Have you ever desired to save the contacts from a WhatsApp group for backup, export, or bulk messaging? While WhatsApp enables you to chat, share media, and make voice and video calls with your group members, it does not have a built-in feature to export contacts from a group. However, don’t worry; there are still ways to do so using third-party tools or tricks.
This article will guide you through different methods to copy contacts from a WhatsApp group.
Method 1: Use a Chrome Extension
One of the simplest ways to export contacts from a WhatsApp group is to use a Chrome extension called “WA – Download Group Phone Numbers”. This extension enables you to download all the phone numbers and names of a WhatsApp group into an Excel file with one click.

To use this method, follow these steps:
- Go to Google Chrome Web Store and install the “WA – Download Group Phone Numbers” extension.
- Open WhatsApp Web on your Chrome browser and scan the QR code with your phone to log in.
- Select the WhatsApp group that you want to copy contacts from.
- Click on the three vertical dots at the top-right corner of the group chat window and select Download info.
- A pop-up window will appear, asking you to confirm the download. Click on OK.
- The extension will download an Excel file containing all the phone numbers and names of the group members. You can open it with any spreadsheet software or upload it to Google Sheets.
The advantage of using this method is that it organizes the contacts into an Excel file and matches each phone number with its corresponding name. It also indicates if a phone number already exists in your contact book.
Method 2: Use Inspect Element
Here’s how you can export contacts from a WhatsApp group using Chrome’s Inspect Element feature:

- Open WhatsApp Web on the Chrome browser.
- Log into your WhatsApp account and select the desired group.
- Below the group name and icon, you’ll find the contacts and phone numbers listed in the upper part of the interface.
- Right-click on a contact and choose “Inspect” from the menu.
- The Elements menu will appear, highlighting the group numbers.
- Right-click within the highlighted section, select “Copy,” and then choose “Copy Element.”
- Open a spreadsheet application such as Excel and paste the numbers into it.
- Arrange the phone numbers and their corresponding names in the spreadsheet manually.
This method requires manually copying the text or numbers and arranging them in a spreadsheet. Although it involves more manual effort, it is a reliable option when extensions are not available.
Method 3: Use a Third-Party App
Another way to export contacts from a WhatsApp group is to use a third-party app that can export WhatsApp group contacts. Many apps available on the Google Play Store or the App Store can do this. However, some of them may require you to pay a fee or watch ads to use their features.
One of the apps that you can use for free is Export Contacts for WhatsApp. This app allows you to export WhatsApp group contacts to an Excel or CSV file. You can also filter the contacts by name, number, or status.
To use this method, follow these steps:
- • Download and install Export Contacts for WhatsApp from the Google Play Store or the App Store.

- • Open the app and grant it permission to access your contacts and storage.
- • Open WhatsApp on your phone and select the group that you want to copy contacts from.
- • Click on the three vertical dots at the top-right corner of the group chat window and select Invite via link.
- • Copy the group invite link and go back to the Export Contacts for WhatsApp app.
- • Paste the group invite link into the app and click on Export Contacts.

- • Choose whether you want to export the contacts as an Excel or CSV file.
- • The app will generate a file containing all the phone numbers and names of the group members. You can open it with any spreadsheet software or upload it to Google Sheets.
The advantage of using this method is that it organizes the contacts into a file and matches each phone number with its corresponding name. It also allows you to filter the contacts by name, number, or status.
Method 4: Use the WhatsApp Business API
The last way we would recommend to export contacts from a WhatsApp group is using the WhatsApp Business API. Here’s how you should do it:

