How to Recover Permanently Deleted Messages on Messenger

Penny Warren Published on November 11, 2024Recover Data3-min reading

It can be frustrating when you cannot find important messages or conversations on Facebook or Messenger. Some of the Facebook chats may be critical and it is awful to lose them. However, Facebook has a reputation for keeping memories. In other words, you have several ways to recover deleted messages on Messenger. This guide identifies the verified methods and demonstrates how to get back your lost Facebook messages in detail.

In this article:

Part 1: How to Recover Deleted Facebook Messages Online
Part 2: How to Recover Deleted Facebook Messages on Android
Part 3: How to Recover Deleted Facebook Messages on iPhone

Part 1: How to Recover Deleted Facebook Messages Online

How to Recover Deleted Messages on Messenger by Unarchiving

Permanently deleting messages on Messenger takes a few steps. Chances are that you just archive your messages accidentally rather than deleting them. You can see deleted messages on Messenger by following the steps below.

Step 1

Visit the Facebook website in a browser, and click the Messenger button at the top right corner. Then choose See all in Messenger.

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Step 2

Click the Menu button with a three-dot icon next to Chats. Then pick Archived chats from the context menu.

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Step 3

Find the chat that you want to recover, click the More button with a three-dot icon next to it, and pick Unarchive.

Note:

You can also unarchive your messages in the Messenger app on your iPhone or Android phone. The workflow is similar.

How to Recover Deleted Facebook Messages from Backup

Facebook does have a Recycle Bin or relevant feature to hold onto your deleted messages. However, if you created a backup before deletion, it is possible to see deleted messages on Messenger. Like iTunes backup password, you can also create a password for your Facebook password.

Step 1

Access the Facebook site on your desktop.

Step 2

Click your profile picture at the top right side, choose Settings & privacy, and then pick Settings.

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Step 3

Choose the Download your information tab on the left side. Then click the Continue button under Download profile information in Accounts Centre.

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Step 4

Next, click the Download button on the Download your information dialog, and save the backup file to your hard drive.

Tip

Select a proper format from the Format option, set the Date range, and then make sure to select Messages on the list when requesting data download.

Step 5

Then find the file named facebook-[your username in one word].zip in your Downloads folder. Unzip the file, and view deleted Facebook messages.

Note:

If you are using the Facebook app, the process and options are the same.

Part 2: How to Recover Deleted Facebook Messages on Android

Android is an open operating system. It means that you can access the system files. Even if you've forgotten your Facebook password, you can recover the lost messages. In fact, all messages that you send and receive on Messenger are stored as caches on your memory. In other words, you can get back deleted messages on Facebook in your File Manager.

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Step 1

Run the built-in File Manager app or third-party file explorer app on your Android phone.

Step 2

Go to the Internal storage or SD card depending on where your phone keeps the temporary files. Then find and open the Android folder. This is where all Android app caches are stored.

Step 3

Next, open the data folder, and go to the cache subfolder.

Step 4

Search for the file with filename fb_tempfile. Open this file directly and you can regain deleted messages on Facebook.

Note:

If you do not have a File Explorer app on your Android phone, connect it to a PC with a USB cable. Then you can search for com.facebook.orca on your phone, and find the fb_tempfile file.

Part 3: How to Recover Deleted Facebook Messages on iPhone

Unlike Android, iPhone cannot access the temp files in a file explorer app. Instead, you will have to use a data recovery application to look up deleted messages on Facebook Messenger. imyPass iPhone Data Recovery, for instance, is one of the best data recovery software for iOS. It enables you to find and read deleted Facebook messages without technical skills.

Key Features of the Best iPhone Data Recovery

1. Check deleted Facebook messages on your iPhone easily.
2. Preview lost messages and attachments on Messenger.
3. Support text, image, voice, and video messages.
4. Won’t interrupt or overwrite existing messages on the iPhone.
5. Compatible with the latest versions of iOS and iPhones.

How to Retrieve Deleted Facebook Messages on an iPhone

Step 1

Connect to your iPhone

Start the best iPhone data recovery software once you install it on your PC. It is available on Windows 11/10/8/7. Plus, there is another version for Mac users. Next, connect your iPhone to the same PC with a Lightning cable. Then go to the Recover from iOS Device tab from the left sidebar. If prompted, tap Trust on your screen. Click the Start Scan button to begin looking at deleted Facebook messages on your iPhone.

Step 2

Preview deleted messages

When data scanning is complete, you will be taken to the main interface. All data is organized by type. Locate the Message & Contacts section on the left side, and choose the desired item. Here we choose Messenger. Then select Show Deleted Only from the top drop-down option. Now, you can view the deleted chats and messages. If you want to view message attachments, go to the Messenger Attachments tab.

Step 3

Retrieve deleted Facebook messages

At last, select all deleted Facebook messages and chats that you want to get back. Once selected, you will see a checkmark next to the item. Click on the Recover button at the bottom right corner. Then set the path to save the deleted messages by hitting the Open button, and clicking on the Recover button. A few seconds later, you can find the deleted Facebook messages in the path.

Conclusion

This guide has explained how to recover deleted Facebook messages online, on Android, or iPhone. The Archive button is close to the Delete button on Facebook. Therefore, you may find the lost messages unarchiving. Plus, you can request data download to get back your messages from the Facebook website. On an Android phone, you can retrieve your messages with the temporary file. For iPhone users, imyPass iPhone Data Recovery is the easiest option to read your lost messages. If you have other questions, please feel free to write them down below.

Penny Warren

Penny Warren, a senior editor from imyPass, is specialized in MS Office software. You can find professional tutorials and solutions of MS Office software from her posts.