to belief, this is the digital communication era wherein keeping in touch has never been such a challenge. WhatsApp enables us to send and receive messages, pictures, and even videos with just a few taps to keep us in touch globally with friends, family, and coworkers. So, what does one do in the case of mistakenly deleting a vital message?
We all, one or another, know very well the accident of deletion. And, of course, the panic after that is real. Whether it is Android, iPhone, or even WhatsApp Web, there are ways to recover deleted messages. We are here to walk you through them step by step. Let’s see how you can get back those deleted messages.
Why People Want to Recover Deleted Messages on WhatsApp
Let’s be honest: when a message gets deleted, the first feeling that strikes is one of curiosity. Was it something important? Something private? Humans are generally wired to want to dig in for more, and this curiosity pushes most of us into trying to find ways through which we can recover deleted WhatsApp messages.
WhatsApp has been offering users a message-deleting feature since 2017, whereby users are allowed to erase messages sent either by mistake or in haste. While the feature can prove to be very helpful for privacy reasons alone or even simple error correction, it can also be very frustrating when suddenly it is done.
Afterwards, it is realized that something critical has been deleted, which could include business details, an important conversation, or any message with sentimental value attached to it.
How to Recover Deleted WhatsApp Messages on Android
Thankfully, if you are using an Android device, there is more than one way of restoring deleted WhatsApp messages. Let’s take a closer look at some of the best:
Solution 1: Restore WhatsApp Messages with Cloud Backup
Cloud backups are more or less the easiest way of recovering deleted messages on an Android device. WhatsApp automatically creates a backup of your chat history to Google Drive** every day at 2 AM if you’ve enabled backups, and it lets you restore messages from this backup.
Here’s how to do it:
1. Go to your phone and uninstall WhatsApp.
2. Open the Google Play Store and install WhatsApp again.
3. Open the application and verify your number through it.
4. If asked, tap Restore to retrieve your chat history from the backup stored in the cloud.
Note: This method will be applicable only if the backup actually contains the messages you are trying to recover. First of all, make sure that your chat backup settings are turned on in WhatsApp:
Go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup to check your backup frequency and make sure it’s backing up to the right Google account.
Approach 2: Restore Deleted Messages Using the Notification Log of Android
Does your Android have something called a Notification Log, where every notification that comes in WhatsApp messages, in this case, is stored? It may work in case the message has been deleted after sending you the notification. Do the following to view it:
1. Long-press on your home screen to open the widget menu.
2. Tap on Widgets and then select the Settings Widget.
3. Scroll down and tap on Notification Log.
4. Place this widget on your home screen.
5. Click on the widget to see a history of all your past notifications, including WhatsApp messages that were deleted.
While this may be the most straightforward method, it will only work if you have notifications enabled and have received the message as a notification before deletion.
Approach 3: Recover Deleted Messages using Third-Party Apps
Should these tricks not work, some third-party applications can help recover deleted WhatsApp messages. WAMR serves as a great application for this purpose, especially for Android users. This application helps you recover the WAMR-deleted messages with the assistance of notification data and internal backups. Be aware that third-party apps may request access to sensitive information.
Here is how you can recover deleted messages by using WAMR:
1. First, download the WAMR from the Google Play Store.
2. Follow the onscreen setup and follow the requested permissions.
3. The app will keep an eye on your notifications and thoughtfully let you get into your deleted messages.
Another alternative is DiskDigger; it is a data recovery application that can sweep internal storage for lost files on your device. These lost files include WhatsApp messages.
Steps to make use of DiskDigger:
Download the DiskDigger app from the Google Play Store.
2. Fire up the app, then select Basic Scan.
3. After the scanning is complete, highlight the messages to be recovered and click Restore.
Recover Deleted WhatsApp Messages on the iPhone (iOS)
Recovering deleted WhatsApp messages is also possible if you’re an iPhone user. Here’s how:
Method 1: Restore from iCloud Backup
Just like Android, WhatsApp messages can be restored on an iPhone using iCloud backup. If you have WhatsApp iCloud backup enabled, then you can restore your chat history within a few easy steps. The following are the steps to follow:
1. Go ahead and uninstall WhatsApp from the iPhone.
2. Reinstall WhatsApp from the App Store.
3. Further, verify your phone number and tap Restore when prompted to restore the messages from the recent iCloud backup.
Make sure to have enough free storage before you actually start the process. You will need about double the amount of free storage, which is the backup size.
Approach 2: Utilizing Third-Party Tool-Dr. Fone
If you hadn’t backed up WhatsApp conversations to iCloud, then third-party software such as **Dr. Fone** could be utilized. Using this type of software, an iPhone scans for messages that have been deleted and helps recover them, even if backups still need to be created.
Here’s how to use Dr. Fone:
1. Download and then install the program Dr. Fone on your computer.
2. Connect your iPhone to your computer.
3. Launch Dr Fone, then click on Recover from OS Device.
4. Allow the application to search on your iPhone for deleted messages, then choose what you would like to recover.
Using Tenorshare UltData, similar in concept to Dr Fone, is another powerful tool at the disposal of any user using an iPhone; it has been proven to restore lost messages from your iPhone.
Why People Want to Read Deleted Messages
So, why are we even keen on recovering deleted messages? Simple, because it is in human nature to be curious. When the other person deletes a message, questions form, like, what did they say? Why did she delete it? This curiosity drives many of us to try to find a means to read those words.
Then, there is the intent for psychological closure. Every time a message is deleted, especially in conversations that are of great importance or personal to us, we feel somewhat let out in the dark or left blindfolded. Whether it be an important detail or a personal sentiment that was mentioned in the message, not knowing just what was said might be frustrating.
Would that make using third-party applications for recovering deleted WhatsApp messages safe?
While WAMR and DiskDigger are interesting third-party apps, one must consider that these apps will require access to your notifications and, further, your internal storage. Since you let those apps have an insight into sensitive information, it can be unsafe from a privacy point of view.
Before using any third-party application, envision the possible risks that might be involved, and make sure that the source you download it from is reliable.
Conclusion
Losing a WhatsApp message in the hustle of today’s digital atmosphere often feels like a tragedy. Whether it is a romantic conversation with a loved one or business information, there are ways to recover deleted messages with the right approach.
Among these simple ways, an Android user may use backups from Google Drive, access Notification Logs, or use third-party apps such as WAMR and DiskDigger. However, for iPhone users, messages can be restored by using an iCloud backup or through third-party extractor applications like Dr. Fone.
Obviously, it is in human nature to want to know what has been deleted; always be cautious with third-party apps, though. The best protection for WhatsApp messages is to make sure a backup is created regularly so one is always in the know.
FAQs
1. Can I recover WhatsApp Messages without the backup?
Well, yes, there are ways to recover messages without having a backup onboard, either through utilizing Android’s Notification Log or by using third-party services.
2. Is it safe to use third-party apps to recover messages?
It depends on the app. Never download anything from suspicious sources, and avoid giving permission to access your information.
3. Can deleted messages be recovered on WhatsApp Web?
No, unfortunately. WhatsApp Web is not designed to store message history locally. You’ll need to recover on your mobile device.”