How to Recover Deleted Text Messages

If you have ever needed more storage space on your iPhone, then you might have noticed that the Messages app file is really large, and wondered how to delete messages on your iPhone. The next problem you might have is learning how can you recover deleted text messages after you overzealously delete messages you meant to save when trying to free up the room! In this article, we are going to talk about How to Recover Deleted Text Messages. Let’s begin!

Fortunately, there are methods to recover deleted text messages, so that you can officially breathe again. There are actually a few different ways if you want to recover deleted texts on your iPhone. We will go over how to recover deleted messages from an iCloud backup, as well as a few other tips and tricks for getting back those essential iPhone text messages. Let’s start to learn a few quick and easy ways to recover deleted texts on your iPhone today.

For a medium that’s mostly dashed off in a few seconds, text messages can be weirdly precious. Some of us have texts saved on our phones that have been there for a decade or much more. Messages from the early stages of a now-established relationship, discussions along with departed loved ones. Or just funny jokes we do not want to lose. It is comforting to know these messages are still there, and easily accessible through a quick search.

Further | recover deleted text

However, you do not want to keep all of your texts, and given how bulky the Messages app can get, it’s a good idea to have the occasional clear-out to make space. There’s even an option in Messages in order to automatically delete messages after a specified amount of time.

So what happens if you accidentally erase an important message? Well, along with a little luck you can probably get it back. Here are five ways to recover deleted texts on iPhone:

• Recover from an iCloud backup
• Recover from the iCloud website
• Then contact your phone provider
• Recover from an iTunes (or Finder) backup
• Recover using a third-party app

All of these methods are now covered in detail below.

How to recover Deleted Texts: Restore with iCloud Recovery

iCloud backups are actually a great way to recover deleted text messages from an iPhone. If you regularly back up up your iPhone to iCloud, then you should be able to use this method to get back your deleted text messages. If you are not already, then you should be doing regular iCloud backups. It is a good idea in order to save ALL of your important stuff, not just texts that might potentially get deleted.

• Launch open the Settings app.
• At the top, under your name, you’ will see Apple ID, iCloud, iTunes & App Store; Tap that arrow.
• Then click on iCloud.
• Scroll down and then click on iCloud Backup.
• Now check to see if the time of your last backup was before or after you deleted the texts that you want back.

If the iCloud backup predates the deletion of your text messages, then you are in luck. Now you will need to remove your iPhone and restore it with the backup predating your accidental text deletion.

• Open the Settings app.
• Then tap on General.
• Select Reset.
• Choose Erase All Content and Settings. Note that most of your settings will be safe when you restore your iCloud backup. However, you may have to log in to your apps as if for the first time.
• In the confirmation menu that pops up, select the second option: Erase Now and make sure not to select Backup Then Erase, or you will lose the previous backup and you won’t be able to recover the deleted text messages!

Further | recover deleted text

Now your iPhone has been totally removed and will begin as though it is a new device. Follow the step-by-step instructions until you come to the Apps & Data page.

• On the Apps & Data page, you have to select Restore from iCloud Backup.
• Then enter any passwords asked for from iCloud Backup, then sign in to iCloud.
• Proceed to Choose backup, then select from a list of available backups in iCloud. There may be even older backups to select from besides the one you verified before starting. Choose the most recent one that predates the deletion of text messages. Also remember that the older the backup, the more likely it is that it will not consist of other important data that you have added to your iPhone since that backup was made.
• You may want to sign back into all your accounts after the iPhone is restored.

Recover deleted texts from a backup without overwriting your iPhone | recover deleted text

Unfortunately, iCloud does not back up SMS in all territories or for all phone operators as well. So the following may not work you will be able to tell by the time you get to step 2. However, for many people, this is the easiest way of recovering your lost messages.

• Log in to iCloud.com with your Apple ID and also password.
• Tap on Text Messages. (If this option is not there, your messages have not been backed up here. So you might as well skip to the next method actually.)
• Search the messages in order to find the ones you need.
• Now go to your iPhone and select Settings > [your name] > iCloud.
• Disable your Text Messages (or make sure it’s already turned off).
• You will then see a popup. Choose the option to Keep On My iPhone.
• Now you need to turn text messages back on.
• Click Merge, then wait for a while. After a few minutes, the deleted text messages should reappear on your iPhone.

Recover deleted texts from an iTunes or Finder backup | recover deleted text

If you have not still backing up to iCloud but have backed up your phone to iTunes on your Mac or PC (or to Finder if you are running macOS Catalina). Then you may be able to recover your text messages from there. And even if you think you did not back up your messages, then it’s worth a few minutes of your time to try.

Keep that in mind this method will also overwrite the data on your phone.

• Connect your iPhone to the computer that you used to sync with. iTunes should now open automatically – if not, then open it up manually. If you are on Catalina, then open Finder.
• you will now see an iPhone icon appear in the top left-hand corner. Then choose it. (In Catalina, choose your device from the lefthand menu bar.)
• Now Select ‘Restore backup’. (In Catalina, you will find this under the General tab.)
• All the data that you previously backed up will now replace the data on your phone as well. It will take a few minutes actually. As long as you have not backed up since deleting those text messages, they will now appear in the normal messaging list on your phone.

Recover deleted texts through contacting your phone provider | recover deleted text

If you have had no luck in finding an old copy of the texts in your backups, the next port of call should be your phone provider. Most of the companies – although not all – will keep a record of your text messages, and then you are entitled to access them.

It may even be as easy as logging into your account online. For some, it needs you to contact customer services. The answer may be no, but it costs almost nothing to ask.

Retrieve deleted texts using a third-party app | recover deleted text

If none of the options above works, it’s time to go nuclear and employ a third-party software tool. Bear in mind that it may cost you a bit, and there is no guarantee it will work – but if you’re desperate, this is the next step.

There are a few third-party apps that have a good online reputation (some of which we’ve personally used): PhoneRescue by iMobie, Enigma Recovery, WonderShare Dr.Fone for iOS and Tenorshare iPhone Data Recovery are four possibilities to explore. Even after you ‘delete’ messages they remain on your handset until overwritten, so you should be able to recover deleted messages using these utilities – but, as we say, there are no guarantees.

The best advice if you’re using one of these apps is to do so as quickly as possible. The longer you leave it, the more likely it is that you’ll have written over the relevant section of memory.

Conclusion

Alright, That was all Folks! I hope you guys like this recover deleted text article and also find it helpful to you. Give us your feedback on it. Also if you guys have further queries related to this article. Then let us know in the comments section below. We will get back to you shortly.

Have a Great Day!

Also See: How to Bypass iPhone Passcode – Tutorial