Once deleted, can text messages be retrieved? (2024)

FAQs

Once deleted, can text messages be retrieved? ›

Even when you 'permanently' clear messages, you're simply getting the phone to stop listing it in the deleted items folder. You can't recover such texts on the phone itself, but there are plenty of commercially available software packages you can buy that allow your PC to read data directly from a SIM card.

Retrieve deleted texts by contacting your carrier

It may be possible to get your lost texts back by contacting your phone provider. Fair warning though – this is rarely an easy option. Not all phone providers store your messages; even if they do, you could be left waiting days for a response.

Deleted messages and attachments remain in your Recently Deleted folder for up to 30 days, and you can recover them.

Download and install a Android data recovery software on your computer and connect your Android phone to the computer using a USB cable. Then follow the software's instructions to scan your phone's internal storage or SD card for deleted messages and recover them.

In the United States, there is no set time limit for how far back text messages can be subpoenaed from phone companies or iPhones by the FBI. The government can subpoena past records going back as far as they exist. Most phone companies keep records for 1-2 years.

The only possible way to recover lost or deleted text messages by hiring a forensic investigator to inspect the phone. This can be very costly, but it is worth it if important information is obtained. These experts also help lay the necessary foundation for court admissibility at a hearing or trial.

How to Retrieve Deleted Text Messages. On Android, go into the Google Drive associated with the phone and look for deleted texts in the backup folder. On iPhone, see if a backup exists in the phone's iCloud account, then restore the phone to read old texts. Keep in mind, this may be illegal depending on where you live.

Generally, deleted texts stay on the device's storage until new data overwrites them. Some phones have a recycle bin feature that stores deleted messages for a certain period, while others don't. However, it's always best to act when trying to recover deleted messages to increase your chances of success.

Checking notification history

Some smartphones keep a notification history that records all notifications, including messages. Check your notification history to see if you can find deleted message notifications. This can be a more reliable method to confirm if messages have been deleted.

Probably not—although there are exceptions. Most cell phone carriers don't permanently save the enormous amount of text-message data that is sent between users every day. AT&T Wireless, for example, says it keeps sent text messages for 48 hours only—after that, they are wiped off the system.

Do phone companies keep text messages? ›

Your provider or "carrier" keeps records of your cell phone use, including calls and text messages, and even pictures sent from your phone. Almost all cell phone carriers give detailed information about a phone's use in billing statements sent to the owner.

Law enforcement may use specialized forensic tools to recover deleted texts from your phone. These tools can sometimes recover data that's been overwritten, but it's not always guaranteed.

In most cases, you can't unsend a text message you've already sent on your Android.