Losing important messages on your iPhone can be frustrating, especially if they contain crucial information or sentimental value. Fortunately, there are ways to recover recently deleted messages on your iPhone. In this article, we will explore the different methods to find and restore deleted messages, as well as provide tips on how to prevent message loss in the future.
Understanding How IPhone Message Deletion Works
Before we dive into the recovery methods, it’s essential to understand how iPhone message deletion works. When you delete a message on your iPhone, it doesn’t immediately disappear from your device. Instead, it is moved to a “Recently Deleted” folder, where it remains for a period of 30 days. This folder is not visible in the Messages app, but it can be accessed through the iPhone’s built-in recovery features.
Method 1: Using The Messages App To Recover Deleted Messages
The Messages app on your iPhone has a built-in feature that allows you to recover deleted messages. To access this feature, follow these steps:
- Open the Messages app on your iPhone.
- Tap on “Edit” in the top left corner of the screen.
- Tap on “Show Recently Deleted” at the bottom of the screen.
- Select the conversation that contains the deleted message you want to recover.
- Tap on “Recover Message” to restore the deleted message.
Note that this method only works if the deleted message is still in the “Recently Deleted” folder, which is typically 30 days from the date of deletion.
Method 2: Using ICloud To Recover Deleted Messages
If you have iCloud enabled on your iPhone, you can recover deleted messages from your iCloud backup. To do this, follow these steps:
- Go to the iCloud website and sign in with your Apple ID.
- Click on “Account Settings” and select “Recover Files.”
- Select the date range for which you want to recover deleted messages.
- Click on “Recover” to restore the deleted messages.
Note that this method requires you to have iCloud enabled on your iPhone and that you have a backup of your messages on iCloud.
Method 3: Using ITunes To Recover Deleted Messages
If you have synced your iPhone with iTunes, you can recover deleted messages from your iTunes backup. To do this, follow these steps:
- Connect your iPhone to your computer and open iTunes.
- Select your iPhone from the top left corner of the iTunes window.
- Click on “Summary” and select “Restore Backup.”
- Select the backup date that contains the deleted message you want to recover.
- Click on “Restore” to restore the deleted message.
Note that this method requires you to have synced your iPhone with iTunes and that you have a backup of your messages on iTunes.
Third-Party Apps For Recovering Deleted Messages
In addition to the built-in recovery features on your iPhone, there are also third-party apps that can help you recover deleted messages. Some popular options include:
- PhoneRescue: This app allows you to recover deleted messages, as well as other types of data, from your iPhone.
- Dr. Fone: This app provides a range of recovery tools, including the ability to recover deleted messages from your iPhone.
Note that these apps may require you to pay a fee to use their recovery features, and they may not always be successful in recovering deleted messages.
Tips For Preventing Message Loss In The Future
While recovering deleted messages can be a lifesaver, it’s always better to prevent message loss in the first place. Here are some tips for preventing message loss on your iPhone:
Enable iCloud Backup
Enabling iCloud backup on your iPhone ensures that your messages are backed up regularly, making it easier to recover deleted messages in the future.
Use a Third-Party Backup App
In addition to iCloud backup, you can also use a third-party backup app to back up your messages. This provides an extra layer of protection against message loss.
Be Careful When Deleting Messages
When deleting messages, make sure to double-check that you are deleting the correct conversation. It’s also a good idea to archive important conversations instead of deleting them.
Conclusion
Losing important messages on your iPhone can be frustrating, but there are ways to recover recently deleted messages. By using the built-in recovery features on your iPhone, or by using third-party apps, you can restore deleted messages and prevent message loss in the future. Remember to always be careful when deleting messages, and consider enabling iCloud backup or using a third-party backup app to provide an extra layer of protection against message loss.
By following these tips and methods, you can ensure that your messages are safe and secure, and that you can recover deleted messages if needed.
How Do I Recover Recently Deleted Messages On My IPhone?
To recover recently deleted messages on your iPhone, you can use the Messages app’s built-in feature. Open the Messages app and tap on “Edit” in the top left corner. Then, tap on “Show Recently Deleted” and select the conversations you want to recover. Tap on “Recover” to move the conversations back to the main Messages screen.
Keep in mind that this method only works for messages that have been deleted within the last 30 days. If you’re trying to recover messages that are older than 30 days, you may need to use a third-party recovery tool or restore your iPhone from a backup.
Can I Recover Deleted Messages From A Specific Contact?
Yes, you can recover deleted messages from a specific contact using the Messages app. To do this, open the Messages app and tap on the conversation with the contact you want to recover messages from. Tap on “Edit” in the top left corner, then tap on “Show Recently Deleted.” Select the messages you want to recover and tap on “Recover” to move them back to the conversation.
If you’re having trouble finding the conversation with the contact you want to recover messages from, you can use the search bar at the top of the Messages screen to search for the contact’s name. This should bring up the conversation with the contact, even if it’s been deleted.
How Long Are Deleted Messages Stored On My IPhone?
Deleted messages are stored on your iPhone for 30 days before they are permanently deleted. During this time, you can recover deleted messages using the Messages app or a third-party recovery tool. After 30 days, deleted messages are permanently deleted and cannot be recovered.
It’s worth noting that if you delete a message and then immediately restart your iPhone, the message may be permanently deleted and cannot be recovered. This is because the iPhone’s operating system may overwrite the deleted message data when it restarts.
Can I Recover Deleted Messages From A Group Chat?
Yes, you can recover deleted messages from a group chat using the Messages app. To do this, open the Messages app and tap on the group chat conversation. Tap on “Edit” in the top left corner, then tap on “Show Recently Deleted.” Select the messages you want to recover and tap on “Recover” to move them back to the conversation.
Keep in mind that if you’re trying to recover deleted messages from a group chat, you may need to have the permission of the group chat administrator to do so. Additionally, if the group chat has been deleted entirely, you may not be able to recover any messages from it.
Will Recovering Deleted Messages Affect My IPhone’s Storage Space?
Recovering deleted messages may affect your iPhone’s storage space, depending on the size of the messages and the amount of storage space available on your device. If you recover a large number of messages or messages with large attachments, it may take up a significant amount of storage space on your iPhone.
To free up storage space on your iPhone, you can delete messages and attachments that you no longer need. You can also consider using iCloud or another cloud storage service to store your messages and attachments, which can help free up storage space on your device.
Can I Recover Deleted Messages From An IPhone Backup?
Yes, you can recover deleted messages from an iPhone backup using iTunes or iCloud. To do this, connect your iPhone to your computer and open iTunes. Select your iPhone and click on “Restore Backup.” Choose the backup that contains the deleted messages you want to recover and click on “Restore.”
Alternatively, you can use iCloud to recover deleted messages from a backup. To do this, go to the iCloud website and sign in with your Apple ID. Click on “Account Settings” and then click on “Restore Files.” Select the backup that contains the deleted messages you want to recover and click on “Restore.”
Are There Any Third-party Apps That Can Help Me Recover Deleted Messages?
Yes, there are several third-party apps that can help you recover deleted messages on your iPhone. Some popular options include PhoneRescue, Dr.Fone, and EaseUS MobiSaver. These apps can scan your iPhone’s storage for deleted message data and recover it for you.
Keep in mind that third-party apps may not always be able to recover deleted messages, especially if they have been permanently deleted or overwritten. Additionally, some third-party apps may require you to jailbreak your iPhone, which can void your warranty and potentially cause security issues.