The short answer is maybe. There are a few different ways you may be able to recover deleted WhatsApp messages, but success depends on several factors.
Recovering recently deleted messages
If you delete a message in WhatsApp, there is a short window of time where you can recover that message. Tap and hold on the message you want to undelete, then tap “Delete” and select “Undelete” to recover the message. This will only work if the message was deleted recently, likely within a few minutes or hours.
Restoring from a recent backup
WhatsApp automatically backs up your messages daily if you have backups enabled. You can restore deleted messages by restoring your chat history from a recent backup.
On Android, go to WhatsApp Settings > Chats > Chat Backup > Restore. Select a recent backup date to restore.
On iPhone, go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup > Restore Chats. Choose a recent backup date to restore.
This will work as long as the messages you want to recover were not deleted before the last backup. Backups only happen once a day unless you manually force a backup, so you can only restore as far back as your latest backup.
Retrieving from Google Drive or iCloud
WhatsApp backups are saved to Google Drive for Android users and iCloud for iPhone users. Even if you delete the WhatsApp chat history from your phone, the backup may still be available in cloud storage.
On Android, open the Google Drive app and look for a folder called WhatsApp. Open it and see if there are any backup files inside. You can download a backup file here and use it to restore deleted messages.
On iPhone, you can access iCloud backups in Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups. Tap on your device name and see if there are WhatsApp backups available. You can restore from these backups to retrieve deleted messages.
Using data recovery software
If you can’t find a recent enough backup, third party data recovery software may be able to help recover deleted WhatsApp messages directly from your phone’s storage or memory card. Software like Fonelab, EaseUS, Disk Drill and iMyFone can scan your device for residual data left behind by deleted WhatsApp messages.
However, this does not always work perfectly. The more time that passes since a message is deleted, the less likely recovery becomes. Data overwritten in memory cannot be retrieved by scanning tools. So this method has limited success.
Getting messages from the sender
If all else fails, you can try asking the sender to re-send any important messages you may have deleted. Of course, this is only possible if the sender still has those messages available on their device.
Explain that you accidentally deleted some of their messages and ask if they can copy and paste or forward them to you again. Hopefully they still have the messages in their own chat history.
Preventing message loss
To avoid losing important WhatsApp messages in the future, make sure chat backups are enabled in Settings. Be careful about what you delete, and back up your data regularly to external storage or cloud services in case you ever need to restore.
You can also export your WhatsApp chat history to store it externally. On Android, go to WhatsApp > More Options > Settings > Chats > Chat History > Export Chat. On iPhone, go to Settings > Chats > Chat Export.
Third party apps
Some third party apps claim they can recover deleted WhatsApp messages. However, be very careful with these as many contain malware, adware, scams or other harmful software. Only download from reputable app stores or publishers you can trust.
Conclusion
While there are some methods that may work to recover recently deleted WhatsApp messages, success is not guaranteed. Your best options are to restore from a recent backup or see if the sender can re-send the lost messages. Enabling regular backups and avoiding mass message deletions can help prevent losing important chats.
Key Points
- Deleted WhatsApp messages may be recovered from recent backups or cloud storage
- Data recovery software can sometimes retrieve deleted messages
- Asking the sender to re-send lost chats is another option
- Enabling backups and exporting chats helps prevent permanent data loss
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you recover permanently deleted WhatsApp messages?
If a WhatsApp message is deleted long enough ago that it predates your most recent backup, or the data has been overwritten in memory, it may be impossible to fully recover. However, there is a chance third party data recovery software could find remnants of old deleted messages.
How long are deleted WhatsApp messages stored?
WhatsApp does not store or archive deleted messages itself. However, deleted chats may remain in backups and cloud storage until they are overwritten. How long this takes depends on your usage habits and how often backups occur.
Can police recover deleted WhatsApp messages?
If police need to investigate deleted WhatsApp messages, they may be able to retrieve them from your phone’s storage or memory card using advanced forensic data recovery techniques. However, the longer ago messages were deleted, the less recoverable they become.
Can WhatsApp messages deleted by sender be retrieved?
If the sender deletes their copy of a WhatsApp message they sent you, it does not delete the message from your chat history. So you can still retrieve those messages if you deleted them yourself, using backups or exports.
Is it possible to read deleted WhatsApp messages?
While deleted WhatsApp chats are often recoverable through various methods, there is no standard way to directly access or read the content of deleted messages on WhatsApp itself. A third party tool or backup restore is required.
WhatsApp Message Recovery Methods
| Method | How It Works | Success Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Undelete | Recovers recently deleted messages if done fast enough | High for very recent deletions |
| Backups | Restore from local or cloud backups | High if backup is recent |
| Re-send | Ask sender to re-send lost messages | Depends on sender availability |
| Data recovery | Scan device storage for message remnants | Low to moderate |
WhatsApp Chat Data Recovery Services
As a last resort, you can enlist the services of a professional WhatsApp data recovery company. Specialists may be able to use advanced techniques to restore deleted messages from phones even when standard methods fail. However, this can be expensive and is not guaranteed.
