If you cleared the chat in WhatsApp, how to restore it - briefly?
If you have accidentally cleared a chat in WhatsApp and need to restore it, there are limited options available. Unfortunately, once a chat is deleted from both the sender's and recipient's devices, it cannot be recovered within the app itself. However, if you have previously backed up your chats using Google Drive or iCloud, you can restore the chat by uninstalling and reinstalling WhatsApp, then following the prompts to restore your chat history from the backup.
If you cleared the chat in WhatsApp, how to restore it - in detail?
If you have accidentally or intentionally deleted a chat in WhatsApp and now seek to restore it, there are several methods you can try depending on your specific circumstances. It's important to note that the success of these methods varies based on whether you have backups available and the type of device you are using.
Using Local Backup (for Android users)
If you have an Android device and regularly backup your WhatsApp data, you can restore a deleted chat from a local backup:
- Uninstall and Reinstall WhatsApp: Open the Google Play Store, search for WhatsApp, and then tap on "Uninstall". After uninstalling, reinstall WhatsApp from the Play Store.
- Restore from Backup: During the setup process after reinstallation, you will be prompted to restore your chats from a local backup. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the restoration process.
- Select Specific Chats: Once the restoration is complete, you may need to wait for all messages to load before you can access individual chats.
Using Google Drive Backup (for Android users)
If your WhatsApp data was backed up to Google Drive, follow these steps:
- Uninstall and Reinstall WhatsApp: Similar to the local backup method, uninstall and then reinstall WhatsApp from the Play Store.
- Restore from Google Drive: During the setup process, you will be prompted to restore your chats from a Google Drive backup. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the restoration.
- Select Specific Chats: After the restoration is complete, you can choose which chats to restore and selectively download them if needed.
Using iCloud Backup (for iOS users)
For iPhone users, restoring from an iCloud backup involves these steps:
- Uninstall and Reinstall WhatsApp: Open the App Store, search for WhatsApp, and then tap on "Delete App". After deleting, reinstall WhatsApp from the App Store.
- Restore from iCloud Backup: During the setup process after reinstallation, you will be prompted to restore your chats from an iCloud backup. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the restoration.
- Select Specific Chats: Once the restoration is complete, you may need to wait for all messages to load before accessing individual chats.
Restoring Individual Messages (for both Android and iOS users)
If you are looking to restore specific messages rather than entire chats:
- Check Backup Settings: Ensure that your WhatsApp is set to backup to Google Drive (Android) or iCloud (iOS). This setting can usually be found in the WhatsApp settings under "Chats" > "Chat Backup".
- Manually Forward Messages: If you have a recent backup, manually forward the messages from another device or contact who may still have the messages.
- Use Third-Party Software: There are third-party applications available that claim to recover deleted WhatsApp messages, but their effectiveness can vary, and using such software should be done with caution.
Important Considerations
- Regular Backups: Ensure you regularly backup your WhatsApp data to avoid losing important chats in the future.
- Backup Storage: Check that your backup storage (Google Drive or iCloud) has sufficient space and is properly configured.
- Data Privacy: Be mindful of privacy concerns when using third-party software for message recovery.
By following these detailed steps, you should be able to restore your deleted WhatsApp chats effectively.