Accidentally deleted an important WhatsApp message? Or maybe someone sent you a text and removed it before you could read it? You’re not alone — this happens to millions of users every day. The good news is that there are several reliable ways to view deleted WhatsApp messages, whether you’re using Android or iPhone.
Below is a fully updated, easy‑to‑follow guide explaining every method that actually works, how to use them, and what limitations you should know.
1. View Deleted WhatsApp Messages Through Notification History
One of the simplest ways to see deleted WhatsApp messages is by checking your phone’s notification history. When a message arrives, your device logs the notification — even if the sender deletes it later.
How It Works
- Your phone stores incoming notifications in a system log.
- If a message is deleted, the original text may still appear in the notification history.
- Works best for short text messages (not images or videos).
How to Enable Notification History (Android Example)
- Open Settings and search for WhatsApp or go to Settings > Apps > WhatsApp.
- Enable All WhatsApp Notifications.
- Turn on Notification History in your device settings.
Once enabled, you can scroll through past notifications and view messages that were deleted after being sent.
Note: iPhones do not offer a full notification log like Android, but message previews may still appear if notifications were enabled before deletion.
2. Use iLocator Parental Control to View Deleted WhatsApp Messages
If you need to see older deleted messages — not just recent notifications — a monitoring tool like iLocator Parental Control can help. This app mirrors message notifications from a paired device, allowing you to view deleted messages anytime.
How to Use iLocator Parental Control
- Install iLocator Parental Control from the App Store or Google Play.
- Create an account and log in.
- Install iLocator Kids on the target device and pair it using the code.
- Open the dashboard and check the Notifications section.
You’ll see all message records, including deleted WhatsApp messages, as long as notifications were received.
Bonus: iLocator also offers real‑time location tracking, content filtering, and app usage controls.
3. Restore Deleted WhatsApp Messages Using Chat Backup
WhatsApp automatically backs up your chats daily, weekly, or monthly depending on your settings. If the deleted message existed at the time of your last backup, you can restore it.
How to Check Your WhatsApp Backup
- Open WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat Backup.
- Check the last backup date and time.
When Recovery Works
- Message was deleted after the backup → Recoverable.
- Message was deleted before the backup → Not recoverable.
How to Restore WhatsApp Backup
- Uninstall WhatsApp.
- Reinstall it and verify your phone number.
- Tap Restore when prompted.
Warning: Restoring a backup will overwrite newer messages that were not included in the backup.
4. Recover Deleted WhatsApp Messages from Google Drive (Android)
If you previously backed up WhatsApp to Google Drive, you can restore deleted messages by reinstalling WhatsApp.
Check if You Have a Google Drive Backup
- Log in to your Google account and open Google Drive.
- Go to Settings > Manage Apps.
- Look for WhatsApp Messenger in the list.
Restore WhatsApp from Google Drive
- Ensure Google Drive sync is enabled on your phone.
- Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp.
- Select Restore when prompted.
Note: Media files (photos, videos) may not always restore unless included in the backup.
5. Restore Deleted WhatsApp Messages from iCloud (iPhone)
iPhone users can restore deleted WhatsApp messages through iCloud backups.
Before You Start
- You must use the same Apple ID and same phone number.
- Ensure you have enough iCloud storage (at least 2× the backup size).
How to Restore WhatsApp from iCloud
- Open WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat Backup to confirm a backup exists.
- Go to iPhone Settings > Your Name > iCloud and ensure WhatsApp is enabled.
- Delete and reinstall WhatsApp.
- Tap Restore Chat History.
6. Restore Deleted WhatsApp Messages Using iTunes Backup (iPhone)
If you previously backed up your iPhone using iTunes (or Finder on macOS), you can restore WhatsApp messages from that backup.
Steps
- Connect your iPhone to your computer.
- Open iTunes and select your device.
- Go to Summary > Restore Backup.
- Choose the backup containing your WhatsApp data.
Important: Without an iCloud or iTunes backup, deleted WhatsApp messages on iPhone cannot be recovered.
Bonus: How to Back Up WhatsApp Messages Before Deleting Them
Backing up your chats ensures you never lose important messages again.
Backup to Google Drive (Android)
- Open WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat Backup.
- Choose backup frequency (daily recommended).
- Select your Google account.
- Tap Back Up.
Backup to iCloud (iPhone)
- Open WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat Backup.
- Tap Back Up Now.
- Enable Auto Backup for regular backups.
Helpful External Resources
For additional reading and official documentation, here are trusted sources:
- WhatsApp Official Help Center: https://faq.whatsapp.com
- Google Drive Backup Guide: https://support.google.com/drive
- Apple iCloud Backup Overview: https://support.apple.com/icloud
These links help strengthen SEO and provide authoritative references.
Additional FAQs About Seeing Deleted WhatsApp Messages
1. Can I read deleted WhatsApp messages on WhatsApp Web?
No. WhatsApp Web does not store message logs, so deleted messages cannot be viewed there.
2. Can I recover deleted WhatsApp messages without backup?
On Android, you may still recover them through notification history or third‑party monitoring apps. On iPhone, recovery without backup is not possible.
3. Can I recover deleted photos or videos from WhatsApp?
Only if they were included in your backup or saved to your device’s gallery.
4. Does uninstalling WhatsApp delete all chats?
Not if you have a backup. WhatsApp will restore your chats after reinstalling.
5. Can I retrieve deleted messages sent by someone else?
Yes — if you had notifications enabled or if the message existed in your backup before deletion.
