How to clean up deleted messages in WhatsApp - briefly?
To clean up deleted messages in WhatsApp, you can use the "Delete for everyone" feature within seven minutes of sending a message. This allows you to remove the message from both your and the recipient's chat history.
How to clean up deleted messages in WhatsApp - in detail?
Cleaning up deleted messages in WhatsApp can be a challenging task, but it is possible with the right approach and tools. WhatsApp, by default, does not retain messages that have been deleted on both sides of a conversation. However, there are several methods to recover or clean up these deleted messages, depending on your needs and the specific situation.
Backup and Restore
One of the most reliable ways to manage deleted messages is through WhatsApp's built-in backup feature. Here’s how you can do it:
- Create a Backup: Open WhatsApp, go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup. Tap on 'Backup' to create a new backup of your chats. This will include all your messages, including those that are yet to be deleted.
- Restore from Backup: If you need to clean up or recover specific messages, you can restore the backup to your device. Be aware that restoring a backup will overwrite your current chats with the backed-up data. To do this, uninstall and then reinstall WhatsApp. When prompted to restore from a backup, choose the most recent one.
Third-Party Applications
There are third-party applications designed specifically for recovering deleted messages on WhatsApp. These tools can scan your device's memory for traces of deleted messages and then reconstruct them. Here’s how you can use such an application:
- Download and Install: Choose a reputable app like Dr.Fone - WhatsApp Recovery or EaseUS MobiSaver. Download and install the software on your computer.
- Connect Your Device: Connect your phone to the computer using a USB cable. Ensure that the app recognizes your device.
- Scan for Deleted Messages: Follow the on-screen instructions to scan your device for deleted WhatsApp messages. The process might take some time depending on the amount of data stored on your phone.
- Recover Messages: Once the scan is complete, you will be presented with a list of recovered messages. Select the ones you want to clean up or recover and save them to your computer or device.
Local Backups
If you have local backups created by WhatsApp on your device's internal storage or SD card, you can use these to restore deleted messages:
- Locate Backup Folder: Navigate to the backup folder on your device (usually found at
/sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases). - Rename Backup File: Rename the backup file you want to use from
msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt12tomsgstore.db.crypt12. - Restore Backup: Uninstall and then reinstall WhatsApp. When prompted, restore the chat backup from your local storage.
Factory Reset
As a last resort, if you need to clean up all data including deleted messages, performing a factory reset on your device can be an option:
- Backup Important Data: Before proceeding, ensure that you have backed up any important data as this process will erase everything on your phone.
- Factory Reset: Go to Settings > System > Advanced > Reset Options > Erase All Data (Factory Reset). Follow the prompts to reset your device.
Conclusion
Cleaning up deleted messages in WhatsApp requires careful consideration of the methods available. Whether you choose to use WhatsApp's built-in backup features, third-party applications, local backups, or even a factory reset, each method has its pros and cons. Always ensure that you have backed up any important data before proceeding with any of these steps to avoid permanent data loss.