WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, allowing users to easily communicate via text, calls, video chats, and voice messages. However, there may be times when you accidentally delete a WhatsApp voice message that you wanted to keep. The good news is there are a few different methods you can try to recover deleted WhatsApp recordings.
Can I recover deleted WhatsApp voice messages?
Yes, it is possible to recover deleted WhatsApp audio recordings in many cases. However, it depends on a few key factors:
- How long ago the message was deleted – The sooner you try to recover the deleted recording, the better
- If you have a backup of WhatsApp – Backups can help restore deleted recordings
- Your phone model and operating system – The process differs across iOS, Android, etc
- Whether the message was deleted just for you or for everyone – “Delete for everyone” messages are harder to recover
As long as the WhatsApp recording has not been overwritten by new data, there is a good chance you can retrieve it with the right tools and techniques.
How to recover deleted WhatsApp recordings on Android
Here are the best methods to try for recovering deleted WhatsApp voice messages on Android phones:
Method 1: Restore from Google Drive Backup
WhatsApp automatically backs up your messages and media to Google Drive on a regular basis, as long as you have backup enabled. So you may be able to restore an old backup that contains the deleted WhatsApp recording:
- Open WhatsApp and tap the 3-dot menu in the top right
- Go to Settings > Chats > Chat backup
- Tap “Backup” to create a new backup, then “Restore” to select an older backup version with your recording
- Verify the deleted recording is restored, then create a new backup to save the restored chat history
Method 2: Use Android File Recovery Software
If you don’t have a backup that contains the deleted WhatsApp audio message, you may still be able to recover it from your Android device’s internal storage or SD card using data recovery software. Here are some recommended options:
| Software | Key Features |
|---|---|
| DiskDigger | Free app that can dig up deleted files from Android’s internal memory or external SD card |
| EaseUS MobiSaver | Recovers lost data and rebuilds entire WhatsApp history from Android phones & SD cards |
| FoneDog Android Data Recovery | Scans device thoroughly to find deleted WhatsApp voice messages and recover them |
The basic process involves:
- Download and install the Android file recovery app on a computer
- Allow USB debugging access on your Android device and connect it to the computer
- Scan the phone’s storage using the file recovery app
- Preview and selectively recover any found WhatsApp voice recordings
Method 3: Extract from WhatsApp Database Files
With root access on Android, you can directly access WhatsApp’s database files and extract deleted recordings. This method involves:
- Root your Android device
- Install an Android file explorer with root access
- Navigate to the WhatsApp database folder: /data/data/com.whatsapp/databases
- Pull the msgstore.db.crypt12 file and decrypt it with WhatsApp Viewer tools
- Search the decrypted database to find and extract your deleted recording
This method is advanced and risks data loss if not done properly. But it can potentially recover deleted files even if overwritten on device storage.
How to recover deleted WhatsApp recordings on iPhone
For iOS devices, here are the top options for WhatsApp voice message recovery:
Method 1: Restore from iCloud Backup
As with Android, iCloud backups can help restore deleted files on iPhone. Follow these steps:
- Go to iPhone Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups
- Tap on your device and select “Restore” to choose an older backup date
- Verify the deleted WhatsApp recording is restored after the process completes
- Create a new up-to-date iCloud backup to save the restored data
Method 2: Use iPhone Data Recovery Software
IOS data recovery apps provide an alternative route to restore deleted WhatsApp voice messages from iPhone storage or iTunes/iCloud backups. Some top options include:
| Software | Key Features |
|---|---|
| FoneDog Toolkit | Recovers deleted WhatsApp history from iOS devices & iTunes/iCloud backups |
| iMyFone iBypasser | WhatsApp recovery tool for iOS devices using advanced scanning algorithms |
| EaseUS MobiSaver | Restores deleted WhatsApp recordings from iPhone memory or iTunes/iCloud backup files |
The overall recovery process includes:
- Download and install the iOS recovery software on your computer
- Connect your iPhone to the computer and grant data access if prompted
- Scan for deleted files or select an iTunes/iCloud backup as the data source
- Preview found files and selectively recover deleted WhatsApp recordings
Method 3: Scan iTunes or iCloud Backups Directly
You can browse and restore deleted files directly from iTunes or iCloud backups saved on your computer, without special software. The steps include:
- Locate the iTunes backup folder on your computer or download iCloud backups
- Use a zip extractor tool to unpack the backup files
- Browse the unpacked files and folders to find deleted WhatsApp recordings
- Copy the restored recordings back to your iPhone storage or a new backup
This requires some technical skills to dig through backup files, but gets around any limitations of recovery apps.
Tips to avoid losing WhatsApp recordings
To avoid having to recover deleted WhatsApp audio in the future, keep these tips in mind:
- Enable auto backup in WhatsApp settings so your messages are regularly saved to the cloud
- Export important WhatsApp recordings to external storage or your computer for safekeeping
- Be careful when deleting messages to avoid removing ones you want to keep
- Install a file recovery app so you can attempt to restore any accidental deletions
- Back up your device or WhatsApp data before doing a factory reset or OS update
Conclusion
Recovering deleted WhatsApp audio clips is often possible with the right tools and techniques. The most effective methods involve restoring from an existing chat backup, using Android/iOS file recovery software, or extracting WhatsApp databases directly. Acting quickly before new data overwrites the deleted files also improves your chances. With a regular backup routine and some recovery precautions in place, you can mitigate the risk of ever permanently losing important WhatsApp recordings.