Whatsapp has become one of the most popular instant messaging applications today. It is available on different platforms, including Whatsapp Web. Many users rely on this platform to communicate with their friends, families, and colleagues from their desktop or laptop computers. However, there are times when you accidentally delete a message or a conversation and you want to retrieve it. This blog post will guide you on how to check deleted messages on Whatsapp Web.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
To check deleted messages on Whatsapp Web, you need the following:
- A desktop or laptop computer
- An internet connection
- A web browser (like Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Mozilla Firefox)
- A Whatsapp account connected to Whatsapp Web
- Patience and attention to detail
What Requires Your Focus?
Before proceeding with the steps on how to check deleted messages on Whatsapp Web, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind:
- Once you delete a message or a conversation on Whatsapp, it is permanently deleted from your phone. However, it may still be available on the receiver’s phone or on the backup files (if you have enabled Whatsapp backup).
- Checking deleted messages on Whatsapp Web can be time-consuming, especially if you have lots of conversations and messages to go through.
- There is no guarantee that you can recover all the deleted messages, especially if you have deleted them a long time ago or if they have been overwritten by new messages.
- Make sure to follow the steps carefully to avoid any mistakes that may result in data loss or corruption.
Method 1: Using the Archived Chats Feature
One of the easiest ways to check deleted messages on Whatsapp Web is by using the Archived Chats feature. This feature allows you to find and view chats that you have archived or hidden from your main chats list. Here are the steps to follow:
- Open your web browser and go to Whatsapp Web (web.whatsapp.com).
- Scan the QR code on the screen using your Whatsapp mobile app to log in to Whatsapp Web.
- Look for the "Archived" section on the left-hand side of the screen and click on it to expand it.
- You should see a list of all your archived chats. Look for the chat or message that you want to retrieve and click on it to open it.
- If the chat or message is still available (i.e., it has not been deleted), you should be able to view it and any attached files or media.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Can retrieve messages that have been archived or hidden
- No need to install third-party software
Cons:
- Cannot retrieve messages that have been permanently deleted
- May miss some messages or conversations if they were not archived or hidden
Method 2: Using the Backup Files
Another way to check deleted messages on Whatsapp Web is by using the backup files. Whatsapp automatically backs up your chats and media to your phone’s internal storage or cloud storage (like Google Drive or iCloud). You can restore these backup files to a new phone or to your computer using third-party software. Here are the steps to follow:
- Close your web browser and make sure that your Whatsapp mobile app is up-to-date.
- Open your Whatsapp mobile app and go to "Settings" > "Chats" > "Chat backup".
- Make sure that your backup settings are set to your preferences (like the backup frequency and backup destination).
- Tap on "Back Up Now" to manually back up your chats and media to your internal storage or cloud storage.
- Download and install a third-party backup extractor software on your computer (like EaseUS MobiSaver or Dr. Fone).
- Connect your phone to your computer and run the backup extractor software.
- Select the Whatsapp backup file that you want to recover and click on "Scan" to start the scanning process.
- Once the scanning process is complete, you should be able to see a list of all your Whatsapp chats and media that are available to retrieve.
- Select the chat or message that you want to retrieve and click on "Recover" to save it to your computer.
- Open your web browser and go to Whatsapp Web (web.whatsapp.com).
- Scan the QR code on the screen using your Whatsapp mobile app to log in to Whatsapp Web.
- Open the chat where you want to retrieve the deleted message and click on the paperclip icon to open the media gallery.
- Select the recovered message or file that you want to send and click on "Send" to share it with your contact.
Pros:
- Can retrieve messages that have been deleted from your phone
- Can retrieve messages from backup files that are stored on your local or cloud storage
- No need to manually search for the deleted messages
Cons:
- Requires the installation of third-party software
- May not be able to retrieve all the deleted messages, especially if they have been overwritten or replaced by new messages
- May take some time to complete the scanning process
Method 3: Using the Notification History
The Notification History feature on your Android phone allows you to view a list of recent notifications that you have received, even if you have dismissed or deleted them from your notification bar. This can be useful for retrieving deleted messages on Whatsapp Web that were not backed up or archived. Here are the steps to follow:
- Go to "Settings" on your Android phone and scroll down to "Apps and Notifications".
- Tap on "Notification History" to open the notification log.
- Look for the notification from Whatsapp that you want to retrieve and tap on it to expand it.
- If the message is still available (i.e., it has not been deleted), you should be able to read it and any attached files or media.
- If the message is not available, you may need to try one of the previous methods or use a third-party software to recover it.
Pros:
- Can retrieve messages that have been deleted from your notification bar
- No need to install third-party software
- Only requires access to your Android phone
Cons:
- Cannot retrieve messages that were not displayed as notifications
- May not be able to retrieve all the deleted messages, especially if they have been overwritten or replaced by new messages
- May require some time to scroll through the notification history log
Why Can’t I Check Deleted Messages on Whatsapp Web?
There may be several reasons why you cannot check deleted messages on Whatsapp Web. Here are some of them and the fixes:
- The message was permanently deleted from your phone. If you have deleted the message from your phone, you cannot retrieve it from Whatsapp Web. Make sure to backup your chats and media regularly to avoid losing important messages.
- The message was deleted a long time ago. Whatsapp backups are usually overwritten after a certain period, depending on your backup settings. If you have deleted the message a long time ago, it may not be available in your recent backups.
- The message was not backed up. If you have not enabled Whatsapp backup or if the backup settings are not properly set up, your messages may not be backed up to your phone’s storage or cloud storage.
- The message was not displayed as a notification. If you have disabled Whatsapp notifications or if the message was not displayed as a notification, you may not be able to retrieve it from the notification log.
Implications and Recommendations
Checking deleted messages on Whatsapp Web can be a daunting task, especially if you have lots of conversations and messages to go through. It may also not be possible to retrieve all the deleted messages, especially if they have been deleted a long time ago or if they have been overwritten by new messages. To avoid losing important messages, it is recommended that you backup your chats and media regularly and enable the automatic backup feature. You can also use a third-party software to recover deleted messages, but make sure to download them from a trusted source and follow the instructions carefully to avoid data loss or corruption.
FAQs
Q: Can I retrieve deleted messages on Whatsapp Web without backup?
A: It depends on the availability of the deleted messages on your phone’s storage. If the messages have not been permanently deleted or overwritten, you may be able to retrieve them using third-party software or the notification log.
Q: How long does Whatsapp keep deleted messages?
A: Whatsapp keeps deleted messages for a short period, depending on your backup settings. By default, Whatsapp backups are overwritten every 7 days, but you can adjust the frequency and destination of the backups in the Settings menu.
Q: Can I recover deleted messages on Whatsapp Web using my iPhone?
A: No, Whatsapp Web is only available on desktop and laptop computers using web browsers. If you want to recover deleted messages on your iPhone, you can use the same methods explained in this blog post, but using the Whatsapp mobile app instead of Whatsapp Web.
Q: Can I recover deleted media files (like photos and videos) on Whatsapp Web?
A: Yes, you can recover deleted media files on Whatsapp Web using the same methods explained in this blog post. Just make sure to select the correct file type when using third-party software to recover the files.
Q: Is it legal to recover deleted messages on Whatsapp Web?
A: Yes, it is legal to recover deleted messages on Whatsapp Web, as long as you have the legal right to access the messages (like if they were sent to you or if you have the consent of the sender). However, make sure not to use any third-party software or methods that may violate the terms and conditions of Whatsapp or infringe on the privacy of other users.