How to find out what was deleted from WhatsApp?

How to find out what was deleted from WhatsApp - briefly?

To determine what has been deleted from WhatsApp, users can check their backups, either through iCloud for iOS devices or Google Drive for Android. Alternatively, checking the "Recent Deletions" section in the app's settings may provide some insight into recently removed content.

How to find out what was deleted from WhatsApp - in detail?

To determine what has been deleted from WhatsApp, you can employ several methods that leverage the application's data backup and recovery features. Here is a detailed approach:

Using Backup Files

1. Locate Your Backup Files: WhatsApp automatically backs up your chats to your device's storage or cloud service at regular intervals. For Android users, this is typically stored in the WhatsApp/Databases folder on your internal storage or SD card. On iOS, backups are stored in iCloud.

2. Restore from Backup: If you have recently backed up your data, you can restore it to view deleted messages. For Android:

   • Uninstall WhatsApp.
   • Reinstall WhatsApp and follow the setup process.
   • When prompted, tap on "Restore" when the app detects the backup file.

   For iOS:

   • Delete and reinstall WhatsApp from the App Store.
   • Follow the setup process and restore from the iCloud backup when prompted.

Viewing Deleted Messages in Backup Files

1. Access Backup Files Directly: You can access the backup files directly to view deleted messages without restoring them to your device. For Android, use a file manager to navigate to WhatsApp/Databases and open the msgstore.db.crypt12 or similar file with a SQLite browser or any database management tool that supports SQLite.

   On iOS, accessing backup files directly is more complex due to encryption. You might need third-party software designed for iCloud backups.

Using Third-Party Applications

1. Backup Extraction Tools: There are third-party applications available that can extract and decrypt WhatsApp backup files, allowing you to view deleted messages. Popular tools include:

   • WhatsRemoved for Android, which tracks and shows deleted messages in real time.
   • Dr.fone - WhatsApp Transfer for both Android and iOS, which can recover and export WhatsApp data from backups.
2. Cloud Backup Services: Some third-party services offer cloud backup solutions specifically for WhatsApp, allowing you to restore deleted messages from their servers.

Important Considerations

1. Data Privacy: Accessing or restoring WhatsApp data may involve handling sensitive information. Ensure that your actions comply with privacy laws and regulations.
2. Backup Frequency: The effectiveness of these methods depends on the frequency of your backups. Regularly backing up your WhatsApp data increases the chances of recovering deleted messages.
3. Limited Recovery Window: WhatsApp's backup system does not retain deleted messages indefinitely. Once a message is permanently deleted from both local and cloud storage, recovery becomes impossible.

By following these detailed steps, you can effectively determine what has been deleted from WhatsApp and potentially recover lost messages.