How to Recover Deleted Skype Messages on Windows

What Is Skype?

As one of the most widely used platforms, Skype is an application that enables users to connect with family, friends, classmates, and others through video calls, voice calls, text messaging, and instant messaging.

This app is free to use and compatible with various operating systems, including Android phones, iPhones, iPads, Mac computers, and Windows PCs.

Duration of Files and Data Available in Skype

Skype keeps your files, recorded calls, various photos and videos you’ve shared, along with other items. You can conveniently access these resources across all your devices.

However, the availability period for each item varies, as outlined below:

• Messages, videos, and pictures: These items will be accessible for 30 days.
• Chat list entries: Chat list entries remain available until they are deleted or users exit conversations. It doesn’t have a fixed expiration time.
• Files: Files can be accessed for 30 days.
• Voice messages and voicemail: These are retrievable for 30 days.
• Call recordings: Call recordings will be available for 30 days.

Message Storage System of Skype

Unlike conventional email platforms, Skype doesn’t keep messages on its servers for an unlimited time. Instead, messages are saved locally on your device and can be synced across various devices based on your preferences.

• Cloud-Based Storage: Messages are stored on Skype’s servers, making them accessible from any device. It only works in modern versions of Skype (version 8 and above).
• Encryption: To ensure security, Skype uses encryption for messages, which makes unauthorized retrieval difficult. In this situation, Skype stores messages locally on the devices involved in the conversation.
• Local Backups: Skype might generate local backups on your device depending on your settings and how you use the app. Only users of Classic Skype (versions 7 and below) have local backups.

Why Are Your Skype Messages Lost?

There are several possible reasons why your Skype messages might be lost or missing. Here’s a breakdown of the most common causes:

• Syncing fails if you signed in on a different device.
• Windows malfunctions.
• Skype is crashing or freezing.
• Old messages were deleted automatically.
• The Skype app is outdated or corrupted.
• Accidentally deleted messages.
• …

If you frequently use Skype, your device is likely to have many messages and files saved. What happens if you accidentally delete your Skype chats, or if they appear to be gone? Is it possible to recover deleted Skype chat history or messages?

Is It Possible to Recover Deleted Skype Messages?

Absolutely! It is indeed possible. Skype retains previous chat messages, so even if they’re no longer visible in the chat window, the history is preserved. Therefore, if you still have access to your Skype and haven’t cleared the chat history, you should be able to see older messages.

However, it can be challenging to recover deleted Skype messages if the database folder has been overwritten or is missing. If the file is missing but hasn’t been overwritten by others, your only option may be to use professional data recovery software to restore it.

How to Recover Deleted Skype Messages on Windows

How to recover lost messages in Skype? Here are four methods. If you are using the Skype 2017 version or earlier, you can recover your messages from the main.db file or use a powerful data recovery tool. For both old and modern Skype, local backups or Skype exported files can help you get your messages back.

Option 1. Recover from the main.db File

If you were using classic Skype (pre-2017), your messages were stored locally in a file called main.db.

What is the main.db file?

Main.db is an SQLite database file that older versions of Skype, particularly the classic desktop editions, utilize to locally save your chat history, contacts, call records, and certain settings on your computer.

Where to find the main.db file?

For older Skype versions (like Skype 7 and earlier), messages may be stored in a local database file called main.db. The file location is: C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\Skype\Your Skype ID.

>> To access the main.db file:

1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box, type %appdata%\Skype in the bar, then press Enter.
2. Open the folder with your Skype name.

>> To recover deleted or lost Skype messages via the main.db file:

1. Download and set up Skyperious or SkypeLogView to access and open the Skype database file.
2. Use the browser feature of the application to find the conversation that includes the deleted messages.

Option 2. Recover Using MiniTool Power Data Recovery

What if you can’t locate the main.db file? In such a case, opt for using recovery software. MiniTool Power Data Recovery is worth recommending. Moreover, if you have exported your Skype messages, which is a .tar exported file, and this file is missing, you can also use this robust data restore tool to rescue your data.

MiniTool Power Data Recovery is known for its intuitive interface, high recovery success rate, and support for various file types, data storage media, and data loss scenarios. It can help you scan the detected hard drive thoroughly and recover all types of lost files, including documents, videos, photos, audio, emails, archives, and more.

In addition to internal or external hard drives, it also supports recovering files from USB flash drives, SD cards, CDs/DVDs, and other file storage media. This free data recovery software allows you to recover 1 GB of files for free.

Next, I will show you how to use MiniTool Power Data Recovery to recover deleted Skype messages.

Step 1. Click the button below to download and install this MiniTool file recovery tool. Then, launch it to enter the main interface.

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Step 2. This software offers two data recovery modules. Under Logical Drives, you will see all disk partitions, including existing partitions, lost partitions, or even unallocated space. Under Devices, you will see all internal or external disks connected to your computer.

Select the C drive (By default) where your Skype is installed and click Scan to start scanning for files.

Step 3. Once the scanning is complete, you can begin to locate the files you wish to recover. You can browse through all found files using either the original folder structure or the file type, available under the Path and Type tabs.

To locate the main.db file or the .tar exported file, you use the Search feature in the top-right corner by entering main.db or tar in the box and pressing Enter.

Step 4: Select all the files you wish to recover, then click the Save button. In the subsequent window, select a location to save the recovered files. Please refrain from storing the recovered files on the same drive to prevent data overwriting. Next, click OK to confirm the action.

