How to restore a voice message in WhatsApp on Android?

How to restore a voice message in WhatsApp on Android - briefly?

To recover a deleted voice message in WhatsApp on an Android device, you can use the built-in backup feature. First, uninstall and reinstall the app, then restore your chats from the most recent backup when prompted.

How to restore a voice message in WhatsApp on Android - in detail?

Restoring a voice message in WhatsApp on an Android device can be achieved through several methods, depending on the nature of the loss and the available backup options. Here’s a detailed guide to help you retrieve your lost voice messages:

Using Google Drive Backup

  1. Ensure Google Drive Backup is Enabled: Before attempting recovery, ensure that your WhatsApp data was backed up to Google Drive. You can check this by going to WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat backup.
  2. Uninstall and Reinstall WhatsApp: First, uninstall WhatsApp from your device. Then, reinstall it from the Google Play Store.
  3. Restore from Backup: During the setup process after reinstalling, you will be prompted to restore your chat history. Tap on "Restore" and follow the prompts. Ensure you are using the same phone number and Google account associated with the backup.
  4. Wait for Restoration: The restoration process may take some time depending on the size of your backup. Once completed, you should see your voice messages along with other chat data.

Using Local Backup

  1. Check for Local Backup: If you didn’t enable Google Drive backup but had local backups enabled, WhatsApp saves them in your device’s internal storage.
  2. Locate the Backup Folder: Navigate to Phone Storage > WhatsApp > Databases. Look for files named msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt12, where YYYY-MM-DD represents the date of the backup.
  3. Rename the Backup File: Rename this file to remove the date and time, so it becomes msgstore.db.crypt12.
  4. Reinstall WhatsApp: Uninstall and then reinstall WhatsApp from the Google Play Store.
  5. Restore from Local Backup: During setup, you will be prompted to restore your chat history. Tap on "Restore" when asked if you want to restore messages from a local backup.

Using Third-Party Apps

If you haven’t backed up your data and need to recover lost voice messages, consider using third-party recovery tools designed for Android devices:

  1. Download and Install: Choose a reputable data recovery app like Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver from the Google Play Store.
  2. Connect Your Device: Connect your Android device to your computer via USB cable. Ensure USB debugging is enabled on your phone (Settings > Developer options).
  3. Scan for Lost Data: Follow the app’s instructions to scan your device for lost WhatsApp data, including voice messages.
  4. Recover Data: Once the scan is complete, select the voice messages you want to recover and follow the prompts to restore them to your device or computer.

Tips for Future Prevention

  • Enable Automatic Backup: Ensure automatic backup to Google Drive is enabled by going to WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat backup.
  • Regular Manual Backups: Perform manual backups regularly to ensure you have the latest data saved.
  • Use a Reliable Third-Party Tool: If you don’t have a backup, consider using a reliable third-party recovery tool to increase your chances of retrieving lost voice messages.

By following these detailed steps, you should be able to restore your lost WhatsApp voice messages on an Android device effectively.