How to Retrieve Deleted Messages on iPhone: 3 Proven Methods with a Step-by-Step Guide

Have you ever frantically searched your iPhone for a text message, only to realize you accidentally deleted it? Whether it’s a sentimental conversation, crucial contact details, or evidence of a promise someone made, losing messages can feel like losing a piece of your digital life.

In this guide, you’ll discover 3 proven methods to recover deleted iPhone messages—even if you don’t have a backup. But here’s what most articles won’t tell you: Sometimes, deleted texts aren’t just about accidents. If you’re a parent worried about your child’s safety or a partner needing clarity in a relationship, the story behind those missing messages might matter more than the deletion itself. Let’s dive in.

Why Do iPhone Messages Get Deleted?

Messages can vanish due to:

1. Accidental deletion
2. iOS updates/glitches
3. Intentional removal by the sender/recipient

Messages on an iPhone can be deleted for various reasons, like accidentally clearing them to free up space or technical glitches causing them to disappear. Regardless of the cause, the goal remains the same – recovering those messages.

It's important to know that when you delete messages, they aren't instantly erased from your phone's storage. Instead, they may still be recoverable unless new data has overwritten them. Let’s explore some of the best ways to recover your deleted messages.

1. Check Your iCloud Backup

If you’ve been backing up your iPhone to iCloud, there’s a good chance that your deleted messages might be included in one of those backups. Here’s how you can restore your iPhone from an iCloud backup:

1. Go to Settings > General > Reset.
2. Tap on Erase All Content and Settings. This will reset your device to factory settings.
3. Once your phone resets, it will prompt you to set it up again.
4. Choose to Restore from iCloud Backup during the setup process.
5. Sign in with your Apple ID, and select the most relevant backup date before the messages were deleted.

This method will restore all your data, including messages, to the state they were in at the time of the backup. Just be aware that you might lose any new data that’s been added since the backup.

2. Use iTunes/Finder to Recover From a Local Backup

If you regularly back up your iPhone to a computer using iTunes or Finder (on macOS Catalina or later), you can try restoring your iPhone from a local backup. Here’s how to do it:

1. Connect your iPhone to your computer.
2. Open iTunes (or Finder if you're on macOS Catalina or later).
3. Select your device and click Restore Backup.
4. Pick a backup that was made before you deleted the messages.
5. Click Restore, and wait for the process to complete.

Note that restoring from a backup will replace all current data on your phone, so it’s crucial to ensure that you’ve backed up your recent data before proceeding.

3. Retrieve Deleted Text Messages Using Third-Party Software

Sometimes, your iPhone backup may not contain the messages you’re looking for, or you might not have made a backup recently. In that case, third-party software can be a great solution for retrieving deleted messages.

There are several apps available that claim to help recover deleted messages from an iPhone. Some of the best-known tools include Dr. Fone, iMobie PhoneRescue, and Tenorshare UltData. These apps scan your iPhone for any recoverable data and allow you to preview and recover it directly.

Here’s how you can use these tools:

1. Download and Install the software on your computer.
2. Connect your iPhone to the computer using a USB cable.
3. Launch the recovery software and choose the option to recover deleted messages.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to allow the software to scan your device.
5. Once the scan is complete, preview the recovered messages and restore them to your iPhone.

Many of these tools come with a free trial, but you’ll need to purchase the full version to recover data.

What If You’re Trying to See Deleted Messages from Someone Else?

While recovering deleted messages from your own phone is straightforward, what if you’re looking to recover deleted messages from someone else’s phone? As a partner, parent, or someone concerned about another’s phone activity, you might be in a position where you want to monitor deleted messages, either for safety or peace of mind.

In this case, a tool like SpyPhone can be an ideal solution. 

What Is SpyPhone?

SpyPhone is a powerful mobile monitoring tool that allows users to discreetly track phone activities, even after messages have been deleted. It offers real-time, remote monitoring of text messages, call logs, location, social media interactions, and app usage. Designed for parents, partners, or those concerned about another’s phone activity, SpyPhone operates in stealth mode, ensuring privacy.

With SpyPhone, you can:

1. Track text messages, even if they’ve been deleted.
2. View call logs, locations, and social media activity.
3. Monitor the phone’s overall usage and receive alerts for suspicious activities.

👉 See SpyPhone's features in action.

Why Choose SpyPhone Over Standard Recovery Tools?

SpyPhone's features cater to a wide range of users, not just parents but also couples who want to foster transparency and trust in their relationships. Whether it's keeping kids safe online or making sure your partner feels secure, SpyPhone offers powerful tools for monitoring in a discreet and secure way.

Related reading: How to Find and Retrieve Deleted Text Messages on Android

Final Thoughts

Recovering deleted messages on an iPhone is possible, especially if you have a recent backup or use third-party tools designed for message recovery. If you’re concerned about someone else’s deleted messages, SpyPhone offers a solution that allows you to monitor and recover messages remotely and discreetly.

Don’t leave things to chance – whether it’s your own deleted messages or someone else’s phone activity, taking control of your device can give you peace of mind.