Have you ever wondered how to see deleted WhatsApp messages? Maybe you’ve missed an important message, or you’re just curious.
We’ve all received a WhatsApp text from someone who may have been slightly upset, only to have the message deleted before we could even see what it was. This leaves us in a curious situation to find out what the message was. The good thing is some workarounds can help you see the deleted messages on WhatsApp.
Why Do People Delete WhatsApp Messages?
Common Reasons for Message Deletion
WhatsApp users delete messages for a variety of reasons. Here are some of the most common:
Accidental Deletion
We’ve all been there—accidentally deleting a message that we intended to keep. It’s a simple mistake that can happen to anyone.
Privacy Concerns
Sometimes, users delete messages to protect their privacy. This could be due to sensitive information or personal conversations that they don’t want others to see.
Error Corrections
After sending a message, users might realize they’ve made a mistake or sent the wrong information, prompting them to delete it and send a corrected version.
Let’s dive into the various methods available to retrieve those vanished texts.
1st Method: Use Notification History on Android
Android devices come with a Notification History feature, which keeps a log of all the notifications that you have dismissed. Here, you might be able to find the WhatsApp messages before it was deleted without using an app. But to use this feature, you need to enable it first. Here’s how you can do that.
Step 1: On your Android phone, open Settings > Notifications.
Step 2: From here, tap on Notification history. (On some phones, this option might be available under Advanced Settings.)
Step 3: Turn on the Use notification history toggle.
Step 4: Now, dismiss the WhatsApp notification by swiping left or right, and it will appear in the Notification history. It keeps a log of notifications received over the past 24 hours; so make sure to be quick about it. I have used this feature, and it works most of the time.
2nd Method: See Deleted Messages using WhatsApp Restore (Android/iOS)
Another way to view the deleted messages without an external app is by restoring a backup of your WhatsApp chat after reinstalling the app. This process restores all your messages and even shows the texts that were deleted earlier. Before we begin, you must make sure to have a backup of your chats on Google Drive or iCloud. Then follow these steps.
Step 1: Uninstall or Remove WhatsApp from your Smartphone.
Step 2: Once removed, reinstall it from the Google Play Store or the App Store.
Step 3: Now open the app, enter your number, and Give Permission to check for available backups.
Step 4: When a recent backup is found, tap on the Restore button.
This will retrieve all your messages while the media gets downloaded in the background. One thing to note here; if the last backup was a day ago, and you’re trying to view a chat you deleted an hour ago, it won’t work.
3rd Method: View Deleted Messages on WhatsApp Web
If you don’t have WhatsApp Web set up, then logging into it might help retrieve the deleted message. The logic here is the same as the second method, but the chances of it working are quite slim. Still, I think it is worth giving a shot to see deleted messages without an app.
Step 1: Head over to web.whatsapp.com, now open WhatsApp on your smartphone.
Step 2: Tap on the three-dot menu in the top right corner.
Step 3: Select Linked devices and then tap on Link a device.
Step 4: Now scan the QR code shown on your computer with your phone.
This will log you into WhatsApp Web with your account. It will recover all your messages and chats and possibly even let you see the deleted WhatsApp messages.
4th Method: Using Notisave A Try Third-Party Apps
You can also try third-party apps like Notisave. They work like the Notification History feature, keeping a log of incoming notifications. So even if the WhatsApp text gets deleted, you can still see what the message was. After testing several apps, this is the one that managed to work for free. Let’s see how it works.
Step 1: Go to Google Play Store and Download Notisave and launch the app.
Step 2: Here, give it notification access by navigating to Allow > Next > Allow and selecting Allow access to notifications.
Step 3: Inside the Device and app notifications menu, tap on Notisave.
Step 4: Turn on the Allow notification access toggle.
Step 5: Choose Allow to grant this permission.
That’s it! You are good to go. Now whenever you receive a notification, it will be saved, and you can view the deleted message from the app.
Is It Possible to Retrieve Deleted WhatsApp Messages?
Understanding WhatsApp’s Message Deletion
WhatsApp offers two types of message deletion: “Delete for Everyone” and “Delete for Me.” Each has different implications for message recovery.
Message Deletion for Everyone
When a message is deleted for everyone, it’s removed from the chat history of both the sender and the recipients. This feature is useful for correcting mistakes but can complicate recovery.
Message Deletion for Yourself
Deleting a message for yourself only removes it from your chat history. The message remains visible to other participants, making it easier to retrieve from another device.
Tips for Managing WhatsApp Messages Effectively
Regular Backup
Set up regular backups to ensure you can recover messages if needed. This simple step can save you from potential headaches.
Archiving Important Messages
Use WhatsApp’s archiving feature to keep important messages separate from your main chat history. This helps in organizing and safeguarding crucial information.
Using WhatsApp Features Wisely
Familiarize yourself with WhatsApp’s features, such as starred messages and chat exports, to manage your messages effectively.
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Pros and Cons of Retrieving Deleted WhatsApp Messages
Pros
Recovering Important Information
Recovering deleted messages can help retrieve crucial information, such as addresses, appointments, or personal notes.
Gaining Peace of Mind
Knowing you can recover lost messages provides reassurance, especially if the messages contained valuable content.
Cons
Privacy Concerns
Accessing deleted messages, especially without consent, raises privacy issues. It’s essential to respect others’ privacy and use recovery methods responsibly.
Potential Security Risks
Using third-party apps and web extensions can pose security risks. Always use trusted sources and be wary of potential malware.
FAQs
How often should I back up my WhatsApp messages?
For optimal recovery chances, back up your WhatsApp messages daily or weekly. Frequent backups ensure that you can restore the most recent messages.
Are third-party apps safe to use?
While some third-party apps can be effective, they pose security risks. Always choose reputable apps and read reviews to ensure they are safe.
Can I recover messages deleted a long time ago?
Recovery depends on your backup frequency. If your last backup was recent, you might retrieve older messages. However, messages deleted before the last backup might be lost.
What happens if I uninstall WhatsApp without backing up?
Uninstalling WhatsApp without a backup means losing all chat history since the last backup. Always back up your messages before uninstalling the app.
How can I prevent accidental deletion of messages?
Use WhatsApp’s archiving feature and regularly back up your messages to prevent accidental deletions. Familiarizing yourself with WhatsApp’s features can also help manage messages more effectively.
Conclusion
Recovering deleted WhatsApp messages is possible through various methods like backups, third-party apps, and using WhatsApp Web. However, it’s crucial to weigh the pros and cons, respect privacy, and manage your messages wisely to prevent future issues.
These are some of the ways that you can try for yourself to read deleted messages on WhatsApp. Since you are trying to read a message that the other person has deleted and doesn’t want to show you its content, using the above methods may even be labeled a breach of someone’s privacy. Hopefully, you found one of these steps helpful, in case you did then drop us a comment below.
