Have you ever received a message on WhatsApp, only to see it vanish with a “This message was deleted” notification? If you’re curious about what was sent but deleted, you’re not alone. Many people wonder if there’s a way to retrieve or view those deleted messages. Although WhatsApp doesn’t have a built-in feature that allows you to read deleted messages, there are some clever tricks and third-party apps that can help you see what was erased.
Let’s go over a few simple ways you can use to read deleted WhatsApp messages, whether on Android or iOS.
Method 1: Using Notification History (For Android Users)
Android phones have a handy feature called Notification History, which can come in handy when trying to read deleted WhatsApp messages. This method doesn’t require any third-party apps, and it works by keeping a log of the notifications that appear on your phone, including WhatsApp messages.
Steps:
- Enable Notification History: Go to your phone’s Settings, then navigate to Apps & Notifications.
- Select Notifications: Tap on Notifications, and then choose Advanced Settings (this might vary slightly based on your phone model).
- Find Notification History: Look for the Notification History option and enable it.
- Check Deleted Messages: Once you’ve set this up, whenever someone sends and then deletes a message, you can find it in your notification history log. Just scroll through the log to find the message.
This method only works for messages that trigger a notification. If your phone was in Do Not Disturb mode, or if the message was received while you were inside the WhatsApp app, it won’t show up in the log.
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Method 2: Using Third-Party Apps
For those looking for an easier and more automated way to retrieve deleted messages, there are third-party apps designed for this purpose. Many of these apps save WhatsApp notifications and message content so that you can view them even after they’ve been deleted.
1. WhatsRemoved+
WhatsRemoved+ is one of the most popular apps that can help you retrieve deleted WhatsApp messages. It works by monitoring your WhatsApp notifications and saving any message, image, or media file that gets deleted.
Steps:
- Download WhatsRemoved+ from the Google Play Store.
- Once installed, grant the app permission to access your notifications.
- Choose WhatsApp from the list of apps you want the tool to monitor.
- Whenever a message is deleted, you’ll be able to view it in WhatsRemoved+.
The app works well for both messages and media like images, videos, and audio clips. Keep in mind, however, that it works only when your notifications are enabled.
2. Notification History Log
Another reliable option is the Notification History Log app, which works similarly to WhatsRemoved+. It creates a log of all your notifications, so you can check what a message said even after it’s been deleted.
Steps:
- Download Notification History Log from the Play Store.
- Open the app and enable the permissions it requires, such as accessing your notifications.
- The app will start logging every notification, including WhatsApp messages.
- Open the log and scroll through to find the deleted messages.
One thing to keep in mind with these apps is privacy. They require access to your notifications, so make sure you trust the app before granting permissions.
Method 3: Restoring WhatsApp Backup
Another way to retrieve deleted messages is by using WhatsApp’s built-in backup feature. If a message was deleted but you have a backup from before it was erased, you can restore the backup and recover the message.
Steps:
- Open WhatsApp and go to Settings.
- Tap on Chats, then select Chat Backup.
- Check the time of the last backup. If it was before the message was deleted, you can restore the backup to retrieve the message.
- Uninstall WhatsApp and reinstall it from the Play Store or App Store.
- During setup, you will be prompted to restore your chat history from the backup. Choose Restore, and WhatsApp will load all messages, including the deleted ones.
Keep in mind that this method works best if the message was deleted recently, and you have an existing backup that includes the message. You might lose newer messages that came in after the backup was created.
Method 4: Asking the Sender
Let’s be honest—sometimes the easiest way to figure out what a deleted message said is to ask the person who sent it. People delete messages for various reasons, and they might not mind telling you what they originally wrote. If you’re comfortable with the sender, just ask them directly.
FAQs
Can I read deleted messages on WhatsApp without using third-party apps?
Yes, on Android devices, you can use the Notification History feature, which keeps a log of your notifications, including WhatsApp messages. This method doesn’t require any third-party apps.
Are third-party apps safe to use for recovering deleted WhatsApp messages?
Third-party apps like WhatsRemoved+ and Notification History Log are commonly used for this purpose, but you should always be cautious when granting apps access to your notifications. Read the reviews and privacy policies before using any app to ensure your data is safe.
Can I retrieve deleted messages on iPhone?
iPhones don’t have the same Notification History feature as Android devices, so recovering deleted messages on iOS is more difficult without a backup. You can restore a backup if you have one saved from before the message was deleted.
Does WhatsApp notify the sender if I use an app to read deleted messages?
No, WhatsApp does not notify the sender if you use apps like WhatsRemoved+ to read deleted messages. These apps work by saving the notifications before the messages are deleted, so the sender remains unaware.
Can I retrieve deleted media like photos and videos on WhatsApp?
Yes, if you’re using apps like WhatsRemoved+, you can also retrieve deleted media files such as images, videos, and audio that were sent and later deleted by the sender.
Does WhatsApp plan to add a feature to read deleted messages?
As of now, WhatsApp has not announced any plans to allow users to read deleted messages. The “Delete for Everyone” feature is designed to give users the ability to retract messages, and allowing recipients to read them would go against that purpose.
In conclusion, while WhatsApp itself doesn’t offer a way to read deleted messages, using notification logs or third-party apps can help you recover messages that were erased. Just remember to be cautious with your privacy when using any external apps.