WhatsApp Msgstore Viewer: How to Install on Windows and View Android Message and Call Logs
Want to view your WhatsApp messages and call history on a desktop computer? The open-source WhatsApp Msgstore Viewer project allows you to examine a compatible WhatsApp message database, view contact and group chats, inspect supported call-log records, and access associated media files.
In this detailed guide, you will learn how to install the application on Windows 10 or Windows 11, connect your Android phone, locate and copy your own WhatsApp backup, and load the required files into the viewer.
Important: This is a backup-analysis workflow, not a tool for secretly monitoring any Android phone. You must have authorization to access the device and its data. Connecting a phone does not automatically provide access to its private WhatsApp database.
- What Is WhatsApp Msgstore Viewer?
- Features and Capabilities
- What This Tool Cannot Do
- Requirements
- Step 1 — Install Python
- Step 2 — Install Git
- Step 3 — Download the GitHub Repository
- Step 4 — Install Dependencies
- Step 5 — Launch the Application
- Step 6 — Prepare Your Android Phone
- Step 7 — Copy WhatsApp Backup Files
- Step 8 — Load the Database into the Viewer
- Understanding Encrypted Backups and Keys
- Viewing WhatsApp Call-Log Records
- Viewing WhatsApp Media Files
- Common Errors and Solutions
- Security and Privacy Considerations
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
What Is WhatsApp Msgstore Viewer?
WhatsApp Msgstore Viewer is a free, open-source, cross-platform application developed to decrypt, read, and display compatible WhatsApp msgstore.db databases.
WhatsApp maintains message databases that can contain information about conversations, messages, group chats, timestamps, and other associated records. Depending on the database version and the application's support, some call-log information may also be available.
The viewer provides a desktop interface for examining this data instead of requiring you to manually query a database using SQL.
You can find the original source code and installation instructions here:
Official repository: github.com/absadiki/whatsapp-msgstore-viewer
Features and Capabilities
The repository documents several useful features for examining compatible WhatsApp databases.
✓ View individual contact conversations.
✓ Examine group chats.
✓ View supported WhatsApp call-log records and their durations.
✓ Decrypt supported encrypted database formats when the required key is available.
✓ Display contact names when the optional contact database is supplied.
✓ Access associated images, audio, and video when the relevant WhatsApp directory is provided.
✓ Run the application on supported Windows, Linux, and macOS environments.
The actual information displayed depends on the database you provide, the available key, the application's database-schema support, and the records retained in that backup.
What This Tool Cannot Do
Before installing the software, it is important to understand its limitations.
| Expectation | What actually happens |
|---|---|
| Connect any Android phone and automatically read all chats | A connection alone does not grant access to WhatsApp's private database. You need an accessible, authorized database or backup. |
| Read every encrypted backup without a key | Encrypted databases require the appropriate decryption key and compatible decryption support. |
| Monitor WhatsApp messages in real time | The viewer is intended for database analysis, not live message interception. |
| Retrieve every deleted message | Deleted or missing information cannot be guaranteed to be recoverable from a backup. |
| Read ordinary mobile-network call history | The tool is designed for WhatsApp database records, not the Android phone's general cellular call history. |
| Access every WhatsApp version and database schema | Compatibility depends on the format and schema supported by the current project version. |
Requirements
You do not need to install a separate database server or configure Docker for the standard installation described here.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 10 or Windows 11 |
| Python | Python 3.9 or later, according to the repository README |
| Git | Required for the clone-based installation method |
| Internet connection | Required to download the source code and dependencies |
| Android phone | A device you own or are authorized to examine |
| WhatsApp database | An accessible msgstore.db or encrypted msgstore.db.cryptX file |
| Decryption key | Required when the supplied database is encrypted |
| Storage | Enough space for the application, database, and any media files |
Step 1 — Install the Compatible Python Version
The WhatsApp Msgstore Viewer repository depends on Kivy, a Python framework used to build desktop applications. Newer Python versions may not work with all the project's dependencies.
1 Install Python 3.11 (64-bit)
If you have Python 3.15 installed and encounter the Kivy dependency error, try Python 3.11 (64-bit) in a separate environment. This is a compatibility workaround, not a guaranteed fix for every dependency configuration.
Open PowerShell and run:
winget install --id Python.Python.3.11 -eWait for the installation to finish. Close and reopen PowerShell, then verify the installation:
py -3.11 --versionThe command should display Python 3.11.x. If Python 3.11 is not found, check the installation before continuing.
