Did you delete one or more text messages on your iPhone only to realize that the message was an important one? Do you want to view and recover deleted text or SMS messages on your iPhone for free without using any software? Then, this guide is for you.
We are humans, and we make errors! Many users accidentally delete text messages and want to restore them later. Fortunately, if you are using an Apple iPhone or iPad running iOS 16 or later, you can easily view and restore deleted text messages.
The Messages app on your iPhone/iPad now lets you view and restore deleted text messages. Because the Messages can help you view and restore deleted text messages, you do not need expensive third-party apps for the job.
Before we tell you how to view and recover deleted text messages, remember that the iPhone/iPad must be running iOS 16 or later version.
The only catch is that you can only view and recover text messages that have been deleted in the last 30 to 40 days. After this period, messages are deleted permanently.
View and recover deleted text messages on iPhone/iPad
Step 1: Open the Messages app by tapping on it.
Step 2: In the Messages app, tap the Filters or Edit option. By default, the Edit option shows up, but if you have enabled filters, the Filters option appears instead.
Step 3: Now, tap Show Recently Deleted option to view all recently deleted text messages from the Messages app.
Step 4: To recover or restore a message, tap on it to select it and then tap the Recover option. You can also select multiple messages and then tap the Recover option. When you see the confirmation prompt, tap the Recover Message option again.
As you can see in the picture above, the Messages app also shows the number of days remaining before deleted messages are permanently deleted.
Recover text messages older than 30 days on iPhone?
The Messages app shows only text messages deleted in the last 30 to 40 days. Messages older than this period do not appear in the Messages app, as they are deleted permanently after the initial 30 days.
You might have to use advanced apps and tools to recover older messages.
Recover WhatsApp messages on iPhone?
No, you cannot use this method to view and recover WhatsApp messages. In fact, as of writing this article, WhatsApp does not offer an option to view and recover WhatsApp messages. That said, some third-party apps might help you recover deleted WhatsApp messages.
Our how to view recently deleted files on Windows 10/11 guide might also interest you.
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