Before you start
- iOS 16 or later for Recently Deleted
- Your Apple Account password, if you restore a backup
Method 1 Restore from Recently Deleted (fastest)
Deleted messages stay here for 30 to 40 days. If you use Messages in iCloud, recovering them on your iPhone restores them on your other devices too. If you don’t see the option, nothing has been deleted recently, or you’re on iOS 15 or earlier.
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Step 1: Open Messages
Open the Messages app and go to your conversation list.
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Step 2: Show Recently Deleted
In the conversation list, tap the Filter button and then Recently Deleted. On some versions, tap Edit > Show Recently Deleted instead.
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Step 3: Select conversations
Tap the conversations you want back. Each shows how many days are left before it’s permanently removed.
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Step 4: Tap Recover
Tap Recover, then Recover Messages. They return to your conversation list.
Method 2 Check another Apple device
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Step 1: Open Messages on a Mac or iPad
If your Mac or iPad uses the same Apple Account but has been offline or has Messages in iCloud turned off, it may still have the conversation.
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Step 2: Copy what you need
Disconnect that device from the internet first so the deletion doesn’t sync, then take screenshots or copy the text.
Method 3 Restore an iCloud backup
This only works if Messages in iCloud was off when the backup was made. When it’s on, messages are synced rather than stored in the backup, and a deletion syncs everywhere.
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Step 1: Check you have an older backup
Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup (or Manage Account Storage > Backups) and check the date of the last backup. It must be from before you deleted the messages.
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Step 2: Back up what you have now
Anything added after that backup will be lost, so save important new photos and data elsewhere first.
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Step 3: Erase the iPhone
Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.
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Step 4: Restore during setup
On the Transfer Your Apps & Data screen, choose From iCloud Backup, sign in and pick the backup from before the deletion.
Method 4 Restore a computer backup
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Step 1: Connect to your computer
Plug the iPhone into the Mac or PC you’ve backed up to. Open Finder (Mac) or the Apple Devices app or iTunes (Windows).
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Step 2: Choose Restore Backup
Select your iPhone and click Restore Backup. Pick a backup dated before the deletion. Enter the password if it’s encrypted.
Troubleshooting
There’s no Recently Deleted option
Update to iOS 16 or later. If you’re already up to date, there are no recently deleted messages on this iPhone.
The backup doesn’t contain the messages
Messages in iCloud was probably on, so the backup didn’t include them. Check other devices, or ask the other person to send screenshots of the conversation.
I need messages as evidence
Your carrier usually only keeps records of when texts were sent, not the content. For legal cases, ask a lawyer about a formal request to the carrier or to Apple.
Frequently asked questions
How long can I recover deleted messages on iPhone?
For 30 to 40 days from Recently Deleted. After that they’re permanently removed from the iPhone.
Can I recover messages deleted years ago?
Only if you have a backup from that time, or another device still has them.
Does the other person know I recovered messages?
No. Recovering messages only affects your own devices.
Can I recover WhatsApp messages the same way?
No. WhatsApp messages are restored from WhatsApp’s own iCloud backup by reinstalling WhatsApp and choosing Restore Chat History.
Summary
Check Recently Deleted in Messages first; it recovers anything deleted in the last 30 days or so. If it’s not there, check your other Apple devices before restoring an older iCloud or computer backup.