Step 2 — Install Git
Git allows you to download the repository directly from GitHub and makes it easier to update the source code later.
2 Install Git
Download Git for Windows from its official website:
Run the installer and keep the standard options unless you have a specific configuration preference.
Open a new PowerShell window and verify the installation:
git --versionIf Git displays its installed version, you are ready to download the project.
Step 3 — Download the GitHub Repository
Now download the official source code of WhatsApp Msgstore Viewer.
3 Open PowerShell
Open the Start menu, search for PowerShell, and launch it as your normal user. Administrator access is not ordinarily required for these commands.
Move to your Documents folder:
cd $HOME\DocumentsClone the repository:
git clone https://github.com/absadiki/whatsapp-msgstore-viewer.gitEnter the project directory:
cd whatsapp-msgstore-viewerThe repository's files should now be available in your Documents folder.
To confirm that the project files are present, run:
Get-ChildItem
You should see project files and directories, including main.py, pyproject.toml, and requirements.txt.
Step 4 — Install Dependencies and Fix Kivy Errors
The repository uses Kivy for its graphical interface. During installation, you may encounter an error involving kivy_deps.gstreamer_dev~=0.3.3. This can occur when the required dependency cannot be resolved for the current Python environment or package configuration.
4 Open the Project Directory
Open PowerShell and navigate to the repository:
cd "$HOME\Documents\whatsapp-msgstore-viewer"Create a Clean Python 3.11 Environment
Use a separate virtual environment instead of reusing the environment created with Python 3.15.
py -3.11 -m venv .venv311Upgrade the installation tools:
.\.venv311\Scripts\python.exe -m pip install --upgrade pip setuptools wheelInstall the Repository
Run the following command to install the project and its declared dependencies:
.\.venv311\Scripts\python.exe -m pip install -e .Wait for the installation to complete. Do not launch the application until the command finishes successfully.
.venv311 avoids reusing packages installed under Python 3.15.
pyproject.toml, the Kivy dependency configuration, and the project's current issues before changing package versions.
Step 5 — Launch WhatsApp Msgstore Viewer
After the installation completes successfully, launch the application using the executable created inside the virtual environment.
5 Start the Application
Run this command from the project directory:
.\.venv311\Scripts\wmv.exeIf the installation succeeded and the application starts correctly, its graphical interface should open.
wmv.exe does not exist, the package installation may not have completed successfully or the executable entry point may not have been created. Resolve the installation error before attempting to launch the application again.
Step 6 — Prepare Your Android Phone
The next step is to obtain a copy of a WhatsApp database that you are authorized to examine. The viewer does not automatically extract private application data merely because a phone is connected.
6 Check WhatsApp's backup settings
Open WhatsApp on your Android phone and review its chat backup settings. Create or update a backup if you need a recent copy of your own chats.
Before making changes, make sure you understand which backup method you are using and how its encryption is configured.
Locate the local WhatsApp directory
On many Android installations, local WhatsApp files may be found in a location similar to:
Internal storage/
└── Android/
└── media/
└── com.whatsapp/
└── WhatsApp/
├── Databases/
└── Media/
The Databases directory may contain local backup files, while the Media directory can contain associated photos, videos, audio, and other attachments.
The exact path and available files can vary with the WhatsApp version, Android version, app variant, and backup configuration.
Step 7 — Copy the WhatsApp Backup to Your PC
After locating your own accessible backup, copy it to your desktop computer. Working on a separate copy helps protect the original data.
7 Connect your Android phone
Connect your phone to Windows with a USB data cable, unlock the device, and choose File transfer if prompted.
Open File Explorer and look for your phone under This PC. Browse its accessible internal storage and locate the WhatsApp database directory.
Copy the relevant files
Depending on the backup type, you may find files such as:
msgstore.db
msgstore.db.crypt12
msgstore.db.crypt14
msgstore.db.crypt15These names are examples of database formats, not a guarantee that every phone will contain all of them.
Create a separate working folder on Windows, for example:
mkdir "$HOME\Documents\WhatsApp-Analysis"Copy the database file you intend to examine into that folder. If you also want to view associated media, copy the corresponding WhatsApp media directory when it is accessible and necessary.
Keep the original backup unchanged. Do not delete files from the phone simply to make this workflow work.
Understanding Encrypted Backups and Decryption Keys
A database ending in .crypt12, .crypt14, or .crypt15 is encrypted. It cannot generally be opened as an ordinary SQLite database until it has been decrypted successfully.
