VKontakte remains one of the most popular social networks in Russia, and many users actively communicate in private messages. But sometimes there is a need to learn how many messages were sent in a particular dialogue - for example, to estimate the volume of correspondence with a friend, colleague or in a work chat. On the desktop version of the site, this function is available directly, but on Android everything is not so obvious.
In the official application VK for Android there is no built-in โShow number of messagesโ button, but there are several workarounds. Some of them require minimal technical skills, others require the installation of additional utilities. In this article we will analyze all current methodsincluding hidden functions of the mobile version, working through the browser and even automated scripts for advanced users.
Important: methods may differ depending on the version of the application and operating system. If some method stops working, check for updates VK in Google Play or try an alternative option.
1. Method through the official VK application (hidden function)
Few people know, but in the mobile application VK there is a hidden message counter that can be called up through navigation gesture. This method does not work on all versions, but itโs worth a try:
- Open the application VK and go to the desired dialog.
- Scroll through the conversation to the very topto load the first messages.
- Tap double tap on the top of the screen (where the interlocutor's name is displayed).
- If the function is active, a pop-up window will appear with the number of messages in the chat.
โ ๏ธ Attention: On some smartphones (for example, Xiaomi or Samsung with a shell One UI) this gesture may conflict with system swipes. In this case, try touching not in the center, but closer to the edge of the screen.
- Update the VK application to the latest version
- Clear the application cache (Settings โ Applications โ VK โ Memory)
- Check the stability of the Internet connection
- Disable energy saving mode-->
2. Using the mobile version of the VK website
If the application does not show the number of messages, you can use mobile version of the site via a browser. This method is universal and works on any Androiddevice:
- Open a browser (Chrome, Firefox or built-in).
- Go to the site
m.vk.comand log in. - Open the desired dialogue in the โMessagesโ section.
- Scroll up to the very first message.
- A parameter will appear in the browser address bar
&offset=X, whereXis the approximate number of downloaded messages. The exact number will be displayed at the top of the chat next to the name of the interlocutor.
๐ก Useful advice: If the number of messages is not displayed, try refresh page (button F5 or swipe down). Sometimes data is loaded with a delay.
| Browser | Method support | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Google Chrome | Yes | You may need to disable "Traffic Saving" in the settings |
| Mozilla Firefox | Yes | It works stably, but loads history more slowly |
| Samsung Internet | Yes | Sometimes you need to enable "Mode for PC" |
| Opera Mini | No | Does not support full download of message history |
3. Third-party applications for analyzing correspondence
If the built-in methods do not work, you can use specialized utilities. They not only show the number of messages, but also provide advanced statistics: the activity of the interlocutor, frequent words, communication graphs, etc.
The most popular applications:
- ๐ VK Stats - analyzes correspondence history, builds activity graphs and shows the exact number of messages. Available in Google Play.
- ๐ Kate Mobile โan alternative client for VK with advanced features, including a message counter.
- ๐ VK Analyzer โcollects statistics on all conversations, sorts by date and volume of correspondence.
โ ๏ธ Attention: When using third-party applications Never enter your VK login and password to unverified services. Log in only through the official VK API ("Log in via VK" button). Otherwise, you risk losing access to your account.
How to check the security of a third-party application?
Before installation, check:
1. Rating on Google Play (must be above 4.0).
2. Number of installations (from 100,000+).
3. Date of last update (not older than 6 months).
4. User reviews - are there any complaints about hacked accounts?
If anything is in doubt, use a temporary account for testing.
4. Automated scripts for advanced users
If you are familiar with the basics of programming or are ready to use ready-made solutions, you can use Python scripts or browser extensions. This method is suitable for those who want to receive data in format CSV or JSON for further analysis.
The easiest way is to use VK API via script:
import vk_apiAuthorization
vk_session = vk_api.VkApi(login='Your_login', password='Your_password')
vk_session.auth()
Receiving message history
vk = vk_session.get_api()
messages = vk.messages.getHistory(user_id=ID_ID, count=0) # count=0 will return all messages
print(f"Number of messages: {messages['count']}")
๐น No-coding alternative: Extension VK Message Counter for Chrome. It automatically counts messages in an open dialog and displays statistics in a separate window.
If you are not familiar with Python, but want to try the script, use the online service Replit. It allows you to run code without installing apps on your computer.
5. Manual calculation through history export
VK allows export correspondence history to file HTML or JSON. This is an official method that does not require third-party tools, but takes more time:
- Open
vk.comin a browser on your computer or phone (preferably in โPCโ mode). - Go to
Settings โ Security โ Data export. - Select โMessagesโ and specify the desired dialog.
- Confirm the export - the file will be sent to your email within 24 hours.
- Open the downloaded archive and count the number of messages manually or via Excel.
โ ๏ธ Attention: Export may take up to a day, and the file will only be available for download 7 days. If you donโt have time to download, you will have to request again.
6. Limitations and nuances
Not all methods work equally well. Here are the key points to consider:
- ๐ API limitation: Free version VK API allows you to receive no more than 200 messages per request. A full story will require a loop with pagination.
- โณ Long loading: In large dialogs (10,000+ messages), the mobile version of the site may freeze or not complete the story to the end.
- ๐ต Account blocking: Frequent requests through scripts may raise suspicions of automatic activity. Use official methods or pause between requests.
- ๐ VK updates: The social network regularly changes the structure of pages and API. If the method stops working, check the relevance of the instructions on the forums (for example, 4PDA).
๐ Key takeaway: The most reliable methods are the mobile version of the site m.vk.com and exporting history through settings. Third-party applications are convenient, but require caution.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to find out the number of messages in a group chat?
Yes, all the described methods work for group conversations as well. However, in large chats (100+ participants), the count may take longer due to the volume of data.
Why is there no โShow number of messagesโ button in the VK application?
The developers VK deliberately simplify the mobile interface by removing rarely used functions. On the desktop version, this option is available in the dialogue menu (three dots โ โStatisticsโ).
Is it possible to learn how many messages the interlocutor has deleted?
No, VK does not store information about deleted messages in the public domain. Even through API it is impossible to obtain this data.
Will the interlocutor be notified if I count messages through a script?
No, all the described methods are passive and do not send notifications. The exception is if you use suspicious third-party software with malicious code.
How to count messages in an archived dialogue?
Archived dialogues are subject to the same rules. If the correspondence has not been deleted, you can open it through a search in the โMessagesโ section and apply any of the methods described.