Have you ever wondered if it's possible to read deleted messages on WhatsApp? It's a common concern that arises when you accidentally delete an important message or discover the dreaded "This message has been deleted" notification in a conversation. Although most users assume that once they hit the delete button, the content is gone forever, the truth is that there are methods and tools to recover and view deleted messages.
Throughout this article you will discover All the current and most efficient ways to read deleted WhatsApp messages, on both Android and iOS devices, and we'll explain each method step by step, as well as the associated limitations, advantages, and risks. We'll discuss options such as notification history, backups, and the best message recovery apps, as well as answer frequently asked questions and offer practical tips so you never lose important information in your WhatsApp conversations again.
Pay attention to each section and find the solution that best suits your device and needs.
What happens when a message is deleted on WhatsApp?
When a user deletes a message on WhatsApp using the "Delete for everyone" or "Delete for me" options, the app replaces the content with a "This message has been deleted" notification. The sender and recipient can no longer see the original text in the conversation. If the message is deleted quickly, it appears to have disappeared without a trace. However, before deletion, in most cases, that message has already generated a notification on the receiving device or it may even have been stored in a local or cloud backup.
WhatsApp allows you to delete messages for all participants within a specified timeframe after sending (currently more than 1 hour), although this period may vary depending on system updates. If the message is deleted after being read or notified, there are some ways to recover it, especially if you have notification history enabled or make frequent backups of your chats.
You must keep in mind that WhatsApp does not store deleted messages on its serversOnce a message is deleted, it disappears from both the sending and receiving devices. Therefore, solutions for recovering deleted messages rely on leveraging local logs (notifications, backups, chat history) or specialized third-party applications.
How to read deleted messages on WhatsApp: main methods
There are several ways to read deleted WhatsApp messages, depending on your device's operating system, your level of technical knowledge, and your smartphone's previous configuration. Below, we detail the most effective and secure methods:
1. Recover deleted messages using notification history on Android
El notification history Android logs messages that arrive on your device before they're deleted. This method is especially useful because it doesn't require installing third-party apps. However, it's only available on some newer Android devices and requires prior activation.
Steps to enable and view notification history:
- Access the Settings of your Android smartphone.
- Enter the section Notifications.
- Search and select Notification historyIf it doesn't appear, use the search bar at the top of your system settings.
- Activate the option for the system to start saving all received notifications.
- When a WhatsApp message is deleted, return to this section and look for the corresponding notification. You'll find the original text of the message here, even if it has already been deleted in the app.
Limitations: This method only works for messages that have generated notifications and isn't valid if you had the chat open at the time of arrival. Additionally, only the first 100 characters of the message are retrieved, not the media.
2. View deleted messages via backup
Another way to recover deleted messages is by restoring a Backup from WhatsApp prior to deleting the message. This copy may be stored in Google Drive (Android), iCloud (iPhone), or locally on the device itself.
Steps to restore messages from backup:
- Access WhatsApp and go to Settings > Cat > Backup. Check the date and time of the last backup.
- Uninstall WhatsApp from your phone.
- Reinstall the app from the official store (Play Store or App Store).
- Open WhatsApp, verify your number and select Restore from backup when prompted.
- Once the chats have been restored, review the conversation: the messages that existed at the time of the backup will have been recovered (including those deleted later).
Limitations: You'll lose messages received after the backup date and before the restore. This method works on both Android and iOS, but only if the backup is recent and covers the same period as the deleted message.
Apps to recover deleted WhatsApp messages
If your device does not have notification history Or if you prefer an automated alternative, there are specialized apps for recovering deleted WhatsApp messages, storing notifications and making it easy to view even deleted media. Below, we highlight the most recommended ones:
- WAMR: It's the most popular app for recovering deleted messages on WhatsApp and other apps like Telegram, Messenger, Facebook, or Instagram. It monitors notifications and stores their content for access from its interface at any time. It allows you to recover deleted texts and multimedia files. You just need to install it, select the apps you want to monitor, and grant it access permissions to notifications and multimedia. Remember that does not work retroactively: : only saves deleted messages after installing it and giving it permissions.
- WhatsRemoved +: Similar to WAMR, it saves all notifications that arrive on your device, allowing you to review deleted messages and multimedia files. Its strong point is its compatibility with other messaging apps and the ability to filter messages by app or contact.
- notification logA free and simple app that creates an organized history of all notifications received on your smartphone, including those from WhatsApp. Ideal if you're only interested in viewing the text of deleted messages.
