How to see deleted messages on WhatsApp on Android: 6 proven methods

Deleted messages on WhatsApp are one of the most painful losses for users. Accidentally clicking on “Delete for everyone”, resetting the phone to factory settings, or even malicious intent can deprive you of important correspondence. Fortunately, there are several ways to recover lost data - from official backups to little-known technical tricks. Android There are several ways to get your lost data back, from official backups to little-known techniques.

In this article we will look at all current recovery methodsincluding working with Google Drivelocal backups, third-party utilities and even database analysis messenger. It is important to understand that success depends on many factors: automatic backup settings, when messages are deleted, and your smartphone model. Some methods require root access, others work without them - choose the appropriate option.

We warn you right away: the sooner you start recovery, the higher the chances of success. After deletion messages physically remain in the device's memory until they are overwritten by new data - so do not install new applications or clear the cache until the procedure is completed.

1. Recovery via Google Drive (official method)

The most reliable and easiest way is to use automatic backup v Google Drive. WhatsApp creates backups once a day (if the corresponding option is enabled) and stores them in the cloud. The main condition: you must have a Google accountlinked and a backup copy must exist until the messages are deleted.

To restore correspondence:

• 📱 Delete WhatsApp from your phone (do not clear the cache!).
• 🔄 Install the messenger again from Google Play.
• 🔑 When you first start, enter the same phone number as before.
• ☁️ The system will automatically offer to restore chats from Google Drive —confirm the action.

If the backup copy does not appear, check:

• 🔌 Internet connection (preferably Wi-Fi).
• 📅 Date of the last backup in Settings → Chat → Backup copy.
• 🔐 Correctness of the entered Google account (it must match what was used for the backup).

⚠️ Attention: If you the phone number has been changed after creating a backup copy, restore messages via Google Drive will not work. In this case, try methods with a local backup or third-party utilities.

Make sure there is enough space on your phone to download the backup

Connect the charger (the process may take up to 30 minutes)

Use the same SIM card or number as when creating the copy

Disable the VPN (it may block access to Google Drive)-->

2. WhatsApp automatically creates local backups on your phone

WhatsApp automatically creates local backups every day (by default) and saves them in the device memory. These files are stored in the folder 3:00 (default) and saves them in the device memory. These files are stored in the folder /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases and have the format msgstore.db.crypt14 (or similar). If you have root access or a file manager with access to system folders, you can manually copy the backup and restore it.

Instructions for devices without root access:

1. Connect the phone to the PC via USB cable.
2. Go to the folder WhatsApp/Databases (it may be hidden - turn on the display of hidden files).
3. Find the file with the most recent number (for example, msgstore-2026-05-15.db.crypt14) and rename it to msgstore.db.crypt14.
4. Delete WhatsApp, then install it again.
5. When you first start the messenger will detect a local backup and offer to restore it.

For devices with root access you can use applications like Titanium Backup or Root Explorerto copy the backup to a safe place before reinstalling WhatsApp. Please note: if you delete the WhatsApp folder manually or format the memorylocal backups will be lost irretrievably.

Backup type	Where is it stored	Root required	Max. storage period
Google Drive	Google Cloud	No	Unlimited*
Local (daily)	/sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases	No	Until deletion folders
Local (manual)	/sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases	No	Unlimited
Titanium Backup	Folder /data/data	Yes	Unlimited

* Google Drive can automatically delete old backups if there is not enough space or if the account has been inactive for more than 2 years.

3. Using third-party applications (without root)

If official methods do not work, you can try specialized utilities to recover data. The most popular: Dr.Fone, EaseUS MobiSaver and Tenorshare UltData. These apps scan the phone's memory for deleted files and can retrieve WhatsApp messages, even if there are no backups.

Action algorithm (for example Dr.Fone):

• 📲 Install the app on your PC and connect your phone via USB (enable USB debugging in the developer settings).
• 🔍 Select mode Whatsapp data recovery.
• 📂 app will scan the device and show messages available for recovery.
• 💾 Save the found data to your computer or export it back to WhatsApp.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Works without root access (but with root the chances are higher).
• ✅ Can restore not only text, but also media files.
• ✅ Supports selective recovery (you can select individual chats).

⚠️ Attention: Free versions of such apps often have limitations on the number of messages recovered. In addition, they can slow down the phone use them only on a charged device during scanning.

4. Recovery via root access (advanced method)

If your phone has root access, you can access WhatsApp database directly and try to retrieve deleted messages. This method requires technical skills, but gives the maximum chance of success.

Steps for recovery:

1. Install SQLite Editor or Root Browser from Google Play.
2. Go to folder /data/data/com.whatsapp/databases.
3. Find the file msgstore.db (this is the current database) and copy it to your PC.
4. Use the utility SQLite Database Browser to opening a file and searching for deleted messages (they can be stored in a table messages marked is_deleted=1).

