Export Telegram Chat History: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Exporting Telegram Chat History: A Step-by-Step Guide

Exporting your Telegram chat history is a crucial step in preserving your conversations, whether for personal, legal, or archival purposes. Here’s a detailed guide on how to do it efficiently.

Preparing for Export

To export your Telegram chat history, you need to use the Telegram Desktop app, as this feature is not available on the mobile app.

1. Download and Install Telegram Desktop: Ensure you have the latest version of the Telegram Desktop app installed on your computer. You can download it from the official Telegram website.
2. Log In: Open the Telegram Desktop app and log in to your Telegram account using the one-time code sent to the Telegram app on your mobile.

Exporting Individual Chats

If you want to export the history of a specific chat, follow these steps:

1. Open the Chat: In the Telegram Desktop app, open the chat you want to export.
2. Access Export Option: Click on the three-dot icon at the top of the chat window and select “Export chat history” from the menu.
3. Customize Export Settings: In the chat export settings pop-up window, select the items you want to export, such as text messages, photos, videos, voice messages, and files. You can also set a size limit for files and choose the start and end dates for the export.
4. Choose Export Location: Click on the address label next to the “Path” to change the location where the exported files will be saved. By default, it will be saved in the “Telegram Desktop” folder in your PC’s “Downloads” folder.
5. Export: Click on the “Export” button to start the export process. This may take some time depending on the size of the chat.

Exporting All Telegram Chats

To export your entire Telegram data, including all chats, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings: Click on the three-bar icon at the top of the Telegram Desktop app and select “Settings” from the menu.
2. Navigate to Export Option: Scroll down to the “Privacy and Security” option and select “Export Telegram Data”.
3. Select Data to Export: Choose the categories you want to export, such as account information, personal chats, channels, video messages, photos, and files. Select the desired items by checking the corresponding boxes.
4. Customize Export Settings: Set the maximum size limit for individual files using the “Size limit” slider. You can also change the download path and format for the exported files (HTML or JSON).
5. Export: Click on the “Export” button to start the export process. The exported files will be saved in the specified location.

Choosing the Right Format

When exporting your chat history, you have the option to choose between HTML and JSON formats:

• HTML Format: This format is human-readable and allows you to access the chat history through your browser. It includes time information, linked media, and other elements, making it easier to navigate.
• JSON Format: This format is machine-readable and is useful for developers or if you need to process the data further.

Viewing and Finding Exported Data

Once you have exported your data:

1. Access Exported Data: Click on the “View Data” button to access the download folder and any subfolders.
2. Search Data: Double-click on the “export_results.html” file in your browser to view the exported data. You can use the keyword search to find specific conversations.

Additional Tips

• Selective Backup: Telegram allows you to selectively back up specific data types, such as text messages, voice messages, photos, and files. This helps in managing storage efficiently and ensures that only pertinent data is stored.
• Using Third-Party Tools: There are third-party extensions, like the “Save Telegram Chat History” extension for Chrome, which can help in archiving conversations in multiple formats, including PDF and text.
• Printing Chat History: You can print your chat history for a tangible record. This is particularly useful for maintaining physical records of important conversations.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your Telegram chat history is safely backed up and accessible whenever you need it.