Introduction
It is frustrating when important text messages on your iPhone are accidentally deleted. If you don’t have an iCloud backup, you might think that your messages are gone forever. However, there are many ways to recover deleted messages without using iCloud. In this article, we will provide possible solutions to recover deleted messages on your iPhone.
Dig into iPhone’s database
iPhone’s database contains all the information stored on your iPhone, including messages. iMazing is a third-party tool that can help extract messages from iTunes backups or iPhone database. Here’s how to use it:
- Download and install iMazing on your computer.
- Connect your iPhone to the computer via USB cable.
- Open iMazing and select your device from the list.
- Click on “Messages” and select “Print” from the drop-down menu to create a PDF file.
Use third-party data recovery software
Data recovery software allows users to recover deleted messages from their iPhones. Some reputable options include Dr Fone, PhoneRescue, and EaseUS MobiSaver. However, there are both advantages and disadvantages of using third-party software. Advantages include easy-to-use interface and high success rate. Disadvantages include potential security risks and cost. It is also important to note that not all data recovery software works with every iPhone model and iOS version.
Use iTunes
If you connect your iPhone to iTunes and perform a backup, you can recover deleted messages from that backup. Here’s how to do it:
- Open iTunes on your computer and connect your iPhone.
- Select your device when it appears in iTunes.
- Click on “Restore Backup.”
- Select the backup that you want to restore and click “Restore.”
However, this method has limitations as the backup may be overwritten by new data. Additionally, this process may take some time.
Ask the sender again for the message
Another simple solution to recover a deleted message is to try contacting the sender and asking them to resend the message. This method might be helpful when the sender is a friend or colleague, but it might not be possible when the message is from a business or service. Furthermore, it may not be a viable solution if the message contained sensitive information.
Check message archives on other devices
If your iPhone is connected to other devices with the same Apple ID, you can check those message archives. Here’s how:
- Open the Messages app on your other device.
- Select “Settings” and then “Messages.”
- Select “Text Message Forwarding” and enable it for your iPhone.
- Enter the code on your iPhone to verify it.
- Select “Allow” when prompted.
- Your messages should sync to other devices.
Check iPhone System Log
The iPhone’s system log contains a record of all actions on the device including deleted messages. However, it is not easy to access and requires some technical know-how. Here’s how to do it:
- Connect your iPhone to the computer via USB cable.
- Open Xcode on your computer and select “Window” and then “Devices.”
- Your iPhone should appear in the list of devices. Select it.
- Select “View Device Logs.”
- Scroll through the logs to find deleted messages.
Reach out to Apple support
If all else fails, it may be worth reaching out to Apple support for help. The support website and hotline offer many options for troubleshooting and restoring your iPhone. For example, Apple’s Authorized Service Providers can provide data recovery services for hard drive failure and other damages.
Conclusion
Although there is no guarantee that you can recover deleted messages, there are many possible solutions besides iCloud backup. It is essential to regularly backup your data and take preventative measures to avoid accidents.
Tips for how to avoid losing messages in the future:
- Enable iCloud backup for your iPhone regularly to ensure messages are backed up in case of accidental deletion.
- Avoid jailbreaking your iPhone, which increases the risk of data loss.
- Avoid deleting messages unless necessary.