How to Find Deleted Messages on iPhone – Step-by-Step Guide

How to Find Deleted Messages on iPhone: Losing important messages on your iPhone can be frustrating, especially if they contain valuable information or memories.

Thankfully, there are several ways to recover deleted messages, whether they’ve vanished by mistake or due to technical issues.

This step-by-step guide will walk you through proven methods to find and recover deleted messages on your iPhone.

Can Deleted Messages Be Recovered on iPhone?

Apple devices are designed with user-friendly features that make data recovery possible. Whether or not you can retrieve deleted messages depends on several factors:

1. Retention Features: iPhones running iOS 16 or later often save deleted messages in a “Recently Deleted” folder for 30 days.
2. Backups: Messages included in iCloud or iTunes/Finder backups can be restored.
3. Third-Party Tools: If no backup is available, certain software solutions can retrieve data directly from your device’s memory.

Act quickly because the chances of recovery diminish as time passes or new data overwrites the deleted messages.

Methods to Retrieve Deleted Messages on iPhone

Using Recently Deleted Folder

For iPhones with iOS 16 or later, Apple introduced the “Recently Deleted” folder for Messages. Here’s how you can use it:

1. Open the Messages app on your iPhone.
2. Tap Edit in the upper-left corner of the screen.
3. Select Show Recently Deleted.
4. Browse through the deleted messages listed by date.
5. Tap the message or conversation you want to recover, then select Recover.

This feature retains messages for up to 30 days, after which they are permanently deleted.

Restoring from iCloud Backup

If you’ve enabled iCloud backups, recovering messages is simple. Follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud.
2. Tap Manage Storage > Backups.
3. Check the date of the latest backup to confirm it includes the deleted messages.
4. Factory reset your iPhone by going to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.
5. During the setup process, choose to restore from your iCloud backup.

Note: Restoring from a backup will replace all data on your iPhone with the content from the backup.

Recovering via iTunes/Finder Backup

For users who prefer local backups:

1. Connect your iPhone to your computer via USB.
2. Open Finder (macOS Catalina or later) or iTunes (Windows/macOS Mojave or earlier).
3. Select your device and click Restore Backup.
4. Choose the most recent backup that includes your deleted messages.

Be aware that this method also overwrites all current iPhone data with the backup’s contents.

Contacting Your Carrier

In some cases, your carrier may have a record of your text messages. Here’s how to request them:

1. Contact your carrier’s customer support.
2. Provide necessary details, such as phone number and dates for recovery.
3. Be aware that this service often applies only to SMS messages, not iMessages.

Each carrier has unique policies, so check for applicable fees and conditions.

Using Third-Party Tools to Retrieve Messages

Popular Third-Party Apps

When backups are unavailable, third-party recovery tools like Dr.Fone, Tenorshare UltData, or iMyFone D-Back can scan your device for recoverable messages. These apps often work by extracting data directly from your phone’s memory.

1. Download and install the app on your computer.
2. Connect your iPhone and allow the software to scan your device.
3. Preview recoverable messages and select the ones you want to restore.

Precautions When Using Third-Party Software

While these tools are effective, exercise caution:

• Use reputable apps with positive reviews.
• Avoid providing unnecessary permissions that could compromise your privacy.
• Always scan the downloaded software for malware.

Tips to Prevent Losing Messages on iPhone

Regular Backup Practices

Ensure you have automatic backups enabled:

1. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup.
2. Turn on Back Up This iPhone.
3. Perform manual backups periodically by selecting Back Up Now.

Archiving Important Conversations

For messages you want to keep indefinitely, consider:

• Taking screenshots and saving them to your Photos app.
• Copying messages into a note or third-party app for long-term storage.

Troubleshooting Common Issues During Recovery

iCloud Backup Not Showing Messages

• Confirm messages are toggled on in iCloud settings.
• Ensure your iCloud storage has enough space for backups.

Problems with iTunes/Finder Restoration

• Update iTunes or Finder to the latest version.
• Restart your iPhone and computer before trying again.

FAQs About How to Find Deleted Messages on iPhone

Finding deleted messages on your iPhone can be crucial, especially if they contain important information. Here are some frequently asked questions to help you retrieve them effectively:

1. Can I recover deleted messages on my iPhone?

Yes, you can recover deleted messages if you’ve enabled iCloud backups, used iTunes backups, or if the messages were recently deleted and still available in the “Recently Deleted” folder on iOS 16 or later.

2. How do I check the Recently Deleted folder?

Follow these steps:

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Tap the “Edit” button in the top-left corner.
3. Select “Show Recently Deleted.”
4. Choose the messages you want to recover and tap “Recover.”

3. Can iCloud restore deleted messages?

If you have iCloud backups enabled:

1. Go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.
2. Follow the prompts to restore from an iCloud backup.
   Note: This process resets your device and restores the backup, so any data added after the backup will be lost.

4. Are third-party apps safe for recovering messages?

Some third-party apps claim to recover deleted messages, but ensure you use reputable ones. Research thoroughly and read user reviews to avoid security risks.

5. What if I don’t have a backup?

Without a backup, recovering deleted messages may not be possible unless they are still in the Recently Deleted folder. Regularly backing up your device is the best way to prevent data loss.

Final Tip: To avoid losing important messages, enable automatic backups through iCloud or iTunes. This ensures you can recover your data if needed.

Conclusion

Recovering deleted messages on your iPhone is possible using the methods outlined above. Whether you rely on built-in features like the Recently Deleted folder, backups, or third-party apps, taking swift action is key. To prevent future losses, ensure regular backups and consider archiving important conversations.