Export your WhatsApp chat as a .zip, optionally include voice notes, then generate a clean summary, decisions, action items, and open questions in minutes.
Nov 6, 20259 min read
Summarizing a long WhatsApp thread is painful if you copy and paste snippets. The faster, cleaner workflow is to export the chat, include voice notes if they matter, and let an AI recap tool build a structured result.
The fastest workflow
Export the chat as a WhatsApp .zip.
Upload it to an AI recap tool that understands WhatsApp exports.
Pick the output you want (summary, decisions, action items, open questions).
Get a structured recap in minutes.
ThreadRecap is a WhatsApp chat summarizer built for this workflow: upload a WhatsApp export and get a structured summary, action items, and insights.
If you already have a WhatsApp export .zip, you are one upload away from a clean recap.
What you will get
ThreadRecap generates structured sections like:
Summary
Decisions made
Action items (with owners)
Open questions
Notable quotes
This structure is shown in their example output and positioning on the homepage. ThreadRecap
Step 1: Export your WhatsApp chat (get the .zip)
Android
Typical path:
Open the chat.
Tap the menu (three dots).
Tap More.
Tap Export chat.
Choose Include media if you want voice notes transcribed.
Save or share the exported .zip.
ThreadRecap documents this flow in their FAQ. ThreadRecap WhatsAnalyze documents the same Android export steps. WhatsAnalyze
iPhone
Typical path:
Open the chat.
Tap the contact or group name.
Scroll to Export Chat.
Choose Attach Media if you want voice notes included.
Save or share the .zip.
Many guides describe this iOS export pattern, including ZappTales. ZappTales
Should you choose "Include media"?
Choose Include media if you want voice notes transcribed and merged into the timeline. ThreadRecap supports .zip exports with text and audio and supports WhatsApp voice notes in .opus and .m4a. ThreadRecap
If you only need a text summary and want the smallest file, export without media.
Instead of a generic summary every time, you pick the output type (example: meeting recap vs relationship insights). ThreadRecap highlights goal selection as a core step. ThreadRecap
Step 3: Voice notes to text (the part most people skip)
WhatsApp conversations often hide the important stuff in voice notes. ThreadRecap transcribes WhatsApp voice messages and merges them into the conversation timeline. ThreadRecap
Supported audio formats: .opus (WhatsApp default) and .m4a. ThreadRecap
Reported transcription accuracy: about 95 percent for clear audio (noise and overlap reduce quality). ThreadRecap
Practical tip: if the voice notes matter, export with media. Otherwise you are summarizing only half the conversation.
Step 4: Understand cost (credits) before you run analysis
ThreadRecap uses credits and charges based on units:
They also state new users get 5 free credits on sign up. ThreadRecap pricing
Step 5: Group chats (keep it focused)
Group chats explode token usage and noise. ThreadRecap's approach is to focus analysis on the key participants for group analysis. ThreadRecap
If your goal is work outcomes, this constraint is usually right.
Privacy: what happens to your data
ThreadRecap's core privacy claims:
Chat files are parsed and processed locally in your browser. Privacy policy
Only the text and audio needed for analysis are sent to servers. ThreadRecap
Chat content is deleted after analysis completes unless you explicitly choose to save it. Privacy policy
They state they do not sell data and do not train AI on your data. ThreadRecap
If you are evaluating tools, this is the section users will look for first, so be explicit and specific.
Common problems and fixes
"I cannot export this chat"
WhatsApp has been rolling out stronger privacy controls. A feature reported as "Advanced Chat Privacy" can restrict exporting chats in some cases. If export is blocked, check the chat's privacy settings. The Verge
"My export is missing voice notes"
You likely exported without media. Re-export and choose include or attach media. ThreadRecap
"The .zip is huge"
Large media exports can be massive. If you only need summary of text, export without media. If you need audio transcription, keep media but consider exporting a smaller date range if your device or app allows it, or run the analysis in multiple batches.
"The recap is wrong because messages are inside audio"
If the chat relied heavily on voice notes, you must include media and transcribe audio. ThreadRecap is explicitly designed for voice notes by transcribing and merging them into the timeline. ThreadRecap
FAQ (copy-ready)
Can AI summarize an entire WhatsApp conversation?
Yes. The most reliable approach is export the chat (.zip) and run analysis on the exported text (and optionally voice notes) rather than trying to scroll and copy sections manually. ThreadRecap
Do I need to include media?
Only if you want voice messages transcribed. Otherwise export without media for a smaller file. ThreadRecap supports .zip exports with text and audio, and supports WhatsApp .opus and .m4a voice notes. ThreadRecap
What file types are inside the export?
WhatsApp exports commonly contain a chat text file plus media files. ThreadRecap specifically supports .zip exports and .opus/.m4a voice notes. ThreadRecap
Is it safe to upload a WhatsApp export?
ThreadRecap states the file is parsed locally in your browser, data is sent only as needed for analysis, and content is deleted after processing unless you choose to save it. ThreadRecap
What languages are supported?
The UI is in English, but ThreadRecap can return outputs in the conversation's original language or in English. ThreadRecap
Ready to analyze your WhatsApp chat?
Upload your export and get summaries, insights, and voice note transcriptions in minutes.
