Many WhatsApp users have faced the frustration of having a message deleted before they get a chance to read it. This can happen for benign reasons, like the sender deciding the message wasn’t important after all. But it can also occur in more serious contexts, like someone deleting a message that contains evidence relevant to a dispute.
In these cases, being able to retrieve or view deleted WhatsApp messages would be extremely useful. So a common question arises: is there an app that lets you see deleted WhatsApp messages?
Why Do People Want to View Deleted WhatsApp Messages?
There are several motivations for wanting to view deleted WhatsApp messages:
- Curiosity – People are naturally curious and want to know what was said, even if the sender regretted it later.
- Relationship Trust Issues – Suspecting a partner deleted messages can undermine trust in a relationship.
- Workplace Monitoring – Employers may want to monitor questionable messages deleted by employees.
- Legal Proof – Deleted messages could contain important evidence for lawsuits and other legal issues.
The desire to see deleted messages often comes from feeling left out of the loop or needing confirmation of something that was said. Though occasionally dubious in intent, this interest is understandable in the right context.
Is It Possible to View Deleted WhatsApp Messages?
The default behavior of WhatsApp does not allow users to view deleted messages. When a sender deletes a WhatsApp message, the content is removed from the app’s servers and becomes inaccessible to recipients.
However, there are a few ways determined users can recover deleted WhatsApp messages:
1. Third-Party Apps
Several apps available for download claim they can allow you to view deleted WhatsApp messages. Examples include WhatsRemoved+, WAMR, and iMyFone for WhatsApp.
These apps work by accessing your device’s local WhatsApp backups and logs. They search for remnants of deleted messages that may not have been completely wiped from your phone’s storage.
The effectiveness of these apps can vary across devices and how promptly deletions occurred. But they provide an option for anyone highly motivated to resurrect deleted WhatsApp messages.
2. WhatsApp Business API
WhatsApp offers a Business API that enables businesses to interact with customers via WhatsApp. One feature of this API is the ability to retrieve deleted messages if enabled by businesses before messages are deleted.
However, this retrieval capability is only available to approved business accounts, not personal consumers. And the business must have the foresight to activate this setting ahead of time.
3. Google Drive Backups
WhatsApp gives users the option to regularly back up their message history to Google Drive. These backups happen by default unless disabled.
By restoring an older backup from Google Drive, it’s possible to access WhatsApp messages that were deleted after the last backup occurred. But this only works if the messages were not already deleted at the time of the last backup.
4. Physical Access to Sender’s Phone
If you have physical access to the phone of the person who deleted a WhatsApp message you want to view, it may be possible to retrieve it from their device’s local storage and backups.
But this requires temporary access to their phone and knowledge of how to access backups and logs. It also raises privacy concerns about accessing others’ devices without consent.
Key Factors and Considerations
When trying to view deleted WhatsApp messages through any technique, keep these key factors in mind:
Timeliness
The sooner you attempt to retrieve a deleted WhatsApp message, the more likely recovery will be possible. As time passes, local device records and backups tend to clear a deleted message’s traces. Act quickly for highest success rates.
Device Type
Due to variances in how devices store data, the recovery success for deleted WhatsApp messages can vary across iPhones, Android phones, and other devices. Certain techniques may work better on some devices.
Ethical Usage
While you may have valid reasons to want to see deleted messages, consider how the sender would feel about you accessing messages they chose to delete. Be thoughtful before taking invasive measures.
WhatsApp Security
WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption and other security measures that safeguard user privacy. Efforts to view deleted messages can potentially go around these protections, requiring careful handling of any data obtained.
Top Apps That Claim to Recover Deleted WhatsApp Messages
Based on reviews and capabilities, these apps currently lead the market for attempting to restore deleted WhatsApp messages:
1. iMyFone for WhatsApp
- Claims to recover deleted WhatsApp messages from iOS and Android devices.
- Allows preview of recoverable deleted messages.
- Reviews suggest mixed but overall decent success rate.
- Pricing tiers range from $15 to $50 based on device type.
2. Fonelab for WhatsApp
- Another recovery app claiming to retrieve deleted WhatsApp messages from various mobile devices.
- Provides a free trial so users can preview recoverable messages.
- Requires root access for deepest data recovery from Android phones.
- Subscription plans range from $29 to $49 per month.
3. Dr.Fone – WhatsApp Recovery
- Dr.Fone is a popular data recovery suite with a WhatsApp recovery module.
- Scans local iOS and Android device storage for deleted WhatsApp messages.
- Highest price among top apps at $139 for lifetime use on one device.
- Positive reviews praise Dr.Fone’s deep scanning capabilities.
Guide to Using iMyFone to View Deleted WhatsApp Messages
Among the various apps claiming the ability to restore deleted WhatsApp messages, iMyFone is a popular choice with positive reviews. Here is a step-by-step guide to using iMyFone:
Step 1) Download and Install iMyFone
Go to the iMyFone website or app store and download the latest version of iMyFone WhatsApp Recovery to your computer. Install the software and launch the program.
