You may have experienced such a scenario: You are scrolling through your Messenger inbox to look for some message, but somehow, you can't find it anywhere. Maybe you deleted that message. But don't worry, the good news is that there are several ways to recover deleted messages on Messenger.

Part 1. Common Ways to Recover Deleted Messages on Messenger

The first three methods introduced in this section apply to both iPhone and Android users.

Method 1. Check Your Archived Messages

Many people assume they have deleted messages, but actually, they archived them and forgot. If you have archived the messages instead of deleting them, you can recover these archived messages easily as they are only hidden from the inbox.

Step 1. Open the Messenger app. Tap your profile photo in the top left corner.

Step 2. Choose Archived Chats. Then, all the archived chats will be listed on your screen.

Step 3. If you find the message that you think you have deleted, swipe left on it.

Step 4. Tap Unarchive to move the message back to your inbox.

Method 2. Ask the Other Person to Send the Deleted Messages

Although you have deleted messages on Facebook, the other person you've been chatting with may not delete the chats. You can send they a message to ask them to send the deleted messages to you.

Step 1. Open the Messenger app. Scroll through your messages and look for the chat from which you have deleted messages. Or you can use the Search bar to find the chat.

Step 2. Send the person a message to ask if s/he would like to send the deleted messages to you.

Method 3. Check the Downloaded Data

If you have used Facebook's Download Your Information feature to save Facebook messages on your computer before, you may be able to recover deleted messages on Messenger via the downloaded file. Here's how:

Step 1. Find and select the downloaded data on the computer. Usually, it's a ZIP file.

Step 2. Unzip the file if it's still zipped.

Step 3. Open the Messages folder. If you can't find this folder, it means that you didn't add messages to your archive before downloading.

Step 4. Double-click on your_messages.html. This will open a list of downloaded messages. Select the messages you want to restore.

Part 2. How to Recover Deleted Messages on Messenger (iPhone)

Besides the three methods introduced in Part 1, the easiest way to recover deleted messages on Messenger on iPhone is to use Apeaksoft iPhone Data Recovery. This software can easily recover all types of lost or deleted data without any backup, including Facebook, Call History, Messages, Voice Memo, and so on. It's also compatible with the latest iOS devices and versions.

Step 1. Download the software for free. After installation, launch it.

Step 2. Connect your iPhone to the computer via USB. Choose Recover from iOS Devices in the left sidebar. The software will remind you to unlock your iPhone and ask whether to trust this computer. Unlock your iPhone, and tap Trust. Then, click on Next.

Step 3. Click on Start Scan, The software will automatically scan your iPhone.

Step 4. When the scanning finishes, you will be shown all the scanned data on your iPhone. You can select Show All or Show Deleted Only on the top.

Step 5. In the left sidebar, find and select Facebook Messenger. Select the deleted messages you wish to recover. Then, click the blue Recover button at the bottom right of the page. Wait for a few seconds to recover deleted Messenger messages.

Part 3. How to Recover Deleted Messages on Messenger (Andriod)

This section will introduce two methods on how to recover deleted Messenger messages on Android.

Method 1. Access the Notification History

In the notification history on Android devices, you can view lots of recent notifications, which may also include messages on Messenger. You can recover deleted Messenger messages here. However, please note that you can try this method only if you have enabled Use Notification History before.

Step 1. Go to Settings > Notifications > Notification History to check all the notifications on your Android device.

Step 2. Here, you may find the deleted Messenger messages. Recover them if you like.

Method 2. Recover Deleted Messenger Messages from the Cache File

Android users can directly recover deleted Messenger messages from the cache file on their devices. The cache retains all the data stored on the device, including messages on Messenger.

Step 1. Open the File Manager. Within Internal Storage, tap the Android folder. Then, choose the Data folder.

Step 2. Find and select com.facebook.ocra to access the Cache folder. Then, tap the fb-temp folder. All your Facebook Messenger messages are stored here. You can choose the deleted messages to recover them.

Bonus: Back Up Messages for the Future

To avoid losing your messages on Messenger again, you can choose to back up your messages in advance. However, this can't be done on cell phones or tablets. You can only use your computer.

Step 1. Visit Facebook.com on your computer. In the top right corner, click the down arrow button to see the dropdown menu.

Step 2. Step 2. Choose Settings & Privacy > Settings. Then, select Your Facebook Information.

Step 3. Choose View which is next to Download Your Information.

Step 4. Click on Select Dates to choose the time range for the messages you wish to download.

Step 5. Check the box next to Messages to download your chats. Then, click on Create File. Facebook will create a file for your download. It will remind you when it's ready to download.

After receiving the confirmation and notification from Facebook, you can click the link and follow the instructions shown on the screen to download your backup.

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