How to Recover Deleted WhatsApp Messages on iPhone in 4 Easy Ways
Last Updated on December 8, 2020 by Ian McEwanWhatsApp Messages Lost
The usage of WhatsApp is huge nowadays, no matter for personal or for business.
Keep checking profile photos, status and group chats are the major factors, which make the time spend on it on increasing trend.

I can totally understand why you are freaking out so much when you find your WhatsApp messages were deleted by your naughty child or just get mistakenly deleted.
“How to Restore Deleted WhatsApp Messages from my iPhone?
OMG! My kid deleted a couple of WhatsApp messages on my iPhone X AGAIN!!! It’s really important to me. But the WhatsApp official tutorial of restoring from backup will overwrite the current chat history, which I don't prefer. I wonder if there is a solution to recover deleted WhatsApp messages only, a partial restore is preferred. You guys have any suggestions on this?”
Today, we will bring you the latest solutions of how to retrieve deleted WhatsApp message on iPhone. And see how the most common methods work. Just go through this comprehensive guide to know how to recover deleted WhatsApp messages like a pro.
What is the difference:
Ways to Recover Deleted WhatsApp Messages on iPhone
Ways to Recover Deleted WhatsApp Messages | Time Consume | Complexity | Restore Older Backup | Restore Recent Data | Sign in Your Apple ID | Overwrite Recent Data | Selective Recover | Reinstall WhatsApp | Summary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Backup needed | 30mins-45mins(without third-party software) | Normal | Yes | Depend on how often you backup | Necessary | Yes | No | Necessary(without third-party software) | Confusing and time consuming but worth a try(without third-party software) |
Backup Not needed | Less than 10mins | Easy | Yes | Yes | Unnecessary | No | Yes | Unnecessary | Easy and reliable |
Precaution! Before WhatsApp Messages Recovery
Before you finish reading this post. DO NOT operate your iPhone or update anything once you find out your important WhatsApp messages got deleted unintentionally. Otherwise, your iPhone data will be overwritten and what you deleted by mistake can no longer be recovered.
So, How it Works?
- Part One: Recover With backup
- Method 1. Recover WhatsApp Messages from iCloud Backup (without third-party software)
- Method 2. Recover WhatsApp Messages from iTunes Backup (without third-party software)
- Method 3. Recover WhatsApp Messages from Backup File with a Third-party Software
- Part Two: Recover Without backup
Part One: Recover With backup
Unlike Android device users, iPhone users cannot backup WhatsApp data to a local device except to iCloud and iTunes. If you regularly backup your iPhone, you might as well take the following advice.
Method 1. Recover WhatsApp Messages from iCloud Backup (without third-party software)
First, you will need:
- Your iPhone
- A constant Wi-Fi connection
Second, you should Make Sure:
- Your device should be iOS 7 or later.
- You have an iCloud backup (go to WhatsApp “Settings” > “Chats“>“Chat Backup”)
- Recall your Apple ID and password to sign in iCloud.
- For iOS 7: set “Documents & Data” to on (go to iPhone “Settings” > “iCloud” > “Documents & Data”)
- For iOS 8 and later: set “iCloud Drive” to on (go to “Settings” > “iCloud” > “iCloud Drive”)
- Enough free space on your iPhone to restore the backup
- The battery level of your cell is more than 20% or above
Third, follow 3 steps:
Step 1.Reinstall WhatsApp after deleting it.
Step 2.Tap on “Restore Chat History” after verifying your phone number.

Step 3.Wait for the restore process to be done.
But!
You may lost all your WhatsApp videos after the restoration, if you neglect to turn on the “Include Videos” when you back up your data to iCloud.
⚠ Learn More about Retrieve Messages from iCloud Backup.
Method 2. Recover WhatsApp Messages From iTunes Backup (without third-party software)
Step1.Connect your iPhone to your PC with iTunes installed
Step2.Lunch iTunes and go to Files>Devices>Restore Backup

Step3. Pick the backup you want to recover from, Click Restore and wait for the restore time to complete.

Also!
You can turn to another detailed tutorial of >>>>How to Retrieve deleted Text Message on iPhone and learn the whole section of “How to recover from iTunes backup” with step-by-step guidelines.
Caution!
All your current iPhone data will be rewritten by recovering from the iTunes backup file.
Method 3. Recover WhatsApp Messages from backup file with a third-party software
Data recovery software is a very popular solution nowadays, but not all of those on the market is reliable. For your data safety’s sake, you should try iOS Data Recovery, which is highly recommended in the Geek circle.
With the highest recovery rate and Real-time Preview, Selectively Scan and Recover function, you can recover almost all the lost data on your iOS device.
All you need is the trial/full version of iOS Data Recovery software .
Tip 1.Recovering Deleted WhatsApp messages from iCloud Backup with iOS Data Recovery
Step 1.Sign in iCloud and Download backup file Selectively
- Download and launch the software
- Click “Recover”> “Recover from iCloud Backup File”>Sign in iCloud account
- Selectively Download and Scan the files in the pop-up windows (subdivide to “WhatsApp messages”, “App Videos”, “App Document”) to computer.

Step 2. Preview and Selectively recover
- After downloading and scanning, you can preview the file and select the WhatsApp messages you want to recover.
Tip 2.Restore Deleted WhatsApp messages from iTunes Backup with iOS Data Recovery
Step 1.Scanning Backup File
- Download and launch the software
- Click “Recover”> “Recover from iTunes Backup File”
- With all the iTunes backup files displaying on the interface, you can choose the one containing your WhatsApp data and click the “Start Scan”.

Step 2.Preview and Selectively recover
- After the scanning, you can preview and select the WhatsApp files you want to get back
- Click on “Recover” to save it to the computer
- Also you can save it directory to your iPhone
Part Two: Recover Without backup
For most people, backing up their phone regularly is not that habitual. For those who want to recover their data but have no backup file, here is a workaround.
Method 4. Retrieve WhatsApp Messages from iPhone without backup
First, you will need:
- Your iPhone
- Your iPhone USB cable to connect your iPhone to PC
- The trial/full version of iOS Data Recovery software.
Then follow these steps:
Step 1.Select and scan the type of data you want to recover
- Connect your phone to the computer
- Download and launch the application
- Click “Recover” > “Recover from iOS Device” on the left, then select “WhatsApp & Attachment”, or other data you want to get back.

Step 2.Recover your deleted data
All the data in your iPhone will be displayed in categories on the interface after scanning. With a filter on the top, you can see the deleted items.
Step 3.Select those you want to recover and click “Recover”
Done!
Way to go:
Unlike the recovery from backup (without third-party software), selectively scanning and recovery with a data recovery software will save you a lot time.
And you would not worry about current data overwriting, because of recovering from a not-recent-enough backup file.
Whats more, after you data recovery, you should learn how to back up your iPhone more regularly. And here is an example you can learn more: How to Backup iPhone>>>>
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