How do I restore deleted messages in WhatsApp?

How do I restore deleted messages in WhatsApp - briefly?

If you have recently deleted a message or chat on WhatsApp and wish to restore it, you can easily do so by uninstalling and then reinstalling the application. During the reinstallation process, you will be prompted to restore your chats from a backup. Ensure that you have a recent backup available for successful restoration of your deleted messages.

How do I restore deleted messages in WhatsApp - in detail?

Restoring deleted messages in WhatsApp can be a critical task for users who need to retrieve important information. While WhatsApp does not provide a built-in feature to directly recover deleted messages, there are several methods that can potentially help you restore your lost data.

Backup and Restore Method

  1. Check if You Have a Recent Backup: WhatsApp automatically backs up your chats daily at 2 AM local time. To check if you have a recent backup:

    • Go to WhatsApp Settings > Chats.
    • Tap on Chat Backup. Here, you can see the last backup date and time.

  2. Restore from Backup: If your message was deleted recently, you can restore your chat history from the most recent backup:

    • Uninstall WhatsApp from your device.
    • Reinstall WhatsApp from the App Store or Google Play Store.
    • Open WhatsApp and follow the on-screen instructions to set up your account again.
    • When prompted, tap Restore to restore your chats from the backup.

Local Backup Restoration

If you have a local backup of your WhatsApp data (which is stored on your device), you can use it to restore your messages:

  1. Locate Your Local Backup: Depending on your operating system, the backup will be located in different directories.

    • For Android, it's usually found in sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases.
    • For iOS, you can find it in File App > WhatsApp > Chat Storage > Backup.

  2. Restore from Local Backup:

    • Rename the backup file from msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt12 to msgstore.db.crypt12.
    • Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp.
    • Open WhatsApp and follow the setup instructions. When prompted, tap Restore to restore your chats from the local backup.

Third-Party Software

For users who do not have a recent backup or prefer not to use the built-in backup features, third-party software can be an option:

  1. Choose a Reputable Tool: Select a reliable WhatsApp recovery tool that is compatible with your device and operating system.
  2. Follow Instructions: Install the software on your computer and connect your device. Follow the on-screen instructions to scan for deleted messages.
  3. Recover Messages: Once the scan is complete, review the recovered messages and select the ones you want to restore.

Important Considerations

  • Data Loss Risk: Using third-party software may involve risks such as data loss or corruption. Always ensure that you have a backup of your important data before proceeding.
  • Legal Compliance: Be aware of the legal implications when using third-party tools, especially if they require rooting or jailbreaking your device.
  • Regular Backups: To avoid losing important messages in the future, consider enabling automatic backups and manually backing up your chats regularly.

In conclusion, while WhatsApp does not offer a direct way to restore deleted messages, leveraging backup features and using third-party tools can help you recover your lost data. Regularly backing up your chats is a proactive measure that ensures you never lose important conversations again.