How to read a deleted message on WhatsApp, Messenger, Twitter, Instagram, etc.?

On android, it is possible to read a message deleted on WhatsApp, Messenger, Twitter (X) or Instagram thanks to the’notification history. On iPhone, however, there is no free native solution available to do this. Here's how it works: 

Read a deleted message from the notification history

On android, the feature notification history keeps a record of everything that appears on the screen. Once enabled, it lets you read a message even if the sender has deleted it. Here's how to enable it:

• 1. Open the Settings on your phone, then go to Notifications.

• 2. Enable the option Notification History. On a Android stock (Pixel), the path is Settings > Notifications > Notification History. On Samsung, Xiaomi Where OnePlus, this option is sometimes located in an «Advanced Settings» submenu.
• 3. Verify that notifications are enabled for each relevant app: Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, etc.

Once enabled, every notification you receive is saved in the history. If a message is later deleted, you can still read it again by checking this history. The content remains visible exactly as it appeared when you received it.

This method works only for Messages Deleted After Activation. It doesn't let you recover messages that were deleted before you turned it on.

If you want to learn more about deleted messages on WhatsApp, check out our guide on this topic.

You can also find out how to Read WhatsApp messages without anyone knowing.

In the case of WhatsApp, you can also check out where to find the WhatsApp recycle garbage can to recover deleted items.

A third-party app as an alternative on Android

If your phone doesn't offer a’notification history native, a third-party app can take over. On the Play Store, the free app Notification History Log intercepts real-time notifications and stores them in memory.

It starts working as soon as it's installed to receive new notifications. Some features are reserved for a pay version or accompanied by advertisements.

What about on the iPhone?

On iPhone, there is no free equivalent. Apple does not provide access to an archived notification history for third-party apps. You can only see the notifications that are still present in the Notification Center, not the ones that have already been deleted. Under iOS, there is no native way to view a deleted message once the notification has been swiped away.

Recover Deleted WhatsApp Messages Using a Backup

WhatsApp performs a automatic backup from your conversations. On Android, the data is sent to Google Drive. On the iPhone, they are stored in iCloud. This backup includes messages, photos, videos, and files that have been shared.

If a message was deleted after the last backup, you can restore it. You'll need to uninstall WhatsApp, and then reinstall it. When restoring, the app offers to Restore conversations since Google Drive Where iCloud.

Warning: This operation overwrites the current data. Any messages received since the last backup will be lost. Check the date of your last backup before starting the restore.

View a Deleted Message Using mSpy

mSpy is an app that lets you monitor messaging services such as WhatsApp, Instagram Where Messenger from another device. It also works well for tracking the’someone's activity on Instagram or to access a private Instagram account.

Like the notification history, mSpy does not retrieve messages already deleted before installing it. He real-time capture, at the time they are sent or received. If a message is deleted after being intercepted, you can still read it. Nothing can be recovered retroactively.

Be mindful of the law. In France, installing a spyware on an adult's phone without their knowledge is illegal and punishable under the Penal Code for invasion of privacy. mSpy must be reserved for the parental control, on your minor child's device. Any other use may result in penalties.

Within this legal framework, the app allows you to track the discussions, them Pictures and social media activities from an online dashboard.

To learn more about how to install it, check out our guide at how mSpy works.

You can also get a discount with our promo code mSpy.

Using Mspy