how to restore deleted text messages

Delete a message or conversation

When you delete a message or conversation, you can't get it back. So make sure that you save important information from your messages.

Retrieving isn't as easy as you think it is...

Restoring from iTunes backup is an option but you need to restore the entire iPhone (only messages restoration option does not exist) including all apps, Photos, Videos, Voice Memos, Notes on your iPhone etc...

The question is when did you backup on iTunes and when did you delete it...Read on...

Let us assume...

Date1: Backup date

Date2: Message Deletion Date

Date3: Current Date / Restoration Date

Given that --> Date1 < Date2 < Date3 

1. Risk of restoring on Date3:
   1. You may lose data between the Date1 & Date 3
   2. By default, iTunes creates incremental backup over the existing backup such that you only will have one backup per device on iTunes
   3. If you have taken another backup between Date2 and Date3, then the messages that had been deleted on the device on Date 2 is also deleted on the backup.
   4. If point no. 3 is true the messages or lost completely.
2. Else you have a mitigation process: Create Multiple back-ups on iTunes for the same device.

How to create Multiple Backups for the same device.

1. On iTunes Click on Manage Backups
2. Right Click on a Backup and Click Archive
3. Click Backup Now.
4. You will see a fresh backup will get created See the GIF below

1. Restore from Backup dated Date1 (Archived)
2. Retrieve the message and store it separately
3. Restore from Current Backup Date3

..ria695..

..You may try to restore your entire iPhone from an iCloud backup..

This instruction covers restore ideas: also includes from Mac & PC.

• Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from a backup - Apple Support

//support.apple.com/HT204184

Read carefully, since I'm not seeing a specific answer to your Messages Q.

Some additional ideas are presented here:

• Backup methods for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

//support.apple.com/HT204136

• Restore all content to iPhone from a backup - Apple Support

(Important: You must first create a backup of your iPhone. See Back up iPhone.)

..Re-reading this thread, I see perhaps my effort was misdirected a bit.!😸🐾🐶