ChatCrate · Burger Labs
ChatCrate Support
Practical help for ChatCrate on Mac. Start with Getting started and the FAQ; if you still need help, email Burger Labs with the details listed at the end of this page.
Getting started
- Install ChatCrate on a Mac running macOS 14 or later.
- In ChatCrate, choose your WhatsApp Desktop data folder — the folder that contains ChatStorage.sqlite and a Message folder with media.
- Review the preview of chats and media ChatCrate found. Optionally include Status or Downloads media.
- Choose a destination folder for the organised copies. ChatCrate will create chat-named folders there.
- Grant folder access when macOS asks. ChatCrate is sandboxed and only uses the locations you approve.
- Start Organise, wait for the copy to finish, then review the completion report.
ChatCrate copies media. It does not move or delete your WhatsApp originals.
“Organised” means the copy finished without cancellation, without copy failures, and with matching file sizes between sources and destinations. If anything failed or mismatched, ChatCrate reports “Finished with issues” instead.
FAQ
Does ChatCrate modify my originals?
No. ChatCrate reads from the source you select and writes copies to the destination. It does not rewrite your WhatsApp original files as part of a normal organise run.
Does ChatCrate delete anything?
No. ChatCrate does not delete source media. Destination conflicts are handled by renaming the new copy, not by removing what is already there.
Does ChatCrate upload my files?
No. Organising happens on your Mac. ChatCrate does not upload WhatsApp media to Burger Labs servers, and it does not include analytics or third-party tracking SDKs.
Where is organised media stored?
In the destination folder you choose. ChatCrate creates folders named by chat and places copied media inside them. Your originals stay in the source location.
How are duplicates detected?
By file size plus SHA-256 hashing. Identical media can be skipped so you are not left with needless duplicate copies.
What happens on a name conflict?
If the destination already has a different file with the same name, ChatCrate renames the incoming copy instead of overwriting the existing file.
What does verification check?
After a copy, ChatCrate verifies by matching file size between source and destination. That size check is the post-copy verification step; it is not a second full-content hash of every written file.
Can I use an external drive?
Yes, if macOS can access it and you grant ChatCrate permission to the folders on that drive. Prefer a volume that stays mounted for the whole run.
Why is ChatCrate asking for folder permission?
Because it is sandboxed. macOS requires explicit access to the source and destination folders you select, including Downloads when that entitlement applies.
What if a run is interrupted?
Stop the job or quit only if you must. Partial copies already written to the destination usually remain. You can run again; duplicates should be skipped and remaining files can continue to be organised.
Is it safe to run ChatCrate again?
Yes. Re-running is designed to be careful: originals stay untouched, known duplicates can be skipped, and conflicting names are renamed rather than overwritten.
Does ChatCrate read my WhatsApp messages?
No. Message text is not read or stored. ChatCrate works with media files and the folder access you grant.
Is ChatCrate affiliated with WhatsApp?
No. ChatCrate is an independent Burger Labs product and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by WhatsApp LLC or Meta Platforms, Inc.
Troubleshooting
- Confirm macOS 14 or later, then quit and reopen ChatCrate.
- Re-select the source and destination folders and approve any macOS permission prompts.
- Check that the destination volume is mounted, writable and has enough free space.
- If a size verification fails, confirm the source file still exists and that another app is not locking the destination file.
- For sticky permission issues, remove ChatCrate from Privacy & Security folder access where shown, then grant access again from the app.
Contact ChatCrate support
Include your macOS version, ChatCrate version if shown in the app, whether the source was an export or a local media folder, and the exact wording of any error. Do not attach private WhatsApp media unless we specifically ask for a safe sample and you are authorised to share it.
Email is monitored during ordinary working hours. Burger Labs does not provide phone support, live chat or a 24/7 helpdesk.