Have you ever accidentally deleted an essential chat on WhatsApp or Messenger and immediately regretted it? Whether it’s personal messages, business communications, or sentimental conversations, losing them can be frustrating. Fortunately, both WhatsApp and Messenger offer options to recover deleted messages — but timing and preparation are key. In this article, we’ll walk you through practical steps to restore deleted chats on both platforms and highlight tips to prevent future data loss.
How to Recover Deleted Chats on WhatsApp
WhatsApp provides several backup and restore options, making it possible to retrieve lost messages if you’ve set up backups beforehand.
Recover WhatsApp Chats via Google Drive (Android) or iCloud (iPhone)
Steps for Android:
- Uninstall WhatsApp from your device.
- Reinstall it from the Google Play Store.
- Open the app and verify your phone number.
- When prompted, tap “Restore” to recover chats from Google Drive.
Steps for iPhone:
- Uninstall WhatsApp from your iPhone.
- Reinstall it from the App Store.
- Open WhatsApp and verify your number.
- Tap “Restore Chat History” to recover from iCloud.
Note: This works only if you had previously enabled backup in WhatsApp Settings > Chats > Chat Backup.
Recover WhatsApp Chats from Local Backup (Android only)
WhatsApp stores backups locally for up to 7 days.
Steps:
- Open your phone’s File Manager.
- Go to WhatsApp > Databases.
- Rename the file you want to restore (e.g., msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt12) to msgstore.db.crypt12.
- Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp.
- Tap Restore when prompted.
Use Third-Party Tools (With Caution)
There are tools like Dr.Fone, Tenorshare UltData, or iMyFone ChatsBack that claim to recover deleted WhatsApp messages. While some may work, they often require payment and access to your device — so use them carefully and read reviews before installing.
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How to Recover Deleted Chats on Facebook Messenger
Unlike WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger doesn’t offer regular backups, but deleted messages might not be permanently gone.
Check Archived Conversations
Sometimes, chats are archived, not deleted.
Steps:
- Open Messenger.
- Tap your profile picture > Archived Chats.
- Browse and restore if the conversation is listed.
Download Your Facebook Data
Facebook allows you to download all your data, including messages, if they were not permanently deleted.
Steps:
- Go to Facebook Settings & Privacy > Settings.
- Click Your Facebook Information > Download Your Information.
- Select Messages, choose a date range, format (HTML or JSON), and click Create File.
- After processing, download the file and check your messages.
Note: This only works if the chat wasn’t permanently deleted before the data request.
Check Other Devices
Sometimes messages remain visible on other devices (e.g., tablets or old phones) even after deletion from your current one. Check older devices where Messenger was logged in.
Pro Tips to Prevent Future Chat Loss
- Enable Regular Backups on WhatsApp.
- Archive chats instead of deleting them if you want to clean up.
- Use cloud sync services when possible.
- Export important chats for offline storage (WhatsApp: Chat > Export Chat).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover deleted WhatsApp messages without a backup?
Unfortunately, if you don’t have a backup, it can be very difficult to recover deleted messages. However, some third-party tools may help, though they are not always reliable.
How long does WhatsApp keep local backups?
WhatsApp stores local backups on your phone for up to 7 days. After this period, the local backup is overwritten with the most recent one.
What’s the difference between archiving and deleting chats on Messenger?
Archiving a chat hides it from your main conversation list without deleting it, while deleting a chat removes it permanently, and you can’t recover it unless you’ve downloaded your Facebook data.
Can I recover messages from Messenger if they were deleted years ago?
If the messages were deleted from Facebook’s servers, they cannot be recovered. However, if you had downloaded your Facebook data at the time, you may still be able to access older messages.
Are third-party tools safe to use for recovering deleted chats?
While some third-party tools claim to recover deleted messages, they may not always be secure or effective. Make sure to read reviews and use tools from trusted sources.
Can I recover deleted WhatsApp chats without a phone number?
No, to restore WhatsApp chats, you need to verify your phone number. If you’ve changed your number, you can still transfer backups, but the process may require some additional steps.
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Conclusion
While recovering deleted chats on WhatsApp and Messenger is not always guaranteed, the chances improve significantly if you have prepared with backups or haven’t permanently deleted conversations. Always keep backups enabled and think twice before hitting delete. With the right tools and knowledge, you can often recover what seemed lost — and keep your digital memories safe.
