Introduction
Have you ever accidentally deleted an important message on your iPhone and regretted it right away? Or perhaps you lost some messages due to a phone malfunction or a software update?
No need to panic! In this article, we will provide you with useful tips and step-by-step guides on how to check deleted messages on iPhone. Whether you want to retrieve them from a recent backup, use a third-party data recovery tool, or seek professional help, we’ve got you covered.
Using the “Recently Deleted” Feature on iPhone
iPhones have a built-in feature called “Recently Deleted” that stores deleted items for a certain period before permanently removing them. It applies to various types of data, including text messages, iMessages, and MMS messages.
To access this feature, go to your Messages app and select “Recently Deleted” from the list of folders. Here you can browse through the deleted messages and restore the ones you want by selecting them and tapping “Recover.”
It’s worth noting that the duration of the “Recently Deleted” period varies depending on your iPhone settings and available storage space. By default, it is set to 30 days, but you can customize it by going to Settings > Messages > Keep Messages and choosing from the available options.
If you want to maximize your chances of recovering deleted messages through this feature, make sure to act quickly and avoid emptying the “Recently Deleted” folder before checking it. Additionally, avoid restarting or resetting your iPhone, as this could overwrite the deleted data and make it unrecoverable.
Using a Third-Party Data Recovery Tool
If the “Recently Deleted” feature didn’t work for you or if you want to recover messages that are no longer available in it, you can use a third-party data recovery tool.
These tools are specialized software programs that scan your iPhone’s storage for deleted data and attempt to recover it. They can recover not only messages but also other types of files, such as photos, videos, contacts, and notes.
One of the most reliable and user-friendly data recovery tools on the market is EaseUS MobiSaver. This tool is available for both Windows and MacOS and can be downloaded from the official website. It offers a free trial version that allows you to preview the recoverable data before committing to a purchase.
To use EaseUS MobiSaver, follow these steps:
- Connect your iPhone to your computer via USB and launch the MobiSaver software.
- Select the “Recover from iOS Device” option and click “Scan” to start the scanning process.
- After the scan is complete, select the messages you want to recover and click “Recover.”
- Choose a location on your computer to save the recovered messages and wait for the process to finish.
When using a data recovery tool, keep in mind that not all tools are created equal. Some may be ineffective or even harmful, and some may require you to jailbreak your iPhone, which voids its warranty and exposes it to security risks. Therefore, it’s essential to do your research and choose a reputable and trustworthy tool that meets your needs.
Checking Your iCloud Backup
If you regularly back up your iPhone to iCloud, chances are your deleted messages are still there, waiting to be retrieved.
iCloud is an online storage service offered by Apple that automatically backs up your iPhone data, including messages, photos, contacts, and more. You can access your iCloud backup by going to Settings > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups on your iPhone.
To check if your deleted messages are in your iCloud backup, follow these steps:
- Make sure your iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi and has enough battery power.
- Go to Settings > General > Reset and select “Erase All Content and Settings.”
- When prompted, choose “Restore from iCloud Backup” and log in to your iCloud account.
- Select the backup that contains your deleted messages and wait for the restoration process to complete.
It’s important to note that restoring your iPhone from an older iCloud backup will overwrite all current data and settings, so make sure to back up your recent data and settings to avoid losing them. Also, keep in mind that iCloud backups have limited storage capacity (up to 5GB for free), so if you have a lot of data, you may need to purchase a larger storage plan.
Restoring Your iPhone from an Older iCloud Backup
If you want to recover deleted messages from an older iCloud backup but don’t want to overwrite your current data and settings, there’s a solution for that too.
You can restore your iPhone from an older iCloud backup and retrieve the messages you want without erasing your current data. Here’s how:
- Make sure your iPhone is backed up to iCloud and has enough battery power.
- Turn off your iPhone and insert a new SIM card or a SIM card from a different carrier.
- Turn on your iPhone and follow the onscreen instructions to activate it.
- When prompted, choose “Restore from iCloud Backup” and select the backup that contains your deleted messages.
- Wait for the restoration process to complete and start using your iPhone as usual.
By using a different SIM card, you can bypass the activation lock and avoid erasing your current data. However, keep in mind that this method may not work for all iPhone models and may also void your warranty, so use it at your own risk.
Professional Data Recovery Services
If none of the above methods work for you, or if you have lost valuable data due to physical damage or water exposure, you may need to seek professional data recovery services.
These services offer specialized tools and expertise to recover data from damaged or malfunctioning iPhones and other devices. They can retrieve data that is no longer accessible through software-based methods and provide a higher chance of success for complex cases.
However, keep in mind that professional data recovery services can be expensive and may take a while to complete. The costs vary depending on the severity of the damage and the amount of data to be recovered, but they can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.
To choose a reputable and trustworthy data recovery service provider, look for the following criteria:
- Experience and expertise in iPhone data recovery
- Positive reviews and testimonials from previous customers
- Certifications and accreditations from industry associations
- Transparent pricing and policies
- Secure and confidential handling of your data
Prevention and Best Practices
The best way to avoid losing your messages is to prevent accidental deletion and regularly back up your iPhone.
Here are some tips on how to do that:
- Enable the “Messages in iCloud” feature to keep your messages synced across all your Apple devices and reduce the risk of data loss.
- Use the “Archive” feature to hide important messages from the main conversation list and prevent them from being deleted accidentally.
- Regularly back up your iPhone to iCloud or your computer using iTunes or Finder.
- Disable the “Auto-Delete” option for messages and choose to keep them for as long as possible.
- Use a password or Touch ID/Face ID to protect your iPhone from unauthorized access.
- Install reputable antivirus and anti-malware software to protect your iPhone from online threats.
Conclusion
Accidentally deleting your messages on iPhone can be frustrating and stressful, but it’s not the end of the world. With the right tools and methods, you can recover your lost messages and keep your data safe and secure.
In this article, we covered various ways to check deleted messages on iPhone, including using the “Recently Deleted” feature, using a third-party data recovery tool, checking your iCloud backup, restoring your iPhone from an older backup, and using professional data recovery services. We also provided tips on prevention and best practices to avoid data loss in the future.
If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to reach out to us. We’re always here to help.
