How to Get WhatsApp Chat History of Any Number – AirDroid (2024)

WhatsApp is a popular messaging companion that allows users to communicate via text, voice messages, images, and videos. It is a fast & convenient application to stay in touch with friends, family, and even colleagues worldwide.

Users often seek a solution to access the chat history of a specific WhatsApp user, whether for child safety, investigative purposes, or personal reference. You might come across a few legitimate methods to get WhatsApp chat history. However, It is crucial to understand the legalities and respect the privacy of individuals. Let's find out if it's possible and how to get WhatsApp chat history of any number.

3 Ways to Get WhatsApp Chat History of Others Legally

Here are the legitimate methods we discussed earlier to get the WhatsApp chat history of any number.

• Link WhatsApp Account to Your Mobile
• Via WhatsApp Monitoring App
• Get Their WhatsApp Backup with Consent

1Link Your Child's WhatsApp Account to Your Device

WhatsApp users can sync their WhatsApp conversation to another device with the Linked Devices feature. Parents can use this feature to sync children's WhatsApp chat.

Step 1. Open WhatsApp web or Desktop on your computer, and you will see a QR code.

Step 2. Open WhatsApp on your child device.

• iPhone: Go to Settings > Linked Devices > Link a Device.



• Android: Tap the three-dot icon > Linked devices > Link a device.

Step 3. You will need to unlock with the screen password of your child to continue.

Step 4. Use your child's WhatsApp to scan the QR code that is displayed on your computer. As soon as the QR code is scanned, your device will be linked to your child's device.

Step 5. It will take a few minutes to sync your child's chat to yours, depending on the size of your data. Then, you can check all the WhatsApp chats of your child, including chat history.

Tips: You can also sync your child's chat to your mobile devices. However, if you have used WhatsApp before, you will need to uninstall and reinstall the app. So you'd better use a standby device in case of your WhatsApp data loss. Besides, your child may check linked devices from WhatsApp Settings > Linked Devices and log out of unwanted devices.

2Get Your Child's WhatsApp Chat History via a WhatsApp Monitoring App

With a WhatsApp Monitoring App like AirDroid Parental Control, it is easy to check WhatsApp chat history and monitor WhatsApp activity. This application provides a seamless and user-friendly experience. By connecting your child's phone to yours, you can conveniently check their WhatsApp notifications, including incoming messages, at any time.

Additionally, you can view their live WhatsApp message screen when necessary. The app also allows you to monitor the content of WhatsApp conversations and receive alerts for any inappropriate words. With this tool, ensuring your child's safety on WhatsApp and managing their usage becomes effortless.

Please follow the below steps to check your child's WhatsApp history:

Step 1. Open the web version of AirDroid Parental Control at webparent.airdroid.com and register an AirDroid account. You can also download the app instead.

Step 2. Follow the steps on the app to bind your kid's Android device to yours.

Step 3. Open Notificaitons and search WhatsApp in AirDroid Parental Control. You will see WhatsApp Notifications of your child, including chat history.

3Get Their WhatsApp Backup with Consent and Then Restore

If you need to check the WhatsApp chat history of others and they have backed up WhatsApp before, you can get the backup with their consent. Then please follow the below steps to restore the backup to a device to view the chat history.

For Android Users

Step 1. Log into the person's Google account on the Android device.

Step 2. Install WhatsApp on a device that does not have WhatsApp installed. Alternatively, you may need to uninstall the app first.

Step 3. When prompted, tap on "Restore" instead of "Skip" to avoid potential backup loss.

For iPhone Users

Step 1. Log into the person's iCloud account on the iPhone and verify it.

Step 2. Install WhatsApp on a device with no WhatsApp. Or you will need to uninstall the app first.

Step 3. Follow the prompts to restore your chat history after verifying your contact details.

How to Get Your Chat History from an Old Phone Number

To recover your chat history from an old phone number, you will need to have access to both the old phone and SIM card. WhatsApp backups are linked to the phone number that was used to create the backup. Here's how you can restore your chat history:

Step 1. Open WhatsApp on your old phone to change your WhatsApp number. You need to go to Settings > Account > Change number.

Step 2. Tap Next to add your old phone number to the first field and your new phone number in the next field, then select Next. Then, you can choose whether to notify your contacts about your number change and then tap done. Finally register your new number as the on-screen instruction. The process will connect your WhatsApp account to the new number.

Step 2. Create an iCloud or Google Drive backup on your old device. Cross-check if the backup is paired with your new phone number.

Step 3. Get the WhatsApp application on your new device & complete the verification process. It usually requires a few minutes.

Step 4. As soon as the account is set up, restore the chat history from the backup.

