How to Read Encrypted WhatsApp Messages? (3 Effective Ways)

WhatsApp is undoubtedly the world’s most popular messaging platform, with over 2.7 billion monthly active users worldwide. One of the reasons behind WhatsApp’s massive popularity is its end-to-end encryption, which helps to keep the conversation between the sender and the receiver secure.

Sometimes, WhatsApp users face technical glitches and cannot access WhatsApp or read encrypted messages. If that happens, then how to read encrypted WhatsApp messages? Luckily, you can use a few ways to still read encrypted messages. This is what we will discuss in this guide. So, let’s get started!

Part 1. How to Read Encrypted WhatsApp Messages With Dr.Fone WhatsApp Transfer?

One of the best solutions for how to read encrypted messages in WhatsApp comes in the form of Dr.Fone WhatsApp Transfer tool.

Dr.Fone WhatsApp Transfer is a powerful WhatsApp transfer, backup, and restore tool. It offers a simple, click-based interface to access WhatsApp chats from your Android/iOS device and transfer it to another device or create a backup of the chats on your computer. Therefore, Dr.Fone WhatsApp Transfer capabilities can also be used to read encrypted WhatsApp messages.

Dr.Fone WhatsApp Transfer works best if you have access to your phone from which you want to read encrypted messages. So, follow the below steps to learn how to read encrypted WhatsApp messages:

Step 1. Download and launch Dr.Fone WhatsApp Transfer on your Windows/Mac computer. 

Step 2. Select Toolbox from the left sidebar and click WhatsApp Transfer.

Step 3. Click the Backup WhatsApp messages option.

Step 4. Connect your phone to the computer via a USB cable to initiate the backup process. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the backup process.

Step 5. Once the backup is successfully made, click View It to view the backup.

You will be able to view all the encrypted WhatsApp messages in a WhatsApp similar interface.

This way, you can use Dr.Fone WhatsApp Transfer to make a backup and also view your encrypted WhatsApp messages.

Part 2. How to Read Encrypted WhatsApp Messages on PC With WhatsApp Web

WhatsApp Web is the web-based version of WhatsApp that allows you to read and send messages through the web browser. So, another effective solution for how to read encrypted messages on WhatsApp is via WhatsApp Web.

In fact, WhatsApp now allows you to view and send messages through WhatsApp Web even if your phone is not connected to the internet. All you need to do is link WhatsApp Web with your phone for once and then read encrypted messages on PC without the phone.

So, if you are struggling to read encrypted WhatsApp messages on your phone, then follow the below steps to learn how to read encrypted WhatsApp messages on PC with WhatsApp Web:

1. Open the web browser of your choice on your PC and go to web.whatsapp.com.

2. Open the WhatsApp app on the phone, click the 3-dots menu icon, and tap Linked devices.

3. Click Link a device and scan the QR code displayed on WhatsApp Web.

Once done, WhatsApp chats will open on your web browser. From there, you can simply read encrypted WhatsApp messages.

Part 3. How to Read Encrypted Messages in WhatsApp With WhatsApp Viewer？

Another way to read encrypted messages in WhatsApp is by decrypting the messages encryption using a key through WhatsApp Viewer. However, this method only works for Android and requires you to root your Android device beforehand.

Follow the below steps to learn how to read encrypted WhatsApp messages with WhatsApp Viewer:

1. Go to the File Manager app from your Android device and click Internal Memory > WhatsApp > Databases. From there, locate the “mgstore.db.crypt14” file.

2. Next, you have to search for the Key file that can decrypt the file. You will find the key file at /data/data/com.whatsapp/files/key.

3. Copy the mgstore.db.crypt14 and key files to your PC.
4. Download and launch WhatsApp Viewer on your PC. Click File > Decrypt.crypt14.

5. Upload both the files and click the Decrypt button.

6. After the tool has completed the decryption, the decrypted file msgstore.decrypted.db will be saved in the same destination on your PC where you previously saved the database and key files.

7. Go back to WhatsApp Viewer and click File > Open. Open the decrypted file and click the OK button.

Once done, you can view and export the chats as JSON, text, and HTML.

This way, you can read encrypted WhatsApp messages on Android if you have rooted your device.

Part 4. FAQS About How to Read Encrypted WhatsApp Messages

Q1. How to Read Encrypted WhatsApp Messages on Android Without Key?

1. Download and launch Dr.Fone WhatsApp Transfer on your Windows/Mac computer.
2. Select Toolbox from the left sidebar and click WhatsApp Transfer.
3. Click the Backup WhatsApp messages option.
4. Connect your Android phone to the computer via a USB cable to initiate the backup process. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the backup process.
5. Once the backup is successfully made, click View It to view the chats.

This way, you can read encrypted WhatsApp messages on Android without key.

Q2. How to Read Encrypted WhatsApp Messages on iPhone?

1. Open the web browser of your choice on your PC and go to web.whatsapp.com.
2. Open the WhatsApp app on your iPhone, click the 3-dots menu icon, and tap Linked devices.
3. Click Link a device and scan the QR code displayed on WhatsApp Web.

Once done, WhatsApp chats will open on your web browser. From there, you can read encrypted WhatsApp messages.

Q3. Are WhatsApp Messages Fully Encrypted?

There is no proper “Yes” or “No” answer to this question. Although WhatsApp offers end-to-end encryption, there are some exceptions/limitations, as follows:

• Your messages are end-to-end encrypted only with users of WhatsApp Messenger. For WhatsApp Business users, the end-to-end encryption does not apply.
• If the recipient flags/reports your message, that message and the previous four messages from the chat are sent to WhatsApp for review.
• WhatsApp messages are easily accessible by anyone who has access to your phone.

In short, we cannot say that WhatsApp messages are fully encrypted, as it varies from case to case.

Q4. How to Enable End-to-end Encryption in WhatsApp?

1. Open WhatsApp and go to Settings.
2. Click Chats > Chat Backup > End-to-end Encrypted Backup.
3. Click Turn On and follow the prompt to create a key/password.
4. Click Create.

Conclusion

It is not uncommon for users to look for how to read encrypted WhatsApp messages, especially when facing technical glitches in their phones. Therefore, this guide covered some of the best ways to read encrypted messages. However, if we have to pick one, then Dr.Fone WhatsApp Transfer is the best choice. Its click-based interface, compatibility with Android/iOS, and accurate results make it best to read and save encrypted WhatsApp messages effortlessly. So, download Dr.Fone WhatsApp Transfer and read encrypted WhatsApp messages right away.

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