"Older crypt14 format"
Files ending in .crypt14 or .crypt12 use a key WaChat cannot access. Switch to crypt15.
1 min read
Files named msgstore.db.crypt14 (or .crypt12) were created before end-to-end encrypted backup was turned on. Their key is stored inside WhatsApp's private app storage, which no other app — including WaChat — can read without rooting the phone.
WaChat deliberately does not support this path. The fix takes a minute:
- In WhatsApp: Settings → Chats → Chat backup → End-to-end encrypted backup → Turn on.
- Choose "Use 64-digit encryption key instead" and save the key.
- Tap Back up and wait for it to finish.
- A new
msgstore.db.crypt15file appears in the Databases folder. Import that one.
Your existing chats are all included in the new backup — nothing is lost by switching.
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