How to Read Encrypted WhatsApp Messages-4 Proven Ways

You might have seen the ‘this chat is end-to-end encrypted’ message on WhatsApp when you start a new chat with any of your contacts. End-to-end encryption means that only the participants of the chat can read the chat (not even WhatsApp), but what if you want to read your spouse’s or kids’ WhatsApp conversations in case of suspicious activity? How to read encrypted messages in WhatsApp?

This article tells you all about it. Read till the end to know how to read encrypted WhatsApp messages when you do not have physical access to the target phone. We’ve also shared an easy guide on enabling or disabling end-to-end encryption.

Part 1. How to Read Encrypted WhatsApp Messages-4 Proven Ways

Reading someone’s WhatsApp messages can be challenging, especially when they are end-to-end encrypted, making it incredibly hard to see their conversations. However, you can do so with WhatsApp Web, Google Drive backup, encrypted databases, and monitoring apps like Msafely. Select the method that suits your needs and preference the best and read encrypted WhatsApp messages effortlessly.

Way 1. Use a monitoring app-Msafely (Best for parents & beginners)

A parental control or monitoring app like Msafely can be the best choice for parents and people who do not want a solution that requires intense technical knowledge. Using Msafely is incredibly simple; just create an account, connect it to the target phone, and start monitoring the apps you want to, including WhatsApp.

With Msafely, you can:

Track WhatsApp chats of the target phone including private and group messages.
See photos, videos, messages, and docs shared via WhatsApp.
Track WhatsApp calls, contact list, keystrokes and locations.
Monitor WhatsApp activity without jailbreaking the phone.

WhatsApp chats monitoring feature demo of Msafely.

Other than WhatsApp, you can also monitor:

General features:

SMS, Call logs, Contacts, Photos & videos, Browsing history, Email, Notes, Reminders, Calendar

Social media apps:

Instagram, LINE, Snapchat, Facebook, Discord, Telegram, TikTok, Tinder, Kik , Viber, WeChat, Skype

How to read encrypted WhatsApp messages via Msafely:

If you’re wondering how you can use Msafely to monitor your child’s online activity remotely, it’s a straightforward 4-step process:

Step 1. Go to Msafely’s official website and register a free account.

Step 2. Choose the type of target device: iPhone or Android.

Step 3. Select a subscription plan and connect the target phone to your Msafely account.

Step 4. Go to the Msafely Control Panel on your device and monitor WhatsApp remotely.

Requirements:

You need to connect the target device to your Msafely account.

Limitations:

It's not a free method.

Way 2. WhatsApp Web (Temporary access option)

WhatsApp Web is a simple yet slightly risky way to read someone’s encrypted WhatsApp messages. You can easily see their messages on your device without requiring their cloud credentials, but you may not be able to do this for long as it is not very discreet. WhatsApp Web enables you to view the messages in real time as sent or received on the connected device.

The best part is that now you do not even need an active internet connection on the phone to receive new messages. You can receive and read new messages on WhatsApp Web, even if the connected mobile phone is not connected to the internet.

How to read encrypted messages on WhatsApp through WhatsApp Web:

Step 1. Open WhatsApp web on your device (computer or laptop) by visiting WhatsApp Web.

Step 2. Click on the WhatsApp app icon on the target phone.

Step 3. Open the menu (three dots in the top right corner) or Settings and select Linked Devices.

Step 4. Tap Link a Device and scan the QR code (on the computer screen) with your phone’s camera.

You also need the following;

A device with an internet browser (like your phone, tablet, or computer).
The target phone must have WhatsApp installed and set up.

This simple process will connect your partner or child’s phone to your laptop and you can see their messages on WhatsApp Web anytime. However, they can unlink their WhatsApp account when they get to know that it is connected to a device they have not connected it to.

Requirements:

You need physical access to the phone.

Limitations:

They can unlink the connected device any time from their phone.

Way 3. Restore WhatsApp backup from Google Drive or iCloud

Did you know that WhatsApp allows users to back up their WhatsApp conversations, including media, on your Google Drive or iCloud?

This backup comes handy when you want to upgrade your phone and want to keep all the data secured. However, you can also leverage WhatsApp backup to see your children’s messages in case you see them behaving strangely. Whether they use an Android phone or an iPhone, you can find backup on all devices, making it possible to view previous messages that they might have deleted as well.

How to read encrypted text messages on Android via Google backup:

Step 1. Delete WhatsApp from the target phone and reinstall it on the same phone or your phone.

Step 2. Open it and verify the phone number.

Step 3. WhatsApp will ask you if you want to restore backup (if it exists). Click Restore.

Step 4. After some time, you’ll see the data restored on WhatsApp; open the conversations you want to view and you’ll see all the backed up messages and media.

How to read encrypted WhatsApp messages on iPhone via iCloud backup:

Step 1. Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp you want to restore the data of.

Step 2. Open WhatsApp and verify the phone number.

Step 3. Click Restore Chat History when it appears on the phone. The chat, along with the media, will be restored in some time.