Option 3. Restore from the Windows Backup/Previous Version

An alternative way to recover deleted messages on Skype is by utilizing the Windows backup feature. This function allows you to view earlier versions of a folder to recover your files.

However, for this approach to work, you must have enabled the File History before deleting the Skype messages. If you haven’t done this, then this method won’t be helpful.

Step 1. Press the Windows + E keys together to launch File Explorer.

Step 2. Then, go to this path: C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\Skype\YourSkypeUsername.

Step 3. Locate the chat or user from which you deleted the Skype message, right-click on the file, and choose Properties.

Step 4. Select the Previous Versions tab, choose the version you want to restore, and then click the Restore button.

Option 4. Retrieve from Exported Files

As Microsoft allows users to export their messages and media from chat, if you have enabled Skype cloud backup feature before, you can use this method to recover your data.

Step 1. Export the Message File

1. Log in to the Export page using your Microsoft account. 
2. Choose the option to download your Conversations, Files, or both.
3. Click on Submit request, then select Continue when prompted.
4. You will need to periodically return to the export page to check the status of your export, which can be viewed at the top of the page under Available Exports. A download link for your files will also appear there once they are ready.
5. Press the Download button to get your files.

Step 2. Open the .tar File

1. Press the Win + R keys on your keyboard to bring up the Run window.
2. In the field, input cmd and then click OK.
3. Use the “change directory” command to go to your file: >> For files stored in your Downloads folder: Type CD Downloads and then hit Enter. >> For files stored in a different location: Type CD DIRECTORY, replacing DIRECTORY with the folder name where your exported file is saved. For example, CD Desktop. And then press Enter.
4. Type tar -xvfYOURFILENAME_export.tar, replacing YOURFILENAME with the name of your exported file, which generally follows the naming convention 8_skypename_export.tar or 8_live_skypename_export.tar, and then press Enter.
5. Once the command has finished executing, you will find your extracted messages file named messages.json in that directory. Download a file viewer to make it easier to read through your conversation history.
6. After you download the viewer, open it by selecting the index.html file from the skype-parser folder.
7. Navigate to the messages.json file and then click the Load button.

Option 5. Recover from the eba File

To recover video messages in Skype, you can use the AppData folder, which holds application-specific data, including Skype’s cache (.eba file).

The .eba file for Skype is related to Skype for Business and is typically used for archiving and backup purposes, particularly for user-specific data like videos.

The method mentioned below can be especially effective in restoring recently deleted Skype video messages.

Step 1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box, type %appdata%\Skype in the box, and press Enter.

Step 2. Search for files that have names starting with eba followed by digits, for example, eba123.dat. Transfer these files to a secure location, like the desktop.

Step 3. Change the file extensions of the copied files to .txt. Utilize a text editor to open the renamed files and look for your missing video messages.

Gentle Reminder: How to Recover Deleted Skype Chat History on Phone?

Some users are also asking for help in recovering deleted Skype messages on their phones, including Android and iPhone. Below are some simple solutions you can give them a shot.

>> Recover Skype Messages on Android

# Way 1. Verify if the chat is hidden or has been archived.

Sometimes, a chat may vanish from the recent list without actually being deleted.

1. Launch the Skype app.
2. Tap on Search and input the name of the contact.
3. If the chat shows up, tap on it — your conversation history might still be intact.
4. If it displays “This message has been removed,” it was probably deleted manually and cannot be restored.

# Way 2. Sync from a Different Device.

Since Skype keeps messages in the cloud, chats may still be accessible on other devices. Log in to your Skype account on a computer or via the web to check if your message history is still accessible there.

# Way 3. Request an Official Export from Microsoft.

You have the option to request a comprehensive archive of your Skype data from Microsoft’s privacy dashboard, including messages.

1. Visit the Microsoft website.
2. Sign in using your Microsoft/Skype account.
3. Click on Download your data.
4. Choose Skype from the options and submit the request.
5. Within a period of a few hours to a few days, you will be able to download a .tar file.
6. You can extract this .tar file on a computer and view messages.json using any text editor or JSON viewer.

>> Recover Skype Messages on iPhone

# Way 1. Recover Skype Messages via iTunes Backup

1. Using your USB cable, connect your iOS device to your computer and open iTunes.
2. Wait for the application to recognize your device, click on the iPhone icon in the upper left corner, and select Summary.
3. In the Summary section, click on the Restore Backup option and pick the backup that best fits your needs. You can check the date and time of the backups, then select the most recent one. Click Restore afterward.
4. Next, you need to be patient while the restoration process takes place. Keep your device attached to your computer until the process has finished.

# Way 2. Recover Skype Messages via iCloud Backup

You can utilize this method to retrieve deleted Skype messages from an iCloud backup if you have enabled automatic backups.

1. Factory reset your iPhone by navigating to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
2. Choose Restore from iCloud Backup during setup.
3. Select a backup date when the messages existed.

Bonus Tip: Prevent Future Data Loss in Skype

There are two ways to prevent Skype data loss in the future, including:

• Regular Backups: Make sure to perform regular backups of your Skype data to prevent potential data loss in the future.
• Enable Cloud Sync: Utilize Skype’s cloud capabilities to ensure your messages remain secure and easily accessible.

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Final Blurb

Losing important Skype messages can be frustrating. But there is no need to worry too much. This guide introduces how to recover Skype messages on Windows and Phone by using a professional data recovery tool, via the main.db file, the Skype cloud, Windows backup, or the AppData folder.

If you need any help with MiniTool’s products, please send an email to the support team via [email protected].