Restore a WhatsApp message that you deleted yourself - briefly?
To restore a WhatsApp message you deleted, first open the chat where the message was located and tap on the three dots at the top right corner of the screen. Then, select "Delete for me" to retrieve the message.
Restore a WhatsApp message that you deleted yourself - in detail?
Restoring a WhatsApp message that you have deleted can be a complex process due to the app's privacy and security measures. However, there are several methods you can try to recover your lost messages.
Using Backup
WhatsApp provides an option to back up your chats regularly, which can be crucial for recovery. To restore a message using a backup:
- Uninstall WhatsApp: First, uninstall the app from your device.
- Reinstall WhatsApp: Download and reinstall WhatsApp from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
- Restore from Backup: During the setup process, you will be prompted to restore your chats from a backup. Choose this option and follow the prompts.
- Locate Your Message: Once the restoration is complete, open the chat where the message was deleted and scroll through the conversation to find your lost message.
Using Email Forwarding
If you have set up email forwarding for your WhatsApp messages, you can retrieve deleted messages from your email account:
- Check Your Email: Open your email client and search for emails from WhatsApp.
- Locate the Message: Look through the emails to find the one containing the message you deleted.
- Forward or Save: You can forward this email to yourself or save it for future reference.
Using Google Drive Backup (Android)
If you are an Android user, your WhatsApp messages are backed up to Google Drive:
- Uninstall WhatsApp: Uninstall the app from your device.
- Reinstall WhatsApp: Download and reinstall WhatsApp from the Google Play Store.
- Restore from Backup: During setup, you will be prompted to restore your chats from a backup. Choose this option and follow the prompts.
- Locate Your Message: Once the restoration is complete, open the chat where the message was deleted and search for it within the conversation.
Using iCloud Backup (iOS)
For iOS users, WhatsApp messages are backed up to iCloud:
- Uninstall WhatsApp: Uninstall the app from your device.
- Reinstall WhatsApp: Download and reinstall WhatsApp from the Apple App Store.
- Restore from Backup: During setup, you will be prompted to restore your chats from an iCloud backup. Choose this option and follow the prompts.
- Locate Your Message: Once the restoration is complete, open the chat where the message was deleted and search for it within the conversation.
Limitations
It's essential to note that while these methods can help you recover deleted messages, they have limitations:
- Time Sensitivity: Backups are typically created at regular intervals (daily, weekly), so if you delete a message shortly after a backup is made, it might not be included in the next backup.
- Backup Availability: If you haven't enabled backups or if your backup is outdated, you may not be able to restore the deleted message.
- Message Visibility: Some messages might still be visible in group chats even after deletion because other participants can see them.