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How to recover deleted messages?

Posted on Oct 25, 2023 8:44 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 25, 2023 8:50 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.



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: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/252570738?answerId=254843299022#254843299022



5 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 25, 2023 8:50 AM in response to Fnanna

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: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/252570738?answerId=254843299022#254843299022



How to recover deleted messages?

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