- Notification Log: Like Notification Log, it saves all conversations in an ordered list and allows you to search by contact, displaying both text and relevant information.
- iSkysoft Android Data Recovery: Allows you to recover accidentally deleted messages and files by scanning your device to locate deleted information.
- Tenorshare UltDataAvailable for both Android and iOS, this software helps you restore deleted WhatsApp chats, even without a backup or root. On Android, it can also recover photos, videos, and audio.
- Ult Data App: Aimed at recovering multimedia content from WhatsApp directly to your Android device without the need for a computer or root.
- Recuva: Free solution for recovering messages and media files on Android. It stands out for its speed and supports photos, audio, and videos in addition to messages.
- D-Back iPhone WhatsApp Recovery: Tool aimed at iOS and Mac users, capable of recovering deleted WhatsApp messages on a wide range of Apple devices.
- iMobiePhoneRescue: Powerful iOS software that recovers deleted WhatsApp data and messages with a high success rate.
- Aiseesoft Fonelab: Available for Android and iOS, it allows you to easily recover messages and export data from WhatsApp.
- Remo Recover for Android: Fast, functional, and easy-to-use software, recommended for restoring chats and media files.
- MyJad Android Data Recovery: Compatible with Windows, helps to recover deleted WhatsApp messages and export them in text (.txt).
Restore WhatsApp Database from Local Storage (Advanced Android)
For advanced Android users, there is the option to recover messages by manually restoring the local WhatsApp database. In the folder Database Automatic daily backups are stored inside the main WhatsApp folder (usually in /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases). By renaming the desired file and reinstalling the app, you can restore messages from that backup.
Basic steps:
- Access the file explorer on your device and navigate to WhatsApp > Database.
- Locate the previous backup file (indicated with date).
- Rename it to msgstore.db.crypt12.
- Uninstall WhatsApp and reinstall it.
- When restoring, select the local copy. This will restore your chats to the exact location they were on that date.
Limitations: Technical method and not suitable for beginners, only valid if the message was in the selected copy.
How to Recover Deleted WhatsApp Messages on iPhone
On iOS, the process is more restrictive, but it is possible to recover messages using iCloud backup, as long as it is enabled before deletion.
- Check WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Backup to make sure you have a recent backup in iCloud.
- Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp.
- Select Restore from iCloud Backup when setting up the app after reinstalling it.
There are no external applications as effective as those on Android for recovering messages from iOS notifications, but the desktop programs mentioned above (D-Back, PhoneRescue, Tenorshare UltData, Fonelab) do allow you to scan Apple devices connected to your computer and recover deleted messages, as long as the file system allows it.
Disadvantages and risks of using external apps to recover deleted messages
Before installing any application to recover deleted messages, you should keep in mind the following: risks and limitations:
- Compromised Privacy: Apps require permission to read notifications, accessing sensitive data that may include names, phone numbers, and some message content. Only download apps from trusted sources and check reviews in the app store.
- Messages recovered only after installing the app: No app can recover messages deleted before it was installed and permissions enabled.
- They do not always respect end-to-end encryption: Third-party apps cannot guarantee complete protection of your data.
- Risk of malware and fraudulent apps: It is common to find unsafe apps, saturated with ads or even with hidden malware.
- Impact on device performance: These apps may consume more battery or slow down the system.
- Violation of WhatsApp policies: Using some third-party apps may violate WhatsApp's terms of service, which may result in account suspension.
Frequently asked questions about recovering deleted messages on WhatsApp
- Where are deleted WhatsApp messages stored? WhatsApp does not retain deleted messages on its servers. Backups (cloud or local) are only left if they were made before deletion.
- Can I recover deleted chats directly from WhatsApp? No. Once a chat is deleted, it can only be restored if a previous backup exists.
- Does recovering deleted messages affect the rest of my chats? Restoring a backup deletes messages received after the backup date.
- How can I avoid losing important messages? Make frequent backups and turn on notification history.
Recommendations to protect your WhatsApp conversations
- Activate automatic backups and check its frequency in Settings > Cat > Backup.
- Enable notification history on Android if your phone allows it.
- Check the permissions of external applications that you install and use only recognized apps.
- Don't share sensitive data on WhatsApp if you can avoid it.
Thanks to the integration of various methods and applications, it's possible to recover and read most deleted WhatsApp messages, albeit with certain limitations. The key is to plan ahead, activate backup features and notification history, and use trusted tools to keep your conversations safe and avoid losing important data. This way, you can maintain control of your information and recover those important messages you thought were beyond recovery.
