To get back deleted messages, the method depends on your device type and operating system. Here are the main ways to recover deleted messages on iPhone and Android:
For iPhone (iOS 16 and later)
- Open the Messages app.
- On the conversations list, tap Edit (top-left) or Filters if Message Filtering is on.
- Tap Show Recently Deleted or Recently Deleted to see deleted conversations.
- Select the conversations or messages you want to recover.
- Tap Recover then Recover Messages.
- Messages deleted within the last 30 to 40 days can be recovered this way.
- If you use Messages in iCloud, recovering messages on one device restores them on all devices signed in with the same Apple ID.
- Note: Messages deleted using Undo Send or expired audio messages cannot be recovered
For Android
- Some Android phones (e.g., Samsung Galaxy) have a Recycle Bin or Trash in the Messages app where deleted messages are stored for 30 days.
- Open the Messages app, tap the menu (three dots), then tap Recycle Bin or Trash.
- Select the messages to restore and tap Restore.
- If no recycle bin is available, you can try restoring messages from a backup via Google Backup.
- Alternatively, use third-party Android data recovery software on a computer by connecting your phone via USB; some apps require rooting the phone.
- Be cautious with third-party apps and verify their authenticity before use
Additional Notes
- On iPhone before iOS 16, recovering deleted messages required restoring from an iCloud or iTunes backup.
- On Android, restoring from backup involves factory resetting the device and restoring from the last backup, which erases current data.
- Acting quickly is crucial since deleted messages are only recoverable within a limited time window (usually 30 days).
This covers the main official and practical methods to recover deleted messages on iPhone and Android devices.
