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How do I retrieve deleted text messages

how do I retrieve deleted text messages from two weeks ago.

Posted on Aug 1, 2023 8:57 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Aug 1, 2023 8:59 AM

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.



7 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Aug 1, 2023 8:59 AM in response to Lbrooks3155

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.



Aug 1, 2023 9:16 AM in response to Lbrooks3155

Are you saying that you do not have iOS 16 installed on your phone? That is by far the best way to retrieve deleted messages.


Otherwise, you probably will not be able to recover the messages. For example, let's say that you were backing up your phone every day. When you delete a message, the next backup will pick up that action and delete the message from the backup, so the common advice you might hear to "check your backups" will be of no help.





How do I retrieve deleted text messages

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