Archived chats in WhatsApp are not deleted, but simply dialogs hidden from the main list that can be returned in one click. However, many users Android ask the question: where is this data physically stored on the device? The answer depends on whether you are looking for chat database (which includes archived ones) or specific media files (photos, videos, documents) from hidden conversations.

Unlike iOSwhere the file system is closed, on Android You can manually find folders with data WhatsApp —but with important caveats. Firstly, archived chats are not stored separately from active: they remain part of a single database msgstore.db.crypt14, but are marked with a special flag. Secondly, accessing these files requires either root accessor the use of built-in backup tools. Next, we will look at all the methods - from simple to technically complex.

1. Where is WhatsApp data stored on Android: folder structure

All messenger files, including archived chats, are located in the folder /sdcard/WhatsApp/ (or /storage/emulated/0/WhatsApp/ on modern devices). This directory contains several key subfolders:

  • 📁 Databases — here are encrypted databases with messages (msgstore.db.crypt14 and backups msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt14). Archived chats are stored here, but not as separate files, but as records in a common database.
  • 📁 Media —media files from chats (photos, videos, voice messages), divided by type (WhatsApp Images, WhatsApp Video etc. Files from archived chats remain here, but their names do not contain archiving marks.
  • 📁 Backups — temporary files for creating backup copies (appear during backup in Google). Drive).

Important: the folder Databases is hidden by default. To see it, enable the display of hidden files in the file manager (for example, in Total Commander or FX File ExplorerAlso note that without root access you will not be able to). copy or change database files - just view their list.

⚠️ Attention: Do not rename or delete files in the folder Databases manually! This may lead to the loss of all chats, including archived ones. Use only official tools for recovery. WhatsApp.

2. How archived chats are stored in the database

File msgstore.db.crypt14 is where all messages, including archived ones, are stored. They are not allocated to a separate table, but are marked with a flag. SQLite database, where all messages are stored, including archived ones. They are not allocated to a separate table, but are marked with a flag is_archived=1 in the table chat. Here are the key points:

  • 🔍 Table chat - contains a list of all chats (individual and group) with a field is_archived.
  • 📜 Table messages - stores the messages themselves, tied to the ID chat from the table chat.
  • 🔒 Encryption: the database is encrypted using an algorithm SQLite AES, so it is impossible to read it without special tools (for example, WhatsApp Viewer).

If you want export archived chats, the easiest way to do this is through built-in function WhatsApp:

  1. Open the archived chat (scroll down the list of chats and click "Archived").
  2. Tap on the three dots in the upper right corner → Export chat.
  3. Choose whether to include media files and send the export to email or the cloud.
📊 How often do you archive chats on WhatsApp?
Once a week
Only when they get in the way
Never archiving
I don’t know how to do this

3. Paths to archived chats in different versions of Android

The location of the folder WhatsApp may vary slightly depending on the version Android and device manufacturer. Below are the current paths for popular brands:

Manufacturer/Android Version Path to the WhatsApp folder Features
Samsung (One UI, Android 10–14) /storage/emulated/0/WhatsApp/ On some models, the folder may be duplicated in /sdcard/.
Xiaomi (MIUI 12–14) /storage/emulated/0/Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/ Permission to access "all" is required files" in the application settings.
Google Pixel (Stock Android) /storage/emulated/0/WhatsApp/ Access without additional permissions.
Huawei (EMUI 10–12) /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.whatsapp/files/ The folder can be hidden even if the display of hidden files is enabled.

On devices with Android 11+ access to folders is limited due to policy Scoped Storage. To get around this:

  1. Use a file manager with root access (for example, Root Explorer).
  2. Connect your phone to your PC and use ADB to copy files: 
    adb pull /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases/msgstore.db.crypt14 C:\Backup\
  3. Restore the backup via Google Drive (if it was created).
⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example, Xiaomi or Oppo) access to the folder Android/data/ is blocked even for file managers. In this case, the only way to get the database files is to use ADB or cloud backup.

4. Is it possible to recover archived chats after reinstalling WhatsApp?

Yes, but only if you have backup. When deleting and reinstalling WhatsApp offers to restore chats from:

  • 🔄 Local backup - files msgstore.db.crypt14 and wa.db.crypt14 in the folder Databases. They are created automatically once a day (if backup is enabled).
  • ☁️ Google Drive —if you have configured cloud backup. Archived chats are restored along with active ones.

To restore chats from a local backup:

Install WhatsApp and confirm your phone number|When a request to restore appears, click "Restore"|If restoration does not start automatically, rename the last backup file to msgstore.db.crypt14 i restart the application|After recovery, archived chats will remain archived

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If there is no local backup, but there is a file msgstore.db.crypt14 (for example, copied to a PC), you can try to restore it manually:

  1. Copy the file back to the folder /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases/.
  2. Reinstall WhatsApp and confirm the number.
  3. When prompted to restore, select "Restore".
💡

If you regularly archive chats, set up automatic backup in Google Drive: Settings → Chat → Backup. This ensures that even archived conversations are saved to the cloud.

