How to Recover 1 Year Old WhatsApp Messages Without a Backup

Last Updated: December 22, 2021 References

Are you trying to recover old WhatsApp messages that you deleted and never backed up? There are plenty of applications you can install on your computer that can help you do so! A few data recovery applications include dr. fone, iMyFone, and PhoneRescue.^{[1]
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Research source} Tenorshare UltData is another credible application that can be used for both Android and iOS devices. This wikiHow article will teach you how to recover 1-year-old WhatsApp messages without a backup.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Installing Tenorshare UltData on a Mac

1
Decide which Tenorshare UltData application you should install. You can install this app via the website. Use Tenorshare UltData if you want to recover messages from an iOS device, and use Tenorshare UltData for Android if you want to recover messages from an Android. ^{[2]
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2
Click “Free Trial.” After the application downloads to your Mac, click on the Downloads icon on the right side of your dock. Click on the most recent download.
- Keep in mind that the free version only allows you to scan recovered files, rather than fully restore them. If you want to be able to restore and download files, click on "Buy Now" (located right next to "Free Trial") and fill out your payment information. The paid version costs around $55/month.^{[3]
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3
Drag the application to the “Applications” folder. You should see a small window appear with the UltData icon on the left and the Applications folder on the right. Drag the UltData icon into the folder. Now double click the Applications folder.
- Right after you drag the application, you will briefly see a smaller window that indicates the loading process. Make sure to double click on the Applications folder only after this disappears.
4
Scroll through your Applications folder until you find the UltData icon. Your computer may ask if you want to open the application, in which case you should click the blue “Open” button. Then click on the UltData icon on your bottom menu bar to open the application.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Installing Tenorshare UltData on a Windows PC

1
Decide which Tenorshare UltData you should install. Use Tenorshare UltData for an iOS device, and use Tenorshare UltData for Android for an Android device.
2
Click on the grey text, “Go to Windows →” located underneath the two orange rectangular buttons. This will ensure you are installing the Windows version.
3
Click “Free Trial.” Then click “Save.” After a few seconds, the application will download.
- Keep in mind that the free version only allows you to scan recovered files, rather than fully restore them. If you want to be able to restore and download files, click on "Buy Now" (located right next to "Free Trial") and proceed to fill out your payment information. The paid version on a Windows PC costs around $45/month.
4
Open the file. Go to your Downloads folder by clicking on “File” and “Downloads” from your PC’s menu bar. Double click the UltData file and follow the on-screen instructions to finish downloading it. ^{[4]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Recovering WhatsApp Messages from an iOS Device

1
Click on “Backup & Restore Social App.” Once you have installed and opened Tenorshare UltData on your computer, you can find this button in the bottom right corner. Next click on the “WhatsApp” button on the far left.^{[5]
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- Keep in mind that you can only use a Mac for data recovery from an iOS device.
2
Plug your iOS device into your computer. Do this using a USB cable.
3
Click the blue “Backup” button. Now just wait a few minutes for the program to backup your files. Once it is finished, click the blue text “To view the backup list.” Click on the top file and then click on “Restore” in the bottom right corner.
4
Select and recover WhatsApp data. After the program has scanned everything, you will be able to see all of your WhatsApp data (including deleted files). To select data that you want to recover and save to your computer, click on the square box to the left of the file. Click “Recover to Mac” in the bottom right corner.
- To select all files, click on “Select all” in the top left corner.
5
Select a location for your recovered files. A pop-up window will appear that lists the possible locations for your files to reside on your computer. Click on your desired location, then click on the blue “Open” button in the bottom right corner. Your old WhatsApp data is now successfully recovered!

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Recovering WhatsApp Messages from an Android

1
Click on “Recover WhatsApp Data.” Once you have installed and opened Tenorshare UltData for Android on your computer, you will see a window with two large square buttons. Click on the left button. ^{[6]
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2
Plug your Android into your computer. Do this by using a USB cable.
3
Enable USB debugging. On your Android, open Settings and tap on “Developer options.” Tap on the toggle switch located to the right of the text, “USB debugging.”^{[7]
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Research source} A pop-up window will now appear on your Android, asking you to authorize the PC. Click “Ok.”
- If you don’t see Developer Options, you may have an Android model that hides it. If this is the case, tap on “About Phone” in Settings. Then find “Build Number” and tap on it seven times. You will now see the Developer Options page.
4
Click “Start” on your computer. This is a green rectangular button. Now follow the prompt on the screen to sign in to your WhatsApp account.
5
Backup your WhatsApp data. Open WhatsApp on your Android and tap on the three dots in the top right corner. Tap on “Settings,” “Chats,” “Chat Backup,” and the green “Back Up” button.^{[8]
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Research source} Once you have done this, click the “Backed Up! Continue” button on your computer screen.
- Backing everything up ensures that none of your files will be lost during this process of data recovery.
6
On your Android, click on “Back up my data.” This pop-up window will appear on your device after a few minutes.
7
Select and recover WhatsApp data. After the program has scanned everything, all of your WhatsApp data (including deleted files) will appear on the UltData application window. To select data that you want to recover and save to your computer, click on the square box to the left of the file. Click “Recover” in the bottom right corner and select the location for your files to reside on your computer. Your old WhatsApp data is now successfully recovered!
- To select all files, click on “Select all” in the top left corner.