WhatsApp: Recover deleted messages and files on Android and iPhone

An important conversation accidentally disappears. A file containing work information is accidentally deleted. For millions of users, these WhatsApp errors are more common than you might think. The good news is that, with the right settings, recovering deleted messages and files is possible .

Mariana works as a lawyer and handles many of her cases via WhatsApp. One day, while cleaning up chats, she deleted a conversation containing key evidence. The panic was immediate, but so was the reaction: she had enabled automatic backup on Google Drive. Following a few simple steps, she managed to restore everything.

Like her, many users can recover their messages if they meet one key requirement : having a backup copy from before deletion .

The first step is to check if you have backup enabled:

• Android: WhatsApp saves backups to Google Drive .
• iPhone: Use iCloud to keep your chats.

These backups can be configured daily, weekly, or monthly. If the backup was made before the deletion, there's a high chance of recovery.

Important: Any messages created after the backup cannot be recovered using this method.

1. Make sure you have a recent copy on Google Drive.
2. Uninstall WhatsApp.
3. Reinstall the app from Google Play.
4. Sign in with the same number.
5. Accept the option to restore the backup.

1. Make sure iCloud has WhatsApp backup enabled.
2. Uninstall the application.
3. Reinstall from the App Store.
4. Sign in and choose restore chats .

If there's no backup on Google Drive or iCloud, the situation gets more complicated. WhatsApp doesn't save your messages on its servers once they're deleted.

On Android, there's an alternative: local backup , which automatically saves data to the phone's internal memory. If this feature is enabled and the correct file is accessed, the content can be restored from there.

Avoid third-party apps that promise to recover messages—they can steal your data or lock you out.

1. Always activate automatic copy.
2. Check the backup frequency (daily is the safest).
3. On Android, enable local backup as an additional backup.
4. Sync your devices well if you use the multi-device feature.
5. Remember: You can only restore content from your primary device .

With these actions, you can rest assured that your messages will be protected, even if you delete them by mistake.