How do I recover deleted WhatsApp messages and deleted chats on Android?

How do I recover deleted WhatsApp messages and deleted chats on Android - briefly?

To recover deleted WhatsApp messages and chats on Android, you can use a backup file if one exists. However, if there is no backup, third-party recovery software may be able to assist in retrieving lost data.

How do I recover deleted WhatsApp messages and deleted chats on Android - in detail?

Recovering deleted WhatsApp messages and chats on an Android device can be a challenging task, but it is not impossible. There are several methods that users can employ to attempt recovery. Here's a detailed guide on how to proceed:

Backup Method

The most reliable way to recover deleted WhatsApp messages and chats is through backups. WhatsApp automatically creates daily backups of your conversations, which are saved in your Google Drive account if you have enabled this feature.

1. Check for Automatic Backups:

   • Open the WhatsApp application on your Android device.
   • Go to the "Settings" menu by tapping the three dots at the top right corner of the screen.
   • Select "Chats" and then "Chat Backup". Here you can see when the last backup was created.

2. Restore from Google Drive:

   • If you have a recent backup, uninstall WhatsApp from your device.
   • Reinstall WhatsApp from the Google Play Store.
   • Open WhatsApp and follow the setup process until you reach the "Restore" screen.
   • Tap on "Restore" to retrieve your messages and chats from the backup stored in Google Drive.

Local Backup Method

If automatic backups to Google Drive are not enabled, WhatsApp saves local backups on your device's internal storage. These backups are created daily at 2 AM.

1. Locate the Backup File:

   • Go to the "File Manager" app on your Android device.
   • Navigate to sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases.
   • You will see files named with timestamps, such as msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.db.crypt12.

2. Rename the Backup File:

   • Rename the backup file you want to restore by changing its extension from .db.crypt12 to .db. For example, rename msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.db.crypt12 to msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.db.

3. Restore the Backup:

   • Uninstall WhatsApp from your device.
   • Reinstall WhatsApp and open it.
   • Follow the setup process until you reach the "Restore" screen.
   • Tap on "Restore" to retrieve your messages and chats from the local backup file.

Third-Party Software Method

If backups are not available, users can turn to third-party data recovery software. These tools scan your device for deleted files and may be able to recover WhatsApp messages.

1. Choose a Reliable Tool:

   • Download and install a reputable data recovery tool such as Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver from the Google Play Store.

2. Connect Your Device:

   • Connect your Android device to your computer using a USB cable.
   • Ensure that USB debugging is enabled on your device (Settings > About Phone > Tap "Build Number" seven times > Settings > Developer Options > Enable USB Debugging).

3. Scan for Deleted Files:

   • Open the data recovery tool and follow the on-screen instructions to scan your device for deleted WhatsApp messages.
   • Once the scan is complete, preview the recovered files and select the ones you want to restore.

Important Considerations

• Regular Backups: Regularly back up your WhatsApp chats to Google Drive or locally to avoid data loss in the future.
• Privacy: Be cautious when using third-party software, as they may access personal data on your device.
• Device Compatibility: Ensure that the recovery tool you choose is compatible with your Android device and version.

By following these detailed steps, users can significantly increase their chances of recovering deleted WhatsApp messages and chats on an Android device.