How can I restore deleted correspondence in WhatsApp on Android?

How can I restore deleted correspondence in WhatsApp on Android - briefly?

To restore deleted correspondence in WhatsApp on an Android device, you have a few options:

  1. Backup and Restore: If you had backups enabled, you can restore your chats from the backup. Go to "Settings" > "Chats" > "Chat Backup" and tap on "Restore".
  2. Google Drive Backup: WhatsApp automatically backs up your conversations to Google Drive daily. To restore from this backup, uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp, then follow the prompts to restore your chats from Google Drive.

How can I restore deleted correspondence in WhatsApp on Android - in detail?

Restoring deleted correspondence in WhatsApp on an Android device is a process that involves several steps and options, depending on the specific circumstances of the deletion. Below is a detailed guide to help you retrieve your lost messages:

Backup Recovery

WhatsApp provides an automatic backup feature that saves your chat history to Google Drive. If you have enabled this feature, you can restore your deleted correspondence from the most recent backup. Here’s how:

  1. Uninstall and Reinstall WhatsApp: Go to your phone's Settings > Apps > WhatsApp and uninstall the app. Then, reinstall it from the Google Play Store.
  2. Verify Your Phone Number: Open WhatsApp after reinstalling and follow the prompts to verify your phone number.
  3. Restore from Backup: Once your number is verified, WhatsApp will automatically look for the most recent backup on Google Drive. If found, you’ll see an option to "Restore". Tap on it to recover your deleted messages.

Manual Backup Restoration

If you have manually created a backup of your WhatsApp data before deleting the correspondence, you can restore it as follows:

  1. Create a New Folder: On your Android device, create a new folder named "WhatsApp" in the root directory (not inside any other folders).
  2. Copy Backup Files: Copy the backup files from your local storage or cloud service into this newly created WhatsApp folder. The backup files are typically named as "msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt12".
  3. Uninstall and Reinstall WhatsApp: Uninstall WhatsApp, then reinstall it from the Google Play Store.
  4. Verify Your Phone Number: Open WhatsApp after reinstalling and verify your phone number.
  5. Restore from Backup: When prompted, you’ll see an option to "Restore". Tap on it to recover your deleted messages from the manually created backup.

Local Backup Restoration

If you have a local backup stored on your device's internal storage or SD card, you can restore it as follows:

  1. Uninstall WhatsApp: Go to Settings > Apps > WhatsApp and uninstall the app.
  2. Rename the Backup Folder: Navigate to your internal storage or SD card, find the "WhatsApp" folder containing your backup files, and rename it to "WhatsAppBackup".
  3. Reinstall WhatsApp: Install WhatsApp from the Google Play Store.
  4. Verify Your Phone Number: Open WhatsApp after reinstalling and verify your phone number.
  5. Restore from Backup: When prompted, you’ll see an option to "Restore". Tap on it to recover your deleted messages from the local backup.

Third-Party Software

If the above methods do not work for you, consider using third-party software designed to recover deleted WhatsApp messages. These tools often require root access and may come with associated risks, so ensure you trust the source before proceeding.

Preventive Measures

To avoid losing your WhatsApp correspondence in the future, it is recommended to enable the automatic backup feature on Google Drive:

  1. Open WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat Backup.
  2. Tap on "Backup" and select a Google account for backup.
  3. Choose the backup frequency (daily, weekly, or monthly) and tap "Back Up".

By following these steps and taking preventive measures, you can effectively restore your deleted correspondence in WhatsApp on an Android device.