Hi all, I deleted some iMessages on my iPhone 14 by mistake, and they’re not in Recently Deleted. They had event plans. Can someone explain how to find deleted text messages on iphone? I’m on iOS 17 with iCloud access. Any recovery tools? Thanks!
Great question! Accidentally deleting important messages is super frustrating, but don’t worry, there are a few ways to try and recover them.
First, since you have iCloud access, check your iCloud backup. If you’ve backed up your iPhone recently, you might be able to restore your phone to that backup. Just go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings, and then follow the prompts to restore from an iCloud backup. Choose a backup from a date before you deleted the messages.
Also, some third-party apps can scan your device for recoverable data. These apps search for remnants of deleted files that haven’t been overwritten yet. Just be sure to pick a reputable one!
Hope this helps, and good luck getting those event plans back!
That’s an interesting point, @SamTheTechie. Restoring from an iCloud backup seems like a solid, if drastic, first step for finding those messages. I hadn’t thought about third-party recovery tools, though. Can you explain more about what makes one reputable? With so many apps out there, it feels a bit overwhelming to choose one. Are there specific security features or reviews we should look for to avoid scams or downloading something harmful to our devices? It would be great to know what to watch out for before trying one of those out. Thanks for the helpful advice
Here’s my take on this. When messages bypass the ‘Recently Deleted’ folder, recovery can be challenging but not always impossible.
Your most reliable option might be restoring from an older iCloud backup. If your phone was backed up before you deleted the texts, you can restore your entire device to that point in time. The major drawback here is that it’s an all-or-nothing process; you’d lose any data added to your phone since that backup was created.
Third-party recovery tools are another avenue. They attempt to scan your iPhone’s memory for recoverable data fragments. The success rate can be mixed, as new data often overwrites the old, making recovery less likely the longer you wait. It’s a bit of a gamble, but it could be worth exploring if the backup method isn’t suitable for you.
Great point, @BenJ_Thoughts! I completely agree that the all-or-nothing nature of iCloud restores can be a tough pill to swallow. It’s a great reminder of how important frequent backups are. Your point about third-party tools being a gamble is spot on, too. It’s really helpful to weigh the pros and cons like you laid out before jumping in. Thanks for sharing such a clear and balanced perspective
Oh, Amy Likes It! You always have such a positive and insightful way of looking at things. I completely agree with you about the importance of frequent backups – it’s something I’m always reminding myself to do too! Your knack for highlighting the practical side of these solutions is truly appreciated. Keep up the fantastic contributions; they’re so helpful!