5 Ways to Retrieve Deleted Text Messages on Android

Method 1: Check the Archive and Spam Folder

It’s easy to archive a text message on the Google Messages app accidentally. If that’s what you’ve done instead of deleting the message, it can be extremely helpful in recovering the said text. All you need to do is open the archive folder and unarchive it to return it to the main messages window. Here’s how.

Step 1: Open the Google Messages app. Tap on the profile icon and tap on Archived.

Certain messages with senders that have been classified as spam can be automatically sorted in the Spam folder. You can also check it to see if the message is there. Here’s how to do so.

Step 1: From the main Messages app page, tap on your profile icon. Tap on Spam and blocked.

Scroll through the currently blocked messages and tap on the relevant one if you find it.

Method 2: Using Google Backups

You can also use a previous Google Drive backup to restore deleted SMS in the Google Messages app. To do this, you must first reset your Android device and restore all the data from the Google Drive backup. Ensure to do it as soon as possible. Here’s how:

Note: This method will only work if you have previously enabled Google Drive backup for Messages on your Android device.

Step 1: Open Settings and tap on General management. Tap on Reset.

Step 2: Tap on Factory data reset. Then, tap on Reset.

If prompted, enter your device password to finish the process. Wait for your Android phone to finish resetting. Once done, set up your phone and sign in to the relevant Google account. Then, follow the below steps to restore the messages.

Step 1: Open Settings and tap on Accounts and backup. Tap on Restore data.

Step 2: Tap on the relevant device and ensure Messages is selected. Tap on Restore.

Now, open the Messages app and see if this has recovered the deleted SMS on your Android device.

Method 3: Using Recycle Bin in Samsung Messages

Samsung devices come loaded with its proprietary Samsung Messages app for sending and receiving texts. In this case, use the recycle bin to recover any accidentally deleted text or text thread. Please note this option is only available if you have deleted the text within the last 30 days. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Open the Samsung Messages app and tap the three-dot icon. Tap on Recycle bin.

Scroll through the recently deleted messages and tap on the relevant one. You can restore this message or screenshot it for safekeeping. You can also copy-paste the message to another messaging app, like WhatsApp, and use the WhatsApp search feature to find the message in the chat later on.

Method 4: Via a Connected App (Phone Link)

If your Android phone is connected to the Phone Link app, chances are the deleted text message is still visible there. So, open the app and locate it. Do it at the earliest as the text message will be removed once the Phone Link app syncs the latest data from your mobile device. Here’s how.

Step 1: Open the Phone Link app and select Messages. Click on the relevant text.

Take a photo of the screen using your Android phone or use the screenshot function on your Windows 11 laptop to save a copy of the message before it is deleted.

Also Read: How to fix Phone Link app not working on Windows 11

5. Contact Your Carrier

Most carriers usually maintain a history of the texts you send via their carrier, especially if you’re using their proprietary message sync apps. Hence, you can access the app via a mobile or desktop to see any recently deleted messages.

Alternatively, you can also contact the original sender, explain the situation to them, and ask them to send the text again.

FAQs

1. Can you use third-party apps to recover deleted text messages on Android?

Certain third-party text message recovery programs and apps claim to restore previously deleted texts. However, to do this, they require access to your texts, contacts, and other device information. This can be risky, especially if sensitive information is stored on your Android device. So, we advise against using such apps.

2. Can you recover old text messages on your Android device without backup?

In most cases, it is nearly impossible to get back previously deleted messages without any backup. If the messaging app you’re using has a recycle bin, it might hold the deleted texts for up to 30 days before deleting them forever. Otherwise, directly asking the other person would be your best option to recover that deleted text message.

3. Can I see the SMS backup on Google Drive?

Open Google Drive on any web browser and, from the side menu, tap on Storage. Here, tap on Backups. If you have previously backed up any messages, they should be visible here. However, you can’t view the messages on Drive. You must restore the backup on a smartphone to view them.

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