WhatsApp Chat to PDF on a Mac or PC

By Josep Mampel Marques, updated November 9, 2026

To turn a WhatsApp chat into a PDF on a Mac or PC, get the export onto the computer, open it in PrintChats in your browser, and press Save as PDF, then choose Save as PDF in the print dialog. There are two ways to get the export: from WhatsApp on Web, Windows or Mac, which is quick but has no media, or from your phone with media, which you then move to the computer. If you want photos in the PDF, use the phone.

Option A: export from WhatsApp on Web, Windows or Mac (text only)

WhatsApp's help center describes this export for WhatsApp on Web, Windows and Mac:

1. Open the chat you want to export.
2. Click More options (the three dots).
3. Click Export chat.
4. Choose all messages or a custom date range.
5. Click Export. The chat is saved as a ZIP file.

Media is not included, and disappearing and view-once messages are not exported. This option is newer than the phone export, so it may not appear on older versions of the desktop app. PrintChats was built around the phone export format; if a desktop export does not open correctly, use option B.

Option B: export from the phone and move it (with photos)

1. On the phone, export the chat with media. Android: More options, More, Export chat, Include media. iPhone: tap the contact or group name, Export chat, and include media. Full steps for Android and iPhone.
2. In the share sheet, send it somewhere your computer can reach:
   • iPhone to Mac: AirDrop, or Save to Files in iCloud Drive.
   • iPhone to Windows: Save to Files in iCloud Drive and download it from iCloud, or use another cloud drive.
   • Android to any computer: Google Drive, or a USB cable.
   • Email works for small chats, but large exports with media can exceed attachment limits.
3. On the computer, find the .zip in Downloads or your cloud drive folder. Do not unzip it.

Make the PDF

1. Open PrintChats in Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari.
2. Drag the .zip onto the Choose your WhatsApp export box, or click it and select the file. It is read in the browser tab and not uploaded.
3. Pick your name in I am, then narrow it down with Search or the From and To dates if you only need part of the chat.
4. Leave Photos in PDF ticked (only useful with a phone export that includes media).
5. Click Save as PDF. When the print dialog opens:
   • Chrome or Edge: set Destination to Save as PDF and click Save. Ctrl+P on Windows or Command+P on Mac opens the same dialog.
   • Safari on Mac: open the PDF menu at the bottom of the dialog and choose Save as PDF.
   • Firefox: choose the Save to PDF destination.

To print on paper instead, choose your printer in the same dialog. Tips for long chats and paper use are in how to print a WhatsApp chat.

Which option to choose

Either way, the chat stays on your computer. PrintChats does not send it to a server, and closing the tab clears it.