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How to Check Who Deleted Messages in a Discord Server or Channel

Key takeaways:

  • Discord server owners and administrators can view the audit log to see who deleted messages
  • Third-party bots and plugins like Dyno Bot and BetterDiscord can log deleted messages
  • Deleted messages are permanently removed from Discord’s servers and cannot be directly recovered

Introduction

Discord is a popular communication platform for communities, gaming groups, and friends to chat, share media, and hang out online. One of the challenges of managing a Discord server is dealing with deleted messages. Whether it’s accidental deletion or intentional removal of inappropriate content, server owners and moderators often need to know who deleted a message and when.

In this article, we’ll explore various methods to check who deleted messages in a Discord server or channel, including using Discord’s built-in audit log feature and third-party tools. We’ll also cover some frequently asked questions about message deletion on Discord.

Using Discord’s Audit Log

Discord provides an audit log feature that records various actions taken within a server, including message deletions. However, only server owners and users with the “View Audit Log” permission can access this feature. Here’s how to check the audit log:

  1. Open your Discord server and click on the server name at the top.
  2. Click on “Server Settings” in the dropdown menu.
  3. In the left sidebar, click on “Audit Log” under the “Moderation” section.
  4. Look for “Message Delete” actions in the audit log. The entry will show who deleted the message, when it was deleted, and in which channel.

Keep in mind that the audit log only stores entries for up to 90 days, and it doesn’t show the content of the deleted message.

Third-Party Bots and Plugins

If you need more advanced message logging capabilities or want to see the content of deleted messages, you can use third-party bots or plugins. Here are a couple of popular options:

Dyno Bot

Dyno is a multipurpose Discord bot that offers various moderation and logging features, including message deletion logging. To set up message logging with Dyno:

  1. Invite Dyno to your server using the official website.
  2. Configure the bot’s permissions and settings.
  3. Enable message logging in the Dyno dashboard.
  4. Create a dedicated channel for Dyno to post message deletion logs.

Dyno will now log deleted messages in the designated channel, along with the user who deleted it and the original message content.

BetterDiscord Plugin

BetterDiscord is a third-party modification for the Discord client that adds various features and customization options. One of its plugins, MessageLoggerV2, allows you to log deleted and edited messages locally. To use this plugin:

  1. Install BetterDiscord on your computer.
  2. Download the MessageLoggerV2 plugin.
  3. Place the plugin file in the BetterDiscord plugins folder.
  4. Enable the plugin in the BetterDiscord settings.

Now, whenever someone deletes a message in a server or DM, you’ll see the deleted message content in the chat with a red background.

Limitations and Considerations

While these methods can help you track deleted messages, there are some limitations and things to keep in mind:

  • Deleted messages are permanently removed from Discord’s servers, so you can’t directly recover them without using third-party tools.
  • Audit logs and third-party logging solutions only work for messages deleted after you set them up. They can’t retrieve messages deleted before that.
  • Using third-party bots and plugins may violate Discord’s Terms of Service, so use them at your own risk.
  • Respect your community’s privacy and only use message logging for legitimate moderation purposes, not to spy on users.

Conclusion

Tracking deleted messages on Discord is possible using the built-in audit log feature or third-party tools like bots and plugins. However, it’s important to use these methods responsibly and respect user privacy. By understanding how to check who deleted messages, server owners and moderators can better manage their communities and address any issues that arise.

FAQ

Can I see deleted messages on Discord mobile app?

No, the methods mentioned in this article only work on the Discord desktop app or web version. The mobile app doesn’t have an audit log feature or support third-party plugins.

How far back does the Discord audit log go?

The audit log only stores entries for up to 90 days. Older entries are automatically removed.

Can I recover deleted messages on Discord?

No, once a message is deleted, it’s permanently removed from Discord’s servers. You can only see the content of deleted messages if you had a logging bot or plugin set up before the deletion occurred.

Is it against Discord’s rules to use third-party logging tools?

Using third-party tools like bots and plugins may violate Discord’s Terms of Service, depending on how they’re used. Make sure to review the terms and use these tools responsibly, at your own risk.

Can regular users see who deleted a message on Discord?

No, only server owners and users with the “View Audit Log” permission can access the audit log and see who deleted messages. Regular users can’t see this information.

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