This article explains how to prepare WhatsApp on an Android device for collection when you do not already have a 64-digit encryption key. You will turn off existing encrypted backups, generate a new 64-digit encryption key, and create a fresh encrypted WhatsApp backup so the key can be entered into the Hearsay Extractor and the Android WhatsApp collection can continue.
Before you begin
These steps must be completed on the Android phone being collected.
The screenshots below show:
Android phone on the left (what you should see on your device)
Hearsay Extractor on the right (what you should see on your computer)
The appearance of WhatsApp may vary slightly depending on your Android device and WhatsApp version.
Step 1: Open WhatsApp on Android
Open the WhatsApp app on your Android device. Tap on the three dots in the right corner of the screen.
After completing this, click Next in the Hearsay Extractor.
Step 2: Click Settings
In WhatsApp, click Settings.
In the Hearsay Extractor,
Click Skip, I know the 64 character encryption key if you already have the key.
If you do not have the key, click Next.
Step 3: Click Chats
In the Settings menu, click Chats.
After completing this, click Next in the Hearsay Extractor.
Step 4: Click Chat Backup
In the Chat settings, click on the Chat Backup.
After completing this, click Next in the Hearsay Extractor.
Step 5: Disable automatic backups
In the Chat Backup Settings, click Automatic Backups or Backup Frequency. Select Off or Disabled if it not already selected.
After completing this, click Next in the Hearsay Extractor.
Step 6: Check End-to-end encrypted status
After disabling the automatic backup, scroll down to the End-to-end Encrypted Backup menu.
If it is set to Off, click the menu, then click Skip in the Hearsay Extractor and proceed to Step 8.
If End-to-end Encrypted Backup is set to On, click the menu, then click Next in the Hearsay Extractor.
Step 7: Turn Off End-to-end Encrypted Backup
Click Turn Off to disable end-to-end encrypted backup.
After completing this, click Next in the Hearsay Extractor.
Step 8: Enter encryption key or generate a new key
If you have an existing encryption key, enter it into WhatsApp and click Next in the Hearsay Extractor.
If you do not have an encryption key, click I lost my encryption key in WhatsApp, then click Next in the Hearsay Extractor.
Step 9: Turn off End-to-end encryption again
Click Turn off in WhatsApp to disable end-to-end encryption.
After completing this, click Next in the Hearsay Extractor.
Step 10: Enable End-to-end encryption
Click End-to-end Encrypted backup to enable it again with a new encryption key.
After completing this, click Next in the Hearsay Extractor.
Step 11: Click End-to-end encryption
To continue enabling encryption with a new key, click End-to-end Encrypted Backup.
After completing this, click Next in the Hearsay Extractor.
Step 12: Click Use 64-digit encryption key instead
Click on Use 64-digit encryption key instead. Do not click Create password.
After completing this, click Next in the Hearsay Extractor.
Step 13: Turn on End-to-end Encryption
Click Turn On in WhatsApp to re-enable end-to-end encryption.
After completing this, click Next in the Hearsay Extractor.
Step 14: Generate 64-digit key
Click Generate your 64-digit key in WhatsApp.
After completing this, click Next in the Hearsay Extractor.
Step 15: Copy and Save New Key
Copy the 64-digit encryption key and save it in a secure location. This key will need to be entered into the Hearsay Extractor shortly. Once copied and saved, click Continue in WhatsApp.
After completing this, click Next in the Hearsay Extractor.
Step 16: Click I Saved My 64-digit key
In WhatsApp, click I Saved my 64-digit key.
After completing this, click Next in the Hearsay Extractor.
Step 17: Create Encrypted Backup
In WhatsApp, click Create to create your end-to-end encrypted backup.
After completing this, click Next in the Hearsay Extractor.
Step 18: Click Backup
You will be returned to the Chat Backup screen. Click Backup and wait for the backup process to complete.
After completing this, click Next in the Hearsay Extractor.
Step 19: Enter encryption key into Hearsay Extraction
Enter the 64-digit encryption key into the Hearsay Extractor, then click Continue.
Next Steps:
You can now continue with your Android collection. Click How to run an Android collection to return to the step-by-step guide.
Issues generating a WhatsApp encryption key?
Contact Hearsay Support through the chat widget in the Hearsay Extractor or by emailing [email protected].