WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps used by over a billion people worldwide. It allows users to send messages, exchange photos/videos, make voice/video calls etc. One useful feature of WhatsApp is the ability to delete sent messages. If you delete a message just for yourself, the recipient can still see it. However, if you use the ‘Delete for everyone’ option, the message will be removed from both sides.
But is it possible to recover messages deleted for everyone on WhatsApp from the recipient’s side? Especially on iPhones, since iOS data recovery is trickier than Android. Well the answer is yes, it is possible to retrieve deleted WhatsApp messages for everyone on iPhone with a few methods.
In this comprehensive guide, we will show you exactly how to recover deleted WhatsApp messages that were erased for everyone on iPhone:
Overview of Methods to Recover Deleted WhatsApp Messages from iPhone
There are a handful of methods that can be used to retrieve deleted WhatsApp messages on iPhone, here is a quick overview:
| Method | How it Works | Success Rate |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone Data Recovery Software | Scans iPhone backup on PC/Mac to extract deleted WhatsApp data including messages, photos, videos etc. | High success rate if backup is available. |
| iCloud Backup Extractor | Downloads iCloud backup to computer and extracts WhatsApp data from it. | Works only if iCloud backup exists. |
| Local WhatsApp Backup Extraction | Accesses local WhatsApp backup files on iPhone and extracts deleted messages from it. | Moderate success rate. |
| WhatsApp Chat History from Google Drive | Downloads WhatsApp backup from linked Google Drive account to access chat history. | Only works if Google Drive backup exists. |
As you can see, most methods rely on accessing a backup of WhatsApp data to recover deleted messages. The iPhone data recovery software method has the highest success rate overall.
Next, we will explore each of these techniques in detail and guide you through the step-by-step process to follow for each method.
Method 1: Use iPhone Data Recovery Software
This method involves using trusted third-party iOS data recovery software that can extract lost or deleted data from iPhone backups. Here are the key steps to follow:
Step 1.) Install iPhone Data Recovery Software on PC/Mac
First and foremost, you need to download and install a reliable iPhone data recovery program on your Windows PC or Mac computer. We recommend using iSkysoft Toolbox – Data Recovery (for Windows) or iSkysoft Toolbox – Data Recovery (for Mac).
These are professionally designed data recovery apps with a high success rate for retrieving deleted iPhone files including WhatsApp messages.
Step 2.) Connect iPhone to Computer
Now connect your iPhone to the computer using the USB cable provided with the device. This allows the data recovery software to detect your iPhone model and gain access to its data.
If prompted, agree to Trust the computer on your iPhone screen to establish connectivity.
Step 3.) Select WhatsApp Recovery Mode
Once your iPhone is detected by the program, select the ‘Recover from iOS Device’ or ‘Recover from iTunes Backup File’ mode. This enters the data recovery workflow.
Next, go to the section for recovering WhatsApp data. The software scans your iPhone or connected iTunes backup for deleted WhatsApp messages and attachments.
Step 4.) Scan and Preview Recoverable WhatsApp Data
Wait a few minutes for the software scan to complete. After this, it will display all the recoverable WhatsApp messages and media files.
You can use the filter options to narrow down your search results. Click on individual items to preview its content.
Step 5.) Recover Deleted WhatsApp Messages
Finally, select all the WhatsApp messages you wish to get back. These could include deleted text messages or WhatsApp media such as photos, videos and voice clips.
Click on the ‘Recover’ button to restore and save the deleted WhatsApp data to your computer.
And that’s it! The key data recovery steps to follow for seamless recovery of erased WhatsApp messages using data recovery software.
Method 2: Retrieve from iCloud Backup Using iCloud Backup Extractor
Since WhatsApp data is included in iPhone backups saved to iCloud, you can use an iCloud backup extractor tool to access and restore deleted WhatsApp messages from iCloud. Here is how to do it:
Step 1.) Download iCloud Backup Extractor Software
Visit the official website of an iCloud backup extractor tool like iBackup Extractor on your Windows PC or Mac. Then download and install the software.
Step 2.) Download iCloud Backup to Computer
Run the iCloud backup extractor program and log into your iCloud account using Apple ID credentials when prompted.
Then select the backup you wish to download from which the WhatsApp data will be extracted. Tap on ‘Download’ to get the backup on computer.
Step 3.) Extract WhatsApp Data from iCloud Backup
Once the iCloud backup is downloaded, the software will list all the supported apps and data types that can be extracted.
Go to the WhatsApp section and click on ‘Extract’ to export deleted WhatsApp messages, photos, videos and other files to your computer.
Step 4.) Save Extracted WhatsApp Data
Now simply browse through the extracted WhatsApp data and select the messages or files you wish to recover.
Choose a folder to save the retrieved WhatsApp messages and media to on the computer.
Step 5.) Transfer Back to iPhone (Optional)
Lastly, transfer the recovered WhatsApp data from computer to iPhone if needed. You can sync iPhone to computer or use AirDrop to send files.
