How to find and retrieve deleted text messages on Android
Did you accidentally delete important messages? The chances of retrieving them depend on how often you back up your data, how recently you deleted it, and the messaging app. Most Android phones use the Google Messages app. The downside to Google Messages is that it is difficult to manipulate the recycle bin, even if you’re runningAndroid 15or usingdual SIM RCS. Your messages are lost forever after deleting them.
Samsung and other OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) have alternative messaging apps with better recovery options. Whether your phone is abudget-friendly Androidor a premium flagship model, here’s a step-by-step guide to recovering messages.
A minor update with welcome quality-of-life tweaks
Can you recover deleted text messages on Android?
Depending on your default messaging app, you can recover deleted text messages on Android. Google Messages doesn’t offer a recycle bin. Your texts are gone forever after deletion unless you back them up to the cloud.
If you use a device with a custom Android version, such as one from Samsung, your messaging app might include a recycle bin. Samsung’s custom Android skin, for instance, includes a recycle bin in its default messaging app. However, this feature is not widely adopted.
How to recover deleted SMS in Google Messages
Google Messages doesn’t have a trash bin. When you delete a message, you lose it permanently. However, it’s possible you accidentally archived the texts. Archiving a conversation removes it from the main conversation list but doesn’t delete the messages. On Android devices, archiving and unarchiving texts is easy. It also works withGoogle Messages on Windows, Mac, or another computer.
Unarchive texts in Google Messages on Android phones and tablets
Unarchiving text messages in Google Messages is an easy process. Here’s how to do it:
Unarchive texts in Google Messages on computers
To unarchive texts in Google Messages using your personal computer, follow these steps:
How to recover deleted text messages on Samsung Galaxy devices
Samsung phones and tablets offer several ways to restore deleted messages outside the typical stock Android procedures. They use acustom Android skin called One UI, which includes an exclusive text manager, Samsung Messages. The device has a recycle bin that you can turn on in the Settings menu. If activated, deleted text messages go into the bin for 30 days.
When the time elapses, the app erases the message permanently. In addition to the Messages app, you can use Samsung Cloud to back up and retrieve lost messages. It’s a cloud solution like Google Drive, for storing data, including call logs, messages, and settings.
The Samsung Switch is another option, though you need to connect your phone to a PC to use it. This data transfer software backs up data on one device and transfers it to a new one. For more in-depth information on each step, check out our detailed guide onretrieving deleted texts on a Samsungdevice.
Recover deleted texts through your mobile carrier
Most mobile carriers keep records of your conversations but as billing statements. The statements don’t provide details on the content of text messages or display visual elements within them. Some carriers may keep the actual text, but they delete it after a few hours, or you may need a court order to get it.
Verizondiscontinued Verizon Messages (Message+)app on October 2nd, 2024 and AT&Tsunsetted the AT&T Messages Backup & Syncat the end of 2024. You can no longer send, receive, and recover messages through these mobile carrier apps.
TechFusion’s CEO,Alfred Demirjian, believesthat law enforcement and other government agencies use forensic tools to unearth deleted data. If the deleted message contains information you can’t do without, we recommend contacting your carrier; it may be possible to retrieve it (note that the carrier could add a charge for doing this).
How to recover lost messages without any backup using an Android data recovery tool
When you delete a text message on your Android, it isn’t immediately wiped off. The phone marks that space as available, which means new data could eventually overwrite it. If you jump on it fast, you might be able to use recovery software to get those messages back. Your success varies based on how long you waited and if new data has overwritten those texts. We useDroidKit, one of several Android data recovery tools.
DroidKit is compatible with Android 6.0 or later. Some features are unavailable on newer Android versions (Android 15). Our steps below use a Samsung phone on OneUI 6.1 (Android 14). We recommend consulting theDroidKit specifications pageto determine if your device/system supports this recovery tool.
Using third-party data recovery software often requires root access, which removes critical software restrictions. This can expose the device to malware, reduce performance, and void warranties. We recommend reviewing the privacy policies even if the platform is reputable. Proceed with caution and consider safer alternatives.
DroidKit’s recovery tool doesn’t currently work with Android 15. For Android 15 device users, you must opt into other recovery software (Disc Drill and EaseUS) to recover your text messages. Still, even then, it is not guaranteed that your data can be restored. The best method for recovering lost messages on Android 15 is via the archive option (if archived instead of deleted) we’ve cited above or by usingGoogle Drive to open your backups.
Our guides cite SMS/MMS recovery options, the olderstandard for text messages. The newer standard is RCS, which isenabled in Google Messages(if your carrier supports it). Whilerecovering RCS chatsis possible, you might still experience problems after you’ve restored them.
It’s probably time we moved on from the old SMS standard
Be aware of potential scams when downloading third-party software and understand the risks it can bring. Third-party tools often don’t provide these tools for free and still don’t always work. It is essential to take preventative measures, such as creating backups in the cloud and storing them on your computer or another device. We go over tips on how to do so in a later section.
Reach out to the sender to resend the text
If you’ve tried everything else and still can’t recover a deleted text message, contacting the sender might be your last resort. It isn’t ideal, but this can be a simple fix if you’ve exhausted other options. Just ask if they still have the text. It could save the day.
Tips to avoid permanently losing your text messages
It’s never fun when you permanently lose important text messages. Try these tips and tricks to safeguard them from accidental deletion in the future.
Archive messages instead of deleting them
Use Google Messages' archive feature when you want to hide irrelevant or sensitive conversations from the main menu. This way, you don’t have to delete or move it to another device. Long press the messages you want to conceal to select them. Then, tap thearchive buttonat the top of the screen. You can recover the same conversation using the previously mentioned steps.
Backup your text messages on Google Drive
Activating Google Drive backup on your Android phone safeguards your texts from permanent deletion. The app stores installed app data, media files, SMS messages, call history, device settings, and Google account data. You can also access your recent backups from other devices.
However, you mustfactory reset your deviceand restore the Google Drive backup during the setup. Also, your backups count toward your Google Drive storage. If you run out of space, consider freeing up some orsubscribing to a Google One plan.
Free yourself from old texts
Use third-party apps to manage text messages
Not everyone trusts a cloud backup or wants to undergo a lengthy factory reset to restore lost data. In that case, various third-party SMS apps exist on the Play Store with features for organizing, backing up, and recovering texts.
When you download any third-party app on Android, you could be permitting these apps to access your data. Always reviewapp privacy and security practicesbefore downloading an app.
Pulse SMS offers multiple interesting features, including theme selections, a web version for desktops, Wear OS support, web link previews, password protection, text backup and restoration, and automated replies. Its advanced features are part of the Pulse+ subscription that starts at $1 per month.
Abandon your basic SMS and start sending messages in style
Protect your text messages from further deletion
When you accidentally delete an important text message on your Android, it can hinder your experience with the messaging app. Fortunately, as long as you’re quick about it, our guide has several methods to recover them. Remember to regularly back up your messages to your Google account to avoid future losses. That way, you could restore them on any device. Considerprinting important textsif digital recovery methods don’t prove to be reliable.
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