How to view deleted messages on WhatsApp on Android: 7 proven methods (including other people's chats)

Have you ever encountered a situation where your interlocutor deleted a sent message, and you desperately need to know what was written there? Or did you accidentally erase an important dialogue and want to restore it? In this article we will analyze WhatsApp deleted a sent message, but you desperately need to know what was written there? Or did you accidentally erase an important dialogue and want to restore it? In this article we will look at all possible ways to view deleted messages in the messenger on Android —both our own and others (if they were deleted by another user).

We’ll warn you right away: some of the methods require technical training (for example, working with ADB or root access), and some may violate privacy policy WhatsApp. We do not encourage using them for illegal purposes - the article is exclusively for educational nature. If the message was deleted, there may be good reasons for it.

It is important to understand the difference between the two scenarios:

• 🔹 You deleted the message yourself —here the chances of recovery are higher, especially if there is a backup copy.
• 🔹 The interlocutor deleted his message - here everything is more complicated, since WhatsApp synchronizes changes on all devices.

Next we will consider methods from the simplest (without root) to advanced (with analysis of the database data), and also discuss legal and ethical aspects such actions. Let's start with the basic methods that are available to every user Android.

1. Restoring from a Google Drive backup

The most legal and safe way to recover deleted messages is restore chat from backupif it was created before deletion. WhatsApp automatically saves backups to Google Drive (if the function is enabled). Here's how it works:

Backups are created daily at 2:00 (by default) and contain the entire chat history, including media files. However, there are nuances:

• 📅 A copy saves the state of chats at the time of the last backup. If the message was deleted till after creating a backup copy, it cannot be returned.
• 🔄 When restoring the current chat history will be replaced data from the backup. New messages received after creating a copy will be lost.
• 📱 The same phone number and Google accountas when creating a backup are required.

To restore chats from Google Drive:

1. Delete WhatsApp from your phone.
2. Install the application again from Google Play.
3. When you first start, enter the same phone number.
4. When prompted, click "Restore".
5. Wait for the process to complete (may take several minutes).

If the copy is not found, check:

• 🔌 Internet connection (preferably Wi-Fi).
• 📤 Is there enough space in the phone memory.
• 🔒 Are you using the same one Google accountas when setting up a backup.

2. Local backups on the phone

In addition Google Drive, WhatsApp creates local copies on the device itself. They are stored in the folder /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases and updated every day at 2:00. The files have the format msgstore.db.crypt14 (where crypt14 — encryption version).

To restore messages from a local copy:

1. Open any file manager (for example, Total Commander or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to folder /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases.
3. Find the file with the most recent date (for example, msgstore-2026-05-15.db.crypt14).
4. Rename the current file msgstore.db.crypt14 to msgstore.db.crypt14.bak (in case something goes wrong).
5. Copy the selected backup file and rename it to msgstore.db.crypt14.
6. Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp, then restore the data on the first run.

If there are no files in the folder older than the current date, then local copies were not saved or have been deleted. Also note:

• 🔐 The files are encrypted - without the key (which is generated during installation WhatsApp) they cannot be read.
• 📱 The method only works on the same device where the copy was created.
• ⚠️ If you changed phone number, the restoration may not work.

3. Using Android notifications (without root)

If a message was deleted the interlocutor, but you managed to see a notification about it, there is a chance to read the text through notification log Android. This method only works if:

• 🔔 The notification was not manually brushed away.
• 📱 The automatic clearing of notifications feature is not enabled on your phone.
• ⏱️ The message was deleted no later than 1–2 hours after receipt.

Instructions for Android 10–14:

1. Open Settings → Applications and notifications → Notifications.
2. Click on the three dots (⋮) in the upper right corner and select "Notification log".
3. If the option is disabled, enable it.
4. Return to main notification screen and scroll down to the block "History".
5. Find a notification from WhatsApp with the text of the deleted message.

On some firmware (for example, MIUI or ColorOS) the path may differ:

• 📱 Xiaomi: Settings → Notifications and status bar → Notification log.
• 📱 Samsung: Settings → Notifications → Advanced → Notification history.

Why the method with notifications is not always works?

WhatsApp can hide the text of messages in notifications if privacy is enabled ("Hide text"). Also, some firmware (for example, on Huawei phones) do not save notification history for more than a day.

4. Applications for recovering deleted messages

There are dozens of applications that promise to recover deleted messages from Google Play there are dozens of applications that promise to recover deleted messages from WhatsApp. However, most of them either do not workor require root access. We tested several tools and identified those that somehow cope with the task:

Application	Does root required?	Recovers someone else's deleted data messages?	Rating
Notification History Log	❌ No	❌ Only through notifications	⭐ 4.2
WhatsRemoved+	❌ No	✅ Yes (partially)	⭐ 3.9
Dr.Fone — WhatsApp Transfer	❌ No	❌ Only your backups	⭐ 4.5
GT Recovery	✅ Yes	✅ Yes (full access)	⭐ 3.7

The most popular application for tracking deleted messages - WhatsRemoved+. It works on the principle notification interception and saves the text even after the interlocutor has erased it. However, there are limitations:

• 🔍 The application must be installed in advance —it will not restore messages deleted before its activation.
• 📵 Does not show media files (photos, videos, voice), text only.
• 🔄 May not work if in WhatsApp notifications are disabled.

