How to Recover Messages on Messenger on iPhone and Android

Clara Prescott Published on January 23, 2026Recover Data3-min reading

When messages vanish without warning, it often happens due to sync issues, deleted threads, app bugs, or old backups. Many users deal with this problem when they understand how to recover deleted messages on Messenger. The good news is that your chats may still sit in places that are easy to check. You can look in hidden folders, archived threads, cached data, or cloud backups. Some files can return with a quick download or a professional recovery tool. This guide explains each method in a simple order so you can find what you need and restore your conversations with ease.

In this article:

Solution 1. Check Archived Messages
Solution 2. Download Facebook Data
Solution 3. Check Android Messenger Cache
Solution 4. Recover Messages with a Pro Tool
Solution 5. Ask the Recipient
Solution 6. Restore iCloud Backup
Solution 7. Restore Google Drive Backup

Solution 1. Check Archived Messages

Many users ask Can you recover deleted messages on Messenger? and the archive feature is often the first place to check. The archive in Messenger does not erase your chat right away. Instead, it moves the thread into a hidden folder that stays synced across all devices. Keep in mind that archived chats may auto-delete after thirty days, so it helps to check this area early.

Step 1

Open the Messenger app.

Step 2

Open your profile icon in the top corner.

Step 3

Tap Archived to see if the missing chat is stored there. If it appears, tap and hold the thread.

Step 4

Choose Unarchive to move it back to your main inbox.

Solution 2. Download Facebook Data

If you want a method that goes deeper than a simple app check, the Facebook Data Download tool is a strong way to learn how to recover messages on Messenger. Facebook keeps large account backups for safety, and these files often include chats you thought were gone. These backups may still hold old messages, photos, videos, and call logs if the removal happened recently.

Step 1

Open the Facebook app or open the site in a browser.

Step 2

Go to the menu, then Settings and Privacy, then Settings.

Step 3

Scroll to the section called Your Information and choose Download Your Information.

Step 4

Select only Messages so the file is easier to access.

Step 5

Pick a date range, choose HTML format, set media quality, and submit your request.

When the file is prepared, download and unzip it. Open the index.html file to view your past conversations. If the server still holds your data, your deleted chats will appear inside the backup.

Solution 3. Check Android Messenger Cache

One way to recover deleted Messenger messages on Android is by digging into your app's cache. Android devices often store temporary data that can hide messages you thought were lost. With the right steps, you can access these files and bring back old conversations.

Step 1

Install a reliable file manager from the Google Play Store. Look at ratings and reviews to make sure it is safe.

Step 2

Open the app and go to Main Storage.

Step 3

Find the Android folder, then open Data.

Step 4

Tap the folder called com.facebook.orca.

Step 5

Open Cache, then fb_tempv. Here, you may find the deleted chats ready to recover.

Solution 4. Recover Messages with a Pro Tool

Multiple users wonder how to recover deleted messages from Facebook Messenger when chats disappear unexpectedly. imyPass iPhone Data Recovery is designed to help users retrieve deleted messages quickly and safely. It can scan your iPhone for Messenger data, even if the conversation was accidentally deleted, lost during a device update, or erased from backups.

Step 1

First, you need to download the iOS recovery software on your Windows or Mac by ticking the download button we have here. Follow the installation and setup instructions, then launch it.

Free Download Free Download

Step 2

Open the Recover from iOS Devices, connect the iOS device, and click Start Scan to allow the app to do a deep scan on your device.

Step 3

Go to Messages and Contacts, then find the Facebook Messenger message that you want to retrieve that has been deleted.

Step 4

Once you have picked the messages, click the Recover button to start exporting them to your PC or Mac. Moreover, you can also use these steps to recover deleted messages on an iPhone.

Solution 5. Ask the Recipient

Sometimes the simplest solution is the most effective. If you require to recover deleted Messenger messages on your iPhone, consider asking the person on the other end of the conversation. They may still have the chat in their Messenger app and can screenshot or forward the messages back to you. This approach is quick, requires no tools, and works even when the messages are gone from your device or backups. It is often the easiest way to retrieve important details without any technical steps.

Solution 6. Restore iCloud Backup

Restoring an iCloud backup is an effective way to recover deleted messages on Messenger, especially if your iPhone regularly saves data to iCloud. This method can bring back lost chats along with other app information, but it requires caution since it replaces current data with the older backup.

Step 1

Open Settings on your iPhone, then go to General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.

Step 2

Tap Erase All Content and Settings to create a fresh start.

Step 3

After the device restarts, select Restore from iCloud Backup.

Step 4

Pick the backup that contains the deleted messages you want to recover. With this process, you can also recover deleted Facebook photos on an iPhone that were captured on your device and later posted to Facebook, along with other app data.

Solution 7. Restore Google Drive Backup

If you desire to recover deleted Messenger messages, restoring a backup from Google Drive is a reliable option for Android users. This works if you previously enabled backup for Messenger or Facebook in your Google account. Keep in mind that restoring from a backup may overwrite recent data, so proceed carefully.

Step 1

On a desktop browser, go to https://drive.google.com and log in to your Google account.

Step 2

Tick the gear icon in the top right corner, then select Settings.

Step 3

Go to the Manage Apps section.

Step 4

Look for Messenger or Facebook to see if a backup exists.

Step 5

If a backup is available, download the file or reinstall Messenger on your Android device and restore during setup.

Conclusion

Losing messages can be frustrating, but you can recover deleted Messenger messages on iPhone in several ways. You can check archived chats, use a recovery tool, restore an iCloud backup, or ask the person you were chatting with. Each method works best in different situations. By following the steps in this guide, you can bring back your lost conversations quickly and safely. This makes it easier to get important messages back without stress.

Clara Prescott

Clara is an editor from imyPass. She specializes in data recovery. You can find professional tutorials and solutions for recovering lost data from any device. Many users reported that his tutorial is easy and useful.