How to open and decrypt WhatsApp .crypt12 files

On more than one occasion, WhatsApp users have encountered backup files with the extension .crypt12, which keep backup copies of their conversations. However, when trying to open them, many realize that it is not that simple, since these files are encrypted. So, if you have ever wondered how you can open and decrypt a crypt12 file, here we offer you a complete and detailed guide to do so, whether your device is rooted or not. Although it is not a simple process, with the right tools and the right knowledge, you will be able to access your saved conversations without much trouble.

There are a few important points you need to keep in mind before you rush to open a crypt12 file. The first and most relevant is that these files are encrypted by WhatsApp for security reasons, which means that it is not possible to open them with just any text editing program. You will need certain elements to break that encryption, such as the encryption key, which is stored on your own device. Also, depending on the version of Android you have, the process may vary. Below, we present the different ways to approach it depending on whether your device has root access or not.

What is a .crypt12 file?

Let's start by understanding what exactly a file is. .crypt12. Files with this extension are backups of WhatsApp databases, which contain users' message histories. For years, WhatsApp has used different types of encryption to protect these files, resulting in various extensions such as .crypt5, .crypt7, .crypt8 o .crypt12Encryption is done to ensure that only the account user can access his or her own messages.

The crypt12 file is saved in the folder Databases of the device, within the route Internal memory -> WhatsApp -> DatabasesThese files cannot be read by simply opening them in a text editor, as they are encrypted. The key to decrypt them is located within the Android system itself, and depending on whether your device is rooted or not, the way to access that key may be more or less simple.

Is it legal to open a crypt12 file?

Many people have doubts about the legality opening such files. Breaking the encryption of an app like WhatsApp is not illegal in itself, as long as you have legitimate access to the data you are looking for. That is, if you try to access your own crypt12 files, there will be no legal problem, but if you try to access someone else's files without their consent, that would be a violation of their privacy and could have consequences.

It is advisable to always proceed with caution and make sure that you have the permission suitable for accessing the crypt12 files you are trying to decrypt, especially in particular contexts such as work or personal environments.

Tools needed to open a .crypt12 file

Before you begin, it is essential to have the right tools on hand. Here are the main ones:

• Encryption key: The file key is essential to open the crypt12 file. This key is saved on the mobile device that created the backup.
• Crypt12 file: This is the file that contains the database you want to open.
• WhatsApp Viewer: A tool that allows you to view the contents of crypt12 files once they have been decrypted.
• Java and ADB drivers: These are necessary if you plan to perform this operation from a Windows computer, as they allow communication between the computer and the Android device.

How to extract the encryption key

The process of extracting the encryption key It depends on the operating system and whether your device is rooted or not. Below we explain the different methods:

Extract the key with root

If your device has root access, the process will be relatively simple. Root access allows you to explore internal areas of the system that the common user cannot. The key is stored in the following path: data/data/com.whatsapp/files/key.

To extract the key, you can use a file manager on your Android device, such as ES File Explorer or similar. You will only need to copy the file key and transfer it to your computer. Once this is done, you will have the key needed to decrypt the crypt12 file.

Extract the key without root (Android 7 or earlier)

If your device is not rooted and you have Android 7 or older versions, there are tools that allow you to extract the key without root. One of the most popular is the WhatsApp Key DB Extractor. This tool works as follows:

1. Download the tool for free from its official website.
2. Connect your mobile to the computer using a USB cable.
3. Run the file WhatsAppKeyDBExtract.bat in the computer.
4. When the phone asks you if you want to make a backup, select to accept but without setting a password.
5. The process will finish in a few minutes and you will get the encryption key in the folder extracted.

Extract the key without root (Android 8 or higher)

If you use versions higher than Android 8, unfortunately the security is much more robust and the process without root is practically impossible. In this case, if you need to extract the key, you should consider root the device, although this action can have consequences such as losing the terminal's warranty or even rendering it inoperative if not done correctly. Only advanced users or those who are confident should follow this route.

Preliminary steps to open .crypt12 files

Once you have the key and the crypt12 file you want to open, it's time to prepare the environment. The following steps are necessary to continue:

1. Enable developer mode and USB debugging

If you plan to perform the process from your computer, you will need the device to be configured as Developer and have activated USB debugging. We explain how to do it if you have not done it before:

1. Go to Settings on your Android device.
2. Go to System and then to About of the phone.
3. Look for the option Build Number and press on it seven times.
4. At that point you will receive a message confirming that you have activated developer mode.
5. Return to the menu System or Settings and locate Developer options. There you will find the option USB debugging, which you must activate.

Use WhatsApp Viewer to open the .crypt12 file

With the Extracted encryption key and crypt12 file available on your computer, you can now open the file using the program whatsappviewerThis tool is designed to read WhatsApp databases once they have been decrypted.

Here's how to use it:

1. Download WhatsApp Viewer from its official page.
2. Open the program. In the top menu, select Fillet and then Decrypt .crypt12….
3. A window will open in which you must attach two files: the crypt12 in the field of Database file and the key in the field of Key file.
4. Once both files are attached, WhatsApp Viewer will allow you to save the decrypted content on your computer.

This way, you will be able to access the messages stored in the crypt12 file in a readable form. Without this key and this decryption process, the data will appear as meaningless text in any text editor.

Methods to open .crypt12 files without key

There are some methods that claim to be able to open crypt12 files without the key, although you should keep in mind that these do not always work and that many of them are primarily designed for older versions of the WhatsApp encryption system (such as crypt7 or crypt8). However, some users have reported partial success using the program openssl or similar tools.

It is important to note that if you decide to go this route, it can be much more complicated and in many cases it would be best to gain access to the file key to avoid any issues.

Alternative programs to WhatsApp Viewer

Apart from WhatsApp Viewer, there are other programs that can help you with this process. Some options are:

• iMyFone iTransor for WhatsApp: This program is ideal if what you want is transfer or backup of your WhatsApp chats from an Android or iOS device. Although it is transfer-oriented, it also allows you to extract and view backups on your computer.
• Mobiletrans WhatsApp Transfer: Like iMyFone, this program allows you to transfer and backup your WhatsApp data between devices. It also offers the possibility of restoring these backups to a new device or to your computer.

Risks and warnings when trying to open crypt12 files

It is worth mentioning that any kind of manipulation of encrypted files like crypt12 involves certain risks. risks. Trying to open someone else's crypt12 file without their consent is a serious violation of privacy and can have legal consequences.

Also, if your device is not rooted and you decide to go that route, you should be aware that there are risks inherent in the process of rooting a device, which in some cases may include device inoperability or data loss. It is recommended to make a backup beforehand.

Opening a WhatsApp crypt12 file is not an impossible task, but it requires some tools, knowledge, and a lot of caution to avoid violating privacy policies. If you need to access these files, it is best to gather all the necessary elements such as the encryption key and use tools like WhatsApp Viewer to make the process as simple as possible. Always keep in mind that the manipulation of these files must be done legitimately and always on your own data to avoid legal problems.