WhatsApp Logger (Self-Hosted)
A privacy-focused, self-hosted WhatsApp archiving tool. It captures messages — including deleted ones — via a linked device connection and stores them in your own Firebase Firestore database.
Update to v4.1.7
Earlier versions could get stuck in a reconnect loop (Status 428) due to a deprecated printQRInTerminal setting in Baileys. This is fixed in v4.1.7, along with QR code rendering now working directly on the Express web interface instead of the broken terminal output.
Is this safe to use?
Yes. WhatsApp bans accounts for sending spam or unauthorized automated messages — this tool is a 100% passive, read-only listener. It connects using the official Multi-Device WebSocket protocol, the same way linking a second browser to WhatsApp Web works. Since it doesn't interact with anyone, there's no risk of being reported.
Features
- Anti-Delete — messages are logged instantly, so they're preserved even if the sender deletes them
- Privacy first — you host the backend and database; no third-party servers touch your data
- Secure access — the frontend is password-protected against your own backend
- Search & filter — search by content or filter by date
- Export — download chat logs as
.txtfiles - Offline ready — IndexedDB caching lets you read logs without an internet connection
Recommended setup
- Install the web app as a PWA after publishing it, for better security and a native feel
- Enable PIN or biometric authentication inside the web app (Settings)
Get started
- Prerequisites & Architecture
- Step 1 — Firebase Setup
- Step 2 — Deploy the Backend
- Step 3 — Connect WhatsApp
- Step 4 — Setup the Frontend
- Step 5 — Usage
- Step 6 — Keep it Alive
- Troubleshooting
- Roadmap
Disclaimer
This tool is for personal archiving purposes. Using it to log conversations without consent may violate privacy laws in your jurisdiction. The author is not responsible for misuse.