How to restore chat messages in WhatsApp on Android?

How to restore chat messages in WhatsApp on Android - briefly?

To restore chat messages in WhatsApp on Android, you can use the built-in backup feature or third-party apps. The most reliable method is to use Google Drive backups, which automatically save your chats and media. Simply reinstall WhatsApp and follow the prompts to restore from a backup when prompted.

How to restore chat messages in WhatsApp on Android - in detail?

Restoring lost or deleted WhatsApp chat messages on an Android device can be crucial for preserving important conversations. Here is a detailed guide on how to achieve this:

Backup and Restore using Google Drive

  1. Create a Backup:

    • Open WhatsApp on your Android device.
    • Go to the menu (three vertical dots) and select "Settings".
    • Navigate to "Chats" > "Chat Backup".
    • Tap on "Backup" to create a new backup. This process will save your chat history, photos, videos, and other media to Google Drive.

  2. Restore from Backup:

    • Uninstall WhatsApp from your device.
    • Reinstall WhatsApp from the Google Play Store.
    • Open WhatsApp and follow the initial setup process until you reach the "Find Backup" screen.
    • Tap on "Restore" to restore your chat history from the backup in Google Drive. This will replace any existing chat history on your device with the backed-up data.

Manual Backup and Restore using Local Storage

  1. Create a Manual Backup:

    • Connect your Android device to a computer via USB.
    • Navigate to the "WhatsApp" folder in your device's internal storage (usually located at /sdcard/WhatsApp/).
    • Copy the entire "WhatsApp" folder to your computer as a backup.

  2. Restore from Manual Backup:

    • Uninstall WhatsApp from your Android device.
    • Reinstall WhatsApp from the Google Play Store.
    • Open WhatsApp and follow the initial setup process until you reach the "Find Backup" screen.
    • Disconnect your device from the computer, then reconnect it using a file manager app that can access root directories (e.g., ES File Explorer).
    • Navigate to /sdcard/ and create a new folder named "WhatsApp".
    • Copy the backed-up "WhatsApp" folder from your computer into this newly created folder on your device.
    • Open WhatsApp, and it should automatically detect the backup and restore your chat history.

Using Third-Party Apps

While official methods are generally recommended for reliability and security, there are third-party apps available that claim to recover deleted WhatsApp messages. These apps typically require root access to your device and may not be 100% effective. Examples include:

  • Dr.Fone - Recover (WhatsApp): This tool can recover deleted WhatsApp messages without a backup, but it requires rooting your device.
  • Wondershare Recoverit: Another option that supports recovery of various file types, including WhatsApp messages, but also requires root access.

Important Considerations

  • Regular Backups: To ensure you don't lose important data, make a habit of regularly backing up your WhatsApp chats to Google Drive.
  • Storage Space: Ensure that you have sufficient storage space on your device and in Google Drive for the backup process.
  • Data Security: Be cautious when using third-party apps, as they may pose security risks or compromise your data privacy.

By following these detailed steps, you can effectively restore your WhatsApp chat messages on an Android device, ensuring that you do not lose any valuable conversations.