Wondering how to read encrypted WhatsApp messages? End-to-end encryption is one of the reasons why this messaging app is so popular. In this digital age, the security and privacy of information have become a considerable concern. To ensure full security for the people, WhatsApp has introduced end-to-end encryption. This feature shows that all your messages and conversations with others are fully secured and encrypted.
Sometimes, you might need to access and keep an eye on encrypted messages! I’ll explain how to achieve this below.
What is Encryption?
Encryption is the process of converting personal or prioritized information into code so that it can’t be accessed by everyone. Only authorized people who have the unique digital key can unlock it. Through WhatsApp end-to-end encryption, only you and the receiver can read your messages. However, if you face an unidentified issue where you cannot read encrypted messages, this article will address how to read encrypted WhatsApp messages.
Encryption has been in use for decades but was only employed by governments or militaries. Today, it’s a necessity to keep your information and financial transactions private.
Why Do Individuals and Businesses Need Encryption?
- It protects confidential information and prevents it from falling into the hands of hackers
- It ensures authenticity in the origin of the message
- It guarantees integrity so that no one can tamper with the contents of the message.
WhatsApp messages are end-to-end encrypted to ensure only the sender and receiver can access them. Governmental authorities, agencies, cyber companies, and hackers cannot access your encrypted messages through WhatsApp encryption. It reflects that only the sender and receiver of the particular message can read and access it. This encryption uses an algorithm through which the message remains in its original state on the host and receiver’s devices. Due to this security protocol, not even WhatsApp can reach encrypted messages.
Moreover, WhatsApp end-to-end encryption automatically works as a default function. So, any WhatsApp user can utilize this feature to ensure complete security and safety of their information.
How To Read Encrypted WhatsApp Messages?
There are a few ways to read encrypted WhatsApp messages:
1. Use WhatsApp Web
To read encrypted WhatsApp messages on a PC, follow these steps:
- Go to WhatsApp Web.
- Open the app on your phone.
- Tap on the three vertical dots on the top right of your screen.
- Go to Linked Devices > Link a device.
- Scan the QR on the laptop using your phone.
Once you’re logged in, you can read all your encrypted WhatsApp messages here. Use the search bar to look for specific chats, or scroll down. Moreover, WhatsApp has recently launched a Beta version through which you can access all the encrypted messages on WhatsApp Web without an internet connection connected to your phone. Therefore, you don’t need to be online on WhatsApp from your phone and can still use WhatsApp Web easily. So, even if your smartphone has not been connected to an internet connection, you can still read all the encrypted messages on WhatsApp Web.
2. Try AirDroid Parental Control
You can use third-party monitoring tools to read your children’s encrypted WhatsApp messages.
- Download and install AirDroid Parental Control on your phone first.
- Open the app, go to the sign-up page, create an account, and log in.
- Next, download AirDroid Kids on the other phone whose messages you want to read.
- Pair the devices with the generated code on the main parental control app.
- Set up the settings as necessary and you’ll be ready!
You can keep a close eye on their location, received and sent WhatsApp media, and detect harmful content.
3. Retrieve Deleted WhatsApp Messages
If you want to read deleted encrypted messages, you can use a third-party app called Wondershare Mobile Trans. MobileTrans cannot only back up WhatsApp messages but can also recover photos, videos, contacts, and other files. After retrieving your encrypted messages from this tool, you can comfortably read them without interruption.
- Connect your phone with your PC.
- Click on Backup and Restore > Deleted WhatsApp Data Restore > Restore on PC.
- Open WhatsApp from your phone and go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup and disable the auto-backup option.
- Tap on Restore.
- Install WhatsApp on your phone again and give access to photos, contacts, and files.
- Log into WhatsApp and click on Next to restore all backup files.
4. Read Encrypted WhatsApp Messages via PC
You can read your encrypted WhatsApp messages by decrypting them on a PC in this method. The only condition for this method is to have a rooted Android device. Follow the below instructions to perform the steps instantly:
- To start, go to your mobile’s “”File Manage”” internal memory and click on “”WhatsApp.”” Tap on “”Database”” and locate the backup file of your WhatsApp messages, mgstore.db.cryt14.
- Now, find the Key file that will include the decryption key for the decryption purposes of the encrypted file. The destination for the Key file is “/data/data/com.whatsapp/files/key.” Once done, attach your phone to your computer and copy the database file called mgstore.db.cryt14 along with the Key file.
- Install WhatsApp Viewer on your system and open its main interface. Go to the “File” button and select “Decrypt.crypt14.”
- A small window will pop up where you have to upload your database and Key file. Tap on the “Three-dot” icon and upload the database and Key file. Once done, tap on the “OK” button to initiate the decrypt process of the database file.
- Once the decryption is completed, you will receive a notification saying, “”Database decrypted to file mgstore.decrypted.db.” You can find the “msgstore.decrypted.db”” file in the same folder where you have saved the database and Key file.
- Head back to the WhatsApp Viewer, go to the “”File”” button, and tap on “Open.”” Now click on the “”Three-dot”” icon to upload the “mgstore.decrypted.db” file. Once imported, tap on the “OK” button.
- On your screen, you can choose the phone number from the left side and can explore the chats on the right side. You can also export this file in various formats such as Text, JSON, and HTML.
Why Are WhatsApp Messages Encrypted?
Messages on WhatsApp are encrypted to ensure privacy and security so that your data doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. WhatsApp encrypts photos, videos, calls, messages, documents, and stories so that they’re not misused by hackers or cyber criminals. Security of the user’s data has always been a concern for all tech giant companies. One such most widely used platform is WhatsApp, which has over a billion users. To ensure the privacy and safety of the data of billions of users, WhatsApp relies on its end-to-end encryption feature.
Without message encryption, there’s a chance that your ISP could access your data. You’d also lose all your private information (including sensitive images or confidential documents) in case of a data breach.
Additionally, your encrypted calls or messages aren’t available to governments to prevent privacy violations.
Frequently Asked Questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is WhatsApp 100% encrypted? | Yes, messages and calls on WhatsApp are 100% encrypted. Nobody else, including your ISP or the WhatsApp platform, can access your messages. Moreover, you can also encrypt your backup files so that even Google Drive can’t access them. |
| How do I find my 64-digit encryption key? | To find your 64-digit encryption key, you can go to Settings > Chats > Chat backup > End-to-end encrypted backup and turn it on. Next, create your 64-digit encryption key by clicking on Generate > Continue. Make sure to save it by copying it or taking a screenshot. |
| Can WhatsApp encryption be cracked? | No, not if your WhatsApp chat backups are encrypted too. However, someone with physical access to your phone will be able to see your messages. |
| How do I retrieve end-to-end encryption on WhatsApp? | You can’t retrieve your encryption key if it’s lost. However, you can check your backups. You can also try to reset the key by clicking on Settings > Chat > Chat backup > End-to-end encrypted backup > Turn off. Click on I forgot my password and verify your identity with device biometrics or PIN. You can also try to contact WhatsApp Help. |
The Final Thought
Data security and safety should be the highest priority of every platform and tech company. WhatsApp end-to-end encryption is a great initiative to tackle security and privacy concerns. This encryption has enabled users to comfortably send and receive their messages without worrying about security issues. This article has shed light on how to read encrypted WhatsApp messages from different methods for users’ convenience. Also, we have suggested an excellent tool to recover and read your deleted WhatsApp data effortlessly. Understanding how to navigate the encryption features can be crucial, especially in scenarios where access is needed for safety or other reasons. Remember, respecting privacy while ensuring security is key in today’s digital interactions. For more info on how to read encrypted WhatsApp messages, feel free to read the rest of the guide.