If I deleted an SMS in WhatsApp, can I restore it - briefly?
If you accidentally deleted an SMS in WhatsApp, you may be able to restore it by following these steps:
- Open WhatsApp and go to the chat where the message was deleted.
- Tap on the three dots (⋮) at the top right corner of the screen, then select "More" > "Deleted messages". If the message is listed there, you can tap on it to restore it to your chat.
If I deleted an SMS in WhatsApp, can I restore it - in detail?
If you have accidentally deleted an important message on WhatsApp and are wondering if there is a way to retrieve it, the answer largely depends on the actions taken immediately after the deletion. WhatsApp, as of now, does not provide a native feature for recovering deleted messages directly from within the app. However, several methods can potentially help you restore lost messages.
Backup and Restore
WhatsApp offers a built-in backup feature that automatically saves your chat history to your cloud storage (Google Drive for Android users and iCloud for iPhone users). To recover deleted messages through this method:
- Uninstall WhatsApp: First, you need to uninstall the app from your device.
- Reinstall WhatsApp: Download and install WhatsApp again from the Google Play Store or App Store.
- Restore from Backup: During the setup process, WhatsApp will prompt you to restore your chat history from the backup file. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the restoration.
Local Backup (Android Only)
If you have enabled local backups on your Android device, you can try restoring messages from these backups.
- Locate WhatsApp Folder: Open File Manager and navigate to
sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases. - Backup Files: Look for files named
msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt12(where YYYY-MM-DD represents the date). These are your local backups. - Restore Messages: You can use third-party apps like "WhatsApp Backup and Restore" to restore these backup files to your WhatsApp account.
Contact Support
In cases where you have not backed up your messages or the above methods do not work, reaching out to WhatsApp support might be an option. However, it's important to note that WhatsApp does not guarantee message recovery without a backup.
Preventive Measures
To avoid losing important messages in the future, consider the following preventive measures:
- Enable Automatic Backup: Ensure your WhatsApp is set up to automatically back up chats to Google Drive or iCloud.
- Manual Backups: Periodically create manual backups of your chat history.
- Export Chats: For particularly important conversations, you can export them as a text file and save it to your device or cloud storage.
By following these steps, you increase the likelihood of recovering deleted WhatsApp messages and safeguarding future communications.