WhatsApp allows you to delete any chat or message on the online messaging platform. But what happens if you accidentally delete an important WhatsApp message or chat or lose it unintentionally while resetting or changing your device? Are you lost those messages forever or is there any option to recover them?
Well, rejoice because it is definitely possible to retrieve deleted or lost WhatsApp messages. wonder how? In this article, we will walk you through how you can restore deleted messages or media on WhatsApp on Android and iOS devices, how you can create a backup of your WhatsApp account for recovery, and much more. So let’s get started!
how to recover deleted whatsapp chat on android phone
If you are an Android user, WhatsApp allows you to create a backup of your chat history on Google Drive or the device’s internal storage on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. It can be used to recover any deleted or missing WhatsApp messages; Although, within the selected auto-backup period. Any chats before the next backup will be lost forever.
from google drive
While recovering deleted WhatsApp chat messages from Google Drive, you need to make sure that you are using the phone number and Google account used to create the backup. Here’s how you can recover WhatsApp chat backup from Google Drive on Android:
- Uninstall WhatsApp from your Android device and then, restoration
- Now, open the app and enter your registered WhatsApp number sign in, Type the OTP received on the same number for verification.
- After verification, you will be prompted to restore your chat backup from Google Drive. to knock restore To start the recovery process.
- After initialization is complete, tap on next to search all your chats.
WhatsApp will continue to download media files including photos, videos, documents and more to your Android smartphone in the background.
from local backup
If you don’t have your chat history backed up on Google Drive, WhatsApp will automatically delete it from your local backup file. You need to transfer the backup WhatsApp files to your Android phone using File Explorer, Computer or SD card. follow these steps:
- download a file manager app on your Android phone or open the one that already comes pre-installed with your device, if any.
- In the app, navigate to /sdcard/whatsapp/database either Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Backups For Android 12 and above devices.
- From the list of backup files, copy most recent and paste It is in the Database folder in the internal storage of your existing or new device.
- Now, uninstall and restoration WhatsApp on your Android phone and log in using your registered phone number.
- Tap when prompted restore Option to recover all your deleted or missing chats from local backup.
Note: Your phone’s internal storage automatically stores the last seven days of WhatsApp history in local backup files. This backup is created every day at 2.00 PM and saved as a file.
How to Recover Deleted WhatsApp Chats on iPhone
Before you follow the steps below, you need to verify that you have an iCloud backup for WhatsApp. Open WhatsApp and go to Settings > Chats > Chat backup. If you find that a backup was performed, proceed as described below:
- Selectively Uninstall WhatsApp From Your iPhone Delete App > Delete App,
- Now, go to the App Store and restoration messenger on your phone.
3. Once the installation is complete, open the app and verify your telephone number.
4. follow the signs To recover your deleted or missing messages from iCloud.
how to recover deleted media on whatsapp
Following the above mentioned methods to recover WhatsApp messages on Android and iOS can also recover deleted media from your chats. But if that doesn’t work, it is possible to find them in your phone’s internal storage or cloud storage.
Here’s our guide on how you can recover deleted media from WhatsApp chat history:
on Android
- go for File manager > WhatsApp > Media And you can find the deleted photos you want to recover in one of the folders.
- take a look inside your phone gallery app (Album > Whatsapp).
- check google photos If you have turned on the automatic camera upload feature.
on iphone
- You can get a backup copy of deleted images if you have enabled the Save to Camera Roll feature in WhatsApp photos application,
- If you have Image Backup turned on iCloudYou may want to check inside Camera Roll, Camera Uploads or similar folders on the cloud.
how to backup whatsapp messages
By now, you must have already learned that you can restore deleted WhatsApp messages and media only if your chats are backed up on cloud storage. Even though WhatsApp creates a local backup on the Android device every night, it will be of no use if you lose the phone. Therefore, it is important that you create a cloud backup on Google Drive or iCloud.
Read on to know how you can back up WhatsApp messages to Google Drive and iCloud:
On Google Drive (for Android users)
- open WhatsApp Tap the three-dot icon in the top-right for more options.
- go for Settings > Chats > Chat Backup and choose back up to google drive,
- On the page that opens, select a backup frequency From daily, weekly or monthly.
- Next, choose Google account Where you want to back up your WhatsApp chat history (or add an account if you haven’t linked your phone to a Google account).
- Now, select back up over And click on the network you want to use for backup. ,It’s better to use a stable Wi-Fi connection for backup rather than cellular data.)
If you want to manually backup your WhatsApp chats to Google Drive at any point of time, just open the app, open the three-dot menu, and tap Settings > Chats > Chat backup > Back up,
On iCloud (for iOS users)
- open WhatsApp tap more Adjustment Tab at the bottom.
2. Go to Chat > Chat Backup and choose auto backup,
3. Now, choose one backup frequency From daily, weekly or monthly.
WhatsApp on iOS also gives you the option to include or exclude videos from the backup. The iCloud backup process may take some time to complete so it is better to use Wi-Fi. If at any point you want to create a manual iCloud backup of your WhatsApp chats, open WhatsApp, go to the Settings menu, and tap Backup. Chat > Chat Backup > Back Up Now,
Note: Whenever a new backup file is created, WhatsApp deletes the old backup files. Android phones store backup files for up to seven days, while the iPhone only keeps the latest files.
questions to ask
1. Can I recover permanently deleted WhatsApp messages without backup?
No. The only way to recover your deleted WhatsApp messages is if you have backed them up. If you forgot to enable chat backup option, the chats will be lost forever.
2. Can I recover old deleted WhatsApp chats from local backup?
Only Android devices allow you to restore old WhatsApp chats as they give you access to your local backup files. Here are the steps to restore chat backup from a later date:
- Download the File Manager app or open the one that comes pre-installed on your Android phone.
- In the app, go to Whatsapp > Database Under SD card or internal storage folder.
- From the list, find the backup file you want to restore and rename it msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt12 To db.crypt12, (Remember not to change the crypt extension or any other part of the name except the date.)
- Now, uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp on your Android smartphone.
- Log in with your mobile number and follow the prompts to start the backup restore.
3. I can’t find any WhatsApp backup on Google Drive. what can i do
If you can’t find any backup files for WhatsApp on your Google Drive, please check:
- You are signed in to the same Google Account that you used to create the backup.
- You are using the same phone number that was used to create the backup.
- Your chat history or SD card is corrupted.
- You have enabled chat backup option on WhatsApp.
4. Why am I unable to restore my Google Drive backup?
If you are unable to restore WhatsApp backup file from Google Drive, verify the following:
- You’re using the same Google Account and phone number that was used to create the backup.
- You have enough free space on your device to save the backup files.
- You have installed Google Play Services on your Android device.
- You are using a strong and stable internet connection, preferably Wi-Fi, for the backup.
- Your smartphone is 100% charged or plugged into a power source.
5. Why am I unable to restore from iCloud backup?
If you can’t restore your WhatsApp backup from iCloud, verify the following:
- You’re using the same phone number and iCloud ID that was used to create the backup.
- You have enough free space in iCloud and on your device to restore the backup.
- You are using a strong and stable network, preferably Wi-Fi, for the backup.
- Turn iCloud Drive off and then back on from iPhone Settings.
- If the backup was made using iCloud Drive, you’re using an iPhone with iOS 12 or later
- Log out of your iCloud, reboot the phone and then sign in again.
