WhatsApp is a popular messaging companion that allows users to communicate via text, voice messages, images, and videos. It is a fast & convenient application to stay in touch with friends, family, and even colleagues worldwide.
Users often seek a solution to access the chat history of a specific WhatsApp user, whether for legal reasons, investigative purposes, or personal reference. You might come across a few legitimate methods to retrieve WhatsApp chat history. However, It is crucial to understand the legalities and respect the privacy of individuals. Let’s find out if it's possible and how to get WhatsApp chat history of any number.
Suppose you are attempting to get the WhatsApp chat history of another user without their consent. In that case, you must know it is not possible through WhatsApp as it goes against the platform’s privacy policy. Even if you have the chance to sneak into someone's social media accounts, particularly WhatsApp, it is important to remember that doing so is illegal.
Violating someone's privacy in this way can destroy trust, harm relationships, and even lead to serious legal consequences. However, if you use the official feature, you can only access the chat history of another WhatsApp user if they have permitted you to do so.
How to Get WhatsApp Chat History of Any Number?
Here are the legitimate methods we discussed earlier to get the WhatsApp chat history of any number. We'll also cover the steps to get your WhatsApp chat history on a new device. As well as how to retrieve the chat history from Google Drive and iCloud.
1Restore WhatsApp Chat History from Your Chat Backup
This method involves recovering chat history from an existing chat backup. It is particularly helpful if you have lost your chat history due to device changes or deleted accidentally.
For Android Users
Head to Google Drive from a PC or Laptop and log in to your account (use the connected account where the backup is stored).
Press the settings icon on the interface’s top-right corner in order to visit the Drive Settings.
From the Google Drive settings, navigate to the “Managing Apps” and click on the WhatsApp section.
Here, you’ll see the “Options” tab of WhatsApp to clear an old backup or perform other actions on it.
Note : You can only navigate or delete WhatsApp backups on Google Drive. WhatsApp data is end-to-end encrypted, so you can't read messages or extract them.
For iPhone Users
Ensure your iCloud backup is available through WhatsApp and head to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup.
Now that you know the backup exists, you can view the exact date the last backup was performed.
Head to settings, uninstall WhatsApp and install it again.
To restore your chat history, follow the prompts after verifying your contact details.
2Restore Your Chat History from an Old Phone Number
Another commonly used technique is “WhatsApp's change number feature.” This is equally helpful for Android and iPhone users as they can change from the previous phone number to the new one. By doing so, users can transfer their WhatsApp account along with their chat history to the new number.
Create a separate iCloud or Google Drive backup on your existing device in use.
Cross-check if the backup is paired with your new phone number.
Get the WhatsApp application on your new device & complete the verification process. (Usually requires a few minutes)
As soon as the account is set up, restore the chat history from Google Drive backup.
In case you can't access your old WhatsApp account, it's not possible to migrate your account info or backups. In that case, you’ll need a new account and ask contacts to invite you back to group chats.
3Get Your WhatsApp Chat History on a New Device
WhatsApp users can get their WhatsApp conversation history on a new device using the Linked Devices feature.
Log into WhatsApp from laptop and mobile device. Make sure that both your new and old devices are connected to the internet.
On your new device, open WhatsApp and go to Settings > Linked Devices > Link a Device.
On your old device, open WhatsApp and go to Settings > Linked Devices.
Tap Scan QR Code and scan the QR code that is displayed on your new device.
As soon as the QR code is scanned, your new device will be linked to your old device.
Your chat history will be transferred to your new device in the background. This may take some time, depending on the size of your data.
How to Recover WhatsApp Chat History without Backup?
If you have accidentally deleted your WhatsApp chats or if you have switched to a new device, you may be able to restore them from your WhatsApp database. Users can recover or retrieve WhatsApp chat history without a backup right from the File Manager application.
Step 1: Locate your WhatsApp database backup.
On Android, your WhatsApp database backup is located in the "Databases" folder in the internal storage of your phone.
Follow this path to access database /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases.
Step 2: You’ll see “msgstore.db.crypt12” alternatively, “msgstore.db.crypt10” copy it. Now, recover your deleted messages using a third-party decryption tool.
Be very careful not to modify or delete any databases, as this can corrupt your chat history.
How to View Deleted WhatsApp Chat History?
If you are unable to retrieve the chat history from the backup, you can try AirDroid Parental Control. It is a versatile and legitimate solution that allows users to access and view deleted WhatsApp chat history with just a few clicks. The application offers a seamless and user-friendly experience.
Moreover, AirDroid Parental Control is a convenient and ethical resource to monitor and check your WhatsApp messages. As well as those of your connected family members, without facing complicated technical processes or privacy concerns.
