WhatsApp introduced the “Delete for Everyone” feature back in 2018, allowing users to delete sent messages. Initially, the duration for this feature was 7 minutes; now you can delete the messages from both chats after two days. While you canโt see deleted messages on WhatsApp officially, there are some workaround methods by which you can get the messages that the sender has removed from the chat.
In this guide, we will check out different methods to see deleted messages on WhatsApp.
WhatsApp’s Delete for Everyone is a great feature and can be helpful in many instances. It can also make you curious if you have received several deleted messages from a person. As stated earlier, there are some workarounds to recover them. Read on to check them out.
How to See Deleted Messages on WhatsApp?
As mentioned earlier, there are several workarounds through which you can view the deleted messages on WhatsApp, whether you have an iPhone or Android device. Check out the methods in the later part of the article.
Using Notification History [Android]
Android phones running on version 11 or above operating systems have a notification history feature that keeps a log of every notification received, including WhatsApp messages. Notification history keeps the message even if the other user deletes it. While the feature can help you see the deleted message, it may not be available on your phone.
Also, the feature will only show the deleted WhatsApp messages if you have already enabled them. Use the following steps to set up the notification history option on your Android 11 or above operating system.
Step 1: Open the Settings app and navigate to Notifications.
Step 2: Look for the Notification History option. On some devices, you will find it under Advanced Settings.
Step 3: Turn on the toggle next to Notification History to enable the feature.
Step 4: Now, it will display all the upcoming notifications.
From now on, you should be able to see all the WhatsApp messages on the same page, even if the sender deletes them.
Using WhatsApp Chat Backup [Android]
Another way to see the deleted WhatsApp message is by restoring the chat backup from Google Drive. Note that this method will only work if you are looking to recover older chats or if WhatsApp has taken the backup before the message gets deleted. If someone has deleted the message right after sending it, you will not be able to recover it using this method:
Step 1: Uninstall the WhatsApp app from your phone.
Step 2: Reinstall the app from the Google Play Store and log in to your account.
Step 3: After verifying the phone number, you will be asked to restore your messages and media from Google Drive backup.
Step 4: Click on Restore and wait for the process to complete.
Step 5: Once done, you will see the deleted messages and media files.
Using a Third-Party App [Android]
You can also use a third-party app like Get Deleted Messages or Notisave to see deleted messages on WhatsApp. However, keep in mind that these apps are supported or backed by WhatsApp, so use them with caution as they may come with risks like data theft, malware, unauthorized access, and others to your phone.
Also, not all the apps available on the Play Store are effective, and some of them may even cause permanent data loss. Here’s how you can use the Notisave app to see messages:
Step 1: Download the Notisave app from the Google Play Store.
Step 2: Open the app once installed and allow the permissions.
Step 3: After enabling the permissions, the app will start keeping a log of every notification you receive, including WhatsApp messages.
Note that it may not log the WhatsApp messages if the chat is muted or you were online when the messages were received. Another app by which you can see deleted WhatsApp messages is Get Deleted Messages. Here’s how you can use it:
Step 1: Install the Get Deleted Messages app from the Google Play Store.
Step 2: Allow all the necessary permissions for the app.
Step 3: Now, whenever a message is deleted on WhatsApp, just open this app to check it.
Using iCloud Backup [iPhone]
For iPhone devices, this is the only way to see deleted WhatsApp messages. Similar to Android’s Google Drive method, if the message is backed up on Apple’s cloud service, you can easily restore it. Here’s how you can achieve it:
Step 1: Uninstall the WhatsApp app from your iPhone.
Step 2: Reinstall from the App Store and open WhatsApp.
Step 3: Verify your phone, then restore the backup from iCloud.
Step 4: Once done, you will be able to view the deleted message.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What’s the Time Limit to Delete a WhatsApp Message For Everyone?
As of January 2024, WhatsApp allows users to delete a message for up to two days and 12 hours (a total of 60 hours), and this is applicable for both personal and group chats.
Q. Is There a Limit to the Number of Messages I Can Recover?
The number of WhatsApp messages and media files you can recover depends on the backup and storage space of your Google Drive or iCloud account.
That’s all about how you can see deleted messages on WhatsApp. While you can easily see the deleted messages and media files by restoring them from a Google Drive or iCloud backup, if you are looking to see the message that the sender has deleted right after sending it, you need to look for notification history.
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keep in mind that these apps are *NOT* supported or backed by WhatsApp