5 proven methods: how to find deleted messages on iPhone

Every iPhone user has faced that moment of panic when a message is accidentally deleted. It may be a text from a family member, a code for a service login, or a file attachment. The good news is that deleted messages are sometimes not gone forever. Users can get back their inbox messages. There are several methods that help bring them back. This blog explains how to find deleted messages on iPhone using proven recovery steps that many users have tested. The goal here is to help users pick the best method based on their situation.

Can you retrieve deleted text messages on iPhone?

Yes, it is possible to find and recover deleted text messages on an iPhone. But it depends on several factors. The recovery process mainly relies on how text messages are stored. Also, factors involve when messages are deleted, and where your text messages backup exists.

Here is the detailed breakdown:

1. When the messages are deleted

A. Recently deleted (within 30 days)

iPhones now have a folder called Recently Deleted inside the Messages app (iOS 16+).

• Deleted messages remain here for 30 days unless manually erased.
• You can recover them instantly from this folder.

B. Deleted more than 30 days ago

• The iPhone automatically clears the “Recently Deleted” folder.
• Recovery now depends only on whether a backup was made before the deletion occurred.

C. Deleted after a new backup

If you deleted the messages after your latest backup, and no older backup exists, recovery might not be possible because:

• New backups overwrite old ones.
• Messages were not backed up once deleted.

2. How the messages are stored

A. Stored in iCloud

If your iPhone has Messages in iCloud enabled, your messages are stored in iCloud space.

• When a message is deleted in iCloud restore settings, it is removed from all devices and the iCloud server.
• Recovery becomes difficult because iCloud instantly updates to reflect the deletion.
• If you have an older iCloud device backup from before the deletion, that backup may still contain the message. And restoring it can bring the deleted message back.

B. Stored locally on the iPhone

If you haven’t turned on backing up your messages to iCloud, then texts are saved directly to the device’s internal storage after being deleted.

• Deleting a message removes it from the inbox, but the data might remain in the system until overwritten.
• This allows possible recovery through third-party recovery apps.

C. Stored in iTunes/Finder backup

If you regularly back up your iPhone to a computer:

• Deleted messages may still exist inside an older iTunes/Finder backup.
• Restoring this backup will bring all your old data back, including deleted texts.

3. Other recovery situations

A. Messages synced on other devices

The message can still be found on an iPad or Mac that you own and has not synced since the deletion.

5 methods: How to find deleted messages on iPhone?

Now that it is clear recovery is sometimes possible, it is time to move into the real solutions. How to find deleted messages on iPhone? Here are the 5 methods, and each method works in different situations. So readers should go through them one by one.

Let us start with the simplest method first:

Method 1: recover deleted text messages from the “Recently Deleted” Folder (iOS 16+)

Apple introduced a helpful option in iOS 16.

How it works:

When you delete a message:

• After deleting a message, it is saved in a folder known as Recently Deleted.
• It remains in that folder for 30 days, after which it is permanently deleted.

Steps to restore:

1. Open the Messages app
2. Tap Edit (top left) or Filters
3. Select Recently Deleted
4. Choose the messages you want back
5. Tap Recover → Recover Messages

In case the message is found in the Recently Deleted folder, recovery is fast. If it is not there, then another method may be needed.

Method 2: restore deleted iMessages via iCloud messages sync

iCloud Message sync makes sure the texts on your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac are up-to-date. When you delete a message with sync ON, the message can disappear in all the places, although with some failures in sync. In such a scenario, another synced phone may have the deleted message.

Steps:

1. Open Settings
2. Tap Apple ID
3. Tap iCloud
4. Toggle Messages OFF
5. Wait a moment
6. Toggle Messages ON again

When the message is still on the iCloud server, it can be restored by the sync. This technique does not always work, but sometimes it restores missing messages.

Method 3: retrieve erased texts from an iCloud Backup (without computer)

This method works well when a backup exists from before the message was deleted. Many users do not realize that an iCloud backup may save older text messages. When the device restores a backup, it replaces the data currently on the phone with the data in that backup. So users must make sure they are comfortable restoring the device before continuing.

Follow these steps:

1. Open Settings
2. Tap General
3. Tap Transfer or Reset iPhone
4. Tap Erase All Content and Settings
5. The device restarts
6. Follow the setup steps
7. Select Restore from iCloud Backup
8. Choose a backup created before the message was deleted

The device will download the backup. The process may take some time, depending on file size and internet speed. After the restore finishes, open Messages and check the conversation. If the deleted text existed in the backup, then the message returns. If it does not appear, then it never existed inside the backup, and the user must try another method.

