How to Recover Deleted WhatsApp Messages, Photos and Videos
Accidentally deleted an important WhatsApp message, photo or video? Don't panic. In many cases, you may be able to recover deleted WhatsApp messages if they were included in an earlier backup.
WhatsApp provides backup and restore options for Android and iPhone. Android users can restore chats from a Google Account backup, while iPhone users can restore them from an iCloud backup. However, WhatsApp cannot restore chat history directly from its servers because your chat history is not stored there.
In this guide, we explain how to recover deleted WhatsApp messages, photos and videos safely, what to do on Android and iPhone, and what options you have if no recent backup exists.
Table of Contents
Check Your WhatsApp Backup Before Trying Recovery
The first thing to check is whether WhatsApp has a backup from before the messages or media were deleted.
On Android, WhatsApp can back up your chat history using your Google Account. On iPhone, WhatsApp uses iCloud for chat backups. WhatsApp states that chats and media can be restored from the latest successful backup available on the device or associated cloud account.
Before reinstalling WhatsApp, check the date and size of your latest backup. This is important because restoring a backup may bring back the data that existed when that backup was created, but messages received after that backup cannot be restored from it.
For Android users, WhatsApp provides the backup controls under Settings > Chats > Chat backup. You can see the associated Google Account and the most recent backup information there.
For iPhone users, open WhatsApp and go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup to check whether an iCloud backup exists.
How to Recover Deleted WhatsApp Messages on Android
If your deleted messages were included in an existing Google Account backup, you can restore that backup during WhatsApp setup.
Step 1: Check Your Google Account Backup
Open WhatsApp and check Settings > Chats > Chat backup. Confirm that a backup exists and note its date.
Make sure you are using the same Google Account and phone number associated with the backup. WhatsApp states that the phone number used for backing up and restoring must be the same.
Step 2: Reinstall WhatsApp
If the backup was created before you deleted the messages, uninstall WhatsApp and install it again from the official app store.
During the initial setup, verify the same phone number associated with your backup.
Step 3: Choose Restore
After verification, WhatsApp should detect the available backup. Select the option to restore your chat history when prompted.
Allow the restoration process to finish before continuing with WhatsApp setup. Depending on the size of your backup and your internet connection, the process may take some time. WhatsApp notes that videos are restored only when the Include videos option was enabled when the backup was created.
If you are also managing storage on your phone, our guide on freeing up Android storage can help you remove unnecessary files without accidentally deleting important data.
How to Recover Deleted WhatsApp Messages on iPhone
iPhone users can recover WhatsApp chats when an appropriate iCloud backup exists from before the messages were deleted.
Step 1: Check Your iCloud Backup
Open WhatsApp and go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup. Check the date and size of the most recent backup.
If the backup predates the deletion, there may be a way to restore the deleted chat history from that backup.
Step 2: Reinstall WhatsApp
Uninstall WhatsApp and reinstall it on your iPhone. During setup, verify the same phone number and Apple Account associated with the backup.
Step 3: Restore Chat History
When WhatsApp detects the available iCloud backup, select Restore Chat History and wait for the process to complete.
WhatsApp states that there must be enough free space on both the iPhone and iCloud for the restoration. Videos are restored only when they were included in the backup when it was created.
How to Recover Deleted WhatsApp Photos and Videos
Recovering deleted WhatsApp photos and videos depends on where the media was stored and whether it was included in a backup.
Check Your Phone Gallery First
If you deleted a photo or video from a WhatsApp conversation but the file still exists in your phone's gallery or another storage location, you may be able to access it without restoring the entire WhatsApp backup.
Check your Photos or Gallery app, including folders such as WhatsApp Images and WhatsApp Video where applicable.
Restore From a WhatsApp Backup
If the media was included in a WhatsApp backup created before deletion, restoring that backup may bring the media back along with the relevant chat history.
Remember that WhatsApp specifically notes that videos are restored only when the Include videos option was enabled before the backup was created.
Check Other Copies of the File
You may also have another copy of an important photo or video in your phone's gallery, cloud photo storage, computer, external storage or a conversation where the file was shared again.
Before deleting files while trying to recover WhatsApp data, make sure you have checked your existing copies carefully. If you regularly work with photos, you can also explore these free photo editing tools after recovering your media.
