WhatsApp’s “Delete for Everyone” feature allows users to delete sent messages within a specific time frame, helping to correct mistakes or withdraw unwanted content. However, this often leaves the recipient curious about what was deleted. Whether they are personal messages or important messages, there are many ways to retrieve them. This guide provides Android and iOS users with a step-by-step method to view deleted WhatsApp messages using features like notification history, chat backup, and third-party apps.
How to view deleted WhatsApp messages on Android
There are many ways to delete messages on Android. The operating system offers integration options for WhatsApp as well as third-party applications. Check below to know all the ways to view deleted messages on WhatsApp.
Read deleted WhatsApp messages via notification history
Android devices running version 11 and above include notification history functionality. The tool logs all notifications received, making it a straightforward way to access deleted WhatsApp messages.
Steps to enable notification history:
- Open Settings on your Android phone.
- Go to Notifications and select Advanced settings (this may vary by device).
- Click on Notification History and open it.
- When enabled, your phone will log incoming WhatsApp messages even if they have been deleted.
- To view them: Go back to Settings > Notifications > Notification History and scroll through your recorded messages.
This feature is free, built into your device, and requires no third-party apps. However, it also has limitations; it only logs messages when a notification is received, which means there are no silent chats.
Read Deleted WhatsApp Messages via WhatsApp Chat Backup
WhatsApp offers chat backup feature and you can recover deleted messages if the backup was created before deletion. Backups can be done manually or automatically on a daily, weekly or monthly schedule.
- Open WhatsApp and go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup.
- Make sure the backup frequency is set to daily or an appropriate interval.
- Go to your device’s settings, find WhatsApp and uninstall it.
- Download and install WhatsApp from Google Play Store.
- Open WhatsApp, verify your phone number, and tap “Restore” when prompted to retrieve chat history from backup.
This method works well if the deleted messages were part of the last backup. However, new messages received after backup but before deletion will not be restored.
Read deleted WhatsApp messages via third-party apps
Third-party apps like Notisave are designed to save notifications and can help access deleted WhatsApp messages. These apps monitor and store incoming notifications, including deleted notifications.
- Download and install third-party apps from the Google Play Store.
- Launch the app and grant it access to notifications and storage.
- Whenever you want to view deleted messages from WhatsApp, turn on Notisave.
Note: Steps and access rights may vary depending on the app you use. You can navigate easily by following the tips/steps given in the app.
These apps are easy to use, but have privacy concerns. Be sure to read the app’s privacy policy and only download from reputable sources. They cannot retrieve media files or messages that are not delivered as notifications.
How to view deleted WhatsApp messages on iOS
Read deleted WhatsApp messages via WhatsApp iCloud backup
For iPhone users, WhatsApp offers iCloud backup integration, making it possible to recover deleted messages.
- Open WhatsApp and go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup.
- Check the date and time of the last backup to make sure it contains deleted messages.
- Press and hold the WhatsApp app icon and tap Delete App.
- Download WhatsApp from the App Store.
- Open WhatsApp, verify your phone number, and follow the prompts to restore chats from iCloud.
This method is reliable for retrieving deleted messages if a backup exists. However, restoring from iCloud will replace the current chat content with the backup data.
Read deleted WhatsApp messages via iTunes backup
If you use iTunes to back up your iPhone regularly, you can recover deleted WhatsApp messages by rolling back to an earlier backup.
Steps to use iTunes backup:
- Connect your iPhone to your Mac or PC.
- Open iTunes or Finder on macOS Catalina
- Select your device from the sidebar.
- Click “Restore Backup” and select the backup file containing the deleted items.
- Wait for the process to complete.
While effective, this method restores all application data, meaning any new data since the backup will be lost.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How to view WhatsApp deleted messages without backup?
On Android, use the notification history feature or a third-party app such as Notisave. These methods log notifications and allow you to view deleted messages without backing up.
Can I recover deleted messages on WhatsApp?
Yes, but only if the message was included in the previous backup. Restoring messages requires uninstalling and reinstalling WhatsApp, then restoring from a backup on iCloud, Google Drive, or iTunes.
Is it safe to use third-party applications to read deleted messages on WhatsApp?
While apps like Notisave are popular, they require access to sensitive data like notifications and storage. Please use these apps with caution, download them from reputable sources, and read their privacy policies before granting permission.
Can I retrieve media files along with deleted WhatsApp messages using Notification History app?
No, the notification history app only records text notifications. To recover deleted media, rely on backups stored on Google Drive, iCloud, or local storage.
