How to recover deleted chats in WhatsApp - briefly?
To recover deleted chats in WhatsApp, you have two primary methods: using Google Drive backups if you've enabled the feature, or restoring from local device backups if available. Both methods require reinstalling WhatsApp and following the prompts to restore your chat history during setup.
How to recover deleted chats in WhatsApp - in detail?
Recovering deleted chats in WhatsApp can be a challenging task, but there are several methods you can try depending on the circumstances of the deletion and your backup settings. Here’s a detailed guide to help you recover your lost messages:
Backup and Restore
WhatsApp provides an in-built backup feature that automatically saves your chats to Google Drive or iCloud, depending on whether you are using an Android or iOS device. To restore from a backup:
- Uninstall and Reinstall WhatsApp: First, uninstall WhatsApp from your device. Then, download and install it again from the official app store.
- Verify Your Phone Number: Open WhatsApp and enter your phone number to verify your account.
- Restore from Backup: When prompted, tap on "Restore" to retrieve your messages from the most recent backup. Note that this will overwrite any current data on your device with the backed-up information.
Local Backups (Android Only)
If you are using an Android device and have enabled local backups, you can manually restore them:
- File Manager: Open a file manager app to locate the WhatsApp folder in your internal storage or SD card.
- Databases Folder: Navigate to
WhatsApp > Databases
. Here, you will find files namedmsgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt12
which are your chat backups. - Rename the Backup File: Rename the backup file from
msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt12
tomsgstore.db.crypt12
. - Reinstall WhatsApp: Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp, then follow the setup process. When prompted, tap on "Restore" to retrieve your chats from the local backup.
Google Drive Backup (Android)
If you have enabled Google Drive backups:
- Check Backup Settings: Go to WhatsApp > Menu > Settings > Chats > Chat Backup to ensure that automatic backups are enabled and check the last backup date.
- Uninstall and Reinstall: Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp, then follow the setup process.
- Restore from Google Drive: When prompted, tap on "Restore" to retrieve your chats from Google Drive.
iCloud Backup (iOS)
For iOS users with iCloud backups:
- Check Backup Settings: Go to WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat Backup to ensure that automatic backups are enabled and check the last backup date.
- Uninstall and Reinstall: Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp, then follow the setup process.
- Restore from iCloud: When prompted, tap on "Restore" to retrieve your chats from iCloud.
Without Backup
If you haven’t backed up your chats or if the backup is outdated:
- Contact WhatsApp Support: You can try contacting WhatsApp support for further assistance. However, recovering deleted chats without a backup is extremely challenging and often impossible due to privacy and data security reasons.
- Third-Party Software: Be cautious of third-party software claiming to restore lost WhatsApp messages. Many are scams or may compromise your device’s security.
Prevent Future Loss
To avoid losing important chats in the future:
- Regular Backups: Ensure that automatic backups are enabled and periodically check the backup status.
- Manual Backup: Regularly create manual backups, especially before making significant changes to your device or WhatsApp settings.
- Export Chats: For important conversations, use the "Export Chat" feature to save them as a text file on your device or email them to yourself.
By following these steps and precautions, you can significantly increase your chances of recovering deleted chats in WhatsApp and protecting your valuable data in the future.