How to find deleted messages

How do I find my trash from my messages?

iPhone 11, iOS 16

Posted on May 6, 2023 11:52 AM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on May 6, 2023 1:19 PM

To learn how to retrieve a deleted message or conversation if you were using iOS 16 or iPadOS 16.1 or later, read this support article --> Recover deleted text messages on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support


How to retrieve a deleted message or conversation

1. In Messages, tap Edit on the conversations page. If you previously turned Message Filtering on, the Edit button doesn't appear. Instead, tap Filters on the conversations page.

2. Tap Show Recently Deleted [trash icon].

3. Choose the conversations with the messages you want to restore, then tap Recover.On the Recently Deleted page in Messages, tap the conversation that includes messages you want to recover.

4. Tap Recover Message or Recover [Number] Messages.


You need iOS 16, iPadOS 16.1, or later to recover deleted messages and conversations. You can only recover messages and conversations that you deleted within the last 30 to 40 days.



If you were using a mobile device OS version prior to 16, were using iCloud with Messages and deleted them, they are gone permanently. If you were not using iCloud with messages you may be able to restore them from a backup but only if you are prepared to revert the entire contents of your device back to the time when the backup was made. See this Apple Recommended 2021 post by ASC contributor Chris0107: trying to ser if theres a way i can recov… - Apple Community


1 reply
Question marked as Best reply

May 6, 2023 1:19 PM in response to Myeyesonly541

To learn how to retrieve a deleted message or conversation if you were using iOS 16 or iPadOS 16.1 or later, read this support article --> Recover deleted text messages on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support


How to retrieve a deleted message or conversation

1. In Messages, tap Edit on the conversations page. If you previously turned Message Filtering on, the Edit button doesn't appear. Instead, tap Filters on the conversations page.

2. Tap Show Recently Deleted [trash icon].

3. Choose the conversations with the messages you want to restore, then tap Recover.On the Recently Deleted page in Messages, tap the conversation that includes messages you want to recover.

4. Tap Recover Message or Recover [Number] Messages.


You need iOS 16, iPadOS 16.1, or later to recover deleted messages and conversations. You can only recover messages and conversations that you deleted within the last 30 to 40 days.



If you were using a mobile device OS version prior to 16, were using iCloud with Messages and deleted them, they are gone permanently. If you were not using iCloud with messages you may be able to restore them from a backup but only if you are prepared to revert the entire contents of your device back to the time when the backup was made. See this Apple Recommended 2021 post by ASC contributor Chris0107: trying to ser if theres a way i can recov… - Apple Community


How to find deleted messages

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