Table of Contents

Essentials to know
- Check for backups first – On Android, look in Google Drive; on iPhone, check iCloud. If a backup exists, uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp, then choose Restore during setup.
- Android local storage option – Android devices save daily backups for 7 days in local storage. You can restore messages by selecting a backup file and reinstalling WhatsApp.
- iPhone recovery requires third-party tools – iPhones don’t have local backups, so tools like EaseUS MobiSaver, iMyFone D-Back, or Dr.Fone are needed to recover deleted data.
- Uninstall and reinstall method – This only works if you already had a backup. It can restore messages but may miss recent ones if the backup isn’t up to date.
- Prevention is best – Regularly enable cloud backups to avoid data loss. Without backups, recovery methods are limited and not always reliable.
Accidentally deleted a WhatsApp message you didn’t mean to? We’ve all been there. Losing your chat history can be frustrating – especially when using WhatsApp Business for critical company communications. From essential contact information to valuable customer insights, losing your WhatsApp chats can seriously disrupt both your business strategy and your day-to-day operations.
But don’t worry! There are several methods to recover deleted WhatsApp messages without a backup. Here’s a brief summary of your options:
- Check local storage (Android only)
- Third-party recovery tools (for both Android and iPhone)
- Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp
Let’s take a closer look at each option.
How to check if you have a WhatsApp backup
Not sure if you have a backup or not? Here’s how to check:
- On Android: Log into the same Google account used for your WhatsApp account. In Google Drive, go to Menu, then Backups and check for a recent WhatsApp backup.
- On iPhone: Go to Settings, then Chats, then Chat Backup, and check when the last iCloud backup was performed.
How to recover deleted WhatsApp messages
If a backup exists, restoring is simple:
How to recover deleted WhatsApp messages on Android (using a Google account backup)
- Uninstall WhatsApp from your device.
- Reinstall WhatsApp and open it.
- When prompted, select Restore.
Tip: Avoid pressing Skip during setup, or you’ll miss the opportunity to restore your messages.
Can I recover deleted WhatsApp messages on web or desktop?
No – it’s not possible to recover deleted messages using WhatsApp web or desktop. You’ll need to restore from your mobile device.
But now, of course, is the tricky part…
What if you haven’t made a backup on iCloud or Google Drive, and you’ve permanently deleted your messages? Luckily, there are several methods to retrieve your lost WhatsApp messages without a backup. You can access the local backup history on an Android device, or use a third-party app, such as EaseUS MobiSaver, iMyFone D-Back, or Dr.Fone, to recover your lost WhatsApp data.
Read on to discover how to get your deleted WhatsApp chat history back if you forgot those backups.
How to restore WhatsApp messages without a backup
How to restore WhatsApp messages without a backup on Android
On Android devices, you should check your local storage first. Android devices include a local backup history which is regularly updated. To use it to restore your data, complete the following steps:
- Open the File Manager on your Android device (most Australian Android devices come with Google’s Files app pre-installed).
- Go to the WhatsApp/Databases folder.
- Select the WhatsApp backup file you want to recover from.
- Uninstall and reinstall the WhatsApp app on your device.
- Validate your mobile number.
- WhatsApp will check for backups that exist on your device.
- WhatsApp will detect local backups. Select Restore.
How to restore WhatsApp messages without a backup on iPhone
iPhone devices don’t maintain a local backup database like Android phones, so you must use a third-party tool. Luckily, there are several third-party data recovery tools on the market that recover deleted WhatsApp data without a backup.
Note: YourBusinessNumber has not tested these third-party platforms, and is not affiliated with them. You are advised to carry out your own research to check that these solutions meet your requirements before using these platforms.
Third-party tools to recover lost WhatsApp chat history
EaseUS MobiSaver
EaseUS MobiSaver is specifically designed to help recover data such as WhatsApp messages and media. Along with messages, you can restore media such as photos, videos, contacts, voice notes, and chat history. The application is compatible with both Windows and Mac and is designed to be secure and safe.
Find out more about EaseUS MobiSaver.
iMyFone D-Back
iMyFone offers a complete all-in-one data recovery solution to help recover messages and media from apps such as WhatsApp. The software can help you quickly and easily restore your data from iOS and Android devices without backups.
Find out more about iMyFone D-Back.
Dr.Fone
Dr.Fone offers a range of tools to meet your mobile needs, from WhatsApp Transfer and Password Management to Data Recovery. The specialised solution allows you to selectively restore the data you want with tailored software for iOS and Android devices.
Does uninstalling and reinstalling WhatsApp recover deleted messages?
Uninstalling and reinstalling WhatsApp can sometimes recover messages if you’ve previously set up backups. However, it does not reliably restore all deleted messages and is best used when a backup exists. Here’s how:
- Uninstall WhatsApp from your device.
