How to view recently deleted messages in WhatsApp - briefly?
To view recently deleted messages in WhatsApp, follow these steps:
- Open WhatsApp and go to the "Settings" menu by tapping on the three dots at the top right corner of your screen.
- Navigate to "Account" > "Deleted Messages" and tap on it to see the list of recently deleted messages.
How to view recently deleted messages in WhatsApp - in detail?
Viewing recently deleted messages in WhatsApp is a common need for users who may have accidentally removed important conversations. Fortunately, WhatsApp provides several methods to recover these messages, ensuring that valuable information is not permanently lost.
Firstly, it's crucial to understand that WhatsApp does not store deleted messages on its servers. However, the app saves message data locally on your device. This means that if you act promptly, you can restore deleted messages using backup files. Here are the detailed steps:
Method 1: Using Google Drive Backup (for Android)
- Uninstall and Reinstall WhatsApp: Go to your app drawer, find WhatsApp, and uninstall it. Then, visit the Google Play Store and reinstall the application.
- Verify Your Phone Number: After reinstalling, open WhatsApp and follow the prompts to verify your phone number.
- Restore from Backup: Once your number is verified, you will be prompted to restore your chat history from a backup file. Tap on 'Restore' to recover your deleted messages.
Method 2: Using iCloud Backup (for iOS)
- Uninstall and Reinstall WhatsApp: Go to your home screen, find the WhatsApp icon, and delete it by holding down until it jiggles. Then, revisit the App Store and download WhatsApp again.
- Verify Your Phone Number: Open WhatsApp after reinstalling and follow the on-screen instructions to verify your phone number.
- Restore from Backup: After verifying your number, you will see a prompt asking if you want to restore your chat history. Tap 'Restore Chat History' to retrieve your deleted messages.
Method 3: Local Backup (for both Android and iOS)
- Check for Local Backups: WhatsApp automatically creates local backups of your chats. These are stored in the internal memory or SD card (for Android) and iCloud (for iOS).
- Restore from Local Backup:
- Android: Navigate to the 'WhatsApp' folder on your device’s storage, look for the 'Databases' subfolder, and find files named 'msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db'. Rename this file to 'msgstore.db' and replace the existing backup file in the same folder.
- iOS: Unfortunately, restoring from local backups on iOS is more complex due to Apple’s strict security policies. It’s recommended to use iCloud backups for a seamless experience.
Important Notes:
- Backup Frequency: Ensure that your WhatsApp backups are set to run frequently (daily, weekly) to minimize the risk of losing recent messages.
- Internet Connection: A stable internet connection is necessary during the backup and restore processes to ensure smooth data transfer.
By following these detailed steps, users can effectively view and recover recently deleted messages in WhatsApp, ensuring that important conversations are not lost forever.