WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, cutting across national boundaries and cultures. The app was sought after because of its ability to send and receive photographs and make audio to friends and family within and without the country at no additional cost. The app has since updated its features to include video calls, conference calls, disappearing pictures, animated stickers and much more. No doubt, millions of people use the app on an hourly basis and use it more often than any other social media application. This translates to terabytes of data, including pictures, videos, and important information stored on the app’s servers, and losing or mistakenly deleting messages might be nerve-racking. Knowing how to retrieve this data is important.
How to recover deleted WhatsApp messages on android
Restoring deleted messages depends on whether a usable backup or supported transfer still contains them. Before uninstalling WhatsApp, check the backup date and account. A backup made after a message was deleted may not contain that message.
- Restore WhatsApp data from google drive
Android users can enable WhatsApp backups to their Google Account. If a usable backup contains the messages you need, follow WhatsApp’s official restoration instructions using the same phone number and backup account.
- Check that a usable backup contains the messages you need before uninstalling WhatsApp.
- Confirm access to the same phone number and Google Account used for the backup.
- Have any encrypted-backup password or key required by your backup ready.
- Follow WhatsApp’s current reinstall or transfer instructions.
- Choose the available restore option during setup when prompted.
- Only messages and media contained in a successfully restored backup can be recovered through that backup.
- What if you do not have a usable backup?
If the messages are not in a usable backup, they may be permanently lost. Third-party recovery software cannot guarantee that it will retrieve every deleted chat, call log or attachment.
- Check whether a Google Account or local WhatsApp backup is available.
- Check the date: a newer backup may have overwritten an older copy.
- If no usable source contains the messages, there is no guaranteed recovery method.
How to recover deleted WhatsApp messages on iPhone
iPhone users can back up WhatsApp chats to iCloud. Check which Apple Account holds the backup and when it was created before attempting to restore. Messages must have been included in the backup to be restored from it.
- Retrieve deleted or lost messages from WhatsApp iCloud backup
If a usable WhatsApp iCloud backup contains the messages you need, follow the official restoration steps. Check your backup and credentials before uninstalling the app:
- Check that the WhatsApp iCloud backup exists and contains the messages you need.
- Use the same phone number and Apple Account associated with that backup.
- Follow WhatsApp’s official restoration instructions during setup.
- Messages that were not included in the restored backup will not reappear through that backup.
- Check any existing computer backup carefully
An existing computer backup is different from a WhatsApp iCloud chat backup. Restoring a device backup can replace current data, and it does not guarantee recovery of any particular deleted chat. Check the backup date and Apple’s official restore guidance before proceeding.
- Confirm that the computer backup already exists and check its date.
- Keep a current backup before considering a whole-device restore.
- Follow Apple’s current instructions for the device and computer you use.
- Understand that restoring the device does not guarantee that a particular deleted WhatsApp message is in that backup.
- Recovery tools and their limits Advertisement
A recovery tool cannot guarantee access to deleted encrypted WhatsApp messages, especially where no usable backup remains. Claims that every message can be restored without a backup should not be relied on.
- Check for a usable official backup before considering recovery software.
- Do not treat a software scan as proof that deleted encrypted messages can be recovered.
- Keep the original data and avoid replacing your only backup while troubleshooting.
- Check your iCloud backup safely
Use the official WhatsApp and Apple backup processes where possible. A third-party request for your Apple Account credentials is not required merely to check whether WhatsApp has an iCloud backup.
Step 1: In WhatsApp, check Settings, Chats and Chat Backup to see the date and account of any available backup.
Step 2: Confirm that you can access the same phone number and the Apple Account used for the backup.
Step 3: Keep your Apple Account password, verification codes and backup encryption credentials private.
Step 4: Check that your device and iCloud have the space needed for the official restoration process.
Step 5: If a usable backup exists, follow WhatsApp’s official restore instructions. Do not assume a third-party scan will produce missing messages.
Step 6: Check the restored history. Messages not included in the backup may remain unavailable.
Before starting the process to restore your messages, ensure that you have enough space on your device and that your iCloud is turned on. You can ensure that your iCloud is on by doing the following:
- Go to your phone’s settings.
- Tap on iCloud and check to see if your iCloud Drive is on. If you can’t seem to find it, simply key in “iCloud” in the search bar.
- If it is not activated, slide the switch.
How to restore old chat messages.
Older messages can be restored only if they remain in an accessible backup or supported source. Check the backup date and use WhatsApp’s current instructions before replacing any files or reinstalling the app.
- Check for an existing local or cloud backup before changing any files.
- Follow WhatsApp’s current instructions for your device and backup type.
- Do not force an old file extension such as crypt12 onto a different backup format.
- Keep an unchanged copy of a backup before attempting any supported restoration.
If you have lost important messages, start by checking your backups and the official WhatsApp guidance. Restoring a usable backup may help, but some deleted messages can be permanently lost.