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BenjaminBlaze's avatar
BenjaminBlaze
Iron Contributor
Jan 09, 2025

How do I recover deleted whatsapp messages on iPhone?

Hello everyone! Recently, I encountered a terrible thing. I accidentally deleted WhatsApp chat records on iphone that are very important to me. I was really anxious! 😭 I am using an iPhone now, and I only have a Windows 11 computer. I checked some recovery methods, but I am not sure which ones are reliable. I am afraid that I will not be able to recover whatsapp messages from iPhone after a long time, and it will waste time.

My current situation:

I have never manually backed up WhatsApp, but I heard that iCloud may have automatic backups?
I tried to reinstall WhatsApp, but it prompted that I had no backup to restore. I was really confused.
I want to know if I can use a computer or other software to retrieve it? The data is very important to me.
Is there any friend who knows how to guide me in detail, whether these deleted chat records can be restored using Windows 11?

  • For example, what tools to use?
  • Are there any specific steps?
  • Is the success rate high?

I really appreciate your help, please! 🙏

  • sainlara's avatar
    sainlara
    Copper Contributor

    While iCloud does offer automatic backups for iPhones, if you never manually backed up your chats, recovering them can be tricky. Since you don’t have a backup, using third-party software might be your best option to recover the deleted WhatsApp messages from your iPhone.

    Here’s a general guide to follow:

    Check iCloud: If you haven’t already, double-check your iCloud settings to see if there’s an automatic backup you weren’t aware of. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup. If the backup exists, you can restore it from WhatsApp during reinstallation.

    Use Windows 11 Software: There are several third-party recovery tools that can help you recover deleted WhatsApp messages from your iPhone. 

    Success Rate: The success rate depends on how recently the data was deleted and whether it has been overwritten. The earlier you try recovering, the higher the chances of success.

    Additionally, if you're looking for a way to enhance your WhatsApp experience, you might consider trying MBWhatsApp, which offers more customization and features than the regular app. It’s available for download at https://mbwhat.download/, and could be a great option if you're looking for enhanced WhatsApp functionalities alongside recovering your messages.

    Good luck, and I hope you can recover those important chats soon!

  • LukaBaylor's avatar
    LukaBaylor
    Iron Contributor

    I accidentally deleted my WhatsApp chats on my iPhone, which were very important to me, and I was very anxious after deleting them. I heard that iCloud might have backups, but I never backed them up manually, so I wasn't sure if it would help me retrieve deleted WhatsApp messages from iPhone. To solve the problem as quickly as possible, I decided to try the iCloud recovery method.

    Steps in detail:

    1. Check if iCloud backup is turned on
    2. I turned on my iPhone and went to Settings > [My Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup.
    3. Double-check that iCloud Backup is turned on and check the time of the last backup.
    4. Key point: If the backup time was before the chats were deleted, then I have a chance to retrieve deleted WhatsApp messages from iPhone.
    5. Press and hold the WhatsApp icon and tap Delete App. Although I deleted the app, I know that the data is still stored in iCloud.
    6. Open the App Store, search for "WhatsApp", and re-download and install it.
    7. Log in and restore chat history
    8. After I installed it, I opened WhatsApp and entered my phone number.
    9. During the verification process, WhatsApp will automatically detect the backup in iCloud.
    10. If there is a backup, the system will pop up a prompt to "Restore chat history from iCloud backup". I clicked "Restore" without hesitation, and then patiently waited for the backup file to download. A few minutes later, all my chats were back!

    Notes:
    If iCloud backup has never been enabled, or the backup time is later than the chat history is deleted, this method may not help me retrieve deleted WhatsApp messages from iPhone. The recovery process will overwrite all current WhatsApp data, for example, my resent messages may disappear.

    Recovering via iCloud is a simple and convenient solution. No need to use third-party tools, as long as I enabled iCloud backup before and the backup time is appropriate, I can successfully retrieve the chat history. Using this method, I was finally able to retrieve deleted WhatsApp messages from iPhone, and important data was preserved!

  • Jesse_PooleL's avatar
    Jesse_PooleL
    Iron Contributor

    When it comes to recover deleted WhatsApp messages. Be super careful about which backup you’re restoring. If you go back to a backup that’s older than a week, you’ll lose newer messages too! Yikes! Always check the date on the backup first. I once restored an old backup only to find out I had lost new messages, including some epic memes. Funny at first, but definitely not cool in hindsight.

    Restoring from a backup needs space on your iPhone. Running out of space is a common mistake, and you’ll just end up stuck in backup limbo. Before you do anything, head to Settings > General > iPhone Storage to see if you’ve got enough space to restore.

    Definitely steer clear of sketchy recovery apps. While there are some legit ones out there, there are also many that could do more harm than good, like messing with your phone’s data or, worse, stealing it. Always research and find trustworthy software. I’ve tried a couple of questionable apps in the past, and it was a total waste of time. Go for ones with solid reviews and recommendations!

