Once deleted, can text messages be retrieved? (2024)

FAQs

Once deleted, can text messages be retrieved? ›

Fortunately, there are ways to retrieve them. From restoring backups to using recovery software, plenty of options are available to help you get your messages back: Enable Google Drive backup to automatically save your messages to the cloud.

Open your Android phone settings. Click the "Google" option. Go to "Backup" and check if there is a backup of your text messages. If there is a backup, you can try to recover the deleted text messages by restoring the backup.

The good news is that deleted text messages may not be permanently gone. If you enabled Google Drive backup in Messages, you may need to factory reset your Android phone to retrieve deleted text messages on Android. If none of these recovery solutions work, there are third-party Android recovery programs available.

In the United States, there is no set time limit for how far back text messages can be subpoenaed from phone companies or iPhones by the FBI. The government can subpoena past records going back as far as they exist. Most phone companies keep records for 1-2 years.

Locate your deleted text messages

The Recently Deleted section in Messages will show all messages you've deleted within the past 30 days. All your deleted text messages can be found in the Messages app. To find your trashed messages, open Messages and tap the Edit option at the top left.

You can only recover messages and conversations that you deleted within the last 30 to 40 days. If you delete a message before you update to iOS 16, iPadOS 16, or later, you can't recover that message.

Ensure that iCloud backup is enabled on your iPhone. Go to “Settings” > “iCloud” > “Backup.” Select “Restore Backup” and choose the backup containing the deleted messages.

Even if you remove a text message from your phone, it may not be gone. That's because it could be stored on your phone company's servers. Normal text messages go from your phone to your phone company to the recipient. In most cases, that means the phone company retains a copy of messages.

Unfortunately, once text messages have been deleted, they cannot be recovered. However, if you have an iPhone, you may be able to recover deleted text messages from an iTunes or iCloud backup. You can also try third-party data recovery software, such as Dr. Fone, to attempt to recover deleted text messages.

Your texts are gone forever after deletion unless you back them up to the cloud. If you use a device with a custom Android version, such as one from Samsung, your messaging app might include a recycle bin. Samsung's custom Android, for instance, includes this exclusive feature in its default messaging app.

How to permanently delete text messages so they can't be recovered? ›

Simply deleting a text message from a phone doesn't actually get rid of the message data; it just unlists the message from your inbox. Eventually, the message data will get overwritten, but this could take months, which is why it's relatively easy to recover deleted text messages.

Many phones have wireless backup capabilities, either through a built-in service or a third-party app. If you're currently using a wireless backup service, you may be in luck! If the most recent backup was made before you accidentally deleted the texts, you can restore that backup to your phone, and voila!

Clearing or deleting your messages on your devices doesn't mean the data is permanently gone, it's just been filed away differently.

Well, yes and no, depending on where it's deleted from. Basically, the answer is a bit complicated but here's the short version: you should assume that data is never truly deleted unless the device has had a complete wipe.

Apple's iCloud storage service can be a real lifesaver when it comes to recovering your iPhone's data. If you want to retrieve messages that you deleted more than 30 days ago, then an iCloud backup can help you get them back.

Law enforcement can often retrieve text messages, even ones you've deleted.

You can restore deleted messages directly from the Trash. Navigate to and open the Samsung Messages app, then tap More options (the three vertical dots), and then tap Trash. Touch and hold the message you'd like to recover. You can also tap All to select all messages in the Trash.