How Can I Recover Permanently Deleted WhatsApp Messages?

In a nutshell: WhatsApp users can recover deleted messages by following a few steps. Android users can back up their chat history on Google Drive and uninstall WhatsApp. After reinstalling the app, they can sign in with their phone number and restore the chat backup from Google Drive. If chat history was not backed up, users can look for deleted messages in the phone's internal storage or use DroidKit on a computer to recover WhatsApp data. Acting quickly is important for a successful recovery.

Jeff Whelpley is the editor / author responsible for this content.
Nov 27, 2023

Introduction

Most business activities and friendly interactions are supported by WhatsApp worldwide. However, you may accidentally delete important messages needed for business or other purposes. Fortunately, you can recover WhatsApp messages even if you delete them permanently. Here’s how.

Uninstall WhatsApp

If you’re an Android user, you can back up your WhatsApp chat history on Google Drive daily, weekly, or monthly. To recover the deleted chats from Google Drive, uninstall your WhatsApp application from your device and download it again from the Play Store.

How Can I Recover Permanently Deleted WhatsApp Messages? (Step 1)

Reinstall the App

After the app deletion, head to the Play Store and download the WhatsApp messenger again. Once it’s installed, open it and tap “Agree and Continue” to set up the account. Select your language of choice and proceed to the next step.

How Can I Recover Permanently Deleted WhatsApp Messages? (Step 2)

Sign In

In the next section, select your country and enter your phone number. This should be the same number that you were previously using on WhatsApp. After keying in your mobile number, click “Next.”

How Can I Recover Permanently Deleted WhatsApp Messages? (Step 3)

Restore Messages

After verifying your phone number, WhatsApp prompts you to restore your chat backup from Google Drive. Initiate the recovery process by tapping “Restore.” After the initialization, enter your username and profile picture. The chat screen will open while your WhatsApp downloads your media files in the background.

How Can I Recover Permanently Deleted WhatsApp Messages? (Step 4)

Open Chat Backup

If you haven’t backed up your chats in Google Drive, the application provides an automatic backup feature, which creates a backup in your local backup file. It automatically stores weekly WhatsApp history in local backup files, created and saved daily at 2 a.m. You’ll need a file explorer or an SD card to transfer the backup files to your mobile device. Open your file manager application to access your phone’s internal storage, and click the “Android” file.

How Can I Recover Permanently Deleted WhatsApp Messages? (Step 5)

Navigate to the WhatsApp Database

The next step involves accessing the WhatsApp databases. In the Android file, navigate to “Media/ Com.Whatsapp/Whatsapp/Database.” This opens up a list of WhatsApp backup files.

How Can I Recover Permanently Deleted WhatsApp Messages? (Step 6)

Copy the Backup File

Find the most recent file in the backup list, copy it, and paste it into the database folder in your phone’s internal storage.

How Can I Recover Permanently Deleted WhatsApp Messages? (Step 7)

Reinstall WhatsApp

Next, uninstall your existing WhatsApp and reinstall it, then register using the same phone number you’ve been using. During registration, you’ll be prompted to recover all your missing chats from the local backup. Tap “Restore” to accomplish the recovery process.

How Can I Recover Permanently Deleted WhatsApp Messages? (Step 8)

Open File Manager

If the previous steps remain unsuccessful, you can look for the deleted messages in your phone’s internal storage or the cloud. Open the file manager on your device and navigate to WhatsApp media. One of the folders contains the photos you may have accidentally deleted in a previous chat.

How Can I Recover Permanently Deleted WhatsApp Messages? (Step 9)

Install DroidKit

If you don’t have WhatsApp backup, download DroidKit on your Windows PC or Mac. Launch the application and navigate to the data recovery section. Select “WhatsApp Recovery,” connect your phone via USB cable and click “Start.” Follow the on-screen instructions to prepare your device before taking the final steps to recover your WhatsApp data. Contact the WhatsApp customer support team if you have queries during the WhatsApp recovery process.

How Can I Recover Permanently Deleted WhatsApp Messages? (Step 10)

Conclusion

That’s all you need to know concerning recovering your WhatsApp chats. Now that you’re well-informed, you no longer have to worry about losing essential information on WhatsApp. Remember to act quickly to boost the chances of a successful recovery.

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Jeff truly believes that all customers deserve good service. He’s been building tools, inventing phone tree hacks and helping customers since before his days at GetHuman. He's also a Google GDE and involved in the Angular community.
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