To retrieve deleted text messages on an iPhone, you have several options depending on how recently the messages were deleted and whether you have backups:

Recover Recently Deleted Messages (iOS 16 and later)

• Open the Messages app.
• Tap Edit at the top left.
• Tap Show Recently Deleted.
• Select the conversations or messages you want to recover.
• Tap Recover to restore them.
  This method works for messages deleted within the last 30 days and allows recovery directly from the Messages app without restoring the entire phone

Restore from iCloud Backup

If you have iCloud Backup enabled and a backup from before the messages were deleted:

• Go to Settings > tap your name > iCloud > ensure Messages is turned on.
• Check iCloud Backup to confirm a recent backup exists.
• Go to Settings > General > Reset or Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.
• After the reset, during setup, choose Restore from iCloud Backup and select the backup dated before the deletion.
  Note: This will restore the entire device to that backup state, potentially overwriting newer data

Restore from iTunes or Finder Backup

If you have backed up your iPhone to a computer:

• Connect your iPhone to the computer.
• Open iTunes (Windows or macOS Mojave and earlier) or Finder (macOS Catalina and later).
• Select your device.
• Click Restore Backup and choose a backup from before the messages were deleted.
  This also restores the whole backup and may overwrite current data

Use Third-Party Recovery Tools

If you do not have backups or want to recover permanently deleted messages selectively, tools like PhoneRescue for iOS can scan your device or backups to recover deleted texts:

• Download and install the recovery software on your computer.
• Connect your iPhone and select recovery mode (from device, iTunes backup, or iCloud backup).
• Scan for deleted messages, preview them, and recover selectively to your device or computer.
  This method provides more flexibility and does not require full device restoration

Additional Tips

• If messages were deleted from the "Recently Deleted" folder, recovery is no longer possible from the device.
• Signing into your Apple ID on a Mac and accessing the Messages app there may allow recovery if messages are synced via iCloud

• Contacting your mobile carrier might help recover messages if they keep backups

In summary, the easiest and fastest way to recover recently deleted texts is via the Messages app's "Recently Deleted" feature (within 30 days). For older or permanently deleted messages, restoring from backups or using third-party recovery software are the main options