How To See Deleted Messages On iPhone?

Here’s how to see your deleted messages on your iPhone the right and easy way.

Losing important text messages or iMessages can feel like a punch to the gut—whether it’s a cherished conversation or critical information, the panic is real. Here we will show you how you can see deleted messages on iPhone or recover deleted messages iPhone using tools like iMyFone D-Back for iOS, a powerful iPhone data recovery tool

Why Do Messages Get Deleted on iPhone?

Before we delve into recovery methods, let’s grasp the reasons behind the disappearance of messages. Accidental deletion and iOS updates or device malfunctions can cause texts to vanish. Fortunately though deleted messages aren’t always permanently lost. They typically remain in your iPhone’s storage or backups until overwritten which makes recovery feasible with the appropriate approach.

First Method: Check Recently Deleted Folder (iOS 16 and Later)

If you’re using iOS 16 or later then you may already know that Apple’s Messages app has a Recently Deleted folder that stores deleted texts for up to 30–40 days. This is the easiest way to see deleted iMessages or text messages without needing a backup.

Steps to Recover from Recently Deleted Folder

First up you need to open the Messages app on your iPhone.
Next simply tap Edit (or Filters if Message Filtering is enabled) in the top-left corner.
Once done with that you need to select Show Recently Deleted to view all of the deleted conversations.
Choose the conversations you want to recover from your device. Keep in mind that you can only recover entire conversations and not individual messages.
Once done with that you can simply tap Recover in the bottom-right corner and then confirm by selecting Recover [Number] Messages.

Keep in mind that this feature is only available on iOS 16 or later so if you deleted messages more than 40 days ago or use an older iOS version then you need to try the methods below.

Second Method: Use iMyFone D-Back to Recover Deleted Messages Without Backup

For messages deleted beyond the 30–40-day window or if you don’t have a backup, iMyFone D-Back (iOS) is a lifesaver. This iPhone data recovery tool can scan your device’s memory to recover deleted messages on iPhone without having to affect existing data on the device. It’s user-friendly and supports iOS 17/18 and even lets you preview messages before recovery.

Steps to Recover with iMyFone D-Back

Step 1: Download and Install: First up you need to download iMyFone D-Back from the official website and install it on your computer.

Step 2: Choose Recovery Mode: Once downloaded you need to open the application and then select “Recover from iOS Device.”

Step 3: Connect Your iPhone: Next up you need to use a USB cable to connect your iPhone to the computer and then click Next when the device has been identified.

Step 4: Select the Data Type: Now in order to look for deleted texts you need to first select Message and then click Scan.

Step 5: Preview and Recover: Once you are done with scanning then you can preview the recoverable messages. Select the ones you need and then simply click Recover to save them to your computer as can be seen in screenshot below.

Why Should You Choose iMyFone D-Back?

Recovers deleted iMessages along with SMS and WhatsApp without a backup.
Allows selective recovery to avoid unwanted data.
Supports all iPhone models and iOS versions, including iPhone 16 and iOS 18.
Offers a free trial to preview recoverable messages.

Third Method: Recover from iCloud Backup

If you’ve enabled iCloud backups, you might be able to view deleted texts on iPhone by restoring a backup. This method though requires resetting your device which may erase current data. So make sure you back up your iPhone first. Ready? Lets begin.

Steps to Recover from iCloud

Check iCloud Backup: To start with, head over to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup to confirm that a recent backup exists on your device.
Reset iPhone: Navigate to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.
Restore Backup: During setup, select Restore from iCloud Backup on the Apps & Data screen. Sign in and choose a backup from before the messages were deleted.
Complete Setup: Follow the prompts to restore your messages.

Caution: Restoring an iCloud backup overwrites current data. Use iMyFone D-Back to preview and extract messages from iCloud without resetting.

Fourth Method: Recover from iTunes/Finder Backup

You can recover deleted messages from your iPhone if you back it up to a computer using Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows). Resetting your device is necessary for this method, and same is the case with iCloud.

Steps to Recover from iTunes/Finder:

1. Link your iPhone to your PC.
2. Launch Finder or iTunes.
3. Click the name of your device in Finder or the iPhone icon in iTunes.

Tip: Use iMyFone D-Back to extract messages from iTunes backups without resetting your device.

Conclusion: Get Your Messages Back with Ease

Accidentally deleting messages doesn’t have to be a disaster. Whether you use the Recently Deleted folder to see deleted iMessages or rely on iMyFone D-Back (iOS) to recover deleted messages iPhone without a backup, you have options. This iPhone data recovery tool simplifies the process, letting you preview and recover only what you need, even without resetting your device. Don’t let lost texts stress you out—try iMyFone D-Back today!

iMyFone D-Back (iOS): Download Now!