How can I restore deleted messages on WhatsApp Android - briefly?
Restoring deleted messages on WhatsApp for Android is possible through a few methods. The most effective way is to use a backup service that regularly saves your chat data. If you have enabled Google Drive backup, you can restore your messages by uninstalling and reinstalling the app, then following the prompts to restore from the backup.
How can I restore deleted messages on WhatsApp Android - in detail?
Restoring deleted messages on WhatsApp for Android involves a few specific steps, primarily utilizing the app's built-in backup feature. Here is a detailed guide to help you recover your lost messages:
Step 1: Check Your Backup
WhatsApp automatically backs up chats and media to Google Drive every day at 2 AM. To restore from this backup:
- Uninstall WhatsApp from your device.
- Reinstall WhatsApp from the Google Play Store.
- Open WhatsApp and follow the on-screen instructions to set up your account again using the same phone number.
- When prompted, allow WhatsApp to access your Google Drive backup.
- Choose the backup that you want to restore. Keep in mind that this will replace any messages currently in your chat history.
- Wait for the restoration process to complete. Once finished, you can start using WhatsApp as usual.
Step 2: Restore Without Uninstalling
If you prefer not to uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp, you can still restore from a backup:
- Open WhatsApp on your Android device.
- Go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup.
- If there is a backup available, you will see the date and size of the last backup.
- Tap on Restore to start the restoration process. This will overwrite your current chat history with the backed-up data.
Step 3: Use Local Backup (if applicable)
If you have a local backup stored on your device, you can restore from it by following these steps:
- Ensure that WhatsApp is installed on your device.
- Go to the file manager app on your Android device.
- Navigate to the WhatsApp > Databases folder.
- Look for files named
msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt12. These are your local backups. - Rename the backup file you want to restore to
msgstore.db.crypt12. - Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp.
- During the setup process, when prompted to restore from a backup, allow WhatsApp to access the local backup files.
- Select the desired backup to restore your messages.
Important Considerations
- Regular Backups: Ensure that automatic backups are enabled in WhatsApp settings to avoid losing data in the future.
- Backup Frequency: The frequency of backups can be adjusted (daily, weekly, monthly) depending on how often you want your chats to be saved.
- Storage Space: Make sure you have enough storage space on Google Drive or locally on your device for the backup files.
By following these detailed steps, you should be able to restore your deleted messages on WhatsApp for Android effectively.