How to Recover .CRYPT12 Files After Your System Crashes Unexpectedly

Have files been deleted due to a user’s error or software error? Have you formatted a disk by accident and need to know how to recover the files? Read our .CRYPT12 file recovery guide for Windows, MacOS, Android and IOS in 2024.

How to Recover .CRYPT12 Files After Your System Crashes Unexpectedly

What is a .CRYPT12 file?

A CRYPT12 file is an encrypted database created by WhatsApp Messenger, an Android messenger application. It contains a 256-bit AES encrypted database of messages sent and received through the app.

What Are Common Causes of ".CRYPT12" Files Lost or Failure?

There are several common causes of ".CRYPT12" file loss or failure:

  1. Accidental deletion: Users may accidentally delete ".CRYPT12" files while managing their device's storage or cleaning up unnecessary files.
  2. System or app crashes: Unexpected system or app crashes can result in the loss or corruption of ".CRYPT12" files.
  3. Malware or virus attacks: Malicious software or viruses can infect a device and cause damage to ".CRYPT12" files, making them inaccessible or corrupt.
  4. Device formatting or factory reset: Performing a device formatting or factory reset without proper backup can lead to the loss of all data, including ".CRYPT12" files.
  5. File system errors: File system errors, such as bad sectors on storage media or corruption of file allocation tables, can cause ".CRYPT12" files to become unreadable.
  6. Transfer errors: Errors during file transfer, such as interrupted or incomplete transfers, can result in the loss or corruption of ".CRYPT12" files.
  7. Software or app updates: Sometimes, software or app updates can cause compatibility issues, leading to the loss or failure of ".CRYPT12" files.
  8. Physical damage to storage media: Physical damage to the storage media, such as a hard drive failure or a damaged SD card, can result in the loss of ".CRYPT12" files.

It is always recommended to regularly backup important files, including ".CRYPT12" files, to prevent data loss in case of any unforeseen circumstances.

How to recover lost ".CRYPT12" files?

Sometimes while working with a computer, laptop or other stationary or mobile devices, you may encounter various bugs, freezes, hardware or software failures, even in spite of regular updates and junk cleaning. As a result, an important ".CRYPT12" file may be deleted.

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🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

By no means should you think that the only way to recover a ".CRYPT12" file is always to create it once more.

Use programs for recovering ".CRYPT12" files if a file was lost after accidental or deliberate deleting, formatting the memory card or the internal storage, cleaning the storage device, after a virus attack or a system failure.

Programs to recover ".CRYPT12" files

Looking for a way to get files back? In cases when files were deleted and they cannot be restored by using standard operating system tools, use Hetman Partition Recovery.

Partition Recovery™ 4.9
The tool recovers data from any devices, regardless of the cause of data loss.
Download

Follow the directions below:

  1. Download Hetman Partition Recovery, install and start the program.

  2. The program will automatically scan the computer and display all hard disks and removable drives connected to it, as well as physical and local disks.

    File Recovery Software
  3. Double-click on the disk from which you need to recover ".CRYPT12" files, and select analysis type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Analysis Type
  4. When the scanning is over, you will be shown the files for recovery.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Files that Can be Restored
  5. To find a file you need, use the program’s interface to open the folder it was deleted from, or go to the folder "Content-Aware Analysis" and select the required file type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Deep Scan
  6. Select the files you have been looking for and click "Recovery".

    File Recovery Software - Files List for Recovery
  7. Choose one of the methods for saving the files and recover them.

    Saving recovered files in Hetman Partition Recovery

How to open file with ".CRYPT12" extension?

Looking for how to open a stereo whatsApp Encrypted Database File image file file?

Programs that open ".CRYPT12" files

Web
WhatCrypt WhatCrypt
Android
WhatsApp Messenger WhatsApp Messenger

Additional Information

  • File type: WhatsApp Encrypted Database File

  • File extension: .CRYPT12

  • Developer: WhatsApp

  • Category: Database Files

  • Format: N/A

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 16:05 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .CRYPT12 files after deleting, cleaning or formatting!
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Vladimir Artiukh

Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

  • What is the process for repairing a ".CRYPT12" file extension?

    The ".CRYPT12" file extension is associated with WhatsApp Messenger and represents encrypted chat history backup files. To repair a ".CRYPT12" file extension, you need to follow these steps:

    1. Ensure you have a compatible version of WhatsApp installed on your device. The version should be the same or higher than the one used to create the backup file.
    2. Locate the ".CRYPT12" file on your device. It is usually stored in the "/WhatsApp/Databases/" folder of your internal storage or SD card.
    3. Rename the file by removing the ".CRYPT12" extension. For example, you can change it to "msgstore.db.crypt12".
    4. Open WhatsApp on your device and go through the setup process if required. Ensure you use the same phone number and account as the one used to create the backup.
    5. During the setup, WhatsApp will detect the renamed backup file and prompt you to restore it. Follow the on-screen instructions to restore your chat history.
    6. Once the restoration process is complete, your ".CRYPT12" backup file will be repaired, and your chat history should be accessible within WhatsApp.

    Note: It's important to regularly back up your WhatsApp chat history to prevent data loss.

  • Are there any specific tools or software available for repairing ".CRYPT12" files?

    There are no specific tools or software available for repairing ".CRYPT12" files as these files are encrypted and associated with WhatsApp Messenger. The ".CRYPT12" extension is used for encrypted backup files created by WhatsApp on Android devices. These files can only be decrypted and accessed by using the original device or by restoring the backup through the WhatsApp application itself.

  • Can a ".CRYPT12" file be repaired if it has been corrupted or damaged?

    No, a ".CRYPT12" file cannot be repaired if it has been corrupted or damaged. The ".CRYPT12" file format is used by WhatsApp to store encrypted chat backups on Android devices. If this file is corrupted or damaged, it is unlikely that it can be repaired. However, you can try to restore the file from a backup if you have one available.

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