5. How to find media files from archived chats

Media files (photos, videos, documents) from archived chats are stored in the same folders as files from active chats. Their names are formed according to the template:

  • 📷 Photo: IMG-YYYYMMDD-WAXXXX.jpg (in folder WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Images).
  • 🎥 Video: VID-YYYYMMDD-WAXXXX.mp4 (in folder WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Video).
  • 📄 Documents: original file names (in folder WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Documents).

To find files from a specific archived chat:

  1. Open the archived chat in WhatsApp.
  2. Scroll to the desired media file and click on it.
  3. In the upper right corner, tap on the three dots → Information. The file name will be indicated here (for example, IMG-20231015-WA0001.jpg).
  4. Use the file manager to find the file by name in the appropriate folder.

If media files are not displayed in the gallery, check:

  • 🔍 Is it enabled displaying hidden files in the file manager.
  • 📂 Folder .nomedia in WhatsApp/Media/ —if it exists, delete it (it blocks scanning of media files by the gallery).

6. Technical nuances: encryption and access. databases

Database files WhatsApp (.crypt14) are encrypted and cannot be opened using standard means. To view the contents, you will need specialized tools:

  • 🔓 WhatsApp Viewer (for PC) - allows you to view messages from backups, including archived ones.
  • 📱 SQLite Editor (for Android with root) - gives access to database tables, but requires decryption.
  • 🔧 KeyDB Extractor — retrieves encryption keys from the device memory (requires root).

The process of decrypting the database:

  1. Copy the file msgstore.db.crypt14 to the PC.
  2. Use KeyDB Extractorto get the encryption key from the phone.
  3. Decrypt the database using SQLite Browser or WhatsApp Viewer.
⚠️ Attention: Decrypting databases without root access is almost impossible on modern versions Android. Moreover, WhatsApp can block your account for suspicious activity (for example, if you try to replace database files). Use these methods only as a last resort.
What will happen if you delete the msgstore.db.crypt14 file?

Deleting this file will lead to loss all local messages, including archived chats. However, if you have a backup in Google Drive, you will be able to restore your chats the next time you log into WhatsApp. Without backup, recovery is impossible - even specialized apps like Dr.Fone do not guarantee success.

7. Alternative ways to work with archived chats

If you don't need to delve into the file system, but want to manage archived chats, use the built-in functions WhatsApp:

  • 🔄 Unarchive chat: scroll down the list of chats → "Archived" → swipe left on the chat → "Unarchive".
  • 📌 Pin archived chat: open the archived chat → tap on the three dots → "Pin". It will remain archived, but will be displayed at the top of the list.
  • 🗑️ Delete archived chat forever: swipe left → "Delete". This will also delete it from the database (if there is no backup).

To automatically archive new chats:

  1. Open Settings → Chat.
  2. Activate the "Archive all chats" option.

If you often work with archived chats, consider using WhatsApp Business —there are advanced tools for sorting and tagging conversations.

💡

Archived chats do not take up additional space on the device - they just hidden from the main list. Their media files are stored in the same folders as active chat files, and messages are stored in a common database.

Frequently asked questions

Is it possible to transfer archived chats to another phone?

Yes, but only through backup. Copy the folder WhatsApp/Databases to the new phone and restore the backup when you first start WhatsApp. Archived chats will be transferred along with active ones. Without a backup, transfer is impossible - the database files are tied to the phone number and device.

Why do archived chats take up space in memory?

Because they are not deleted, but simply hidden. Messages are stored in the database msgstore.db.crypt14, and media files are stored in folders WhatsApp/Media/. To free up space, delete unnecessary chats permanently or clear the folder Media manually (but this will delete files from all chats).

Is it possible to archive chats automatically by keywords?

No, in standard WhatsApp there is such a function no. However, you can use WhatsApp Business with tags or third-party tools like AutoArchiver for WA (requires root). An alternative is to manually archive chats after reading.

What to do if archived chats are missing after updating WhatsApp?

Most likely, there was a failure during database migration. Try:

  1. Reinstall WhatsApp and restore data from Google Drive.
  2. Check if there is a fresh backup in the folder Databases (files with the date in the name).
  3. If all else fails, contact support WhatsApp via Settings → Help → Contact us.
Is it possible to archive chats to a memory card?

No, WhatsApp does not support storing the database on SD card. The folder Databases is always created in the internal memory of the device. Media files can be transferred to the card manually, but this will not affect archived chats - they will remain in the main database.