How to Recover Disappearing Messages on WhatsApp [2025 Guide]
WhatsApp is a widely used messaging app that has introduced a series of features to improve the user experience. One of these features is the option to send "disappearing messages". "Disappearing messages" allow users to send messages that automatically disappear after a set period of time. While this feature is great for protecting privacy and keeping conversations temporary, sometimes it is very important for us to recover disappearing messages on WhatsApp.
In this article, we will discuss the reasons why messages disappear on WhatsApp and provide effective ways to recover these disappearing messages when needed.
- Part 1: What Are Disappearing Messages in WhatsApp?
- Part 2: Can I Retrieve Disappearing Messages on WhatsApp?
- Part 3: How to Recover Disappearing Messages on WhatsApp?
> Method 1: Retrieve from WhatsApp Chat Backup
> Method 2: Using WhatsApp Data Recovery Tool [HOT!]
> Method 3: Take A Screenshot before the Message Disappears - Part 4: FAQs about Recovering Disappearing Messages on WhatsApp
Part 1: What Are Disappearing Messages in WhatsApp?
Disappearing messages is a feature recently introduced by WhatsApp that allows users to send messages that automatically delete after a specified time. You can choose to have messages disappear after 24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days. This feature is easy to enable in the settings of a chat or group chat. It's designed to enhance privacy and security by ensuring messages don't stay around longer than necessary.
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Part 2: Can I Retrieve Disappearing Messages on WhatsApp?
Yes, it is possible to recover disappearing messages on WhatsApp. If you manage to view the disappearing messages before the timer expires, they will still remain in your chats even after the time has passed. Also, any photos or media shared in the disappearing messages will be automatically saved to your Photos app if auto-download is enabled.
If you back up your chats regularly, you can also recover the disappearing messages from the backups as long as the timer has not expired. We also have third-party tools that can help recover deleted WhatsApp messages without any risk of data loss.
Part 3: How to Recover Disappearing Messages on WhatsApp?
Method 1: Retrieve from WhatsApp Chat Backup
One of the easiest ways to recover disappeared messages on WhatsApp is to check chat backups. WhatsApp automatically backs up your chats, which can be restored if you lose data or accidentally delete messages. Here's how:
- Open WhatsApp on your device and go to the chat where the disappeared message was sent.
- Tap on the contact's name to open the chat settings.
- Scroll down and select "Chat backup" to access your backup settings.
- Make sure the "Auto backup" option is turned on. If it's off, enable it and wait for the backup to complete.
- Once the backup is complete, uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp on your device.
- During the reinstallation process, WhatsApp will ask if you want to restore your chat history. Tap "Restore" to restore all messages, including the disappeared messages.
On Android Phones:
On iPhone:
On Android Phones:
On iPhone:
Method 2: Using WhatsApp Data Recovery Tool
If you have backed up your iPhone WhatsApp media to iTunes, restoring WhatsApp to view photos in one go will be much easier and more efficient. With MobiKin Doctor for iOS, you can easily preview and selectively restore WhatsApp data from iTunes backup. This professional tool has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to recover WhatsApp messages, media, and attachments.
Key Features of MobiKin Doctor for iOS:
- Selectively recover WhatsApp messages and attachments from backup
- Preview data before recovery and choose what to recover.
- Retrieve WhatsApp data from iTunes backup and device storage.
- Recover WhatsApp data directly to your PC.
- Also can recover deleted contacts, SMS, photos, videos, notes and more from iPhone/iPad.
- Supports all iOS devices, including the latest iOS 18 and iPhone 16 models.
To recover WhatsApp messages from iTunes backup using Doctor for iOS, follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Select "Recover from iTunes Backup File"
Launch Doctor for iOS on your computer. On the main screen, click "Recover from iTunes Backup File" in the left sidebar. The software will automatically scan your iTunes backup and display the available backups. Select the relevant backup and click "Start Scan".
Step 2: Preview and select WhatsApp data
After the scan is complete, you will see a list of data types in your iTunes backup. To recover WhatsApp data, select "WhatsApp" and "WhatsApp Attachments" from the list and click "Start Scan".
Step 3: Recover WhatsApp Messages
After scanning, you will be able to preview all WhatsApp messages and attachments. Select the messages and attachments you want to recover and click "Recover to Computer" to save them to your PC.
Video Guide:
Method 3: Take A Screenshot before the Message Disappears
If you want to preserve disappearing messages for future reference, taking screenshots is an easy and effective way to do so. Here's how to capture WhatsApp messages before they disappear:
- Open the chat containing the disappearing message on WhatsApp.
- Scroll to the specific message you want to save and make sure it is fully displayed on the screen.
- Depending on your device, press the Volume Down and Power buttons simultaneously or use the screenshot option available on your smartphone.
- The screenshot will be saved to your device's gallery or photo app.
- To view the saved message, open the gallery or photo app and find the screenshot.
Remember that screenshots are static, which means they will not update if the message changes or disappears after you capture it.
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Part 4: FAQs about Recovering Disappearing Messages on WhatsApp
Q1. Can I recover disappearing messages after seven days?
Unfortunately, once WhatsApp deletes messages after seven days, there is no built-in way to recover them. If you want to retrieve disappearing messages using the methods we discussed earlier, it's important to act quickly.
Q2. Why would someone turn on disappearing messages?
There are two main reasons why people enable disappearing messages. First, it helps prevent unnecessary messages from piling up and taking up space. Second, it enhances privacy by ensuring that messages don't stay on a device longer than necessary.
Q3. Do disappearing messages delete for everyone on WhatsApp?
Yes, disappearing messages are deleted from the sender and recipient's devices after a set time. However, if someone forwards or saves the message before it disappears, it won't be deleted from their device.
Q4. When you enable disappearing messages on WhatsApp, can other people see them?
Yes, when you enable disappearing messages on WhatsApp, other people in the chat will be notified. This applies to both individual chats and group chats. In group chats, members can also turn this setting on or off.
Conclusion
WhatsApp's "Disappearing Messages" feature automatically deletes messages after a set period of time. If you come across important messages, it's best to save them to prevent them from disappearing, as recovering disappeared messages can be difficult. If you need to recover messages that have disappeared and don't have a backup, we recommend using MobiKin Doctor for iOS for the best results.
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