How to See and Recover iPhone Messages from Recently Deleted

潘妮沃倫 發表於 2024 年 11 月 11 日恢復數據3 分鐘閱讀

When you need to find and recover deleted text messages or iMessages, the method varies depending on when and where you delete them. For the built-in Messages app on iOS devices, the Recently Deleted folder is the easiest method. Apple introduced this feature to help users avoid information loss on their devices. This guide tells you how to see recently deleted messages on your iPhone and other knowledge you should know about this feature.

Part 1. How Recently Deleted Messages Work

As a dedicated folder, you can find Recently Deleted in the built-in Messages app on your iPhone which stores any messages that you have deleted in the last month. Both recently deleted text messages and iMessages will show up in this folder. That includes text, images, voice messages, files, and videos shared by you or others.

No matter you delete single messages from a conversation or entire chats, they will go to the Recently Deleted folder. Therefore, you can easily find recently deleted messages on your iPhone before they are permanently cleaned up.

Apple introduced the Recently Deleted folder into iOS 16 and above. The only prerequisite is updating your software.

How to Move a Message Thread to Recently Deleted

How to Move Multiple Message Threads to Recently Deleted

How to Move a Single Message to Recently Deleted

After you delete a thread or a message on your iPhone, it will instantly move to the Recently Deleted folder inside your Messages app. Then iOS keeps them for up to 30 days from the time you deleted these messages. Before they are permanently removed, you can access them, bring them back to your chats, or remove recently deleted messages on your iPhone manually.

Once they expire, iOS will remove them from the Recently Deleted folder and erase them forever. According to Apple, the duration may take up to 40 days on some occasions for the messages to get deleted.

If you want to avoid message loss, you can move them back to the main messages screen from the Recently Deleted folder before its expiration date. Then delete it again to renew its expiration date.

Part 2. Accessing Recently Deleted Messages

As mentioned previously, the Recently Deleted folder enables you to check the lost messages on your iPhone easily. However, where is Recently Deleted in Messages on iPhone? You can learn how to find, retrieve, and turn off Recently Deleted in the Messages below.

How to Check Recently Deleted Messages on iPhone

一旦您點擊 刪除 button, your messages won’t be permanently removed from your iPhone. Alternatively, they are accessible inside a separate Recently Deleted folder within the Messages app.

How to Retrieve Recently Deleted Messages on iPhone

If you want to access recently deleted messages, you can recover them to the Messages screen. Bear in mind that the messages will merge with the existing conversations. Existing messages won’t be interrupted or overwritten.

How to Delete Recently Deleted Messages on iPhone

By default, Recently Deleted is turned on in Messages on iPhone. Moreover, you cannot turn off this feature. If you want to permanently delete private messages, you can manually delete recently deleted messages.

Part 3. Limitations of Recently Deleted Messages

The Recently Deleted folder is not perfect. Some people reported that their recently deleted messages are not showing on iPhones. Therefore, you should understand the limitations of this feature too.

1. It is only available to iOS 16 and newer. This feature was introduced when Apple released iOS 16. You need to update your iPhone to iOS 16 or above. The folder won’t be accessible on iPhones running older iOS versions.
2. There is an expiration date. The Recently Deleted folder only stores your messages that were deleted within 30 days. When it reaches the expiration date, iOS will automatically remove the messages permanently from your memory.
3. Once you recover recently deleted messages on your iPhone, they will disappear in the Recently Deleted folder. You can check them in the Messages screen.
4. If you have deleted the messages in the Recently Deleted folder, they are gone permanently. You cannot find the messages in the Recently Deleted folder or another app on your device. Without iTunes or iCloud backup, it is difficult to retrieve these messages.
5. The messages you deleted before updating to iOS 16 won’t show up inside the Recently Deleted folder inside your Messages app.
6. Keep messages history. To free up space, iOS deletes your message history automatically. If you want to keep your messages, you’d better change the settings. Open the 設置 from your home screen, go to the 留言 選項卡，點選 Keep Messages，並選擇 Forever. Then iOS won’t delete your message history.

Part 4. Cannot Find Your Messages in Recently Deleted? Try This Tool

Apparently, the Recently Deleted feature inside the Messages app cannot recover all lost messages. If your messages are permanently deleted or you cannot find old messages in the Recently Deleted folder, imyPass iPhone Data Recovery can help you resolve the problem.

Key Features of the Best Message Recovery Tool1. Recover deleted messages on iPhone without backup.
2. Extract lost messages from iTunes or iCloud backup.
3. Preview deleted iPhone messages for selective recovery.
4. Available to text, pictures, voice messages, and videos.
5. Support all iOS versions without resetting your iPhone.

How to Recover Recently Deleted Messages Without Backup

Launch the best message recovery software after you install it on your PC. There is another version for Mac. Connect your iPhone to your computer with a Lightning cable. Choose 從 iOS 裝置恢復 繼續前進。

按照說明信任您的計算機，然後按一下 開始掃描 button. When it is done, go to the 留言 tab from the left side. Then pull down the top option and choose 僅顯示已刪除的內容. Now, you can see recently deleted messages on your iPhone. To get back the deleted message attachments, go to the Message Attachments tab. If you want to recover contacts on your iPhone, this program can also make it.

Select all messages and attachments that you want to get back, and click the 恢復 button at the bottom right corner. Then set a folder to save the messages, and click 恢復 再次。

How to Retrieve Recently Deleted Messages from iTunes Backup

If you've ever backed up your iPhone to iTunes, you may be able to see recently deleted messages from your iTunes Backup.

After connecting your iPhone to the software, choose 從 iTunes 備份檔案還原 on the left side. Then select the backup file that may contain the deleted messages, and hit the 開始 button. If the backup is encrypted, enter your password to continue.

As long as the iTunes backup opens, head to the 留言 tab. Switch to the 僅顯示已刪除的內容 從選項 顯示全部 option. Then look up recently deleted messages on your iPhone. Select the desired messages and conversations, and click the 恢復 button. Follow the instructions to save and recover your messages.

How to Extract Recently Deleted Messages from iCloud Backup

If you prefer to back up messages to iCloud, choose the 從 iCloud 備份檔案還原 tab in the iPhone Data Recovery tool. Next, sign in with your Apple ID and password. If you have enabled two-factor authentication, enter the verification code that appears on your screen. Then choose iCloud 備份 to access your iCloud Backup, and click the 下載 button next to the right backup file. You can pick the right one based on the backup date.

Make sure to tick the checkboxes next to 留言 和 Message Attachments on the data type window. If you want to recover third-party messaging apps, like WhatsApp, select relevant options on the list. Then click the 下一個 button to extract recently deleted messages from the iCloud backup file. Make sure to select all desired items, and click the 恢復 button. Set a directory to save your messages and hit 恢復 再次。

結論

本指南說明如何 recover recently deleted messages on iPhone. With the Recently Deleted feature inside your Messages app, you can get back the removed SMS and iMessage quickly. It enables you to view, access, and recover lost messages without extra software or hardware. Of course, your iPhone must run iOS 16 or newer. Plus, the messages must be deleted within 30 days. imyPass iPhone Data Recovery, on the other hand, is a flexible way to get back lost messages on iPhone. If you have other questions about this topic, please write them down below.