Method 4: retrieve deleted text messages via iTunes/Finder Backup

Users who back up using Finder or iTunes on a computer can restore messages from that backup. This process works similarly to iCloud backup restoration. However, it restores messages stored in older sync records that the computer keeps.

Steps:

1. Connect the iPhone to the computer
2. Open Finder or iTunes
3. Select iPhone
4. Select Restore Backup
5. Choose the most relevant backup
6. Complete restoration

Just like iCloud restore, this replaces the current device’s data. It is best for users who know their messages existed at the time of the backup.

Method 5: see deleted messages using phone parental control tools (Parents)

Some parents install parental control tools to keep children safe online. These tools track text messages, iMessages, and sometimes deleted messages. This works because the app records the message before the child deletes it. So even if the message disappears from the phone, the record may still exist in the monitoring tool dashboard.

This method only works if the parental control tool was already installed before the message was deleted. These tools cannot restore texts from the past if they were not tracking the device earlier.

FlashGet Kids is one example. It records incoming and outgoing messages. It also displays the message time, sender, and content. So if a child deletes a text, it may still appear inside the tool. Other parental control apps may provide similar tracking.

This method is only for parents who supervise minors. It is not meant for monitoring adults. Ethical use matters. The user must follow legal rules and protect privacy.

How to retrieve deleted text messages iPhone without backup

Many users search online for ways to recover messages without backups. They type phrases like undelete deleted text messages or how to find deleted sms. Recovery without backup is sometimes possible. However, there are limits.

When a message is deleted, the system flags the space as available. Recovery tools sometimes scan for fragments before the system overwrites the space. If the message was deleted recently, recovery tools may succeed. If months pass, the chance becomes lower.

Users who have no backup may try specialized recovery software. These tools scan deep system storage and attempt to recover deleted text iPhone.

3 Trusted third-party iPhone data recovery tools

These tools have helped many users find deleted texts on iPhone when no backup existed.

Tenorshare UltData

• It scans devices for lost SMS iMessages and attachments.
• It can export recovered messages to readable format.

iMyFone D-Back

• It scans backups and device storage for lost messages.
• It supports selective message recovery.

Dr. Fone Data Recovery

• It provides simple steps.
• It works well for partial recovery where backup options failed.
• Users should only download official versions. Free unknown versions may risk data theft.

How to recover deleted messages on iPhone for specific situations

The reasons behind messages being lost can vary and include unintentional swipes, software failures, unsuccessful updates, and transferring to a new iPhone. You must take the right steps depending on the situation. The following are the easy and practical steps used in various situations to assist you in recovering.

When messages were accidentally deleted on iPhone

• Act fast. Open Recently Deleted. Try restoration immediately. If iCloud sync is active, toggle the Messages option to refresh data. Avoid installing apps or saving files to prevent overwriting deleted data.

If iMessages disappeared after an update

• Restart the device. Toggle iCloud Message sync OFF then ON. Check Recently Deleted. Restore from backup only if needed.

When messages were deleted months ago

• Use backups first. If no backups exist, use recovery software. Older messages are harder to restore because the phone may have overwritten the data.

If text messages not showing after switching iPhone

• This often happens because iCloud sync did not finish. Ensure the device connects to WiFi. Enable Messages in iCloud. Wait some time. If needed, restore from an older backup.

Must-know practices: prevent losing text again

Loss of messages can be stressful, yet it is simple to prevent. Enable iCloud Message syncing (where appropriate to your usage style) and set up automatic backups. Do not send messages thoughtlessly, and consider parental-monitoring tools wisely when monitoring the minors. Share meaningful dialogues on a regular basis.

Backup restoration should also be tested by the users occasionally. Most people expect to have backups when they need them. That’s why checking on a regular basis avoids surprises.

Wrap Up

Deleted messages may not be gone forever. There are several recovery paths that exist. The first step to find deleted messages on iPhone is checking the Recently Deleted folder. If that does not help, check iCloud sync or restore from a backup. Advanced users may use recovery tools if no backup exists. Responsible monitoring tools also store messages for families who supervise children. The key message here is simple. Do not panic. Act quickly. The sooner someone tries recovery, the higher the chance of success.

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