Learn how to recover deleted messages on Android with these 10 effective methods. Discover step-by-step guides on using built-in features, third-party apps, and advanced techniques like ADB and data recovery tools. Whether you’ve accidentally deleted important texts or need to retrieve old messages, this guide covers various solutions to help you find and restore lost SMS on Android devices.
How to Find Deleted Messages on Android
Accidentally deleting important messages from your Android device can be frustrating. Fortunately, there are various ways to recover deleted messages, ranging from using backup services to third-party tools. Here are ten reliable methods to help you retrieve your lost messages.
METHOD:1. Check Google Backup
Android devices often come with Google Backup, which can store SMS messages if enabled. Here's how to check and restore messages step by step:
Step 1: Check if SMS Backup is Enabled
Open your phone’s Settings.
Scroll down and tap on Google.
Select Backup from the list of options.
Check if SMS Backup is listed and verify the last backup date.
Step 2: Restore Messages from Google Backup
If SMS Backup is available, reset your Android device:
Go to Settings > System > Reset Options.
Tap on Erase all data (factory reset).
During the device setup process, log in with the same Google account used for the backup.
When prompted, choose to restore data from the Google Backup.
Wait for the process to complete, and your messages should reappear in the default messaging app.
Note: Restoring a backup will erase all current data on the device, so ensure you back up important files before proceeding.
METHOD: 2. Use Your Phone’s Built-in Messaging App Features
Many Android messaging apps, such as Google Messages, Samsung Messages, or other default apps, include features for archiving or recovering deleted messages. Follow these steps:
Open the Messaging App:
Launch the default messaging app on your Android device.
Check the Archived or Trash Folder:
Look for an option like Archived Conversations or Trash within the app menu. This is usually found by tapping the three-dot menu or a similar settings icon.
Locate the Deleted Message:
Browse through the archived or trash folder to locate the conversation or message you want to restore.
Restore the Message:
Long-press on the conversation or message and select Restore or Move to Inbox to bring it back to your main message list.
Tip: Not all messaging apps have this feature, so check your app's settings or documentation for more details.
METHOD:3. Retrieve Messages from Carrier Services
Mobile carriers often store text messages on their servers for a limited period. Follow these steps to recover messages via your carrier:
Contact Customer Support: Reach out to your mobile service provider’s customer support team. Use their official helpline or website for assistance.
Provide Verification Details: Be ready to provide necessary account details like your phone number, account name, and proof of identity.
Request Message Recovery: Explain the situation and request for text message recovery. Some carriers might have limitations based on how long they retain message data.
Check for Backup Options: Some providers may offer a way to access your text message history via their app or website.
Tip: Message recovery through carriers may not always be guaranteed, so act quickly after the messages are deleted.
METHOD:4. Use Third-Party Recovery Tools
Several apps are designed specifically for recovering deleted messages. Some popular ones include:
Dr.Fone - Data Recovery
Tenorshare UltData
iMobie PhoneRescue
Follow these general steps:
To recover deleted messages on Android devices using third-party recovery tools, follow these steps:
1. Choose a Recovery Tool
Some reliable third-party Android message recovery tools include:
- Dr.Fone: A popular tool for data recovery from Android devices.
- EaseUS MobiSaver: A user-friendly option that helps recover deleted messages, contacts, and other data.
- DiskDigger: Useful for recovering photos, messages, and other files from Android.
- FoneLab: Another well-known tool that offers message recovery from Android devices.
2. Install the Recovery Tool
- Download the recovery tool of your choice from the official website.
- Install it on your computer (some tools also offer mobile versions, but using a PC version is generally more effective).
- Open the program once installed.
3. Connect Your Android Device
- Use a USB cable to connect your Android phone to your computer.
- Ensure that USB Debugging is enabled on your phone. You can enable it by going to:
- Settings > About Phone > Tap Build Number 7 times to enable Developer Options.
- Go back to Settings > Developer Options > Enable USB Debugging.
4. Scan Your Device for Deleted Messages
- Launch the recovery tool and follow the on-screen instructions to begin scanning your device.
- Depending on the tool, you may have to select the specific types of data (such as SMS or contacts) that you want to recover.
5. Preview and Select Deleted Messages
- After scanning, the recovery tool will display a list of deleted and recoverable messages.
- Review the deleted messages, and select the ones you want to restore.
6. Recover and Save the Messages
- Click the Recover button to restore the messages.
