How to Read Deleted WhatsApp Messages on Android and iOS: A Comprehensive Guide

Losing important messages on WhatsApp can be frustrating, especially when they are deleted unintentionally or by someone else. While WhatsApp offers the option to delete messages for everyone, there are ways to retrieve and read those messages on both Android and iOS devices.

In this article, we'll walk you through different methods to read deleted WhatsApp messages on both Android and iOS devices, using built-in tools, third-party apps, and other techniques.

Why Are WhatsApp Messages Deleted?

WhatsApp allows users to delete messages for themselves or everyone in a chat. This feature is designed to protect user privacy and rectify errors. However, it’s essential to note that messages deleted for everyone are removed from both the sender's and receiver's chats, and in some cases, they may be permanently lost.

How to Read Deleted WhatsApp Messages on Android

On Android devices, several methods are available to recover deleted messages. Here are the top methods:

1. Use WhatsApp Notification History (Requires Android 11 or Later)

One of the easiest ways to read deleted WhatsApp messages on Android is by checking your phone's notification history. If you have enabled notifications for WhatsApp, your phone may store a history of messages, even if you delete them later.

Steps to read deleted messages from notification history:

1. Open your phone's Settings.
2. Tap on Apps & notifications.
3. Tap Notifications and then Notification History.
4. Check if the deleted WhatsApp message appears in the list of history.

This method will only work if the notifications were enabled before the message was deleted.

2. Use WhatsApp Backup (If Messages Are Backed Up)

WhatsApp offers cloud backup options for both Android (using Google Drive) and iOS (utilizing iCloud). If you have a backup that includes the deleted messages, you can restore it.

Steps to restore WhatsApp backup:

1. Uninstall WhatsApp from your Android phone.
2. Reinstall WhatsApp from the Google Play Store.
3. Open the app and verify your phone number.
4. After verification, WhatsApp will prompt you to restore from Google Drive. Tap Restore.
5. Once restored, your deleted messages will appear in the chat.

Note: Restoring a backup will overwrite your current chats. Therefore, ensure you back up your current messages before proceeding.

3. Use Third-Party Apps (Like Notification Reader Apps)

There are third-party apps available on the Google Play Store that claim to help you recover deleted WhatsApp messages. One popular app is Notification History Log. This app saves all notifications, including WhatsApp messages, allowing you to view them even after they are deleted.

How to use Notification History Log:

1. Download the Notification History Log from the Google Play Store.
2. Open the app and go to Settings.
3. Enable Notification access for the app.
4. View the deleted messages under the app's notifications history.

Note: Third-party apps carry privacy risks, so ensure you only use trusted apps with good reviews.

How to Read Deleted WhatsApp Messages on iOS

While iOS devices do not have as many options as Android for retrieving deleted messages, there are still methods to try.

1. Use WhatsApp Backup on iCloud

iCloud backup is the most reliable method for iOS users to recover deleted WhatsApp messages, as iCloud regularly backs up your WhatsApp data.

Steps to restore WhatsApp backup on iOS:

1. Uninstall WhatsApp from your iPhone.
2. Reinstall WhatsApp from the App Store.
3. Open WhatsApp and verify your phone number.
4. When prompted, tap Restore Chat History to restore from iCloud.
5. Your deleted messages will appear in the chat once the restoration is complete.

Note: Like with Android, restoring an iCloud backup will overwrite the current messages, so ensure you have the latest backup before proceeding.

2. Use a Third-Party iPhone Data Recovery Tool

Several third-party apps for iOS are available that claim to recover deleted WhatsApp messages, including Dr. Fone and Tenorshare UltData. These apps require you to connect your iPhone to your computer and scan for deleted data.

How to use Dr. Fone:

1. Download and install Dr. Fone on your PC or Mac.
2. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
3. Open Dr. Fone and choose WhatsApp Recovery.
4. Scan your iPhone for deleted WhatsApp messages.
5. Once the scan is complete, you'll be able to preview and recover deleted messages.

Note: These tools typically come with a fee, and their effectiveness may vary depending on your device and the nature of the deletion.

3. Check WhatsApp Archived Chats

Sometimes, WhatsApp messages are archived rather than deleted. If you're unable to find the deleted messages, they might still be in your archived chats.

Steps to check archived chats:

1. Open WhatsApp.
2. Scroll down to the bottom of your chat list and tap Archived Chats.
3. Look for the deleted chat and tap it to open.

Important Considerations When Reading Deleted WhatsApp Messages

• WhatsApp's Limitations: Once messages are deleted for everyone, they cannot be restored from the server unless you have a backup.
• Restoring Backups: When restoring from a backup, you will lose any messages received after the backup was created. Consider backing up your current messages before restoring.
• Third-Party Apps: While third-party apps can be helpful, they also carry potential security risks. Always check app permissions and read user reviews before downloading an app.

Conclusion

While recovering deleted WhatsApp messages on Android and iOS can be tricky, several methods are available, including using cloud backups and third-party apps, as well as checking your phone's notification history. The most reliable method remains to restore from an existing backup, so always ensure you have regular backups set up to avoid losing valuable data.

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