How to recover a deleted file in a WhatsApp chat - briefly?
To recover a deleted file from a WhatsApp chat, you can use Google Drive backup if you have enabled it previously. Simply reinstall WhatsApp, verify your phone number, and restore the chat history when prompted.
How to recover a deleted file in a WhatsApp chat - in detail?
Recovering a deleted file from a WhatsApp chat can be a challenging task, but there are several methods you can try to successfully retrieve your lost data.
Using WhatsApp Backup:
WhatsApp automatically backs up chats and media to your phone's memory or cloud storage (like Google Drive for Android users or iCloud for iOS users). To recover a deleted file:
- Uninstall and then reinstall WhatsApp from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
- During the setup process, you will be prompted to restore your chats and media from a backup. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the restoration.
- Once the restoration is complete, open the chat where the file was deleted and check if it has been recovered.
Using Third-Party Software:
If the built-in backup method does not work or you did not have backups enabled, you can use third-party data recovery software to retrieve your deleted files. Some popular options include:
- Dr.Fone - WhatsApp Recovery (for both Android and iOS)
- EaseUS MobiSaver (for both Android and iOS)
- Tenorshare UltData (for both Android and iOS)
To use third-party software, follow these general steps:
- Download and install the data recovery software on your computer.
- Connect your phone to the computer using a USB cable.
- Open the software and select the option to recover WhatsApp messages or media.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to scan your device for deleted files.
- Once the scanning process is complete, preview the recovered files and select the ones you want to restore.
- Click the "Recover" button to save the selected files to your computer or phone.
Using Google Drive Backup (for Android users):
If you have enabled Google Drive backup for your WhatsApp chats, you can try restoring your data from there:
- Open the Google Drive app on your phone and navigate to the "Backup" folder.
- Look for a folder named after your phone's model or brand (e.g., "Samsung Galaxy S20").
- Inside that folder, you should find a subfolder named "WhatsApp." Open it to see if your deleted files are there.
- If the files are present, you can copy them back to your phone's internal storage or SD card.
Using iCloud Backup (for iOS users):
If you have enabled iCloud backup for your WhatsApp chats, you can try restoring your data from there:
- Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups.
- Look for a backup of your device and check the size of it. If it's larger than expected, it might contain your deleted files.
- To restore the backup, go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. This will delete all data from your device, so make sure you have a recent backup before proceeding.
- During the setup process, you will be prompted to restore your device from an iCloud backup. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the restoration.
- Once the restoration is complete, open the WhatsApp app and check if your deleted files have been recovered.