How to See Deleted Messages on WhatsApp: 2025 Guide
Ever wondered how to see deleted messages on WhatsApp? We’ve all been there — you’re chatting away, and suddenly, poof, the dreaded “This message was deleted” pops up. It’s annoying, right? But don’t worry — you can still recover those messages! In this 2025 guide, I’ll walk you through easy, no-fuss ways to get back those deleted chats, whether it’s through your phone’s notification history, backups, or trusty apps. Plus, I’ll share how I used WinfrGUI, a super simple tool, to rescue messages I thought were gone for good. So if you’re ready to find out exactly what was said, let’s dive into how to see deleted messages on WhatsApp!
Can You Really See Deleted WhatsApp Messages? (Setting Expectations)
The short answer? Yes—but there are a few important things to know before you dive in. When someone deletes a message on WhatsApp, it disappears from the chat window, but traces of that message often remain stored in your device’s notification history or backup files. That’s exactly why learning how to see deleted messages on WhatsApp is possible, as long as you’ve got the right setup.
⚠️Here’s what you need to keep in mind:
| Aspect | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Notification Access | If you didn’t have notifications enabled when the message was sent, you won’t be able to recover it through notification history or saver apps. |
| Backups | WhatsApp regularly creates local and cloud backups (via Google Drive or iCloud). If a message was deleted after the last backup, restoring that backup can bring it back. |
| Third-party Apps/Tools | Apps that save notifications can only capture text messages—not media files. Recovery tools like WinfrGUI can help with deeper file recovery, but results depend on how recently the data was deleted. |
| Privacy Considerations | It’s important to be mindful of privacy. These methods should be used responsibly, respecting others’ boundaries when checking deleted messages. |
Best Methods to See Deleted Messages on WhatsApp (2025 Updated)
Method 1: Check Notification History (Android)
If you use an Android phone, you’re in luck — Android 11 and newer versions offer a built-in notification history feature that can show deleted WhatsApp messages.
👉How to do it:
- Open Settings on your phone.
- Go to Notifications > Advanced Settings > Notification History.
- Toggle Notification History ON.
Once enabled, you can revisit your notification history to read WhatsApp messages even after they’re deleted. Just scroll back to the time when the message was originally received.
PROS & CONS:
- ✔️Free and built-in.
- ✔️No need for third-party apps.
- ❌Only captures notifications received after notification history was turned on.
- ❌Doesn’t work for media files like images or videos.
Method 2: Use Notification Saver Apps
If your phone doesn’t have built-in notification history, or you want a backup method, several apps are designed to save notifications before they’re deleted.
👉Popular apps include:
- Notisave
- WAMR
- WhatsRemoved+
These apps automatically monitor your incoming notifications and log them in real-time. So even if someone deletes a WhatsApp message, you can check it later in the app.
🔔Important Tips:
- Always download apps from trusted developers.
- Be careful with permissions — these apps often request access to notifications, storage, and more.
PROS & CONS :
- ✔️Simple to set up.
- ✔️Can recover deleted text messages instantly.
- ❌Privacy concerns — choose apps carefully.
- ❌Free versions may have ads.
Method 3: Restore from WhatsApp Backup
Another official way to recover deleted WhatsApp messages is by restoring an earlier backup where the messages were still intact.
👉Steps to restore a backup:
- Uninstall WhatsApp from your phone.
- Reinstall WhatsApp from Google Play or App Store.
- During setup, verify your phone number.
- When prompted, tap Restore to retrieve chats from Google Drive (Android) or iCloud (iPhone).
🔒Keep in mind:
- Backup frequency matters! Daily backups are ideal if you want the best chance of recovery.
- Only messages deleted after your last backup will not be restored.
PROS & CONS:
- ✔️No third-party apps needed.
- ✔️Secure and supported by WhatsApp.
- ❌Recent messages (after the backup) will be lost.
- ❌Not a good option for recovering media files separately.
My Personal Experience: Recovering Deleted WhatsApp Messages with WinfrGUI
A few months ago, I accidentally deleted a bunch of important WhatsApp chats during a phone clean-up session. Unfortunately, my WhatsApp backup was several days old, meaning I lost several new conversations. That’s when I turned to WinfrGUI — a free Windows recovery tool I had used before for recovering lost documents.
👉Here’s how it went:
- ✔️I connected my Android phone to my PC and launched WinfrGUI.
- ✔️I selected the internal storage location where WhatsApp data is usually saved.
- ✔️After a quick scan, WinfrGUI found many deleted files, including WhatsApp’s backup database files (.crypt12).
- ✔️I restored the database file, reinstalled WhatsApp, and manually restored the messages — it worked!
While not every single message came back (some were too new), I managed to recover most of my important conversations and media files. The whole process was beginner-friendly and surprisingly fast. If you ever accidentally delete WhatsApp messages without a backup, I highly recommend giving WinfrGUI a shot — it saved me a lot of stress.
Is It Safe to Use Apps to See Deleted Messages?
Whenever you use third-party apps to see deleted WhatsApp messages, it’s crucial to be cautious. Some apps require access to sensitive data like notifications, storage, and contacts — which could pose privacy risks if the app isn’t trustworthy.
👉Here’s how to stay safe:
- Stick to apps with high ratings and positive reviews.
- Read the app’s privacy policy.
- Avoid apps asking for unnecessary permissions (like location).
Whenever possible, use official features like notification history or backup recovery instead of installing extra apps. Your data security is just as important as recovering that one deleted message!
Pro Tips to Avoid Losing Messages Again
If you don’t want to go through the hassle of recovering deleted WhatsApp messages again, here are some simple habits to adopt:
- Enable automatic daily backups in WhatsApp settings.
- Turn on notification history on your Android phone.
- Manually export important chats regularly for extra safety (Settings > Chats > Chat Export).
⚠️Taking a few minutes to set up these protections can save you a ton of trouble later.
Conclusion
It’s absolutely possible to see deleted messages on WhatsApp — you just need the right tools and a little preparation. Whether you use Android’s built-in features, trusted apps, or restore from a backup, there’s a solution for almost every situation. From my own experience with WinfrGUI, I can say that acting quickly and using the right recovery tool makes a huge difference. Just remember: use these methods responsibly and always prioritize your privacy and security. With the methods I’ve shared in this guide, you now know exactly how to see deleted messages on WhatsApp and can make sure you never miss an important chat again.
Also Read👉How to Retrieve Deleted Text Messages on Google Messages?
