How to view deleted SMS messages on WhatsApp Android?

How to view deleted SMS messages on WhatsApp Android - briefly?

To view deleted SMS messages on WhatsApp Android, you can use third-party apps like WhatsRemoved or Notisave, which automatically back up and store your messages, including those that have been deleted. Alternatively, checking your email for chat backups can also help recover lost messages.

How to view deleted SMS messages on WhatsApp Android - in detail?

Viewing deleted SMS messages on WhatsApp for Android can be challenging, but there are several methods that users can employ to potentially recover these messages. It is important to note that the success of these methods depends on various factors such as the time elapsed since deletion and whether a backup was created beforehand.

Method 1: Using WhatsApp Backup

WhatsApp automatically creates backups of chat history, including SMS messages, which are saved on Google Drive if you have enabled this feature. To view deleted SMS messages using this backup:

  1. Uninstall and Reinstall WhatsApp:

    • Uninstall WhatsApp from your Android device.
    • Reinstall WhatsApp from the Google Play Store.
  2. Restore from Backup:

    • Open WhatsApp after reinstallation.
    • Follow the prompts to set up your account again.
    • When prompted, choose to restore your chat history from the backup stored on Google Drive.
  3. Access Deleted Messages:

    • After restoration is complete, you should be able to view all your messages, including those that were deleted before the last backup was created.

Method 2: Using Third-Party Software

For users who do not have a recent backup or prefer an alternative method, third-party software can be used to recover deleted WhatsApp messages. These tools are designed to scan your device's storage and retrieve lost data. Some popular options include:

  • Dr.Fone - Recover (WhatsApp): A reliable tool that can scan your Android device for lost WhatsApp data, including SMS messages, and restore them.
  • EaseUS MobiSaver: Another effective software that allows you to recover deleted WhatsApp messages along with other types of data from your Android device.

Method 3: Using File Manager (Advanced Users)

For users who are comfortable with file management and have root access on their Android device, it is possible to manually retrieve deleted WhatsApp messages by accessing the database files. This method requires technical knowledge and should be approached with caution to avoid data loss.

  1. Root Your Device: Ensure your Android device is rooted. Rooting gives you superuser privileges needed to access system files.
  2. Access Database Files: Use a file manager app that supports root access (e.g., ES File Explorer) to navigate to the WhatsApp database folder: /data/data/com.whatsapp/databases.
  3. Copy and Restore: Locate the backup files named msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.db.crypt12 (where YYYY-MM-DD represents the date of the backup). Copy these files to a safe location on your device or computer.
  4. Restore Messages: Use a tool like WAMR (WhatsApp Message Recovery) to restore messages from the copied backup files.

Conclusion

Recovering deleted SMS messages on WhatsApp for Android is feasible through several methods, with the most straightforward approach being the use of an existing backup stored on Google Drive. For users without a recent backup, third-party recovery software or manual file management can be employed to retrieve lost data. It is essential to act promptly after message deletion to increase the chances of successful recovery.