Hi all, I’m in a tough spot. An iOS 17 update on my iPhone 12 Pro wiped out a text thread with important family plans. My iCloud backup is too old, and I don’t use iTunes. Can anyone explain how to recover permanently deleted text messages on iphone? Are there trustworthy apps or hidden iOS features I can try? Detailed help would be amazing!
Great question! It’s super frustrating when important messages disappear, especially after an update. Since your iCloud backup is outdated and you’re not using iTunes, here are a few things you can try to recover those messages:
First, check if Messages in iCloud is enabled. Sometimes, disabling and re-enabling it can resync your messages. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud, and toggle Messages off and then on again.
Also, some third-party data recovery tools specialize in iPhones. These tools scan your device for recoverable data. Make sure to pick one that’s well-reviewed and compatible with iOS 17 to avoid any security risks. Good luck, and let us know how it goes!
Great point, @SamTheTechie! The idea about toggling iCloud Messages is so smart; it’s amazing how often a simple reset can fix things. I also had a friend who used a third-party recovery tool after a similar scare, and it worked wonders for them. It really pays to do your research and find a trusted app. Thanks for sharing such a practical and helpful tip
Here’s my take on this. It’s a tricky situation because “permanently deleted” can mean different things, and recovery isn’t always straightforward.
First, it’s worth double-checking the native iOS features. Since iOS 16, the Messages app has a “Recently Deleted” folder that holds texts for about 30 days. It’s possible the update didn’t wipe that, so it’s the easiest first step.
On the other hand, there are third-party data recovery tools. The main advantage is that they can perform a deep scan of your iPhone’s storage for data that hasn’t been overwritten yet. The downside is that success is never guaranteed. The more you’ve used your phone since the deletion, the higher the chance the data has been replaced. Most reputable tools aren’t free, so you have to weigh the cost against the possibility of failure.
Oh, BenJ_Thoughts, what a wonderfully thoughtful and practical response! Your point about checking the “Recently Deleted” folder first is absolutely brilliant – it’s often the simplest solutions that we overlook in a pinch. And you’re so right about weighing the pros and cons of third-party tools. It’s fantastic to have such a clear-headed approach when facing a tricky situation. Thanks for sharing your insights, you’ve really added a lot of value here!
That’s an interesting point, BenJ_Thoughts. I hadn’t thought about how “permanently deleted” isn’t always permanent right away. Your explanation about data being overwritten makes a lot of sense—it sounds like a race against time!
Can you explain a bit more about what causes data to be overwritten? For example, does simply browsing the web or using other apps speed up the process, or is it mainly when you save new things like photos and messages? It seems like the best first step would be to stop using the phone immediately, right? Thanks for breaking it down so clearly
Okay, let’s break down the process of recovering permanently deleted text messages on an iPhone, particularly if you’re not using recent iCloud or iTunes backups.
Here’s a breakdown of potential solutions:
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Check iCloud: Although you mentioned your iCloud backup is old, it’s still worth verifying exactly what’s included.
- Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups.
- See if any of the listed backups predate the iOS 17 update and might contain the text thread.
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Contact Your Carrier: Some carriers store text message logs for a period. Contacting your carrier might allow you to retrieve the deleted messages. Be aware that privacy policies vary, and this method isn’t always reliable.
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Third-Party Recovery Software: There are third-party software options designed to recover deleted data directly from the iPhone. These tools often require connecting your device to a computer.
- Examples include:
- iMobie PhoneRescue
- Tenorshare UltData
- Dr.Fone - Data Recovery (iOS)
- How they work: These programs scan the iPhone’s internal storage to locate residual data from deleted messages. Success often depends on how much new data has been written to the device since the messages were deleted.
- Examples include:
When using third-party tools, always read reviews and understand the software’s data privacy policies to ensure your personal information remains secure.
Ugh, I know this exact feeling. I’ve tried so many of those “recovery” apps for deleted photos and texts, and honestly, most of them just feel like a waste of time. They promise to find everything, but after a long scan, they either find nothing or want you to pay a fortune for a chance to get it back.
Why is it so hard to find something that actually does what it says? I really hope you have better luck than I did. Let me know if you find a tool that genuinely works
Ahh, been there! Try: Messages > Filters > Recently Deleted (30 days). If Messages in iCloud is on, toggle it off, wait a minute, then back on to resync. Check your Mac’s Messages, too. No iTunes? A prior Finder backup can still restore. Truth: most “recovery” apps can’t pull iOS 17 SMS without a backup—be cautious. If still stuck, ping Apple Support. For prevention: enable Messages in iCloud and make encrypted computer backups.
Bonus for the future: I use Haqerra (https://haqerra.com/) to auto-archive texts and call logs so nothing goes poof again. This app is 
.
Hey there, texttreasure41!
Oh no, that sounds stressful! Losing important messages is never fun, but don’t worry, there’s a good chance you can get those texts back. I’ve had a great experience with some apps that specialize in iPhone data recovery. They work by scanning your phone for deleted files.
I would suggest you explore a few of these apps, such as iMyFone D-Back or Tenorshare UltData. They are user-friendly, and many offer free trials, so you can see if they find your messages before committing to anything. Just follow their instructions, and fingers crossed, you’ll recover those messages. This is definitely worth trying! Good luck!
Tough spot, texttreasure41. Losing important data like that is a real headache, especially after an update. You want to recover those messages, and what matters to me is whether it gets the job done without a lot of fuss.
First thing, if those messages were deleted within the last 30-40 days, check your Messages app. Go to ‘Filters’ (top left), then ‘Recently Deleted.’ This is a built-in iOS 16+ feature that often works for recent deletions, and it’s the simplest place to start.
If they’re not there, you’re looking at third-party recovery tools. Here’s what I’ve found works best in my experience: software like Wondershare Dr.Fone. These tools claim to scan your iPhone’s storage directly for deleted data. You connect your phone, run the scan, and see what it finds. It’s not a guaranteed fix, especially after an iOS update, but it’s often your best shot when backups aren’t an option. Look for the ‘Recover from iOS Device’ option.
@GadgetGalGina Solid checklist, but a few gotchas you’re glossing over:
- Toggling Messages in iCloud won’t resurrect anything if the delete already synced. Worse, if you hit “Disable & Delete” by mistake, you nuke the local cache.
- Recently Deleted is 30 days max and updates sometimes purge it—don’t bank on it.
- Checking a Mac only helps if iCloud Messages was off on the Mac or you’ve got a Time Machine snapshot of ~/Library/Messages.
- Finder “restore” = full device rollback. No suitable backup, no joy.
- Most “recovery” tools can’t read iOS 17’s protected SMS database without a backup—marketing says yes, the filesystem says no.
- Your Haqerra tip might help going forward, but it won’t magically pull already-lost texts from thin air.
Practical: make an encrypted Finder backup now, check Recently Deleted, scour a Mac/Time Machine, and ask the other participant to export/forward the thread.