iPhone Tips

How to Recover Deleted iMessages [Easy, Quick]

by Jenefey Aaron   Updated on 2024-06-28 / Update for  iPhone Recovery

Losing iMessages on your iPhone can be distressing, especially if they contain important conversations or cherished memories. Understanding why iMessages get deleted is crucial; factors like accidental deletion, software updates, or device malfunctions can lead to their disappearance. Fortunately, there are methods to recover these messages, offering a glimmer of hope to those who have experienced such losses.

This guide explores the various reasons behind iMessage deletions, outlines potential recovery solutions, and provides step-by-step instructions on how to retrieve lost iMessages on your iPhone.

Part 1: Can I Recover Deleted iMessages?

Yes, you can potentially recover deleted iMessages using various methods. If you have backups stored in iCloud or iTunes/Finder, restoring your device from these backups can retrieve deleted messages. Additionally, specialized software like Tenorshare UltData offers the ability to recover deleted iMessages directly from iOS devices without backups.

However, the success of recovery depends on factors such as backup availability, device settings, and the extent of data overwritten since deletion, making timely action crucial for higher chances of success.

Part 2: How to Recover Deleted iMessages [Support Any iOS Device]

Learn how to recover deleted iMessages on iPhone, Mac and iPad. You can recover messages from any iOS device with our comprehensive guide. Whether you're using an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch, this tutorial covers effective strategies to retrieve lost messages.

Solution 1: Check Recently Deleted Messages (iOS 16 and Later)

First of all, when your messages are misplaced, all you need to do is to check your recently deleted folder to find them. Here is how you can do it.

  • Open the Messages app on your iOS device and navigate to the "Recently Deleted" folder, located in the "Messages" section.

    open recently deleted folder
  • Tap on the "Edit" button in the top-right corner, then select the messages you want to recover by tapping on them. Finally, tap on the "Recover" option to move the selected messages back to your main inbox, restoring them to their original state.

    click messages and recover

Solution 2: Recover Deleted iMessages without Backup

Tenorshare UltData is one of the best recovery tools to get you lost messages back even when you have not backed up your data. Here are some key features of this iMessages Recovery Software.

  • Selective Recovery: Allows users to preview and selectively recover specific iMessages instead of recovering all data, saving time and storage space.
  • Three Recovery Modes: Supports recovery directly from the iOS device, from iTunes backup, and from iCloud backup, providing multiple options to retrieve lost iMessages.
  • Support for Various Scenarios: Recovers iMessages lost due to accidental deletion, iOS update, jailbreak, device damage, or factory reset.
  • Ease of Use: Features a user-friendly interface that simplifies the recovery process, making it accessible even to non-technical users.
  • Data Integrity: Ensures the original quality and content of recovered iMessages, including attachments like photos, videos, and other media.

Here are few steps you need to follow to recover delete iMessages on iPhone.

  • Download and install Tenorshare UltData on your computer. Select the "Recover Data from iOS Device" option from the main interface.

    open the software on computer
  • Connect your iOS device to the computer using a USB cable.

    connect your device
  • Select the file type you would like to recover.

    scan the device
  • Preview the recovered data and select the ones you want to restore. Then select the location you want to save.

    recover your messages

Solution 3: Turn Off and On Messages Syncing

  • Go to the "Settings" app on your iOS device and scroll down to find the "Messages" option.
  • Toggle off the "iMessage" switch, wait for a few moments, then toggle it back on. This action refreshes the iMessage syncing process and may prompt the retrieval of deleted messages from your iCloud account. Check your Messages app to see if the deleted iMessages have been restored.

Part 3: Recover Deleted iMessage with Backup

How to recover deleted messages on iMessage with Backup? If you have made your backup plans, you can easily recover you lost messages. Recovering messages with a backup offers a high likelihood of success, as it stores a snapshot of your device's data, including iMessages. Whether through iCloud or iTunes/Finder backups, these methods provide a reliable means to restore deleted messages, safeguarding against data loss and ensuring peace of mind for users.

Solution 1: Restore Deleted iMessages from iCloud (without Computer)

How to recover old iMessage on mac or your iPhone? Is it possible to recover hem directly on your phone. The answer is a big yes.

  • Open the "Settings" app on your iOS device and tap on your Apple ID at the top. Reset your device after that.

    reset your device
  • Select "iCloud" > "Manage Storage" > "Messages" and toggle on "Messages" to enable iCloud backup. Deleted iMessages can be recovered by restoring your device from an iCloud backup containing the messages.

    back your iPhone now

Solution 2: Selectively Restore Deleted iMessages from iTunes (with Computer)

iTunes backup is another great way to recover your lost messages on iPhone when they are backed up. Here are few of the fatures of Tenorshare UltData that make it a premium choice to recover your iMessage on iPhone from iTunes.

  • Support data recovery without initializing/restore the device.
  • Data recovery will not overwrite the original data.
  • Support preview and view backup file data.
  • Supports selective recovery of only your required data.

You can Utilize Tenorshare UltData to selectively restore deleted iMessages from iTunes:

  • Launch Tenorshare UltData on your computer and connect your iOS device. Select the "Recover from iTunes Backup File" option and choose the relevant iTunes backup containing the deleted iMessages.

    open ultdata and click recovery through backup
  • Choose what you would like to scan and recover, then tap on "Scan" to next step.

    open messages and click recover to pc
  • Check the files you need and click "Recover to PC". Just wait a moment, you can recover data successfully.

    open messages and click recover to pc

Conclusion

The loss of iMessages on iOS devices can be distressing, but with the array of recovery solutions available, there's hope for restoring these valuable communications. Whether through iCloud backups, iTunes/Finder backups, or third-party software like Tenorshare UltData, users have multiple avenues to retrieve deleted iMessages. By following the outlined methods, individuals can regain access to cherished conversations, ensuring that no message is lost forever and providing reassurance in the event of accidental deletion or device issues.

FAQs about How to Recover Deleted iMessages

Q1: Do deleted texts stay on iCloud?

Deleted texts may stay on iCloud backups if they were backed up before deletion. However, they're eventually overwritten as newer backups are created.

Q2: Where are deleted text messages stored on iPhone?

Deleted text messages are initially moved to the "Recently Deleted" folder within the Messages app on iPhone.

Q3: Are deleted iPhone messages gone forever?

Deleted iPhone messages may seem gone, but they can potentially be recovered through backups or specialized recovery methods. However, without backups, they may be permanently lost.