How to read deleted messages in WhatsApp on an Android phone?

How to read deleted messages in WhatsApp on an Android phone - briefly?

To read deleted messages in WhatsApp on an Android phone, you can use a third-party app like "WhatsRemoved" or "Notification History Log." These apps save deleted messages and allow you to access them even after they have been removed from the chat.

How to read deleted messages in WhatsApp on an Android phone - in detail?

To retrieve deleted messages from WhatsApp on an Android device, users can employ a few methods that leverage backup files and third-party applications. It's important to note that while these methods are effective, they require some technical know-how and adherence to privacy laws.

Method 1: Using Google Drive Backup

WhatsApp provides an option to back up chats to Google Drive. If this feature is enabled, users can restore deleted messages by following these steps:

1. Uninstall WhatsApp: Go to the settings on your Android device and uninstall WhatsApp from the app list.
2. Reinstall WhatsApp: Download and install WhatsApp from the Google Play Store.
3. Set Up WhatsApp: Open WhatsApp and follow the setup instructions. When prompted, click on "Restore" to retrieve your chat history from the Google Drive backup.
4. Wait for Restoration: Allow some time for the restoration process to complete. Once done, you can access all your deleted messages within the chats.

Method 2: Using Third-Party Applications

Several third-party applications claim to recover deleted WhatsApp messages. These apps work by scanning the device's memory and retrieving data that hasn't been overwritten. Here’s how to use one of these applications:

1. Download a Recovery App: Search for and download a reputable WhatsApp recovery app from the Google Play Store, such as "WhatsRemoved" or "Notisave."
2. Install and Open: Install the application on your Android device and open it.
3. Grant Permissions: Follow the prompts to grant the necessary permissions for the app to access your WhatsApp data.
4. Scan for Deleted Messages: Use the app's built-in scanner to search for deleted messages. The process might take a few minutes, depending on the amount of data stored on your device.
5. View and Recover: Once the scan is complete, you can view the recovered messages directly within the app. Some apps also allow you to export or save these messages for future reference.

Method 3: Using File Manager (Advanced)

This method involves accessing WhatsApp’s internal storage and extracting message backups manually. This approach is more technical and should be undertaken with caution:

1. Enable File Explorer: Install a file manager app from the Google Play Store that allows you to explore system files, such as "ES File Explorer."
2. Locate WhatsApp Backup: Navigate to Internal Storage > WhatsApp > Databases. Here, you will find backup files named msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt12 and other similar files.
3. Rename Backup File: Rename the most recent backup file by removing the ".crypt12" extension. For example, rename it to msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.
4. Reinstall WhatsApp: Uninstall and then reinstall WhatsApp on your device.
5. Restore from Backup: Open WhatsApp and follow the setup instructions. When prompted, click on "Restore" to retrieve your chat history, including deleted messages, from the renamed backup file.

Conclusion

While these methods can help you recover deleted WhatsApp messages on an Android device, it’s crucial to remember that such actions should respect privacy laws and ethical considerations. Always ensure you have permission before accessing someone else's data, and be aware of the legal implications associated with data recovery practices.