How to Recover Deleted Whatsapp Chat

We rely heavily on messaging apps to connect with loved ones, colleagues, and friends. Among these platforms, WhatsApp stands out as a leading communication tool, catering to billions worldwide.

However, a common predicament many users face is unintentionally deleting essential chats. If you’ve ever found yourself in this situation, fret not. Here’s your comprehensive guide on how to recover deleted WhatsApp chats.

The Importance of WhatsApp Messages

WhatsApp isn’t just another messaging app; it’s become an integral part of our daily lives. From sharing vital work details to capturing the nostalgia of an old conversation, WhatsApp chats hold invaluable memories and information. Therefore, the accidental deletion of such discussions can be distressing.

Why Chats Get Deleted

Before diving into recovery methods, it’s beneficial to understand why chats get deleted:

• Accidental Deletion: Sometimes, we might inadvertently hit the delete button.
• Phone Malfunctions: Technical glitches or software errors can result in data loss.
• Upgradation or Reset: Updating or factory resetting your phone can sometimes give precise data, including WhatsApp chats.

Methods for Recovering Deleted WhatsApp Chats

• Leveraging WhatsApp backups:
  • For Android users:
    • Go to WhatsApp > Menu Button > Settings > Chats > Chat Backup.
    • You’ll see the last backup date. Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp from the Play Store.
    • Upon launching, click on ‘Restore.’ This will retrieve chats from the previous backup.
  • For iPhone users:
    • Ensure that you’ve previously backed up chats on iCloud.
    • Delete and reinstall WhatsApp from the App Store.
    • Launch the app and click ‘Restore Chat History.’

Using Google Drive Backup (Android):

If you’ve linked your WhatsApp to Google Drive:

• • Delete and reinstall WhatsApp.
  • After verifying your number, you’ll be prompted to restore chats from Google Drive.

Recovering Manually from Local Storage (Android):

If, for some reason, Google Drive backup doesn’t work, your phone saves local backups daily at 2 AM.

• • Navigate to the WhatsApp database folder in your file manager. The path is usually sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases.
  • Identify the backup file you need (like msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt12).
  • Rename that file to “msgstore.db.crypt12”.
  • Reinstall WhatsApp and choose to restore from the local backup.

Key Points to Remember

• Frequent Backups: To ensure you don’t lose essential messages, frequently back up your chats.
• Limitations: You can only restore backups if the phone number and Google account remain consistent.
• Timeliness: If you recognize a chat deletion, act quickly. Some backup methods have time constraints.

Conclusion

Losing cherished conversations or vital information can be a blow. However, as detailed above, recovering deleted WhatsApp chats is relatively straightforward if approached methodically.

Remember to back up your chats regularly, and should you find yourself in a bind, refer back to this guide to recover quickly.