Overview

• WhatsApp does not offer a traditional recycle bin, meaning deleted chats disappear from the interface while the actual files remain on the device
• Android devices retain deleted media in WhatsApp/Media folders until users manually purge them, and iOS devices auto-delete removed files after up to 30 days
• Restoring from Google Drive or iCloud backups recovers chats and media up to the backup date but fails to retrieve messages or files received afterward
• WhatsApp’s Manage Storage tool alongside ephemeral messaging settings enables users to clear large or frequently forwarded files and set messages to auto-expire for space management
• Security experts caution that unverified third-party apps claiming to recover deleted WhatsApp content can compromise user privacy and data security