Signal WhatsApp Chats Import

The issue with Signal that annoys me most is the complete lack of any meaningful backup/export on iOS. I lost my entire chat history when I got a new phone because their bizarre "proximity based" solution failed.

Re: Signal WhatsApp Chats Import

#6

Post by sjaak » Fri, Jan 08, 2021, 4:34 PM UTC

FreakyT wrote: post #5

The issue with Signal that annoys me most is the complete lack of any meaningful backup/export on iOS. I lost my entire chat history when I got a new phone because their bizarre "proximity based" solution failed.

Why is keeping a chat history important? I don't take notes of IRL conversation I have, they're ephemeral.

Not trolling, honestly curious :-)

Re: Signal WhatsApp Chats Import

#7

Post by amelius » Fri, Jan 08, 2021, 4:34 PM UTC

They could use Whatsapp's Web interface to extract the data (including images/videos). A browser extension or a bookmarklet could do the actual work.

Re: Signal WhatsApp Chats Import

#8

Post by FreakyT » Fri, Jan 08, 2021, 4:35 PM UTC

sjaak wrote: post #6

FreakyT wrote: post #5

The issue with Signal that annoys me most is the complete lack of any meaningful backup/export on iOS. I lost my entire chat history when I got a new phone because their bizarre "proximity based" solution failed.

Why is keeping a chat history important? I don't take notes of IRL conversation I have, they're ephemeral. Not trolling, honestly curious :-)

I see it like more like email history (I don't really delete emails either) -- if someone sent me something, I like to be able to reference it later. It's not something I do super often, but it's nice to be able to do.

Re: Signal WhatsApp Chats Import

#9

Post by elaus » Fri, Jan 08, 2021, 4:37 PM UTC

It's really annoying that WhatsApp chat export isn't available in Germany. I used to export my chats as backup and for creating fun stats for group chats with friends, but that feature got removed about a year ago.

I haven't found a way to circumvent this restriction. There were some tricks like installing a modified Russion WhatsApp APK but that risk didn't seem worth it.

Re: Signal WhatsApp Chats Import

#10

Post by prophesi » Fri, Jan 08, 2021, 4:37 PM UTC

FreakyT wrote: post #5

The issue with Signal that annoys me most is the complete lack of any meaningful backup/export on iOS. I lost my entire chat history when I got a new phone because their bizarre "proximity based" solution failed.

What went wrong with their local device transfer solution? Asking as I'm on iOS and have yet to get a new phone.