WhatsApp has grown to be a vital tool for communication for millions of users worldwide. Whether it’s staying in touch with friends and family or conducting business conversations, WhatsApp messages hold valuable information. But what happens when you accidentally delete or lose important messages? Don’t worry, retrieving lost or deleted messages on WhatsApp is not as difficult as it may seem. In this article, we will guide you through the process of recovering your precious chats on both Android and iPhone devices.
Enable Chat Backup to Prevent Data Loss
Before we dive into the methods of retrieving deleted messages, it’s crucial to ensure that you have enabled Chat Backup in your WhatsApp settings. This feature automatically creates backups of your chats, preventing them from being permanently lost. Here’s how you can enable Chat Backup on your device:
For Android Users
Tap the three dots in the upper-right corner of WhatsApp when it has opened.
Navigate to Chats > Settings > Chat backup.
The time and date of the most recent backup will be displayed. If you haven’t already created a backup
. If you have never created a backup, it’s essential to do so now.
Choose the frequency of backup that suits your needs – Daily, Weekly, Monthly, or Off.
For iPhone Users
Launch WhatsApp and tap on the Settings icon located at the bottom bar.
Go to Chats > Chat Backup.
You will find the date and time of the last backup. If you haven’t created a backup yet, it’s crucial to do so.
Select the backup frequency that meets your requirements.
By enabling Chat Backup, you will have a safeguard against accidental deletions or device malfunctions. Now, let’s explore the methods to retrieve deleted chats on both Android and iPhone devices.
How to Retrieve Older Deleted Chats on WhatsApp for Android
If you are an Android user, there’s a way to retrieve older deleted chats by accessing the backup files stored on your device. Follow these steps:
On your Android device, launch a file explorer app.
Navigate to the WhatsApp/Databases folder.
From the list of backup files, identify the most recent one and copy it.
Paste the copied file into the internal storage of the Database folder.
Uninstall WhatsApp from your Android phone.
Reinstall WhatsApp from the Google Play Store and log in using your credentials.
Select the Restore option to restore all of your lost or erased chats from the local backup when requested.
By following these steps, you will be able to retrieve older deleted chats on your Android device.
How to Recover Deleted Chats on WhatsApp for iPhone
If you are an iPhone user, the process of recovering deleted chats involves utilizing iCloud backup. Here’s how you can do it:
Uninstall WhatsApp by selecting Remove App > Delete App.
Visit the App Store and reinstall WhatsApp on your iPhone.
Open the app and verify your phone number.
Follow the on-screen prompts to restore your deleted or missing messages from iCloud.
It’s important to note that this method requires you to have an iCloud backup of your WhatsApp chats. If you haven’t enabled iCloud backup or the backup doesn’t contain the desired chat, you may not be able to recover the deleted messages using this method.
Additional Information
When recovering deleted chats on WhatsApp, it’s crucial to note that the process may not guarantee a 100% success rate. The availability of backups and the time elapsed since the deletion can impact the chances of successful recovery.
If you have recently switched to a new device, you can restore your WhatsApp chats by transferring them from your old device to the new one. This process involves creating a local backup on the old device and restoring it on the new device during the initial setup of WhatsApp.
It’s advisable to regularly back up your WhatsApp chats to prevent data loss. Consider enabling automatic backups and choosing a backup frequency that suits your usage patterns.
In conclusion, losing or accidentally deleting WhatsApp messages can be distressing, especially when they contain important information. However, with the right precautions and knowledge of the recovery methods, you can retrieve deleted chats on both Android and iPhone devices. Remember to enable Chat Backup, explore local backup files on Android, and utilize iCloud backup on iPhone to increase your chances of successfully recovering your precious WhatsApp messages.