Note: If you are unable to access your previous phone to update your number or have deleted your account, all data linked to your account and old phone number will be removed if the new owner of your old phone activates WhatsApp after 45 days.

How to Check Your WhatsApp Chat History after Deleting (Same Number)

If you have accidentally deleted your WhatsApp chats, you may be able to restore them from an existing chat backup. If you have no cloud backup but are using an Android device, you still have a chance to restore chats from your phone's WhatsApp database.

Step 1. Locate your WhatsApp database backup. It may be stored in your phone or SIM storage.

• "internal storage" or "main storage" > WhatsApp > Databases.
• sdcard > WhatsApp > Databases.

Step 2. You'll see “msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt14," rename it to msgstore.db.crypt14. The crypt14 maybe crypt12, crypt10 for an earlier backup.

Step 3. Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp. Then tap RESTORE when prompted.

Regularly Backup Your WhatsApp Chat History in Case of Data Loss

Quite often, WhatsApp users accidentally lose their important messages and look for solutions to recover them. It is crucial to back up your WhatsApp chat history regularly in order to protect your important conversations and media files. It helps ensure that you keep all valuable information in case your device gets damaged, lost, or stolen.

Back up to Google Drive

• Open the WhatsApp application. Tap on the three vertical dots in the top-right corner to open the menu, and head to "Settings."
• In the "Settings" menu, scroll down and click on the "Chats" option.
• Tap on "Chat backup" to access the backup settings.
• Set Up a Google Account. Tap "Google Drive" to select your backup destination.
• Click on "Back up" to initiate an immediate backup or wait for the scheduled backup, depending on your preference.

Back up to iCloud

• Open WhatsApp on your iPhone. Tap on "Settings," located in the bottom right corner.

• In the "Settings" menu, select "Chats." Now click on "Chat Backup" to access backup configurations.

  

• Under "Chat Backup," you'll see options related to iCloud. Ensure that iCloud is enabled.
• Tap "Back Up Now." WhatsApp will start backing up your chats to iCloud.

Save Your Chat History via "Export chat"

There is an awesome feature in WhatsApp called "Export chat" that you may not have noticed. This feature lets you manually store all information, including text messages and phone calls, to access it anytime. Moreover, all information is stored in ZIP format, and it is not mandatory to access it via WhatsApp's web or application.

The best part is that the user's private information is secure and end-to-end encrypted. This means no one outside of this conversation, not even WhatsApp, can read them.

• Open the WhatsApp application on your device.
• Click on the conversation thread you wish to get the backup for.
• Once you open the user conversion, click on the three-dot menu and select "more."
• Select “Export Chat”.



• The Pop-up menu will appear to ask if you want to add media or not. Select either option and choose where you wish to share the file.

How to Get Your WhatsApp Chat History on New Phone (Same Number)

If you have changed to a new phone and are still using the same WhatsApp account, it will be quite easy to get the chat history on a new device. WhatsApp has a Transfer Chat feature which makes it easy to transfer chat history from Android to Android and iPhone to iPhone. You can easily locate it from Settings > Chats > Transfer Chats.

Apple has a Move to iOS app which can help Android users to migrate their WhatsApp data from Android to iPhone. On the contrary, you can use USB cables to complete the data migration.

Concerns When Get WhatsApp Chat History of Any Number

WhatsApp prioritizes user privacy and utilizes end-to-end encryption to safeguard the privacy and security of its users' conversations. Only the participants involved in a conversation have direct access to their chat history. With proper authorization, it is possible to obtain the WhatsApp chat history of any phone number.

If you are a parent seeking to monitor your underage children within your household, you can consider using a parental monitoring app. It is generally legal to do so in most jurisdictions, but it is important to verify your local laws before using any such app.

You may try a legal and reliable app like AirDroid Parental Control, offering a 3-day free trial. Opting for a completely free app that makes exaggerated promises may pose risks to your safety and privacy.

However, if you intend to log into someone else's WhatsApp or backup their data, it will probably be seen as a violation of their privacy. While in some places, it may be legal to use a WhatsApp monitoring app with the explicit consent of the adult being monitored, it is crucial to understand that laws regarding monitoring and surveillance can vary depending on your jurisdiction. It is advisable to consult with a legal professional or research the specific laws in your country or state to ensure compliance with local regulations.

Furthermore, if you only wish to retrieve your WhatsApp history after deleting it or switching to a new phone number or device, please follow the step-by-step guide provided below.

Conclusion

While it's undeniably important to know how to get WhatsApp chat history for various reasons.

It's equally imperative to respect privacy and prioritize user consent when accessing others WhatsApp or social app conversations. It is also advisable to back up your WhatsApp chat history regularly, just in case.

FAQs about WhatsApp Chat History