- Sign up for a WhatsApp Business account and get API access: To use the WhatsApp Business API, you need to sign up for a WhatsApp Business account and apply for API access. You will need to provide some basic information about your business and agree to the terms and conditions of the WhatsApp Business API.
- Set up a webhook for message notifications: Once you have API access, you need to set up a webhook to receive message notifications from WhatsApp. This will allow you to automate the process of exporting group contacts and receiving updates on new messages, group changes, and other events.
- Use the getGroupContacts API endpoint: With the webhook set up and the API credentials in place, you can use the getGroupContacts API endpoint to retrieve the phone numbers and metadata of the members of a specific WhatsApp group. You will need to provide the group ID and authentication token in your API request.
- Process the API response and export the data: The API response will be in JSON format, and you can use a programming language or a tool such as Postman to parse and extract the relevant data. Once you have the phone numbers and metadata, you can export them to a CSV or Excel file or store them in a database or CRM system.
It is important to note that using the WhatsApp Business API requires technical skills and resources. Depending on your use case and region, there may be additional costs and restrictions. Additionally, WhatsApp has strict policies and guidelines regarding the use of the API, and any misuse or violation may result in account suspension or legal consequences.
How to Export WhatsApp Group Contacts from One iOS Device to Another
Apart from exporting WhatsApp group contacts, you may also need to transfer your WhatsApp data, including contact information, from one iOS device to another. To accomplish this, you can use a tool called FoneDog WhatsApp Transfer. Follow these steps:
- Download and install FoneDog WhatsApp Transfer on your computer.
- Launch the program and connect both your source and target iPhones to the computer.
- Select the source iPhone from the available devices within FoneDog WhatsApp Transfer.
- Choose the “WhatsApp” option and click on “Transfer” to initiate the transfer process.
- Once the transfer is complete, disconnect the devices and check the WhatsApp contacts on your target iPhone.
- FoneDog WhatsApp Transfer enables you to back up, restore, and transfer WhatsApp data securely between iOS devices. During the transfer process, you can preserve messages, call logs, videos, photos, contacts, and more.
Some of the Mostly-Used Third-Party Apps for Exporting WhatsApp Group Contacts
App Name | Features | File Formats | Compatibility |
Contacts Optimizer | Export WhatsApp group contacts to a CSV or Excel file, remove duplicate contacts, merge or split contacts based on customizable rules | CSV, Excel | Android, iOS |
WCleaner for WA | Export WhatsApp group contacts to a text file, choose the format and separator of the file, select which groups to include | Text | Android |
Group Contacts Export | Export WhatsApp group contacts to a VCF file, choose which fields to include (name, phone number, email, address) | VCF | Android |
Group Contacts Extractor | Extract contacts from multiple WhatsApp groups, export to a CSV or Excel file, filter contacts based on various criteria (name, phone number, message frequency) | CSV, Excel | Android, iOS |
Export Contacts for WhatsApp | Export WhatsApp contacts, including group members, to a VCF or CSV file, backup and restore contacts, share contacts via email or other apps | VCF, CSV | Android |
There are several third-party apps that you can use to export WhatsApp group contacts on both Android and iOS devices. Here are some popular choices:
- Contacts Optimizer: This app allows you to export your WhatsApp group contacts to a CSV or Excel file. You can also remove duplicate contacts and merge or split contacts based on customizable rules.
- WCleaner for WA: This app is designed to clean up your WhatsApp data, but it also has a feature to export group contacts to a text file. You can choose the format and separator of the file and select which groups to include.
- Group Contacts Export: This app lets you export WhatsApp group contacts to a VCF file, which can be easily imported into other apps or devices. You can also choose which fields to include, such as name, phone number, email, and address.
- Group Contacts Extractor: This app can extract contacts from multiple WhatsApp groups and export them to a CSV or Excel file. You can also filter the contacts based on various criteria, such as name, phone number, or message frequency.
- Export Contacts for WhatsApp: This app lets you export your WhatsApp contacts, including group members, to a VCF or CSV file. You can also backup and restore your contacts and share them via email or other apps.
Note that using third-party apps to export WhatsApp group contacts may have risks associated with them, such as data breaches, malware, or violation of WhatsApp’s terms of service. It is important to use reputable apps and to be cautious when granting permissions or sharing personal information.
FAQ
It is legal to export WhatsApp group contacts as long as you comply with the applicable data protection and privacy laws and respect the rights and preferences of the group members. However, it is important to use reliable and secure methods and tools to avoid data breaches, hacking, or misuse of personal information.
It depends on the specific circumstances and the availability of the group data. If the group chat still exists on your device or in the cloud backup, you may be able to export the contacts using the methods described in this article. However, if the group chat has been deleted or removed by the admin, it may not be possible to access the data or contacts.
Yes, you can export WhatsApp group contacts to a CSV or Excel file using some of the methods and tools described in this article, such as the Export Chat feature, the Inspect Element feature, or the WhatsApp Business API. However, you may need to use a spreadsheet program to format and organize the data in the desired way.
You can create a backup of your WhatsApp group contacts by copying them to an Excel file or a CSV file and saving them on your computer or cloud storage. You can also email them to yourself or share them with someone else.
You can delete the contacts from your phone after copying them by going to your phone’s settings and selecting Contacts > Manage Contacts > Delete Contacts. You can also use an app like Delete All Contacts or Delete Multiple Contacts to delete contacts in bulk.
You can create a new WhatsApp group with the copied contacts by importing them to your phone first and then opening WhatsApp and selecting New Group > Add Participants. You can also use an app like Group Maker for Whatsapp to create groups automatically.
Conclusion
In conclusion, copying contacts from a WhatsApp group can be a useful way to backup, export, or send bulk SMS messages. While WhatsApp doesn’t have a built-in feature to do so, this article has shown you different methods to achieve it. Each method has its benefits and drawbacks, so the choice ultimately depends on your requirements. Stay updated with the latest news and tips on social media by signing up for our newsletter today!