You can read deleted WhatsApp messages using several methods, primarily depending on your device (Android or iPhone) and whether you had certain features enabled before the messages were deleted. Here are the main ways to do it:
Methods to Read Deleted WhatsApp Messages
1. Using Notification History (Android only)
Android 11 and above have a built-in Notification History feature that stores
notifications, including WhatsApp messages, even if they are later deleted. To
enable and use it:
- Go to Settings > Apps & Notifications > Notifications > Notification history and turn it on.
- After a message is deleted in WhatsApp, check the Notification History to see the original message content.
Limitations: Only works if notifications were received before deletion, only text messages are stored (no media), and notifications are kept for 24 hours only
2. Using Third-Party Apps (Android)
Apps like Notisave, WA Deleted Messages Recovery, or Notification History Log
can save WhatsApp notifications and let you read deleted messages.
- Install the app from Google Play Store.
- Grant notification access permission.
- The app will log incoming WhatsApp messages, so if a message is deleted later, you can still view it in the app.
Limitations: Must be installed before message deletion; privacy concerns since apps collect notifications
3. Restoring WhatsApp Backup (Android & iPhone)
If you have WhatsApp chat backups enabled (Google Drive for Android, iCloud
for iPhone), you can restore deleted messages by reinstalling WhatsApp and
restoring from the latest backup. Steps:
- Uninstall WhatsApp.
- Reinstall and verify your phone number.
- When prompted, tap Restore to recover messages from backup.
Limitations: Only messages backed up before deletion will be restored; media may not always be included
4. WhatsApp Web Cache (Limited cases)
If you had WhatsApp Web open when the message was received and deleted
afterward, sometimes the message might still be visible on the web session.
This is rare and not reliable
Important Notes
- Messages deleted using "Delete for Everyone" are generally removed permanently from both sender and recipient chats, but may still be recoverable via backups or notification logs if available
- On iPhones, notification history is not accessible like on Android, so backup restoration is the main method to recover deleted messages
- WhatsApp does not officially support reading deleted messages, so these methods rely on device features or third-party tools with their own limitations and privacy considerations
In summary, on Android, enabling Notification History or using third-party notification apps before messages are deleted offers the best chance to read deleted WhatsApp messages. On both Android and iPhone, restoring from a backup is the most reliable way to recover deleted chats if backups were made prior to deletion.
