Can text messages be deleted?

Asked by: Prof. Noemie Murazik MD  |  Last update: May 31, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (22 votes)

Tip: Use Undo send to retract (within 2 minutes) a message you sent accidentally, deleting it from both your phone and your recipient's phone. Deleted messages and attachments remain in your Recently Deleted folder for up to 30 days, and you can recover them.

Can a text message be permanently deleted?

Can You Delete Text Messages Permanently? Yes, you can! There are many different ways to delete texts from your cell, depending on whether you own an Apple or Google device, but it is possible and available as an option for users.

Can I delete a text message after sent?

If more than 2 minutes have passed since you've sent the message, you can edit the sent text. Unlike the Unsend option, the option to edit a sent message is available for 15 minutes after sending. Just long-press the message bubble, select Edit, make your changes, and tap the blue checkmark to save.

Can someone see my deleted text messages?

Deleted text messages are usually retrievable from a phone, but before beginning the process, law enforcement officers would need to obtain a court order. Once obtained, officers can use mobile device forensic tools (MDFTs) to extract any data from a device, including emails, texts, images and location data.

Does the other person know if you deleted a text?

You can delete text messages, attachments, and entire conversations from your iPhone anytime, without affecting what your recipients see.

How To Permanently Delete Text Messages On iPhone

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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.

Is it OK to delete old text messages?

If you have old text threads, it's a good idea to delete them as soon as possible. They may contain private information that could compromise your safety if they fell into the wrong hands. Some devices allow you to automatically delete texts after a set amount of time.

When you Unsend a text can they see it?

The recipient can read your message before you unsend it. If you unsend a message, it will disappear from the recipient's screen, but they'll be notified that you unsent it. Now that you know how it works, here's how to unsend a message: While in an iMessage conversation, tap and hold the message you want to unsend.

Can I get back deleted texts?

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.

When you delete a message does it delete on the other side?

If you are using Google Messages, deleting a message you have sent does not delete it for the recipient of the message.

Can someone delete messages from my phone remotely?

While it's technically possible for someone to delete messages from your phone remotely, it usually involves malicious software, unauthorized access to cloud services, or extreme situations like legal warrants.

How do I delete messages on both sides of the signal?

To delete messages for everyone in the chat:
  1. Open the chat.
  2. On mobile: Tap and hold on a message that you have sent within the past 24 hours. Tap delete. .
  3. On Desktop: Hover to the inside of the message bubble that you have sent within the past 24 hours. Select more. . Select delete. .
  4. Select Delete for everyone.

Are deleted text messages really gone?

Deleting a message just tells the phone to stop showing it in certain places. Even "permanently" clearing messages means your phone stops listing them in the deleted items folder. While you can't recover these texts on the phone, various software packages can read data directly from a SIM card.

How do I delete SMS from both sides?

Android
  1. Open the chat.
  2. Tap and hold on a message that you have sent within the past 24 hours.
  3. Tap delete .
  4. Select Delete for everyone.

Why do people delete text messages?

But can a text or other digital messages ever truly be erased from existence? People delete text messages and other electronic messages for many reasons: to free up room on their device; to break contact after a sour conversation; and, from time to time, to wipe out a conversation, for one reason or another.

Can you see Unsend messages?

Key Takeaways. Unsend for Everyone removes the message from the sender and recipient's chat. You can't recover unsent messages on Messenger. You can see unsent messages in your phone's notification history because the notification will not be unsent.

What does it look like when you Unsend a text?

The message disappears and a notification that says "You unsent a message" appears.

How long after sending a message can you edit it?

You have 15 minutes after sending a message to edit it.

Are text messages stored forever?

If you delete an old text message, can someone (or his lawyer) still find it? Probably not—although there are exceptions. Most cell phone carriers don't permanently save the enormous amount of text-message data that is sent between users every day.

Can text messages be read after deleted?

Retrieve deleted texts by contacting your carrier

It may be possible to get your lost texts back by contacting your phone provider. Fair warning though – this is rarely an easy option. Not all phone providers store your messages; even if they do, you could be left waiting days for a response.

Why do people unsend messages?

People unsend messages when they're sent by accident.

Maybe she sent you a message that was actually meant for a friend, or maybe she meant to message a different person with your same name. With the unsend feature, she might have just quickly removed the message so she wouldn't have to explain her mistake.

Can deleted texts be subpoenaed?

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.

Does deleting texts permanently delete them?

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.

How do I permanently delete message history?

In the bottom navigation menu, tap Direct messages . In the list of direct messages, tap the person's name. Delete conversation . To confirm, tap Delete.