How to Recover Deleted WhatsApp Messages

Edited 2 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

WhatsAppMessage RecoveryCommunicationData ManagementMobile AppsSmartphoneAndroidiPhoneBackupSecurity

In today's world, WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps used around the world. Many people use it not only for personal communication but also for professional discussions. However, sometimes you may accidentally delete important messages from your chats and wonder how to recover them. This guide will provide a detailed explanation of the methods you can use to recover deleted WhatsApp messages. There are several techniques available, and choosing the right technique depends on your particular situation.

Using cloud backup

Android

For Android users, it is possible to back up and restore WhatsApp messages more easily if you have a Google Drive backup. Here's how you can recover messages using a Google Drive backup:

1. Check the existing backup: Go to WhatsApp > Menu > Settings > Chats > Chat backup. Here you can see the last backup date.
2. Uninstall WhatsApp: Before you can restore a backup, you'll need to uninstall WhatsApp from your phone. To uninstall, go to your phone's Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Uninstall.
3. Reinstall WhatsApp: Go to Google Play Store and reinstall WhatsApp.
4. Verify your phone number: Open WhatsApp, read and accept the terms and conditions, and then verify your phone number using the same number used for backup.
5. Restore from Google Drive: After verification, WhatsApp will ask you to restore your messages and media from Google Drive. Tap on the 'Restore' button and wait for the process to complete.
6. Complete the setup: After the restoration process is complete, tap Next. Your messages will be displayed once the initialization is complete.

iOS

If you’re an iOS user, you can restore your deleted WhatsApp messages using an iCloud backup:

1. Check iCloud backup: Go to WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat backup. Make sure there's a recent backup available on iCloud.
2. Uninstall WhatsApp: On your iPhone, find the WhatsApp app and press and hold the app icon, then uninstall it by tapping the 'X' on the icon.
3. Reinstall WhatsApp: Go to the Apple App Store and re-download WhatsApp.
4. Verify your phone number: Open WhatsApp, agree to the Terms and Conditions, and verify your phone number.
5. Restore from iCloud: WhatsApp will ask you to restore your chat history from iCloud. Tap the 'Restore' button and wait for the process to complete.
6. Complete setup: When the restoration is complete, follow the on-screen instructions to complete setup of your app.

Recovering messages from a local backup

Recover local backup on Android

WhatsApp also creates a local backup on your phone's storage every day at 2 AM. To recover messages from a local backup:

1. Find the local backup file: Use a file manager app to navigate to your phone's internal storage or SD card and follow this path: WhatsApp > Databases. The folder contains backup files such as msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt12 and msgstore.db.crypt12 (the most recent file).
2. Rename the backup file: Rename the file with the desired date (for example, msgstore-2023-01-15.1.db.crypt12) msgstore.db.crypt12.
3. Uninstall WhatsApp: Go to your phone's Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Uninstall.
4. Reinstall WhatsApp: Go to Google Play Store and reinstall WhatsApp.
5. Restore from a local backup: Open WhatsApp, verify your phone number, and WhatsApp will detect the local backup and ask if you want to restore it. Tap 'Restore'.
6. Complete setup: After the restore process is complete, follow the on-screen instructions to complete setup.

Using a third-party tool

There are many third-party tools and software available that can help you recover deleted WhatsApp messages. Some of the popular tools include Dr.Fone, FoneDog Toolkit, and Tenorshare UltData. Here is a general guide on how to use these tools:

1. Download and install the software: Download and install the recovery tool from the official website.
2. Connect your phone to a computer: Use a USB cable to connect your phone to a computer. Make sure USB debugging is enabled on your phone.
3. Launch the software: Open the recovery software and follow the on-screen instructions to connect your phone.
4. Scan deleted messages: Select 'WhatsApp Messages' in the software interface and start the scan. This tool will look for deleted messages on your phone.
5. Preview and restore messages: After the scan, the software will display the deleted messages. Preview the messages and select the messages you want to recover. Click the 'Restore' button to save the recovered messages to your computer or phone.

Preventive measures

To avoid losing important WhatsApp messages in the future, consider the following preventive measures:

• Enable automatic backups: Make sure WhatsApp's automatic backup feature is enabled and set to the frequency that best suits your needs (daily, weekly, or monthly). This can be done in WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat Backup.
• Check the backup status regularly: Make it a habit to regularly check the status of your backup to ensure that your messages are being backed up properly.
• Use a cloud storage service: Back up your messages to a cloud storage service like Google Drive or iCloud for added security.
• Export important chats: For added security, save important chats by exporting them to your email or another storage medium. This can be done by opening the chat, tapping the menu button, selecting 'More', and then selecting 'Export Chat.'

Conclusion

It is possible to recover deleted WhatsApp messages through various methods such as cloud backups, local backups, and third-party tools. The key is to regularly back up your data and be familiar with the procedures for recovery. By taking preventive measures, you can protect your important messages and ensure they can be recovered if they are accidentally deleted. Follow the steps mentioned for your operating system or use a reliable third-party tool for a seamless recovery experience. Understanding these methods will help you recover your deleted WhatsApp messages quickly and stay connected without any hassle.

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