How to Read Deleted WhatsApp Messages on Android and iOS

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In this guide, we’ll explain the step-by-step methods to read deleted messages on WhatsApp using built-in features, backups, and third-party apps.

WhatsApp is one of the most widely used messaging apps, allowing people to stay connected with friends, family, and colleagues. However, its “Delete for Everyone” feature lets users erase messages after sending them. While this can be useful for correcting mistakes or removing unintended messages, it often leaves recipients wondering what was deleted.

If you’ve ever received a notification for a WhatsApp message only to find it deleted moments later, you may be curious about how to recover it. Fortunately, there are multiple ways to retrieve deleted WhatsApp messages on both Android and iOS devices.

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How to See Deleted WhatsApp Messages on Android

Android users have several ways to retrieve deleted WhatsApp messages, either through built-in features or external apps. Below are the most effective methods:

1. Read Deleted WhatsApp Messages via Notification History

Android devices running version 11 and above include a Notification History feature, which keeps a log of all received notifications. If a message was deleted after being delivered as a notification, you can retrieve it using this method.

Steps to Enable Notification History:

Open Settings on your Android phone.
Navigate to Notifications and tap on Advanced Settings (options may vary by device).
Select Notification History and toggle it On.
Once enabled, all notifications, including WhatsApp messages, will be recorded.

How to View Deleted Messages:

Go to Settings > Notifications > Notification History and scroll through the recorded messages to find the deleted ones.

This method is simple and free but has limitations. It only logs messages if a notification was received, meaning messages from muted chats won’t appear.

2. Read Deleted WhatsApp Messages via WhatsApp Chat Backup

WhatsApp offers a Chat Backup feature that allows users to restore messages from previous backups. If a backup was created before a message was deleted, you can retrieve it by restoring WhatsApp.

Steps to Restore Deleted Messages Using Chat Backup:

Open WhatsApp and go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup.
Ensure your backup frequency is set to daily or a suitable interval.
Uninstall WhatsApp from your device.
Download and reinstall WhatsApp from the Google Play Store.
Open WhatsApp, verify your phone number, and tap Restore when prompted.

While effective, this method restores messages from the last backup, meaning any new messages received after the last backup and before deletion will not be recovered.

3. Read Deleted WhatsApp Messages via Third-Party Apps

If notification history isn’t available or backups are outdated, third-party apps like WAMR can help retrieve deleted WhatsApp messages by saving notifications.

Steps to Use Third-Party Apps:

Download and install WAMR (or a similar app) from the Google Play Store.
Grant necessary permissions to allow access to notifications and storage.
Open the app and check for deleted messages whenever needed.

Note: These apps come with privacy risks, as they collect notification data. Always read privacy policies and only download from trusted sources. Additionally, they cannot retrieve media files or messages that weren’t delivered as notifications.

How to See Deleted WhatsApp Messages on iOS

iPhone users have fewer options than Android users, but they can still recover deleted messages using iCloud or iTunes backups.

1. Read Deleted WhatsApp Messages via iCloud Backup

If your WhatsApp is backed up to iCloud, you can restore deleted messages by reinstalling the app.

Steps to Restore from iCloud Backup:

Open WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat Backup.
Check the last backup date to ensure it contains the deleted messages.
Delete WhatsApp from your iPhone.
Reinstall WhatsApp from the App Store.
Open WhatsApp, verify your number, and tap Restore to retrieve chats from iCloud.

This method is effective but comes with a drawback—restoring from iCloud replaces your current chat history with the backup version.

2. Read Deleted WhatsApp Messages via iTunes Backup

If you regularly back up your iPhone using iTunes, you can restore your WhatsApp messages from an earlier backup.

Steps to Restore from iTunes Backup:

Connect your iPhone to a Mac or PC.
Open iTunes (or Finder on macOS Catalina and later).
Select your iPhone from the sidebar.
Click Restore Backup and choose a backup that includes the deleted messages.
Wait for the process to complete.

This method is useful but has a major downside: it restores all app data, meaning any new data added after the backup will be lost.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I read deleted WhatsApp messages without a backup?

Yes, on Android, you can use Notification History or a third-party app like WAMR. However, these methods won’t recover media files, and muted chats won’t appear in notifications.

2. Can I restore a deleted WhatsApp message without uninstalling the app?

No, WhatsApp requires a fresh installation to restore messages from a backup. There’s no way to restore deleted messages without reinstalling the app.

3. Are third-party apps safe for retrieving deleted WhatsApp messages?

While apps like WAMR are widely used, they require access to notifications and storage. Always download from reputable sources and review privacy policies before granting permissions.

4. Can I recover deleted WhatsApp messages on iPhone without iCloud?

Yes, if you’ve backed up your iPhone using iTunes, you can restore messages from an earlier backup. However, this method replaces all existing data on your device.

Deleted WhatsApp messages can spark curiosity, but there are reliable ways to retrieve them. Android users can take advantage of Notification History, Chat Backups, and third-party apps, while iPhone users can restore messages through iCloud or iTunes backups.

However, each method has limitations—backups must be up to date, notification history may not capture everything, and third-party apps come with privacy concerns. The best approach is to regularly back up your WhatsApp chats to ensure you never lose important messages.

Goodness

Goodness is a lover of technology. He frequently writes about tech products on the Dextrava Blog.