When WhatsApp users delete any message, it’s annoying especially if it happens to be a very crucial message. WhatsApp fails to provide any mechanism for its users to recover any banned conversations, however, other methods and applications might help resolve this problem. The following sections of this article will come in handy by outlining a few applications and techniques that will allow you to read those WhatsApp messages that were deleted.
The Basics: What Happens When a Message is Deleted?
In WhatsApp, if someone removes a message, generally a prompt appears that says ‘This message was deleted.’ The message gets deleted from your chat and it appears as if it never existed in the first place. Nevertheless, the information is still stored in your device until it is replaced, which is the reason why such techniques of recovery are useful.
WhatsApp allows users to withdraw from sending text messages to everyone concerned after a specified time (approximately an hour). When that time has elapsed, you can only withdraw messages from yourself. What is important to note is that depending on the type of settings in your phone, you may be able to retrieve those messages even after they have been deleted.
The Methods to Read Deleted WhatsApp Messages
1. Using WhatsApp Backup
The simplest method to recover deleted messages is by restoring a previous WhatsApp backup. This method works if the deleted messages were included in a backup before they were deleted. Here’s how you can do it:
For Android:
- Go to WhatsApp settings.
- Tap “Chats > Chat backup”.
- Check the date of your last backup.
- Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp.
- Open WhatsApp and verify your phone number.
- Once prompted, tap “Restore” to recover messages from your backup.
For iPhone:
- Go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.
- After resetting your phone, restore it from the most recent iCloud backup.
- Open WhatsApp and verify your number. You should have access to messages that were included in the backup.
Remember, this method will only restore messages from the time of the last backup, so any messages sent after the backup date will be lost.
2. Using Notification Log (Android Only)
The notification log on Android devices can sometimes store a record of deleted WhatsApp messages. Although this doesn’t always work, it’s worth a try if you’re curious about reading deleted messages. Here’s how you can access it:
Steps for Android:
- Long-press on a space on your home screen.
- Tap “Widgets”.
- Scroll down and find the “Settings” widget.
- Drag it to your home screen.
- When prompted, tap “Notification Log”.
- Here, you might be able to view notifications of deleted messages.
Keep in mind that this method doesn’t always capture every deleted message, as it relies on notifications.
3. Third-Party Apps
Various external applications are present which states that they can help you restore erased WhatsApp messages. Some popular ones include “WhatsApp Message Recovery”, “Notification History Log”, and “Dr. Fone”. Most of these applications tend to seek access to the phone’s storage and notifications by scanning the internal storage for any deleted files residing therein.
Caution: Be careful while accessing any third-party application. Not all are trustworthy and some may even be harmful. Always research apps before downloading them.
4. Use WhatsApp Web
In some situations, participants may come across messages that have been deleted on WhatsApp Web that have still not been completely purged from the server. Here are the steps that can be performed:
Launch “WhatsApp Web” on your desktop by scanning the QR code from the mobile WhatsApp installed on your phone.
Check the conversation on WhatsApp Web. Sometimes, deleted messages still appear on the web version before they’re fully removed from your phone.
5. Contacting the Sender
In case none of the above alternatives have allowed you to retrieve the erased text, the last option left is to reach out to the sender of the message. There is a possibility that they have also retained the message in their conversation and can send it to you.
Key Takeaways
- WhatsApp messages can be deleted by both senders and recipients, but they may not be fully erased from your phone.
- Backups are your best bet to recover deleted messages, but you will lose any newer messages that weren’t part of the backup.
- Android users may sometimes retrieve deleted messages through their notification logs or third-party apps.
- WhatsApp Web may offer a temporary window into deleted messages, depending on server sync times.
- Be cautious when using third-party recovery apps and ensure they come from trusted sources.
FAQs
Can I read deleted messages in WhatsApp without a backup?
Yes, you can use third-party apps or check your notification log (Android) to recover deleted messages, but there’s no guarantee they will work.
Does WhatsApp notify the sender if I read a deleted message?
No, WhatsApp does not notify the sender if you read a deleted message, but they may see that you viewed their profile or message status.
How long do WhatsApp backups store deleted messages?
WhatsApp stores backups on Google Drive (for Android) or iCloud (for iPhone). The backup’s duration depends on how frequently you back up your messages.
Can I recover deleted messages if I didn’t back them up?
Recovering deleted messages without a backup is very difficult. Third-party apps may offer partial success, but they come with risks.
Conclusion
The ability to recover deleted WhatsApp messages is not always straightforward. Nevertheless, these approaches have some drawbacks. It is advisable as well to routinely perform WhatsApp backup in order to keep all the important chats safe. But if that fails, you can always try reaching out to the sender. Remember that you should always prioritize safety hence be very careful with the use of external applications.
For that reason, awareness of the methods available can also assist in the control of WhatsApp messages and in preventing their loss due to unintentional deletion.