When a message is deleted in WhatsApp, it disappears from the chat history for all participants in the conversation. However, there are a few exceptions where deleted messages may still be accessible:
Deleted messages stored on device
When a message is deleted in WhatsApp, it is immediately removed from the chat history stored on WhatsApp’s servers. However, the message may still be present in the local chat history stored on the sender’s and recipients’ devices.
WhatsApp stores chat history locally on each user’s device. When a message is deleted, WhatsApp sends a request to all devices to also delete the message from local storage. But if any device does not receive the delete request, for example due to being offline, the message remains visible in the local chat history on that device.
So if you delete a message you sent, the recipient may still be able to see it in their chat history if their device did not get the delete notification. And if someone deletes a message they sent you, you may still find it on your device if you were offline at the time.
Backups include deleted messages
WhatsApp allows users to create backups of their chat history. These backups include messages that were subsequently deleted from the chat. So if you restore a backup, deleted messages may reappear in the chat history again.
Backups can be created locally on the user’s device, like on iPhone through iCloud backup. They can also be saved to external services like Google Drive for Android users. In both cases, any messages that were deleted after the last backup was created will be present if that backup is restored.
Third-party apps can access deleted messages
There are some third-party apps available that claim to be able to recover deleted WhatsApp messages from a device. They work by accessing the locally stored chat history database files before the delete request has been processed.
The legitimacy and effectiveness of such apps is questionable. Official access to deleted messages is not supposed to be possible through the WhatsApp API. However, they demonstrate that there is a window where deleted messages may still be accessible on a device by unofficial means.
When are deleted messages completely erased?
For a deleted WhatsApp message to be completely erased from all chat histories, the following needs to happen:
- The message must be successfully deleted from WhatsApp’s server.
- All recipients must receive and process the delete request so the message is removed from their local chat history.
- The sender and recipients should not have any backups containing the now-deleted message.
As long as any of these conditions are not met, there is a chance the deleted message may still be retrievable from someone’s chat history.
How long do deleted messages stick around?
There is no definitive answer for how long a deleted WhatsApp message may be recoverable. Here are some factors that influence it:
- Network connection – Offline devices won’t receive delete notifications, leading deleted messages to persist locally.
- Frequency of backups – Backups create snapshots preserving deleted messages until overwritten.
- Third-party apps – Can potentially access deleted messages before they’re fully erased.
- Device storage limits – Older chats may be automatically deleted to save space.
So while WhatsApp tries to remove all traces of deleted messages, there are scenarios where they may be viewable from hours to weeks to months later if the right conditions exist.
Can WhatsApp admins see deleted messages?
In WhatsApp groups, admins have some privileges over other members but they do not have access to deleted messages. When a user deletes a message they sent in a group, it is removed from the chat history for everyone – including admins.
Group admins cannot see messages that have been deleted by a member. However, the same caveats apply. If an admin’s device did not receive the delete notification, the message may persist in their local chat history. Or if they restore an older backup, deleted messages may reappear.
Summary
- Deleted WhatsApp messages are removed from server history but may still be on user devices.
- Backups and third-party apps can sometimes access deleted messages.
- Full deletion requires removing locally stored copies and any backups.
- There’s no definite timeframe for recoverability of deleted messages.
- Group admins have no special powers to see deleted messages.
While WhatsApp tries to erase all traces of deletions, loopholes exist where deleted messages may be visible. Users should be aware that deletions are not guaranteed to be permanent, so sensitive chats may still be discoverable.