This iCloud extraction method is quite effective for recovering deleted WhatsApp messages, provided an iCloud backup exists and you remember the associated Apple ID.
Method 3: Extract WhatsApp from Local Backup on iPhone
Aside from iCloud, WhatsApp also maintains local on-device backups on the iPhone. You can directly access this iPhone WhatsApp backup and view deleted messages. Here is a step-by-step explanation:
Step 1.) Locate WhatsApp Backups on iPhone
On your iPhone, go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup. Here you can see when the last backup was created.
Tap on ‘Backup’ to force manual backup of WhatsApp chats. This updates the local backup with latest data.
Step 2.) Connect iPhone to Computer
With the latest WhatsApp backup created on iPhone, now connect the device to your PC or Mac with a USB cable.
Step 3.) Access File System on iPhone
Launch a file explorer tool like iExplorer on the computer. Use it to access the file system and data folders on your connected iPhone.
Go to the WhatsApp backups folder location on iPhone – WhatsApp/Databases.
Step 4.) Find Latest WhatsApp Backup File
In the Databases folder, look for the LATEST WhatsApp backup file. It will be named msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt12.
Step 5.) Extract Messages from Backup File
Once you locate the latest WhatsApp backup file, copy it from the iPhone to your computer.
Now use a decrypting tool like Crypt12 to convert and decrypt this WhatsApp backup file.
Finally, use a SQLite editor to open the decrypted backup and view all WhatsApp messages including deleted ones.
Step 6.) Recover Deleted Messages
Browse through the backup content and search for the deleted WhatsApp message you need to retrieve.
Copy the messages you wish to recover and export them as text files to your computer.
Method 4: Restore from Google Drive Backup
Many iPhone users choose to backup WhatsApp chats to linked Google Drive accounts. If you had done the same, then here is how to restore deleted WhatsApp messages using Google Drive:
Step 1.) Check Google Drive Backup
On WhatsApp, go to Settings – Chats – Chat Backup. Check if Google Drive backup is configured and last backup date.
You need the associated Google account details to download backup from Drive.
Step 2.) Download Google Drive Backup
Sign in to Google Drive from any browser. Check the app folder for any WhatsApp backup files.
Tap to download the needed WhatsApp Chat backup to your computer.
Step 3.) Extract Backup File
Unzip the downloaded ‘msgstore.db.crypt’ WhatsApp backup file from Google Drive.
You need the encryption key to decrypt this backup file. It is usually in ‘key’ file.
Step 4.) View Chat History
Once decrypted, use a SQLite tool to view contents of WhatsApp backup – messages, chats, media files etc.
Search for the deleted WhatsApp message and extract it out.
Step 5.) Recover Deleted WhatsApp Messages
Finally, save the deleted WhatsApp messages, chats or media files that you retrieved from the Google Drive backup.
Transfer them from computer to iPhone if needed.
So in summary, this method leverages your existing Google Drive based WhatsApp backup to recover any messages deleted for everyone.
Bonus Tips
Apart from the main methods, here are some bonus tips related to recovering deleted WhatsApp messages on iPhone:
Enable Chat History in iCloud
To improve your chances of recovering deleted WhatsApp messages from iCloud, enable WhatsApp chat history backup in iCloud settings:
Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Apps Using iCloud > WhatsApp > Toggle ON.
Create Local Backup Before Message Deletion
If you know a message is about to be deleted for everyone, quickly create a local iPhone backup via WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat Backup.
This preserves the message in backup before it is deleted.
Act Quickly to Stop Data Overwrites
As time passes, newer WhatsApp data may overwrite the deleted messages in backup files. So act quickly to recover deleted data before it is permanently overwritten.
Retrieve Deleted Message Notifications from iPhone
Even if the message content is unavailable, you can still view message notifications in iPhone Notification Log which includes sender details.
View Message Previews in Notification Shade
For recently deleted WhatsApp messages, check notification shade for any message previews that may be available.
Retrieve from iCloud Website
Log into iCloud.com from any browser to check if deleted WhatsApp messages appear in iCloud backup preview of Messages app.
Conclusion
To wrap it up, here are the key takeaways:
– It is possible to recover deleted WhatsApp messages for everyone from iPhone using data recovery apps, iCloud extractor tools, WhatsApp local backup files or Google Drive backup extraction.
– Having an existing backup of WhatsApp data is crucial for retrieving deleted messages.
– iPhone data recovery software offer the highest success rates for undeleting WhatsApp messages due to advanced scanning algorithms.
– For latest deletions, method 3 works best by accessing on-device WhatsApp backup before it is overwritten.
– Enable WhatsApp chat history backup in iCloud and Google Drive to improve recoverability of deleted messages in future.
So in conclusion, what is deleted from WhatsApp can still be recovered by following the right methods as outlined in detail in this article. Use these guidelines to get back your important deleted WhatsApp messages, chats, photos, videos and more on iPhone.