How to recover deleted chat history in WhatsApp on Android?

How to recover deleted chat history in WhatsApp on Android - briefly?

To recover deleted chat history in WhatsApp on Android, you can use Google Drive backups if enabled before deletion. Simply reinstall WhatsApp and follow the prompts to restore your chat history from the last backup.

How to recover deleted chat history in WhatsApp on Android - in detail?

Recovering deleted chat history in WhatsApp on an Android device can be a challenging task, but there are several methods you can try to potentially restore your lost messages. Here is a detailed guide on how to approach this issue:

Backup and Restore

WhatsApp automatically creates backups of your chats daily at 2 AM and saves them to Google Drive. If you have enabled this feature, you can use the backup to restore your deleted chat history.

  1. Uninstall and Reinstall WhatsApp: First, uninstall WhatsApp from your device.
  2. Reinstall WhatsApp: Download and install WhatsApp from the Google Play Store.
  3. Verify Your Number: Open WhatsApp and verify your phone number.
  4. Restore from Backup: When prompted to restore chats, tap on "Restore" to retrieve your deleted chat history from the last backup.

Local Backups

If you have not enabled Google Drive backups or if the backup is too old, you can check for local backups on your device.

  1. File Manager: Open a file manager app on your Android device.
  2. WhatsApp Folder: Navigate to /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases.
  3. Backup Files: Look for files named msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.db.crypt12 (where YYYY is the year, MM is the month, and DD is the day). These are your local backups.
  4. Rename the Backup File: Rename the backup file you want to restore by removing .crypt12 from the filename. For example, rename msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.db.crypt12 to msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.db.
  5. Uninstall and Reinstall WhatsApp: Uninstall and then reinstall WhatsApp.
  6. Restore from Backup: Follow the prompts to restore your chat history from the local backup file.

Using Third-Party Apps

If the above methods do not work, you can try using third-party recovery apps designed for Android devices. These apps scan your device for deleted files and attempt to recover them.

  1. Download a Recovery App: Search for and download a reputable data recovery app from the Google Play Store.
  2. Scan Your Device: Open the app and follow the instructions to scan your device for deleted WhatsApp messages.
  3. Recover Messages: Once the scan is complete, select the messages you want to recover and follow the prompts to restore them.

Important Considerations

  • Regular Backups: To avoid losing chat history in the future, ensure that your WhatsApp chats are regularly backed up to Google Drive. You can enable this feature in WhatsApp settings under "Chats" > "Chat Backup".
  • Data Security: Be cautious when using third-party apps, as they may have access to your personal data. Only use trusted and reputable applications.

Recovering deleted chat history is not always guaranteed, but by following these detailed steps, you can maximize your chances of successfully retrieving your lost messages on an Android device.