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WhatsApp is one of the most popular instant messaging apps around the world, allowing billions of users to communicate easily through text messages, voice and video calls, as well as share photos, videos and documents.
However, it is common that, at some point, we end up accidentally deleting important photos received or sent by the application.
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Fortunately, there are efficient ways to recover those lost pictures and in this article, we will explore the best solutions and techniques to ensure that your treasured memories and moments are not lost for good.
Verifying WhatsApp Backup
WhatsApp has an automatic backup feature that regularly stores your conversations, including photos, in a backup file on your device or in the cloud (Google Drive for Android and iCloud for iOS).
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Verifying WhatsApp backup is the first step to recover deleted photos.
For Android devices, open WhatsApp and tap the three dots in the top right corner of the screen. Go to “Settings” > “Chats” > “Chat backup”.
Check the date and time of the last backup performed. If the photos were backed up before deleting, chances are they can be recovered.
For iOS devices, the difference is that you will click on “Settings” at the bottom right of the screen and then just click on “Chat” > “Chat Backup”.
If the backup was taken before deleting the photos, you will need to uninstall WhatsApp and then reinstall it.
During the installation process, the application will ask you to restore the backup. Accept the restoration, and deleted photos should be recovered along with conversations.
However, be careful: when restoring a previous backup, all messages and media received after the backup date will be lost.
Recover deleted photos from smartphone gallery
If you deleted WhatsApp photos that were automatically saved in your smartphone's gallery, there are still chances to recover them.
Some devices have a recycle bin or “Recently Deleted” folder in the gallery. Check if your smartphone has this option and look for deleted WhatsApp photos. If you find them, select them and restore them.
Keep in mind that recovery of deleted photos may not be guaranteed, especially if it's been a long time since deletion or if the storage space has been overwritten by new data.
Therefore, it is important to act quickly and try different methods to increase your chances of recovering lost images.
Preventing WhatsApp photo loss
Make sure WhatsApp auto backup feature is turned on so that your conversations including photos and other files are backed up regularly. You can configure the backup to be done daily, weekly or monthly, according to your preferences.
Download and save important photos to your device or to a cloud storage service such as Google Drive, iCloud and Dropbox. This will ensure that you have an additional copy of the images in case of loss on WhatsApp.
Install a photo management app on your smartphone to organize, sort and protect your photos. Many photo management apps also offer backup and sync capabilities with cloud storage services.
On WhatsApp, you can bookmark important photos, making them easier to find and access in the future. To do this, tap and hold the photo, then tap the star icon that appears.
By following these tips and best practices, you can minimize the chance of losing important photos on WhatsApp and ensure that your treasured memories are always safe and accessible.