Restore from Line Talk History Text?

If you are asking whether you can restore a Line chat history from a plain text file, the short answer is no—Line does not provide a built-in way to import a .txt backup back into the app. However, you can still recover your chats if you have an official backup (iCloud, Google Drive, or local), and you can use a text export to read or archive old messages. This article explains what your options are, what the text file actually contains, and how to get your conversations back.

What a Line Talk History Text File Is

When you export a chat from Line, the app gives you a .txt file that contains the messages, timestamps, and sender names in plain text. This is a read-only archive—it is not a database or a backup that Line can re-import. The text file is meant for you to keep a record outside the app, print, or share. It does not include images, stickers, or files; those are not embedded in the text export.

Why You Cannot Import a Text File

Line’s restore function works only with its own backup format, which is an encrypted database file (usually with a .backup extension on Android or a backup in iCloud on iOS). The app does not read .txt files for restoration because the text lacks the structural data (message IDs, user IDs, timestamps in the internal format, attachment references) that Line needs to rebuild the chat. Trying to rename a .txt to .backup will not work—Line checks the file’s integrity and will reject it.

How to Actually Restore Your Chat History

To restore a chat, you must have a backup created by Line itself. The steps depend on your device:

• iOS: Go to Settings > Chats > Chat History Backup. If you have an iCloud backup, you can delete the app and reinstall it, then log in and choose “Restore from iCloud.â€� The backup must be from the same Apple ID.
• Android: Go to Settings > Chats > Backup and Restore. You can back up to Google Drive or to your device’s local storage. To restore, reinstall Line, log in, and select the backup file. If you used a local backup, the file must be in the correct folder (usually Line/backup).
• Desktop (PC/Mac): Line desktop has a “Backupâ€� feature that creates a local file. You can restore from that file by going to Settings > Chats > Backup and Restore. The desktop backup is separate from mobile—you cannot use a mobile backup on desktop.

If you do not have any of these backups, there is no official way to recover deleted chats. Third-party tools claim to extract data from Line’s internal storage, but they are not reliable and may violate Line’s terms of service. The only safe path is to have a backup before you lose data.

What You Can Do with a Text Export

Even though you cannot import it, a text export is useful for:

• Reading old messages on any device (open the .txt in any text editor).
• Searching for specific keywords with Ctrl+F.
• Creating a permanent archive that is not tied to Line’s servers.
• Printing a conversation for legal or personal records.

To export a chat on mobile: open the chat, tap the menu (three dots), select “Export Chat,� and choose whether to include media. The resulting .txt will be saved to your device or shared via email. On desktop, right-click the chat and select “Export.�

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions

Many users think that copying a text file into the Line folder will make the app read it. That is false. Line does not scan folders for .txt files. Another misconception is that “Restore from backup� will merge with existing chats—it actually replaces the entire chat history with the backup. If you have new messages after the backup, they will be lost unless you back up again first.

A common mistake is trying to restore a backup on a different phone number or account. Line backups are tied to the phone number and account; you cannot restore a backup from one account to another. Also, on iOS, if you do not have enough iCloud storage, the backup may be incomplete, and Line will not warn you until you try to restore.

How to Avoid Losing Chats in the Future

To prevent this situation, set up automatic backups. On both iOS and Android, you can enable “Automatic backup� in the chat settings. Choose a frequency (daily, weekly, or monthly). Also, before you uninstall Line or switch phones, manually create a backup. Keep your backup in a safe place—on Google Drive, iCloud, or a computer. For extra safety, you can also export important chats as text files periodically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I restore a Line chat from a text file on PC?

No, the desktop app also cannot import .txt files. The desktop restore function only accepts the backup file that Line creates on that same desktop app. You can, however, open the text file to read it, but you cannot bring it back into Line.

What if I only have a text file and no backup?

Then you cannot restore the chat into Line. The text file is just a readable record. You can keep it as a reference, but it will not appear in your Line app. There is no official tool to convert a text file into a Line backup.

Does Line’s “Restore� button work with a text file?

No. The restore button expects a backup file in Line’s proprietary format. If you select a .txt file, Line will show an error or simply do nothing. Always use the backup files that Line creates.

Can I use a third-party app to convert the text file to a backup?

There is no reliable, safe third-party tool that can do this. Some tools claim to read Line’s database, but they are not endorsed and may compromise your data. The only secure method is to use Line’s own backup and restore features.

How do I export a chat as text on iPhone?

Open the chat, tap the contact’s name at the top, scroll down to “Export Chat,� and choose whether to include photos. The app will generate a .txt file that you can save to Files, email, or AirDrop. This does not create a backup that can be restored—it is just for your records.

Is there a way to restore a chat from a text file if I have the backup file too?

If you have the backup file (e.g., .backup or iCloud backup), you do not need the text file. Use the backup file to restore. The text file is only useful for reading. If you have both, restore from the backup and keep the text file as an extra reference.

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