How to recover files from WhatsApp if you deleted them from your phone?

How to recover files from WhatsApp if you deleted them from your phone - briefly?

To recover files from WhatsApp after deletion, the most effective method is using a backup. Regularly back up your chats to either Google Drive (for Android users) or iCloud (for iOS users). If you have a recent backup, you can restore your deleted files by uninstalling and reinstalling WhatsApp, then following the prompts to restore from the backup.

How to recover files from WhatsApp if you deleted them from your phone - in detail?

If you've accidentally deleted important files or messages from WhatsApp, there are several methods you can try to recover them. Here’s a detailed guide on how to proceed:

Using Google Drive Backup (for Android users)

  1. Ensure Automatic Backup is Enabled: WhatsApp automatically backs up your chats and media to Google Drive. To restore from this backup, make sure you have enabled automatic backups in the past.
  2. Uninstall and Reinstall WhatsApp: Uninstall WhatsApp from your phone and then reinstall it from the Google Play Store.
  3. Verify Your Phone Number: During the setup process, verify your phone number with the code sent to you via SMS.
  4. Restore from Backup: Once verified, WhatsApp will prompt you to restore your chats and media from the backup found on Google Drive. Tap “Restore” to begin the process.
  5. Wait for Completion: The restoration process may take some time depending on the size of the backup and your internet connection speed.

Using iCloud Backup (for iPhone users)

  1. Ensure Automatic Backup is Enabled: Similar to Android, WhatsApp automatically backs up chats and media to iCloud. Make sure you have enabled automatic backups in the past.
  2. Uninstall and Reinstall WhatsApp: Uninstall WhatsApp from your iPhone and then reinstall it from the App Store.
  3. Verify Your Phone Number: During the setup process, verify your phone number with the code sent to you via SMS.
  4. Restore from Backup: Once verified, WhatsApp will prompt you to restore your chats and media from the backup found on iCloud. Tap “Restore” to begin the process.
  5. Wait for Completion: The restoration process may take some time depending on the size of the backup and your internet connection speed.

Using Local Backup (for both Android and iPhone users)

  1. Check for Local Backups: WhatsApp creates local backups automatically on a daily basis at 2 AM. These backups are stored in your phone’s internal storage or SD card.
  2. Locate the Backup Folder: For Android, the backup folder is usually located at /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases. For iPhone, the backup file can be found using a file manager app that supports accessing the iOS file system.
  3. Rename the Backup File: Rename the backup file from msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.db.crypt12 to msgstore.db.crypt12.
  4. Reinstall WhatsApp: Uninstall and then reinstall WhatsApp on your phone.
  5. Verify Your Phone Number: During the setup process, verify your phone number with the code sent to you via SMS.
  6. Restore from Backup: Once verified, WhatsApp will prompt you to restore your chats and media from the backup found in your local storage. Tap “Restore” to begin the process.
  7. Wait for Completion: The restoration process may take some time depending on the size of the backup and your phone’s processing power.

Important Considerations

  • Regular Backups: It is crucial to ensure that automatic backups are enabled and regularly updated to avoid loss of important data.
  • Storage Space: Make sure you have enough storage space in your Google Drive, iCloud, or local device storage for the backup files.
  • Data Loss Prevention: Once a chat has been deleted, it is not possible to directly recover it unless it was backed up before deletion.

By following these detailed steps, you should be able to successfully recover your deleted WhatsApp files and continue using the app without losing any important data.