings showing encryption toggle

Step 3. After backup completes, click View > Select items > Export to Computer.

Export WhatsApp messages from iPhone to PC

Tip: FoneTool is an all-in-one iPhone data manager, if you want to browse, restore, or delete more backup items, you can go to Backup History to do it.

Method 2. Export iPhone WhatsApp Messages to PC via Email

The WhatsApp app allows you to export WhatsApp messages from iPhone to PC. You may email yourself the chat and then check your email on your computer. Please proceed with the steps below to export your WhatsApp messages to PC via Email.

Step 1. Open WhatsApp > Select conversation > Tap contact name.

Step 2. Choose Export Chat > Select With Media or Without Media.

Step 3. Pick Mail > Enter email address > Send.

WhatsApp export chat interface showing mail application selection

Step 4. Check email on PC > Download ZIP file containing chats.

Tip: The exported files are saved in ZIP format and have text. files and .mp4 media files inside. And how can you export WhatsApp chat to PDF? Click to learn more.

Method 3. Transfer WhatsApp Chats to PC via iPhone Screenshot

It is also a wise choice to transfer WhatsApp messages from iPhone to PC via screenshot. Although taking screenshots takes some time, especially if you have a lot of WhatsApp chats need to be transferred, screenshot guarantees that the most authentic WhatsApp chats are preserved and cannot be modified.

Follow the steps below to know how to transfer WhatsApp chat to PC via screenshot.

Step 1. Take screenshots of the WhatsApp chats to be transferred

  • Navigate to target WhatsApp chats
  • Face ID iPhones: Press Side + Volume Up buttons
  • Touch ID iPhones: Press Home + Side buttons

take screenshot on iPhone

Step 2. Transfer screenshots from iPhone to PC

To transfer photos from iPhone to PC, the easiest way is to rely on a powerful iOS data transfer tool, like FoneTool. It just takes 3 seconds to transfer 100 photos to computer.

• Connect iPhone to PC > Open FoneTool > Phone Transfer > iPhone to PC > Get Started.

go to transfer

• Select Photos icon > Choose WhatsApp screenshots > OK > Start Transfer.

Transferring WhatsApp screenshot images from iPhone to computer

• Organize transferred screenshots by contact or date on your computer

Summary

It is not difficult to transfer WhatsApp messages to PC from Android and iPhone, and there is always one of the above effective methods that can help you complete the process.

If you are an iPhone user, we highly recommend you use FoneTool. This professional phone data transfer software can not only backup and transfer all WhatsApp data in one click, but also help you easily manage other types of iPhone data, backup contacts, transfer photos, etc.

FAQs on Transferring WhatsApp Data to PC

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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