- You may be given an option to save them to your computer or directly back to your Android device.
Tips for Success:
- Act Quickly: The sooner you attempt recovery after deletion, the better the chances of success, as new data can overwrite the deleted messages.
- Backup: Always back up important data regularly to avoid future losses.
- Rooting: Some tools might require your phone to be rooted for full access to recover deleted messages. Rooting your phone carries risks, so proceed with caution if necessary.
METHOD:5. Check Cloud Storage Services
If you use cloud storage apps like Google Drive or OneDrive, your messages might be included in a synced backup.
Google Drive (for Messages Backups):
- Open Google Drive on your Android device or visit the Google Drive website.
- Tap on the three-line menu icon (hamburger menu) in the top-left corner.
- Go to Backups.
- Here, you’ll find backups for your device, including SMS backup, if you’ve enabled Google Drive backups for your text messages.
- If you had a backup of your messages before they were deleted, you may be able to restore them by resetting your device and restoring from the backup during the setup process.
Google Photos (for Multimedia Messages):
- If you have multimedia messages like photos or videos that were shared via messaging apps (e.g., WhatsApp or SMS), check Google Photos.
- Open Google Photos and check for media files under the Library tab in Photos or Albums.
- If you use Google Photos, it might have backed up deleted images or videos from your conversations.
Third-Party Cloud Services (e.g., Dropbox, OneDrive):
- If you’ve used third-party apps like Dropbox or OneDrive to back up photos or documents, check the app’s website or mobile app for any uploaded files related to messages.
- These services typically don’t back up SMS, but media attached to messages might be stored.
App-Specific Cloud Backups:
- If you use a messaging app like WhatsApp, check if it is backing up your messages to its own cloud service (WhatsApp typically uses Google Drive).
- Open WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat Backup to check the last backup date.
- You can restore messages from a previous backup, but remember that restoring will overwrite current data.
Recover Using Android Data Recovery Tools:
- If messages are not in cloud backups, you might consider using an Android data recovery tool, such as Dr. Fone or EaseUS, which can scan your device or cloud backups to retrieve deleted messages.
By using these methods, you can check and restore deleted messages from cloud services, provided that you had enabled backups beforehand.
METHOD:6. Recover Messages via Android Data Recovery Apps
Many apps available on the Google Play Store offer message recovery. Popular options include:
Choose a Recovery App
Some popular Android data recovery apps are:
- Dr.Fone – Data Recovery (Android)
- EaseUS MobiSaver
- FoneLab for Android
- iMobie PhoneRescue
2. Install the App
- Download and install the chosen app from the official website or the Google Play Store (if available).
- Install it on your PC or laptop if it's a desktop-based app, or directly on your Android device if the app supports mobile recovery.
3. Enable USB Debugging
- On your Android device, go to Settings > About Phone > tap Build Number 7 times to unlock Developer Options.
- Then, go to Settings > Developer Options > enable USB Debugging.
4. Connect Device to PC
- Using a USB cable, connect your Android device to the computer. If using a mobile-based app, you will follow the on-screen prompts to scan your device.
- For desktop-based apps, allow USB debugging permission when prompted.
5. Scan for Deleted Messages
- Launch the data recovery app and select "Recover Lost Data" or similar option.
- Choose "Messages" or SMS as the data type you wish to recover.
- Start the scan to search for deleted messages. Some apps may offer both a deep scan and a quick scan, with the deep scan being more thorough.
6. Preview and Recover Deleted Messages
- After the scan completes, the app will display a list of deleted messages it was able to find.
- Preview the messages before recovering them to ensure the ones you want are present.
- Select the messages you wish to recover and click the Recover button.
7. Save Recovered Messages
- Save the recovered messages either back to your Android device or export them to your computer, depending on the app’s functionality.
8. Restore Backup (if applicable)
- Some apps also support restoring messages from a previously made backup (Google Drive, local backup, etc.).
Note: The success of recovery depends on how much time has passed since the messages were deleted, whether the data has been overwritten, and the quality of the app. If the messages were deleted a long time ago, recovery chances may decrease
Install the app and follow the on-screen instructions to recover your lost messages.
METHOD:7. Look for Archived Conversations in Messaging Apps
Apps like WhatsApp and Messenger allow users to archive chats. Here’s how you can find them:
Open the app.
Go to the Archived Chats section.
Restore the conversation by selecting it and moving it back to the main chat list.
