To recover deleted texts on an iPhone, you can try the following methods:
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Recover from the Recently Deleted Folder (iOS 16 or later):
- Open the Messages app.
- Tap Edit or Filters in the top-left corner.
- Tap Show Recently Deleted.
- Select the messages you want to recover.
- Tap Recover to restore them.
Note: Messages deleted more than 30 days ago cannot be recovered this way.
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Restore from iCloud Backup:
- Check if you have a recent iCloud backup containing the deleted texts by going to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups.
- If available, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.
- During setup, select Restore from iCloud Backup and choose the backup before the messages were deleted.
Warning: This will overwrite current data, so back up important new data first.
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Restore from Mac or PC Backup:
- Connect your iPhone to a Mac (Finder) or PC (iTunes).
- Open Finder or iTunes and select your iPhone.
- Choose Restore Backup and select a backup made before the texts were deleted.
- Restore to recover the messages.
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Contact Your Network Provider:
- Some carriers may have records of SMS messages for a limited time (not iMessages).
- Contact customer service, provide your details, and request message records.
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Use Third-Party Recovery Tools:
- Tools like Disk Drill, Dr.Fone, or iMobie PhoneRescue can scan your iPhone to recover messages even without backup.
- These are paid tools and you should download them from official sources.
The easiest and most immediate method is to check the Recently Deleted folder if you are using iOS 16 or later, as deleted messages are stored there for 30 days. If that fails, restoring from backups or using third-party software are your next options.
