How to Restore Deleted Text Messages on iPhone

Part 1. How to Retrieve Deleted Messages on iPhone If You’re Using iTunes

iTunes has been around for over 20 years, and during its brief history, it has undergone numerous changes and additions to help you manage your Apple devices better. Today, you can use this app for media management, including messages, and retrieve deleted texts.

If you already have an iTunes account, there are several ways to retrieve bulk and individual messages, but in some cases, you may need an additional tool to get all your messages back.

Retrieve Deleted Text Messages in Bulk

If you have accidentally deleted all the messages from your phone, you can use the iTunes app to retrieve them within a few minutes. With this step, you don’t need any additional tools.

However, you will retrieve all the recently deleted and backed-up data from your account, including images, videos, music, recordings, and other media files. You should ensure to have enough memory capacity to complete the process and retrieve your messages successfully.

If you still want to retrieve all these files, here’s what you should do:

• Step 1: Connect your iPhone to your PC and open the iTunes or Finder app

• Step 2: Click on the Name of Your Deviceunder Locations, or click on the Phone icon and select Summary for iTunes
• Step 3: Select Restore Backupto get your files back

After this, your device will ask you to type your password, but this method may overwrite your memory, so you may need to delete some files beforehand to make room for a smooth recovery.

Retrieve Deleted Text Messages Selectively

If you don’t want to waste your time deleting files and downloading all of the deleted messages, you can retrieve individual messages using your phone. However, there isn’t an integrated feature that enables you to perform this action – instead, you will need help from an advanced tool to ensure a smooth flow.

One of the best programs you can use is Wondershare Dr.Fone – Data Recovery. It is the world’s first iPhone recovery tool with the highest success rate on the market. There are over 20 types of files you can retrieve thanks to this software, including text messages.

Wondershare Dr.Fone

World's 1st iPhone and iOS data recovery software

• Provide with three ways to recover iPhone data.
• Scan iOS devices to recover photos, video, contacts, messages, notes, etc.
• Extract and preview all content in iCloud/iTunes backup files.
• Selectively restore what you want from iCloud/iTunes backup to your device or computer.
• Compatible with the latest iPhone models.

Available on: Windows Mac

Start Download

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You can retrieve data directly from your device or from software solutions such as iTunes. The best part is that it is compatible with almost all operating systems.

If you want to recover your messages selectively with iTunes, here’s how Wondershare Dr.Fone can help:

• Step 1: Download Wondershare Dr.Fone to your PC, connect your iPhone to the PC, and start the program.

• Step 2: Head to Toolbox>Data Recoveryto start the process.
• Step 3: In the next window, select iOS

• Step 4: Select Recover Data from iTunes.

• Step 5: Choose the device you want to back up data from and hit Start Scan.

• Step 6: In the next window, you can choose which file types you want the program to scan (in this case, select Message and Attachments).

• Step 7: After the program finishes scanning, select the messages you want to retrieve and click Restore to Device.

• Step 8: Select your phone in the pop-up window and hit Continue.

• Step 9: Your phone will ask you to input your password to initiate the transfer process.

After a few minutes, you will have your memories back on your Apple device!

Part 2. How to Restore Deleted Text Messages on iPhone from iCloud Backup

If you don’t have an iTunes account or have been backing up your data to iCloud, we have your back. Even if you change your device, your files will be waiting for you in a new location, but if you delete the files from your phone, getting them back may take a bit more time.

Whether you need to get your messages in bulk or selectively, iCloud can help, but in some cases, you will need a helping hand to ensure a smooth retrieval process.

Retrieve Deleted Text Messages in Bulk

iCloud is an excellent option if you want to retrieve all your messages at once, but to do so, you must reset your phone, which may lead to further data loss. That’s why you should back up your files to a safe location before you start the process. Also, as this will retrieve all the data stored in your iCloud account, ensure you have enough memory to support your quest.

The problem here is that your iCloud space is limited to 5GB, so you may not get everything back. If you have deleted the messages recently and know they are on your iCloud account, follow the guide below:

• Step 1: Open your phone’s Settings, head to General, and select Reset.
• Step 2: Choose Erase all Content and Settingsto initiate the process.
• Step 3: After your phone restarts, choose iCloud Backupfrom the Apps and Data
• Step 4: Sign into your iCloud account and select the backup you want to install into your phone.