The WhatsApp Msgstore Viewer README documents support for decrypting certain encrypted formats when the required decryption key is available. The repository uses a separate decryption component under the hood.
| File type | What it means |
|---|---|
msgstore.db |
An unencrypted database may be readable directly, provided its schema is supported. |
msgstore.db.crypt12 |
An encrypted database that requires compatible decryption support and the appropriate key. |
msgstore.db.crypt14 |
An encrypted database that requires compatible decryption support and the appropriate key. |
msgstore.db.crypt15 |
An encrypted database that requires compatible decryption support and the appropriate key. |
What if you do not have the key?
Do not assume that the encrypted backup alone is sufficient. The decryption key must correspond to the relevant database and encryption method.
If this is your own WhatsApp account, use the legitimate backup and recovery options available to you. For an end-to-end encrypted backup, follow WhatsApp's supported recovery process and preserve the credentials or key that you configured.
A backup password, a 64-digit backup encryption key, and an application's internal database key are not necessarily interchangeable. Their roles depend on the backup and encryption method.
This guide does not require extracting private keys from another person's phone, bypassing device protections, or defeating WhatsApp account security.
Step 8 — Load the Database into the Viewer
Once you have an accessible database and, where required, the correct decryption key, use the viewer's interface to load the files.
8 Select the database
Open WhatsApp Msgstore Viewer and follow the file-selection controls shown by the installed version.
Select the appropriate msgstore.db file or encrypted database supported by the application. If the interface requests a key for an encrypted database, supply only the appropriate key that you are authorized to use.
Optionally provide the contacts database
The project documentation describes wa.db as an optional contacts database. Supplying a compatible contacts database can help display contact names instead of only phone numbers.
If you do not have this file, the viewer may still be able to show conversations, but names might not be available.
Optionally provide the WhatsApp directory
The application can use the local WhatsApp directory to locate media associated with messages. Provide the appropriate directory if you want to access supported images, audio, or video files.
Follow the controls and prompts in your installed version. The exact screen layout may differ between releases.
Viewing WhatsApp Call-Log Records
One of the features listed in the repository is the ability to view WhatsApp call-log records and their durations.
If your supplied database contains the relevant records and the installed viewer supports that database schema, you may be able to inspect information associated with WhatsApp calls.
However, the availability of records is not guaranteed. Results depend on the backup, the database version, and which records were retained.
This feature should not be confused with accessing the complete call history of an Android phone. Ordinary cellular calls, calls made through other applications, and information absent from the supplied WhatsApp database are outside the scope of this viewer.
Viewing WhatsApp Photos, Videos, and Audio
The repository also documents access to media files from within conversations when the corresponding local WhatsApp directory has been provided.
For example, a compatible database may contain references to images or audio files associated with messages. The viewer may be able to use those references to locate the corresponding media.
For this feature to work, you may need both:
✓ The appropriate message database.
✓ The corresponding WhatsApp media directory.
✓ A compatible database schema and valid file references.
A database copy without its associated media may still display messages, but some attachments might be missing or unavailable.
Common Errors and Solutions
1. 'python' is not recognized
Python may not be installed correctly or may not be available through PATH. Verify the installation, reopen PowerShell, and run python --version again.
2. 'git' is not recognized
Install Git for Windows, reopen the terminal, and verify the installation using git --version.
3. The command 'wmv' is not recognized
Check that the package installation completed successfully and that you are using the correct virtual environment. From the project directory, try:
.\.venv\Scripts\wmv.exeIf the executable is missing, inspect the installation output and the project's packaging configuration.
4. PowerShell blocks virtual-environment activation
You can run the environment's Python executable directly instead of changing PowerShell's execution policy:
.\.venv\Scripts\python.exe -m pip install -e .
.\.venv\Scripts\wmv.exe5. The database cannot be decrypted
Check that the file is the expected backup, the decryption key is correct for that backup, and the relevant encryption format is supported. Do not repeatedly modify the original file.
The repository points to its underlying decryption component for additional troubleshooting: WhatsApp-Crypt14-Crypt15-Decrypter.
6. The viewer opens but displays an unsupported database error
WhatsApp can change its database schema over time. The repository's maintainer explicitly notes that the application may break when the schema changes.
Check the project's latest documentation and open issues before attempting a schema-specific workaround.
7. Contact names are missing
The optional contacts database may not have been supplied, or it may not match the database you are examining. Without a usable contacts database, the application may display phone numbers instead of names.
8. Images or audio files are missing
Verify that you supplied the appropriate WhatsApp media directory and that the referenced files still exist. A database alone does not guarantee that every attachment is available.
