jcorroon

Q: Recover a deleted message in Messages

I accidentally clicked the "x" in the upper right corner of a message in Messages on my MacBook Air. The thread is now gone. Is there a way to recover it?

 

Thanks!

MacBook Air, OS X Yosemite (10.10.1)

Posted on May 19, 2016 12:02 PM

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Q: Recover a deleted message in Messages

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  • by macjack,

    macjack macjack May 19, 2016 12:03 PM in response to jcorroon
    Level 9 (55,694 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 19, 2016 12:03 PM in response to jcorroon

    Try double-clicking ~/Library/Messages/chat.db

  • by jcorroon,

    jcorroon jcorroon May 19, 2016 12:50 PM in response to macjack
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Applications
    May 19, 2016 12:50 PM in response to macjack

    Thanks for your help.

     

    I opened the file you mentioned using Messages. It simply launched a new message. Check out the screen shot. Any idea how to proceed?messages.jpg

  • by Ralph Johns (UK),Solvedanswer

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) May 19, 2016 1:06 PM in response to jcorroon
    Level 9 (73,087 points)
    Applications
    May 19, 2016 1:06 PM in response to jcorroon

    Hi,

     

    There is no X upper right of the main window in Messages.

    Screen Shot 2016-05-19 at 21.01.21.png

    In a New Messages situation there is a blue + in circle that brings up Contacts and Buddy list options as you can see from your own picture

     

    The is a X that shows up if you mouse of the list on chats in the Side Bar.

    Using this will dismiss the chat/Conversation

    SIde_bar_Chat.png

    Restarting that chat or conversation will bring back the "history"

     

    In the File Menu is Delete

    Screen Shot 2016-05-19 at 21.04.17.png

    Use this and there is no going back unless you happen to have a backup. (and that will depend in timing and when last saved about how much you get back).

     

     

     

    3Sigcopy2.png

    9:06 pm      Thursday; May 19, 2016

     

      iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (El Capitan)
     G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
     MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
     Mac OS X (10.6.8),
     iPhone and an iPad (2)
  • by macjack,

    macjack macjack May 19, 2016 1:07 PM in response to jcorroon
    Level 9 (55,694 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 19, 2016 1:07 PM in response to jcorroon

    Not unless you have another Apple devise it may still be on. You could delete the entire Message folder and revert to an older version.

  • by Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) May 19, 2016 1:15 PM in response to macjack
    Level 9 (73,087 points)
    Applications
    May 19, 2016 1:15 PM in response to macjack

    Hi,

     

    From another Mac (Mac to Mac) as you cannot import from the iOS versions.

     

     

     

     

    3Sigcopy2.png

    9:15 pm      Thursday; May 19, 2016

     

      iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (El Capitan)
     G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
     MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
     Mac OS X (10.6.8),
     iPhone and an iPad (2)
  • by jcorroon,

    jcorroon jcorroon May 19, 2016 1:18 PM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Applications
    May 19, 2016 1:18 PM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)

    The message string is intact on my iPhone. Is there a way to "sync" it, or transfer it back to my laptop?

  • by jcorroon,

    jcorroon jcorroon May 19, 2016 1:32 PM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Applications
    May 19, 2016 1:32 PM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)

    Thanks Ralph. That worked!

  • by Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) May 19, 2016 1:53 PM in response to jcorroon
    Level 9 (73,087 points)
    Applications
    May 19, 2016 1:53 PM in response to jcorroon

    Hi,


    Just to be clear on this bit.

     

    It cannot be done.

     

     

    4thanx.gif    for the    2correct.png  Points.

     

     

    3Sigcopy2.png

    9:53 pm      Thursday; May 19, 2016

     

      iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (El Capitan)
     G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
     MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
     Mac OS X (10.6.8),
     iPhone and an iPad (2)