Chat Hoarding
Mac app to archive WhatsApp backups locally
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What is Chat Hoarding?
Chat Hoarding is a permanent, private archive tool for WhatsApp chats that runs on macOS (macOS 14+) with Android phones (Android 8+). The app decrypts your Android WhatsApp encrypted backup locally on your Mac, renders a fully browsable archive of your conversations, and saves a portable .tarc bundle file that outlives your phone. Unlike WhatsApp's built-in archive feature which just hides chats, Chat Hoarding creates a true permanent backup that survives phone loss, number changes, or OS migrations between iPhone and Android.
Key features include full-text search across every chat with jump-to-hit navigation, support for both WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business in the same archive, automatic self-updating signed updates, local decryption that never sends data to the cloud, and the portable .tarc file format that can be stored on any drive. The tool is purpose-built specifically for WhatsApp archiving rather than being a general backup utility.
Chat Hoarding is designed for people who need to preserve WhatsApp conversations permanently: those migrating phones or switching operating systems, journalists who need source-grade preservation of anonymous messenger conversations, people facing legal disputes who need to preserve chat evidence, anyone who fears losing their phone with important chats, and privacy-conscious users who want their chats decrypted and stored only on their own Mac without cloud exposure.
Chat Hoarding pricing
Pricing model: Freemium
Lifetime license for $99. The license supports 2 Macs. One-time payment with no subscription. Includes automatic signed self-updating installs. No free tier available.
Chat Hoarding pros
- Permanent archive that outlives your phone
- Local decryption on your Mac - nothing sent to cloud
- Portable .tarc bundle file format
- Full-text search across every chat
- Jump to every search hit instantly
- Supports WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business together
- Works on macOS 14+ and Android 8+
- Lifetime $99 pricing - one-time payment
- Supports 2 Macs with single license
- Purpose-built WhatsApp archiver not generic tool
- Automatic signed self-updating installs
- Preserves chats for lost phone recovery
- Ideal for legal evidence preservation
- Source-grade preservation for journalists
- Outlives phone migrations and OS switching
Chat Hoarding cons
- macOS only - no Windows support
- Requires Android phone (no iPhone backup extraction)
- macOS 14+ minimum requirement
- Android 8+ minimum requirement
- $99 lifetime price higher than some alternatives
- No free tier available
- No mobile app - Mac desktop only
- Limited to WhatsApp (no other messaging apps)
Frequently asked questions about Chat Hoarding
What is Chat Hoarding?
Chat Hoarding is a permanent, private archive of your WhatsApp chats. It decrypts your Android WhatsApp backup locally on your Mac, renders a browsable archive, and saves a portable .tarc bundle that outlives your phone.
Does Chat Hoarding send my chats to the cloud?
No. Chat Hoarding decrypts on your Mac and stays on your Mac. Your chats never leave your computer and are never sent to any cloud service.
What operating systems does Chat Hoarding support?
Chat Hoarding runs on macOS 14+ on your computer and requires Android 8+ on your phone. It does not support Windows or iPhone backup extraction.
What is a .tarc file?
A .tarc is the portable file format that Chat Hoarding saves. It contains your entire browsable WhatsApp archive and can be stored on any drive, outliving your phone and surviving migrations.
Can I use Chat Hoarding with iPhone?
Chat Hoarding works with Android phones to extract encrypted backups. It runs on Mac but requires an Android device for WhatsApp backup extraction. iPhone backup extraction is not supported.
Is Chat Hoarding good for legal evidence?
Yes. Chat Hoarding is designed for preserving WhatsApp messages for pending disputes. It creates a permanent archive that can serve as evidence in legal situations.
Can journalists use Chat Hoarding for source conversations?
Yes. Chat Hoarding provides source-grade preservation specifically designed for working journalists who need to archive anonymous messenger conversations permanently and privately.
What happens if I lose my phone?
Your chats don't have to be gone. Chat Hoarding creates a permanent archive that survives phone loss. As long as you have the .tarc file, your conversations are preserved.
Can I switch from Android to iPhone and keep my chats?
Yes. Chat Hoarding helps when migrating phones or switching operating systems between iPhone and Android. Archive your chats on Android before switching to preserve them.
Does the license support multiple computers?
Yes. The $99 lifetime license supports 2 Macs. You can install Chat Hoarding on two Macs with the same license.