WeChat Archiving: How to Archive WeChat Messages?

According to Statista, there are currently 1.29 billion WeChat users. Not surprisingly, the launch of the WeChat Client version contributed heavily to its exponential growth. Is your organization one of the many now leveraging the app’s impressive features to communicate more easily with colleagues and customers? If so, you will need WeChat archive tools to comply with regulatory bodies.

What Is WeChat Client?

WeChat Client is a version of the popular app that you can install on PCs and Macs. It allows you to sync your WeChat account with your computer, making it easier to stay connected even when you’re away from your phone. While WeChat currently only works on iOS devices, the Client version works on both PCs and Macs. The client version also offers some additional features, such as sending messages to groups and making video calls.

How WeChat Archive Works

When you use WeChat Client, you can automatically archive WeChat history present on your device. The same is true for when you use the app on your phone. You can access your chat history at any time. The only exception is if you delete a message manually. In this case, you lose the record forever.

Consequently, deletion can pose a problem if you need to refer to a specific message or conversation but you don’t have the chat history saved on your computer or phone. Fortunately, third-party WeChat archiving solutions can help you recover your chat history.

One of the compliance concerns you might have is whether WeChat stores the data for long enough. So, how long does WeChat keep chat history when you use its built-in archiving solution? The company says that it holds all chat data for as long as the app remains on your phone and your device has adequate storage.

How To Use WeChat Archive Chat Archiving Features

Even if you decide to use a third-party service, there is no harm in also maintaining a backup via the app’s built-in features. Before you do this, however, check your storage options to ensure you have enough room for multiple backups. Here are the two available methods.

Back Up to Device

Only use encrypted devices for WeChat backups. Use the following steps for PC:

1. Open the web version of WeChat on your device.
2. Click Settings > Backup and Restore.
3. Connect your iPhone or iPad to the same WiFi network as your desktop.
4. Open the app on your device and click Back Up on PC.
5. You can either Backup All or select specific chats.

Use the following steps for a Mac:

1. Open the WeChat app on your Mac and sign in.
2. Click Settings > Chat BackUp.
3. Select the Back Up on Mac option.
4. You can either Backup All or select specific chats.

Back Up Via Chat Migration

If you want to move chats to another iPhone or iPad, ensure you have secured the device with a password. Use the following steps:

1. Open the WeChat app on your device.
2. Select Settings > General > Chat Log Migration.
3. Choose the specific chats you want to move or Select All.
4. Select Back Up.
5. Sign in to WeChat on the other device and ensure you connect it to the same WiFi network as the mobile device with the original chats.
6. When the bar code appears on your screen, scan it with the device you would like to migrate the chats onto.

How To Find a WeChat Archived Chat

So, you successfully used WeChat’s built-in solutions to archive your chat. Now, you’re wondering: where can I find archived chat in WeChat? You can access all active archived conversations in the regular chats section of the app. If you have hidden some of the archived conversations, it requires a bit more work:

1. Open your WeChat contacts.
2. Tap on the contact name of the person whose chat you believe is hidden.
3. Send a message to prompt the recovery of the entire conversation.

Why Use Third-Party WeChat Archive Tools

When using WeChat, people might accidentally delete chats or do so deliberately to cover their tracks. Whatever the reason, it could create compliance issues for your company or make it difficult to investigate complaints or suspicious activities. Third-party archiving solutions provide retention tools that allow the administrator to set retention policies that are tailored to legal compliance and business governance needs.

• It backs up your chats automatically to the cloud, so you don’t have to worry about doing this.
• Archived chats are searchable, so you can use specific keywords to track conversations related to a particular transaction or customer.
• It exports your chats as PDFs, so you can print them out, keep them electronically, review them, or share them as evidence.
• It archives all your conversations, not just the ones you want to focus on for financial compliance.
• Failing to back up chats correctly could cost financial entities millions of dollars in fines, so an automated solution is ideal.

At LeapXpert, we automate the entire capturing and archiving process. Our trusted cloud service integrations also make it easy to access the data anywhere, or alternatively, our on-premise solution provides a highly-controlled environment if required. Book your demo to get started.