Step by step
- 1
Export on iPhone
Open the chat, tap the contact or group name, scroll down, tap Export Chat, then choose Attach Media or Without Media. Save the file to Files or email it to yourself.
- 2
Export on Android
Open the chat, tap ⋮, then More, then Export chat. Choose Include media or Without media and save the file.
- 3
Open the export in ScanMyChat
Drop the .zip or .txt into ScanMyChat. The free analysis shows message count, date range, participants and attachments, plus a watermarked preview.
- 4
Tag and redact if needed
Optionally tag key messages and redact phone numbers, emails or custom terms in the report.
- 5
Download the PDF package
Export the package to get the report PDF, CSV files and integrity manifest in one ZIP.
Other ways to make a PDF, and their trade-offs
You can open the .txt in a word processor and 'Save as PDF'. That works for short chats, but long ones become dense walls of text without page references, and attachments show only as file names. Screenshot-to-PDF apps keep the look of the chat but capture only what you scroll through and often lose dates.
A purpose-built transcript keeps each message's date, time and sender, marks deleted, edited and media-omitted messages, and adds page stamps so the PDF can be cited.
What's in the ScanMyChat PDF
The report PDF is designed for people who need to review the chat carefully, not just read it.
- Cover and summary with participants and date range
- Chronological transcript with Bates-style page stamps
- Case timeline of your tagged messages with page references
- Attachment index with SHA-256 hashes
- Methodology & limitations, consistency checks and a verification appendix
Privacy and cost
Processing happens locally; nothing is uploaded. The analysis and preview are free. The full export is $19.99 per case, one-time, covering one WhatsApp export file with unlimited re-exports of that same file.
A PDF is a readable format, not a verdict
Converting to PDF formats the chat. It does not authenticate who wrote messages or decide whether a court will accept them; those depend on testimony, other evidence and local rules. Timestamps appear exactly as exported, in the phone's local time.
Frequently asked
Is there a free way to convert WhatsApp to PDF?
Yes, you can print the .txt export to PDF from any computer. ScanMyChat's free analysis also gives you a watermarked preview before you decide to pay.
Will photos appear in the PDF?
Attachments from a media export are listed in an attachment index with per-file hashes and referenced in the transcript.
Does it work for group chats?
Yes, 1:1 and group exports from iPhone and Android are supported.
Related guides
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Evidence rules vary by jurisdiction — consult an attorney about your matter.