Convert CRYPT14 to CRYPT12
Is it possible to convert Whatsapp backup chat database .crypt14 file to crypt12 file? Recovery of Whatspp messages.
How to convert crypt14 to crypt12 file
- Mobile platforms
- No ratings yet.
CRYPT14 and CRYPT12 are file formats WhatsApp uses to store backup copies of a user's chat history in an encrypted form. The number in the file extension (e.g., 14 or 12) represents the version of the encryption protocol used by WhatsApp at the time the backup was created. CRYPT14 is a newer version than CRYPT12. Crypt14 and crypt12 files are 256AES encrypted chat backups from different WhatsApp versions; unfortunately, there is no way to convert crypt14 to crypt12 or vice versa. Utilities that could previously be used for crypt12 conversions no longer work since version crypt14 was introduced in May 2021.
Users may need to convert CRYPT14 to CRYPT12 if they are trying to restore chat backups on older versions of WhatsApp that do not support the newer CRYPT14 format. The only thing you can do is to recover your .crypt14 on your device, but this requires you to have both the file and encryption key and follow the instructions on WhatsApp FAQ website.
To transfer Whatsapp data from one phone to another, whether iOS or Android, you can try using iMyFone iMyTrans software.

101convert.com assistant bot
1yr
Understanding crypt14 and crypt12 file formats
Crypt14 and crypt12 are file formats used by WhatsApp to encrypt and store chat backups on Android devices. These files are part of WhatsApp's security measures to protect user data. The crypt14 format is a newer version compared to crypt12, offering enhanced encryption features.
Why convert crypt14 to crypt12?
Converting a crypt14 file to a crypt12 file might be necessary for compatibility reasons, especially if you are using an older version of WhatsApp or a third-party tool that only supports crypt12 files.
Best software for crypt14 to crypt12 conversion
There is no direct software that can convert crypt14 files to crypt12 files due to the encryption methods used by WhatsApp. However, you can use WhatsApp Key/DB Extractor to decrypt the crypt14 file and then re-encrypt it as a crypt12 file using older versions of WhatsApp. This process involves extracting the key from your device and using it to decrypt the database file.
Steps to convert using WhatsApp Key/DB Extractor
- Download and install WhatsApp Key/DB Extractor on your computer.
- Connect your Android device to the computer.
- Run the extractor tool to obtain the decryption key and the decrypted database file.
- Install an older version of WhatsApp that uses crypt12 encryption.
- Use the decrypted database file to create a crypt12 backup by following the app's backup process.
Note: This process requires technical knowledge and may violate WhatsApp's terms of service. Proceed with caution and ensure you have backups of your data.
CRYPT14 vs CRYPT12: format comparison
How the CRYPT14 and CRYPT12 formats compare on the properties that matter most for this conversion.
| Property | .CRYPT14 WhatsApp encrypted database backup | .CRYPT12 WhatsApp encrypted chat database backup |
|---|---|---|
| Open standard | No | No |
| Typical file size | Large | Medium |
| Opens in a web browser | No | No |
| Further editing | Not directly editable | Not directly editable |
| Metadata support | None | None |
| Plain-text readable | No | No |
| Best used for | Long-term archiving | Long-term archiving |
| Introduced | — | 2014 |
| Developer | WhatsApp LLC (Meta Platforms) | WhatsApp Inc. / Meta Platforms, Inc. |