How to view deleted chat history in WhatsApp on Android?

How to view deleted chat history in WhatsApp on Android - briefly?

Viewing deleted chat history in WhatsApp on Android is not natively supported due to privacy reasons. However, you can use third-party apps or backup files to retrieve lost messages.

How to view deleted chat history in WhatsApp on Android - in detail?

Viewing deleted chat history in WhatsApp on Android can be a challenging task, as the platform does not provide a direct way to recover lost messages. However, there are several methods you can try to potentially retrieve your data. Here is a detailed guide:

Backup and Restore Method

1. Check for Automatic Backups: WhatsApp automatically backs up your chats to Google Drive every day at 2 AM local time. To restore from this backup, follow these steps:

   • Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp from the Google Play Store.
   • Open WhatsApp and verify your phone number.
   • When prompted, tap on "Restore" to retrieve your messages from the last backup.

2. Manual Backup: If you have manually backed up your chats to Google Drive before they were deleted, you can restore them as well:

   • Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp.
   • Open WhatsApp and verify your phone number.
   • When prompted, tap on "Restore" to get your messages back from the last manual backup.

Local Backup Method

1. File Manager: If you have a local backup of your WhatsApp data stored in your device's internal storage or an SD card, you can use a file manager app to access it:
   • Open a file manager app on your Android device.
   • Navigate to the WhatsApp folder (usually located at /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases).
   • Find the backup file with the most recent date and time (it will be named something like msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt12).
   • Rename this file to remove the ".crypt12" extension, making it msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.
   • Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp.
   • Open WhatsApp and verify your phone number.
   • When prompted, tap on "Restore" to retrieve your messages from the local backup.

Third-Party Apps Method

1. WhatsApp Recovery Tools: There are third-party apps available that claim to recover deleted WhatsApp messages. However, be cautious when using such tools as they may not be reliable and could potentially compromise your data:
   • Download and install a reputable WhatsApp recovery app from the Google Play Store.
   • Follow the on-screen instructions provided by the app to scan for and recover deleted messages.

Important Considerations

• Regular Backups: To avoid losing important chats in the future, it is advisable to enable automatic backups in WhatsApp settings. This can be done by going to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup and ensuring that your chats are backed up regularly.
• Data Security: Be mindful of where you store your backups. Using cloud services like Google Drive offers an extra layer of security compared to local storage options.

By following these detailed steps, you should be able to increase the chances of retrieving your deleted WhatsApp chat history on Android.