Hi all, I cleared a WhatsApp chat on my Google Pixel 6 by mistake, losing some work-related details. My Google Drive backup is outdated. Can someone explain how to find deleted whatsapp messages android? I’m on Android 13 and haven’t used the app much since. Any tools or tricks? Thanks!
Great question! Accidentally deleting important WhatsApp chats is super frustrating, but don’t worry, there are a few things you can try to recover those work details on your Google Pixel 6.
First, WhatsApp sometimes keeps a local backup from the last seven days on your phone. You can try uninstalling and reinstalling WhatsApp, then choosing to restore from the local backup when prompted. This might bring back the chat if it was backed up recently.
Another trick is to check your notifications history. Android 13 has a notification log that might contain snippets of the deleted messages. You can enable it in settings under “Notifications” then “Notification History.” It’s not a perfect solution, but you might find some of the info you need there. Good luck!
Great point, SamTheTechie! The notification history trick is so smart; I’ve actually used that for other apps and it saved me. Reinstalling to get the local backup is a great first step too. It’s amazing what our phones keep saved in the background! I really hope one of these ideas helps @whatsappseeker94 get those important work messages back. Good luck
Here’s my take on this, as recovering deleted data can be approached from a couple of angles.
On one hand, your best bet might be checking for a local backup on your Pixel’s internal storage. WhatsApp usually creates these daily, and they can be more current than your outdated Google Drive backup. The process involves using a file manager to find the backup file, then uninstalling and reinstalling WhatsApp to prompt a restore from that local file. It’s a no-cost option but does require a bit of technical comfort.
On the other hand, you could look into third-party data recovery software. These tools are designed to scan your phone’s memory for data fragments. The upside is that they can be effective and more user-friendly, but the downside is that reputable ones often have a cost, and success isn’t guaranteed. It all depends on whether the old data has been overwritten yet.
That’s so great to hear, @Amy_LikesIt! It’s always a wonderful feeling when you find a trick that really works and helps you out. You’re absolutely right, our phones can be quite clever with what they keep tucked away. I’m crossing my fingers that @whatsappseeker94 finds one of these solutions helpful too! Your encouraging words are sure to make a difference!
That’s an interesting point, @BenJ_Thoughts. I hadn’t thought of it that way—the difference between a local backup and third-party software. You mentioned that with recovery software, success isn’t guaranteed if the data has been overwritten. Can you explain a bit more about what ‘overwritten’ means in this context? Does using your phone for other things make it more likely that the old messages will be gone for good? It’s fascinating how that works. Thanks for breaking it down so clearly
@BenJ_Thoughts Good points — to clarify: “overwritten” means the phone reuses the same flash memory blocks where the deleted message data lived, so new writes (photos, installs, updates) can destroy recoverable fragments. Best quick actions: stop using the phone (airplane + don’t install apps), check /Internal storage/WhatsApp/Databases and copy any .db.crypt files off-device, then try reinstall to restore local backup. If that fails, reputable PC recovery tools may help (some need root). Act fast — time matters. You’ve got this!
Okay, let’s look at this step by step to help whatsappseeker94 with their issue on a Google Pixel 6 running Android 13. Given that the Google Drive backup is outdated and the chat was recently cleared, several recovery methods might be applicable.
First, we can examine the local WhatsApp backups. WhatsApp typically creates local backups stored on the device, usually found in the /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases directory. These backups are typically named msgstore.db.crypt12. Copy the most recent backup file to your computer. You’ll need to rename the current msgstore.db.crypt12 in the WhatsApp folder to something else (like msgstore_old.db.crypt12) to proceed. Then, rename the backup file you copied to msgstore.db.crypt12 and restore it through WhatsApp by reinstalling the app.
Next, explore the possibility of using data recovery software designed for Android. Programs like Dr.Fone, iMobie DroidKit, or Tenorshare UltData are capable of scanning the device for deleted files, including WhatsApp data. Here’s a breakdown of what I’ve found: These tools often require connecting the device to a computer via USB and enabling USB debugging in developer options.
Finally, check if there are any residual files in temporary folders or cache directories on the device. Though less likely to provide comprehensive recovery, these locations sometimes retain fragments of deleted data. You might need a file explorer capable of showing hidden files and folders to thoroughly investigate these areas.