Advertisements
Use this practical guide and restore your photos without losing quality.
Have you ever accidentally deleted an important photo on WhatsApp?
Don't worry, recovering WhatsApp photos is possible and easier than you think.
In this guide, we'll show you effective methods for restoring your images without losing quality. 📸
1. Check your device's gallery
Before you panic, check if the image is still in your phone's gallery. WhatsApp usually automatically saves photos to the "WhatsApp Images" folder. If you find it there, simply save it back to your device.
2. Use WhatsApp Web
In some cases, images deleted on mobile devices can still be viewed on WhatsApp Web.
Advertisements
Access to web.whatsapp.comScan the QR code with your phone and check if the photo is available in the corresponding conversation. If so, download it directly from there.
3. Restore from a backup
If you have WhatsApp backups enabled, you can restore your chats and recover deleted photos. To do so:
- Android: Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp. During setup, choose to restore from Google Drive.
- iPhone: Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp. During setup, select Restore from iCloud.
Make sure the backup was made before deleting the photo.
4. Explore the WhatsApp folder on your device
On Android devices, you can manually search for deleted images:
- Open the “File Manager”.
- Navigate to “Android > Media > com.whatsapp > WhatsApp > Media > WhatsApp Images”.
- Find the image in the “Sent” or “Received” folders.
If you find it, move it to another folder to prevent it from being deleted again.
5. Check the recycle bin
On both Android and iOS, recently deleted photos are stored in the trash for a limited period (usually 30 days).
Check your gallery or photos app trash and restore the image if it's still available.
6. Request the image from the sender
If the image was sent by someone else, they may still have it on their device. Don't hesitate to ask them to resend it to you. Sometimes the simplest solution is the most effective.
7. Use recovery applications
There are specialized applications that can help you recover deleted photos:
- iMyFone ChatsBack: Allows you to restore deleted photos, videos, and messages, even without a backup.

iMyFone
- DiskDigger: Available for Android, it can recover deleted images if the device has root access.
Please note that using these apps may require special permissions and do not always guarantee full image recovery.
8. Activate automatic backups
To avoid losing photos in the future, it's essential to set up automatic backups in WhatsApp. Here's how to do it:
- On Android:
Go to Settings > Chats > Backup > Save to Google DriveSelect the frequency (daily, weekly, monthly) and make sure you have a linked account. - On iPhone:
Go to Configuration > Chats > Chat backup > Automatic copy. Choose the frequency and confirm that iCloud is turned on.
This way, you'll always have an up-to-date backup and can easily recover WhatsApp photos if something goes wrong. 💾
9. Use PC recovery tools
If you prefer to work from your computer, there are programs like Dr.Fone either PhoneRescue that allow you to scan your phone's internal storage to recover deleted photos. The process is simple:
- Install the program on your PC or Mac.
- Connect your phone via USB cable.
- Run the deep scan.
- Review the files found and save the recovered photos to your computer.
These programs are usually paid, but they offer trial versions to check if your photos are recoverable before purchasing a license.
10. Be careful with unofficial apps
Warning! Although there are plenty of apps online that promise to recover WhatsApp photos for free, many can be dangerous.
Some contain malware, request unnecessary permissions, or may even steal your data.
Always download apps only from official sources (Google Play, App Store) and check other users' reviews before installing them.
11. Pay attention to storage
Sometimes we think we've lost photos, but the problem is that they didn't download properly due to a lack of space on the device.
Make sure you have enough storage and that WhatsApp is authorized to automatically download files:
- In WhatsApp, go to Settings > Data and storage > Automatic download.
- Turn on photo downloads using Wi-Fi or mobile data, whichever you prefer.
This small adjustment can save you a lot of trouble. 😉
12. Avoid overwriting files
When you delete photos and continue using your phone, new data can overwrite the space where they were stored, making them difficult to recover.
So if you deleted valuable images, act quickly: Minimize device usage and begin the recovery process as soon as possible.
13. Take advantage of Google Photos or iCloud Photos
If you have automatic syncing enabled with Google Photos (Android) or iCloud Photos (iPhone), your WhatsApp images may still be there, even if you deleted them from your chat or gallery.
- Google Photos:
Open the app and check the recent photos tab. You can also browse the trash, where deleted items are stored for 30 days. - iCloud Photos:
Enter in Photos > Albums > Recently deleted and check if the image is available for restoration.
These services offer an extra layer of security for your memories. 📲✨
14. Check the local backup folder
On Android, in addition to backups on Google Drive, WhatsApp saves local backups on internal storage. To access them:
- Use a file explorer.
- Go to WhatsApp > Databases.
- You will see files with names like
msgstore.db.crypt12
. - Rename the file you want to restore to
msgstore.db.crypt12
. - Uninstall WhatsApp and reinstall it, choosing the option to restore from a local backup.
⚠ Eye: This method may overwrite recent chats, so please back up if necessary.
15. Don't forget to check WhatsApp statuses
Sometimes we think we've lost a photo, but it may still be available in someone's story.
If you remember who posted it, check their statuses before they disappear after 24 hours. If you like it, take a screenshot or save it right away!
16. Keep your WhatsApp updated
Believe it or not, having an outdated version of WhatsApp can cause errors that affect the download, viewing, or backup of media files.
Go to your app store and make sure you have the latest version installed to avoid compatibility issues or bugs that could put your photos at risk.
17. Tips to prevent future losses
Here's a quick list of best practices to help you protect your WhatsApp photos going forward:
- Turn on automatic backup (Google Drive or iCloud).
- Set up automatic download of photos and videos.
- Sync your gallery with Google Photos or iCloud Photos.
- Make regular backups of your computer.
- Keep your storage with enough space available.
These small habits can make the difference between losing precious memories or keeping them safe. 💖
We're almost at the end, but first...
Your safety always comes first!
Remember that when using third-party tools to recover WhatsApp photos, you should verify that they are trustworthy.
Never enter passwords on suspicious sites or grant permissions to unknown apps.
The security of your personal data is more important than any file. 🛡️