Are deleted iPhone texts recoverable?
Asked by: Lacy Armstrong | Last update: May 18, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (18 votes)
You can recover deleted text messages you deleted on your iPhone. You can restore messages you deleted for up to 30 days.
Are deleted texts on iPhone permanently deleted?
Deleted messages and attachments remain in the Recently Deleted folder for 30 days, but you can permanently remove them before that. Go to the Messages app on your iPhone. In the Messages conversation list, do one of the following: Tap Edit in the top-left corner, then tap Show Recently Deleted.
Can I get back deleted texts on iPhone?
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.
Are deleted text messages stored anywhere on iPhone?
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. Then tap Show Recently Deleted.
Do deleted texts actually get deleted?
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.
How To Recover A Deleted Text From Your iPhone
Do deleted texts stay on iCloud?
You can retrieve deleted text messages on your iPhone with iOS 16 within one month of deletion. You can also use iCloud, iTunes, or Finder to recover texts if you saved backups to your computer. If all else fails, reach out to your mobile carrier — they may restore deleted messages for you.
Can the court get deleted text messages?
Deleted text messages can potentially be subpoenaed, but the success of retrieving them depends on various factors. When a text message is deleted, it may not be immediately removed from the phone's system and could still be recoverable.
Can iPhone users see deleted texts?
You can recover deleted text messages you deleted on your iPhone. You can restore messages you deleted for up to 30 days.
How to permanently delete text messages so they can't be recovered?
A factory reset restores your Android device to its original system state by erasing all data, including messages, apps, and personal settings. This method is effective for permanently deleting all messages but should be used with caution. A factory reset will erase all data on your device.
Does iCloud save old text messages?
When you set up iCloud for Messages, your messages are stored in the cloud, with only the most recently accessed Messages stored locally on your device. You can see them on any device that's set up for iCloud and Messages, including your iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
How to retrieve deleted text messages without backup?
Download and install a Android data recovery software on your computer and connect your Android phone to the computer using a USB cable. Then follow the software's instructions to scan your phone's internal storage or SD card for deleted messages and recover them.
How to restore deleted items on iPhone?
- Open the Files app and tap the Browse tab.
- Under Locations, tap Recently Deleted.
- Tap the More button. , then tap Select.
- Select the files that you want to keep, then tap Recover. To recover a single file, you can also touch and hold the file, then tap Recover.
Can you recover deleted texts on an iPhone after 30 days?
Recover deleted messages on iPhone from iCloud backup
If you want to retrieve messages that you deleted more than 30 days ago, then an iCloud backup can help you get them back.
Are all text messages saved somewhere?
They are either stored on your phone, or archived at the telcom provider. If neither of those have them. The NSA/FBI have a log of them. Also Google has a log of every text message ever sent as well.
What is the psychology behind deleting messages?
Fear of Misinterpretation: The asynchronous nature of messaging can lead to misunderstandings. Nuance and tone are easily lost in text, resulting in misinterpretations. Deleting a message can be an attempt to preempt potential conflicts or clarify ambiguities before they escalate.
Can deleted text messages be brought back?
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.
How to retrieve deleted text messages on iPhone?
To retrieve deleted messages using iCloud backup: Open Settings on your iPhone and tap on your name. Select iCloud and then tap on Manage Storage. Choose the most recent backup that includes the text messages you want to recover.
Are deleted messages on iPhone really deleted?
It's important to note that deleting and recovering messages will only change what texts appear for you - it won't remove them from your recipient's phone. If you delete a message using the Undo Send function, this message will be permanently deleted and you won't be able to find it to recover.
Can police retrieve deleted text messages on iPhone?
You may think that when you have deleted a text message, it is gone forever. But that is not actually the case. In many cases, the police are still able to download text messages from your phone, even when you have deleted them.
Can deleted iMessages be subpoenaed?
Text messages, yes… your carrier can be subpoenaed and they will provide everything. iMessages, no… these are encrypted and therefore Apple doesn't have the ability to provide this information to anyone.
Can you get records of deleted texts?
Method 4: Contact your carrier
If you really need those deleted text messages and the above methods haven't worked for you, consider contacting your phone carrier. Some companies keep a record of your text messages, although you might need a court order to gain access.
Can text messages be truly deleted?
The answer depends. If you and the recipient of your text messages both delete them, clear your iCloud or other backups, and don't have a cellular carrier that saves them, there is a high likelihood they will be gone for good. However, text message deletion is a team effort.
Can AT&T retrieve deleted text messages on iPhone?
Messages read or deleted from Your smartphone will synchronize to Your Messages cloud storage. Messages sent, read or deleted from Your tablet, website, compatible smartwatch, or other applications that You authorize will synchronize to Your smartphone.