How to search old WhatsApp messages

1. 1

   Open the Chats tab

2. 2

   Tap the search bar at the top and type a word

   Results include chats, contacts and individual messages.

3. 3

   Filter by type

   Under the search bar, pick a type such as Photos, Videos, Links, GIFs, Audio, Documents or Polls to see only those.

1. 1

   On Android

   Open the chat, tap the three-dot menu, then Search, and type.

2. 2

   On iPhone

   Open the chat, tap the contact or group name, then Search.

3. 3

   Jump to a date

   While searching, tap the calendar icon and pick a day. WhatsApp scrolls to the messages from that date.

If you starred the message, it is in Starred messages (the three-dot menu on Android, Settings on iPhone). Next time, long-press a message and tap Star to keep the ones you'll need again.

WhatsApp stores your history on your phone, not on its servers. If you changed phones without restoring a backup, older messages are only in your last Google Drive (Android) or iCloud (iPhone) backup. Restoring means reinstalling WhatsApp with the same number and account. Each new backup replaces the previous one, and deleted or disappearing messages are not in it.

1. 1

   Create a ConnectChats account

   Open https://connectchats.com/app and sign in with a passkey. There is no email or password to remember.

2. 2

   Link WhatsApp

   Choose Link a chat app, then WhatsApp. Scan the QR code from WhatsApp on your phone (Linked devices, then Link a device), or switch to Use a pairing code.

3. 3

   Choose the chats your AI can read

   Chats appear on the Chats page as they import. Turn on only the ones you want your AI app to see.

4. 4

   Add ConnectChats to your AI app and ask

   • "Find the restaurant Lea recommended in our group."
   • "When did the landlord say the boiler would be fixed?"

• Search for a rare word from the message, not a common one.
• Numbers, names and pieces of links make good search terms.
• Media search only finds photos and files that are still on your phone.