Lost Messages from Deceased Friend

JRIJR75 wrote:

I have a friend who passed away earlier this year. We had exchanged numerous text messages - like people do - for several years. I had the history on my iPhone.

I went to look for a message today, and the history for him is gone.

I'm guessing his wife shut his phone off after he passed away. I'm assuming that because the phone number is no more, the messages were deleted. However, I have been unable to confirm this while searching online.

I do backups on my phone - could the messages possibly be in the cloud?

This is the first time I've experienced a loss and wanted to see messages... so I don't know what to do next.

Thanks all...

What happens to the other phone has no bearing on your phone at all.

If you've been doing this How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

and didn't enable this Set up iCloud for Messages on all your devices - Apple Support

then you can do this Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from a backup - Apple Support