To print WhatsApp messages, use the app's built-in Export Chat feature to create a .txt file, then send that file to a printer from a computer or phone. This is the only reliable method, as WhatsApp has no direct print button, and it works the same way on both Android and iOS in 2024.
How to print WhatsApp messages: 2 reliable methods
WhatsApp provides two official, free ways to print any conversation. Both methods rely on the same Export Chat function, which saves your chat history as a plain text document. The difference is how you deliver that document to a printer. The first method sends the file directly to your email, while the second saves it to cloud storage or device files so you can print it from a computer. Neither method requires third-party software, and both preserve the full text of the conversation, with media files attached separately if you choose to include them.
Method 1: Export chat and print via email
This is the fastest way to get a printable copy of a WhatsApp conversation. The exported .txt file arrives in your email inbox, where you can open it and print from any device.
On Android
- Open the WhatsApp chat you want to print.
- Tap the three-dot menu (More options) in the top-right corner.
- Tap "More" then "Export chat".
- Choose "Without Media" or "Include Media". The 'Include Media' option attaches only the most recent media files, not all media from the chat.
- Select "Mail" or your preferred email app from the share menu.
- Send the email to yourself. The .txt file will arrive in your inbox.
- Open the email on a computer or phone, then print the document using your printer or a printing service.
On iOS
- Tap the contact or group name at the top of the screen.
- Scroll down and tap "Export Chat".
- Choose "Without Media" or "Include Media".
- Select "Mail" from the share options and send the file to your email address.
- Open the email and print the .txt document.
Method 2: Export chat and print from cloud or files
If you prefer not to use email, export the chat to Google Drive or save it to your device's file system. Then access the file from a computer to print it.
On Android
- Open the WhatsApp chat, tap the three-dot menu, then "More" and "Export chat".
- Choose "Without Media" or "Include Media".
- Select "Google Drive" or "Save to Files" from the share menu. If you choose Google Drive, the file uploads to your Drive account. If you choose Save to Files, it is stored locally on your device.
- On a computer, open Google Drive and download the .txt file, or transfer the saved file from your phone to the computer via USB or cloud sync.
- Open the .txt file in any text editor or word processor and print it. You can use a word processor to edit and format the exported .txt file before printing for better readability.
On iOS
- Open the chat, tap the contact name, then scroll down and tap "Export Chat".
- Choose "Without Media" or "Include Media".
- Select "Save to Files" from the share sheet, and choose a location on your iPhone or iCloud Drive.
- On a computer, access the file from iCloud Drive or transfer it via AirDrop, and print it.
What about printing directly from the app?
WhatsApp does not include a print button. The Export Chat feature is the official workaround and is the only way to get a full conversation into a printable format. Third-party software like WhatsApp Extractor, iExplorer, or TouchCopy can export chats in PDF or HTML formats for more formatting control. For very short excerpts, you can take screenshots of the chat and print those images, but this is impractical for long conversations and does not produce a text file you can edit or search. Screenshots should only be used as a last resort when you need a quick physical copy of a handful of messages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I print WhatsApp messages without a computer?
Yes, but only if your phone supports printing directly from the email app or file manager. Most modern Android and iOS devices can connect to a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth printer. Open the exported .txt file or email attachment, tap the share or print icon, and select your printer.
How do I retrieve deleted messages in phone memory?
Exporting a chat prints only the messages currently visible in that conversation. If you need to retrieve deleted messages in phone memory, you must restore a recent WhatsApp backup first, then export the chat. Deleted messages that were sent before the last backup are not recoverable through the export feature.
Can I delete wrongly sent WhatsApp messages and recover deleted messages?
WhatsApp allows you to delete wrongly sent WhatsApp messages and recover deleted messages only if the recipient has not seen them and you act within the time limit. For printing, you must export the chat after the deletion or recovery action is completed, because the export captures the conversation as it currently appears.
How do I reduce WhatsApp storage on iPhone and Android?
To reduce WhatsApp storage on iPhone and Android, delete large media files and old chats from within the app's Storage and Data settings. Exporting a chat without media creates a small .txt file, which saves space compared to keeping the full conversation with photos and videos on your device.
Will the exported file include photos and videos?
Only if you select "Include Media" during the export. The .txt file contains the text of the conversation, and the most recent media files are attached as separate files. Older media that were sent earlier in the chat are not included. Printing long conversations may require adjusting print settings or printing multiple pages.