9. Messages display as square characters
The repository notes that this can be a font problem, particularly for languages not supported by the selected font. Check the application's advanced settings and select an appropriate font if that option is available.
10. Kivy installation fails with kivy_deps.gstreamer_dev~=0.3.3
This error means that pip could not find a compatible distribution for the required GStreamer development dependency while preparing Kivy's build environment.
First, verify that you are using Python 3.11:
py -3.11 --versionCreate a clean environment using Python 3.11:
py -3.11 -m venv .venv311Then retry the installation:
.\.venv311\Scripts\python.exe -m pip install --upgrade pip setuptools wheel
.\.venv311\Scripts\python.exe -m pip install -e .If the same dependency error appears, inspect the Kivy build requirements and the repository's packaging configuration. A different Python version may not solve an unavailable or incompatible pinned dependency.
11. The wmv command is not recognized
The wmv command is created during a successful package installation. If installation fails, the command may not exist.
After a successful installation, try launching the executable directly:
.\.venv311\Scripts\wmv.exeIf the executable is missing, review the installation output and verify the project's configured command-line entry point.
12. PowerShell reports UnauthorizedAccess when activating the environment
You can avoid activating the environment altogether. Run Python through its full executable path:
.\.venv311\Scripts\python.exe -m pip install -e .
.\.venv311\Scripts\wmv.exeThis approach avoids changing PowerShell's script execution policy just to run the project's Python commands.
Security and Privacy Considerations
WhatsApp databases can contain highly sensitive personal information. Treat them as confidential files.
✓ Analyze only devices and data you own or are authorized to examine.
✓ Keep a separate working copy of the original backup.
✓ Store decryption keys securely and never publish them.
✓ Avoid uploading private databases to unknown online viewers.
✓ Limit access to the folder containing messages, contacts, and media.
✓ Remove temporary copies securely when they are no longer needed.
The project is open source and licensed under GPL version 3 or later, according to its repository. Open-source availability does not guarantee that every release is free of bugs or that every database version will work.
For the most reliable information about installation, supported formats, and known issues, consult the original project: WhatsApp Msgstore Viewer on GitHub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is WhatsApp Msgstore Viewer free?
Yes. The project is open source and published under GPL version 3 or later. Your computer, storage, and any other services you use may still have associated costs.
Can I install it directly on Windows 11?
The repository documents a Python-based installation using Git, pip install -e ., and the wmv command. Windows compatibility should be verified with the current project version and dependencies.
Can I connect any Android phone and read its WhatsApp messages?
No. Connecting a phone does not automatically grant access to its private WhatsApp database. You need an accessible backup or database and the appropriate authorization and decryption credentials.
Can I use it without rooting my Android phone?
You may be able to copy an accessible local backup through ordinary file transfer without rooting. However, this does not guarantee that every database or encryption configuration will be accessible or decryptable.
Can it display WhatsApp call logs?
The repository lists support for viewing call-log records with durations. The records displayed depend on the supplied database and the schema supported by the application.
Can it read messages without the encryption key?
An encrypted database generally requires the appropriate key and compatible decryption support. The viewer cannot be assumed to decrypt every backup without credentials.
Can it recover permanently deleted WhatsApp messages?
Not necessarily. Recovery depends on whether the information remains in an available backup or database. The application cannot guarantee recovery of deleted messages.
Does it monitor new messages automatically?
No. It is a database viewer, not a live WhatsApp monitoring service. A new backup would need to be obtained and analyzed separately if you want to examine more recent data.
Where can I report installation problems?
Check the repository's README and existing issues. If you report a problem, include the relevant error message and software versions, but do not publish private conversations, encryption keys, or personal data.
Conclusion
WhatsApp Msgstore Viewer provides an open-source way to examine compatible WhatsApp message databases on a desktop computer. With Python, Git, and the project's installation commands, you can set up the application on Windows and prepare it to analyze an authorized backup.
The most important part of the process is obtaining the correct database and, when necessary, the appropriate decryption key. Contact databases and media directories can provide additional context, while support for call-log records depends on the data available in the backup.
Start with the official source code: Download WhatsApp Msgstore Viewer from GitHub.
Final reminder: This application is intended for personal and educational use. Use it responsibly, protect sensitive information, and only analyze WhatsApp data you are authorized to access.
Disclaimer: This article is an independent educational guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or certified by WhatsApp. Installation commands, database formats, and application compatibility may change. Refer to the official repository for current instructions.