Losing important text messages on your iPhone can be frustrating, especially if they contain sentimental memories, crucial work details, or legal evidence. Fortunately, even if you’ve permanently deleted messages—or think you have—there are several reliable ways to recover them. This guide covers six proven methods, including built-in iOS features, professional recovery tools, and backup solutions, all tested and verified for 2025.

Why Deleted Messages Can Still Be Recovered

When you delete a message on your iPhone, it isn’t immediately erased from your device’s storage. Instead, the space it occupies is marked as available for new data. Until that space is overwritten, the message remains recoverable. This is why acting quickly is critical: the longer you wait, the higher the risk of new data replacing the deleted messages.

Apple’s iOS includes a “Recently Deleted” folder for messages, which retains deleted conversations for up to 40 days. After that, messages are considered “permanently deleted,” but they may still linger in your device’s storage or backups. Third-party tools can scan these areas to retrieve lost data, even without a backup.

Method 1: Recover from the “Recently Deleted” Folder (iOS 16 and Later)

If you’re using iOS 16 or later, your iPhone automatically moves deleted messages to a “Recently Deleted” folder, where they remain for 30–40 days. Here’s how to restore them:

Open the Messages app and tap “Filters” (or “Edit” in older versions) in the top-left corner.
Select “Recently Deleted.” You’ll see a list of deleted conversations with a countdown indicating how many days remain before permanent deletion.
Tap the conversation(s) you want to recover, then select “Recover” at the bottom. Confirm the action, and the messages will reappear in your main inbox.

Limitations: This method only works for messages deleted within the last 40 days. If the countdown has expired, you’ll need to try another approach.

Method 2: Use Professional Recovery Software (No Backup Required)

If your messages are no longer in the “Recently Deleted” folder, professional recovery tools like Gbyte Recovery, PhoneRescue for iOS, or iMyFone D-Back can help. These tools scan your iPhone’s internal storage for residual data, even if you’ve never created a backup.

Steps to Recover with Gbyte Recovery:

Download and install Gbyte Recovery on your computer (Windows or macOS).
Connect your iPhone via USB or sign in with your Apple ID for cableless recovery. The tool uses Apple’s security protocols to ensure privacy.
Select “Messages” from the data categories and initiate a deep scan. The software will analyze your device for deleted message data.
Once the scan completes, preview the recoverable messages. Deleted conversations are often highlighted in red.
Select the messages you want to restore and click “Recover to PC” or “Recover to Device.” The process is quick and won’t overwrite existing data.

Why Gbyte Recovery? It supports all iPhone models (including iPhone 17) and iOS versions, recovers SMS, iMessages, and attachments, and offers selective recovery with preview. The tool is beginner-friendly and doesn’t require technical expertise.

Method 3: Restore from an iCloud Backup

If you’ve enabled iCloud backups, you can restore your iPhone to a previous state that includes the deleted messages. Note: This method replaces your current data with the backup, so back up your iPhone first if you have new, unsaved information.

Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups to check if a relevant backup exists.
Reset your iPhone: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.
During setup, choose “Restore from iCloud Backup” and select a backup dated before the messages were deleted.
Wait for the restore to complete. Your iPhone will restart, and the deleted messages should reappear in the Messages app.

Key Considerations: Ensure “Messages” is enabled in your iCloud backup settings (Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Messages). This method is best for users who haven’t made significant changes to their device since the deletion.

Method 4: Recover from an iTunes or Finder Backup

If you’ve synced your iPhone with iTunes (or Finder on macOS Catalina and later), you can restore deleted messages from a local backup. Like iCloud recovery, this method overwrites your current data.

Connect your iPhone to your computer and open iTunes (or Finder on macOS Catalina and later).
Select your iPhone when it appears, then click “Restore Backup” in the Summary panel.
Choose the backup created before the messages were deleted and wait for the process to complete.

Alternative: Use tools like PhoneRescue for iOS or iMazing to selectively extract messages from iTunes backups without erasing your device. These tools allow you to preview and recover only the messages you need.

Method 5: Ask the Other Party for a Copy

If you deleted messages from your device but the recipient still has them, simply ask them to forward or screenshot the conversation. This is the quickest solution for one-sided deletions and works for both iMessages and SMS.

For outgoing messages: The recipient’s iPhone still stores the full conversation unless they deleted it too.
For incoming messages: The sender can forward or screenshot the relevant texts.

This method is ideal for casual or non-sensitive conversations where the other party is cooperative.

Method 6: Contact Your Cellular Provider

While cellular providers typically don’t store the content of text messages, they may retain metadata (sender information, timestamps, and phone numbers) for a limited time. This approach is generally only useful for legal cases or formal investigations.

Call your carrier’s customer support or visit a store.
Request SMS/call logs for a specific date range. Provide account verification (e.g., ID, PIN) and a valid reason if required.
Note that providers rarely store message content, so this method is limited to metadata recovery.

Preventing Future Data Loss

To avoid permanent message loss, follow these best practices:

Enable iCloud Backups: Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and toggle it on. Ensure “Messages” is included in the backup.
Regularly Back Up to Your Computer: Use iTunes or Finder to create local backups of your iPhone.
Use Third-Party Tools for Selective Recovery: Tools like Gbyte Recovery or PhoneRescue can scan and recover messages without overwriting your device.
Avoid Overwriting Data: If you accidentally delete messages, stop using your iPhone immediately to prevent new data from replacing the deleted files.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I recover messages deleted over 40 days ago?

It’s possible but less likely. Use professional recovery tools like Gbyte Recovery as soon as possible to maximize your chances.

Will restoring from iCloud or iTunes erase my current data?

Yes. Always back up your iPhone before restoring from a backup, or use selective recovery tools to avoid data loss.

Can I recover messages without a backup?

Yes. Tools like Gbyte Recovery and PhoneRescue can scan your iPhone’s storage for residual data, even if you’ve never created a backup.

Is Gbyte Recovery safe?

Yes. Gbyte Recovery uses Apple’s security protocols and doesn’t store personal data. It’s trusted for its high success rate and user-friendly interface.

Why aren’t my deleted messages in the “Recently Deleted” folder?

Messages may be over 40 days old, manually deleted from the folder, or overwritten by new data.

Will my carrier help recover messages?

Rarely. Carriers usually only provide metadata, not message content, and may require legal approval for access.

Conclusion

Recovering permanently deleted text messages on your iPhone is often possible, whether through built-in iOS features, professional recovery tools, or backups. For the best results, act quickly and use reliable software like Gbyte Recovery or PhoneRescue. Regular backups and cautious data management can prevent future losses, ensuring your important conversations are always accessible.