- Reinstall the app (ensuring you download the latest official version) from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
- During setup, if prompted, select Restore when prompted.
Tip: While this method can be effective if backups exist, it is not a foolproof solution. Users may lose recent messages if the backup is outdated. If possible, we suggest using one of the alternative methods outlined above instead.
How WhatsApp manages data storage
Each message you send and receive is logged on WhatsApp’s servers temporarily, and the app stores message history on your device. However, this history is overwritten by new messages when backups are not made regularly.
- On Android, the local backup is created daily at 2 AM and stored for seven days.
- On iPhone, iCloud backups are not stored locally, meaning third-party tools are often necessary to retrieve deleted messages.
Checking WhatsApp service status
Before you start trying to recover your messages, check the WhatsApp service status. Sites like Downdetector will confirm if any issues are affecting WhatsApp, which may be causing your loss of messages. However, if everything is reported to be functioning correctly, it may be time to try restoring your messages using the methods above.
How can I delete messages on WhatsApp?
On WhatsApp, you can choose to delete messages on your own chat history or request that messages be deleted from everyone’s chat history.
How to delete messages for everyone
Use this method to delete messages that you’ve sent in error to an individual or group chat. If you’re an admin on a group chat, you can delete messages sent by other group participants.
- Open the WhatsApp app.
- Open the chat and locate the message you’d like to delete.
- Tap and hold on the message.
- Choose Delete, then Delete for Everyone.
Once you’ve deleted the message, it will be replaced with a message that reads: “This message was deleted.” If you’re an admin, the message will read: “This message was deleted by admin [admin name].”
There are a few points to note when using this method:
- This method only works within two days of sending a message.
- You won’t get a notification if deletion isn’t successful for everyone.
- Some recipients may see your message before you delete it.
- All message recipients must have the latest version of WhatsApp installed for the deletion to work on everyone’s devices.
- If you send media such as images or videos, recipients on iOS devices may still have these auto-saved to their Photos app after the message is deleted in WhatsApp.
- Group chat participants will be able to see which admin deleted the message.
- Message deletions by group admins are not recoverable, and there is no appeal process.
How to delete messages for yourself
Use this message to delete messages from your chat history without removing them from the other participants’ chats. The other people in the chats will still be able to see the messages on their devices.
- Open the WhatsApp app.
- Open the chat and locate the message you’d like to delete.
- Tap and hold on the message.
- Choose Delete, then Delete for Me.
What to do before you delete WhatsApp messages
We get it – everyone’s human, and we all make mistakes occasionally. And hey, that’s why the delete function exists in WhatsApp Business! But before you get too busy cleaning up your chats, it’s worth asking a few questions to help you decide whether to hit that delete button:
- Is it possible that you’ll need to refer to the information in this message in the future?
- If the message was sent accidentally, is it better to explain the mistake rather than risk only partial deletion for some group participants?
- What will be the least confusing way to manage this situation for customers or clients?
How can I restore recently deleted messages on WhatsApp?
If you change your mind immediately after tapping ‘Delete for Me’, you have 5 seconds to choose to undo the action. Tap the Undo button to restore the message immediately. If you don’t press this, the message will be permanently deleted.
Where to get further support with WhatsApp Business problems
If you’ve tried these troubleshooting steps and still can’t get WhatsApp Business to work, there are several places that you can reach out for help.
Get help from WhatsApp
Visit the WhatsApp Help Centre and search the help articles for your topic. You can also contact WhatsApp directly for further assistance.
Contact the YourBusinessNumber customer service team
As a valued user, we’re here to help you with your WhatsApp Business needs. Our customer service team is ready to assist you with any questions or issues you might have.
By choosing to use WhatsApp Business with YourBusinessNumber, you can enjoy enhanced support and reliability. Don’t let technical issues hold you back. Get in touch with us today!
How can I keep my WhatsApp Business messages separate from my personal WhatsApp messages?
It’s a great question! When your work and personal WhatsApp messages are separate, you can look forward to a better work-life balance. Plus, you can enjoy extra peace of mind knowing you’re less likely to send a personal message to a professional contact.
The good news is that you can install both WhatsApp Business and WhatsApp Messenger on the same phone. The two apps can operate on the same device, so your messages stay separate and secure.
The bad news is that you can’t use the same number to verify two WhatsApp accounts, so you’ll need a second virtual phone number for WhatsApp Business to verify your app.
Luckily, YourBusinessNumber offers the ideal solution. In just a few clicks, we’ll generate a brand new phone number and send it directly to you via SMS – so you can instantly unlock the power of WhatsApp Business. You’ll stay in complete control with our flexible contracts and be safe in the knowledge that our friendly customer support team is on hand to answer any questions. So don’t wait a moment longer! Get started and generate your new WhatsApp Business number today.
Author:

George Lineker
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