How to recover WhatsApp messages on your phone - briefly?
To recover WhatsApp messages on your phone, you can use a backup service that securely stores your data. Simply restore the backup from your Google Drive or iCloud account to retrieve your lost messages.
How to recover WhatsApp messages on your phone - in detail?
Recovering WhatsApp messages on your phone can be a crucial task, whether you've accidentally deleted important conversations or lost data due to a malfunctioning device. Here are the detailed steps you can follow to retrieve your lost WhatsApp messages:
Backup and Restore Method
WhatsApp provides an in-built backup feature that automatically saves your chats to Google Drive (for Android users) or iCloud (for iPhone users). To recover your messages using this method, follow these steps:
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Uninstall and Reinstall WhatsApp:
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Verify Your Phone Number:
- Open WhatsApp after reinstalling and follow the prompts to verify your phone number.
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Restore from Backup:
- Once your phone number is verified, you will see a prompt asking if you want to restore your chats from a backup. Tap on 'Restore' to initiate the process.
- WhatsApp will then scan for available backups and present them to you. Select the most recent backup to proceed with the recovery.
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Wait for the Restoration Process:
- The restoration process may take a few minutes depending on the size of your backup file. Ensure that your phone is connected to a stable internet connection throughout this time.
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Complete Setup:
- After the restoration is complete, you can set up your profile picture and other settings as required. Your chats will now be available in WhatsApp.
Local Backup Method (Android Only)
If you have not enabled automatic backups to Google Drive, you might still have a local backup on your device's internal storage or SD card. Here’s how to restore from a local backup:
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Uninstall and Reinstall WhatsApp:
- Uninstall WhatsApp from your phone as described earlier.
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Create a Folder for the Backup:
- Connect your device to a computer using a USB cable.
- Go to the internal storage or SD card and create a new folder named 'WhatsApp'.
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Copy the Backup Files:
- Inside the newly created 'WhatsApp' folder, make another folder named 'Databases' (without the quotes).
- Copy all files with the extension '.db' from your device’s internal storage or SD card to this new 'Databases' folder.
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Install WhatsApp:
- Reinstall WhatsApp on your phone and verify your phone number.
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Restore from Local Backup:
- When prompted, tap on 'Restore' to restore your chats from the local backup.
Third-Party Software Method
If the above methods do not yield the desired results, you can consider using third-party software designed for data recovery. These tools can scan your device and recover deleted WhatsApp messages along with other types of data. However, be cautious when choosing such software to ensure it is reputable and safe to use.
Regular Backup Recommendation
To avoid the hassle of message recovery in the future, it’s highly recommended to enable automatic backups for WhatsApp:
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For Android Users:
- Open WhatsApp and go to 'Settings' > 'Chats' > 'Chat Backup'.
- Tap on 'Backup' to create a manual backup or set up an automatic backup schedule.
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For iPhone Users:
- Open WhatsApp and go to 'Settings' > 'Chats' > 'Chat Backup'.
- Choose the backup frequency (daily, weekly, monthly) based on your preference.
By following these steps, you should be able to successfully recover your lost WhatsApp messages and safeguard your future conversations with regular backups.