If you ever found files msgstore, msgstore.db.crypt14 or msgstore.db.crypt12 while you were checking your cell phone and you want to know what it is about, in the next article we will explain it.
In this sense, we will describe what is a msgstore file, what is it forwhere it is stored and how to open a file of this type on the cell phone, if that is what you want.
What is a msgstore file?
msgstore files are files that correspond to backup copies of the conversations current WhatsApp messages that are stored locally, that is, on the device. These have a structure similar to “msgstore.db.crypt14”, where “db” corresponds to “data base” and “crypt14” represents the encryption version used by the installed version of the app.
Depending on the type of encryption of the version of WhatsApp, the files may end in “crypt13”, “crypt12”, “crypt15”, etc. Furthermore, if is about an old backup, the file name will appear as msgstore-xxxx-xx-xx.1.db.crypt12, where the “x” corresponds to the year, month and date of creation. For example msgstore-2022-02-14.1.db.crypt12.
What are msgstore files used for?
A msgstore file serves to maintain existing conversations in WhatsApp safely, so that they can be easily recovered when you uninstall the app or accidentally delete the chat. Likewise, if it is an old backup (with a date in its name), it is possible to restore said file and restore the content stored that day.
How can you open msgstore files?
Opening or decrypting a msgstore file is an action that requires root access on the device in order to find the key located in the data/data/com.whatsapp/files/key folder. This is something that, although many apps or sites on the Internet promise to achieve it, is not easy to do, since none of these tools can decrypt the WhatsApp encryption.
Using WhatsApp Viewer
WhatsApp Viewer is an open source program that can be used, together with the app to open msgstore files with db.crypt5, db.crypt7, db.crypt8, db.crypt12 and db.crypt14 encryption from the computer. To do this, you must follow the instructions explained below:
- Connect the cell phone to the PC with the mode “USB debugging” activated.
- Search the cell phone’s storage (internal or external) for the folder WhatsApp > Databases where the msgstore files are located.
Note: on some devices it can be located in Android > Media > com.whatsapp > Databases - Copy the msgstore file that you want to open to the computer desktop.
- Open Titanium Backup on your cell phone and go to the route Copy/Restore > WhatsApp > Copy > Accept.
- Open the internal or external storage of the cell phone again, look for the folder “TitaniumBackup” and copy it to the PC desktop.
- Extract the file with .tar extension.
Note: you must use a program like WinRAR or similar. - Open the folder “data” and go to data > com.whatsapp > Files.
- Copy the file “Key” to the computer desktop.
- Open WhatsApp Viewer and go to File > Decrypt .cryptXX (depending on the type of encryption).
- Import the filesmsgstore” and “Key” in the area corresponding to each one and click on “okay”.
Note– The msgstore file must be undated, that is, it must be imported as msgstore.db.cryptXX, depending on the type of encryption applied by WhatsApp. - Drag the resulting file “msgstore.decrypted.db” to WhatsApp Viewer.
Upon completing this long process, the list of decrypted conversations will be displayed and stored in the file in question in the left section of the program. To view each of them you just have to click on the one you want and it will automatically appear in the blank section. It should be noted that it can then be exported as a .txt or .html file if desired.
Through Chat History
Another way to read WhatsApp chats or share them without having to take screenshots is by exporting the conversation history. To do this you must go to Menu > Settings > Chats > Chat history > Export chat and choose the conversation you want. It should be noted that multimedia files can be included, if preferred.
This is a method that can be applied and, although it is a little tedious, will allow you to have conversations in a text file not encrypted that can be sent by email. It should be noted that, for it to be functional, it must be done daily.
Where are these files saved?
msgstore files are stored in internal or external memory (micro SD) of the cell phone, depending on the configuration applied to the equipment. They are automatically saved daily in the mobile storage, as long as this setting is activated in the app. It should be noted that they can also be uploaded to Google Drive from the WhatsApp settings.
What happens if the WhatsApp database (msgstore) is deleted?
When deleting the msgstore files on the cell phone it is as if the WhatsApp account was deleted, since all related information disappears to the same. This includes conversations, shared content, automatic exits from group chats, and even the phone number may need to be linked again in the app.
As could be seen, msgstore files are encrypted files that preserve existing WhatsApp conversations and can be opened if the appropriate programs are used.
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