Forum Discussion

Keithyes's avatar
Keithyes
Copper Contributor
Feb 24, 2026

How to see deleted messages on iphone from months ago?

Hi everyone,

Trying to recover deleted messages on an iPhone from a few months ago. The messages were removed a while back, so they are not in the “Recently Deleted” section anymore. Not sure if there is any way to see deleted messages on iphone without losing current data on the device.

The phone uses the latest iOS version and iCloud backup may have been enabled, but not certain if a backup from that time exists. Is there any safe method to check old iCloud or iTunes backups and extract only the messages? Any advice or recommended tools would be appreciated.

8 Replies

  • Asainna's avatar
    Asainna
    Bronze Contributor

    If you had an iTunes or icloud backup,  it is easy to recover and see deleted messages on iphone from months ago.

  • Issacoin's avatar
    Issacoin
    Copper Contributor

    The simplest free method to effectively see deleted messages on iPhone is asking the original sender to forward or screenshot the messages again.

    If you are unable to free see deleted messages on iPhone, a practical and straightforward approach is to ask the sender to resend the messages. This is often the simplest solution when recovery options are limited or unavailable.

    In situations where you can't see deleted messages on iPhone, requesting the sender to resend ensures you get the information you need without complicated recovery attempts.

    Why asking the sender to resend can be effective:

    It guarantees you receive the message content directly.

    It avoids the technical and legal complications of trying to recover deleted data.

    It is a quick and free solution that works in most cases.

    Since you cannot free see deleted messages on iPhone once they are gone, the most reliable method is to ask the sender to resend the message. This way, you ensure you get the message content without risking privacy violations or dealing with technical limitations.

  • Celesteebo's avatar
    Celesteebo
    Copper Contributor

    Can you see deleted messages on iPhone's Messages app for free?

    In most cases, no. When messages are deleted, they are removed from the phone's storage and are not recoverable through the Messages app itself unless they are still cached temporarily or stored elsewhere.

    This is the only built-in free method to see deleted messages on iPhone:

    1. Open the Messages app
    2. Tap "Edit" in the top-left corner
    3. Select "Show Recently Deleted"
    4. Messages deleted within the last 30-40 days may appear here
    5. Select messages you want to recover

     

    Why is this?

    • iOS encrypts messages, and once deleted, they are typically overwritten quickly.
    • The Messages app does not store a history of deleted messages.
    • No free built-in feature allows viewing messages that have been deleted from the device.

     

    Are there any exceptions?

    • Recent messages or cached data:
    • If you haven't used your device much after deleting messages, sometimes a very recent data cache might still display some info, but this is unreliable and typically only shows what's currently stored.

     

    Using the Messages app alone, for free, there is no way to see deleted messages on iPhone after they are gone. The best prevention is to regularly back up your device or use messaging apps that support message history or archiving.

  • Pherick's avatar
    Pherick
    Copper Contributor

    To see deleted messages on iPhone. If you have used other backup solutions (like third-party cloud services, or local backups outside iTunes), those might contain the messages. Some reputable data recovery tools claim to scan iPhones directly for deleted data, including messages, without needing a prior backup.

    1. How they work:

    Connect your iPhone to a computer.

    Use the software to scan the device directly for deleted messages.

    Preview recoverable data, including old messages, if available.

     

    2. Important notes:

    Success is not guaranteed, especially if the data has been overwritten.

    These tools can be paid, but often offer free previews.

    Use reputable software from trusted developers to avoid security risks.

     

    3. Precautions Before Proceeding

    Backup current data: Before trying recovery tools, make a current backup of your device to prevent any accidental data loss.

    Stop using the device: To maximize chances of recovery, avoid adding new data that might overwrite the deleted messages.

     

    4. Limitations

    About how to see deleted messages on iPhone? If the messages have been overwritten or the device has been actively used after deletion, recovery chances diminish.

    Without a prior backup, recovery relies on the data still residing in the device's storage, which isn't guaranteed.

  • Obaileyy's avatar
    Obaileyy
    Copper Contributor

    Recovering text messages from months ago using an iTunes backup is possible, but it requires restoring your iPhone to a previous state, which will replace all current data on your device with the data from that older backup. This method is most effective if you have a backup from before the messages were deleted and haven't overwritten it with a newer backup since then.

    Before trying this out, you should see the pros and cons of seeing deleted messages on iphone from months ago with the help of iTunes backup.

    Pros

    Official and Secure: Using an iTunes backup is Apple's official method, ensuring the data you recover hasn't been tampered with or intercepted by third-party servers.

    Recovers Original Data: If the messages are in the backup, this method retrieves the original text threads, including metadata like timestamps and sender information, in their native format.

    No Internet Required: Since the backup is stored locally on your computer, you don't need an internet connection to access or restore the data.

    Potential for Complete Recovery: If you have a backup from the specific date before the messages were deleted, there is a high chance of recovering all of them at once.

    Cons

    Irreversible Data Loss: The standard restore process erases all current data on your iPhone and replaces it with the old backup. Any photos, messages, or app data created or received after the backup date will be permanently lost unless you have a more recent separate backup.

    Backup Overwrites: You must have a backup file from the specific time period you need. If you have backed up your phone regularly since then, the older backup containing the deleted messages may have been overwritten and is gone forever .

    Complexity and Time: The process is not instant. Performing a full restore can take an hour or more, and restoring a backup just to view a few old messages is a significant disruption.

  • EmmettBrooks's avatar
    EmmettBrooks
    Iron Contributor

    CopyTrans is a tool that enables you to see deleted messages on iPhone from old iTunes backups without needing to restore the device. It allows direct browsing and extraction of messages from local backups, enabling you to safely review historical data without affecting your current iPhone content.

    Method of use: Install the software on a Windows computer and load the iTunes backup file created before the messages were deleted. It reads the backup file directly, supporting message previews and export to PDF, Excel, or text formats. This method is safe and reliable, making no changes to your iPhone data or overwriting any content.

    It is suitable for recovering old messages no longer in the Recently Deleted folder, migrating message history to a new device, or extracting important conversation archives. As the core viewing functionality is entirely free, no additional software or paid subscriptions are required to see deleted messages on iPhone.

  • FinneasHayes's avatar
    FinneasHayes
    Iron Contributor

    Finder is the official Mac tool to manage iPhone backups. You can use old Finder backups to see deleted messages on iPhone without using iCloud.

    1. Connect your iPhone to your Mac using a USB cable

    2. Open Finder and select your iPhone from the left-hand sidebar

    3. Navigate to the General tab → Click Manage Backups

    4. Review the list of backups and their dates

    5. Select the backup created before the messages were deleted

    6. Use a third-party backup viewer to open the backup file and view the deleted messages on your iPhone

    As long as you have a valid old local backup, Finder is a stable way to see deleted messages on iPhone safely and privately.

  • JettStone's avatar
    JettStone
    Iron Contributor

    Check iCloud Backups is a reliable way to see deleted messages on iPhone without restoring or losing current data.

    How to see deleted messages on iphone

    Step 1: On your iPhone: Go to Settings → [Your Name] → Software → Software Backup

    Check the date of your last backup

    Step 2: On your computer: Go to the software website → Settings → Restore Files

    Step 3: Check whether Messages is in the backup list

    Step 4: Use a backup viewer to preview old messages

    Pros:

    • No need to erase iPhone
    • Official and safe
    • Works for old deleted messages

    Cons:

    • Only works if a backup exists
    • Unable to preview directly within the software

    • Needs a third‑party tool to view