WhatsApp has introduced a new feature that allows users to download deleted media files like images, videos, GIFs, voice messages, and documents. Earlier, when users deleted media files sent over WhatsApp from their smartphone's gallery, the content was gone forever. But now they can re-download the same later. The new feature is available on WhatsApp version 2.18.113 on Android.

Information The feature doesn't work with media that's too old

The feature worked with media as old as three months. But for the files that were too old (say, last year), it didn't work. Instead, WhatsApp suggested users ask the sender to send the media again, indicating that's the only way to get it back.

Security Media will be stored for longer on WhatsApp's servers now

This means that WhatsApp, in order to make the feature work, now stores our media on its servers even after it has been delivered and downloaded by users. Earlier, WhatsApp stored media that was yet to be downloaded on its servers for 30 days, post which it was deleted from their end. However, please note that media files are end-to-end encrypted on the app.

Information Feature won't work if media deleted from WhatsApp chat itself

Keep in mind that in order to re-download, the media file must only have been deleted from its destination folder on the smartphone (sdcard/WhatsApp/), and not from the message in WhatsApp itself. Once the latter happens, it's not possible to get back the file.

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