Deleted messages on an iPhone can be found and recovered primarily through the "Recently Deleted" folder in the Messages app, available on iOS 16 and later versions. Here is how you can locate and restore deleted messages:
How to Find Deleted Messages on iPhone
- Open the Messages app.
- Tap Edit (or Filters if Message Filtering is enabled) in the top-left corner.
- Select Show Recently Deleted.
- You will see a list of deleted conversations or messages, showing contact names or phone numbers, number of messages, and days left until permanent deletion.
- Tap the conversation you want to recover, then tap Recover Message or Recover [Number] Messages to restore them back to your inbox.
This folder holds deleted messages for up to 30 days, after which they are permanently erased and cannot be recovered through this method
Additional Ways to Recover Deleted Messages
- Restore from iCloud Backup: If you regularly back up your iPhone to iCloud, you can restore your entire device from a backup made before the messages were deleted. This will overwrite current data, so back up any new information first
- Use a Mac with iMessage: If messages are deleted from the iPhone and the Recently Deleted folder, signing into the same Apple ID on a Mac and opening the Messages app there may allow you to recover older messages if they are synced and backed up
- Third-party software: Apps like Disk Drill on Mac can scan your iPhone for deleted files and help recover messages if they are not in the Recently Deleted folder
Important Notes
- You cannot preview deleted messages in the Recently Deleted folder before recovery; you identify them by contact or phone number.
- Messages deleted before upgrading to iOS 16 or iPadOS 16.1 cannot be recovered using the built-in Recently Deleted feature.
- Deleted messages are only recoverable within about 30 days from deletion
In summary, the primary and easiest place to find deleted messages on an iPhone is the "Recently Deleted" section in the Messages app, accessible via the Edit or Filters option. Acting quickly within the 30-day window is crucial for recovery
