How do I retrieve permanently deleted text messages?
Asked by: Dr. Ruben D'Amore MD | Last update: July 21, 2025Score: 4.3/5 (14 votes)
To recover deleted texts on some Androids, you can restore them using the recycle bin feature in the messaging app settings. Not all phones or manufacturers include a recycle bin. If you use Google Messages, you'll have to restore messages from a backup or a third-party app.
Is there a place to retrieve Deleted text messages?
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. Then tap Show Recently Deleted.
How do I find permanently deleted messages on my iPhone?
Permanent means permanent. Regrettably, you cannot recover those items. If you have a backup that contains the messages, and you do not sync with iCloud, you can factory reset your device and restore it using the backup. You'll lose anything new since the last backup but you might get your messages back.
Can permanently deleted chats be recovered?
Permanently deleted chats on WhatsApp can be recovered if you have a data backup available, either through WhatsApp's own backup service or a third-party backup application. If no backup exists, third-party recovery software like AnyRecover can help recover lost data from both iPhone and Android devices.
Is there a folder for deleted text messages?
To retrieve accidentally deleted text messages on your Android device, you have several options: Check the Recycle Bin or Trash folder in your messaging app. Some Android phones, like Samsung Galaxy models, have this feature. Restore from a Google Drive backup if you have it enabled.
[3 Ways] How To Retrieve Deleted Text Messages on ANY Android 2024
Are deleted text messages permanently deleted?
Deleted messages and attachments remain in your Recently Deleted folder for up to 30 days, and you can recover them.
How to recover permanently deleted text messages without backup?
Use third-party data recovery software
They remain hidden until overwritten by new data. A lot of third-party data recovery software can access hidden data, such as deleted text messages waiting to be overwritten. If no new data replaces your deleted texts, you can recover deleted messages by using data recovery apps.
Can text messages be retrieved once deleted?
Get deleted texts back with recovery software
Find a good data recovery tool. Look for an app with good reviews and a high success rate. We recommend SMS Backup & Restore or Recoverit. Download and install the app: Once you've found an app you like, download and install it on your phone.
How do I retrieve deleted chat history?
- First, uninstall WhatsApp from your device.
- Reinstall WhatsApp from the Google Play Store.
- Open WhatsApp and verify your phone number as usual.
- Once the app recognises your number, it will automatically detect any previous backups stored on Google Drive.
Can you restore permanently deleted messages on Android?
Access your “Messages” app, find the settings or menu, and look for a “Recycle Bin” or “Recently Deleted” option. Restore from Google Drive Backup: If you regularly back up your phone to Google Drive, there's a chance your texts are included.
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.
How to restore chat history from iCloud?
Here's how to restore an iPhone's chat history from an iCloud backup:Go to Settings and tap Apps & Data. Tap Restore from iCloud Backup. Sign in with your Apple ID. Tap Choose backup.
How to recover deleted messages in Messenger without backup?
- 1 Check If the Message Was Archived. ...
- 2Check Data Downloaded from Facebook Settings. ...
- 3Locate the Messages from Cache Files (Android) ...
- 4Check Old Email Notifications. ...
- 5Request Recipient to Forward These Messages. ...
- Check If the Messages Are Correct.
Can a court retrieve 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.
How to view deleted text messages on iCloud?
On the Apps & Data screen, tap Restore from iCloud Backup and sign in to iCloud with your Apple® ID. Go to Choose backup and select from the list of iCloud backups. Each one should have a date and size. Choose the last backup before you deleted the text messages to recover them.
How can I get old text messages from years ago?
How to Restore Texts from a Computer Backup. Software like iTunes, Samsung Smart Switch, or LG Bridge creates a backup of your phone that ends up stored on your computer. You can restore that backup to your phone, and the text messages will be restored as well.
Can you recover permanently deleted conversations on iPhone?
We have another option for how you can get permanently deleted messages back on iPhone, and it is to restore them from an iCloud backup. This method requires you to have a backup of your iPhone before the messages are deleted. This process also requires you to reset your iPhone to its factory settings.
How to recover deleted messages on iPhone?
- 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. ...
- Select the conversations whose messages you want to restore, then tap Recover.
- Tap Recover Messages.
How do I permanently delete chat 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.
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.
Do deleted texts go anywhere?
Yes, your deleted text messages are gone permanently unless you are backing them up on the cloud. And if your cloud backup for messages is on, then depending on your default messaging app, you may be able to restore them.
How can I recover deleted chats without backup?
You can recover deleted WhatsApp messages when you reinstall WhatsApp. Simply uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp, verify your phone number, and follow the prompts to restore your chats from Google Drive.
How to recover permanently deleted text messages from another phone?
The only reliable way to retrieve deleted messages on Android is to access the backup file using Google Drive. To access the file and read the messages, go into the Google Drive associated with your husband's account on a computer. Scan the backup folder for the date you want to take a look at and open it.
How to recover permanently deleted text messages on Samsung?
Use Samsung Cloud.
Select the switch next to Messages, and then tap Back up now. Tap Done when it's finished. Next, from the Accounts and back up screen, tap Restore data under Samsung Cloud. Select your desired device, then select Messages, and then tap Restore.