Export Guide

How to export your chats

Follow the steps for your platform. Your files are never uploaded — everything stays on your device.

WhatsApp

When exporting you'll be asked whether to include media. Here's what each option means:

Without Media Recommended

Exports a single .txt file. Fast, small, and fully supported. ChatLume renders everything perfectly without media.

With Media

Exports a .zip archive with photos, videos, and audio. Larger file, but you can view inline media in ChatLume.

iPhone (iOS)

  1. 1Open WhatsApp and go to the chat you want to export.
  2. 2Tap the contact's name or group name at the top of the screen.
  3. 3Scroll all the way down and tap Export Chat.
  4. 4Choose Without Media (recommended) or Attach Media.
  5. 5A share sheet appears — tap Save to Files and choose a location you can find easily.
  6. 6Open ChatLume on the same device and load the saved file.
Can't find Export Chat? Make sure you're looking at the contact/group info screen (scroll past media and links to the very bottom).

Android

  1. 1Open WhatsApp and go to the chat you want to export.
  2. 2Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner.
  3. 3Tap More, then tap Export chat.
  4. 4Choose Without media (recommended) or Include media.
  5. 5Share to Google Drive, Files, or any app where you can later pick the file.
  6. 6Open ChatLume and load the exported file.
Android note: Some Android versions label this More options instead of the three-dot menu. The Export Chat option is always inside More at the bottom of the submenu.

Instagram

Instagram exports take time. After requesting, Meta sends an email with a download link — this can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours depending on your account size.
  1. 1Open Instagram and go to your Profile.
  2. 2Tap the hamburger menu (☰) in the top-right, then tap Settings and privacy.
  3. 3Scroll down and tap Your activity → Download your information.
  4. 4Tap Download or transfer information, select Some of your information.
  5. 5Scroll to Messages and check Messages. Deselect everything else to keep the download small.
  6. 6Tap Next, choose Download to device, set format to JSON, and select a date range.
  7. 7Tap Create files. Wait for the email from Instagram with a download link.
  8. 8Download the ZIP and open it in ChatLume.
Use JSON format, not HTML. ChatLume reads the messages/inbox/ folder inside the ZIP. HTML exports use a different structure that ChatLume cannot parse.
Common issue: If ChatLume says "no messages found", check that you selected JSON format (not HTML) and that you chose Messages in step 5.
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