How to See Deleted Messages on iPhone: A Comprehensive Guide
In today’s digital age, our smartphones have become an extension of ourselves, holding onto countless memories and conversations. However, it’s not uncommon to accidentally delete messages that we later realize were important. If you’re an iPhone user and have found yourself in a situation where you need to retrieve deleted messages, fear not! This article will provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to see deleted messages on iPhone.
1. Use the Recently Deleted Folder
One of the simplest ways to access deleted messages on your iPhone is by using the Recently Deleted folder. This folder is designed to store deleted messages for a short period of time before they are permanently deleted from your device.
To access the Recently Deleted folder, follow these steps:
1. Open the Messages app on your iPhone.
2. Tap on the “Edit” button located in the upper-right corner of the screen.
3. Select “Recently Deleted” from the list of options.
4. You will now see a list of deleted messages. To restore a message, simply tap on it and then tap “Move to Chat.”
Please note that the Recently Deleted folder only retains messages for 30 days. After this period, the messages will be permanently deleted from your device.
2. Use a Third-Party Data Recovery Tool
If the Recently Deleted folder does not contain the deleted messages you’re looking for, you can try using a third-party data recovery tool. These tools are designed to scan your iPhone’s storage and recover deleted messages, photos, contacts, and other data.
Here are some popular third-party data recovery tools for iPhone:
– Dr. Fone for iOS
– iMyFone D-Back
– Tenorshare iPhone Data Recovery
To use a third-party data recovery tool, follow these general steps:
1. Download and install the chosen data recovery tool on your computer.
2. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
3. Open the data recovery tool and select the type of data you want to recover (in this case, messages).
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to scan your iPhone for deleted messages.
5. Once the scan is complete, preview the recovered messages and select the ones you want to restore.
6. Tap “Recover” to save the messages back to your iPhone.
3. Restore from an iTunes or iCloud Backup
If you have backed up your iPhone using iTunes or iCloud, you can restore your deleted messages from one of these backups. This method is more time-consuming and may result in the loss of any new data added to your iPhone after the backup was created.
To restore deleted messages from an iTunes or iCloud backup, follow these steps:
1. Connect your iPhone to your computer and open iTunes.
2. Select your iPhone from the list of devices.
3. Click on the “Summary” tab and then click on “Restore Backup.”
4. Choose the backup that contains the deleted messages you want to restore.
5. Click “Restore” to begin the restoration process.
Alternatively, if you have an iCloud backup, you can restore your deleted messages by:
1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap on your name at the top of the screen.
3. Select “iCloud.”
4. Tap on “Manage Storage” and then “Backups.”
5. Select your iPhone from the list of devices.
6. Tap on “Restore Backup.”
Please note that restoring from a backup will erase all data on your iPhone, so make sure to back up your current data before proceeding.
4. Use a Third-Party Backup Extraction Tool
If you have backed up your iPhone using a third-party backup tool, you can extract the backup file and access the deleted messages stored within it. This method requires some technical knowledge and the use of a third-party backup extraction tool.
To use a third-party backup extraction tool, follow these steps:
1. Download and install the chosen backup extraction tool on your computer.
2. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
3. Open the backup extraction tool and select the backup file you want to extract.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to extract the backup file.
5. Once the extraction is complete, navigate to the “Messages” folder within the extracted backup file.
6. You will now be able to view and recover the deleted messages.
Conclusion
Accidentally deleting messages on your iPhone can be a frustrating experience, but there are several methods to retrieve deleted messages. By using the Recently Deleted folder, third-party data recovery tools, restoring from an iTunes or iCloud backup, or extracting a third-party backup, you can recover your deleted messages and restore your peace of mind. Remember to regularly back up your iPhone to prevent future data loss.