METHOD:8. Use File Management Tools
Android phones often store message data in system files. A file manager app can help you locate these files:
Enable Developer Mode:
- Go to Settings > About phone.
- Tap Build number 7 times to enable Developer options.
- In Developer options, enable USB debugging.
Install ADB (Android Debug Bridge):
- Download and install ADB tools on your computer. You'll find these in the Android SDK platform tools package.
- Open Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac/Linux) on your computer.
- Connect your Android phone to your computer using a USB cable.
Use ADB to Access System Files:
- Open the terminal and type
adb devicesto check if your phone is recognised. - Use the following command to pull the deleted message data:
(ReplaceC:\path\to\save\with the location where you want to save the database file on your computer.)
- Open the terminal and type
Use SQLite Viewer:
- After extracting the database file (
mmssms.db), you can open it using an SQLite viewer to access the text messages stored in the database.
- After extracting the database file (
Data Recovery Apps:
- If the file extraction method does not work, you may need third-party data recovery apps like Dr.Fone, EaseUS MobiSaver, or DiskDigger to recover deleted SMS messages from your device.
Note on Rooting:
- In some cases, rooting the Android device may be required for deep recovery of deleted messages. However, rooting comes with risks, including voiding your warranty and potential data loss.
Ensure to back up your data regularly to avoid permanent loss of important information in the future.
METHOD: 9. Restore Messages Using Samsung Smart Switch
For Samsung users, the Smart Switch app allows you to back up and restore data, including messages:
Connect your Samsung device to a PC or another phone.
Open the Smart Switch app.
Select Restore and choose messages from the backup.
METHOD:10. Consult Professional Data Recovery Services
If all else fails, professional data recovery services can help. These experts use advanced tools to retrieve data from your device.
Search for reputable recovery services in your area.
Ensure they specialise in Android data recovery.
Be prepared for service fees, which can vary depending on the complexity of the recovery.
Here’s an FAQ for the topic of recovering deleted texts on Android devices:
1. Can I find deleted texts on Android?
Yes, it is possible to recover deleted texts on Android devices using data recovery apps or by restoring from a backup if available.
2. Can text messages be deleted on Android?
Yes, text messages can be deleted on Android devices either manually by the user or automatically through settings (like clearing conversations after a certain period).
3. How to recover deleted chats?
You can recover deleted chats by using third-party data recovery tools or by restoring from a cloud backup (Google Drive or other services). If you've backed up your chats, the restore process will bring back your deleted messages.
4. Can I recover deleted messages?
Yes, if you have a backup available (such as Google Drive), or use third-party software, you may be able to recover deleted messages on your Android device.
5. Where can I find deleted chat messages?
Deleted chat messages may be stored in your phone’s backup, or recovery tools might be able to scan hidden files or system logs to retrieve them.
6. Can permanently deleted chats be recovered?
Permanently deleted chats are harder to recover, but they may still be accessible if they haven't been overwritten by new data. Specialized data recovery tools might help in such cases.
7. Is there a way to recover deleted messages on Messenger?
You can recover deleted messages on Facebook Messenger through Facebook’s archive feature if the messages were archived instead of deleted. Otherwise, if they were permanently deleted, they may not be recoverable.
8. How to recover permanently deleted text messages on Samsung?
Samsung users can use Samsung’s cloud backup or third-party recovery tools to attempt to retrieve permanently deleted messages. In some cases, a professional recovery service may be necessary.
9. Where is the recycle bin on Android?
Android devices do not have a universal "recycle bin" for all types of deleted files, but certain apps (like Google Photos or Files) have a trash or recycle bin where deleted files are temporarily stored.
10. Does Google save deleted text messages?
Google does not store deleted text messages unless they were backed up to Google Drive before being deleted. If you have backed up your messages, they can be restored from the backup.
11. How to see deleted messages on WhatsApp?
You can view deleted WhatsApp messages by restoring an old backup of the app from Google Drive or iCloud (depending on your device). Some third-party apps also claim to retrieve deleted WhatsApp messages, but use them cautiously.
Final Tips
Act Quickly: The sooner you attempt to recover deleted messages, the higher the chances of success.
Enable Backups: To avoid future issues, enable automatic backups for your messages using Google Backup or third-party apps.
Avoid Overwriting Data: Minimize phone usage after deleting messages to prevent overwriting the lost data.
By following these methods, you can effectively retrieve deleted messages on your Android device. Always prioritise preventive measures, like regular backups, to ensure your important data is safe.
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