How to view recently deleted messages on WhatsApp?

How to view recently deleted messages on WhatsApp - briefly?

To view recently deleted messages on WhatsApp, you can restore them from the backup if you have one. However, without a backup, once messages are permanently deleted after 30 days, they cannot be recovered.

How to view recently deleted messages on WhatsApp - in detail?

To view recently deleted messages on WhatsApp, you can follow these detailed steps:

  1. Open WhatsApp: Start by launching the WhatsApp application on your device. This could be a smartphone or a tablet. Ensure that you are connected to the internet as this process requires online access.
  2. Access Settings: Locate and tap on the three dots (vertical ellipsis) in the top-right corner of the screen. This will open the menu where you can select "Settings."
  3. Navigate to Account Settings: Within the Settings menu, find and tap on "Account." This section contains various account-related options including privacy settings and backup preferences.
  4. Select Storage and Data: Under the Account settings, look for an option called "Storage and Data" or similar. Tap on this to access more detailed storage information.
  5. Manage Storage: In the Storage and Data section, you will see a breakdown of how much space is used by different types of content such as photos, videos, documents, and messages. Look for an option that says "Manage Storage." Tap on it to proceed.
  6. Review Deleted Messages: Once you are in the Manage Storage section, you will see a list of all the contacts or groups you have interacted with recently. Here, you can review what types of files and messages are taking up space. If you have recently deleted messages, they may still be visible in this list for a short period before they are permanently removed from WhatsApp's servers.
  7. Backup and Restore: If the messages you are looking for are not listed under Manage Storage, it is possible that they were permanently deleted or their deletion window has expired. In such cases, restoring from a backup might be your best option. Ensure that regular backups of your WhatsApp data are enabled to prevent loss of important messages in the future.
  8. Understand Deletion Policies: It is essential to understand that WhatsApp does not permanently delete messages immediately after they are removed from your chat history. The deletion process includes a temporary window where the messages can still be retrieved if needed. However, once this window closes, the messages are irreversibly deleted from both your device and WhatsApp’s servers.

By following these steps, you should be able to view recently deleted messages on WhatsApp effectively. Always remember to keep your data backed up to avoid any permanent loss of important information.