How to restore a WhatsApp conversation if there was no backup copy on Android?

How to restore a WhatsApp conversation if there was no backup copy on Android - briefly?

If you haven't backed up your WhatsApp conversations and need to restore them on an Android device, it can be challenging but not impossible. The primary method involves using third-party recovery tools that can scan your device for deleted data. These tools often require root access and may come with a cost, but they offer the best chance of recovering lost messages.

How to restore a WhatsApp conversation if there was no backup copy on Android - in detail?

Restoring a WhatsApp conversation on an Android device without a previous backup can be challenging, but not impossible. There are several methods you can try to recover your lost messages. Here’s a detailed guide:

Method 1: Using Google Drive Backup

Even if you didn't manually back up your WhatsApp data, there might be an automatic backup on Google Drive. WhatsApp automatically backs up chats and media to Google Drive once every 24 hours.

Steps:

1. Uninstall WhatsApp from your device.
2. Reinstall WhatsApp from the Google Play Store.
3. Open WhatsApp and follow the setup process until you reach the "Restore" screen.
4. If a backup is available, tap "Restore". This will restore your chats and media files from Google Drive.

Method 2: Using Local Backup

WhatsApp also creates local backups on your device’s internal storage or SD card. These backups are stored in the /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases directory.

Steps:

1. Uninstall WhatsApp from your device.
2. Download and install a file manager app like ES File Explorer.
3. Open the file manager and navigate to /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases.
4. Look for files with the extension .db.crypt or .crypt12. These are your WhatsApp backup files.
5. Rename the most recent backup file by changing its extension from .db.crypt to .db. For example, rename msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.db.crypt12 to msgstore.db.
6. Reinstall WhatsApp from the Google Play Store.
7. Open WhatsApp and follow the setup process until you reach the "Restore" screen. If a local backup is available, it should show up here. Tap "Restore".

Method 3: Using Third-Party Software

If the above methods don’t work, you might need to use third-party software designed for recovering WhatsApp messages. These tools can scan your device and recover deleted or lost data.

Steps:

1. Download and install a reputable WhatsApp recovery tool like Dr.Fone - Recover (WhatsApp) from Wondershare, or EaseUS MobiSaver for Android.
2. Connect your Android device to your computer using a USB cable.
3. Open the recovery software and follow the on-screen instructions to scan your device for lost WhatsApp data.
4. Once the scan is complete, preview the recovered messages and choose the ones you want to restore.
5. Follow the prompts to save the recovered messages back to your device or export them as needed.

Important Tips:

• Always keep your WhatsApp app updated to the latest version to ensure compatibility with recovery methods.
• Regularly backup your chats manually to avoid losing important data in the future.
• Be cautious when using third-party software and only download from trusted sources to avoid malware or data breaches.

By following these detailed steps, you should be able to restore your WhatsApp conversations even if there was no previous backup on your Android device.