To automate the process, you can use scripts on Python or specialized tools like WhatsApp Viewer. However, be careful: incorrect actions with the database can lead to data-i="163">complete loss of chats complete loss of chats.

-- Example of an SQL query to search for deleted messages
SELECT * FROM messages
WHERE is_deleted = 1
ORDER BY timestamp DESC
LIMIT 100;

⚠️ Attention: On devices with Android 10+ access to the folder /data/data/ may be limited even with root access due to policies Scoped Storage. In this case, you will need to use ADB or modified firmware.

What to do if msgstore.db is damaged?

If the database file damaged, try using the utility DB Browser for SQLite to restore it. In the app menu, select File → Recover Data and specify the path to the damaged file. In some cases, it is possible to recover up to 70% of the data.

5.

A little-known life hack: if a message was deleted recent (within the last 24 hours), its text could be saved in notification log Android. This method only works for messages that arrived when WhatsApp was minimized.

How to check:

• 📌 Install the application Notification History Log or Notisave.
• 🔍 Open the notification log and find an entry from WhatsApp with the desired date.
• 📋 Copy the text of the message (if it is displayed).

Method limitations:

• ❌ Only works for incoming messages.
• ❌ The text may be cut off (only the beginning is displayed in notifications).
• ❌ Not all manufacturers save notification history (for example, on Xiaomi i Huawei this function is often disabled by default).

6. Contacting WhatsApp support (as a last resort)

If all of the above methods did not work, you can try write to WhatsApp support. Officially, the company does not recover deleted messages, but in exceptional cases (for example, during legal proceedings or security threat) it can provide access to archived data.

How to submit a request:

1. Open Settings → Help → Contact us.
2. Describe the situation in as much detail as possible (indicate the date of deletion, importance of messages, attempts recovery).
3. Attach screenshots (if any) and proof of identity (for example, a scan of your passport).

The chances of success are minimal, but in some cases support can:

• 🔍 Provide account activity log (without message text).
• 📅 Confirm that messages were sent/received at a certain time.
• 🔗 Redirect the request to the legal department (if it is a crime).

⚠️ Attention: WhatsApp does not store the contents of messages on its servers after delivery. All data is stored only on user devices. Therefore, recovery through support is possible only in rare cases related to violation of laws.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about restoring messages on WhatsApp

Is it possible to recover messages deleted more than a year ago?

Theoretically, yes, if you have there local backup for this period. In practice, it is unlikely, since:

• Google Drive stores WhatsApp backups only last 12 months (if the storage settings have not been changed).
• Local backups could have been overwritten by new versions.
• On devices with a small amount of memory, old files are often deleted automatically.

Try to look for old backups in the folder WhatsApp/Databases - sometimes files with dates from previous years remain there.

Why when When restoring from Google Drive, old chats do not appear?

This is a typical problem that occurs if:

• You are restoring a backup to a different phone number.
• Whatsapp version on the phone newerthan version that created the backup
• Backup file damaged (for example, due to an interrupted download).
• You are using another Google account.

Solution: check that the number and account match, and also try to restore to a device with the same version of Android and WhatsApp as when creating the backup.

Is it possible to restore messages if your phone is stolen?

Yes, but with reservations:

• If you had backup to Google Driveenabled, you can restore messages on a new device.
• If there are no backups, but you had account access Google on a stolen phone, try remotely copying files from WhatsApp/Databases via Google Files (if the backup function was enabled).
• If the phone was blocked linked to yours Google account, you can try to find it through Find My Device and extract the data (but this is risky and may break the law).

In any case, first block the SIM card and revoke access to the WhatsApp account via the web version (https://web.whatsapp.com).

How to prevent message loss in the future?

To avoid encountering the problem again, follow these recommendations:

• 🔄 Enable daily backup in Settings → Chat → Backup.
• ☁️ Link Google Drive and make sure that backups are saved (check the date of the last backup).
• 📁 Backup regularly folder WhatsApp/Databases on a PC or external drive.
• 🔒 Use two-factor authentication in WhatsApp to protect your account from hacking.
• 📱 Install an application for export chats (for example, Chat Backup), which saves correspondence in a readable format.

Do recovery apps work on Android 14?

Yes, but with restrictions:

• On Android 14 restrictions on access to application data have increased (Scoped Storage), so many utilities require root access.
• Some apps (for example, Dr.Fone) update scanning algorithms, but their effectiveness depends on the phone model and firmware version.
• For devices Samsung, Xiaomi and OnePlus additional settings may be required (for example, unlocking OEM Unlock).

Before purchasing the paid version of the app, check whether it supports your phone model (usually this is indicated on the developer’s website).