Cracking "WhatsApp Message Database"

Cracking Whatsapp  Message Database

WhatsApp Xtract v2.1

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- WhatsApp Backup Messages Extractor for Android and iPhone

Tested with Whatsapp (Android) 2.7.5613

Tested with Whatsapp (iPhone)  2.5.1

Last Update on May 7th, 2012 (v2.1)

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HOW TO USE:

(see also the thread at xda-dev: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=24603294 )

1. You need to copy the whatsapp database. 

On Android, either get this file:

/sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases/msgstore.db.crypt

(crypted database on SD card, can be created by starting backup from whatsapp advanced settings: settings - more - Backup Chats)

or these files:

/data/data/com.whatsapp/databases/msgstore.db and wa.db

(for this you need root access. detailed instructions in the bottom of this file. the advantage is that the corresponding contact names of phone numbers will be displayed.)

On IPhone, get this file:

net.whatsapp.WhatsApp/Documents/ChatStorage.sqlite

(You can use an Iphone Backup Tool to get the file, e.g. I-Twin or Iphone Backup Extractor. Make sure to create an unencrypted backup with Itunes, as these tools can't handle encrypted backups. Another possibility are forensic tools like UFED Physical Analyzer.)

2. Extract this archive (Whatsapp_Xtract....zip) to a certain folder on your computer, e.g. C:\WhatsApp.

3. Copy the database(s) to e.g. C:\WhatsApp (on Android, you simply copy the whole folder WhatsApp on SD card to your computer e.g. to C:\WhatsApp and then copy the database file from C:\WhatsApp\Databases to C:\WhatsApp)

4. You need Python and (for Android msgstore.db.crypt decryption) the PyCrypto library

The easiest way is to install ActivePython (on Windows choose 32bit version even if you have 64bit windows): 

http://www.activestate.com/activepython/

and then (for PyCrypto) run install pyCrypto.bat (contained in this archive)

(pyCrypto.bat will execute: pypm install pycrypto)

5. Now run whatsapp_xtract_android.bat or whatsapp_xtract_android_crypted.bat or whatsapp_xtract_iphone.bat 

OR simply drag and drop the database file(s) to whatsapp_xtract_drag'n'drop_database(s)_here.bat

OR run whatsapp_xtract_console.bat and then manually specify the input file with one of these commands:

COMMAND LINE OPTIONS:

For Android DB:

python whatsapp_xtract.py -i msgstore.db -w wa.db

OR (if wa.db is unavailable)

python whatsapp_xtract.py -i msgstore.db

OR (for crypted db)

python whatsapp_xtract.py -i msgstore.db.crypt

For iPhone DB: (-w option is ignored)

python whatsapp_xtract.py -i ChatStorage.sqlite

Once finished, your browser will open and show the chats. 

The resulting file size of the .html file will be slightly bigger than the size of the .db database. 

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Some Additional Information

SQLITE Editor

You also can open the "msgstore.db" and "wa.db" using SQLite Database Browser ( http://sqlitebrowser.sourceforge.net/ ). 

However it is much more confusing and the messages are ordered by date, not by conversations. Also you won't see the smileys and media files...

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MEDIA FILES

If you want to watch the videos, audios and images, you can click on the thumbnails and media links. Popups should open displaying the media. 

However, online media files are available only for the last ~ 3 weeks. 

But you still can open the offline media files, they are linked as well. 

For this it is necessary to copy the folder "Media" from /sdcard/Whatsapp (Android) or net.whatsapp.WhatsApp (Iphone) to the certain folder of your computer where this tool is installed.

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ROOT ACCESS TO UNENCRYPTED WHATSAPP DATABASE (Android version only)

If you want to have the contact names displayed and not only phone numbers, then (Android version only) you need the file wa.db from the internal storage. 

For that you need to get access to the folder 

/data/data/com.whatsapp/databases

For that you need root access.

For rooting, the tool Superoneclick Root might be useful:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=803682

Then you can copy the files "msgstore.db" and "wa.db" to your computer by

- using the App RootExplorer (first copy to SD, then mount phone to computer)

- or using adb: open cmd and type "adb pull /data/data/com.whatsapp/databases/msgstore.db C:\Whatsapp" (replace C:\Whatsapp by the location of the certain folder of your computer)

- or using the app Titanium Backup. Use Titanium Backup to backup the full whatsapp application together with its data, copy the backup from the folder "TitaniumBackup" on the SD card to your PC, then extract the files "wa.db" and "msgstore.db" that you will find inside the Titanium Backup archive "com.whatsapp-[Date]-[some digits].tar.gz" to the certain folder.

- or using some app like AirDroid or Webkey to access files over wifi using the PC webbrowser

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