How to Repair and Open Chat.db Files on Mac

The Chat.db file is a critical database used by the Messages app on macOS to store your chat history, including text messages, images, and other media. You may lose access to essential conversations if this file becomes corrupted or goes missing. Fortunately, there are ways to repair and open Chat.db files on Mac and recover them if they're lost.

Where is the Chat.db File Stored

The Chat.db file is in your user library's Messages folder. Here's how to find it:

Step 1. Open Finder on your Mac.

Step 2. Click "Go" in the menu bar and select "Go to Folder".

Step 3. Type the following path and press Enter:

~/Library/Messages/

In the Messages folder, you'll find the Chat.db file and related files, such as Chat.db-shm and Chat.db-wal.

The Chat.db file is an SQLite database that stores all your Messages app data. If this file becomes corrupted or is accidentally deleted, you may lose access to your chat history.

How to Repair Corrupted Chat.db Files on Mac and Open it

If your Chat.db file is corrupted, you may encounter missing messages, app crashes, or the inability to open the Messages app. That's why you need professional file repair software to fix this problem on a Mac. Here's how to repair and open a corrupted Chat.db file:

We highly recommend EaseUS Fixo File Repair, and you can download a trial version and experience this software now!

Here are the steps:

Step 1. Download and launch Fixo on the Mac. Choose "File Repair" from the left panel. Click "Add File" to select corrupted Office documents, including Word, Excel, PDF, and others you want to repair.

Step 2. To repair corrupted files in batch, click the "Repair All" button. If you want to repair a specific document, move your cursor to the document and click the "Repair" button. You can click the eye icon to preview the repaired document.

Step 3. Click "Save" to save a selected document. To keep all the repaired documents, choose "Save All". When the save completes, click "View Repaired" to locate the repaired folder.

If you find this information helpful, please share it with others on social media to assist them in overcoming this common challenge.

How to Recover Lost Chat.db Files on Mac

Here is a video to help you better understand how to recover messages on a Mac. Check the five highlights first:

1. 00:50 Method 1. EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac
2. 02:02 Method 2. Recover from iCloud
3. 02:22 Method 3. Recover from Time Machine Backup

 

You can also restore the Chat.db file if you have a Time Machine backup:

Step 1. Connect your Time Machine backup drive to your Mac.

Step 2. Open Finder and navigate to the Messages folder (~/Library/Messages/).

Step 3. Enter Time Machine by clicking the Time Machine icon in the menu bar.

Step 4. Browse through the backups to find a version of the Chat.db file.

Step 5. Please select the file and click "Restore" to recover it.

Repair and Open Chat.db Files on Mac FAQs

Here are 4 additional questions about repairing and opening the chat. Check here for the answers.

1. What is the Chat.db file?

The Chat.db file is an SQLite database used by the macOS Messages app to store your chat history, including text messages, images, and attachments.

2. Can I open the Chat.db file without the Messages app?

Yes, you can open the Chat.db file using SQLite database browsers like DB Browser for SQLite or SQLite Studio. However, these tools are intended for advanced users.

3. Why did my Chat.db file get corrupted?

The Chat.db file can become corrupted due to improper shutdowns, software bugs, or disk errors. Regularly backing up your data can help prevent file corruption.

4. Can I recover deleted messages from the Chat.db file?

If the messages were deleted before the file was backed up or repaired, they may be lost. However, data recovery software can sometimes recover deleted data from the file.

Conclusion

The Chat.db file is essential for storing your Messages app data on Mac. You can lose access to important conversations if they become corrupted or go missing. Fortunately, you can repair and open the Chat.db file using EaseUS Fixo File Repair.