Solution
Support Center
About Us
ContactHow to Recover Deleted Text Messages on iPhone or iPad
Penny Warren Published on November 11, 2024Recover Data3-min reading
"I deleted an important message on my iPhone, how can I recover it?"
The iPhone is far more than a simple smartphone. It helps us stay connected in many ways. Messages, for example, enable you to send and receive information via text, emojis, images, voice, and videos. However, the action of deleting things is still permanent. Fortunately, the iPhone has evolved to various ways to get back your information. This guide tells you how to effectively recover deleted messages on your iPhone with or without the backup.
In this article:
Part 1. Best Way to Recover Deleted Messages Without Backup
Is it possible to recover deleted SMS on an iPhone without backup? The answer is yes. When you delete a message, iOS won't remove it from your memory. Alternatively, the file index is deleted and the storage space is marked as empty. Before the message is overwritten by new data, you can recover it with a powerful tool, such as imyPass iPhone Data Recovery.
Key Features of iPhone Data Recovery
1. Recover lost text messages on iPhone without backup.
2. Extract deleted SMS from iTunes/iCloud backup without overwriting your device.
3. Won't interrupt existing messages on your iPhone.
4. Support image, voice, and video attachments.
5. Compatible with the latest versions of iOS and iPhone.
How to Recover Deleted Messages Without Backup
Scan your iPhone
Launch the best iPhone data recovery once you install the software on your PC. There is another version for Mac. Choose the Recover from iOS Device option. Next, connect your iPhone to the same computer with a Lightning cable. If prompted, tap Trust on your screen. Then click the Start Scan button to begin scanning your device.
If you want to extract deleted messages from iTunes or iCloud backup, choose Recover from iTunes Backup File or Recover from iCloud Backup File instead. Then follow the on-screen instructions to view and retrieve your deleted iPhone messages.
Preview deleted messages
Once data scanning is done, you will be presented with the main interface. Go to the Messages tab on the left sidebar and you can view all messages on your device. Pull down the top option, and choose Show Deleted Only to view deleted messages and attachments.
Recover lost messages
Check the chats and messages that you want to get back, and click the Recover button at the bottom right corner. Next, select a directory to save them, and click Recover again to confirm it. A few seconds later, you will find deleted iPhone messages on your hard drive.
Note:
This data recovery software is not only available to delete iMessage and text messages but also works for WhatsApp messages and other instant messaging apps.
Part 2. Recover Deleted Text Messages If You Have a Backup
There are a few ways to back up an iPhone. iCloud and iTunes are the official backup methods. If you have a backup, it enables you to recover permanently deleted text messages on your iPhone quickly.
How to Recover Deleted Messages from iCloud Backup
Is there a way to find deleted text messages on iPhones? If you prefer to back up your iPhone to iCloud regularly, you can get back your lost SMS after overwriting your handset with the backup. Also, don't forget your iCloud password.
Run the Settings app from your home screen.
Go to General, Transfer or Reset iPhone or Reset, and choose Erase All Content and Settings.
Read the alert, and tap the Continue button. If prompted, enter your iPhone passcode or Apple ID password.
Once it is done, restart your iPhone and enter the Hello screen. Set it up as a new device until you reach the Apps & Data screen. Make sure to connect your iPhone to a Wi-Fi network when setting up.
Choose the From iCloud Backup option, sign in with your Apple ID and password, and pick an appropriate backup that includes the deleted messages.
Then enter your Apple ID and password to download the purchased apps and content.
Wait for the process to finish and complete setting up your device. Then you can check deleted messages on your iPhone directly.
Note:
If you want to recover deleted SMS from iCloud backup without erasing your iPhone, you can choose Recover from iCloud Backup File in imyPass iPhone Data Recovery. Then sign in with your Apple ID and password, pick the right backup file, and look at the lost messages.
How to Recover Deleted Messages from iTunes Backup
If you have backed up your iPhone to your computer, Finder or iTunes backup is another place to view deleted iPhone messages. Similar to iCloud backups, you have to restore the entire backup and overwrite your device. Bear in mind that you cannot view the backup file before restoring it to your iPhone.
Open the latest version of iTunes on Windows and macOS Mojave or earlier. On macOS Catalina or later, open the Finder app.
Hook up your iPhone to your computer with a compatible cable. After your device is detected, click the Phone button at the top left corner of iTunes or hit your device name on the sidebar.
If a message asks for your device passcode or to Trust This Computer, follow the on-screen instructions to enter it and tap Trust or the relevant option.
