How to Recover Deleted Messages on iPhone or iPad

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

Deleting text messages from your iPhone can help clear up space in storage, but you also run the risk of deleting important information you need at a later date.

If you suddenly remember you needed a message, we can help with the following methods of recovering deleted messages.

2. Check iCloud Backup Date

If your latest iCloud backup occurred before you deleted your message, you can restore it using iCloud back up.

Here's How To Check Your iCloud Back Up Date:

1. Select Settings.
   

1. Select your Apple ID.
   

1. Select iCloud.
   

1. Select iCloud Backup.
   

1. Review the date iCloud last backed up.
   

3. Factory Reset

1. Select Settings.
   

1. Select General.
   

1. Select Reset.
   

1. Select Erase All Content and Settings, and enter your iPhone's passcode (if prompted).
   

1. You will receive a confirmation prompt offering to Backup Then Erase or Erase Now. If you would like to back up your device's information before erasing, select Backup Then Erase. Otherwise, select Erase Now.
   

Your iPhone will now wipe all data and reset back to factory defaults. When completed, you will be presented with the Welcome screen you saw when you took your iPhone out of the box for the first time.

4. Restore from iCloud Backup

1. Once your iPhone is factory reset you'll be brought to the Apps and Data screen.
2. Select Restore from iCloud Back Up.
   

1. Your latest back up will then be loaded onto the phone.

5. What's next?

6. Introduction

In order to connect your iPhone to your computer you need to have a  fully updated version of iTunes. Without these updates, iTunes won't connect to your iPhone.

7. Update for Windows

1. Open iTunes.
   

1. From the menu bar at the top of the iTunes window, choose Help.
2. Select Check for Updates.
   

1. Follow the prompts to install the latest version.

8. iTunes Restore

Restoring your device will erase all data from your iOS device. Prior to performing a restore, you may want to perform an iCloud backup or a manual backup in iTunes.

Before restoring the device, we must disable the Find My Device from your iOS device.

1. Open Settings from the Home Screen.
   

1. Tap on Accounts & Passwords.
   

1. Tap on your iCloud account.
   

1. Tap on Find My iOS Device.
   

1. Toggle Find My iOS Device off.
   

1. Enter your Apple ID Password to disable the Find My iOS Device function.

The following steps will walk you through restoring your iOS device to factory defaults.

1. Connect your device to the computer and open iTunes.
   

1. Click on Restore [your device].
   

1. Click on Restore.
   

1. You may be prompted to download the firmware for your devices. If this happens select Next to continue.
   

1. The download will now start. Leave your device plugged in and once the download finishes it will start the restore. You can view your progress of the download by clicking the downloads button that appears while downloading is in progress.
   

1. Once the restore is complete (which takes approximately 15 minutes), you will be asked if you want to restore from a backup. Use the following guidelines to decide which option is the best.
   Setup As NewThis is the suggested setup if you are resetting your device to troubleshoot issues. This will set up the device like you first purchased it and will not carry over any software issue you may have had before restoring.iCloud RestoreiCloud restores are the suggested method if you are swapping to a new device. It is recommended to do this step when you will be on a Wi-Fi connection for good period of time as it may take awhile to finish.iTunes RestoreiTunes restores are the suggested method if you normally since your device solely with iTunes.

9. What's next?

10. Update for Mac

1. Open the App Store on your Mac.
   

1. At the top of the App Store window, click Updates.
   

1. If any macOS or iTunes updates are available, click Update.