As we all know, text messages are an important part of our daily communication. However, there are times when we accidentally delete important text messages and later regret it. But fortunately, there are several ways to recover deleted text messages on an iPhone. In this blog, we will discuss the methods to restore accidentally deleted text messages on iPhone.
Video Tutorial:
Why You Need to Restore Accidentally Deleted Text Messages on iPhone
Text messages contain important information and conversations, sometimes sentimental memories, that we don’t want to lose. If you have accidentally deleted some of your important text messages, don’t worry, it is still possible to recover them. Not only it helps you to retrieve deleted text messages on iPhone, but also helps you get back important contacts or other data in these messages.
Method 1: Using iCloud Backup
iCloud is a cloud storage and computing service developed by Apple. It can be used to backup and restore data on your iPhone. Here are the steps to restore accidentally deleted text messages on iPhone via iCloud backup.
1. Connect your iPhone to the Wi-Fi network.
2. Go to settings and click your name at the top of the settings screen.
3. Click iCloud and then select iCloud Backup.
4. Make sure that the iCloud Backup toggle is turned on and then click on "Back Up now" to create a backup.
5. Go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase all Content and Settings and follow the prompts to erase the iPhone data.
6. Set up your iPhone. When you reach the "Apps and Data" screen, select "Restore from iCloud backup".
7. Choose the backup that includes the deleted text messages and then click "Restore."
Pros:
– iCloud backups are automatically created every day if your device is connected to Wi-Fi when you with a sufficient iCloud storage plan.
– Easy to use and free of charge (up to 5GB storage).
Cons:
– You need to have enabled and taken a backup to your iCloud account before the messages got deleted.
– Restoration process is time-consuming if you have large and lots of data to restore.
Method 2: Using iTunes Backup
iTunes is a media player, media library, Internet radio broadcaster and mobile device management application developed by Apple. It can be used to backup and restore data on your iPhone. Here are the steps to restore accidentally deleted text messages on iPhone using iTunes backup.
1. Connect your iPhone to the computer with a USB cable.
2. Open iTunes on the computer.
3. Click on the iPhone icon that appears in iTunes.
4. Click on the "Restore Backup" button in the Summary section of the screen.
5. Select the backup that contains the deleted text messages and click "Restore."
Pros:
– You can backup as frequently as you want whenever you connect your device to your computer. Also, you have complete control over the backup location and time.
– Available for both Mac and Windows.
Cons:
– You need to have enabled and taken a backup to your iTunes account before the messages got deleted.
– Restoration process is time-consuming if you have large and lots of data to restore.
Method 3: Using Recovery Software
If you don’t have any backup for your deleted text messages, not to worry, there are still chances to retrieve deleted messages. You can use recovery software to scan your iPhone and recover those lost files. Follow these steps to restore accidentally deleted text messages on iPhone using data recovery software:
1. Download and install a reliable recovery tool – Dr. Fone, EaseUS, Tenoshare, and PhoneRescue are some of the best software.
2. Connect your iPhone to the computer using a USB cable.
3. Launch the recovery software and select "Recover from iOS Device."
4. The software will detect your device and then prompt you to start a “deep scan” of your iPhone.
5. When the scan is complete, you can preview the recoverable messages and then select "Recover" to retrieve them.
Pros:
– Recovery software doesn’t require any backup; you can retrieve deleted text messages from your iPhone directly.
– Can recover most if not all of the deleted files, whether the deletion was due to jailbreak errors, factory reset, accidental deletion or other issues.
Cons:
– Recovery software can be expensive.
– Can’t always guarantee 100% of deleted data can be recovered.
What to Do If You Can’t Restore Accidentally Deleted Text Messages on iPhone
What if you have no successful recovery of your lost messages using the methods we’ve discussed? To improve your chances of recovery, try the following fix methods:
– Restart your iPhone: Sometimes, simply restarting your iPhone can resolve common issues, including deletion, and restore the recent deleted messages.
– Check the Archive folder: If you’ve enabled the message archive function, check your Archive folder as deleted messages will often move there.
– Contact Apple Support: If the previous method doesn’t help, you may contact Apple Support for help. They are well-equipped with tools and knowledge required to help you recover deleted messages.
Bonus Tip
To prevent accidental deletion of text messages in the future, try enabling the ‘Messages in iCloud’ feature. It will automatically backup all your conversations and messages. All you need for this is an iCloud storage subscription plan.
5 FAQs
Q1: Can I recover deleted text messages from my iCloud backup if I don’t want to restore the whole backup?
A: Yes, you can restore just text messages from iCloud backup; select the checkbox next to text message options and deselect all other options while restoring.
Q2: Do I need to jailbreak my iPhone to recover deleted text messages?
A: No, jailbreaking your iPhone is not required for the above-mentioned methods.
Q3: Can I recover deleted text messages from a lost iPhone?
A: Unfortunately, if you don’t have a backup stored in either iCloud or iTunes, data recovery software won’t be able to recover your lost text messages from a lost iPhone.
Q4: Can I only recover text messages from the last backup?
A: No, you can choose the specific backup from which you want to recover deleted text messages.
Q5: Will the recovery methods affect other iPhone data?
A: No, the recovery methods mentioned above have no impact on the existing data on your iPhone.
Final Thoughts
Losing important text messages can be frustrating and stressful, but fortunately, it is still possible to recover deleted text messages on an iPhone with the help of backups, data recovery software or contacting Apple Support. Whatever method you choose, make sure to always backup your data regularly to prevent unnecessary loss.