Recently Deleted Messages Not Showing on iPhone? Fix & Recover Now

Part 1: Why Does My iPhone Not Show Recently Deleted Messages?

When the iPhone does not show recently deleted messages, it could be due to one of the following reasons:

• Exceeded Time: The Recently Deleted folder only holds the deleted messages for 30 days. So, if that period has passed, you cannot see those messages.
• iOS Version: You need an iOS 16 or higher version to access the Recently Deleted feature. If you run an older iOS version, recently deleted messages won't appear.
• Deleted Messages Before iOS Upgrade: If you deleted messages before upgrading to iOS 16 or later, they won't be in the Recently Deleted folder.
• System Issue: A malfunction in the system can also disrupt operations and make the Messages app malfunction.

No matter what is causing recently deleted messages not showing on iPhone, head to the next part to learn the best fixes.

Part 2: Fix the Issue of Recently Deleted Messages Not Showing on iPhone

There are two popular ways to fix and recover recently deleted text messages on iPhone, as follows:

1. Update iOS

You need an iOS 16 or higher version to let the iPhone show recently deleted messages. So, if your iPhone is running on iOS 15 or lower version, you must update iOS to 16 or higher version.

Follow the below steps to update iOS:

• Open the "Settings" app on your iPhone.
• Go to General > Software Update.
• Select the update you want to install and click "Install Now".

Once the installation is completed, all the deleted messages will now show onward in the Recently Deleted folder.

2. iOS System Repair Software

If you are already running iOS 16 or later version but still recently deleted messages not showing on iPhone, then it means there is some system malfunction. To fix it, you need a reliable iOS system repair tool. That's where Tenorshare UltData comes into action.

Tensorshare UltData is a powerful iOS system repair and iPhone data recovery software. It can intelligently scan the iPhone system and fix over 150+ system issues with a few simple clicks. The key features of Tenorshare UltData include:

• Automated 150+ system issues repair.
• Intelligent scanning and fixing within minutes.
• Two repair modes: standard repair and advanced repair.
• Compatible with old and latest iPhone models, including the iPhone 16 series.

Follow the below steps to learn how to fix recently deleted messages not showing on iPhone:

• Install and launch Tenorshare UltData on your computer. Select "System Repair" from the left sidebar.



• Connect your iPhone with the computer using a USB cable. Select the recovery mode and click "Start Repair".

• Download the matched firmware.

• After the download is completed, the tool will begin the repair right away.

Once the repair process is successfully completed, check if you are seeing the recently deleted messages.

Part 3: Show Recently Deleted Messages iPhone without Backup

In part 2, we have discussed methods to fix the issue by either upgrading the iOS version or fixing the system issues. To access recently deleted messages on iPhone, you need to scan your iPhone storage using a data recovery tool and extract the deleted messages. That's where Tenorshare UltData again comes into play.

Tensorshare UltData is not just an iOS system repair tool; it can also recover lost/deleted iPhone data with a 98% data recovery success rate. Its deep scan can extract all the recently deleted messages and allow you to recover them using the preview-based selective recovery approach.

The key features of Tenorshare UltData related to iPhone data recovery include:

• Recover 35+ data types, including photos, videos, messages, etc.
• Recover data lost due to accidental deletion, virus attack, iOS upgrade bug, software glitch, etc.
• Click-based interface.
• Deep scanning to ensure a 98% success rate.
• Recover data from iCloud and iTunes backup.
• Recover data from third-party apps, including WhatsApp, Instagram, LINE, etc.

Follow the below steps to learn how to recover or show recently deleted messages not showing on iPhone with Tenorshare UltData:

• Launch Tenorshare UltData and select "iPhone/iPad Data Recovery".



• Link your iOS device to the computer via a USB cable. Follow the instructions displayed on the screen to make the connection.

• Select "Messages" and other data types to scan and recover. Once done, click "Scan" to begin scanning.

• After the scan, preview and select the messages to recover and click "Recover to PC".


In this way, you can use Tenorshare UltData to scan, preview, and recover recently deleted messages.

Part 4: Show Recently Deleted Messages iPhone from Backup

When you create an iPhone backup on iCloud or iTunes, it also backs up recently deleted messages. So, another way to recover recently deleted text messages on iPhone is to restore those backups.

Retrieve Deleted Messages from iCloud

To retrieve deleted messages from iCloud backup, you have to first factory reset your iPhone and then restore the iCloud backup. Here's how to show recently deleted messages on iPhone from iCloud:

• Go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. It will factory reset your iPhone.

• Initiate the iPhone initial setup. When you reach the "Transfer Your Apps & Data" screen, tap "From iCloud Backup".

• Log in to iCloud and select the backup to restore.

Afterward, wait for the restoration to complete. Once done, you can open the Messages app to see the recently deleted messages.

Restore Deleted Messages from iTunes

Restoring an iTunes backup can also recover recently deleted messages. However, it will also overwrite the existing iPhone data with backed-up data.

Follow the below steps to address can you see recently deleted messages on iPhone from iCloud:

• Launch iTunes/Finder on your computer.
• Link your iPhone to the computer using a USB cable.
• From iTunes, select your iPhone and tap "Restore Backup".

• Select the backup file and enter the password to begin restoration.

After the restoration is completed, visit back the Messages app and see your lost messages.

Conclusion

Recently deleted messages not showing on iPhone can occur due to many reasons, from iOS version issues to system malfunction and more. However, it is a fixable issue and you can easily access the lost messages. Out of all the ways discussed above, we recommend using Tenorshare UltData, as it provides a one-stop software solution to fix system issues and recover deleted messages effortlessly. Therefore, try Tensorshare UltData and resolve the issue right away.

FAQs about Recently Deleted Text Messages iPhone

Q1: How to look for recently deleted messages?

You can access recently deleted messages on iPhone by following the below steps:

• Go to the Messages app.
• Click the Edit button from the top-left corner.
• Click Show Recently Deleted.

Q2: Can you see permanently deleted messages on iPhone?

Although permanently deleted messages are not visible, they may still be intact with the iPhone storage. So, you can use an iPhone data recovery software to extract and view those messages.

Q3: Can you recover deleted iMessages after 30 days?

No, you cannot recover deleted iMessages after 30 days. The messages are permanently deleted from the Messages app after 30 days. You can try your luck using a data recovery tool, but there is no default way to recover them.