Textopsy guide
How to Export a WhatsApp Chat Without Media
By Textopsy · How our analysis works
You need the chat's text export, not a full WhatsApp backup or screenshots. Choose Without Media to keep attachments out of the upload. The exact menu path differs between iPhone and Android.
Export steps by device
iPhone
Illustrated steps · menus can vary
- 01
Tap the contact name
Open the two-person chat and tap the contact name at the top.
- 02
Export the chat
Scroll down and tap Export Chat.
- 03
Leave media out
Choose Without Media. Keep the ZIP file zipped.
- 04
Save the export
In the share sheet, tap Save to Files.
- 05
Choose a Files location
Select On My iPhone or iCloud Drive, then tap Save.
- 06
Choose the ZIP here
Return to Textopsy and select the saved ZIP in Files.
Android
Illustrated steps · menus can vary
- 01
Open chat options
In the two-person chat, tap ⋮.
- 02
Open More
Tap More in the chat menu.
- 03
Choose Export chat
Tap Export chat in the More menu.
- 04
Leave media out
Choose Without media to export a .txt file.
- 05
Pick a destination
Choose an available file or storage option. Choices vary by device.
- 06
Find the saved text file
Locate the exported .txt in the destination you chose.
- 07
Choose the text file here
Return to Textopsy and select the saved .txt file.
Computer
Illustrated steps · menus can vary
- 01
Export on your phone
Use the iPhone or Android steps to create the chat export.
- 02
Move the saved file
Use a transfer method you already use, such as AirDrop, Quick Share, or cloud storage.
- 03
Choose the file
In Textopsy on your computer, select the saved ZIP or text file. Leave ZIPs zipped.
What happens to the file
For large chats, Textopsy extracts only chat text and analyzes the latest 4 MB of complete lines. The browser skips media entries when it reads a ZIP; choose Without Media to keep photos and videos out of the export itself. Leave ZIP files zipped.
Troubleshooting
I can’t find Export Chat
Open the individual chat first. On iPhone, tap the contact name at the top. On Android, tap ⋮, then More. WhatsApp may change menu labels; its Help Center has the current steps.
Where did the export go?
On iPhone, check the Files location you chose: On My iPhone or iCloud Drive. On Android, check the storage or sharing destination you selected. On a computer, check the folder where your transfer saved the file.
The file picker can’t find it
Return to WhatsApp and finish the export, then note the destination you chose. Select the exported .zip or .txt directly; don’t rename it or unzip it first.
The chat is long or won’t open
For large chats, Textopsy analyzes the latest 4 MB of complete chat-text lines. When you select a ZIP, the browser extracts chat text and skips media files.
It says the file is not a chat export
Choose the exported chat .zip or .txt, not a WhatsApp backup, screenshot, or media file. For a ZIP, Textopsy looks for a recognizable chat text file inside it.
Which file should you upload?
Textopsy accepts the WhatsApp export as .txt, .zip, or a chat file without an extension. A ZIP must contain one chat text file. Choose the exported file directly and leave ZIP files zipped.
For large chats, Textopsy extracts only chat text and analyzes the latest 4 MB of complete lines in your browser. When reading a ZIP, the browser skips media entries. Choose Without Media to keep photos and videos out of the export itself.
On iPhone, WhatsApp exports a ZIP; upload it as-is. Android storage choices depend on your device and the sharing options available there.
If the file is rejected
First confirm that you selected the exported .zip or .txt, not a device backup, screenshot, or media file. A ZIP must contain recognizable chat text.
If the picker cannot find it, check the destination you selected in Files, Android storage, or your computer transfer folder.
If a ZIP will not open, try exporting Without Media again and choose the new ZIP directly. Do not unzip or rename it first.
- Zip does not contain a recognizable chat text file
- Transcript is in a format the parser does not recognize
- The selected file is a backup, screenshot, or different conversation
What happens after upload
Choose your name from the two people in the chat. Your free results appear on the same page, with message balance, who starts conversations, and reply timing. If dates could be read two ways, choose the date order from your export. No account or payment is needed for the preview.
The free preview runs in your browser. The conversation is sent for processing only if you choose the full report. It may then be stored temporarily in encrypted form; raw chat data is removed after completion or expiry where possible, while reports and metadata may remain. Read the Privacy Policy for details.
Questions
Should I export with or without media?
Choose Without Media. Textopsy analyzes the text and timestamps, not photos, videos, or voice notes.
Can I upload a zip from WhatsApp?
Yes. Choose the WhatsApp .zip directly; it must contain recognizable chat text. The browser extracts chat text and skips media entries. For large chats, it analyzes the latest 4 MB of complete lines.
What if my export has no extension?
Textopsy accepts a file with no extension if its contents look like a valid WhatsApp chat export.
How much of a large chat is analyzed?
Textopsy extracts chat text in your browser and analyzes the latest 4 MB of complete lines. When reading a ZIP, the browser skips media entries.
Can I analyze group chats?
Choose a direct chat between two people. Group chats are not supported.
Sources and further reading
Keep exploring
Analyze your own conversation
Export a two-person WhatsApp chat without media. Upload it for a free preview before deciding whether to unlock the full report.
Get your free chat preview