Finding Deleted Text Messages on iPhones and Android

How to Find Deleted Text Messages? iPhone & Android

Have you ever deleted an important text message and regretted it later? Many of us have made this common mistake. Whether it's a sentimental conversation or crucial information, losing messages can be a significant setback. However, the good news is that it's often possible to find deleted text messages on iPhones and Androids.


How to Find Deleted Text Messages on iPhone?

To recover deleted text messages on your iPhone, go to “recently deleted” on the Messages app or utilize third-party recovery tools. For users who back up their devices regularly, you can retrieve lost messages on iCloud.

1. Check the Message App

You can use the Recently Deleted feature in the Messages app to recover deleted text messages on your iPhone. By accessing this folder, you can find and restore recently removed conversations.
 

  1. Go to Message App.
  2. Click Edit and then Select Recently Deleted.
  3. Then, select the conversation whose messages you want to store.
  4. Tap Recover Messages.

2. Recover with iCloud backup

To recover deleted text messages using an iCloud backup, ensure your messages are backed up in iCloud. After resetting your iPhone, all the backed-up messages will be restored from iCloud.
 

  1. Open the Settings app and tap your name at the top.
  2. Select iCloud and turn on Messages in the app list.
  3. Tap iCloud Backup and check whether it has backed up.
  4. Go to General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings to restore.
  5. After resetting, select Restore from iCloud Backup, and your messages will be recovered.

3. Use Third-party App

If the first two methods don't work, you can use third-party recovery apps, like Dr.Fone, iMobie PhoneRescue, and Tenorshare UltData. To recover your messages, you just need to install the software on a computer, connect your iPhone, and follow the on-screen instructions. These apps often require a paid subscription to unlock full features. Also, ensure you choose a reputable app to avoid security risks.

How to Recover Deleted Text Messages on Android?

On Android, you can check the recycle bin (older models) to recover deleted text messages, whereas on newer ones, go to the archived section of Google Messages. If you’ve backed up your messages beforehand, retrieve them from the Google Drive backup.

1. Using Google Messages

In Google Messages, if you archived the messages, you can recover them from an archived section. However, you can't retrieve messages that are permanently deleted.

Here are the steps if you archived the messages.
 

  1. Open Messages and tap the right corner.
  2. Click Archived, and archived messages will appear there.
  3. Select the conversation and tap on Unarchived to recover the messages in the message box.

2. Check the Recycle Bin

On older Android devices, you can recover deleted messages from the Recycle Bin in the Messages app. You can also view and restore deleted conversations by accessing the Recycle Bin.

To do so,
 

  1. Open Messages and tap on three dots.
  2. Tap the Recycle Bin, where all the deleted messages will appear there.
  3. Select the conversation you want to recover.
  4. Tap on Restore, and then all the restored messages appear in the messages box.

3. Google Drive backup

Google Drive allows you to back up important data, including messages. If you’ve already backed up messages before deleting them, you can quickly recover lost or deleted messages on your Android device after signing into the correct Google Drive account.
 

  1. Go to your phone's Settings.
  2. Select Accounts and Backup.
  3. Choose Backup and Restore.

Note: Ensure you have access to the Google Drive account used for backups.

4. Recovering Deleted SMS Via Contacting Phone Carriers

Recovering deleted SMS messages through your phone carrier is often possible, depending on the carrier's policies and the specific cases. Carriers may retain text message data for a limited period, usually for billing or service purposes, and can sometimes retrieve it upon request. However, this process often requires you to provide proof of identity and may sometimes involve legal procedures. It's essential to act quickly for this procedure, as carriers typically don’t store SMS data for extended periods.

How to Prevent Losing Your Messages?

To prevent losing your text messages, regularly back up the device, enable cloud services, or use an app with archiving features. If you haven't deleted the messages, you can check the recycle bin or trash to retrieve them.
 

  1. Regular Device Backup: Check the devices regularly to see whether the system is backed up properly. This ensures that all text messages and other important files and folders are backed up so you can quickly recover the messages when needed.
     
  2. Enable Cloud Services: For iPhone, you can enable cloud services like iCloud, and for Android, you can enable Google Drive to back up important messages or files.
     
  3. Use Apps with Archiving Features: Apps with archiving features store text messages without deleting them. This allows you to keep important messages so that you can quickly recover them when needed.
     
  4. Check for Recycle Bin or Trash: Check your device's recycle bin or trash folder if you've accidentally deleted messages. You may be able to recover the messages before they are permanently deleted (it usually takes 30 days for messages to be permanently deleted).

Conclusion

Losing important text messages can be frustrating, but recovery is often possible with the proper methods. Whether you're using an Android or iPhone, there are several ways to restore deleted messages, such as checking the messaging app, using backups, or contacting your mobile carrier. Additionally, to prevent future data loss, ensure regular backups and enable cloud services like Google Drive or iCloud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recover deleted text messages?

It is possible to recover deleted text messages. On Android, check the Messages app, Google Drive, or contact your carrier; on iPhone, use iCloud, the Recently Deleted folder, or third-party apps.

Can you restore deleted text messages on an iPhone?

You can store deleted text messages on an iPhone by checking the Recently Deleted folder in the Messages app, recovering from an iCloud backup, or using third-party recovery tools to retrieve them.

Are deleted text messages permanently gone?

Deleted text messages are not always permanently gone. Sometimes, they can be recovered through backups, apps, or contacting your mobile carrier.

Is there a folder for deleted text messages?

Both Android and iPhone devices have a folder for deleted text messages. On Android, messages might be stored temporarily in the Recycle Bin or Archive sections of the Messages app. On your iPhone, you can check the Recently Deleted folder in the Message app.


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