The archive of correspondence in WhatsApp is not just a history of messages, but often valuable information: work agreements, personal memories or important documents. But what if a chat is accidentally deleted, your phone is reset to factory settings, or you just want to get old messages back? There are several ways to restore and view the archive, but each of them has its own nuances. Android there are several ways to restore and view the archive WhatsApp, but each of them has its own nuances.

Many users mistakenly think that the archive is a separate folder in the application where old chats are stored. In fact, archiving in WhatsApp works differently: messages are not deleted from the device, but are simply hidden from the main list. However, if we are talking about restoring deleted data, you will have to work with backup copies. In this article we will look at all the current methods: from simple viewing of hidden chats to complex restoration from backups.

⚠️ Important: some methods require preliminary backup setup. If you have never enabled backups, the chances of returning old messages are sharply reduced.

1. How to view hidden (archived) chats in WhatsApp

If you simply archived the chat (swipe right → box icon) and did not delete it, then the messages are still stored on the device. They can be returned to the main list in a few seconds:

  1. Open WhatsApp and scroll the list of chats to the very bottom.
  2. Tap on the inscription Archived (or Archived in the English version).
  3. Find the desired chat, make a long tap on it (hold your finger for 1-2 seconds).
  4. In the top menu, select the icon "Unarchive"** (up arrow from the box).

If button Archived no, it means you don’t have hidden chats. In this case, proceed to the following methods.

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To prevent the chat from being automatically archived, open it, tap on the name of the interlocutor → Disable archiving. This is useful for important conversations that are updated frequently.

⚠️ Attention: Archived chats take up space in the phone memory. If you haven't cleared your cache in a while WhatsApp, the folder with media files can weigh several gigabytes. Check it through any file manager along the path /sdcard/WhatsApp/Media.

2. Restoring from a local backup (without the cloud)

WhatsApp automatically creates local backups once a day every 4:00 (if the phone is turned on and connected to Wi-Fi at that time). These backups are stored in the device’s memory and allow you to restore messages even without connecting to Google Drive.

How it works:

  • 📁 Backup files are called msgstore.db.crypt14 (or crypt12/13/15 depending on the version). They are located in the folder /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases.
  • 🔄 When reinstalling WhatsApp the application searches for the most recent backup and offers to restore it.
  • ⏳ Local copies are stored 7 days (default). Old files are automatically deleted.

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Delete WhatsApp (do not just clear the cache, but completely uninstall).
  2. Install the application again from Google Play.
  3. When you first start, enter the same phone number as before.
  4. The system will offer to restore data from the backup - confirm the action.

Make sure that there is enough memory on the phone (the backup can weigh 100+ MB)|Check that the msgstore.db.crypt14 file exists in the Databases folder|Disable automatic updates of WhatsApp in the Play Market during the recovery period|Use the same phone number as when creating the backup-->

⚠️ Critical detail: if you have already installed WhatsApp after uninstallation and skipped the recovery step, the local backup will be overwritten by a new (empty) copy. In this case, only cloud backup will help.

3. Restoring from Google Drive (cloud backup)

The most reliable way to return an archive WhatsApp is to use a backup copy in Google Drive. However, there are several pitfalls here:

  • ☁️ A copy is created only if it is enabled in the settings Backup to Google Drive.
  • 📱 You can restore data only to the same device (or to a new one, but with the same number and Google account).
  • ⏳ The latest copy must be more recent than the time the chats were deleted.

How to restore:

  1. Delete WhatsApp and install it again.
  2. When you first start, enter your phone number.
  3. Confirm recovery from Google Drive (the system will offer this automatically).
  4. Wait for the process to complete (may take up to 30 minutes depending on the size of the backup).
Problem Solution
Does not offer to restore from Google Drive Check that you are signed in to the same Google account that was used for backup. Reboot your phone and try again.
Backup does not complete (freezes at 0%) Disable VPN, check your Wi-Fi connection. If it doesn’t help, delete the folder manually and repeat the installation. WhatsApp manually and repeat the installation.
There is no space on the phone for recovery Clear the memory (delete unnecessary files or transfer them to a memory card). Minimum free space required = backup size × 2.
Not all messages were restored Check the date of the last backup in Google Drive (via browser). The copy may be outdated.

⚠️ Attention: if you changed your phone number, you won't be able to restore chats from Google Drive . In this case, all that remains is a local backup (if there is one) or specialized apps for data extraction (more about them below).

📊 How often do you backup WhatsApp?
Never
Once a month
Once a week
Every day
Only before reinstallation

4. Using third-party apps to extract the archive

If standard methods do not work, you can try to restore the archive using third-party utilities. These apps scan the phone's memory and try to extract backup files WhatsAppeven if they are damaged or overwritten.

Top 3 apps for Android:

  • 🛠️ Dr.Fone — WhatsApp Transfer (paid, but there is a trial version). Supports extraction from local and cloud backups, works with encrypted files crypt14.
  • 🔍 iMobie PhoneRescue (free scan, paid recovery). It can recover not only messages, but also media files (photos, videos, voices).
  • 📱 Tenorshare UltData (paid, but with a recovery guarantee). It works even on rooted devices with a damaged file system.

How to use (using Dr.Fone as an example):

  1. Install the app on your PC and connect your phone via USB (enable USB debugging in the developer settings).
  2. Select mode Whatsapp data recovery.
  3. Follow the app instructions to scan the memory.
  4. After scanning is complete, select the desired chats and export them to a readable format (TXT, HTML or vice versa c WhatsApp).
What to do if the app does not see the phone?

