How To View Deleted Messages On iPhone

Unlike the traditional sending/receiving of SMS text messages, the iPhone’s iMessage feature stores messages per conversation. Though it’s possible to delete or archive a...

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Unlike the traditional sending/receiving of SMS text messages, the iPhone’s iMessage feature stores messages per conversation. Though it’s possible to delete or archive a specific sent/received message, removing texts with a specific contact could mean removing the entire conversation.SMS text memory storage has been significantly modified, allowing iPhone users to keep more iMessage conversations as long as the device’s internal storage itself isn’t maximized. So, deleting iPhone texts typically means the user intended to do so. There are, however, rare instances where an accidental data wipe-out or unavoidable default settings restoration could lead to the deletion of text conversations. Whatever your reason may be for restoring phone conversations, here are some effective ways on how to view deleted messages on your iPhone.

Restore Deleted Texts Messages From iCloud Backup

iCloud is Apple’s online storage where users may opt to back up their data, including multimedia files, documents, Home configuration, and general settings. Apple also allows people to instantly share files with friends and family using iCloud. This feature also aids in locating a lost or stolen iOS device as well.

By activating your iCloud, you obtain access to a free email account and 5 GB of storage. You also can manage your storage, having the ability to choose from photos, mail, contacts, calendars, reminders, notes, messages, and more. Hence, you can only recover the data initially chosen to be backed up. The 5-gigabyte storage only comprises personally saved or downloaded files; any purchased songs, videos, books, or apps won’t eat up space but could still be saved on your iCloud account.

Data backup and restoration is another great feature of iCloud. Note that though iCloud backup is one of the quickest ways to recover deleted texts on an iPhone, you may risk losing some of the data. This is because you’ll be required to restore your settings to the point where the recently deleted messages are still available, meaning all data saved after that time will no longer be available.

The availability of iCloud and its features may vary depending on the user’s location. In some countries or regions, iCloud features have minimum system requirements, so be sure to check these out. Once you’ve confirmed all conditions are met, start the restoration process. Follow these steps for how to recover deleted iMessages via iCloud backup.

Launch the Settings page by tapping on the Settings app or the Gear icon.
Click on your name/your iPhone’s name on top of the Settings page.
Select iCloud → iCloud Backup.
Ensure your iPhone has been backed up recently (to avoid unnecessary data loss, back up your phone before continuing).
Navigate back to the Settings page and select General.
Tap on Reset → Erase all Content and Settings → Erase Now.
Wait a few minutes for the factory conditions to be reset. Go through the usual steps of customizing your iPhone after the initial welcome screen. When you reach the Apps & Data option, choose Restore from iCloud Backup.
Sign in to your iCloud account and select which backup you wish to restore. Of course, you’d want to choose the one with the date before you deleted the text messages.

Restore Deleted Messages Without Overwriting Your iPhone

Data overwriting means replacing previously available information with new ones, resulting in the permanent deletion of the initial data. In a way, this could be classified as protocol bypassing and it comes in many forms like factory settings restoration and iOS device jailbreaking.

iPhone recover deleted messages features typically involve rewriting or overwriting of data. To recover deleted iMessages, you’ll need to restore to a backup before the date you lost or deleted the text/conversation. Hence, retrieving old data could mean losing new data.

That being said, your options are limited to restore deleted messages without overwriting your iPhone. Furthermore, these typically require a more extensive user input without the assurance for the desired outputs. If you still want to give it a try, here’s how to find deleted messages on iPhone without bypassing or overwriting anything within your iOS device.

Reach Out To Your Network Carrier

Phone service providers typically keep records of phoe3 activities like sent/received text messages and incoming/outgoing phone calls. Depending on your carrier’s policy, you might need to log into a cloud-based control panel or call their customer service. Be prepared for a thorough identification process as they need to ensure they’re providing access to the real phone owner.

Reach Out To The Person Involved

If all else fails, reach out to the sender or receiver of the message. After all, deleting or losing the text from your device doesn’t mean it was removed on the recipient’s end. If the message is that important, there’s surely no harm in asking. Unless the person involved in the conversation is the same reason why you’re trying to restore the content.

Access Your iCloud Account

Accessing your iCloud account is different from initiating an iCloud backup restoration. The former only means logging into your account and retrieving any available information while the latter typically involves data overwriting. Note, however, this option may not be available for everyone as iCloud doesn’t back up SMS messages in every territory or with every phone carrier. If this is an available option for you, follow this step-by-step process.

1. Navigate to iCloud.com and log in using your Apple ID credentials.
2. Click on the Messages App icon and locate the text you want to recover.
3. If you see the messages to be restored, launch your iPhone’s Settings page and tap on your name.
4. Select iCloud then toggle off the Messages selection and click Keep On My iPhone.
5. Toggle back on the Messages selection and click Merge.
6. Wait for a few minutes to see if the deleted messages on iPhone would reappear.

Restore Deleted Texts From iTunes Backup

iTunes is a mobile management application developed by Apple to organize an iPhone’s digital media through utilizing a computer. It also provides access to the iTunes store where you can browse and purchase digital content and third-party mobile applications. Like with several other Apple services, you’ll need your Apple ID to access iTunes.

Like iCloud, iTunes enables people to backup their data. The key difference is that iTunes does it manually through utilizing a USB cable and personal computer, while iCloud does it remotely. Plus, data in the iCloud backup is encrypted by default, while it’s optional in iTunes. Despite the differences, iCloud backup and iTunes backup are both effective ways to recover deleted messages from iPhone.

Here’s how to find deleted text messages on iPhone via iTunes backup.

Using a USB cable, connect your iPhone to a computer (Mac or Windows will do).
If it doesn’t pop up automatically, manually launch iTunes.
Tap on the Phone icon located at the top of the screen.
Select Summary from the menu on the left panel.
Under the Automatically Back Up section, iCloud is selected by default and in case the Restore Backup button is grayed out, switch the backup selection from iCloud to This Computer.
Click on Restore Backup to show old texts or recover deleted messages on the iPhone.

Restore Deleted iMessages Using A Third-Party App

If you’re seeking another way to retrieve deleted text messages on an iPhone with a higher chance of succeeding, the best option is to utilize a third-party app. Such software is specifically designed for data restoration, pulling just the specific information you need without overwriting the whole iPhone.

Depending on the app you avail of, you’ll need to pay for a one-time subscription fee or per-service fee to recover deleted iPhone messages, damaged multimedia files, compromised digital content, lost documents, and more. Here are some of the most popular apps to choose from.

- Phone Rescue
- Wondershare Dr.Fone
- Enigma Recovery
- iMobie PhoneRescue
- Tenorshare UltData

Spying or monitoring apps could also come in handy in such situations. These tools provide remote real-time access to the device where it’s installed, keeping records of phone activities and engagements in a cloud-based dashboard. So, even if data is transferred, archived, or deleted, the spyware will have a copy of it. Aside from data backup and file restoration, you’ll also gain access to various security settings and parental controls that are equally beneficial.

Here are some of the best spy apps you can rely on.