Where do deleted SMS messages go?
Asked by: Raul Nicolas | Last update: August 1, 2025Score: 5/5 (48 votes)
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. Samsung's custom Android, for instance, includes this exclusive feature in its default messaging app.
Can I see deleted SMS messages?
If you activated Google Drive backup, you will find the deleted messages. Otherwise, need to rely on third-party data recovery apps to retrieve deleted text messages on Android.
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.
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.
Can deleted SMS be tracked?
Once a message is deleted, it is no longer accessible to the tracker. That being said, some advanced SMS trackers may have a feature that allows you to access deleted messages before they are permanently erased from the device.
[3 Ways] How To Retrieve Deleted Text Messages on ANY Android 2024
Can the other person see a deleted SMS?
You can delete text messages, attachments, and entire conversations from your iPhone anytime, without affecting what your recipients see.
Can you see deleted SMS on iPhone?
You can restore messages you deleted for up to 30 days. 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.
Are SMS messages permanently deleted?
Android phones use the Google Messages app, the bread and butter of most Android software. But it doesn't have an easy method to manipulate the recycle bin, even if you're running Android 15. Your messages are lost forever after deleting them.
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.
Are deleted texts stored somewhere?
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 retrieve permanently deleted text messages?
You can retrieve permanently deleted texts from a backup if you have an automatic backup option enabled, or if you have manually performed one before you deleted your texts. If a backup of your Android device is available, installing this should restore any messages you deleted before the backup was saved.
How can I see someone's deleted text messages?
On Android, go into the Google Drive associated with the phone and look for deleted texts in the backup folder. On iPhone, see if a backup exists in the phone's iCloud account, then restore the phone to read old texts. Keep in mind, this may be illegal depending on where you live.
How do I view deleted messages on Google Messages?
- Go to 'Settings'
- Scroll down to 'Google' services.
- Then, choose 'Backup'
- Under 'Backup,' you'll be able to check the date and time of your last backup under the 'Backup by Google One' option, found just below Account Storage.
Can SMS messages disappear?
Incorrect Time and Date Settings: Messages may be lost if your device's time and date settings are inaccurate. Accidental Deletion: It's common for messages to disappear when accidentally swiping left or deleting entire message threads.
Why are recently deleted messages not showing up?
Exceeded Time: The Recently Deleted folder only holds the deleted messages for 30 days. So, if that period has passed, you cannot see those messages.
When you delete a text message, where does it go?
Deleted messages and attachments remain in your Recently Deleted folder for up to 30 days, and you can recover them.
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.
Can you delete SMS history?
Tap the conversation. Touch and hold the message you want to delete. Optional: To delete multiple messages, touch and hold the first message, then tap more messages. Tap Delete to confirm.
Are SMS messages stored?
Message history can be found in the Messages app on both Android and iPhone. On Android, messages are typically stored in a database file within the device's internal memory. On iPhone, they are saved in the internal memory and can also be backed up to iCloud.
Do deleted messages 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 permanently delete text messages so they can't be recovered on Android?
Go to: Settings > System > Reset options. Select "Erase all data (factory reset)". You may be prompted to enter your device's PIN, password, or pattern. Follow the on-screen instructions to confirm and begin the reset process.
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.
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.