ChatLab

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English

简体中文

Export Chat Records Guide ​

ChatLab focuses on analyzing exported data - we don't provide data extraction features. You'll need to first use official features or third-party tools from the open-source community to export your chat records, then import them into ChatLab for analysis.

Tips: Welcome to join the ChatLab Community to discuss issues and share feedback.

Important Notice

When using third-party export tools, please carefully read their official documentation, privacy policies, and security instructions.

ChatLab has no direct or indirect association with the projects listed below. These links are provided solely as technical information for your reference and do not imply any endorsement, guarantee, or warranty of their safety by ChatLab. Users must evaluate and assume all risks associated with using these third-party tools.

WhatsApp ​

For WhatsApp, we currently support the official "Export Chat" feature.

We currently support exports in English and Chinese languages. For other language needs, please contact the developer.

  • Export Method:
    1. Open WhatsApp and go to the conversation you want to export.
    2. Tap the contact name at the top -> Export Chat.
    3. Select "Without Media".
  • Format: Extract the txt file from the exported .zip package and drag the txt file into ChatLab.

WeChat ​

ChatLab has implemented technical compatibility for the JSON format generated by WeFlow.

Tips: macOS is not currently supported. We recommend first migrating your chat records to your phone, then using a Windows PC for export.

If you've exported using other methods, you can refer to the Standard Format Specification to convert your format to ChatLab's standard format for import and analysis.

QQ ​

We currently support two ways:

QQ Chat Exporter ​

ChatLab is compatible with the JSON / JSONL formats exported by QQ Chat Exporter.

  • Project URL: https://github.com/shuakami/qq-chat-exporter
  • Supported Platforms: Windows / Linux
  • Usage Guide: Refer to the project README.
  • Tip: When exporting, choose JSON format and we recommend enabling "Embed avatars as Base64".
  • Tip 2: For JSONL exports, only import the manifest.json file in the JSONL directory.

Legacy QQ (Message Manager) ​

ChatLab supports the TXT format exported by legacy QQ (via QQ Message Manager). Just drag the .txt file into ChatLab.

Discord ​

For Discord, we currently support the JSON format exported by DiscordChatExporter.

  • Project URL: https://github.com/Tyrrrz/DiscordChatExporter
  • Supported Platforms: Windows / macOS / Linux
  • Usage Guide: Refer to the project README.
  • Tip: Please make sure to select JSON as the export format for ChatLab to parse correctly.

Instagram ​

For Instagram, we currently support the official export feature.

  • Export Method:
    1. Open the Instagram app or web version, go to "Settings".
    2. Click "Accounts Center" -> "Your information and permissions" -> "Download your information".
    3. Select "Some of your information", then check "Messages".
    4. Select format as JSON, and date range as "All time".
    5. Click "Submit request" and wait for Instagram to process, then download.
  • Format: After extracting the downloaded archive, find the message_1.json file in the your_instagram_activity/messages/inbox/ directory for the corresponding chat, and drag it into ChatLab.
  • Tip: If the conversation has a lot of content, there may be multiple message_*.json files. We recommend importing them one by one.

iMessage ​

We plan to support the JSON format exported by https://github.com/ReagentX/imessage-exporter

However, the developer currently doesn't have data samples for testing. If you have an urgent need, please provide anonymized data samples and we'll support it as soon as possible.

LINE ​

LINE officially supports exporting, but the developer also lacks test data. Please provide anonymized data samples and we'll support it as soon as possible.

Q&A: Can I analyze chat records from other chat applications? ​

For various chat analysis needs, here's a unified response:

ChatLab's function is to analyze exported chat records in fixed text formats, but the prerequisite is that you have already exported chat records through legal and compliant channels.

We do not provide any decryption, packet capture, or export tools and scripts. We only support compatibility with exported chat record formats. As long as you can provide anonymized chat record text samples, we can try to support analysis.

If you have some technical background, you can try using AI-assisted conversion to convert your data to the standard format. For details, please check the AI Conversion Guide.

Additionally, if you're a developer and have already supported chat record export for other chat applications, you're welcome to make it compatible with ChatLab format, and we'll add your GitHub link here.

Before attempting to analyze data from the above applications, please be aware:

  • Legal Authorization Principle: You may only process chat records that you personally participated in. If privacy of others is involved, please ensure you have obtained informed consent from the relevant parties.
  • Prohibited Illegal Use: It is strictly forbidden to use this software for stealing, monitoring, or analyzing unauthorized private information of others, or for any behavior that infringes on others' rights.
  • Compliance Self-responsibility: Obtaining data from third-party platforms is your personal behavior. If your analysis violates the original data source platform's terms of service resulting in account restrictions or other consequences, ChatLab assumes no responsibility.
  • No Commercial Use: It is strictly forbidden for any individual or organization to use this software or analysis results for any form of commercial profit.
  • Result Accuracy: Analysis results generated by the software may contain errors or "hallucinations" and are for technical reference only. They should not be used as legal evidence or decision-making basis.