How to Compare Two WhatsApp Chat Exports

Compare saved summaries, not reconstructed message history

To compare WhatsApp exports in InstaScope, import each file separately and save its full-export aggregate snapshot to Chat Vault. Select those two saved snapshots and confirm that they describe the same conversation. Comparison reads the saved summaries locally; it does not match message bodies or identify messages added between exports.

The Vault deliberately stores no conversation identity or participant mapping. Similar counts or matching date ranges cannot establish a match automatically. You are responsible for choosing the correct pair, even when both files came from the same device.

For example, importing the same file twice can yield two separately saved entries with identical aggregates. Their zero count difference does not establish that two independent exports cover an unchanged conversation. Confirm the source files and coverage yourself before interpreting a comparison.

1. Open the first export in Chat Analyzer, confirm its format and choose Save to Chat Vault.
2. Open the other export and save a second snapshot. Temporary Analyzer filters are not saved.
3. In Chat Vault, select two different snapshots, check their coverage, confirm the same conversation and choose Compare snapshots.
4. Read the compatibility notes before reviewing totals, distributions and Conversation Pulse.

A fictional count change and a share change

These invented summaries illustrate two different comparisons. The raw count difference is factual about the saved totals; it is not a count of newly sent messages.

Coverage can explain a difference without proving its cause

Different starting dates, equal ending dates, non-overlapping coverage, partial support or different timestamp precision limit interpretation. The interface explains these conditions instead of silently treating the snapshots as a continuous history. Display order normally follows recorded coverage end; save-time or stable-ID fallbacks are identified when needed.

Hour and weekday shares divide by each snapshot's own message total. Empty denominators and unavailable values remain unavailable. Neither a bigger total nor a shorter recorded gap proves increased interest, faster replies or a relationship change.

Conversation Pulse selects a small set of supported aggregate differences using explained display thresholds. It may show no meaningful change. These thresholds are not statistical confidence, and Pulse does not infer causes. All comparison selections and results remain on this device; no public chat URL is created.