How to restore a message in WhatsApp if you deleted it yourself?

How to restore a message in WhatsApp if you deleted it yourself - briefly?

If you accidentally delete a message on WhatsApp and want to retrieve it, you can do so by using the "Delete for me" option instead of "Delete for everyone." This way, the message will only be deleted from your device, allowing you to restore it from a backup if needed.

How to restore a message in WhatsApp if you deleted it yourself - in detail?

Restoring a message in WhatsApp after you've deleted it can be crucial, whether it was an accident or you changed your mind. While WhatsApp doesn't have a native undo feature for messages, there are still ways to recover them. Here’s a detailed guide on how to restore a message in WhatsApp if you deleted it yourself:

Backup Restoration

  1. Check Your Backups: WhatsApp automatically creates backups of your chats daily at 2 AM and saves them to your Google Drive (for Android users) or iCloud (for iOS users). Ensure that automatic backup is enabled in WhatsApp settings.
  2. Uninstall and Reinstall WhatsApp:

    • Android: Go to the Play Store, uninstall WhatsApp, then reinstall it from the store.
    • iOS: Delete the WhatsApp app from your home screen, then reinstall it from the App Store.
  3. Restore from Backup:

    • After reinstalling, open WhatsApp and follow the prompts to set up your account again using the same phone number.
    • When prompted, choose the option to restore your chat history from a backup. This will include messages that were in your chats before you deleted them.

Manual Backup Restoration (Local Backups)

If you have manually created local backups of your WhatsApp data:

  1. Locate Your Backup Folder:

    • Android: The backup folder is usually located in sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases.
    • iOS: You can find the backup files in an iTunes or Finder backup of your device.
  2. Copy the Backup File:

  3. Restore from Local Backup:

    • Android: Rename the copied .db file to msgstore.db.crypt12. Place it in the Databases folder within the WhatsApp directory.
    • iOS: Restoring from a local backup on iOS is more complex and often requires third-party software or jailbreaking, which is not recommended due to security risks.

Third-Party Software

For users who prefer not to rely solely on backups, there are third-party applications designed to recover deleted WhatsApp messages:

  1. Download and Install: Choose a reputable recovery tool compatible with your device (Android or iOS).
  2. Connect Your Device: Follow the instructions provided by the software to connect your device to your computer.
  3. Scan for Deleted Messages: Initiate a scan to search for deleted WhatsApp messages.
  4. Recover Messages: Once the scan is complete, review the recovered messages and select the ones you want to restore.

Important Considerations

  • Backup Frequency: Ensure that your WhatsApp backups are up to date by checking the backup settings regularly.
  • Data Security: Be cautious when using third-party software to avoid potential security risks or data loss.
  • Legal Compliance: Always ensure that recovering deleted messages complies with local laws and regulations, especially in cases involving sensitive information.

By following these steps, you can effectively restore messages in WhatsApp even if you've accidentally deleted them.