How to Recover Deleted Text Messages on Android: What Actually Works

If you want to know how to get your deleted text messages back, since Android is a custom phone system, there is no single way that will work on every phone. Whether your messages can be restored would largely depend on the messaging app on your phone, the phone brand, and, more importantly, whether you have backed up your messages. I will first give you details and methods on how to recover deleted SMS on Android, starting with Android's built-in features and message recovery methods, like from a backup, followed by recovery software and other workarounds.

Recover Deleted Sms On Android

Part 1. First, Check Built-in Recovery Options

Samsung Messages Trash Bin

If you are using the Samsung Messages app, take a look in the Trash first before going for other options. Messages that have been removed from the app can be found there for a period of 30 days, which is a fast way to bring them back.


How to Recover Deleted SMS from Android Using Samsung Messages

Passo 1.
Open up your Samsung Galaxy phone's Messages app.
Passo 2.
Tap the three-dot menu and tap Lixeira.
Tap Recycle Bin
Passo 3.
Look for the conversation or message you'd like to get back. Tap and hold, then tap Restore. If you want to recover everything in the Trash, you may also select Restaurar tudo tocando Todas as.
Toque no botão Restaurar
Passo 4.
Return to your Conversations list and verify that the messages have been restored.

Note that this feature can only be used when the message is still in the Trash. After a 30-day period, it will be permanently deleted from there. In addition, the options you have available will largely depend on the Galaxy model that you are using and your software version.

Restore from a Google Drive Backup

If you have backups of your Android phone from before you lost your messages that were deleted, you might get those texts back from the Google Account backup. Google backs up SMS and MMS from Android devices but restores them most often when the phone is set up, after a replacement purchase, or after a factory reset.


How to Get Back Deleted Text Messages on Android Phone Using Google Backup

Passo 1.
Check if a backup exists: Open Configurações > Google > Backup, then check Backup details if your messages are backed up. Create or modify whatever files you definitely want to save before you factory reset your phone.
Passo 2.
When you restore the backup to the same device, a factory reset is required. The phone is already set up, so it's usually not possible to do a manual restore from a full Google backup.
Passo 3.
In setup, select Other device data or the option to restore from a previous backup. Use the same Google Account that was used for the original backup to log in.
Passo 4.
Torneira Backup agora, then watch as it completes the backup of your deleted messages.
Restore From Google One Backup

Importante: Restoration is only possible from those messages included in the backup. Any texts that have been sent or received after the last backup probably won't be recovered. Your new/reset Android phone must run at least the same or a newer Android version than the one used to create the Backup de SMS.

Carrier-Specific Message Backup Apps

Large telecommunication operators originally used to have message backup services for their subscribers, for example, AT&T Messages Backup & Sync (AT&TTMB) and Verizon Messages (Message+). But both services were discontinued in 2024, and that means they are no longer suitable options for bringing back deleted messages.

Now, the only thing you can do is use SMS Backup & Restore, a standalone Android app for archiving SMS/MMS messages either on device storage or to the cloud, for example, Google Drive. When searching for retrieving deleted text messages on an Android phone, this app offers an option, as long as your messages were previously backed up.

Passo 1.
Dive into SMS Backup & Restore and press the CONFIGURAR UM BACKUP option. Locate the backup that is available, such as your LOCAL BACKUP LOCATION.
Passo 2.
Sob o restaurar Cópia section, Toggle on Mensagens. Follow the steps on the screen to complete the restoration of your messages.
Passo 3.
Head over to your text messaging app now. The restored texts must be checked and located within the messaging app you used.
Use Sms Backup And Restore Carrier App

Without a backup, SMS Backup & Restore is unable to search for messages that have already been erased. Only messages stored in a previous backup are restored.

Part 2. Recover Deleted Texts Without Backup Using Aiseesoft FoneLab for Android

Without a backup to restore from, Recuperação de dados Android Aiseesoft FoneLab offers you a second option. It allows recovery of deleted data stored directly on an Android device, including messages, so you can first preview the scan results before making a final decision to restore the lost items.

