How to see deleted WhatsApp messages (Android & iPhone)

While you can’t see the deleted messages on WhatsApp, there are several workarounds you can use to obtain the messages the sender has removed from the chat. These methods come in handy when the deleted message contains crucial information that needs to be recovered for specific purposes. With that in mind, here’s a quick guide on how to view deleted WhatsApp messages on both Android smartphones and iPhones.

How to see deleted WhatsApp messages on Android without any app

WhatsApp doesn’t have a built-in feature that allows you to read deleted messages. However, if you have got an Android 11 or later device, you can read deleted WhatsApp messages without installing any app. Here’s how:

  • Open the Settings app and scroll down to find “Apps & Notifications.”
  • Tap the “Notifications” section.
    How to see deleted WhatsApp messages on Android
  • Tap “Notification history” and toggle the button next to ‘Use notification history’
    How to see deleted WhatsApp messages on Android
  • After this, all your future notifications, including WhatsApp messages (even if they are deleted by the sender), will appear on the page.

You will have to follow the same steps to read deleted WhatsApp messages every time. The messages will be stacked against all other notifications (anything from the last 24 hours). You can interact with the notification by tapping it, just as if it were in the phone’s pull-down notification shade. Do note that this method won’t let you recover the deleted media files.

How to see deleted WhatsApp messages on Android using a third-party app

In case, your mobile phone isn’t running Android 11 or a later version, you will have to download a third-party app like Notisave that keeps track of the phone’s notifications. Here’s how.

  • Go to Google Play Store and download an app that can keep a tab on notification history. Notisave is one of the nicest options. The app has the most number of downloads and respectable reviews.
    See Whatsapp deleted messages and media
  • The Notisave app will need access to read notifications, photos, media, and files. Also, toggle the auto-start option.
  • Once that’s done, the app will start keeping a log of every notification you’ve received, including WhatsApp messages. The app may not log the messages if the chat is muted or you were online when the messages were received.
  • After this even if the sender deletes the WhatsApp messages, you’ll be able to read them via the Notisave app.
    See Whatsapp deleted messages from app
    The sender has deleted the message.
  • Additionally, Notisave gives you the option to respond to messages without leaving the app.
    See Whatsapp deleted messages from app
    The deleted message is still visible on the receiver’s end through the Notisave app
  • The app also comes in handy to read the notifications you’ve accidentally swiped away.
  • Besides that, even your deleted messages will be visible in the app if the message was to a chat sent via the app.

Even though you can recover deleted WhatsApp messages, there are a few drawbacks to the app. You’ll have to bear ads if you’re using the free version of Notisave app – the paid version starts at Rs 65 a month. Not to mention that the app may continuously run in the background and drain your mobile phone’s battery.

Apart from this, the app can only recover messages in simple text. Deleted media files, including GIFs, images, and videos, cannot be recovered or retrieved.

How to see deleted WhatsApp messages on iPhone

For iPhone, iCloud is the only method to view deleted WhatsApp messages. As long as the message is backed up on Apple’s cloud service, it can be restored and viewed post deletion as well. If you have that covered, here’s how to see deleted WhatsApp messages on iPhone:

  • Delete or uninstall WhatsApp from your iPhone and re-install it from the App Store
    Recover deleted WhatsApp messages on iPhone
  • Now, open WhatsApp and restore the old backup from iCloud
  • Once the backup is fully restored, you can view the deleted messages in the concerned chats.

FAQs

What’s the time limit to delete a WhatsApp message?

WhatsApp users have 60 hours to delete a message using the ‘Delete for everyone’ option. This is applicable for both personal and group chats.

How to see WhatsApp deleted media files?

To see deleted media files on WhatsApp, toggle the “automatically save images to gallery” option from WhatsApp’s settings menu. This will store media files such as GIFs, images, and videos, at least from the saved contacts, locally in the storage, even if they are deleted from the chatbox.