WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps on the planet., surpassing 2.000 billion active users. Over the years, it has become an indispensable tool for daily communication, both personal and professional, allowing users to send messages, make calls, share files, and, of course, Share photos and videos with friends, family and colleagues. However, Accidental deletion of images on WhatsApp is a recurring situation. which can cause concern, especially if it involved valuable memories or relevant information.
The good news is that even if you have deleted one or more photos by mistake, There are multiple methods and tools to try to recover themFrom traditional options within the application itself to advanced techniques with specialized software, this article will guide you in detail and up to date by All the possibilities to recover deleted photos from WhatsApp, both on Android and iPhone.
Why do photos get lost on WhatsApp?
Losing photos on WhatsApp can be due to multiple causes, beyond simple accidental deletion:
- manual removal by the user.
- Automatic storage cleanup due to lack of space on the device.
- Formatting or restoring your mobile phone without making a prior backup.
- Uninstalling and reinstalling WhatsApp without restoring data.
- Deleting the entire conversation or the media file from the gallery or file manager.
Understanding the reason is key to determining the appropriate recovery method.
First check if the photo is really deleted.
Before trying advanced methods, remember that Sometimes we think an image has been deleted when it's simply somewhere else.:
- Check in the gallery of your device or in the folder Whatsapp image.
- Use the search bar from WhatsApp or file explorer options to search by name or date.
- Make sure you haven't changed the default download location.
- Check if the photo is in the folder Recently deleted from the gallery, where they may remain for a few days before being permanently deleted.
Save your important files and prevent future losses
The best way to avoid the hassle of losing your photos is to be proactive and organize your files:
- Manually copy the most relevant images to a personal folder or to the cloud (Google Photos, OneDrive, Dropbox, etc.).
- Lean on file managers , the Files by Google to locate and separate important images.
- setup automatic backups WhatsApp in the cloud. On Android, use Google Drive, and on iPhone, iCloud.
- Activate the automatic image download in the app to save all multimedia content.
- Protect your sensitive folders with security or encryption apps to prevent accidental deletion.
This way, you'll always have your files organized and rest assured that if any image disappears, you'll have a backup.
Recover deleted photos from WhatsApp using the traditional method
- Open WhatsApp and access the conversation where the photo was shared.
- Find the image (you can use the calendar or the dates of the conversation to help you).
- If the image appears blurry but with the download icon, tap to download it againThis works if the photo is still available on WhatsApp's servers.
- Once downloaded, long press on the image and select the option "Save Picture" to move it to the gallery.
- Check in the folder Whatsapp image within the internal storage of the mobile.
This method is effective if the photo was deleted only from the chat or gallery, but is still temporarily stored in WhatsApp.
Recover photos with WhatsApp Web or WhatsApp Desktop
Web WhatsApp It is an excellent tool to try to recover deleted images, especially if they disappeared only from the mobile but are still visible in the cloud:
- Opens https://web.whatsapp.com on your computer.
- From the mobile app, go to the menu (the three dots or settings) and select "Linked devices" o "WhatsApp Web".
- Scan the QR code that appears on the screen.
- In the web version, look for the conversation where the deleted photo was.
- If the image appears, right click on it and press "Save Image As" to download it to your PC.
This procedure is useful because WhatsApp Web may display images stored in the cloud that are no longer on your device.. Sometimes this is the last chance before resorting to backups or external programs.
Recover photos via backup
WhatsApp makes regular backups of your chats and media files in the cloud (Google Drive on Android, iCloud on iOS). If you have this option enabled, you can restore a copy from before you deleted the photo:
- Open WhatsApp and go to Settings> Chats> Backup to check the date and time of the last copy.
- Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp on your mobile phone.
- Follow the setup process and enter your phone number.
- When WhatsApp detects a cloud backup, select "Restore" when asked.
- The chats, photos, and videos included in that copy will reappear on your device.
Important: Any messages, photos, and videos received after the backup date will be lost, so be sure to make a local backup first if you need them.
Search the device's internal storage
WhatsApp saves all images and videos received in specific folders in internal storage. To access them:
- uses a File Browser , the Files by Google (Android).
- Sign in Internal Storage > WhatsApp > Media > WhatsApp Images.
- Check both the parent folder and the subfolder SentThe main one contains received images and the Sent one contains sent images.
- If you don't see the image in the gallery, it may be hidden. Enable the option to show hidden files and look for .nomedia files.
On iPhone, the system is more closed, but you can search in the app. Archives or use specific management apps for iOS.
Use specialized data recovery applications
If the above methods do not work, there are professional applications to recover deleted images:
- Disk Digger: Available on the Play Store, it allows you to recover deleted photos and videos. It has a free option and a paid option for more in-depth analysis. It's most effective on rooted Android phones, although it also works without root to recover thumbnails or partially deleted files.
- iMyFone ChatsBack and WAMR: They specialize in recovering messages and media files on WhatsApp (Android). They require advanced permissions or a PC connection to work properly.
- Jihosoft iTunes Backup Extractor: For iOS, it allows you to extract photos and chats from iTunes backups on your computer. This is effective if you had previous backups saved.
Always consider the risks: Some apps may require advanced permissions or root access, which poses certain security or stability risks. Only use tools from trusted developers and always check reviews and ratings.
Recover photos from old backups (advanced method)
When the most recent backup does not include the lost image, it is possible to restore a previous copy (Android only):
- Connect your mobile phone to your computer via USB cable.
- Enter the folder WhatsApp> Databases.
- Copy the file to your PC msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.db.crypt12 from the date prior to deletion.
- Rename the copied file to msgstore.db.crypt12.
- Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp on your phone.
- During setup, choose to restore from that local backup instead of Google Drive.
Please note that this method is advanced, requires some skill, and may not be possible on all models or versions.
Other alternatives: ask the other person for a photo and additional tricks
Do not forget that Every photo received or sent via WhatsApp has at least one copy on the other person's mobile phone.If none of the above options work, politely request a resend of the lost photo. It's easier than it seems, and you can make the search easier by quoting the original message or explaining the date.
- Use the direct response function in WhatsApp to mark the message you are referring to.
- If the person doesn't have the photo either, it may be in their backup or storage.
Other useful tricks:
- Check the Google Photos recycle bin, if you have the gallery synchronized.
- Explore the option «Featured Messages» on WhatsApp, where you may have saved important files.
- Avoid overwriting storageIf you recently deleted an image and can't find it, limit your phone use until you try to recover it to maximize your chances.
Key tips on privacy and file management in WhatsApp
- Manage storage limits: Configure WhatsApp to avoid overloading your memory and losing files due to automatic cleaning.
- Control automatic downloads from chats or groups to decide which images to save.
- Personalize privacy permissions to define who can see your information and profile photos.
- If you delete sensitive images, consider applications of encryption or surveillance.
As frustrating as it can be to lose an important photo on WhatsApp, there are a considerable range of solutions to try to recover itFrom reviewing, searching, and restoring backups to using specialized tools or requesting one from your contact, each method increases your chances of success. The key is to act quickly and avoid overwriting your storage. Take advantage of the app's backup features, maintain a backup routine, and always keep your most valuable files protected both physically and digitally.