Deleted WhatsApp Messages: How to View Them Using a Hidden Feature on Your Phone

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia — The delete-message feature available in messaging apps such as WhatsApp can sometimes leave recipients curious. Messages are often withdrawn before they can be read, leaving the recipient wondering what they said.

However, Android users can use a built-in system feature to view the contents of deleted messages without installing a third-party app.

The feature is called Notification History. It records notifications received by the phone, including text messages, emails and chats from messaging apps.

Once enabled, it allows users to review notifications received in the previous 24 hours. Messages deleted by their sender may still leave a record and can be read in this log.

There are some limitations. Notifications older than 24 hours are automatically and permanently deleted from the system. The feature also only records messages from contacts or groups whose notifications are enabled. If a message comes from a muted chat, the system will not record it because no notification appeared on the screen.

The feature is useful for more than viewing messages that have disappeared. It can also help users find buried notifications they have not had a chance to read, and identify apps that send too many unnecessary alerts so they can turn those notifications off.

Here is how to enable Notification History on Android:

Google Pixel and Motorola phones

• Open Settings.

• Select Notifications.

• Tap Notification History.

• Toggle the feature on.

Samsung phones

• Open the Settings app.

• Go to Notifications.

• Select Advanced Settings.

• Tap Notification History.

• Turn on the toggle beside the option.