Where are deleted SMS messages stored in WhatsApp - briefly?
Deleted SMS messages in WhatsApp are stored in the phone's internal memory until they are permanently overwritten by new data. The exact location and duration of storage can vary depending on the device and its settings.
Where are deleted SMS messages stored in WhatsApp - in detail?
Deleted SMS messages in WhatsApp are not simply erased from the device's memory but rather archived and stored within the app's data structure. When a message is deleted, it is removed from the user's visible chat history, but the actual data remains on the device for a period of time before being permanently purged.
WhatsApp utilizes a SQLite database to manage all its messages and data. This database is located in the app's local storage on the user's device. When a message is deleted, it is marked as 'deleted' within this database rather than being completely removed. The actual content of the message remains intact but is no longer accessible through the standard chat interface.
The exact duration for which deleted messages are retained can vary depending on various factors such as the device's operating system, the version of WhatsApp in use, and the specific settings configured by the user. For instance, Android devices may retain deleted messages for a shorter period compared to iOS devices due to differences in how each platform manages app data.
It is essential to note that while deleted messages are stored within the SQLite database, they can still be recovered using specialized tools or methods. For example, forensic software can extract and read the SQLite database, revealing the content of deleted messages. However, this process requires technical expertise and specific tools not available to ordinary users.
In addition to local storage on the device, WhatsApp also utilizes cloud backup services provided by Google Drive for Android devices and iCloud for iOS devices. Deleted messages that are part of a backed-up chat history will be included in these backups unless the user manually excludes them before deletion. This means that even if a message is deleted from the device, it may still exist within the cloud backup, accessible through restoring the backup to another device.
In conclusion, deleted SMS messages in WhatsApp are stored within the app's SQLite database on the user's device and can also be retained within cloud backups. The exact retention period and accessibility of these messages depend on various factors, including the device's operating system and specific user settings.