So I've just found a way to backup the whole thing (all of my chats and media) to my PC, using an app called WonderShare Dr.Fone which I downloaded for Windows 11. But a big problem is it's encrypted (since the backup process requires enabling end-to-end encryption backup in WhatsApp with a 64-bit key) and the software doesn't seem to have the option to directly view or extract the encrypted data.
I guess it's better than nothing, because supposedly this data can be transferred to WhatsApp on a new device as it presents that option, and may be theoretically extractable by other programs?
However, if anyone finds out how to view or extract the encrypted data (given I know the 64-bit key I generated), or know of another software that enables a more transparent backup, please chime in.
In the meantime, I guess I'll have to sift through my chats and download any media I don't have yet I may want to keep, in case I don't have access to these later (planning to change phones soon).
A few tips for the software: you'll prob need to also download the "Dr.Fone Link" mobile app for Android, and after connecting your phone by USB, will need to enable USB File Transfer, Developer Mode, USB Debugging (the app will guide you through the latter 2 if not enabled yet). In the desktop app settings, you can specify where to save the backup. If you don't specify a path, it will save directly in the C drive. For the WhatsApp backup process in Dr.Fone, unfortunately a 64-bit key is required; won't accept a standard password.