All chats disappeared in WhatsApp, how to restore them?

All chats disappeared in WhatsApp, how to restore them - briefly?

If all your chats have vanished from WhatsApp, there are a few steps you can take to try and recover them. Firstly, ensure that you have backed up your chats regularly, as this is the most reliable way to restore lost data. If a backup exists, you can restore it by uninstalling and reinstalling WhatsApp, then following the prompts to retrieve your messages.

All chats disappeared in WhatsApp, how to restore them - in detail?

If you find yourself in a situation where all your WhatsApp chats have disappeared, it can be quite alarming. However, there are several methods you can try to recover your lost messages. Here’s a detailed guide on how to restore your WhatsApp chats:

Backup and Restore

  1. Check for Backups:

    • Ensure that you have previously created a backup of your WhatsApp data. WhatsApp automatically backs up your chats daily at 2 AM, provided your device is connected to the internet.

  2. Restoring from Google Drive (Android):

    • Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp.
    • Open WhatsApp and verify your phone number.
    • When prompted to restore your chats, tap “Restore.” This will restore your messages from the last backup.

  3. Restoring from iCloud (iOS):

    • Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp.
    • Open WhatsApp and verify your phone number.
    • When prompted to restore your chats, tap “Restore Chat History.” This will restore your messages from the last backup.

Contacting Support

If you didn’t have a recent backup or if restoring from a backup doesn’t work:

  1. Contact WhatsApp Support:
    • Go to WhatsApp > Settings > Help > Contact Us.
    • Describe your issue and provide as many details as possible, including the date when your chats disappeared.
    • WhatsApp support might be able to assist you further or provide additional solutions.

Local Backup Recovery (Android Only)

  1. Check for Local Backups:

    • Navigate to sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases.
    • Look for files named msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt12 where YYYY is the year, MM is the month, and DD is the day.

  2. Rename the Backup File:

  3. Reinstall WhatsApp:

    • Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp.
    • Open WhatsApp, verify your phone number, and when prompted, restore your chats.

Third-Party Applications (Caution Required)

  1. Use Caution:

    • Be wary of third-party applications claiming to recover WhatsApp data as they might not be secure or reliable.

  2. Choose Reputable Software:

    • If you decide to use third-party software, ensure it is from a reputable source and has positive reviews.

Preventing Future Loss

  1. Regular Backups:

    • Make sure your WhatsApp chats are backed up regularly to avoid future data loss.

  2. Manual Backup:

    • You can manually back up your chats by going to WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat Backup, and tapping “Back Up.”

By following these steps, you should be able to restore your lost WhatsApp chats effectively. Always remember that regular backups are crucial to prevent data loss in the future.