After a few minutes, you will have your messages back. However, this is one of the riskiest methods, as you may lose more than you will gain. Instead, we advise you to be careful when approaching this method and take preventative measures to avoid losing data. You can try other methods, as shown below, to protect your valuables and successfully retrieve lost files.

Retrieve Deleted Text Messages Selectively

Although iCloud is an amazing platform for backing up your valuables, it is not the best regarding data retrieval. You can only get your data back in bulk while risking losing the data currently on your phone.

If you don’t want to risk it and are looking for a stable, robust solution, Wondershare Dr.Fone is here to rescue you. This software can successfully retrieve your lost messages without the need to reset your device.

As it is the first data recovery tool for iPhone devices, it became one of the most successful and popular tools among Apple users. The recovery rate speaks for itself – no matter the type of files you have lost, Wondershare Dr.Fone can help you take them back.

As mentioned, it’s compatible with most operating systems, so even if you have an older model or OS version, you can still use it to recover your deleted messages.

If you like the idea of selectively retrieving your messages while not endangering other data on your device, it is time to download Wondershare Dr.Fone. Here’s a guide on how to get your messages back from your iCloud with the help of this software:

• Step 1: Download Wondershare Dr.Fone to your PC, connect your iPhone to your device, and start the program.

• Step 2: From the Toolboxsection, select Data Recovery.
• Step 3: In the next window, select your device type (in this case, iOS device).

• Step 4: You will be presented with several recovery options – choose Recover Data from iCloudto initiate the process.

• Step 5: Sign into your iCloud account.

• Step 6: Since iCloud uses two-factor authentication, you need to verify your identity to proceed.

• Step 7: In the next window, select which file types you want to recover. Select Messages and Attachmentsand press Next to continue.

• Step 8: The next window will show progress, and you can stop it if the program finds the lost messages you wanted to recover.

• Step 9: Select the individual messages you want to get back and press the Restore to Device

• Step 10: In the pop-up window, select your iPhone to save the data to your mobile device. Click Continueto start the recovery process.

• Step 11: The next screen will show the connection status between your iPhone and PC – you should keep your device connected to restore data successfully.

• Step 12: You can also save your lost messages to your PC by selecting Recover to Computer.

After completing all the steps above, you will get your messages back to your iPhone. Before you initiate the process, you should ensure you have enough capacity to save your deleted files to ensure smooth sailing.

Part 3. How to Find Deleted Messages on iPhone Without iCloud and Backup

Although both iTunes and iCloud are excellent for preserving data and backing up your valuables, they might not be available on all devices. Some countries cannot access these applications and may not have such solutions to back up their messages.

Another possible scenario is that the memory on both platforms is full, thus preventing further backups. In such cases, everything you delete from your iPhone will automatically go into the unknown.

Many people think that all hope is lost in these scenarios and that they can never get their valuables back. However, Wondershare Dr.Fone is here to prove them wrong. This software can successfully retrieve over 20 data types, including messages and attachments, and is one of the best, most reliable recovery tools on the market.

With a long work history and thousands of satisfied customers, we can say that Wondershare Dr.Fone is to be trusted.

If you don’t have the chance to retrieve your messages from iCloud or iTunes, you should download this software for the best experience. The sooner you download it, the better the chances of getting undamaged messages back. Here’s what you need to do to retrieve your valuables with this tool:

• Step 1: Download Wondershare Dr.Fone to your PC and start the program.

• Step 2: In the next window, you can choose the device type (in this case, select iOS device).

• Step 3: The next step is to select the recovery type. In this scenario, you should choose Recover Data from iOS device.

• Step 4: Connect your device to your PC and keep it plugged in during the recovery process.

• Step 5: In the next window, select the types of files you want to recover from your iPhone (select Messages and Attachments), and press Start Scanto initiate the scanning process.

• Step 6: Allow the program to scan for lost files (this step may take a few minutes).

• Step 7: Preview the files you want to retrieve, select the ones you want to save to your device, then press Restore to Device.

• Step 8: From the pop-up window, select the connected iPhone to save your messages and click Continue.

• Step 9: To complete the process, you must disable the Find My Device feature.

• Step 10: After you turn this feature off, the messages will automatically be saved on your iPhone.

• Step 11: You can also save your files to your PC by selecting the Recover to Computer

It may take a few minutes to get your messages back to your device by using this method (depending on the complexity and quantity of the messages).