I. Introduction
It happens to the best of us. We accidentally delete a text message we needed to keep, and we cannot seem to retrieve it. This common problem may seem like an impossible hurdle to overcome, but fear not – there is hope for recovering deleted text messages on iPhones. In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to retrieve those lost messages on your iPhone.
Our goal is to provide you with step-by-step solutions to this problem. We will cover different methods and tools you can use to recover deleted text messages. So, let’s dive in.
II. Step-by-Step Guide: How to Retrieve Deleted Text Messages on iPhone
The first solution to retrieve deleted text messages is to use the iPhone itself. The steps for doing so will differ depending on which version of iOS you have.
For iOS 11 and above:
- Open the Messages app
- Swipe down on the screen to reveal the search bar and search for the deleted message(s)
- If the message appears in the search results, tap it to open and then click ‘Undelete’
For iOS 10 and below:
- Go to the main screen and swipe left to right to open the Spotlight search bar
- Type in the search bar the keywords that appear in the text message you wish to recover
- If the message pops up in the search results, tap it to open and then click ‘Undelete’
III. Explore Third-Party Apps for Retrieving Deleted Text Messages on iPhone
Many third-party apps can help you retrieve deleted text messages on your iPhone. They work by scanning your device, looking for deleted data, and then allowing you to recover it. Here are a few popular ones:
- Dr. Fone – This app is available for both Windows and Mac and can recover deleted messages, call history, notes, and many other types of data.
- PhoneRescue – This app is available for both Windows and Mac and can recover deleted messages, as well as other files like photos, contacts, and more.
- iMyFone D-Back – This app works with both Windows and Mac and can recover deleted messages, as well as other data like photos, contacts, and WhatsApp messages.
While there are many more apps available, we will discuss using Dr. Fone as an example for this section.
Here are the steps to use Dr. Fone:
- Download and install Dr. Fone
- Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable
- Launch Dr. Fone and select ‘Recover from iOS Device’
- Select ‘Messages & Attachments’ and click ‘Start Scan’
- Once the scan is complete, select the deleted messages you want to recover and click ‘Recover to Computer’
IV. Know Your iCloud Backup: How to Retrieve Deleted Text Messages on iPhone
iCloud backup is a feature on iPhones that allows you to backup your data wirelessly to the cloud. This is an excellent way to keep your phone’s data safe in case of accidents like this. Here is how to recover deleted text messages using iCloud:
- Go to ‘Settings’ on your iPhone and click on your name
- Select ‘iCloud’
- Make sure ‘Messages’ is enabled
- Go back to ‘Settings’ and select ‘General’
- Scroll down and select ‘Reset’
- Select ‘Erase All Content and Settings’
- When your iPhone restarts, select ‘Restore from iCloud Backup’
- Select the backup that occurred before you deleted the text messages
V. Dig into Your iPhone’s iTunes Backup: How to Retrieve Deleted Text Messages
iTunes backup is similar to iCloud backup but requires a connection to your computer. Here’s how to recover deleted text messages using iTunes backup:
- Connect your iPhone to your computer
- Open iTunes
- Select your iPhone in the upper left corner
- Click ‘Restore Backup’
- Select the backup that occurred before you deleted the text messages
VI. The Risks of Data Recovery on iPhone and How to Avoid Them
While these methods work for many people, there are risks involved. One common risk is that data recovery can overwrite the deleted messages, making them impossible to recover. Here are a few things to keep in mind when attempting data recovery:
- Avoid using your iPhone as much as possible, as using the device can overwrite the data you wish to recover
- Use a reliable tool like the ones we listed previously
- Always backup your iPhone regularly to avoid lost data
VII. Troubleshooting Tips: Common Problems when Retrieving Deleted Text Messages on iPhone
While the methods described in this guide work for many people, there are sometimes issues that prevent the successful retrieval of deleted text messages. Here are a few of the most common problems, and how to troubleshoot them:
- Cannot connect to iTunes – Make sure your computer is connected to the internet and that you are using the latest version of iTunes
- Messages are not in iCloud backup – Make sure you have enabled iCloud backup for messages on your iPhone
VIII. Conclusion
We hope this guide has provided you with some help in recovering those deleted text messages. Remember, there are several methods to retrieve deleted messages on your iPhone, including using the iPhone itself, third-party apps, iCloud backup, and iTunes backup. Always remember to backup your device regularly to avoid data loss.