How to back up your WhatsApp chats to your PC, step by step
The first time takes a few minutes of setup. After that, saving a new backup is just plugging in the cable and clicking a button.
What you need
- A Windows PC with an up-to-date Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge
- Your Android phone with WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business
- A USB cable that transfers data (not a charge-only cable)
- Free space on your PC: roughly as much as WhatsApp uses on your phone
The steps
-
Turn on the encrypted backup with a 64-digit key
In WhatsApp, go to Settings › Chats › Chat backup › End-to-end encrypted backup and choose Use 64-digit encryption key instead. Write it down on paper or save it in your password manager.
Without that key nobody can open your backup, not even us. Keep it safe.
-
Make a fresh backup on your phone
On the same screen, tap Back up. WhatsApp creates the backup on your phone's storage even if you don't use Google Drive.
-
Turn on USB debugging
This is what lets your PC read the backup over the cable. Go to Settings › About phone, tap Build number 7 times, then turn on Developer options › USB debugging. You can turn it off again when you're done.
Every brand hides it somewhere different: Arkivy shows you the path for yours.
-
Open Arkivy and plug in the cable
Open Arkivy in Chrome or Edge, connect your phone and click Connect. On your phone, tap Allow USB debugging.
-
Pick a folder and enter your key
Choose where to save (your hard drive, a USB stick or an external drive) and type in the 64-digit key. It's only used on your PC to open the backup.
-
Done: open your viewer
The text of all your chats is ready in a couple of minutes. Photos, voice notes and videos keep copying in the background; if it gets interrupted, it picks up where it left off.
What is the 64-digit key, and why do we need it?
WhatsApp stores your chats on your phone inside an encrypted file. The 64-digit key unlocks that file, and it's generated by WhatsApp, not by us. Arkivy uses it inside your browser to open the backup and never sends it anywhere. If you lose it, you can create a new one in WhatsApp and make another backup.
If something doesn't work the first time
My PC doesn't detect my phone
Try another cable (many only charge), another USB port, and unlock your phone's screen. Close any programs that use the phone, such as Android tools or your phone maker's software.
The “Allow USB debugging” prompt doesn't appear
Unplug and plug back in with the screen on. If it still doesn't show up, go to Developer options, tap “Revoke USB debugging authorizations” and try again.
It says my backup is old or has no key
Your backup doesn't have the 64-digit key turned on. Turn it on (step 1), tap Back up and reconnect.
I use a dual app or a second space
Cloned apps on some brands can be read, but private or secure spaces can't. Arkivy will tell you which one it finds.
Ready to back up your chats?
If it doesn't work for you, you get your money back.