How to find deleted messages on iPhone

iOS 16 offending message
(Image credit: Apple)

"How to find deleted messages on iPhone" is a query that is blowing up among iOS users seeking to retrieve trashed texts. If you're in the same bandwagon, you're in luck! As it turns out, iOS 16 lets you recover deleted messages in just a few taps. It's a handy tool to have when you decide a message is worth sending after all, and the Recently Deleted menu can be found right in the Message app.

If you're wondering how to edit texts on iPhone and how to unsend messages on iPhone, we've got you covered. However, if you're looking to recover these messages, read on. 

How to find deleted messages on iPhone

Take note that recently deleted messages will be automatically deleted after 30 days. However, the Messages app will show you how many days before it's permanently deleted. Follow the steps below to find the deleted messages on your iPhone:

How to find deleted messages on iPhone (Image credit: Future)

1. First, to delete a message on your iPhone, tap on the conversation you wish to delete a message from.

2. Long-press the text you want to delete, tap More, and press the bin icon.

3. Once deleted, a message will pop up stating, "Deleted messages are moved to Recently Deleted." Press OK.

4. Navigate back to the Messages home screen and tap Edit.

5. Select Show Recently Deleted.

6. Choose the message you want to recover and tap Recover.

7. A menu will pop up. Tap Recover Message and the message will return to the conversation.

How to find deleted messages on iPhone (Image credit: Future)

There you have it. If you plan on recovering all the messages you deleted in different conversations, you can also select Recover All to quickly get them back in the conversation.

There are plenty of great features iOS 16 offers, including using a special wallpaper feature to make your iPhone's display pop, turning on haptic feedback when typing on your iPhone, and getting your iPhone's Lock Screen to surprise you with random photos every hour

Darragh Murphy
Editor

Darragh Murphy is fascinated by all things bizarre, which usually leads to assorted coverage varying from washing machines designed for AirPods to the mischievous world of cyberattacks. Whether it's connecting Scar from The Lion King to two-factor authentication or turning his love for gadgets into a fabricated rap battle from 8 Mile, he believes there’s always a quirky spin to be made. With a Master’s degree in Magazine Journalism from The University of Sheffield, along with short stints at Kerrang! and Exposed Magazine, Darragh started his career writing about the tech industry at Time Out Dubai and ShortList Dubai, covering everything from the latest iPhone models and Huawei laptops to massive Esports events in the Middle East. Now, he can be found proudly diving into gaming, gadgets, and letting readers know the joys of docking stations for Laptop Mag.