Next, go to the Summary or General tab, and locate the Backups section. Then click the Restore Backup button to move on. Maybe you also have to enter your iTunes Backup password.
Pull down the Backup option, and choose a proper backup that may include the lost messages. If the backup is encrypted, input the password.
Click the Restore button to begin bringing back deleted messages to your iPhone. Once the process finishes, existing data on your iPhone is replaced by the backup.
Note:
If you do not wish to overwrite your iPhone, choose Recover from iTunes Backup File in imyPass iPhone Data Recovery after connecting to your device. Then select a proper backup file, and extract the deleted messages directly.
Part 3. Check Recently Deleted Texts on iPhone
Where do deleted text messages go? Since iOS 16, Apple has introduced the Recently Deleted folder in the Messages app on iPhones. As long as you delete your messages accidentally or deliberately, they will be moved to the folder and stay here for 30 days. In other words, it allows you to undelete the deleted text messages within 30 days.
Run the Messages app on your device. Make sure that you have updated to iOS 16 or above.
Tap the Filters or Edit button on the top left side. Scroll down to the bottom, and choose the Recently Deleted folder.
Then you will see removed messages on your iPhone that are deleted within 30 days. Touch the desired contacts, and tap the Recover button at the bottom right corner. Then press Recover [number] Messages to confirm your action.
Note:
If you want to return all deleted messages on your iPhone, tap the Recover All button in the Recently Deleted folder.
Part 4. Restore Messages with iCloud Messages
iCloud allows you to sync messages across all Apple devices. This means that you can regain deleted messages on your iPhone if you sync them to your iCloud account. Unlike iCloud backup, this way won't overwrite your device or erase existing data on your iPhone
Connect your iPhone to a stable Wi-Fi network. Go to the Settings app on your device.
Tap on your profile, and choose the iCloud option.
Tap Messages. If you cannot find it, tap Show All to expand the app list.
Next, toggle off the switch to Sync this iPhone. Then choose Disable and Download Messages if prompted. The deleted messages will go back to your device.
Note:
If your deleted messages have been synced to your iCloud, this way cannot recover your messages either.
Part 5. Preventing Future Message Loss
There are several reasons why your messages vanish on your iPhone, such as accidental deletion, storage issues, software glitches, and sync errors. Anyway, you can follow some tips to prevent future message loss.
1. Back up your iPhone. The easiest way to back up messages on your iPhone is to turn on the automatic backup feature. Open your Settings app, tap on your profile, choose iCloud, and make sure to enable Messages. Scroll down to the bottom, and choose iCloud Backup. Toggle on the switch of Back Up This iPhone. Then iCloud will back up your messages and other data once your iPhone is online. Of course, you can manually back up your iPhone messages with iTunes or third-party software.
2. Keep your software updated. Outdated software may lead to a variety of problems including message loss. Therefore, you should install the update once Apple releases a new one.
3. Free up space regularly. Although Apple increasingly expands the internal storage of the iPhone, it cannot catch up with the users' needs. If your iPhone does not have enough space, your messages may be removed. After backing up your device, you can delete useless data and apps.
4. Learn at least one way of iPhone message recovery. Today, data recovery is not a big problem if you master the right way. The Recently Deleted folder, for example, can be used to get back the messages that you deleted within 30 days.
5. Change Message History settings. By default, iOS keeps your messages for 30 days. It means that the Messages app only keeps old messages for 30 days. Nevertheless, you can change the duration to keep your message history. Choose Messages in your Settings app, tap the Keep Messages option under Message History, and choose Forever. When prompted, confirm the changes.
6. Ask for help from your carrier. If you cannot find the deleted messages on your iPhone memory, chances are that they have been overwritten. In fact, your messages go through your network carrier when you send or receive them. In other words, your carrier stores these messages for a period. You can contact your carrier in the nearest store, and submit a request. The support team will help you recover the messages. Of course, the requirements are varied depending on the region and your carrier.
Conclusion
This guide has demonstrated five ways to see deleted messages on an iPhone and recover them. The Recently Deleted folder is only available to the messages that were deleted within 30 days. iCloud Messages is working when you have turned it on. iCloud and iTunes backup are another option to get back your messages. The downside is erasing all current data on your iPhone. imyPass iPhone Data Recovery is the best option to do the job without backup. Plus, it helps you decrypt iCloud and iTunes backup and extract data. If you have other questions, please write them down below.
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.
