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ContactGuide on How to Recover Deleted iMessages & Create a Backup File
Penny Warren Published on June 04, 2025Recover Data3-min reading
We all had that moment when you scroll through your iMessages, clearing out old chats, and then it happens. You delete a message thread, only to realize a few minutes later that it had something important. Maybe it was a photo from a special day, a key detail from a conversation, or a message you were not ready to lose.
The panic is real, but you know what the good news is? You are not alone facing this issue; because of that, there are ways to regain that lost data. This guide will walk you through how to recover deleted iMessages so you can breathe easily again.
In this article:
Part 1: Can Deleted iMessages Be Recovered
Yes, it is doable to recover deleted iMessages, but how you do it and whether it works depends on your situation. Apple devices offer several built-in recovery options that can help bring back lost messages, especially if you act quickly. You can do it by following the guide here:
Go to the Messages app on your iOS.
You can either tap Filter and Recently Deleted to find the deleted message or tap Edit and choose Show Recently Deleted.
Find and select all the messages you want to recover and click Recover Messages. Then, you can recover the deleted messages from the built-in function of iMessage without the assistance of any third-party options.
If you regularly create backups, the chance of restoring your iPhone file from iCloud or through your computer via iTunes or Finder is higher since you might have backed it up before messages were erased on your device. When iCloud messaging is not enabled, iMessages might appear on other synced Apple devices, including Macs and iPads.
Some third-party tools might find bits of your deleted messages on your phone if you have not made a recent backup. These tools cannot help in all cases, but can work when no other solution exists. Understanding which method fits your situation is the first step to recovering what you lost.
Part 2: How to Recover Deleted iMessages [100% Success]
Losing important messages can feel frustrating, especially when you never backed them up. But not all hope is lost. If you are wondering how to recover iMessages without a backup, there is a smarter way that does not involve digging through settings or resetting your phone.
imyPass iPhone Data Recovery scans your iPhone deeply with just one click to find deleted iMessages. It shows all the messages you can recover and lets you preview them first. You choose which ones to save, so you only get back what you want without changing anything else on your phone. It is a quick and easy way to recover lost messages, even if you never made a backup.
First, you must download the software on your PC by clicking the button here. Then, follow the instructions for the installation process of this tool request, do the quick setup, and proceed to the next step.
Go to Recover from this iOS, connect your device, and click Start Scan once the connection is established. Wait for a few seconds as the app starts scanning all the data that can be recovered.
All data types will appear on the new interface, which you will see on your screen. You can go to the messages or attachments to see the recoverable iMessages info you want. Tick every box of the files and click the Recover button to proceed.
Click the Output Folder to set the target location where you want to find all the data you select to be recovered, and press Open. Then, click the Recover button again and wait several minutes as the app starts exporting all the messages and files you chose earlier to your PC.
Now that the file is exported, you have a digital copy of the contents from your connected iOS device to your PC. Ensure that they are kept safe, and with that, you can restore data from your iPhone without iTunes help and even create a backup file.
Part 3: Recover Deleted iMessages via iOS Syncing
How do I recover my iMessages? One easy method is to refresh iOS syncing. Sometimes, deleted iMessages might still be saved on your other Apple devices but have not synced properly. Turning Messages syncing off and then back on can force your devices to resync and may restore those missing messages.
Go to the Settings app of your iPhone and find the Messages.
Inside it, you can see the iCloud Messages, sometimes called Messages in iCloud. Turn the switch off and turn it back on after a few minutes. With this process, you have refreshed the syncing across your device, which might help bring back the deleted iMessage content stored on the iCloud or other devices.
With this process, you have refreshed the syncing across your device, which might bring back conversations that were simply out of sync. However, if the messages still do not appear, they may not be stored on any synced device. In that case, you will need a deeper method. Keep reading to learn how to recover old iMessages using iCloud backups or third-party recovery tools.
Part 4: Recover Deleted iMessages from iCloud Backup
How to recover my iMessages? Checking my iCloud account can be a helpful next step. iCloud is a cloud-based storage system from Apple that automatically backs up your data, including messages, when enabled. If your iMessages were backed up before being deleted, you can get them back by checking iCloud Drive.
Open your browser, go to iCloud.com, and log in to your Apple account connected to the iPhone from which you want to recover the deleted messages. Here, click the iCloud Drive button.
To find the file you want to recover, click the search bar and type in files related to iMessages. If you find a backup or message file, download it to your computer.
After that, you can also import that file to your Messages app on iOS.
This method lets you retrieve your messages if they were saved to iCloud Drive before being deleted. However, iCloud does not always store iMessages in a visible or easily accessible format. Can you recover deleted iMessages using this method every time? Not always. Do not worry if you cannot boot up with Safe Mode; you have more powerful recovery methods to consider.
Part 5: Recover Deleted iMessages from iTunes Backup
Lastly, to recover iMessages, use an iTunes backup. iTunes is a desktop tool that allows you to back up your iPhone or iPad to your computer. If your device was synced and backed up before the messages were deleted, you could restore them from that saved backup. This method works well if you regularly back up your data using iTunes and want to bring your messages back without needing an internet connection.
Open the iTunes app on your PC and connect your device using the charging cable. Once it is detected, click the device icon that appears.
Next, tick the Restore Backup and choose the backup you want to restore, which will most likely contain the deleted iMessages you want to restore.
Finally, click the Restore button to keep your device connected and stay still so there will be no interruption during the process.
But if you do not have a backup or do not want to erase your current data, is there a way to recover deleted iMessages without all that hassle? Yes, using a tool like imyPass lets you scan your device and bring back only the messages you need, no backup required.
Conclusion
You can recover deleted iMessages from iCloud if backed up before deletion, you can recover them from iCloud. If that does not work, try restoring from an iTunes backup or refreshing your iOS syncing settings. These methods often help bring back lost messages, but may not always succeed. If you still can not find your messages, a tool like imyPass iPhone Data Recovery is a good choice. It deeply scans your device and lets you safely recover deleted iMessages without needing a backup or erasing current data.
Penny Warren, a senior editor from imyPass, is specialized in MS Office software. You can find professional tutorials and solutions of MS Office software from her posts.