Some top professional WhatsApp recovery services include:
- EaseUS – Offers dedicated WhatsApp and text message recovery from phones and memory cards.
- Stellar Data Recovery – Claims to recover lost and deleted WhatsApp messages from Android and iPhone devices.
- Disk Drill – Scans internal and external memory for deleted WhatsApp chat remnants.
- iMyFone – Retrieves WhatsApp histories by digging deep into iOS and Android file systems.
These companies employ data recovery experts with specialized tools and skills for extracting deleted mobile app content from phones. However, even the best professional may not be able to fully get back permanently deleted WhatsApp messages after too much time has passed.
Preventing WhatsApp Message Loss
To avoid losing important WhatsApp messages:
- Enable auto backup in WhatsApp settings
- Back up manually before uninstalling WhatsApp
- Export chat history to external files
- Be careful when deleting chats
- Avoid rooting/jailbreaking phones
- Install reputable antivirus software
Enabling WhatsApp’s built-in chat backup options is the easiest way to protect your messages from accidental deletion. Frequent manual backups provide an extra level of data protection.
You should also be very careful when deleting messages in WhatsApp. It’s easy to accidentally mass delete entire conversations, so pay close attention anytime you delete chats.
WhatsApp Message Recovery FAQs
Does WhatsApp have a trash folder?
No, WhatsApp does not have a trash or recycle bin folder for deleted messages. Once chats are deleted, they are only recoverable through backups or third party software.
Can WhatsApp recover deleted messages?
WhatsApp itself does not have a deleted message recovery feature. However, enabling WhatsApp backups allows you to restore deleted messages from backup files saved locally or in Google Drive/iCloud.
Do deleted WhatsApp messages stay on the server?
WhatsApp chat history and backups are stored locally on users’ devices and optionally backed up to Google Drive or iCloud. WhatsApp itself does not store users’ chat history on its servers.
Can you recover deleted WhatsApp messages without backup?
Without a backup, WhatsApp message recovery becomes very difficult. Some data recovery apps may be able to find traces of deleted chats, but this is not highly reliable. Maintaining regular backups is key.
How can I view deleted WhatsApp messages on Android?
On Android, you can view deleted WhatsApp messages by restoring from Google Drive backup or using a third party Android data recovery app to scan your phone’s storage for recoverable message data.
WhatsApp Message Recovery Services
When all other options are exhausted, you may need to turn to a professional WhatsApp recovery service. WhatsApp data recovery companies use specialized tools and techniques that give them the best chance of retrieving deleted WhatsApp messages and conversations from your device.
Below are some of the top professional WhatsApp and text message recovery services:
| Service | Methods | Price |
|---|---|---|
| EaseUS | Advanced scanning tools | Free – $60/mo |
| Stellar Data Recovery | Custom WhatsApp recovery | $39 – $1,200 |
| Disk Drill | Deep scanning algorithms | Free – $119 |
| iMyFone | iOS & Android recovery | $35 – $150 |
The cost can range from free tools to thousands of dollars for extensive recovery by dedicated specialists. On average expect to pay $30-$150 for basic WhatsApp data recovery services from most providers.
WhatsApp Chat History Security
To keep your WhatsApp chats secure:
- Enable two-step verification
- Set app lock with fingerprint or face ID
- Check login history for unknown devices
- Carefully vet third party backup services
- Install trusted antivirus software
- Watch for fake WhatsApp scams
- Never root or jailbreak your phone
Two-step verification adds critical account protection, requiring a PIN sent to your mobile number to complete logins. Enabling fingerprint or face ID app lock prevents unauthorized physical access to WhatsApp.
You should also beware of scam apps masquerading as WhatsApp, which may steal your messages. Only install WhatsApp from the official app stores. Avoid rooting or jailbreaking your device as this reduces security protections.
Common WhatsApp Chat Security Threats
- Message interception
- Account hijacking
- Data leaks
- Malware
- Phishing scams
- Unauthorized access
- Fake “WhatsApp” apps
Enabling all available security features in WhatsApp and your phone’s operating system will provide the highest level of protection from unauthorized access to your chat history and account.
Recovering Lost Passwords
If you lose your WhatsApp password, you have a few options to recover your account:
- Reset your password using your phone number
- Reset through email if you enabled it
- Use third party password cracking software
- Perform a factory reset to unlink the old password
The easiest method is requesting a password reset link sent to your associated phone number. This allows setting a new password to regain access.
Enabling a recovery email can provide a backup option if you can’t access your phone number. But beware – third party password reset software may be untrustworthy and should be avoided.
Steps to Reset WhatsApp Password
- Open WhatsApp account settings
- Tap “Forgotten password?”
- Enter phone number associated with account
- Confirm reset request
- Receive reset link via SMS
- Click link and enter new desired password
This process sends a password reset link as an SMS text message to your verified mobile number. Following the instructions in the text will allow you to enter a new WhatsApp password.
Conclusion
While WhatsApp does not have built-in deleted message recovery, there are some methods you can use to try restoring lost chats, with varying degrees of success depending on how old the deletions are. Enabling frequent backups is the key to safeguarding your chat history from accidental loss.