How to Easily Recover Deleted WhatsApp Messages
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- WhatsApp users can recover deleted messages on Android and iOS if they have an active backup.
- The recovery process relies on backups stored in Google Drive for Android or iCloud for iOS.
- Users can activate automatic backups to ensure conversations are saved regularly.
Recovering deleted messages on WhatsApp is possible for both Android and iOS users, provided a backup exists. The application does not store conversation history on its servers, making restoration dependent on prior backups in Google Drive or iCloud. The process requires using the same phone number and the associated account linked to the backup.
For Android users, the first step is to verify the backup through the Google One app. If a backup is available, users must uninstall and then reinstall WhatsApp. During the setup process, they should use the exact same phone number used for the backup and select the 'Restore' option when prompted. It is crucial to ensure sufficient storage space on the device.
iPhone users follow a similar procedure. They need to check their iCloud backup in WhatsApp's settings. After verifying the backup, they uninstall the app and then download it again from the App Store. Upon verifying their phone number and Apple ID, they can initiate the chat history restoration by selecting 'Restore chat history' when the option appears.
To prevent future data loss, users can enable automatic backups. Within WhatsApp settings, under Chats > Backup, they can schedule backups to occur daily, weekly, or monthly. It is also recommended to link a Google Account for Android or iCloud for iPhone and configure backups to occur only over Wi-Fi to save mobile data. For enhanced security, users can opt for end-to-end encrypted backups by setting up a password or a 64-digit key.
Originally published by El Comercio in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.