Where are deleted chats in WhatsApp on iPhone - briefly?
Deleted chats in WhatsApp on an iPhone are not stored locally on the device but are retained within WhatsApp's server backup system for a limited period. To recover deleted chats, users must restore their most recent backup from iCloud.
Where are deleted chats in WhatsApp on iPhone - in detail?
When you delete a chat from your WhatsApp on an iPhone, it doesn't simply disappear into the ether; instead, it is stored in various locations depending on how you choose to delete it and what settings are enabled.
Firstly, if you delete a chat using the "Delete Chat" option within WhatsApp, the messages will be removed from your device. However, this action does not immediately remove the data from WhatsApp's servers. The conversations are still stored on their end, but they become inaccessible to you unless you reinstall the app and restore from a backup.
Secondly, if you enable iCloud backup for your iPhone, all your WhatsApp data, including deleted chats, will be backed up to your iCloud account. This means that even after deleting a chat, it can still be retrieved by restoring your iPhone from an iCloud backup. It's important to note that these backups are encrypted and securely stored, ensuring the privacy of your data.
Thirdly, if you choose to delete a chat using the "Clear All Chats" option within WhatsApp, all your conversations will be removed from your device. Similar to the first scenario, these chats will still reside on WhatsApp's servers and can be recovered if you reinstall the app and restore from an iCloud backup.
Lastly, if you use the "Delete All Chats" option within the Chat Storage section of WhatsApp settings, all your messages will be permanently deleted from both your device and WhatsApp's servers. This action is irreversible, meaning that once the chats are deleted this way, they cannot be recovered.
In conclusion, the location of deleted chats in WhatsApp on an iPhone depends largely on the method of deletion and whether iCloud backup is enabled. While most deletions allow for recovery through backups, choosing to permanently delete all chats ensures that your data is removed from both your device and WhatsApp's servers.