The WhatsApp Account Info Report is the ZIP file WhatsApp sends on request containing the data they hold about your account. It is a short, non-dramatic file. People ask for it most often to see what WhatsApp knows about them, to migrate records before deleting the account, to answer a legal query, or to satisfy curiosity about privacy settings. This guide covers how to request it, what is inside, and what the fields mean.
What's in the report (and what isn't)
What IS in it:
- Profile name, "About" text, display-picture reference
- Phone number and registration date
- List of groups you are a member of (names and membership status)
- List of blocked contacts
- Privacy settings (who can see your last seen, profile photo, about, status)
- Two-step verification status
- Currently linked devices and their last-active times
- Communities you belong to
- Business profile data (if you use WhatsApp Business)
What is NOT in it:
- Message content (chats, photos, videos, voice notes, documents)
- Call history or voice call content
- Status posts (your own or others')
- Deleted messages or deleted contacts
- Location history
- Payment history (that lives in your payment provider's records, not WhatsApp's)
The reason none of your chat content is in the report: WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption, so WhatsApp's servers do not have your messages in readable form. The report only contains what WhatsApp itself holds in cleartext for operational purposes.
How to request the report
On iPhone:
- Open WhatsApp → Settings (bottom right).
- Tap Account.
- Tap Request account info.
- Tap Request report.
- A note appears saying "Your report will be ready in up to 3 days." No action needed meanwhile.
On Android:
- Open WhatsApp → tap the three-dot menu (top right) → Settings.
- Tap Account.
- Tap Request account info.
- Tap Request report.
- Wait up to 3 days.
While waiting:
- Keep WhatsApp installed on the device.
- Do not delete the account or switch phones with the same number — the request is tied to the current registration.
- You can cancel the request if you change your mind. Tap Cancel request in the same screen.
Downloading and opening the report
When the report is ready, you will see Download report in the same Settings → Account → Request account info screen. Tap it and WhatsApp saves a ZIP file to your device.
The ZIP contains:
account_report.html— human-readable version, opens in any browseraccount_report.json— machine-readable version with the same fields, for scripting or importreadme.txt— WhatsApp's own description of the fields
Transfer the ZIP to a computer (via AirDrop, cable, email to yourself, Google Drive) if you want to open it on a larger screen. Unzip it. Double-click the HTML file; it opens in Chrome, Safari, Edge, Firefox.
Sample fields and what they mean
A typical Indian user's report looks like this (anonymised sample):
| Field | Sample value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Phone number | +919876543210 | The number registered with WhatsApp. |
| Account creation date | 2017-03-14 | When this number was first registered with WhatsApp. |
| Profile name | Priya Shah | What you've set in Settings → Profile. |
| About | Hey there! I am using WhatsApp | Your "About" text. |
| Groups | 42 groups | Count + list of group names you're a member of. |
| Blocked contacts | 7 numbers | Count + the numbers you've blocked. |
| Last seen privacy | My contacts | Who sees your last seen (Everyone / My contacts / Nobody). |
| Two-step verification | Enabled | Whether 2FA PIN is on. |
| Linked devices | 2 (WhatsApp Web, Desktop) | Devices currently logged in besides your primary phone. |
Common reasons people request this report
- Before deleting the account. You want a record of your groups and blocked contacts before leaving WhatsApp permanently.
- DPDP (India) or GDPR (EU) data access request. You have the legal right to see what WhatsApp holds about you.
- Investigating suspicious activity. A notification about security code change made you nervous; the report shows registration date, linked devices, and two-step verification status.
- Business account audit. A WhatsApp Business profile holder reviewing their public business profile fields.
- Journalism or research. Writing about data portability or Meta's data practices.
What to do if you want more than this report
The Account Info Report is WhatsApp-only. For data across Meta services (Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp), use Meta's Account Center at accountscenter.facebook.com → Your information and permissions → Download your information. That export can include substantially more.
If you are an Indian user making a DPDP Act data request, WhatsApp's report, combined with Meta's Account Center export, together satisfy the "right to access" under the Act. For deletion requests, use Delete My Account in WhatsApp Settings → Account → Delete My Account. That removes the account and associated data.
For brands using WhatsApp Business
If your Indian D2C brand uses WhatsApp Business (the app) or WhatsApp Business API via a platform like Behaf, Wati or Interakt, be aware:
- The Account Info Report covers your business number's profile and groups, not customer chats.
- Customer chat data, under the WhatsApp Business API, lives on your BSP's servers (your BSP's platform). Request it from the BSP directly if a customer asks.
- Behaf exports full customer and order data on demand from the Behaf dashboard. Instructions in the FAQ.
Frequently asked
What is the WhatsApp Account Info Report? A ZIP file with account-level data WhatsApp holds — profile, groups, blocked contacts, privacy settings. No chats.
How do I request it? WhatsApp → Settings → Account → Request account info → Request report.
How long does it take? Up to 3 days. Usually 24–48 hours.
Can I recover deleted messages from it? No. Chat content is not in the report.
Is this the same as a GDPR/DPDP request? It satisfies most of a WhatsApp-specific access request. For full Meta data, use the Account Center download.