WhatsApp Database Recovery: What You Should Know
by Jenefey Aaron Updated on 2023-10-11 / Update for WhatsApp Tips
WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps globally. It's essential to have a backup to save your precious chat history. WhatsApp offers various backup options, including Google Drive, iCloud, and WhatsApp database itself. In this article, we will explore WhatsApp database and delve into the methods of WhatsApp database recovery to restore your WhatsApp chats.
Part 1: What is WhatsApp Database (5 FAQs)
First of all, to help you understand more about WhatsApp database recovery, we prepare the 5 most common questions relating to WhatsApp Database.
1. What is WhatsApp database and where is it
WhatsApp database is the storage place of your WhatsApp backups. These backup files contain your WhatsApp contacts, messages and media files. The Database folder is saved in your device's internal storage or SD card, making it easily accessible through the File Manager app on your Android phone.
To find your WhatsApp database folder:
- Open File Manager app on your Android and go to Storage > WhatsApp > Databases.
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For Android 10 and above, you might find the files in Storage > Android > Media > com.whatsapp > WhatsApp > Databases.
Unlike Android, WhatsApp database on iOS devices is stored in local storage, but iOS users cannot access it directly. So WhatsApp database is usually used by Android users.
2. Is WhatsApp database encrypted
Yes, the local WhatsApp database in the internal storage is encrypted. You can see “crypt” in the file name. The WhatsApp messages and other data in the database file cannot be seen unless you restore it.
3. Are WhatsApp messages stored in a database
Yes, your WhatsApp messages are stored in the local backup files present in the WhatsApp Database folder.
4. How to delete chats from WhatsApp database
If you want to delete chats from WhatsApp database, you need to delete the database file. Navigate to File Manager > WhatsApp > Database and delete the file you want.
5. Can you delete WhatsApp database folder
Yes, you can delete the WhatsApp database folder, but doing so will delete all the local backup files. And you cannot recover the deleted database file.
Part 2: How to Recover WhatsApp Database (2 Ways)
Now you might have a full understanding of WhatsApp database. Here comes the main question, how to restore WhatsApp database? We will provide you with the answers in two WhatsApp database recovery situations.
To restore chats from the latest backup file stored in WhatsApp database:
- Open File Manager app on your Android and make sure there is a WhatsApp backup file in WhatsApp > Databases folder.
- If you want to restore the chats to a new phone, copy the most recent backup file and paste it into the Database folder on your new phone.
- Now reinstall the WhatsApp app and open it. Verify your phone number.
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WhatsApp will search and find a backup. Restore from it.
To restore old chats from ole backup files stored in WhatsApp database:
- Go to the database folder. Then locate the previous file you want to restore in WhatsApp database folder.
- Change its name from msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt14 to msgstore.db.crypt14 (delete “-YYYY-MM-DD.1”).
- The number of the crypt extension might be 12, 15 or other number, do not change it.
- Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp. Open the app and sign into your WhatsApp account.
- When it ask you to restore the backup, tap Restore.
Part 3: WhatsApp Database vs. Google Drive Backup
Besides WhatsApp database, WhatsApp offers another backup method for Android users: creating a backup on Google Drive. They serve the same fundamental purpose of backing up and restoring your WhatsApp chats and both backups are encrypted, but there are differences:
- Backup save location: WhatsApp database is local backup and is saved on your Android internal storage or an external SD card, while Google Drive backup is saved online in cloud storage.
- Backup time: WhatsApp is backed up to local database every day, while you have to manually enable Google Drive backup and make a schedule.
- Backup file:WhatsApp database saves 7 backup files and updates every week, while Google Drive can only save one backup file and automatically deleted this file if it has not been updated in 5 months.
- Storage limitations: WhatsApp Database backup size is limited by your device's storage capacity, while Google Drive backup is limited to Google Drive storage.
- Restore backup: WhatsApp Database backup is limited to restoring on the same device or a device with the same phone number, while Google Drive backup can be easily restored on different Android devices as long as you're using the same phone number.
Part 4: How to Recover Chats without WhatsApp Database or Backup (Best)
Can you recover chats without WhatsApp database or Google Drive backup? Yes, you can and we recommend using the best tool, which is Tenorshare UltData WhatsApp Recovery. How to use it to recover WhatsApp messages on your Android without backup? See here.
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Download, install and start UltData WhatsApp Recovery on your computer. On the main interface, click on Device and then choose Android.
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Connect your Android phone via a USB cable and follow the on-screen steps to enable USB debugging.
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Then start scanning your Android phone for WhatsApp data. You need to log into your WhatsApp account and backup your WhatsApp.
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The program will uninstall, back up and reinstall WhatsApp before the scanning process start. Please follow the instructions carefully.
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After the scanning process, all your WhatsApp data including both current and deleted messages will be displayed. Find the messages you want and click on Recover.
Conclusion
WhatsApp database recovery means you use locally created backups to restore your WhatsApp chats. If unfortunately, you find yourself in a place where you have lost all your WhatsApp data and no WhatsApp database is available for recovery, you can resort to UltData WhatsApp Recovery to save the day.