How to Recover Deleted chat.db Chat History on a Mac

If you store your iMessages in iCloud, deleting them on your Mac removes them from all connected devices. In this article, you'll find some practical methods to locate and recover chat.db conversation logs on your Mac.

What is the chat.db File on Mac?

The chat.db file on a Mac is an SQLite database file that stores chat and message data for the Messages application. It contains information about your iMessages and text messages, such as the content of the messages, attachments, and other metadata. To access this chat.db file, follow these steps:

You can find the chat history files, saved in the .ad format, in the "Messages" folder. If you've experienced lost messages or accidentally deleted significant content, recovering the chat.db on your MacBook Air or Pro can be a viable solution.

To begin accessing the chat.db file on your Mac, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the Finder. Click on “Go” in the top menu bar and then “Go to Folder.”

Step 2: Type in ~/Library/iMessages to show the Messages folder in the opened area.

Step 3: In the "Messages" folder, find the file called "chat.db," which contains your chat history.

When you lose the chat.db file on your Mac, you miss out on critical conversation data. We provide four effective ways to recover chat.db on Mac, the repository for your message history. Read on for a detailed insight.

Solution 1: Recover Deleted chat.db Chat Messages Using Software

If you delete messages on a Mac, the chat.db file may also get removed. To recover deleted chat.db on Mac, consider installing Data Recovery Wizard for Mac as your data recovery software.

This tool ensures the safety of recovering deleted messages on MacBook Air and Pro. The data recovery software has a user-friendly interface, making it easy to use even for individuals with no experience in data recovery.

Follow the steps below to recover deleted messages on Mac and get the chat.db file back:

Step 1: Search for the Lost File

On macOS Sierra, High Sierra, Mojave, Catalina, Big Sur, Monterey, Ventura, and the latest Sonoma, select the disk location where you want to search for the missing files (it can be an internal HDD/SSD or a removable storage device). Then, hit the “Search for Lost Files” button.

Note: Before you proceed with data recovery, it's recommended that you click “Disk Backup” from the left sidebar to create a backup of your Mac to prevent further data loss. After the backup, the software can recover data from the Mac backup, and your computer can write new data again.

Step 2: Browse the scan results

Data Recovery Wizard immediately scans the disk volume you select and displays the scan results.

Step 3: Select the files and recover them.

In the scan results, select the files you want to preview and then click the "Recover" button to get them back.

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Solution 2: Recover Deleted chat.db Messages from Mac Trash

For Mac users, the macOS Trash is a specially designed folder that temporarily holds recently deleted files. In case of accidental file deletion, it is the primary place to look for potential data recovery.

Recover Deleted Files from Mac Trash:

Step 1: Click on the Trash icon and select the file or folder you want to restore.

Step 2: Right-click (or control-click) on the project, which will bring up a drop-down menu.

Step 3: From the menu, select “Undelete” to start the recovery process.

If the “Restore Defaults” option is grayed out or not available, read this article to fix the error.

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Solution 3: Recover deleted chat.db Messages from Time Machine Backup

"Time Machine" is an important built-in application on every Mac, designed specifically for data backups. If you've set up Time Machine to regularly back up your Mac, then this tool can be a valuable resource for quickly locating the backed-up version you need and restoring deleted iMessages.

This is especially useful if you're trying to recover old iMessages on a MacBook.

Follow the steps to restore Mac from Time Machine backup to get back the deleted text messages:

Step 1: Connect the drive with your backup to your Mac.

Step 2: Click on the Time Machine icon in the top menu to launch Time Machine.

Click the Time Machine icon

Step 3: Use the timeline on the right to choose the version of the backup that you want.

Step 4: Go to Library > Info.

Step 5: Click on the chat.db file to select it, then hit the “Recover” button to start the recovery process.

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Solution 4: View Deleted chat.db Chat Records from Another iOS Device

Another way to retrieve deleted iMessages is by using another Apple device – an iPhone or iPad – that's paired with and shares the same Apple ID as your Mac.

Here are the steps to recover deleted iMessages:

Step 1: As soon as you've deleted the messages on your Mac, disconnect from the Internet to prevent iMessage from syncing with other devices.