    If you decide to export chats, make sure you understand that this only works with messages that are still in the chat. Be mindful of where you save that exported chat—don’t just fling it into some random folder and forget about it! I’ve lost track of exports before, only to realize later that important messages were just sitting in my downloads folder! A little organization goes a long way!

  • Eimerson's avatar
    Eimerson
    Iron Contributor

    Recovering deleted WhatsApp messages on an iPhone can be a challenging process, especially if you have never manually backed up your chats. However, here are a few methods you can try to recover your deleted WhatsApp messages:

    1. Check iCloud for WhatsApp Backups

    If you have iCloud backup enabled, WhatsApp may have automatically backed up your chat history. Follow these steps to check:

    Check iCloud Backup Settings:

    • Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups.
    • Select your iPhone from the list and check if WhatsApp is included in the backup.

    Restore from iCloud Backup:

    • Uninstall and then reinstall WhatsApp from the App Store.
    • Open WhatsApp and verify your phone number.
    • When prompted, tap Restore Chat History to recover from iCloud.

     

    2. Restore from iTunes Backup

    If you have previously backed up your iPhone to your Windows computer using iTunes, you may be able to recover your WhatsApp messages from there.

    • Check for iTunes Backups:
    • Open iTunes on your Windows 11 computer.
    • Connect your iPhone and select it in iTunes.
    • Click on Summary and then Restore Backup to select a backup that may contain your WhatsApp data.

     

    Success rates can vary considerably based on factors like how much time has elapsed since the messages were deleted, whether the iPhone has been used since then, and the software you choose to use. Some users have had success using third-party recovery tools, while others may not find their messages.

    When you delete messages and you want to recover deleted WhatApp messages on iPhone, they may still be on your device until they are overwritten. The longer you use your phone after deletion, the lower the chances of recovery. Regularly back up your important data in the future to avoid similar situations. You can manually back up WhatsApp chats in the app settings as well.

  • Several third-party tools claim to recover deleted WhatsApp messages without needing a backup. 

    Step 1: Choose a reputable recovery tool and install it on your computer.

    Step 2: Use a USB cable to connect your iPhone to the computer.

    Step 3: Follow the software’s instructions to scan your device for deleted WhatsApp messages.

    Step 4: Once the scan is complete, preview the recoverable messages and select the ones you wish to restore.

    If you use other backup services or have multiple devices synced with WhatsApp, there might be copies of your messages elsewhere. For example, if you have WhatsApp on another iOS device or if you’ve used services like Google Drive (though primarily for Android), check those platforms for backups. This is the best way to recover deleted WhatsApp messages from iPhone.

    To minimize the risk of losing important WhatsApp messages in the future, consider the following:

    Go to WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat Backup. Set up automatic backups to iCloud with your preferred frequency. Perform manual backups before making significant changes to your device or WhatsApp. For crucial conversations, use the Export Chat feature to save them outside of WhatsApp.

    Final Notes

    Time Sensitivity: The sooner you attempt recovery after deletion, the higher the chances of success, especially if using third-party software.

    Data Overwrite: Avoid using WhatsApp extensively after deletion, as new data can overwrite the space where deleted messages are stored, making recovery difficult.

    If you’re uncomfortable performing these steps yourself, consider reaching out to Apple Support or a professional data recovery service for assistance.

  • Nobel_Baynes's avatar
    Nobel_Baynes
    Iron Contributor

    Recovering deleted WhatsApp messages on an iPhone can be achieved through several methods. Below are the most effective approaches:

    Method 1: Restore from iCloud Backup

    WhatsApp can back up your chat history to iCloud daily, weekly, or monthly. If you have a backup that contains the deleted messages, you can restore it. Note: Restoring from a backup will replace your current WhatsApp data with the data from the backup date, potentially causing you to lose newer messages.

    1. Open WhatsApp. Go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup. Verify the date of the last backup to ensure it contains the deleted messages.
    2. Press and hold the WhatsApp icon on your home screen. Tap Remove App > Delete App > Delete. Go to the App Store, search for WhatsApp, and reinstall it.
    3. Open WhatsApp and verify your phone number.
      When prompted, tap Restore Chat History to initiate the restoration from iCloud.

    Method 2: Restore from an iTunes Backup

    If you regularly back up your iPhone to your computer using iTunes (on Windows or older macOS versions) or Finder (on macOS Catalina and later), you can restore your entire iPhone from a backup that includes your WhatsApp data.

    1. Use a USB cable to connect your iPhone to the computer you normally sync with.
    2. Click on the iPhone icon in the top-left corner.
    3. Click Restore Backup.
    4. Choose a backup that predates the deletion of your WhatsApp messages.
    5. Click Restore and wait for the process to complete.

    Important: This method for recovering deleted whatsapp messages on iPhone will revert your entire iPhone to the state it was in at the time of the backup, which may result in the loss of data added after the backup date.

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