Learn how to restore deleted WhatsApp conversations using Google Drive backup or your phone's local copy.
Before you start: what backup can do
WhatsApp backup is a copy of your conversations taken at a set time, usually overnight. If a message was deleted after that backup, it will be restored. If it was deleted before, it won't be there.
Restoring replaces your current history with the backup's. Messages received after the last backup may be lost, so think carefully before proceeding.
- Check your archived conversations first: sometimes a conversation was just hidden, not deleted.
- You need the same phone number and Google account used for the backup.
- Keep your phone charged and connected to Wi-Fi.
- Don't tap Back up now before restoring, because that replaces the old copy.
Restore from Google Drive
Open WhatsApp, tap the three dots, go to Settings > Chats > Chat backup and see the date and time of the last backup.
If the backup is before the time you deleted the message, go ahead. If it's after, the message won't be in it.
Uninstall the app and install it again from Google Play. Another option is to clear WhatsApp data in Android settings, which has the same effect.
Open WhatsApp and confirm the same number you used before. Enter the verification code sent by SMS or call. This code is only yours: don't share it with anyone.
WhatsApp searches for the backup in your phone's Google account and shows the date found. Tap Restore and wait for it to finish, without closing the app.
Then tap Next. Conversations appear first, and photos and videos continue downloading in the background.
Restore from a local copy on Android
In addition to Google Drive, Android stores local copies of the last few days on your phone. They help when the cloud backup has already been replaced by a newer one.
With a file manager, open Android > media > com.whatsapp > WhatsApp > Databases. Files have the date in their name, like msgstore-2026-09-20.1.db.crypt14, and end in .crypt14 or .crypt15.
For security, first copy the entire folder to your computer. Then rename the file from your desired date to msgstore.db.crypt14, keeping the original ending.
Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp, confirm your number and tap Restore when it finds the copy. If there's a backup on Google Drive, the app may prefer it, and the local option may not appear.
Limits you need to know
- Messages deleted before the last backup won't come back.
- On iPhone, the backup is in iCloud, and restoration follows the same logic: same number and same account.
- Messages the other person deleted for everyone only come back if they were in a backup made before.
- Without any backup, there's no reliable method to recover the text of conversations.
- Photos and videos may still be in the Android > media > com.whatsapp > WhatsApp > Media folder or in Google Photos, even if the message was deleted.
1. WhatsApp
Google Play
Backup restoration appears in the initial setup, after reinstalling the app and confirming your number.
After recovering, turn on daily backup in Settings > Chats > Chat backup.
Download on Google Play
2. Google Photos
Google Play
If the WhatsApp image folder was in the backup, received photos may be saved here.
Search by conversation date and also check the trash.
Download on Google Play
3. DiskDigger
Google Play
Can help you find photos and videos received on WhatsApp that were deleted from the device.
Does not recover conversation text, only media files, and without root the result is partial.
Download on Google PlayFrequently asked questions
Can I restore the backup without reinstalling WhatsApp?
No. WhatsApp only offers backup restoration during initial setup, after reinstalling the app or clearing its data.
Will I lose new messages?
Messages that arrived after the last backup are not in it and may be lost during restoration. If they are important, use the Export conversation option before starting.
Does the Google Drive backup expire?
Backups that go a long time without updating can be deleted. Keeping automatic backup on prevents this problem.
Can I transfer the backup from Android to iPhone?
Not with the regular backup. To switch systems, WhatsApp has its own conversation transfer tool, used during new device setup.
Can someone recover my messages if I share the code?
No one needs your verification code to help. Anyone asking for this code wants to take over your account.