How to find deleted WhatsApp messages on your Android phone - briefly?
If you've accidentally deleted important WhatsApp messages on your Android phone, don't worry - there are ways to recover them. The most effective method is using a backup service. Ensure that you have regularly backed up your messages via Google Drive or another cloud storage solution. By restoring the backup to your device, you can retrieve the lost messages efficiently.
How to find deleted WhatsApp messages on your Android phone - in detail?
To recover deleted WhatsApp messages on an Android device, you can follow several methods depending on the circumstances of deletion and whether a backup was available. Here are the detailed steps for each approach:
Using Google Drive Backup
- Ensure Automatic Backup: Ensure that your WhatsApp messages were set to automatically back up to Google Drive before they were deleted. This setting is found in WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat Backup.
- Uninstall and Reinstall WhatsApp: Uninstall WhatsApp from your device, then reinstall it from the Google Play Store.
- Restore from Backup: During the initial setup of WhatsApp after reinstallation, you will be prompted to restore messages from a backup. Tap "Restore" and wait for the process to complete.
Using Local Backup (if available)
- Check for Local Backup Files: Connect your Android device to a computer using a USB cable. Navigate to the internal storage directory, specifically
WhatsApp/Databases. - Identify Backup Files: Look for files named like
msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt12where YYYY-MM-DD represents the date of the backup. - Restore Using Third-Party Tools: Use third-party software such as Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver to restore the messages from the local backup files. Follow the instructions provided by the software for a successful restoration.
Without Backup (Using File Manager)
- Locate Deleted Files: Using a file manager app that can show hidden files, navigate to
WhatsApp/Databases. - Find Hidden Files: Look for files named like
msgstore.db.crypt12or similar. These are the local backup files created by WhatsApp. - Restore Using Third-Party Tools: As mentioned before, use third-party software to recover and restore messages from these files.
Important Notes:
- Regular Backups: Regularly back up your WhatsApp messages to Google Drive or locally to avoid data loss.
- Third-Party Software: Be cautious when using third-party recovery tools; ensure they are reputable and safe to use.
- Data Privacy: Recovering deleted messages may involve accessing sensitive data, so always prioritize data privacy and security.
By following these steps, you can effectively recover deleted WhatsApp messages on your Android phone.