How to See Deleted Messages on WhatsApp: Complete Guide for Android & iOS
-
Omar Haddad
- . November 24, 2025
- . Update: November 24, 2025 7:55 pm
The biggest question many users ask when using WhatsApp is how to see deleted messages on whatsapp, particularly when a user sends a message and deleted it before the user can read it. WhatsApp does not have a single function of retrieving any deleted conversations in real time but there are other trustworthy ways of viewing or recovering deleted messages on both iOS and Android. Android users are allowed to access Notification History or third party apps whereas iPhone users are forced to use backup restoration. This manual will reveal in details how each approach functions and what their restriction is as well as how to retrieve erased WhatsApp messages without any threat to the system with the most efficient methods.
How to See Deleted Messages on WhatsApp
To save deleted WhatsApp messages, it will be based on the nature of device you are using. Android phones are more flexible whereas iOS only has a backup-based recovery. The following are the most appropriate ways of recovering deleted chats.
1. Using Notification History (Android Only)
Android inbuilt Notification History is the simplest and the safest method to view deleted WhatsApp messages, but it requires activation prior to the deletion of the message. When this is enabled, your device will automatically record incoming notification such as those in WhatsApp even when the sender removes the notification later.
Steps to Enable Notification History:
To allow the history of notifications, follow these steps:
- Access the Android phone Settings.
- Go to Notifications.
- Tap Notification History (you have to locate it under Advanced settings, and this will depend on the phone model you are using).
- Out Turn on History Cancel Notification.
Once it is enabled, you can always come to this screen to see the latest notifications. WhatsApp messages deleted will still be in the history log and you can be able to read the messages again after it has been deleted.
2. Restoring Deleted Messages Using WhatsApp Backup (Android & iOS)
In case the deleted message before your WhatsApp last backup, you can recover it by simply reinstalling the application. It is compatible on Android and iOS, but it should be noted that it will delete your current chat history and replace it with the backup version.
Check Your Backup Timing:
- Open WhatsApp.
- Select Settings Chats Chat Backup.
- View the date when you last had a backup.
Steps to Restore Messages:
- Clear WhatsApp off your gadget.
- Install it again in the Google Play Store (Android) or the App Store (iOS).
- Verify your phone number.
- Entering on Tap Restore, one can retrieve the chats mentioned in the backup.
This will work in cases where your backup is not old and you can find the deleted messages in your backup.
3. Using Third-Party Notification History Apps (Android Only)
Third-party apps may be used to save and retrieve deleted WhatsApp messages on the Notification History (unless it was previously activated). The apps store the incoming messages before they are deleted.
How to Use Third-Party Apps Safely:
- Get a reliable notification history or message recovery application in the Google Play Store.
- Allow the permissions to be given, most importantly the Notification Access.
- The application will start capturing WhatsApp incoming messages.
- Once one has deleted a message, open the app and read it.
Important Note:
These applications need access to your notifications and this can be a source of privacy concerns. Always make sure to use good applications with good reviews and not to give it unnecessary permissions.
Final Tips and Safety Guidelines
- Notification based recovery is only applicable to those messages after you have turned on the feature or the application.
- Restoration of the backup overwrites messages that are newer, hence make a manual backup where necessary.
- The iPhone users cannot restore a backup as the system does not allow this feature because of the iOS security.
