Data Protection Centre/Slack/A Guide to Recover Deleted Slack Data

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In this article

  • What happens when Slack data gets deleted
  • How to recover deleted Slack data using the native eDiscovery tool
  • How to recover Slack data using the Slack import and export tool
  • How to restore deleted Slack data using SysCloud backup solution

A Guide to Recover Deleted Slack Data

29 Mar 2022
7 min read

Slack is one of the most popular workspace communication and collaboration tools available globally. Currently a part of Salesforce, the application has seen steady growth since its inception and now has over 12 million daily active users (DAUs).

What happens when Slack data gets deleted?

Slack does not have a built-in recycle bin. This means, users cannot retrieve deleted messages, channels, or files directly from Trash.  Below is an illustration of how data deletion works in Slack.

Slack data deletion process
While organizations cannot prevent accidental deletion, there are different methods available to help recover deleted Slack data. 
Below are two ways to retrieve deleted Slack data: 
  • using Slack eDiscovery 

  • recovering from exported Slack data 

  • using a third-party Slack backup solution  

Slack data recovery methods

How to recover deleted Slack data using the native eDiscovery tool

eDiscovery is the process of identifying, reviewing, and preserving electronically stored information to be presented as evidence in a legal proceeding. Slack’s eDiscovery API export mechanism allows organizations with Enterprise Grid subscription to use pre-approved third-party applications to export any organizational content- which includes data that was edited or deleted. Users can export deleted messages from public channels, private channels, and direct messages and files (accessible through direct download links). 

How to export data using Slack’s eDiscovery API

Organizations with Slack Enterprise Grid subscriptions are connected to a third-party eDiscovery partner using Slack’s eDiscovery API, to export and store Slack data from multiple workspaces. These eDiscovery apps export messages and files from Slack and store the information in a third-party data warehouse. 
These apps typically have read-only access to Slack message and file data and they cannot remove or quarantine the data within Slack. Exported messages and files can be searched, archived, or retrieved from these data warehouses.  

To know more about Slack eDiscovery, click here.

Limitations of exporting data using Slack eDiscovery

  • eDiscovery is only available for Enterprise Grid subscription users. 

  • The primary org owner or an org owner must request the Slack Support team to enable the Discovery API. 

How to recover Slack data using the Slack import and export tool

Slack’s native import and export tool allows organizations to export their Slack data manually or by scheduled exports of your data (daily, weekly, or monthly).  
The data exported will be available in JSON format. Admins can then download their exported Slack workspace to their local computers or third-party storage like S3 or Dropbox. 

Click here to learn how to export Slack data.

How to import Slack data

Organizations can recover lost or deleted data by importing it from exports created using the Slack import and export tool.  
Follow the below steps to learn how to import downloaded Slack data using Slack import and export tool: 
  • Step 1: Upload the zipped export file to a secure cloud service, such as Google Drive, Dropbox, or Box, and generate a public direct download link (make sure to keep this link to hand). (This step can be skipped, and the file can be uploaded directly during Step 5). 

  • Step 2: Click the workspace name on the top left. 

  • Step 3: Select Settings & administration, then choose Workspace settings from the menu. 

Slack import export tool
  • Step 4: Click on Import/Export data. Next to Slack, select Import.

Slack import export tool
  • Step 5: Paste the link to the export file into the Direct download link field or click on Upload it directly and choose the zipped export file from the local machine. 

  • Step 6: Click on Upload file. 

  • Step 7: An email will be sent when the upload is completed.  

Limitations of recovering deleted Slack data using the Import Export tool  

  • Only workspace owners can import data into Slack.

  • There is a limit to the amount of data that the tool can process at once. The export file might have to be split into multiple date ranges and processed as different imports 

  • Exporting and importing Slack data using the native tool is a time-consuming process since export must be set up manually for all plans except for Business+ subscription. If there is a large amount of data to be imported- it needs to be split into different date ranges. These might lead to further data loss.   

  • Owners cannot select specific messages or files to be imported back to the application. 

  • If internet access is lost, import progress is interrupted, and you will have to begin all over again. 