Regularly Backup Your WhatsApp Chat History
Quite often, WhatsApp users accidentally lose their important messages and look for solutions to recover them. It is crucial to back up your whatsapp chat history regularly in order to protect your important conversations and media files. It helps ensure that you don't lose any valuable information in case your device gets damaged, lost, or stolen.
How to back up to Google Drive
Open WhatsApp application. Tap on the three vertical dots in the top-right corner to open the menu, and head to "Settings."
In the "Settings" menu, scroll down and click on the "Chats" option.
Tap on "Chat backup" to access the backup settings.
Set Up a Google Account. Tap "Google Drive" to select your backup destination.
Click on "Back up" to initiate an immediate backup or wait for the scheduled backup, depending on your preference.
How to back up to iCloud
Open WhatsApp on your iPhone. Tap on "Settings," located in the bottom right corner.
In the "Settings" menu, select "Chats."
Now click on "Chat Backup" to access backup configurations.
Under "Chat Backup," you'll see options related to iCloud. Ensure that iCloud is enabled.
Tap "Back Up Now." WhatsApp will start backing up your chats to iCloud.
How to Save Your Chat History?
There is an awesome feature in WhatsApp called "Export chat" that you may not have noticed. This feature lets you manually store all information, including text messages and phone calls, to access it anytime. Moreover, all information is stored in ZIP format, and it is not mandatory to access it via WhatsApp's web or application. The best part is that the user's private information is secure and end-to-end encrypted. This means no one outside of this conversation, not even WhatsApp, can read them.
Step 1: Open the WhatsApp application on your device.
Step 2: Click on the conversation thread you wish to get the backup for.
Step 3: Once you open the user conversion, click on the three-dot menu and select “more.”
Step 4: Select “Export Chat”.
Step 5: The Pop-up menu will appear to ask if you want to add media or not. Select either option and choose where you wish to share the file.
Conclusion
Our smartphones serve as repositories of cherished memories, and WhatsApp conversations often contain invaluable messages, photos, and moments we desire to preserve. Whether you're changing your phone, accidentally deleted chats, or wish to access your WhatsApp history from another device. It is crucial to know how to recover your chat history so that you don't have to rely on automatic backups ever again.
While it's undeniably important to know how to restore WhatsApp chat history for various reasons. It's equally imperative to respect privacy and prioritize user consent when accessing someone's WhatsApp or social app conversations. It is a crucial aspect of responsible and ethical digital behavior that cannot be underestimated.
FAQs about WhatsApp Chat History
1. How to Restore WhatsApp Backup from Google Drive to iPhone?
Elsa
To restore WhatsApp backup from Google Drive to an iPhone, follow these steps:
Step 1: Ensure that you've backed up your WhatsApp chats to Google Drive from your Android device.
Step 2: On your iPhone, install WhatsApp and verify your phone number.
Step 3: WhatsApp will detect the Google Drive backup and ask if you want to restore it. Tap "Restore Chat History."
Step 4: Wait for the restoration process to complete, and your chat history from Google Drive will be transferred to your iPhone.
2. How to Restore WhatsApp Chat History from Google Drive?
Elsa
To restore or retrieve WhatsApp chat history from Google Drive, you'll need to perform these general steps:
Step 1: Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp on your device.
Step 2: Open WhatsApp and verify your phone number.
Step 3: When prompted, tap "Restore Chat History." WhatsApp will check for available backups on Google Drive and ask if you want to restore them.
Step 4: Confirm and wait for the restoration process to finish. Your chat history will be restored to your device.
3. How Can I Restore Chat History of a Specific Contact on WhatsApp?
Elsa
WhatsApp doesn't provide an option to restore chat history for a specific contact only. When you restore your chat history, it typically restores all your chats and conversations.
4. Can Anyone See My WhatsApp History?
Elsa
No, your WhatsApp chat history is encrypted end-to-end, which means that only you and the recipient can read the messages. WhatsApp itself cannot access your chat history, and it's designed to be secure and private.
5. Where Is WhatsApp Chat history Stored?
Elsa
WhatsApp chat history is stored locally on your device and in encrypted form on the WhatsApp servers (for message transmission). Additionally, if you've enabled chat backups, your chat history is also stored on Google Drive (for Android) or iCloud (for iOS), depending on your device's operating system.
6. Are Deleted WhatsApp Messages Gone Forever?
Elsa
Even "delete for everyone" didn't permanently remove the messages. Deleted WhatsApp messages are gone forever from your device's local storage. However, they may still be present in a cloud backup.
Elsa has worked on a number of iOS & Android solutions, she can always find her way around almost any application. She is an accomplished, skilled and versatile writer with more than 7 years of technical article writing experience.
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