WhatsApp has become one of the most essential communication tools in the world. We use it for chatting with friends and family, sharing important updates, and even for work.
But what happens when you accidentally delete a message or entire chat and want it back? It can feel frustrating or even panicky.
Fortunately, WhatsApp offers several ways to recover deleted messages, whether you deleted them yourself or lost them due to phone issues.
Let’s explore the best ways to recover deleted WhatsApp messages step-by-step.
Understanding WhatsApp Message Deletion
Before diving into recovery methods, it’s good to understand how WhatsApp message deletion works:
- Delete for Me: This deletes the message from your chat, but the other person still sees it.
- Delete for Everyone: Removes the message from both sides, but only works within about an hour after sending.
- Deleting Chats: You can delete entire chats or clear chat history, which removes all messages locally.
Deleted messages may still be recoverable depending on your backup settings and how long ago they were deleted.
Step 1: Check WhatsApp Chat Backup Settings
The easiest way to recover deleted messages is through backups. WhatsApp regularly backs up your chats either to Google Drive (Android) or iCloud (iPhone).
To check your backup settings:
- Android: Open WhatsApp > Tap the three dots > Settings > Chats > Chat backup. Here you’ll see when the last backup was made.
- iPhone: Open WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat Backup.
Make sure backups are enabled and check the frequency (daily, weekly, monthly). The most recent backup is your best chance for recovery.
Step 2: Restore Deleted Messages from Backup
If you have a backup that contains the deleted messages, restoring it is straightforward:
For Android:
- Uninstall WhatsApp from your phone.
- Reinstall it from the Google Play Store.
- Open WhatsApp and verify your phone number.
- When prompted, tap “Restore” to retrieve chats and media from Google Drive.
- After the restore completes, your deleted messages will reappear in the chat.
For iPhone:
- Delete WhatsApp from your device.
- Reinstall from the App Store.
- Open WhatsApp and verify your number.
- Follow the prompts to restore your chat history from iCloud backup.
Important: Restoring a backup will replace your current chat history with the backup data. Messages sent or received after the backup won’t be recovered.
Step 3: Use Local Backup (Android Only)
Android devices keep a local backup on your phone in addition to Google Drive backups. If your Google Drive backup is outdated or unavailable, local backup can be helpful.
How to use local backup:
- Open your file manager and navigate to:
Internal Storage > WhatsApp > Databases. - You’ll see files named like
msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt12. - Rename the file you want to restore (usually the latest before deletion) to
msgstore.db.crypt12. - Uninstall WhatsApp.
- Reinstall WhatsApp and verify your number.
- When prompted, tap “Restore” to recover chats from the local backup.
Local backups are typically kept for seven days, so timing matters!
Step 4: Recover Deleted Messages Without Backup (Limited Options)
If you don’t have a backup, recovering deleted WhatsApp messages becomes more challenging. WhatsApp stores messages locally, but once deleted and without a backup, they’re usually gone. However, some third-party data recovery apps claim to scan your device’s storage and retrieve deleted WhatsApp messages. Their effectiveness varies and some may require advanced phone access like rooting or jailbreaking, which can void warranties and cause security risks.
Here are a few trusted apps you can consider:
Dr.Fone – Data Recovery (Android & iOS)
- Features: Recovers deleted WhatsApp messages, photos, videos, contacts, and more. Supports both Android and iPhone.
- 장점: User-friendly interface, supports selective recovery, works with and without backup.
- 단점: Full functionality requires paid license; recovery success depends on phone model and usage; root/jailbreak may be required for deep recovery.
- Website: https://drfone.wondershare.com/
EaseUS MobiSaver (Android & iOS)
- Features: Recovers deleted WhatsApp chats, contacts, photos, and call history.
- 장점: Simple to use, supports preview before recovery, free trial available.
- 단점: Limited free features; advanced recovery may require rooting/jailbreaking; results vary.
- Website: https://www.easeus.com/mobile-tool/free-android-data-recovery.html
Tenorshare UltData (Android & iOS)
- Features: Specialized in recovering WhatsApp messages, photos, and attachments.
- 장점: Supports recovery without backup, restores deleted WhatsApp data directly from devices.
- 단점: Paid software; requires USB debugging on Android; jailbreak needed for iOS full access.
- Website: https://www.tenorshare.com/products/ultdata-android-data-recovery.html
Important Considerations:
- Always download these apps from official websites or trusted app stores.
- Avoid apps with poor reviews or suspicious permissions.
- Rooting or jailbreaking your phone can risk device stability and security.
- Success depends on how recently the messages were deleted and device usage after deletion.
While these apps offer a chance to recover lost messages without backups, using regular WhatsApp backups remains the safest and most reliable way to avoid permanent loss.
Step 5: Enable Regular Backups to Avoid Future Loss
Preventing message loss is always better than trying to recover deleted messages. To make sure you’re covered in the future:
- Set your WhatsApp to back up chats daily.
- Use Wi-Fi to back up automatically to save mobile data.
- Include videos in backups if they’re important (note this increases backup size).
- Check backup frequency regularly.
Step 6: Export Chats for Extra Backup
If there’s a particular chat or message you want to safeguard, consider exporting it:
- Open the chat.
- Tap the menu (three dots or contact name).
- Select “Export chat.”
- Choose to export with or without media.
- Save or share the exported chat file via email, cloud storage, or messaging apps.
This way, you have a copy outside of WhatsApp that you can refer to anytime.
Bonus Tips: Other Things to Keep in Mind
- WhatsApp Web doesn’t store chats locally: If you delete messages on your phone, they’re deleted on WhatsApp Web too.
- Deleted messages from other people: You can’t recover messages deleted by your contacts unless you have them saved in backups.
- Messages deleted long ago: If a lot of time passed and you haven’t backed up, chances of recovery decrease sharply.
Losing WhatsApp messages can be stressful, but most of the time, recovery is possible if you act fast and use backups wisely. Whether you have Google Drive, iCloud, or local backups, restoring deleted messages can be done with just a few simple steps.
Remember to keep regular backups enabled and consider exporting important chats separately. If you’re without backups, proceed carefully with trusted recovery tools and always prioritize your data’s safety.
자주 묻는 질문(FAQ)
1. How often does WhatsApp back up chats?
You can set WhatsApp to back up daily, weekly, or monthly—or only manually.
2. Will restoring a backup delete recent messages?
Yes, any messages received after the backup date will be lost unless saved elsewhere.
3. Can I recover deleted WhatsApp messages without backup?
It’s difficult and unreliable. Some third-party recovery apps exist but use them cautiously.
4. Does WhatsApp back up media files like photos and videos?
Yes, if you choose to include media in your backup settings.
5. Can I restore WhatsApp backups on a different phone?
Yes, as long as you use the same phone number and backup account (Google Drive or iCloud).
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