Step 2: Disconnect your iPhone or iPad from the Internet, and then open the Messages app.

This will allow you to successfully view the deleted iMessages.

Conclusion

In short, retrieving deleted chat messages from the chat.db file on a Mac requires careful consideration of the actual solution.

The methods discussed, ranging from using professional data recovery tools like the Mac Data Recovery Wizard to checking the Mac Trash and leveraging Time Machine backups, offer options for users in different data loss situations.

You can choose the most suitable recovery method based on your specific situation and preferences to ensure the best recovery outcome. For a seamless and efficient recovery experience, we highly recommend downloading a data recovery tool such as "Data Recovery Wizard for Mac."

Its user-friendly interface, powerful scanning capabilities, and swift operation make it an ideal choice for recovering deleted messages on a Mac.

Remember, acting quickly is crucial for a successful recovery of lost data. Download our recovery software right away and take control of your precious chat history on Mac.

**Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on How to Recover Deleted chat.db Chat Records** 1. **Q: What is a chat.db file?** **A:** A chat.db file is a database file typically associated with instant messaging apps like WhatsApp or similar ones. It stores chat history, contact information, and more. 2. **Q: Why do I need to recover a chat.db file?** **A:** If you accidentally deleted important chat records or lost data, recovering the chat.db file can help you retrieve that information. 3. **Q: Can a deleted chat.db file be recovered?** **A:** In some cases, yes. It depends on whether the file has been overwritten. You can try using a data recovery software to restore it. 4. **Q: How do I use a data recovery software?** **A:** First, download and install a reputable data recovery tool like Recuva or Disk Drill. Then, select the device that might contain the chat.db file, scan the device, and preview and recover the file. 5. **Q: Can it be recovered without a backup?** **A:** Without a backup, the possibility of recovery depends on whether the file still exists in the unallocated space on your device. If it's been overwritten by new data, it may not be recoverable. 6. **Q: Can I recover from a cloud backup?** **A:** If you have cloud sync enabled in the app (e.g., WhatsApp with Google Drive), you might be able to restore chat history directly from the cloud service, not necessarily the chat.db file itself. 7. **Q: Will the recovery process harm my device or data?** **A:** Using the right tools and methods generally won't damage your device or existing data. However, avoid writing any new data during the recovery process. 8. **Q: Are chat.db files from all apps recoverable?** **A:** It depends on how the app stores and manages its data. Some might use encryption or different file formats, making recovery more complicated. 9. **Q: Are there free methods to recover chat.db?** **A:** There are free data recovery tools available to try, but they might not be as powerful as paid software. Be cautious when downloading any software to avoid malware. 10. **Q: What if I can't find the chat.db file?** **A:** The chat.db file might be hidden in a specific directory on your device, like within WhatsApp's data folder. If you can't locate it, consult the app's help documentation or contact their support for further guidance. Remember that data recovery isn't always successful, so regularly backing up important information is best practice.

Please be sure to also read below for more information on deleted messages in chat.db.

1. Does the chat database store deleted messages?

The chat.db database serves as a repository for past and ongoing chat conversations. To search for deleted iMessages, you can access the chat.db file using an application like TextEdit. If the desired chat.db file is not found, you can utilize a reliable third-party tool to recover the messages.

2. Where can I find deleted chat messages?

Deleted messages are available for review and recovery in the Recently Deleted folder for 30 days, after which they're removed from all your devices. After 40 days, the messages are permanently deleted from iCloud. To access the Recently Deleted folder in the Messages app on your Mac:

Step 1. Click "View".

Step 2: Next, select “Recently Deleted.”

3. Can I recover deleted chat history on my Mac?

Yes, you can. When you delete a message or conversation, it gets moved to the Recently Deleted folder. Items in this folder can be viewed and restored for up to 30 days. After that, the deleted message is moved to the Trash on your Mac.

To access them,

Step 1: Click the Trash icon in your Dock on your Mac.

Step 2: Control-click the “Messages” folder in the Trash.

Step 3: Choose the "Restore to Original Location" option to put the files back where they were.