Step 2) Connect Device to Computer
Connect your iPhone or Android phone to your computer using the appropriate USB cable. WhatsApp Recovery will detect and recognize your connected phone.
Step 3) Select WhatsApp Scanning Mode
The program will prompt you to select a scanning mode tailored to your specific device type and operating system. Follow the on-screen instructions.
Step 4) Preview and Select Deleted Messages
iMyFone will scan your device and display the deleted WhatsApp messages it can recover. Preview and select the messages you want to restore.
Step 5) Recover Deleted Messages
Once you’ve selected the desired deleted messages, click Recover and iMyFone will retrieve the deleted WhatsApp messages to your device or computer storage.
Step 6) Verify Restored Messages
Open WhatsApp on your phone and verify that the deleted messages were successfully recovered and restored through the iMyFone software.
Pros and Cons of Using WhatsApp Message Recovery Apps
If seeking to view deleted WhatsApp messages, using a dedicated recovery app provides some key advantages but also poses risks to weigh:
Pros
- Recover messages deleted even months or years ago.
- Often works even without a recent backup of messages.
- User-friendly interface requires minimal technical skill.
- Low monthly cost for top apps, or one-time fee.
Cons
- Varies in effectiveness across device types.
- Requires access to sender’s unlocked phone.
- Raises ethical concerns about privacy invasion.
- Malware risks if downloading from untrusted source.
Review these pros and cons carefully when deciding if using a third-party app is the right solution for your situation. Proceed thoughtfully and cautiously.
Legal Implications of Accessing Deleted WhatsApp Messages
While the capability exists to view deleted WhatsApp messages through various techniques, it’s also important to understand the potential legal implications involved:
Privacy Violations
Accessing someone’s deleted messages without their consent could violate privacy laws, especially if obtaining the messages requires hacking into locked devices or accounts.
Digital Trespassing
Attempting to recover deleted WhatsApp messages by uninstalling or altering apps, downloading unauthorized software, or accessing others’ accounts may break laws against digital trespassing.
Violating WhatsApp’s Terms
WhatsApp’s terms of service prohibit tampering with or reverse-engineering the app. Some message recovery techniques may breach their terms.
Evidence Inadmissibility
In legal proceedings, any unauthorized access to delete messages could make that recovered evidence inadmissible in court.
The legal system generally takes a dim view of extrajudicial self-help methods for obtaining disputed digital content. Caution and restraint is advised.
Ethical Considerations
Beyond legal concerns, attempting to access deleted WhatsApp messages also raises ethical issues to contemplate:
Respecting Privacy
If someone deletes a message, they likely wish to keep that information private. Circumventing this can feel like a boundary violation.
Maintaining Trust
Surreptitiously spying on someone’s deleted messages can damage relationships and undermine trust if discovered.
Having Honorable Motives
Why do you need to access the deleted messages? Make sure your reasons align with moral principles before taking action.
Obtaining Consent
Ideally, get permission from the sender before attempting recovery to avoid acting behind their back.
Like with any perceived unethical behavior, put yourself in the other person’s shoes. Strive for open communication and conflict resolution before resorting to more extreme measures.
When Accessing Deleted Messages May Be Justified
There are limited situations where attempting to view deleted WhatsApp messages could be deemed justifiable:
Criminal Investigations
Law enforcement may have valid cause to access deleted messages with proper legal authorization.
Workplace Harassment
Employers may need to retrieve harassing messages deleted by employees, with restrictions.
Ongoing Lawsuits
Deleted messages relevant to a legal case may be recoverable through court-sanctioned methods.
Minors at Risk
Parents may feel compelled to protect underage children from harmful deleted messages.
National Security
Intel agencies might argue combating threats warrants accessing deleted messages, with oversight.
But outside of pressing special circumstances with appropriate authority, accessing deleted WhatsApp messages will often tread an unethical line.
How Can I Prevent Someone From Viewing My Deleted WhatsApp Messages?
To help ensure your deleted WhatsApp messages cannot be recovered by others, here are some protective steps to take:
- Frequently update your WhatsApp version to the latest release which enhances privacy protections.
- Enable privacy settings like blocking screenshot captures within WhatsApp.
- Turn off Google Drive backups or clear those backup files regularly.
- Avoid connecting phone to questionable computers that may access local files.
- Install reputable antivirus software to guard against spyware or malware on your device.
- Set a password or fingerprint ID on your phone to prevent unauthorized physical access.
While not foolproof, these precautions help increase your security and minimize risks of unwanted eyes spying on your deleted WhatsApp messages.
Concluding Thoughts
Recovering deleted WhatsApp messages is possible through third-party apps, device backups, and other techniques – but success fully depends on timing, device type, and other variables. While regaining access to deleted messages may seem enticing, extreme caution is required to avoid illegal or unethical actions.
In most cases, respecting others’ privacy choices is the wisest route – and keeping your own deletions truly deleted takes some preventative measures. But with proper moral purpose and transparency, the capability to resurrect deleted WhatsApp messages does have its valid place in specific situations. Just be sure to tread this path carefully, thoughtfully, and ethically.