Have you ever seen a message notification, but when you opened the chat, it was gone? This common situation leaves users wondering what they missed. The issue has been especially frustrating since the messaging app introduced the unsending feature a few years ago. Similarly, official apps don't support viewing these deleted messages due to privacy concerns.
However, many tricks and third-party tools allow you to retrieve the content of these deleted messages. This guide will explain how to see unsent messages on WhatsApp using simple methods. We will also explain how you can track your contacts' online activity with an advanced tool.
In this article
Part 1. Is It Possible to See Unsent Message on WhatsApp?
By default, messaging apps prioritize user privacy and do not offer features to retrieve unsent texts. When Delete for Everyone" messages disappear, other users only get a prompt telling them that the message was deleted. However, many different ways can help you access these deleted texts. While the official app does not appreciate these methods, they can ensure you don't miss any updates.
These methods include using outside tools and some tricks within the phone to keep a record of the received messages. In addition, there is an official workaround that uses cloud backups to restore the lost content in chats. Similarly, those learning how to see unsent messages on WhatsApp iPhones will have to rely on iCloud backups due to their security protocols.
Part 2. Top 2 Ways | How to See Unsent Messages on WhatsApp?
As said above, since there is no official way of retrieving lost messages, users must find unofficial workarounds. Third-party tools are not appreciated due to security concerns, so we will proceed without them. In the following section, you will learn how to see unsent messages on WhatsApp in two reliable ways.
Way 1. Check Notifications Log
Before proceeding with this method, please note that it only works on Android devices. Notification logs keep a detailed record of incoming alerts from all apps on the phone. These logs often record messages from the last 24 hours, even if they’re deleted later. By following the given steps, you can learn how to see unsent WhatsApp messages using notification logs:
Step 1. To commence the process, open the Settings app on your phone. Here, scroll down and access the “Notifications” settings from the list. Once the different notification customizations appear, tap “Advanced Settings” to access further options.
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Step 2. Access the “Notification History” option when you reach the next screen. This will take you to a new screen listing all the apps on your phone. You must scroll down and tap the “WhatsApp” option to access its notification history, including the deleted messages.
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Way 2. Restore Google Drive or iCloud WhatsApp Backup
Since notification logs only provide textual content, it is better to go after backup files to see the media content of deleted messages. Unlike the previous method, this one is also supported by Apple. However, this method only works if the messages are deleted after the backup.
Additionally, this method requires deleting and reinstalling the app. Follow the detailed steps below to learn how to check unsent messages on WhatsApp on Android and iOS.
For AndroidStep 1. After reinstalling the messaging app, launch it on your mobile phone. Press the “Agree and Continue” button on the main screen to accept their terms of service. After adding your country code and phone number, you must use the “Ok” button on the next screen.
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Step 2. When the app confirms your identity by sending the OTP, it will look for any cloud backups stored in Google Drive. Once it detects the most recent backup, you will be asked whether you want to restore it. You need to hit the "Restore" button to retrieve all your messages, including the deleted texts and media files.
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Step 1. Start by searching the App Store for the official WhatsApp application. Next, press the "Download" icon next to it to install it on your iOS device.
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Step 2. Once the app is installed, you need to set up your account by adding the necessary login details. Afterward, you will be prompted to go to a new screen where you need to tap the “Restore Chat History” button. This will start the restoration process, after which you will be able to access your deleted messages and media files.
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Pro Tip. Explore the Most Advances One-Stop Solution to Monitor Someone's WhatsApp Activity
Now that we know how to see unsent messages on WhatsApp. Let’s talk about monitoring your contacts’ online activity through WaLastseen. This app is beneficial to understanding whether the other person has read the messages before you unsent. Its activity tracking feature updates you about your contact’s online availability through customized notification tones. In this way, you will know whether you should unsend the message.
This mobile app is also ideal as it respects users' privacy by using only publicly available data. Additionally, to ensure comprehensive data reporting, the app provides contacts' online status even if they have hidden it. You can even use it to download video or picture status updates before users delete them. This app can also help local businesses keep in touch with customers and keep track of their online activity to confirm orders.
Powerful Key Features- Multiple WhatsApp Accounts: WaLastseen supports adding multiple accounts on a single phone for people who need to separate their personal and professional communications.
- Tracking Multiple People: You can use it to track the online activity of more than one contact at a time. For example, you can see if two people are talking by being online together.
- Activity Comparison: Users can use its data logs to compare the online activity stats of multiple contacts for up to a month. This is especially helpful for parents who want their kids to have good mobile-using habits.
- Online version: The app is also available as a web tool with all its tracking features. iOS users can access its functionalities for activity monitoring.
After learning how to check unsent messages on WhatsApp and the key features of WaLastseen, let’s see how to use it now. By following the given steps, you will be able to use WaLastseen and easily keep an eye on your contact’s activity.
Step 1. Download the Tracking App and Allow Contacts Access
To start the process, install WaLastseen from the Play Store and launch it on your phone. Once it opens, tap the "Add Contacts" button on the main screen. Next, the app will ask for access to the contacts that you can provide by pressing the "Allow" option.
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Step 2. Choose the Desired Contact and Add the Country Code
When the app detects and lists your contacts, tap the "Add" button beside the target phone numbers. This will select them for the activity tracking process. After the contacts are selected, you need to select the country code from the next screen and press the "Start Tracking" button.
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Step 3. Buy the Premium Plan and Start the Tracking Process
To access the complete functionality of WaLastseen, you will need to purchase the premium plan. Once you have decided on the plan, press the "Buy Now" button to make the purchase. Finally, press the profile icon beside the tracked contacts' names and go to the "Activity" tab to thoroughly access the online history.
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Conclusion
In short, curiosity about unsent messages is natural, but retrieving them doesn’t have to be complicated. There are many methods by which you can learn how to see unsent messages in WhatsApp without having to install outside apps. For Android devices where only the textual content of the message is important, the notification logs are a good solution.
However, you can use cloud backups to comprehensively recover all messages and media files on both iOS and Android devices. In addition to all these methods, you can also learn whether the receiver has seen your messages before you deleted them by using WaLastseen. For enhanced monitoring, it provides extensive features and detailed activity logs.
FAQ
Q1. Can I retrieve unsent messages without using apps?
Minimal options allow users to recover unsent messages without any outside tools. These methods involve accessing the notification logs or restoring backups from the cloud services.Q2. Are third-party apps safe for tracking messages?
Most apps out there track online activity by invading users’ privacy and may even steal data. Therefore, it is better to use apps like WaLastseen since they only use publicly available data for tracking purposes.Q3. Does restoring backups affect recent messages?
You will lose all the messages that were received after completing the backup. To ensure they are also recovered during the restoring process, you will have to perform backup after receiving them.