WhatsApp’s “Delete for Everyone” feature allows users to remove messages they’ve sent, leaving the recipient curious about the content that was erased. This feature, while useful for correcting mistakes, can sometimes leave you wanting to know what the message said. Fortunately, there are multiple ways of How to See Deleted Messages on WhatsApp, and this guide will walk you through each method step-by-step. Whether you use an Android or an iPhone, there are solutions available for you.
Using Notification History on Android
If you’re using an Android device with version 11 or higher, you can use the built-in Notification History feature to see deleted WhatsApp messages. This method does not require any third-party applications and is quite simple to set up.
- Open Settings: Go to your Android device’s settings.
- Apps & Notifications: Navigate to the ‘Apps & Notifications’ section.
- Notification History: Select ‘Notifications’ and then tap on ‘Notification History’.
- Enable Notification History: Toggle the switch to turn on Notification History.
Once this feature is enabled, it will keep a log of all your notifications, including deleted WhatsApp messages. Whenever a message is deleted, you can check your notification history to read the content. This method of How to See Deleted Messages on WhatsApp is convenient as it doesn’t involve installing any additional software and works directly through your device’s settings.
Restoring WhatsApp Backup
Another effective way if you are searching for How to See Deleted Messages on WhatsApp is by restoring your chat backup. This method works for both Android and iPhone users, provided you have your chats backed up on Google Drive or iCloud.
For Android Users:
- Uninstall WhatsApp: Remove the WhatsApp application from your device.
- Reinstall WhatsApp: Download and install WhatsApp again from the Google Play Store.
- Verify Your Number: Open the app and verify your phone number.
- Restore Chats: When prompted, tap on ‘Restore’ to restore your chat history from the backup.
For iPhone Users:
- Remove WhatsApp: Delete the WhatsApp app from your iPhone.
- Reinstall WhatsApp: Reinstall WhatsApp from the App Store.
- Open and Verify: Open the app and verify your phone number.
- Restore from iCloud: Choose to restore your chat history from the iCloud backup.
Restoring from a backup will recover all your messages, including those that were deleted after the backup was created. Ensure your chats are regularly backed up to make this process more effective.
Using Third-Party Apps
Several third-party apps can help you see deleted messages on WhatsApp by keeping a log of your notifications. Here are a couple of popular options:
WhatsDelete
- Download WhatsDelete: Install the WhatsDelete app from the Google Play Store.
- Grant Permissions: Open the app and grant the necessary permissions.
- Select WhatsApp: Choose WhatsApp from the list of apps to monitor.
Whenever a message is deleted, WhatsDelete will notify you and allow you to view the deleted message.
WhatsRemoved+
- Install WhatsRemoved+: Download the WhatsRemoved+ app from the Google Play Store.
- Notification Access: Open the app and grant notification access.
- Save Files: Enable the option to save deleted files when prompted.
This app saves all incoming messages and notifies you when a message is deleted, allowing you to view it within the app.
Viewing Archived Chats
Sometimes, messages are archived rather than deleted, which can cause confusion when trying to locate them. Archiving is a feature that helps you clean up your chat list without permanently deleting the messages. Here’s how you can access archived chats on both Android and iPhone:
For Android Users:
- Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp application on your Android device.
- Find Archived Chats: Scroll to the top of your chat list. You will see an ‘Archived’ option at the top.
- Access Chats: Tap on ‘Archived’ to view all the chats that have been archived. You can select any chat to view the messages.
- Unarchive Chats: To move a chat back to the main chat list, tap and hold on the conversation and then select the ‘Unarchive’ icon.
For iPhone Users:
- Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp application and go to the ‘Chats’ tab.
- Scroll Down: Scroll down the chat list until you see the ‘Archived Chats’ section at the bottom.
- Access Archived Chats: Tap on ‘Archived Chats’ to view the conversations that have been archived.
- Unarchive Chats: To unarchive a chat, swipe left on the conversation and tap on ‘Unarchive’.
Archiving messages helps keep your chat list organized without losing important conversations. You can always access these chats later and move them back to the main chat list if needed.
Using WhatsApp Web
This is another method of How to See Deleted Messages on WhatsApp. This technique leverages the fact that messages may still be visible on the web interface even if they have been deleted on the mobile app.
- Open WhatsApp Web: Go to the WhatsApp Web website on your computer.
- Link Your Device: Open WhatsApp on your smartphone, tap on the three-dot menu (Android) or settings (iPhone), and select ‘Linked Devices’. Tap ‘Link a Device’ and scan the QR code displayed on your computer screen.
- Access Chats: Once linked, you can access your chats on the web. Sometimes, messages that are deleted on the mobile app may still be visible on WhatsApp Web, especially if you haven’t refreshed the page.
While this method is not foolproof and might not always work, it’s worth trying if you urgently need to see a deleted message.
FAQs
Q1. Can I see deleted messages on WhatsApp without an app?
Yes, on Android 11 or above, you can use the Notification History feature to see deleted messages without any third-party apps.
Q2. Is it possible to see deleted messages on iPhone?
Yes, you can restore your WhatsApp chats from an iCloud backup to retrieve deleted messages.
Q3. What third-party apps can I use to see deleted messages on WhatsApp?
Apps like WhatsDelete and WhatsRemoved+ are popular choices for this purpose.
Q4. Can I use these methods to see media files that were deleted?
Yes, these apps can also recover deleted media files like photos and videos, provided you have enabled auto-download for media in WhatsApp settings.
Q5. How often should I back up my WhatsApp chats?
It’s recommended to back up your chats daily to ensure you don’t lose any important messages.
Wrapping Up
Knowing how to see deleted messages on WhatsApp can save you from missing out on important information. Whether you use notification history, chat backups, or third-party apps, each method provides a reliable way to retrieve deleted messages. Choose the method that works best for you and stay informed even when messages are deleted.
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