5 Ways to Retrieve Deleted Text Messages on iPhone

Quick Tips

• Deleted text messages can still be retrieved within 30 days through the Recently Deleted folder.
• Restoring a backup file resets iPhone data to factory settings.
• To avoid losing messages again, go to Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > Messages in iCloud > Sync Now.

Method 1: Check the Recently Deleted Folder

iOS lets you retrieve deleted text messages within 30 days. You need to enable Filters from the Settings menu first. Let’s check it in action.

Step 1: Open Settings > Messages.

Step 2: Select Unknown & Spam > toggle on Filter Unknown Senders.

Step 3: Now, open the Messages app on your iPhone > tap on Filters.

Step 4: Select Recently Deleted > tap the radio icon next to the message.

Step 5: Hit Recover to retrieve the deleted messages on your iPhone.

The trick above works within 30 days of deleting that message. After a month, iOS deletes those text messages permanently.

Method 2: Restore a Backup File on iPhone

If you restore a backup file to an iPhone, it will reset the device to factory settings and restore old data. The recovery steps for Mac and Windows are different. Let’s begin with Mac.

On Mac

Step 1: Connect your iPhone to your Mac via USB cable.

Step 2: Open Finder and select the connected device.

Step 3: On the General tab, click on Restore Backup.

Step 4: Select the backup file you want to restore from the drop-down menu.

Step 5: Click on Restore to complete the process.

On Windows

Windows users must restore an iOS backup file using iTunes. The app is readily available in the Microsoft Store.

Step 1: Connect your iPhone to a Windows computer using a USB cable.

Step 2: Open iTunes on the computer.

Step 3: Click on the iPhone icon when it appears in iTunes.

Step 4: Go to the Summary tab and click Restore Backup.

Step 5: Choose the latest backup file and click Restore.

Your iPhone will reset to factory settings and restore the selected backup file on it. Once the process completes, you should see your deleted texts in the Messages app.

Method 3: Use a Third-Party Data Recovery Tool

Various third-party data recovery tools are available for Mac and Windows that can retrieve deleted text messages from your iPhone. These tools use advanced algorithms to scan your iPhone and recover deleted messages.

To use these tools, download and install software on your computer. Once the software is installed, connect your iPhone to the computer and follow the instructions to scan for deleted messages.

Method 4: Enable Messages Backup on iCloud

If you don’t want to lose messages in the future, enable iCloud Messages backup. Even when you delete a message from your iPhone, it remains stored in iCloud.

Step 1: Go to Settings > tap on your Apple ID.

Step 2: Select iCloud > Show All > Messages in iCloud > Sync Now

Method 5: Check if the Messages are Synced With Other Devices

If you have enabled iCloud sync on other Apple devices like iPad or Mac, the system syncs your messages on all the hardware. When you delete a text message on your iPhone, you can retrieve the same from your iPad or Mac too (if they are not connected to the internet and haven’t deleted the messages). You can open Messages on an iPad or Mac and recover the deleted message.