One of WhatsApp’s most popular features in the app is that it allows you to delete messages with just a tap of your finger.
WhatsApp introduced “Delete for Everyone” as recently as this year as a way to delete messages within an hour of sending them.
People often use this feature when they message the wrong chat or send something with an error.
However, our curiosity often takes over when we receive deleted texts and wonder what is behind the mysterious message.
While we’re all guilty of dragging messages, there are ways to happily pull back the curtain, even if the other user who sent them to you doesn’t want you back.
Moreover, iOS and Android users will be happy to know that there are easy ways to detect accidentally deleted chats as well.
Here, MailOnline details nifty tricks to recover deleted WhatsApp messages stored on your phone using its backup features.
iOS and Android apps
If you’re still looking for a way to recover a deleted WhatsApp message someone sent you, there are a bunch of apps out there designed to do the job.
Deleted messages can be viewed by anyone through a third-party app called Notification History which can be downloaded through the Google Play Store.
However, there are limitations to these apps as only messages that generated a notification on the device, were viewed or interacted with can be retrieved.
However, if you choose to download specialized apps, especially from Google Play, as many apps contain malware that can infect the device, proceed with caution.
These applications are often very difficult to use and may be filled with advertisements if you do not opt for the paid version.
Delete iOS app
First of all, before iOS deletion, all app users should make sure that they have backed up their WhatsApp messages to iCloud so that they can be restored.
The next step would be to remove WhatsApp from your phone and reinstall it using the App Store.
Once the app is installed, log back into your account.
Now all you have to do is wait for the option that will appear to restore previously saved messages.
When this option is selected, all WhatsApp messages will be recovered, even if they have been deleted.
Android notification history settings
Those with Android 11 and above, which are supported by the latest devices, will be happy to know that deleted messages on their phones can also be recovered.
The notification history feature keeps a record of every message received via WhatsApp stored on your phone.
You will need to go to Settings on your smartphone and choose Apps & Notifications.
Then you will have to go to “Notifications”, find the option “Notification History” and press the button next to “Use Notification History”.
Once complete, the list will show a history of all notifications received by the device, which will include text messages that were in WhatsApp before they were deleted.
If you ever want to get back to deleted messages, all you have to do is go back to this section of your settings.
Restore WhatsApp Database on Android
An alternative method for Android users is to restore WhatsApp messages via database.
To get started, launch the file browser on your device.
Open the WhatsApp folder and go to the “Database” where all the locally saved app backup files will be.
Next, you will need to long press on the “msgstore.db.crypt12” file to select it, then press “Change name”. Change its name to “msgstore backup.db.crypt12” to ensure the file is not overwritten.
Next, you will need to choose the most recent backup file and change its name to “msgstore.db.crypt12”.
Once done, open Google Drive on your smartphone and choose the menu option with three vertical lines at the top right.
Click Backups and scan your WhatsApp backup.
You will then need to delete WhatsApp and then install it again – you will then be prompted to restore WhatsApp from a local backup during installation as you no longer have a cloud backup.
When prompted, choose the “msgstore.db.crypt12” file and click “Restore.”
How to view archived chats on WhatsApp
The Archive Chats feature allows you to hide an individual or group chat from your chat list on WhatsApp.
You may have inadvertently archived chats instead of deleting them, which means they can always be restored.
For iphone:
Scroll down to the bottom of your WhatsApp chats where a tab labeled “Archived” will appear.
You can see the chats you have archived by clicking on them.
Click the “Unarchive Chat” button in the upper right corner to recover your chats.
For Android devices:
Go to the top of your WhatsApp chat list Swipe down on your screen and you’ll see the “Archived Chats” option.
Select Archived chats from the list and swipe right to select the chat you want to restore.
Now click Unarchive.
