How to read messages someone deleted
When somebody deletes a message for everyone, the official app replaces it with a notice and the content is gone. With anti-delete enabled, WhatsApp Plus keeps it in your conversation and marks that the sender tried to withdraw it.
There is an important detail almost nobody mentions: the feature is not retroactive. It only protects messages that arrive after you switch it on, so turn it on from day one.
Step by step
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1
Open privacy settings
Three-dot menu, then Settings, then Privacy and security.
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2
Enable anti-delete messages
Switch the option on. From now on, whatever they delete stays visible to you.
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3
Enable anti-delete statuses
Just below is the equivalent option for updates the author pulls before 24 hours.
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4
Check that it works
Ask someone you trust to message you and delete it. It should remain in your chat with a marker.
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5
Watch your notifications
Even if the app closes, the copy of the message is stored locally on your phone.
Tips and warnings
- It works with text, photos, video and voice notes.
- It does not apply to messages deleted before you enabled the option: those cannot be recovered.
- Keeping and sharing a message somebody chose to withdraw can breach their privacy; use judgement.
Questions about this guide
Does the sender know I kept it?
They receive no notification.
Does it use much space?
Very little for text. With photos and video it grows, because the file is stored on the phone.