If I deleted WhatsApp from my phone, how can I restore messages - briefly?
If you have previously backed up your WhatsApp data to iCloud (for iOS users) or Google Drive (for Android users), you can restore your messages by reinstalling WhatsApp and following the prompts during the setup process to retrieve your chat history.
If I deleted WhatsApp from my phone, how can I restore messages - in detail?
If you have deleted the WhatsApp application from your phone and are wondering how to restore your messages, there are several methods you can try, depending on whether you had previously backed up your data or not.
Backup Restoration via Google Drive or iCloud
If you had enabled automatic backups to either Google Drive (for Android users) or iCloud (for iOS users), restoring your messages is relatively straightforward. Here are the detailed steps:
- Reinstall WhatsApp: First, download and install WhatsApp from the Google Play Store (Android) or App Store (iOS).
- Verify Your Phone Number: Open WhatsApp and follow the on-screen instructions to verify your phone number.
- Restore Backup: Once your phone number is verified, you will be prompted to restore your chat history from a backup. Tap "Restore" to proceed.
- Wait for Completion: The restoration process may take some time depending on the size of your backups and your internet connection speed. Ensure that your device remains connected to the internet until the process is complete.
- Complete Setup: After the restoration is finished, WhatsApp will prompt you to finish setting up your account by entering a name or photo for your profile.
Manual Backup Restoration (Local Storage)
If you had manually backed up your WhatsApp data to local storage and subsequently deleted the app, you can still restore your messages by following these steps:
- Reinstall WhatsApp: Download and install WhatsApp from the appropriate store for your device.
- Verify Your Phone Number: Open WhatsApp and verify your phone number as prompted.
- Access File Manager: Use a file manager app on your device to locate the backup folder. The default location varies by operating system:
- Android:
sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases
- iOS:
File App > On My iPhone > WhatsApp > Documents > chat.db
- Android:
- Copy Backup File: Copy the most recent backup file (usually named
msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.crypt12
) to your device's internal storage or SD card. - Restore via WhatsApp: Go back to WhatsApp and follow the prompts to restore from a local backup. Select the copied backup file when prompted.
- Wait for Completion: Allow the restoration process to complete, ensuring your device remains connected to the internet.
- Complete Setup: After the restoration is finished, set up your profile as instructed by WhatsApp.
Contacting Support for Further Assistance
If you are unable to restore your messages using the above methods, it may be necessary to contact WhatsApp support for further assistance. They can provide guidance tailored to your specific situation and help you troubleshoot any issues that arise during the restoration process.
By following these detailed steps, you should be able to successfully restore your WhatsApp messages even after deleting the application from your phone.