VCF to CSV Converter
Turn a .vcf contacts file into a CSV or Excel spreadsheet.
Open and read your WhatsApp chat export
- Nothing is uploaded
- Processed in your browser
- Free
- No sign-up
- Shows photos, videos and voice notes from the export
This viewer opens a WhatsApp chat export (.txt or .zip) and shows it as a readable chat, with photos, videos and voice notes in place. You can search, jump to a date, filter by person and save a PDF. Nothing is uploaded: it runs in your browser.
Paste the chat text instead
How do I open a WhatsApp chat export?
Export your chat
In the app, open the chat and choose Export chat. Include media if you want to see photos and voice notes.
Add the file
Drop the .zip or .txt file onto the box above, or tap Choose file. You can also paste the chat text.
Read and search
Scroll the chat, search for words, jump to a date, or show only some people.
Save a copy
Tap Save as PDF to keep a readable copy of the chat.
How do I export a chat from WhatsApp?
Already have the export? Skip ahead. If not, here's how to make one.
On an iPhone
- Open the chat in WhatsApp.
- Tap the contact or group name at the top, then scroll down.
- Tap Export chat, then choose Attach media or Without media.
- Save the file to Files, then add it here.
On an Android phone
- Open the chat in WhatsApp.
- Tap More options (three dots), then More, then Export chat.
- Choose Include media or Without media.
- Save the file to your phone or send it to yourself, then add it here.
The app limits the size of an export. With media, it includes up to the latest 10,000 messages, and only the most recent photos, videos and voice notes. Without media, it includes up to the latest 40,000 messages. Older messages are left out.
What will I see?
You see the conversation as chat bubbles, in order, with a date line for each day. Messages from the person you choose appear on the right; everyone else's appear on the left. In group chats, each name has its own colour.
- Attachments: photos, stickers, videos and voice notes appear in the chat, loaded as you scroll.
- Search: find words in the chat and step through every match.
- Jump to date: pick a month, then a day.
- Filter: show or hide messages from each person.
- Colours: choose Blue or Green bubbles. The PDF uses the colours you pick.
- Save as PDF: a clean, printable copy with a note that it is not certified evidence.
Which file should I add?
| .txt (without media) | .zip (with media) | |
|---|---|---|
| Messages | Up to the latest 40,000 | Up to the latest 10,000 |
| Photos, videos, voice notes | Shown as "not included" | Shown in the chat |
| File size | Small | Can be large |
| Best for | Searching and reading text | Seeing the whole conversation |
What can’t the Chat Export Viewer do?
- It can’t read chats you haven’t exported. It only opens the export file you saved.
- It can’t open phone backups, such as the encrypted backups the app keeps in Google Drive or iCloud. Only export files work.
- Photos, videos and voice notes appear only if they were included in the export, as a .zip file.
- Exports don’t include reactions or read receipts, so they can’t be shown.
- An export doesn’t say who exported it. Choose whose messages go on the right.
- Voice notes are Opus audio files. Current Chrome, Edge and Firefox play them, and so does Safari 18.4 or later. Older Safari versions can’t.
- The PDF is a readable copy, not certified evidence. It can’t prove that a conversation happened.
- The PDF includes up to 400 photos. Any beyond that are listed by file name.
- Files over 1 GB can’t be opened.
What if my chat doesn’t open?
"This doesn't look like a chat export"
The file has no chat messages in it. Check that you added the export itself: a .txt file, or the .zip that contains it. Each line of an export starts with a date and time.
Photos say "not included in this export"
The chat was exported without media, or the app left some files out. Export again with media and add the .zip.
The dates look wrong
If the tool can't tell whether the day or month comes first, it shows a button to switch. Use it if dates look swapped.
A voice note won't play
Voice notes are Opus audio files. Safari plays them from version 18.4. On an older iPhone or Mac, update the system, or try Chrome or Firefox on a computer.
My messages are on the left
Use Show on the right to pick your name.
Saving a PDF is slow
Very long chats with many photos take a while to prepare. Close other tabs, or use a computer.
Frequently asked questions
Is my chat uploaded anywhere?
No. Nothing is uploaded: your browser reads the file and shows the chat on your device. See how to check this yourself.
How do I see photos, videos and voice notes?
Export the chat with media included. You get a .zip file. Add the .zip here, and attachments appear inside the chat as you scroll.
Can I use the PDF as evidence?
The PDF is a readable copy of the export, not certified evidence. If you need a chat for legal reasons, ask a lawyer how it should be collected.
Why are my messages on the wrong side?
An export doesn’t record who exported it. Use Show on the right to pick whose messages appear on the right.
The dates look wrong. What can I do?
Some exports don’t make it clear whether the day or the month comes first. If the tool can’t tell, it shows a button to switch between the two.
Does it work with group chats?
Yes. Each person’s name gets its own colour, and you can show or hide messages from each person.
Can I paste the chat text instead of choosing a file?
Yes. Open Paste the chat text instead and paste the text. Photos can’t be shown from pasted text.
Is ToolkitHere connected to WhatsApp?
No. ToolkitHere is independent and not affiliated with Meta. It reads the export file you saved from the app.
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