How to restore deleted Slack data using SysCloud backup solution 

SysCloud is a cloud backup application that automatically backs up all Slack workspaces. The backed-up data will be available in the backup archives to be restored at any time. SysCloud allows organizations to back up and restore Slack channels, direct messages, threads, user groups, and files. 

Follow the below steps to restore entire Slack channels from SysCloud backup archives: 

  • Step 1: Log in to the SysCloud application.  

  • Step 2: Click “Archives” and select Slack from the Backup and Restore drop-down.  

  • Step 3: Select the required workspace from the list. 

  • Step 4: Select the channel(s) to restore the data by clicking the checkbox next to the channel name.  Click "Restore".

  • Step 5: Select the snapshot date and time and select whether to overwrite the threads. 

Note: If selected, all the threads available in the selected channels will be overwritten with the version available in the snapshot. If left unselected, only the deleted threads will be restored.  

  • Step 6: Add comments to be shown in the restore report (optional) and click “Restore” to confirm.  

Follow the below steps to restore Slack threads from SysCloud backup archives

  • Step 1: Log in to the SysCloud application.  

  • Step 2: Click “Archives” and select Slack from the Backup and Restore drop-down.  

  • Step 3: Select the required workspace from the list. 

  • Step 4: Select the channel which contains the conversation thread.  

  • Step 5: Select the thread(s) to restore the data by clicking the checkbox next to it and click “Restore.”  

Note: Click on the thread to view its contents. 

  • Step 6: Select the snapshot date and time and select whether to overwrite the threads. 

Note: If selected, all the threads available in the selected channels will be overwritten with the version available in the snapshot. If unselected, the threads will be restored as new threads.

Step 7: Add comments to be shown in the restore report (optional) and click on “Restore” to confirm the restore. 

Follow the below steps to restore Slack direct messages from SysCloud backup archives:   

  • Step 1: Log in to the SysCloud application.  

  • Step 2: Click “Archives” and select Slack from the Backup and Restore drop-down.  

  • Step 3: Select the required workspace and select the “Direct Messages” tab. 

  • Step 4: Click on the direct message and select the direct messages thread(s) to be restored by selecting the checkbox next to it and click “Restore.”  

Note: To view a thread, click on it to view its contents and click “Restore.”  

  • Step 5: Select the snapshot date and time and select whether to overwrite the threads.  

Note: If selected, all the threads available in the selected channels will be overwritten with the version available in the snapshot. If unselected, the threads will be restored as new threads.  

  • Step 6: Add comments to be shown in the restore report (optional) and click on “Restore” to confirm the restore.  

Follow the below steps to restore Slack user groups from SysCloud backup archives:

  • Step 1: Log in to the SysCloud application.

  • Step 2: Click “Archives” and select Slack from the Backup and Restore drop-down.

  • Step 3: Select the required workspace from the list and select the tab “user groups.”  

  • Step 4: Select the user group(s) to be restored by selecting the checkbox next to it and click “Restore.”  

  • Step 5: Select the snapshot date and time and add comments to be shown in the restore report (optional). Click on “Restore” to confirm restore. 

Follow the below steps to restore files shared in Slack from SysCloud backup archives:

Note: All files stored in Slack are available as links and you cannot preview the files in the backup archives. When the file gets restored, the link is automatically converted to the original file.

  • Step 1: Log in to SysCloud application.

  • Step 2: Click “Archives” and select Slack from the Backup and Restore drop-down.

  • Step 3: Select the required workspace and select the tab “Workspace Files.”  

Note: Slack files are available in Slack conversations. SysCloud makes it easier for the users to search, view, and restore their files with the “Workspace Files” tab.  

  • Step 4: Select the file(s) to be restored by clicking the checkbox next to it and click “Restore.”

Note: To view a file and its contents, click on the file name.  

  • Step 5: Select snapshot date and time; add comments to be shown in the restore report (optional) and click on “Restore” to confirm the restore.  

Click here to learn more about SysCloud backup for Slack.

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In this article

  • What happens when Slack data gets deleted
  • How to recover deleted Slack data using the native eDiscovery tool
  • How to recover Slack data using the Slack import and export tool
  • How to restore deleted Slack data using SysCloud backup solution

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