How can I restore a WhatsApp conversation without a backup on my computer - briefly?
Restoring a WhatsApp conversation without a backup is challenging but not impossible. You can use third-party software to recover deleted messages from your phone's storage.
How can I restore a WhatsApp conversation without a backup on my computer - in detail?
Restoring a WhatsApp conversation without a backup can be challenging, but there are several methods you can try to recover your lost messages. Here is a detailed guide to help you through the process:
Check for Google Drive Backup
Even if you haven't manually backed up your chats, WhatsApp automatically backs up conversations to Google Drive every day at 2 AM. To restore from this backup:
- Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp on your phone.
- During the setup process, WhatsApp will prompt you to restore messages from a Google Drive backup if one is available.
- Follow the prompts to complete the restoration process.
Use Third-Party Software
If there is no Google Drive backup, you can use third-party software designed for data recovery. These tools scan your device's memory for remnants of deleted files and may help recover lost WhatsApp messages. Popular options include:
- Dr.Fone: A comprehensive tool that supports data recovery from various devices and platforms.
- WhatsApp Recovery: Specially designed to recover lost or deleted WhatsApp messages.
Steps for Using Dr.Fone:
- Download and install Dr.Fone on your computer.
- Connect your phone to the computer using a USB cable.
- Launch Dr.Fone and select "Recover" from the main menu.
- Choose the type of data you want to recover (in this case, WhatsApp messages).
- Follow the on-screen instructions to scan your device for deleted files.
- Once the scan is complete, preview the recovered messages.
- Select the messages you want to restore and click "Recover" to save them back onto your device or computer.
Retrieve Messages from an SD Card (Android Only)
If you're using an Android device with an SD card, WhatsApp stores some data on it by default. To retrieve messages:
- Remove the SD card from your phone and insert it into your computer using a card reader.
- Navigate to the following directory:
/sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases
. - You should see files with the extension .db or .db-crypt. These are your WhatsApp message databases.
- Copy these files to your computer for safekeeping.
- To view the contents, you can use a database viewer tool like DB Browser for SQLite.
Steps for Using DB Browser:
- Download and install DB Browser for SQLite on your computer.
- Launch the application and open one of the .db files from your WhatsApp directory.
- Navigate through the tables to find your messages. The
message
table typically contains the text of your conversations. - You can export the data to a readable format like CSV or HTML for easier viewing.
Contact WhatsApp Support
If all else fails, you can reach out to WhatsApp support for assistance. Provide them with details such as your phone number and the date range of the lost messages. They might be able to help you recover your conversation if it's stored on their servers.
Prevent Future Data Loss
To avoid losing important conversations in the future, consider setting up regular backups:
- Google Drive Backup: Ensure that automatic backup to Google Drive is enabled.
- Manual Backup: Periodically back up your chats manually through WhatsApp's built-in backup feature.
By following these steps and using the available tools, you can increase your chances of successfully restoring a WhatsApp conversation without a backup on your computer.