If you accidentally delete an important text message, you are not alone. According to our research, thousands of iPhone users have encountered the same problem after clearing out the Messages app or tapping the Delete button by mistake. The good news is that Apple gives you several ways to see deleted messages on your iPhone. You can learn the proven methods and detailed steps from this concrete guide.

Part 1: How to Check Recently Deleted Messages on iPhone

Starting with iOS 16, Apple added the Recently Deleted folder to the Messages app. It allows you to check recently deleted messages on iPhone within 30 days of deleting them. This is what you need to do:

Step 1. Open the Messages app from your home screen.

Step 2. Tap the Filters or Edit menu at the top left corner.

Step 3. Choose the Recently Deleted option.

Step 4. View the recently deleted messages, and select the items you want to recover.

Step 5. Then, tap the Recover button.

Step 6. Go back to the Messages app and check if the deleted messages are back.

Part 2: How to Find Deleted Messages on iPhone from iCloud

iCloud is the cloud storage for Apple users. Each account can get 5GB of free storage for syncing and backing up data. You can find deleted messages on your iPhone if you have synced or backed up your messages to iCloud.

How to Find Deleted Messages on iPhone from iCloud

Step 1. Once you delete a message, open the Settings app.

Step 2. Tap on your profile and choose the iCloud option.

Step 3. Tap Messages under the Saved to iCloud section.

Step 4. Toggle off Use on this iPhone.

Step 5. When prompted, choose Disable and Download Messages.

How to Recover Deleted Text Messages on iPhone from iCloud Backup

Step 1. Run the Settings app on your iPhone.

Step 2. Tap on your profile and go to iCloud.

Step 3. Choose iCloud Backup and check the last backup under the Back Up Now button.

Step 4. If you have one, go back to Settings.

Step 5. Navigate to General and Transfer or Reset iPhone.

Step 6. Tap the Erase All Content and Settings option.

Step 7. Read the message and hit Continue.

Step 8. Tap Erase iPhone again to confirm it.

Step 9. Enter your iPhone passcode to start the process.

Step 10. When it is done, set up your iPhone again.

Step 11. Connect to Wi-Fi when prompted.

Step 12. Choose the From iCloud Backup option on the Transfer Your Apps & Data screen.

Step 13. Sign in with the linked Apple Account and password.

Step 14. Select the right backup and begin recovering permanently deleted text messages on your iPhone.

Step 15. When the process finishes, complete setup.

Part 3: How to Recover Deleted Messages on iPhone from Backup

The backup is another option to get back text messages you deleted on your iPhone. In addition to iCloud, some iPhone users prefer to back up their iPhones to computers. If you lose important messages, you can get them back from a backup using a computer.

How to Get Back Deleted Text Messages on iPhone from PC

Step 1. Connect your iPhone to a PC with a USB cable.

Step 2. Open the latest version of iTunes.

Step 3. Click the Phone button at the top left corner after your iPhone is detected.

Step 4. Go to the Summary tab and locate the Backup section.

Step 5. Check the latest backup.

Step 6. Next, click the Restore Backup button.

Step 7. Choose the right backup and click the Restore button to retrieve deleted text messages on iPhone.

How to Retrieve Deleted Text Messages on iPhone from Mac

Step 1. Link your iPhone to your Mac with a compatible cable.

Step 2. Run the Finder app.

Step 3. Click your iPhone name on the sidebar after it is detected.

Step 4. Head to the General tab.

Step 5. Click the Restore Backup button in the Backups area.

Step 6. Select a backup from the dialog and hit Restore.

Part 4: How to Get Back Text Messages on iPhone from Your Carrier

Another way to get back deleted messages on your iPhone is through your carrier. Most carriers keep text messages on their servers for a few months to several years. This way works for permanently deleted and old text messages on your phone. You can visit a nearby store to request a copy of your text messages or access the website of your carrier and check your messages.

Part 5: How to Retrieve Deleted Messages on iPhone Without Backup

Without a backup, you still can restore deleted text messages on your iPhone using Apeaksoft iPhone Data Recovery. It is able to scan your memory and look for lost data quickly. If you have a backup, it can extract data from it without resetting your iPhone.

How to Retrieve Deleted Messages on Your iPhone Without Backup

Step 1. Scan your iPhone

Download and install the data recovery software on your PC. There is another version for Mac. Launch it when you need to retrieve deleted messages on your iPhone. Choose the Recover from iOS Device tab on the sidebar. Plug your iPhone into your PC with a Lightning cable and trust this PC. Click the Start Scan button to start scanning your iPhone memory.

Step 2. Preview deleted messages

When data scanning finishes, select Messages and Message Attachments. Then, you can preview them, including the multimedia attachments. To view deleted messages, select Show Deleted Only from the top option.

Step 3. Retrieve iPhone messages

Finally, select the messages you want to retrieve and click on the Recover button at the bottom right side. Set an output folder and hit Recover. Keep your iPhone connected during the SMS recovery process.

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