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WhatsApp is currently one of the most essential messaging tools in our daily lives. However, one of its options—the ability to delete messages for all—typically leaves you questioning or irate.
When a message was deleted prior to even being given the opportunity to read it, you can’t help but wonder: What did it say? Was it important?
Luckily, there are many different methods you can read deleted WhatsApp messages, whether on an Android or iPhone.
In this post, we’ll discuss five effective ways, and also give you tips and tools on how to recover messages.
Why Do People Want to Read Deleted WhatsApp Messages?
- To curb curiosity: Come on, when a message is deleted, we naturally need to know what it says.
- So you don’t lose valuable information: A deleted message could be a lost address, time, or crucial note.
- To avoid confusion in life or business: Misunderstanding is likely when parts of a conversation are deleted.
5 Methods How To Read Deleted WhatsApp Messages
WhatsApp itself may not have an immediate solution, but through the proper ways, you can see or recover deleted messages. Let’s discuss the ways.
Method 1: Through WhatsApp Notification Log (Android Only)
The Android notification log keeps a record of notifications, like a received WhatsApp message.
If you had received a message and then gone on to delete it, you can still find it in the log—assuming you have notifications turned on.
How to Do It:
- Pull out your device’s “Settings” app.
- Go to Apps & Notifications > Notifications > Notification History.
- Switch on “Use Notification History” if it’s not already turned on.
- Scroll through the log to find deleted WhatsApp messages.
Important Notes:
- Only for messages that resulted in a notification.
- Won’t recover deleted media like photos or videos.
- May not work on all Android phones or OS versions (largely Android 11+)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| No third-party applications needed. | Only for text messages. |
| Native and secure on your phone. | Shows only recent notifications |
Method 2: Restore Deleted WhatsApp Messages Using Backup
If you’ve turned on periodic WhatsApp conversation backups (daily, weekly, or monthly), you can uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp to restore messages deleted after the backup interval.
How to Do It:
- Check backup status: Go to WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat backup. Check the date/time of the last backup.
- Uninstall WhatsApp from your phone.
- Reinstall WhatsApp from Google Play Store (Android) or App Store (iPhone).
- Open the app and verify your number.
- When prompted, press “Restore” to restore chat history from the backup.
Important Notes:
- This will only work if the deleted message existed at the time of your last backup.
- Messages since your last backup and until restoration will be lost.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Can be used on both Android and iOS | Restores an older version of chats |
| Recovers entire chats, including media | You’ll lose recent messages not in the backup. |
Method 3: Inspecting WhatsApp Web (Advanced Desktop Technique)
For more tech-savvy users, using Inspect Element on WhatsApp Web may allow access to message data that’s not fully deleted from the browser cache.
How to Do It:
- Open a browser and navigate to [WhatsApp Web](https://web.whatsapp.com).
- Sign in using the QR code scan with your mobile device.
- Navigate to the conversation where a message has been deleted.
- Right-click within the chat window, and then select “Inspect” (or press ‘Ctrl + Shift + I’).
- Use the search box (Ctrl + F) to search for message elements or previous versions in DOM storage.
Important Notes:
- Not always working, but may occasionally disclose residual data.
- Needs fundamental knowledge of HTML or browser development tools.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| No need to install an app | Does not always work, particularly if page was reloaded |
| Provides a peek at cached data | Not for newbies |
Method 4: Reading Deleted Messages via Quote or Reply
Sometimes WhatsApp users quote or reply to a message and then remove it. This trick enables you to see part (or all) of a removed message if it was quoted in a conversation.
How to Do It:
- Open the relevant WhatsApp group or conversation.
- Scroll upwards to find any replied or quoted messages.
- Search for gray text in quotation marks.
- See the quoted message even if the original was deleted.
Best Use Case:
- Group discussions or chats where users tend to reply as quotes.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Simple and does not require any tools | Won’t work unless somebody quoted the deleted message |
| Can show deleted text indirectly | No help if there is no reply |
Method 5: Using Third-Party Apps (Android Only)
A few apps are designed to save WhatsApp messages and track notifications, even if they’ve been deleted. The apps act as a message logger by storing a copy of all incoming WhatsApp messages.
Recommended Apps:
- AMR
- Notification History Log
- Notisave
How to Use:
- Download one of the apps from the Google Play Store.
- Grant permissions (notification access, storage).
- Let the app run in the background.
- The deleted messages will log in within the app
Security Alert:
- Take caution when using these apps. Always review and find out what info collection is taking place.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Installs automatically | Not available on iOS due to Apple privacy restrictions |
| Stores several types of messages, such as images, videos, and voice notes (if supported) | Privacy and security concerns of third-party apps |
How to Get Back Deleted WhatsApp Messages? (iPhone Users)
iPhones are more limited regarding accessing notifications, so third-party apps don’t work. Checking the deleted messages is preferably done by iCloud backups.
Steps:
- Open WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat Backup.
- Check date/time of the last iCloud backup.
- Uninstall and re-install WhatsApp from the App Store.
- Log in and restore chat history during the setup.
Tip: Ensure you have enough iCloud space and automatic backups on.
Smooth Retrieval of Deleted WhatsApp Messages Tips
For easy retrieval of messages in the future, follow these best practices:
1. Backup Regularly
- Default automatic backup to daily or weekly.
- On Android: Settings > Chats > Chat Backup > Google Drive settings.
- For iPhone: Settings > iCloud > iCloud Backup > Enable.
2. Be Careful with Third-Party Apps
- Install apps from trusted sources only.
- Check app permissions and privacy terms.
- Avoid apps with excessively sensitive permissions.
3. Stay Up to Date
- Update WhatsApp and phone OS periodically.
- Fresh updates typically feature enhanced privacy, security, and backup features.
Deleted WhatsApp Messages
Whereas WhatsApp does not have deleted messages reading officially supported, certain workarounds and methods are available depending on your platform and preference.
Whether it is restoring backups and notification logs or exploring browser-based solutions or third-party applications, you can get deleted content in most cases with some work.
But always keep privacy considerations in mind, especially when using outside aid. Remember, deleted texts are sometimes meant to stay deleted — so use that information wisely and ethically.
You’re an Android devotee or an iPhone zealot, now you know the secret to being one up when those teasing “This message was deleted” texts arrive.
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Nabamita Sinha
Nabamita Sinha loves to write about lifestyle and pop-culture. In her free time, she loves to watch movies and TV series and experiment with food. Her favorite niche topics are fashion, lifestyle, travel, and gossip content. Her style of writing is creative and quirky.