Can You Recover Deleted WhatsApp Messages Without Backup?
This is one of the most common questions about WhatsApp recovery.
If a message was deleted and there is no available WhatsApp backup or remaining copy of the data, recovery becomes much more difficult. WhatsApp states that chat history is not stored on its servers, so WhatsApp itself cannot simply retrieve your deleted conversation from its servers for you.
There may still be another copy of a photo, video or document on your device or in another storage location. It is therefore worth checking your gallery, file manager, cloud photo service and other devices before assuming that the file is permanently gone.
Be careful with websites or apps that promise guaranteed WhatsApp message recovery without a backup. Avoid giving unknown recovery applications access to your WhatsApp account, personal files or verification codes.
Important WhatsApp Recovery Limitations
There are several limitations you should understand before attempting a restore.
- Messages received after the backup was created cannot be restored from that backup.
- Videos may not be restored if they were excluded from the backup.
- The same phone number is required for restoring a WhatsApp backup.
- Android backups are associated with the relevant Google Account.
- iPhone backups are associated with the Apple Account or iCloud location where the backup was created.
- A newer backup can replace an older backup, meaning an older version of your chat history may no longer be available.
- WhatsApp cannot restore chat history directly from its servers because the chat history is not stored there.
WhatsApp also explains that there is no separate Restore option inside the regular Chat Backup settings. The restore option appears during the initial setup process after reinstalling WhatsApp.
How to Prevent Losing WhatsApp Messages in the Future
The easiest way to avoid difficult recovery situations is to maintain regular backups.
Enable Automatic Backups
On Android, WhatsApp lets you select a backup schedule and choose the Google Account used for backups. You can also decide whether videos should be included.
On iPhone, regularly check the Chat Backup section and make sure your iCloud backup is completing successfully.
Include Important Videos
If important videos are part of your WhatsApp conversations, check whether video backup is enabled. WhatsApp says videos are restored only when they were included in the backup that was created.
Keep Enough Storage Available
Backups and restoration require available storage. If your phone is constantly running out of space, clean unnecessary downloads and large files while keeping important personal data backed up.
Regular storage management can also make it easier to identify important WhatsApp media before it becomes difficult to locate.
Use End-to-End Encrypted Backups Carefully
WhatsApp provides an option for end-to-end encrypted backups. You can protect the backup with a password, passkey or 64-digit encryption key. If you enable this feature, keep the password or key somewhere safe because it is required to access the encrypted backup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover permanently deleted WhatsApp messages?
If the messages were included in a backup created before they were deleted, restoring that backup may recover them. Without a backup or another remaining copy, WhatsApp cannot retrieve your chat history from its servers.
Can I recover deleted WhatsApp photos?
You may be able to recover deleted WhatsApp photos if they still exist in your phone's gallery, another storage location, or a WhatsApp backup created before the deletion.
Can I recover deleted WhatsApp videos?
Videos can be restored from a WhatsApp backup when they were included in that backup. WhatsApp specifically says videos are restored only if Include videos was enabled when the backup was created.
Can I recover WhatsApp messages without Google Drive or iCloud backup?
If there is no applicable cloud backup, you may still have another copy of the data on your old phone or another storage location. However, WhatsApp does not store your chat history on its servers for direct recovery.
Will restoring WhatsApp delete my current messages?
Restoring an older backup can replace the current WhatsApp data with the information contained in that backup. Check the backup date carefully before starting the restoration process and make a current backup when appropriate.
Can WhatsApp recover my deleted chat for me?
No. WhatsApp states that it cannot restore your chats, contacts or media files for you because your chat history is not stored on its servers. Recovery depends on an available backup, transfer option or another remaining copy of the data.
Conclusion
Recovering deleted WhatsApp messages, photos and videos is usually possible only when another copy of the data still exists. The most practical option is to check whether a WhatsApp backup was created before the deletion and then restore it using the appropriate Android or iPhone process.
Android users should check their Google Account backup, while iPhone users should check their iCloud backup. If no suitable backup exists, check your gallery, file storage and other devices for another copy of the important media.
Most importantly, set up regular WhatsApp backups and make sure important videos are included when necessary. A reliable backup can make recovering accidentally deleted WhatsApp data much easier in the future.
