Accidentally deleting important correspondence or losing valuable photos in messenger WhatsApp is a stressful situation familiar to many Android users. Fortunately, the architecture of the application and operating system allows you to recover data if you act quickly and correctly. The main mechanism for protecting information here is based on the regular creation of backup copies, which are stored either in cloud storage or in the memory of the device itself. The recovery process directly depends on whether you had automatic synchronization enabled and how much time has passed since the files were lost. If you recently deleted a message, there is a high chance that it will be returned from the local database archive that the system maintains in the background. However, if a lot of time has passed or the privacy settings have been changed, the task becomes more complicated, but remains solvable with certain knowledge. backup copies, which are saved either in cloud storage or in the memory of the device itself.
The recovery process directly depends on whether you had automatic synchronization enabled and how much time has passed since the files were lost. If you recently deleted a message, there is a high chance that it will be returned from the local database archive that the system maintains in the background. However, if a lot of time has passed or privacy settings have been changed, the task becomes more complicated, but remains solvable with certain knowledge.
In this guide, we will analyze in detail all the available methods, from standard messenger tools to the use of specialized software. You will learn where hidden database files are stored, how to correctly reinstall the application to activate recovery, and what nuances of working with Google Drive need to be taken into account for a successful result.
The mechanism of backup in WhatsApp
Before taking active steps, you need to understand exactly how WhatsApp saves your data. By default, the application creates a local backup every night at 02:00. This file is an encrypted database with the extension .db or .cryptin which the text of messages is stored, and metadata indicates the location of media files. Local copies are stored on the device for 7 days, after which old versions are automatically replaced with new ones.
In addition to local storage, users can set up synchronization with a cloud service Google Drive. This allows you to save the history of correspondence separately from the phone’s memory, which is critically important if the gadget breaks down or is lost. Cloud copy does not take up space in the quota of your Google account and is created according to a schedule that you choose yourself: daily, weekly or monthly.
⚠️ Attention: Local backups are stored for only 7 days. If you decide to restore a message from a week ago, be sure not to create new local copies after the date of the desired message, otherwise the old version will be overwritten.
It is important to distinguish between the types of data being restored. Text messages, contacts and settings are restored from the database file. Media files (photos, videos, voices), if they have been uploaded to the gallery, can be saved separately in Android system folders. When reinstalling the application, the messenger will first try to find the last available copy in Google Drive, and if it is missing, it will turn to local storage.
Local copies are stored for 7 days, cloud copies are stored indefinitely until a new one is created, so the choice of recovery method depends on the date the data was deleted.
Recovery via Google Drive: standard method
The easiest and most reliable way to get back deleted files is to use the cloud recovery function. This method only works if you have previously linked your Google account and enabled synchronization. First, you will need to completely remove the application WhatsApp from your device. Don't worry, this is a necessary step to force the setup wizard to run.
After deletion, download the messenger again from the official store Google Play Market. When you first start, confirm your phone number. The system will automatically detect the presence of a backup copy associated with this number in Google Drive. A proposal will appear on the screen to restore your chat history and media files.
- 📲 Click the "Restore" (Restore) button to begin the process of downloading data from the cloud.
- 📂 Wait until the message history is downloaded, after which the messenger will begin background downloading media files.
- 🔒 Make sure you are using the same Google account that was used to create the copy.
The process may take time depending on the size of the archive and the speed of your Internet connection. During recovery, it is not recommended to switch to other heavy applications or interrupt the Wi-Fi connection. If the process is frozen, check the availability of free space on the device, since unpacking the archive requires an amount of memory exceeding the size of the copy itself.
Using local database backups
If there is no cloud copy or it is too old, you can use a local archive. The database files are stored in a hidden directory of the Android file system. The path to them may differ depending on the operating system version. On Android 10 and newer, the path usually looks like Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Databases, on older versions - WhatsApp/Databases in the root of the internal memory.
To work with these files you will need a file manager with access to system folders, for example Files by Google or Total Commander. In the folder Databases you will find files with names like msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt14. The numbers at the end of the name indicate the encryption version, and the date indicates the time the copy was created. The file with the name simply msgstore.db.crypt14 is the current active database.
How to rename the database file?
