How to view deleted contacts in WhatsApp on Android?

How to view deleted contacts in WhatsApp on Android - briefly?

To view deleted contacts in WhatsApp on Android, you can restore them from a recent backup. Open WhatsApp, go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup, and tap on the Restore button if available.

How to view deleted contacts in WhatsApp on Android - in detail?

To recover deleted contacts in WhatsApp on an Android device, users can employ several methods. Each method offers a different approach depending on the circumstances surrounding the deletion and the extent of data backup available.

Method 1: Using Google Drive Backup

WhatsApp allows users to back up their chats and contacts to Google Drive. If this feature is enabled, restoring deleted contacts from a backup is straightforward:

  1. Ensure Google Drive Backup: Verify that your WhatsApp data was backed up to Google Drive before deletion occurred. This can be done by checking the date of the last backup in WhatsApp's settings.
  2. Uninstall and Reinstall WhatsApp: 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 chats and media from a Google Drive backup. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete this process.
  4. Verify Contact Recovery: Once the restoration is complete, open WhatsApp to ensure that all deleted contacts have been successfully recovered.

Method 2: Using Local Backup

If you have not enabled Google Drive backup but have a local backup of your WhatsApp data, you can restore from this backup as well:

  1. Check for Local Backups: Navigate to the file manager on your Android device and locate the WhatsApp backup folder. It is typically found in the /sdcard/WhatsApp/ directory.
  2. Rename Backup Folder: Rename the existing backup folder (e.g., mg_1634578901) to a new name such as Backup.
  3. Reinstall WhatsApp: Uninstall and then reinstall WhatsApp from the Google Play Store.
  4. Restore from Local Backup: During the setup process, you will be prompted to restore chats and media from a local backup. Follow the instructions to complete this step.
  5. Verify Contact Recovery: Open WhatsApp to ensure that all deleted contacts have been restored from the local backup.

Method 3: Using Third-Party Software

For users who do not have backups, third-party software can sometimes recover deleted WhatsApp data:

  1. Select Reliable Software: Research and choose a reputable third-party recovery tool that is compatible with your Android device.
  2. Download and Install: Download the chosen software to your computer and install it following the provided instructions.
  3. Connect Device: Connect your Android device to the computer using a USB cable. Ensure that the software recognizes your device.
  4. Scan for Deleted Data: Use the software to scan your device for deleted WhatsApp data, including contacts.
  5. Recover Contacts: Once the scan is complete, select the contacts you wish to recover and follow the prompts to restore them to your device.
  6. Verify Contact Recovery: Open WhatsApp on your Android device to ensure that all recovered contacts are present.

Additional Tips

  • Regular Backups: To avoid losing contact data in the future, enable regular backups of your WhatsApp data to Google Drive or another cloud service.
  • Update Software: Keep your WhatsApp and Android software updated to benefit from the latest features and security enhancements.
  • Data Security: Be cautious when using third-party recovery tools to prevent potential data loss or security breaches.

By following these detailed methods, users can effectively recover deleted contacts in WhatsApp on their Android devices.