WhatsApp is one of the most used messaging apps in the world. With millions of users exchanging messages daily, the option to Delete messages It has become a fundamental function. However, do those messages really disappear once we delete them? The reality is that this isn't always the case, and there are several factors that determine whether a deleted message can still be recovered.
In this article, we'll delve into how deleting messages works on WhatsApp, its limitations, and the methods available to recover deleted messages. We'll also cover best practices to ensure a message is permanently deleted and cannot be recovered.
How does deleting messages work on WhatsApp?
WhatsApp allows you to delete messages both in individual chats as in groupsThe option can be applied in two ways:
- Delete for me: Only delete the message on your device, but other participants in the conversation will still see it.
- Delete for all: You try to delete the message in the chat for all participants, but WhatsApp warns that there is no guarantee that it will be completely deleted.
The problem arises because, although the message no longer appears in the conversation, it may exist in backup, system logs or in the device memory, allowing for possible recovery.
WhatsApp limitations and vulnerabilities with deleted messages
Deleting messages on WhatsApp doesn't guarantee that they'll disappear completely. There are several scenarios in which messages may still be accessible:
- Cloud BackupsIf the recipient has automatic backups enabled on Google Drive or iCloud, the deleted message may be restored by uninstalling the app and restoring a previous backup.
- Log in notification history: On Android devices, messages can be read from the notification history even after they are deleted.
- Saved media filesOn iOS devices, sent images and videos may still be saved in the recipient's gallery, even if the message has been deleted in the chat.
- recovery tools: There are third-party applications that allow you to access deleted messages if they have not been overwritten in the device's memory.
How to recover deleted WhatsApp messages
If you need to recover a message that has been deleted, there are several methods you can try:
1. Notification history on Android
Some Android phones have the option to view your notification history. To check:
- Go to Settings > Notifications > Notification history.
- If it was previously enabled, you'll be able to see a log of messages, including deleted ones.
2. Applications to recover messages
There are free applications such as WAMR that record notifications and allow you to recover deleted messages, provided the app was installed before the message was deleted.
3. Restoring a backup
If the deleted message was in a backup, you can try restoring it:
- Uninstall WhatsApp and reinstall it.
- When asked if you want to restore a backup, accept.
- You will recover messages up to the date of the last saved copy.
How to permanently delete WhatsApp messages
If you want to ensure that a message cannot be recovered, follow these recommendations:
1. Delete the message and the backup
- Manually delete messages on WhatsApp.
- Disable automatic backup in Settings > Cat > Backup.
- Delete existing backups on Google Drive or iCloud.
2. Use the temporary messages feature
WhatsApp includes the option to activate temporary messages, which are automatically deleted after a period of 24 hours, 7 days or 90 days.
3. Use tools to securely delete data
On iPhone and Android there are secure deletion applications such as iMyFone Umate Pro, which overwrites deleted data so it can't be recovered. This way, you can ensure that sensitive information remains inaccessible.
Is it possible to read deleted WhatsApp messages?
Although WhatsApp allows you to delete messages, there are several ways to view their contents:
- If someone read it before it was deleted, there is no way to undo it.
- If they appear in notifications, messages can be read from the notification history.
- If there is a backup, it can be restored and the message will appear again.
Knowing how deleting messages on WhatsApp works and its limitations can help you avoid surprises. Making sure you delete messages correctly backup and use appropriate tools is key to protecting the privacy of conversations. Share this information so more people know about this new development..