Data Recovery Android

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Recuperação de dados do Aiseesoft Android

  • Find texts that you can recover and other useful information. Check messages and other recoverable items that are currently available.
  • Select the particular texts and files that you want to retrieve.
  • Scan the device for potentially recoverable data.
  • If there were changes, there is no need to rely on a backup copy anymore.
  • We also recover files attached to SMS and MMS messages. For example, pictures or other types of multimedia content.
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How to Recover Deleted SMS on Android with Aiseesoft FoneLab Android Data Recovery

Passo 1.
First, you need to download and install Aiseesoft FoneLab Android Data Recovery. You'll have to connect your Android phone to the computer using a USB cable.
Passo 2.
In the program, go to Data Recovery Android.
Selecione Recuperação de Dados do Android
Passo 3.
On your phone, accept the request to enable USB debugging.
Ativar o USB depuração
Passo 4.
Escolha Mensagens to scan that you may have lost. Permit the app to read your phone's data and start the scan.
Select Messages File
Passo 5.
Check which deleted messages are present in the preview feature. Pick the ones that are required and hit Recuperar para o PC para salvá-los no seu computador.
Click Recover To Pc

Do not delay the recovery procedure too much, and prevent new data (files) from being added to the same device, which could overwrite the lost data.

Part 3. Other Recovery Approaches

Full Restore from Google One Backup

If your deleted messages are contained in a previous Google One backup, then you will be able to get them back by turning off your phone and setting it up again using that backup. Just want to point out that a factory reset will erase all contents that are on your phone now.

For how to recover deleted SMS messages on an Android phone, follow these steps:

Passo 1.
Open Google One and log in with a Google Account connected to your Android backup. Head to Storage > Device backup and tap your phone.
Select Device Backup Phone
Passo 2.
Ensure that the backup date is before the message deletion. If the backup is relevant, make sure to copy any newer photos, texts, or files that shouldn't be lost.
Passo 3.
If you are using an Android phone, navigate to Settings > System & update > Backup & reset > Reset phone > Erase all data (factory reset).
Factory Reset Phone
Passo 4.
After your phone is reset, set it up once more from scratch. Use the Google Account for authentication that you had backed up earlier.
Passo 5.
When Android comes up and asks you whether you want to recover your last data, go ahead and select the device backup that suits you. Leave the phone alone until the restore completes, and go to your messaging app to check if the messages are there.

Importante: This restoration is done through recovery during the device setup phase. Google One is not a method for selective retrieval of the deleted conversation. Items created after the date of backup will most likely not show up.

Contact Your Carrier for Message History Records

While your phone company might store some details related to your messages as the sender, dates and times when sent or read, message content is hardly ever stored. Even then, it would help you understand what is going on with the idea of how to recover deleted SMS messages on Android.

Passo 1.
Get in touch with the customer support of your carrier. Ask whether they can provide your SMS or message history.
Passo 2.
Carry out any verification checks that are necessary for the identification of your identity.
Passo 3.
Make the request for the records to be given and review them to see whether they have the necessary information.

This method can only be a means to confirm your message usage but not actually to restore the deleted conversation.

Ask the Recipient to Forward the Conversation Back

After deleting the conversation only from your phone, your messages may not be deleted on their phone, and the other party may still have them. To recover your deleted SMS on Android, the easiest method is to ask the other person to forward you the messages or to send you screenshots of the messages.

Passo 1.
Get in touch with the individual you were messaging. Request that they review their conversation.
Passo 2.
Ask them to send screenshots or forward the messages.
Passo 3.
On your phone, store the recovered data.

Part 4. FAQs about Recovering Deleted Text Messages on Android

Is message recovery still a thing if I can recall only portions of our conversation?

No, typically a recovery tool takes the physical message storage (file) or a backup to be able to restore a message. Knowing the sender, receiver, or the message text won't be enough to bring the whole message thread back.

Can deleting and reinserting the SIM card help in recovering deleted messages?

No, a SIM card is usually not a copy of your message history on an Android. Even if you take out the SIM or put it back, messages that have been erased from the phone won't be restored.

Is it true that if you delete a message, the photos or attachments are also deleted?

Photos or attachments in deleted messages are not always physically removed in the same way, either. For example, the photos may be stored separately on your device, and you will have to look in your Gallery, the Files app, or check your backups just in case it is the attachment that you really want.

Conclusão

Although it might be quite tricky, getting deleted text messages back on an Android phone is actually possible, and there are a few methods that can be tried out before one completely gives up. Besides the factory recovery and backup feature options, you now understand how to recover deleted SMS from Android that were erased, and which method is suitable for different cases.

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