Requirements:

You need physical access to the phone or cloud credentials.

Limitations:

The messages you can see depend on when the latest backup was.
You can backup old data on a device using the same phone number and Gmail attached to the target WhatsApp account.
The backup might delete the latest data.

Way 4. Access encrypted databases (Advanced users only)

The last method to read someone else’s WhatsApp messages is slightly more technical and complicated compared to other methods. To read messages by accessing encrypted databases, you need to connect third-party apps to the target phone to access the encrypted files. While it is excellent for accessing encrypted databases on your child’s phone, it requires jailbreaking or rooting your phone.

How to read encrypted text messages on WhatsApp through databases:

Step 1. Go to File Manager on the target phone and find backup files for WhatsApp in the WhatsApp folder.

Step 2. Click Databases in the folder.

Step 3. Connect your phone to your device (computer/ laptop) via a cable.

Step 4. Select Files in the Databases folder and look for the file named Key and copy it on your computer.

Step 5. Visit the Databases folder and copy msgstore.db.cryptX to the same folder where you copied the Key file on the computer.

Step 6. Launch the WhatsApp Viewer app on the computer.

Step 7. Select the File menu and choose Decrypt.crypt12.

Step 8. Next, load the copied files and click OK.

Step 9. Once the decryption is completed, you will find a file named msgstore.decrypted.db in the folder.

Step 10. Import the new file through the File Menu and select the contact from the right panel. You’ll see the chats on the left panel.

Requirements:

You need physical access to the target phone.

Limitations:

You cannot access encrypted databases without jailbreaking or rooting the phone.

Part 2. Which is the Best Way to Read Encrypted WhatsApp Messages

Factors	Msafely	WhatsApp Web	Google Drive/ iCloud backup	Accessing encrypted databases
Ease of use	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐
Visibility	Hidden	Visible	Visible	Hidden
Real-time message tracking	✅	✅	❌	❌
Remote access	✅	✅	❌	❌
Setup time	2 mins	4 mins	10 mins	Time-consuming
Technical skill	Low	Medium	Medium-high	High

While WhatsApp Web connects the target WhatsApp account to your device within a few minutes, it can be easily identified and the other person can disconnect their phone immediately. On the other hand, restoring backup and accessing encrypted databases can be complicated. Msafely is the best choice when you want to read someone’s encrypted WhatsApp messages. It gives you remote access to the target phone, including numerous apps such as WhatsApp, Instagram, LINE, Snapchat, and more.

Part 3. Bonus: Enable or Disable WhatsApp Encryption Settings

WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption is excellent for user privacy to ensure that no one can read your messages. However, there might be situations when you want to turn off encryption. Follow these simple steps to enable or disable WhatsApp encryption settings:

Step 1. Open the WhatsApp app on your mobile.

Step 2. Click the three dots in the top right corner or tap Settings within the app.

Step 3. Select Account in Settings and click Privacy.

Step 4. Now, look for Security or Encryption and toggle the switch to enable or disable end-to-end encryption.

Part 4. Summary

Reading encrypted WhatsApp messages is no hassle with parental control apps like Msafely that gives you detailed insights into the target phone remotely. You can also use other methods like WhatsApp Web, restoring Google Drive or iCloud data, and accessing encrypted databases. While these methods are helpful, they are not too discreet or simple. Accessing encrypted databases can be quite complicated and time-consuming, whereas restoring cloud data may overwrite conversations. So, if you are looking for a straightforward method to read someone else's WhatsApp messages, a parental control app like Msafely is the best option. Connect the app to the target phone and monitor WhatsApp messages, along with numerous other apps and social media.

Part 5. FAQs

Q1. How do I open an encrypted chat on WhatsApp?

You cannot read anyone’s encrypted WhatsApp chat until you have access to the phone or remotely monitor the other person’s WhatsApp. You can view WhatsApp chats by accessing encrypted databases.

Q2. How do I see end-to-end encrypted messages?

The best way to see end-to-end encrypted messages on WhatsApp is using a parental control app like Msafely. Msafely enables you to see the other person’s WhatsApp messages remotely.

Q3. How to read hidden chats on WhatsApp?

Users can lock their chats on WhatsApp with fingerprint, face, or PIN to secure their data from privacy invasion. To view locked chats on WhatsApp, go to the Chats tab and scroll down to tap Locked Chats to view hidden messages.

Q4. How can I read WhatsApp messages without being detected?

Restoring WhatsApp backup from Google Drive or iCloud backup makes it possible to view someone’s WhatsApp messages without being detected if the backup was done recently. At the same time, you can use a parental control app like Msafely to read your child’s messages remotely.

Q5. How to recover deleted WhatsApp messages?

If you've accidentally deleted WhatsApp messages that you need to recover, the best way is to restore them from an iCloud or Google Drive backup. This will restore all messages and media stored in the backup.

Q6. How to see WhatsApp messages that someone deleted?

If you want to read someone’s deleted WhatsApp messages, you can check their notification history, restore a backup from Google Drive or iCloud, or use Msafely.