5 Ways to Retrieve Deleted Texts on iOS

While getting rid of the clutter from your iPhone, you wiped out some important messages accidentally. Later, upon finding those threads missing from the conversation, you realize the mistake. Oh my gosh! And after a bit of cursing, you are now exploring the ways to recover the deleted text messages on your iPhone.

Take it easy, mate. Thanks to multiple reliable methods, it’s possible to restore deleted texts on iOS. And that too without having to spend a single penny. Of course, if you want to have the convenience of recovering data selectively, you can always spend a few bucks to simplify the whole process. Now that you know what’s coming up, let me walk you through the detailed guide.

How to Recover Deleted Text Messages on iPhone

Quick Access:

• Restore Deleted Text Messages Using iCloud Backup
• Retrieve Deleted Messages from an iTunes/Finder Backup
• Recover Deleted Text Messages by Contacting your Phone Provider
• Recover Deleted Texts on iPhone and iPad Using Data Recovery Tools
• Recover Deleted Texts Using iCloud Website

#1. Restore Deleted Texts Using iCloud Backup

While it’s not straightforward, restoring deleted texts with iCloud backup has always been a reliable method. Bear in mind, it requires you to erase all the existing content and settings on the device. So, don’t fail to safeguard your photos, videos, and any other data which you had added after the last backup.

Step #1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone → Your profile → iCloud.

Step #2. Now, tap on Manage Storage → Backups.

Next, check out if you have the old iPhone backup that had the deleted text messages. You can tap on the backup to check the date when the backup was made.

If you have the required iCloud backup, you will need to restore your iPhone to factory settings to retrieve the deleted messages.

Step #1. Open Settings app on your device → General → Reset.

Step #2. Now, tap on Erase All Content and Settings and confirm.

Step #3. Once all the data has been wiped out, set up your device. When you get the option to restore from an old iCloud backup, be sure to choose the right backup.

#2. Retrieve Deleted Messages from an iTunes/Finder Backup

If you had backed up your device to Finder/iTunes before deleting the messages, chances are you can get back your texts by restoring the device. It’s worth reiterating that it will wipe out all the existing data. So, ensure that you have shielded all the essential files.

Step #1. To get started, connect your iPhone to Mac or Windows PC which you used to sync your device. Then, open Finder (in macOS Catalina) or iTunes.

Step #2. Now, click on the iPhone icon at the top left-hand corner. In Finder, select your device under the Locations category.

Step #3. Next, click on ‘Restore backup’ and select the data you want to restore. And then click on Restore.

Now, wait for the restore process to be completed successfully. Once it’s done, all of your previous messages will be restored.

#3. Recover Deleted Text Messages by Contacting your Phone Provider

Another way to get back the lost text messages is by contacting the phone provider. There are many carrier providers which keep a record of text messages and allow users to access them. So, ask the cellular service provider for it. If they have saved your texts, you may be able to retrieve everything by logging in to your account.

#4. Recover Deleted Texts on iPhone and iPad Using Data Recovery Tools

Even after deletion, messages remain on the device until overwritten. And therefore, you can get them back.

Just in case, the above-explained methods haven’t worked for you or you want to have a bit straightforward way to retrieve messages selectively, go for a trusted data recovery tool like WonderShare Dr.Fone, PhoneRescue by iMobie, and Tenorshare Ultdata Data Recovery. Do note that these tools warrant premium price tags.

In this guide, I’m going to use PhoneRescue to retrieve the deleted text messages on iOS. Probably, the best part about this tool is the ability to recover data with or without iTunes/iCloud backup.

A. Recover Lost Messages Using PhoneRescue

Step #1. Download PhoneRescue on your computer ($49.99/year and $59.99 for a lifetime license) and launch it.

Step #2. Connect your iPhone to your computer.

Step #3. Click on the “Recover from iOS device” option.

Step #4. Select Start Scan.

Step #5. Go ahead with the process and select the deleted messages which you want to recover and then click on Recover.

B. Recover Deleted Messages with iTunes Backup Using PhoneRescue

If you have backed up your iPhone through iTunes/Finder and want to restore the deleted messages, PhoneRescue can do the job for you.

Step #1. Launch PhoneRescue on your computer.

Step #2. Click on Select an iTunes/Finder Backup.

Step #3. Select the latest backup date (In case you have multiple backups) under the device name and then click on Next at the top right corner.

Step #4. You will see your personal data. By default, all the apps will be tick marked. Remove the tick marks from the apps if you don’t want to recover their data.

Step #5. Click on Start Scan from the bottom right corner.

Step #6. You should see the messages. Select the deleted messages which you want to recover and then click on Recover from the bottom right corner.

C. Restore Deleted Messages from the iCloud Backup Using PhoneRescue

The same rule applies for iCloud backup. If you have backed up your data to iCloud, getting back the deleted messages would be pretty easy.

Step #1. Launch PhoneRescue.

Step #2. Click on Select an iCloud Backup.

Step #3. Now, enter your Apple ID and password.

Step #4. Click on your device name and then click on Next from the right corner.

Step #5. Ensure that Messages app is tick marked. Click on Start scan from the bottom right corner.

Step #6. Select the deleted messages which you want to retrieve and then click on Recover from the bottom right corner.

#5. Recover Deleted Texts Using iCloud Website

Probably the easiest way to retrieve deleted texts is by using the iCloud.com. But keep in mind the cloud service doesn’t back up SMS in some regions. So, this method might not work for everyone.

Step #1. Open a web browser on your computer and head over to icloud.com. Then, sign in using your Apple ID and password.

Step #2. Now, click on the Text Messages option. After that, make sure the messages that you want to restore are in the iCloud.

Side Note: If you don’t see Text Messages option in the iCloud, they haven’t been backed up.

Step #3. Next, open Settings app on your iOS device → [your profile] → iCloud.

Step #4. Turn off the switch for Messages. A pop-up will appear on the screen asking you to confirm whether you want to keep the data on your device. Tap on ‘Keep on My iPhone’.

Step #5. Next up, turn on the switch for Messages and then choose Merge.

Then, wait for some time to allow the messages to merge. After that, open the Messages app to see if your messages are back.

Wrapping Up…

So, that’s how you can restore all the messages which you had deleted accidentally on your device. Depending on your convenience, choose the preferred method to get back the texts. I would recommend you to go for the official methods first up. Only if they don’t yield the desired result, choose the third-party tools to get the job done.

You might want to read these posts as well:

• How to remove documents & data on iPhone and iPad
• What is “Other” on iPhone Storage? Solving the Inevitable Data Pile-up On iPhone
• iPhone is Disabled Connect to iTunes: Fix the Issue Without Losing Data
• What is Other on Mac Storage and How to Delete It?