See deleted messages on WhatsApp using simple tricks. View deleted WhatsApp messages on Android or iPhone to recover and view deleted WhatsApp chats.
Author: Sujith Grandhi
If you are looking for a way to see deleted messages on WhatsApp, you should know one simple thing first, WhatsApp does not show deleted messages once the sender removes them. You will only see the line that says, “This message was deleted”. With over 3 billion monthly users and 100 billion daily messages, it’s no surprise that deleted chats spark so much curiosity. Still, there are some working tricks that can help you see deleted WhatsApp chats on both Android and iPhone.
In this guide, I will show you the exact methods that people use on Android and iPhone to check deleted messages easily.
When you delete a message on WhatsApp, it works in two different ways depending on what option you choose. One option removes it only from your own phone, while the other removes it from both sides of the chat.
So, that’s how this WhatsApp delete feature works. WhatsApp added this option in 2017 to give users more control over the chats they’ve shared with others. Even I’ve used it multiple times, and it’s now a common feature we are all using. And not just WhatsApp, many social media apps like Instagram and Telegram also offer this same delete option.
Many Android users think once a WhatsApp message is deleted, it’s removed forever. But that’s not true. Android has a few built-in features that can help you see deleted messages on WhatsApp without installing any third-party apps. Below are the working methods you can try right now.
If you’re on Android 11 or above, here’s how to check deleted messages in WhatsApp using your phone’s notification history, your phone actually keeps a log of all notifications you receive, including WhatsApp messages. Even if someone deletes a message, you can still read it here.
How to do it:
Here you’ll see a list of recent notifications, including WhatsApp messages that were deleted, just scroll down and check the deleted texts. This is one of the easiest ways if you’re wondering how to read deleted messages in WhatsApp without using risky apps.
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Sometimes, you don’t even need to go through the settings at all. If you keep WhatsApp notifications visible on your lock screen, you can quickly read a message before it gets deleted. Even if the sender removes it, you’ve already seen the preview.
To enable this:
Now, whenever someone sends you a WhatsApp message, you’ll see it on your lock screen. If they delete it later, you’ll still remember what was written because you saw it before unlocking your phone.
Widgets might look old, but they’re surprisingly useful here. WhatsApp’s widget lets you read messages directly on your home screen, and it doesn’t instantly update when a message gets deleted. That means if you glance at the widget before the deletion, you can still read it.
How to set it up:
From here, you’ll see all incoming WhatsApp texts. If someone reads your WhatsApp message, you can track it, and if they delete a message, the widget may still show the original content until it refreshes.
These methods let you restore deleted WhatsApp messages without any app, just by using Android’s built-in tools.
Quick Note: None of these methods restore deleted WhatsApp messages permanently. They simply let you catch and read them using Android’s built-in tools before WhatsApp deletes them from your chat.
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If the methods without any app didn’t help you, Another reliable way to check deleted WhatsApp messages is by using WhatsApp’s backup feature. WhatsApp automatically takes backups (daily, weekly, or monthly depending on your settings), and you can use these backups to restore chats, including the deleted ones.
Follow this step-by-step:
This method works only if the deleted messages were present at the time of your last backup. If you deleted a message before the backup was taken, you won’t be able to recover it this way.
I’ve written a full blog where I explained everything in detail, like how to set up WhatsApp backups, how to recover deleted WhatsApp chat step by step, and even how to restore a Google Drive backup to iPhone. I’ll be linking that blog here, so make sure you check it out for the complete blog.
If you’re on Android, you’ll often come across apps to see deleted WhatsApp messages that claim to help you recover or view chats. While these apps might work to some extent, it’s important to understand what they actually do and the risks involved.
Here are the two main types of apps people use:
Some apps are designed to save all your phone’s notifications, including WhatsApp messages. Even if the sender deletes the message, you can still see it inside the log (as long as the notification was received before deletion).
Examples: Notification History Log, Notisave
These apps store every notification you get, so deleted WhatsApp messages may still be present here.
Another method is using modified versions of WhatsApp, often called “Mods.” Popular ones include:
Although these apps were banned and are no longer accessible, some modified versions of WhatsApp claim to let you view deleted messages, hide online status, or unlock extra features that aren’t available in the official app.
However, there are serious risks here:
While there are so many tricks to read deleted messages, using tools that let you monitor WhatsApp chats in real time can give you peace of mind.
So far, I’ve included all the working methods to see deleted messages on WhatsApp Android. Now, let’s move on to iPhone.
Yes, iPhone users can also see deleted WhatsApp messages, but the process is slightly different from Android. Since iOS doesn’t allow notification history in the same way, you’ll need to follow some other techniques.
Here are the methods you can try:
On iPhone, your notifications are stored in the Notification Center until you clear them. If a WhatsApp message gets deleted after being sent, you may still be able to see its preview inside Notification Center, provided you didn’t dismiss it earlier.
This method is limited to recent notifications, but it works instantly without extra apps.
Sometimes, Siri Suggestions keeps track of recent interactions and may show deleted message previews.
It doesn’t always work for every chat, but in some cases, you can catch a glimpse of the message.
Quick Note for iPhone Users:
Unlike Android, the options are more limited on iOS. The most reliable method is restoring deleted messages through iCloud backup. Widgets can sometimes help, but they won’t always capture every deleted message.
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Now you know the different ways on how to read deleted messages on WhatsApp safely, whether you’re on Android or iPhone. That’s all for this blog. In short, there are a few different ways you can try to see deleted WhatsApp messages, from using notification history to third-party apps. Each method comes with its own pros and cons, so it’s best to pick the one that feels safe and works for your needs. So next time someone deletes a chat, you already know how to check deleted messages in WhatsApp using safe tricks.
You can also check out my other blogs that I have linked here about restoring WhatsApp messages, as they share more helpful methods and details. Don’t forget to save this blog for future use and share it with your friends and family members as well.
Thank you for reading, and have a good day!