To restore a specific date, find the desired file with the date, copy its name, then rename the current file msgstore.db.cryptXX (by adding .old to it), and the file with with the desired date, assign the name msgstore.db.cryptXX without a date.
The algorithm of actions for forced recovery is as follows:
- Delete and install WhatsApp again, but do not open it yet.
- Use the file manager, rename the desired file backup copy in
msgstore.db.cryptXX(saving the extension). - Launch the messenger and, when prompted, select recovery from a local copy.
⚠️ Attention: When renaming files, it is critical to keep the original extension (for example, crypt14, crypt12). If you change the encryption version, the application will not be able to read the file, and the data will be lost forever.
Recovering deleted photos and videos through a file manager
Often users want to return not the text of the correspondence, but specific photos or videos that were deleted from the chat. Android has a mechanism whereby media files can remain on the system even after being deleted from the messenger interface if they have been viewed and cached. To search for such “traces,” use the built-in “Files” application or third-party managers.
You need to go to the root directory of the internal memory and find the folder WhatsApp (or Android/media/com.whatsapp on new Androids). Inside you are interested in the folder Media, and then WhatsApp Images or WhatsApp Video. Pay special attention to the folder Private or hidden folders with the name .Statuseswhere temporary files sometimes end up.
| File type | Folder path (old Android) | Folder path (Android 11+) |
|---|---|---|
| Photos | /WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Images | /Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Images |
| Video | /WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Video | /Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Video |
| Audio | /WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Audio | /Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Audio |
| Documents | /WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Documents | /Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Documents |
If in the main folders no files, check your smartphone's gallery trash bin. Many manufacturers (Samsung, Xiaomi) store deleted media files in the trash for 30 days. It is also worth checking the folder .Trash in the file manager, if such a function is supported by your shell. Android.
Turn on the display of hidden files in the file manager settings (usually three dots in the corner of the menu) to see folders starting from the point where cached data may be stored.
Third-party recovery apps data
When standard methods do not help, specialized utilities for data recovery come into play. apps like Dr.Fone, Tenorshare UltData or DiskDigger scan the internal memory of the device for residual file fragments. The effectiveness of such apps depends on whether the memory was overwritten with new data after deletion.
Most of these applications require connecting the smartphone to the computer via a USB cable and enabling USB debugging mode (USB Debugging). The scanning process may take from 10 to 30 minutes. After analysis, the app will show a list of files that can potentially be recovered. Please note that full recovery often requires a paid license.
- 💾 DiskDigger - a powerful application that can be installed directly on the phone (root access is required for deep scanning).
- 🖥️ Dr.Fone - a comprehensive tool for PC that supports the recovery of not only photos, but also contacts and messages.
- 🔍 Recuva - a classic PC utility that can see the phone as an external one drive with the appropriate connection mode.
⚠️ Attention: Using data recovery apps with superuser rights (Root) may void the device warranty and lead to unstable system operation. Use such methods only as a last resort.
Preventing data loss and setting up autosave
In order not to encounter the problem of data loss in the future, you need to correctly configure the messenger settings. Go to Settings → Chat → Chat backup. Here it is recommended to set the frequency of creating copies to “Daily” and select a time when the phone is usually connected to Wi-Fi and charging.
It is also worth activating the save function in Google Drive. Select frequency and account.
☑️ Monthly data security check
Another useful tip is to periodically export important correspondence. You can highlight the chat, press the menu and select More → Export chat. This will create a text file with history and attachments, which you can send to yourself by email or save in a secure cloud storage separately from the main backup.
What to do if WhatsApp says “The backup copy is corrupted”?
This message often appears when using unofficial versions of the messenger or when there are failures in the file system. Try clearing the Google Play Services app cache, then reinstall WhatsApp. If the problem persists, the copy file may actually be damaged and you will have to use an older version from the local folder.
Is it possible to restore messages without a SIM card?
No, to activate WhatsApp and restore a backup, you must have a SIM card with the number to which the copy was registered. Without confirming the number via SMS or call, restoration is impossible for security reasons.
How much space does a backup take in Google Drive?
Whatsapp backups do not take up space in your Google Drive quota. However, if you back up photos and videos, they may be counted if you don't have high quality compression enabled or you run out of space in Google Photos. Text messages take up virtually no space.