How to show deleted messages on WhatsApp?

You deleted a message WhatsApp By mistake? You can often get it back if you have a active backup : Google Drive on Android, iCloud on iPhone.

Without a backup, some third-party tools They exist, but success is not guaranteed.

How do I find deleted messages on WhatsApp?

The key is to have a active backup before deletion. On android, WhatsApp relies on Google Drive. On iPhone, It is iCloud. Without one or the other, it becomes very difficult to read your deleted conversations.

You can also check out where to find the WhatsApp recycle garbage can to explore other possibilities.

See deleted messages on WhatsApp on Android

On android, WhatsApp offers two types of backups:

• A automatic backup to Google Drive, linked to your Google account.
• A local backup on the device, stored in a hidden folder called Databases. You can manually import this file to restore a previous version of your conversations, but you'll need some basic file management skills.

Here are the steps to read your messages via Google Drive :

1. Open the settings and make sure your Google account is linked to your WhatsApp profile.

2. Uninstall WhatsApp, then Download it again since Play Store.

3. Open WhatsApp and enter your phone number. If a backup exists, the app automatically prompts you to Restore the history cat.

4. Tap "Restore" and wait for the process to finish.

A few points to note:

• Always prioritize there backup Google Drive First: It's the easiest to restore.
• If it is not available, rename manually the local file in “msgstore.db.crypt14” (or “msgstore.db.crypt15”: Keep the same file extension as the original file) before copying it to the restore folder.

Recover deleted WhatsApp messages on iPhone

On the iPhone, WhatsApp does not create local backups : Its built-in backup feature works only through iCloud. A full backup of your iPhone (to iCloud or a computer) also includes your WhatsApp data, but the easiest method is still the WhatsApp iCloud backup.

Here's how it works:

1. Check that iCloud Drive is enabled. In WhatsApp, go to Settings > Discussions > Backup to confirm that a backup is present.

2. Uninstall WhatsApp, then reinstall it via the’App Store.

3. Enter your number. When the app displays the latest available backup, confirms the restoration.

Important : Use the same phone number and Apple ID as the ones used for the backup. Without them, you won't be able to restore your conversations.

How can I view deleted messages on WhatsApp with third-party tools?

If you don't have a backup Google Drive or iCloud, of the third-party tools may try to read your deleted messages from your device's internal memory. The process is similar to data recovery from a hard drive: when you delete a message, it is marked as deleted in the WhatsApp database, but the content may remain until it is overwritten. These apps exploit this window of opportunity.

The best-known tools are:

• Dr Fone
• iMobie PhoneRescue
• Tenorshare UltData

Success depends on three factors:

• Your operating system (Android or iOS)
• the elapsed time since the removal
• Whether or not there is a previous backup

The longer you wait, the greater the risk that your data will be overwritten.

Two things to keep in mind before you get started:

• Most of these apps are paying.
• Their use raises ethical and privacy risks, which do not always comply with the RGPD.

Example using Tenorshare UltData

Tenorshare UltData is compatible iOS and Android. It's designed to recover deleted messages, as well as your contacts, attachments, photos, and videos. You don't need to update WhatsApp to use it.

Here are the steps:

1. Download and installs the software on your computer (Windows or Mac).
2. Connect Connect your phone to the computer using a USB cable.
3. Open the software and select WhatsApp among the file types to be scanned.
4. Click on Analyze, then select the deleted messages you want to restore from the list that appears.

The result always depends on the condition of your internal memory at the time of the analysis. Do you want to read a message that someone else deleted from a conversation? That’s a different situation, covered in the article on deleted messages on WhatsApp.

FAQs

How can you prevent data loss in the future?

A few simple habits are all it takes to make sure you never find yourself in this situation again:

• Enable automatic backup : Program 1 daily backup to Google Drive on Android or iCloud on iPhone. This keeps your chat history up to date at all times.
• Enable mobile data for backups : Backups continue even without Wi-Fi, so you won't lose any important messages.
• Copy local backups : Save the backup file to a dedicated folder, then copy it to a computer to keep a backup copy.
• Think before you delete : In a group chat, misunderstandings can happen quickly. Take two seconds before deleting a message.
• Lock the app : A PIN or fingerprint prevents accidental deletions—whether by you or by someone else using your smartphone. You can also learn how to Read WhatsApp messages without anyone knowing for greater discretion.

What are the differences between «Delete for Me» and «Delete for Everyone»?

When you delete a message on WhatsApp, the app gives you two options:

• Delete for me : The message will disappear only from your history. The other participants will still be able to see it.
• Delete for all : The message is deleted for all participants. You have about 60 hours (i.e., 2 days and 12 hours) after it was sent. After that time, it is only deleted from your local device.

How long do messages stay in the chat history?

It all depends on your backup. If you have an active one, the deleted message will still appear in it until the next backup, which will overwrite it. This window allows you to restore your messages before they are permanently overwritten.

Without a backup, the message is theoretically lost as soon as it is deleted. In practice, it may remain for a short time in the local database from WhatsApp (the file msgstore.db (on Android), as long as that data hasn't been overwritten. That's when a third-party tool can sometimes read what's left.

On Android, The notification history may also display a preview of a deleted message, provided that the notification history was already enabled when you received the message. This is a quick thing to check before turning to a third-party tool.

Two special cases to be aware of:

• the self-destruct timer, when enabled in the chat of your choice, makes messages disappear after a set amount of time. These ephemeral messages They can't be recovered—that's the point.
• The Pictures and videos One-time files self-destruct as soon as they are opened. Once opened, they are not included in backups and cannot be recovered. Only media that has not yet been opened at the time of the backup can be restored.

If you have a more serious problem, such as a stolen phone, find out more about the WhatsApp Account Recovery to secure your access. In any case, a backup Google Drive Where iCloud is still your best chance of recovering a deleted message before turning to a third-party tool.

Have a question? Ask it in the comments.