How do I recover accidentally deleted WhatsApp on my phone - briefly?
If you've accidentally deleted WhatsApp from your phone, don't worry - there are a few simple steps you can take to restore it. First, reinstall the app from your device's app store. After that, sign in with your phone number and follow the prompts to restore your chats from the backup.
How do I recover accidentally deleted WhatsApp on my phone - in detail?
Recovering accidentally deleted WhatsApp messages on your phone can be a stressful experience, but there are several methods you can try to retrieve your lost data. Here is a detailed guide to help you through the process:
Backup Method
- Check for Recent Backups: WhatsApp automatically backs up your chats and media to your phone's storage or Google Drive (for Android) and iCloud (for iPhone) daily at 2 AM. To recover deleted messages, check if a recent backup exists.
- For Android: Go to "Settings" > "Chats" > "Chat Backup". If you see a recent backup, tap on it and follow the prompts to restore your chats.
- For iPhone: Go to "Settings" > "Chats" > "Chat Backup". Tap on the most recent backup and follow the instructions to restore your messages.
Local Storage Recovery (Android Only)
- Recover from Local Storage: If you didn't enable cloud backups, WhatsApp still saves data locally on your phone. You can use a file manager app to locate these files.
- Download and install a reliable file manager app like ES File Explorer.
- Navigate to the "WhatsApp" folder in your internal storage (usually located at
/sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases
). - Look for a file named
msgstore.db.crypt12
or similar, which contains your message history. This file is updated every day at 2 AM. - Rename the file to remove the
.crypt12
extension (e.g., renamemsgstore.db.crypt12
tomsgstore.db
). - Uninstall and then reinstall WhatsApp. During the setup process, tap "Restore" when prompted to restore your chats from the local backup.
Third-Party Recovery Tools
- Use Third-Party Recovery Software: If the above methods don't work, you can try using third-party recovery software designed for smartphones. These tools often have advanced algorithms that can scan your device for deleted files.
Contact WhatsApp Support
- Reach Out to WhatsApp Support: If all else fails, contacting WhatsApp's official support might be your last resort. They may provide additional assistance or guide you through a more specific recovery process based on your situation.
Preventive Measures
- Enable Regular Backups: To avoid losing important messages in the future, make sure to enable regular backups on WhatsApp.
- For Android: Go to "Settings" > "Chats" > "Chat Backup". Tap on "Backup to Google Drive" and choose a backup frequency (daily, weekly, monthly).
- For iPhone: Go to "Settings" > "Chats" > "Chat Backup". Tap on "Auto Backup" and select your preferred frequency.
By following these detailed steps, you should be able to recover your accidentally deleted WhatsApp messages effectively.