Introduction
WhatsApp, one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, is used by billions of people to communicate with friends, family, and colleagues. However, it’s not uncommon for users to accidentally delete important messages, leaving them wondering how to recover them. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore various methods and techniques for recovering deleted messages on WhatsApp, whether you use an Android or iOS device.
Understanding WhatsApp Data Storage:
Before delving into the methods to recover deleted WhatsApp messages, it’s important to understand how WhatsApp stores your data. WhatsApp regularly creates backups of your chat history and media files. On Android devices, these backups are stored in the device’s local storage and may be uploaded to Google Drive. On iOS devices, backups are stored in iCloud.
Method 1: Recover Deleted Messages from Backup (Android):
If you use an Android device and have previously enabled automatic Google Drive backups for WhatsApp, you can recover deleted messages by restoring from a backup. Here’s how:
Uninstall WhatsApp: First, uninstall WhatsApp from your Android device.
Reinstall WhatsApp: Go to the Google Play Store, reinstall WhatsApp, and open the app.
Verify Phone Number: Follow the on-screen instructions to verify your phone number.
Restore Backup: When prompted, WhatsApp will detect the available backups in your Google Drive. Choose the most recent backup and select “Restore.”
Messages Restored: Your messages will be restored from the selected backup, including the ones that were deleted.
Method 2: Recover Deleted Messages from iCloud (iOS):
For iOS users, WhatsApp messages are backed up to iCloud. You can recover deleted messages by restoring from an iCloud backup. Here’s how:
Uninstall WhatsApp: First, delete WhatsApp from your iOS device.
Reinstall WhatsApp: Visit the App Store, reinstall WhatsApp, and open the app.
Verify Phone Number: Follow the on-screen instructions to verify your phone number.
Restore Chat History: After verifying your number, WhatsApp will prompt you to restore your chat history. Tap “Restore Chat History.”
Messages Restored: Your messages will be restored from the iCloud backup, including deleted ones.
Method 3: Recover Deleted Messages from Local Backup (Android):
WhatsApp also creates local backups on Android devices. These backups are stored on the device’s internal storage and are available for the past seven days. Here’s how to recover deleted messages from a local backup:
Uninstall WhatsApp: First, uninstall WhatsApp from your Android device.
Locate WhatsApp Databases: Use a file manager app to navigate to “Internal storage/WhatsApp/Databases” on your device.
Find the Most Recent Backup: In the “Databases” folder, look for the most recent backup file. It will be named “msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt12,” with the date representing the backup date.
Rename Backup File: Rename the backup file you want to restore to “msgstore.db.crypt12.”
Reinstall WhatsApp: Reinstall WhatsApp from the Google Play Store and open the app.
Verify Phone Number: Follow the on-screen instructions to verify your phone number.
Restore Chat History: WhatsApp will detect the renamed backup file and ask if you want to restore your chat history. Tap “Restore.”
Messages Restored: Your messages will be restored from the local backup, including deleted ones.
Method 4: Use Third-Party Recovery Software (Android):
If you’re unable to recover deleted messages using the methods mentioned earlier, you can explore third-party recovery software designed to retrieve WhatsApp messages. Some popular options for Android include Dr.Fone, Tenorshare UltData, and iMobie PhoneRescue. Here’s a basic guide on using such software:
Download and Install: Download the recovery software of your choice from a reputable source and install it on your computer.
Connect Your Device: Connect your Android device to the computer using a USB cable.
Enable USB Debugging: Ensure that USB debugging is enabled on your Android device. You may need to follow specific steps depending on your device’s make and model.
Scan Your Device: Launch the recovery software and start the scanning process. The software will search for deleted WhatsApp messages and display the results.
Select and Recover: Once the scan is complete, review the recovered messages and select the ones you want to restore.
Restore Messages: Follow the software’s instructions to restore the selected messages to your device.
Method 5: Check Archived Chats and Media:
Sometimes, users mistakenly archive chats instead of deleting them. Check your archived chats to see if the deleted messages are there. Here’s how to access archived chats on both Android and iOS:
On Android:
Open WhatsApp and scroll to the bottom of the Chats tab.
Tap “Archived chats” to view your archived conversations.
If you find the deleted messages in archived chats, you can move them back to your main chat list.
On iOS:
Open WhatsApp and go to the Chats tab.
Scroll to the top of the Chats tab to reveal a search bar.
Enter a contact’s name or a keyword from the deleted message.
In the search results, you may find the archived chat containing the deleted messages.
Method 6: Contact WhatsApp Support:
If none of the above methods work, you can contact WhatsApp support for assistance. They may be able to help you recover deleted messages or provide additional guidance.
Conclusion:
Losing important messages on WhatsApp can be a frustrating experience, but there are multiple methods to recover deleted messages, whether you use an Android or iOS device. The key is to act quickly and explore the available options, from restoring backups to using third-party recovery software. With the right approach, you can increase your chances of successfully recovering your deleted messages and preserving your valuable conversations.