To install:

1. Download WhatsRemoved+ from Google Play.
2. Run the application and provide access to notifications.
3. Enable option "Track WhatsApp".
4. Now all deleted messages will be saved in the application history.

5. Working with the WhatsApp database (root required)

If you have root access, you can directly read the database WhatsAppwhere all messages are stored, including deleted ones. This method technically complex requires caution, since incorrect actions can lead to data loss.

The database WhatsApp is located along the path:

/data/data/com.whatsapp/databases/msgstore.db

To extract and read it:

1. Install a file manager with support root (for example, Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Copy the file msgstore.db to your computer.
3. Use a database reader (for example, SQLite-bases (for example, DB Browser for SQLite).
4. Open the table messages — all messages are stored there, including deleted ones (marked with the flag status="5").

Please note:

• 🔐 The database is encrypted - to decrypt you need a key that is stored in /data/data/com.whatsapp/files/key.
• ⚠️ Do not edit the database directly — this can lead to a failure WhatsApp.
• 📱 On new versions Android (11+), access to /data/data may be limited even with root.

Important: In the database, messages are stored in encrypted form, and to read them you will need specialized software like WhatsApp Viewer or scripts on Python. Without technical skills, this method is unlikely to work.

6. Alternative methods: from social engineering to forensics

If none of the methods described above worked, more exotic (and often illegal) options remain. We do not recommend using them, but for the sake of completeness we will mention:

• 🕵️ Social engineering: Ask the other person to resend the message again, citing a problem with the phone. Works in 30% of cases.
• 💻 Forensic analysis: Cybersecurity specialists can extract data from the phone's memory, even if it has been deleted. The cost of such a service is from 5,000 rubles.
• 📧 Export chat via email: If the message was in a group chat, try asking other participants to export the history (Chat settings → Export).
• 🔄 Recovery via iTunes (if the interlocutor is on an iPhone): If you have access to a backup copy iPhone of the interlocutor (unlikely), you can try to extract messages using iMazing or iExplorer.

The riskiest method is phishing (creating a fake login page in WhatsApp), but it is:

• ⚠️ Violates the law (Article 138 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation - violation of the secrecy of correspondence).
• 🚫 May lead to account blocking and prosecution.
• 🔒 Modern versions WhatsApp easily detect fake ones pages.

What happens if you use phishing?

In addition to the legal consequences, the victim can file a complaint with WhatsApp support, and your account will be blocked without the possibility of recovery.

7. Legal and ethical aspects

Before trying to recover someone else's deleted messages, you should think about legal consequences. In Russia and most countries of the world, correspondence in instant messengers is protected by law:

• 📜 Article 23 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation guarantees the secrecy of correspondence.
• 🔒 Article 138 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation provides for punishment for violating the secrecy of telephone conversations (a fine of up to 80,000 rubles or correctional labor).
• 🌍 In Europe is in effect GDPR, which prohibits the processing of personal data without consent.

Exceptions when message recovery is legal:

• 👨‍⚖️ Upon request court or law enforcement agencies.
• 👶 If you parent control the correspondence of a minor child (with his consent or in his interests).
• 🏢 In corporate chats, if this is specified in employment contract.

Ethically, restoring other people's messages is justified only in extreme cases, for example:

• 🚨 If you are threatened or blackmailed.
• 💔 If we are talking about preventing suicide or violence.
• 📄 If the message contains important evidence for the court.

In all other cases, it is better respect privacy the interlocutor and not try to circumvent his decision to delete the message.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about restoring messages on WhatsApp

Is it possible to recover a message if it was deleted more than a year ago?

Theoretically, yes, but only if you have backup copy that date. Local copies on the phone are stored for no more than 7 days, and until they are overwritten with new ones. If there are no backups, the chances are close to zero. Google Drive - until they are overwritten with new ones. If there are no backups, the chances are close to zero.

Why Does WhatsRemoved+ not show deleted messages?

Probable reasons:

• The application is installed after message deletion.
• In WhatsApp notifications are disabled.
• The interlocutor deleted the message too fast (before the notification could be saved).
• The phone has an energy-saving mode that blocks background applications.

Is it possible to recover deleted media files (photos, videos)?

Media files are more difficult to recover than text. Try:

1. Check the folder /sdcard/WhatsApp/Media - sometimes files remain there even after being deleted from the chat.
2. Use file recovery apps (for example, DiskDigger), but they only work if the phone's memory has not been overwritten.
3. Restore backup from Google Drive —media files are saved there if the corresponding option is enabled.

If the file was deleted more than a month ago, the chances are minimal.

Will the interlocutor know that I restored his deleted message?

No WhatsApp does not notify users when messages are restored. However:

• If you use WhatsRemoved+, the interlocutor may guess that you are monitoring deleted messages (for example, if you react to something that “should not have happened”).
• When restoring from a backup WhatsApp will show a notification about a new backup, but not will clarify that you have recovered old data.

Do these methods work on iPhone?

Partially. On iPhone you can:

• Recover messages from iCloud (analogue Google Drive).
• Use WhatsRemoved+ (there is a version for iOS).
• Read the notification log through Shortcuts or special tweaks (jailbreak required).

However, access to the database WhatsApp on iPhone without jailbreak is impossible.

If none of the methods worked, perhaps the message really irretrievably lost. In this case, all that remains is to ask the interlocutor to repeat the information or accept its loss. Remember that confidentiality of correspondence is not only a technical, but also a moral side of the issue.