Make sure that USB debugging is enabled (Settings → About phone → Build number (tap 7 times) → Developer settings → USB debugging).|Try another USB cable (the original one from the phone).|Install the drivers for your model (for example Samsung USB Driver for Samsung devices).|Restart your phone and PC, then connect again.

⚠️ Warning: some apps require root access for deep scanning. This may void the phone's warranty and poses a security risk. Use such tools only if other methods have not worked and you understand the consequences.

5. backup

For experienced users, there is a way to extract messages from backup files manually. This is more complicated than using apps, but does not require installing third-party software.

What you will need:

  • 📂 Backup file (msgstore.db.crypt14) from the folder /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases.
  • 💻 Computer with installed Python 3.x and library pycryptodome.
  • 🔑 Decryption key (can be obtained from a phone with using root or special scripts).

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Copy the file msgstore.db.crypt14 to your computer.
  2. Install Python and run the command to dependency installations: 
    pip install pycryptodome
  3. Use a script for decryption (an example code can be found at GitHub on request whatsapp crypt14 decoder).
  4. After decryption, a file will open msgstore.dbwhich can be read using SQLite Browser.

Critical nuance: without a key decryption (which is stored in Android system files) is impossible to decrypt. If you do not have root access, this method will not work. crypt14 impossible. If you are not rooted, this method will not work.

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Manual data extraction is only suitable for technically savvy users, it is better to use specialized apps like Dr.Fone - they automate the process and reduce the risk of errors.

6. Recovering deleted media files from an archive

Even if messages could not be recovered, media files (photos, videos, voices) often remain in the phone's memory. WhatsApp stores them in a separate folder, and they are not always deleted along with chats.

Where to look:

  • 📸 Photo: /sdcard/WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Images
  • 🎥 Video: /sdcard/WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Video
  • 🎤 Voice messages: /sdcard/WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Voice Notes
  • 📄 Documents: /sdcard/WhatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Documents

How restore:

  1. Connect your phone to your PC or use a file manager (for example, Total Commander).
  2. Go to the folder /sdcard/WhatsApp/Media.
  3. Find the files you need (they are sorted by dates and chat names).
  4. Copy them to a safe place (for example, to a cloud disk).

⚠️ Attention: if in the settings WhatsApp option is enabled Save to gallery, then media files are duplicated into standard folders DCIM or Pictures. Check them if there is nothing in the folder. WhatsApp there is nothing.

7. What to do if nothing helps?

If none of the methods worked, extreme measures remain:

  • 📞 Contact support WhatsApp (via Settings → Help → Contact us). Specify the date the chats were deleted and ask to check the server logs. The chances are low, but in rare cases support helps.
  • 🔧 If the phone is physically damaged (for example, a broken screen or does not turn on), contact the service center. Wizards can extract data directly from flash memory.
  • 💽 If you had it enabled Samsung Cloud (for Samsung devices), check your backups there. Sometimes they contain data that is not in Google Drive Google Drive.

Prevention for the future:

  • ⏰ Set up daily automatic backup daily automatic backups Settings → Chat → Backup.
  • ☁️ Select Google Drive as a storage location and specify an account to which you will always have access.
  • 📥 Periodically export important chats manually: open chat → ⋮ → Export chat (saved in format .txt or .zip).
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The best strategy is to combine local and cloud backups. For example, daily copies to your phone + weekly to Google Drive. This way you minimize the risk of data loss.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about restoring the WhatsApp archive

Is it possible to restore the WhatsApp archive after resetting the phone to factory settings?

Yes, but only if a backup was created in Google Drive or a local backup on a memory card before the reset. After the reset, install WhatsApp again and follow the recovery instructions. Local backups on the internal memory of the phone are deleted when reset.

Why doesn't WhatsApp offer to restore the backup during installation?

There are several reasons:

  • You are logged into a different account Googlethan the one where the backup was saved.
  • The local backup file is damaged or deleted.
  • You have already installed WhatsApp after deletion and skipped the recovery step (the backup was overwritten with an empty copy).
  • The phone does not have enough memory for unpacking the backup.

Solution: check the folder Databases for the presence of files msgstore.db.crypt*, free up space on the device and repeat the installation.

Is it possible to restore the WhatsApp archive to a new phone?

Yes, but with conditions:

  • The phone number must be the same as on the old device.
  • You must use the same account Googlewhere the backup was saved.
  • The same or newer version must be installed on the new phone WhatsApp.

If these conditions are met, at the first start WhatsApp will offer to restore data from Google Drive.

How to restore a WhatsApp archive without a backup?

Without a backup, the chances are extremely low, but you can try:

  1. Use apps to recover deleted data (for example, DiskDigger or EaseUS MobiSaver).
  2. Contact a service center if the phone is faulty - sometimes data can be extracted directly from the memory chip.
  3. Check your email: if you have ever sent yourself exported chats, they may have been saved in your mail.

⚠️ Important: the more you use your phone after deleting chats, the less chance of recovery. New data overwrites old data.

How long does it take to restore from Google Drive?

Time depends on:

  • Backup size (1 GB can be restored in 20-40 minutes).
  • Internet connection speed (recommended Wi-Fi).
  • Phone performance (on weak devices the process may freeze).

If the recovery takes more than an hour, check:

  • Network connection (restart the router).
  • Free space on the phone (there should be at least 2-3 GB).
  • No traffic restrictions in settings Google Drive.