How is a phone number stored in WhatsApp's wa.db?

[jakiyasultana2525]

In WhatsApp's **`wa.db`** file, which is one of the two main SQLite database files used by the application (alongside `msgstore.db`), a phone number is stored primarily within the **`wa_contacts`** table. This database serves as the local repository for contact information and metadata about users that the account holder has interacted with, or that WhatsApp has identified as potential contacts through syncing with the device’s address book.

Each entry in the `wa_contacts` table corresponds to a WhatsApp user or potential contact. The most important field for identifying the contact is the **`jid`** column, which stands for Jabber ID—a unique identifier used in WhatsApp’s underlying XMPP-based protocol. The `jid` takes the format **`[phone_number]@s.whatsapp.net`** for personal WhatsApp accounts or **`[phone_number]@g.us`** for group chats. For example, if a contact’s number is +1234567890, their `jid` would skype data be stored as

Beyond the `jid`, the `wa_contacts` table contains other fields such as:

* `is_whatsapp_user`: a Boolean indicator (often `1` or `0`) signifying whether the contact is an active WhatsApp user.
* `status`: the contact’s last-known status message.
* `display_name` and `given_name`: reflecting the names either set by the user or derived from the device’s contact list.
* `phone_type` and `phone_label`: which offer metadata about the contact method (mobile, work, etc.).

WhatsApp syncs with the phone's address book to populate this table. However, it does not store all device contacts—only those determined to be WhatsApp users, or those who have interacted with the account holder. As a privacy measure, the app may not always show numbers in plain text unless they are part of active chats or user actions.

It is important to note that the `wa.db` file is **encrypted on modern Android devices**, typically using file-based encryption tied to the user’s credentials and device-level keys. On rooted devices or using backup tools, this database can sometimes be extracted and decrypted for analysis. However, any use of this data should respect privacy laws and user consent requirements.

In summary, a phone number in `wa.db` is stored within the `jid` field of the `wa_contacts` table in the format `[number]@s.whatsapp.net`. This structure forms the basis for identity and communication within WhatsApp, linking each user to their contact profile, metadata, and associated activity.