Decrypting file without rooted device but I have the files on my computer

[Pankeki03]

Hello, I wanted to ask, if it was possible using the program with encrypted files on my PC.
The main problem is that the device is not rooted and at the moment, the device is broken too, but I do have the files on my pc.
Is there a way I can use it? Or I have to give up?

[ttonin33]

You need the decryption key, which you can only get with root rights otherwise the program can't decrypt your chats, so badly no.
But if you have a backup on Drive and a Pc this schould gonna Work. Your get the Databases even decrypted.

#160 (comment)

[ttonin33]

However, it is possible to start an emulator with Android Studio to open the files. For this you need a Emulator with Google API (no Produktion build) and with adb install Whatsapp.apk you install Whatsapp. After that you get with adb root the root rights to read the directory of Whatsapp.

https://developer.android.com/studio/debug/device-file-explorer

[irvine48]

is that this key only needed when chat is end to end encrpted? do encryption off need this key?

[ttonin33]

The key file is needed to decrypt the accessible database file (msgstore.db.crypt14). All chats are stored in this file.
It is not needed if you take the msgstore.db file directly, but this is only possible with root rights.
The end to end encryption only applies to the transport to the recipient but not to the storage on the own cell phone.

is that this key only needed when chat is end to end encrpted?

No

do encryption off need this key?

Yes