How To Retrieve Deleted Text Messages On Android? (Answered)

Today’s topic: how to retrieve deleted text messages on Android. 

So, did you end up deleting important messages accidentally? Yep, we have all been there! The chances of getting those texts back primarily depend on three factors:

1. How often do you back up your data?
2. How recently did you delete your data?
3. Which messaging app are you using?

A vast majority of Android smartphones typically use Google’s messaging app. While that’s great, there is one major downside: it is somewhat difficult to manipulate Google’s recycle bin. This is true even for Android 15 users. In most cases, we lose our messages permanently after deleting them. 

Moreover, Samsung and others in the industry have alternative messaging applications with excellent recovery options. So, whether you have an affordable Android phone or an expensive flagship model, I’ve a step-by-step guide on how to recover messages.

Stay tuned. 

Can You Recover Deleted Messages On Android?

Depending on the default app you use to message, you can try recovering deleted texts on your Android device. Moreover, Google’s messaging app does not have a recycle bin. So, if you are trying to recover those messages, you won’t be able to unless you have backed up those messages in your cloud. 

However, if you are using an Android device with its messaging app, like Samsung, then it is possible that there is a recycle bin and you can recover deleted texts. For instance, Samsung’s custom Android skin has a default recycle bin. However, this feature is typically not widely accepted. 

How To Retrieve Deleted Text Messages On Android?

So, let’s talk about the hottest question on your mind after a not-so-sober night with friends: How to retrieve deleted text messages on Android? Yes, next time, wait for the common sense of the morning. 

For instance, Google’s messaging app doesn’t have a recycle bin. So, instead of deleting messages and losing them permanently, just archive messages if you don’t want to see them every time you open the app.

When you archive messages, the whole thread featuring all your conversations will disappear from the list. You can easily archive and unarchive text messages on any Android device. This feature also works on iPhones and Android phones.

1. How To Unarchive Google App Messages On Android Devices?

Unarchiving your messages on Google’s messaging app is easy! Here’s how you can do so on your Android smartphone:

• Open the app. 
• Click on the profile icon. It is located beside the magnifying glass or search icon. 
• Tap on Archived. 
• Just long-press the texts you are trying to unarchive and click the unarchive option in the top-right corner. 
  

2. How To Unarchive Google App Messages On Computers?

Just like it’s easy to unarchive messages on your phone, you can do the same on your computer. Here’s how you can do so:

1. Visit Google Messages Web.
2. Follow the prompts on your screen to pair your smartphone and computer.
3. Tap the menu option in the top-right corner.
4. Select the Archived option. 
5. Click the Unarchive option beside the message thread of your choice.
6. Now, tap on Done. 
   

3. How To Recover Deleted Messages Via Your Mobile Carrier?

A majority of mobile carriers typically record your conversations. However, these are recorded in the form of billing statements. Generally, the statements don’t offer details on what texts were sent or display any visual elements. 

While some carriers keep actual texts, others delete all data within hours. You might also have to get a legitimate court order to obtain these. 

For example, on 2nd October 2024, Verizon decided to discontinue its messaging app, Verizon Messages (Message+).  Similarly, towards the end of 2024, AT&T did the same with their messaging app AT&T Messages Backup & Sync. So, you can’t recover, receive, or even send texts through these apps. 

Alfred Demirjian, the CEO of TechFusion, believes that government agencies and law enforcement bodies depend on forensic tools for recovering deleted information. 

So, if your deleted messages contain information you cannot do without, you can consider contacting your carrier. In that case, it becomes possible to recover the messages. However, do remember that your mobile carrier can charge for recovering deleted messages for you.

How To Retrieve Deleted Text Messages On Android (For Samsung Galaxy Devices)?

Samsung’s phones, tablets, and other devices offer multiple ways of recovering deleted texts. They typically use One UI, a custom Android skin that has Samsung Messages, an exclusive texting app. 

Moreover, these devices come with recycling bins that you can access from the device’s Settings option. When you activate this option, all your deleted texts will automatically go to the trash bin for a month. 

After 30 days, the same app permanently erases your messages. Additionally, these devices have the Samsung Cloud, which you can use for backing up and recovering lost texts. This cloud option is similar to Google Drive, which you can use to store all kinds of data, including messages, call logs, and more. 

Also, there is another feature that you can use to recover deleted messages – I’m talking about Samsung Switch. You must connect your smartphone to your computer to access this data transfer feature. 

This feature will back up all your data on a device and subsequently transfer the data to another device. 

Avoid Losing Messages Permanently: Tips To Consider

It is extremely annoying when you lose important messages, thanks to the lack of a recycle bin on your device. In that context, here are some hacks that you can use – that way, even if you accidentally delete messages in future, you can recover them easily. 

1. Don’t Delete Texts, Archive Them:

I’ve already said this multiple times: you can use the archive option to archive chat threads instead of deleting them. This works so well for anyone trying to hide anything sensitive or irrelevant on their phones, from the main list of conversation threads. 

This way, users will not have to move messages to another device or delete them. Moreover, you can long-press conversation threads to select the ones you want to archive and then just tap on the archive option, which is typically located at the top. 

Moreover, you can easily unarchive messages—I’ve already laid out the process at the beginning of this blog. 

2. Backup Your Messages On Google Drive:

If you activate your Google Drive’s backup on your device, it will safeguard your messages from getting deleted permanently. Google Drive stores all kinds of data, including call history, SMS messages, media files, device settings, and more. 

Also, you can access any recent backups from any device. 

But you have to factory reset the device, and while setting up, you can restore the backup. Also, your back will take up space in your drive’s storage. So, if you are running low on space, you can either free up some or just pay for space. 

3. Manage Your Messages With Third-Party Apps:

Of course, archiving messages and backing up your data on Google Drive might not be a good option for everyone. In that case, there are several third-party messaging apps that you can access via the Play Store. 

These apps have different features for recovering, backing up, and organizing texts. Just one reminder: the moment you start depending on third-party apps, you are giving the same apps access to all your data. 

This is why it is imperative to review security and privacy practices of an app before you can download an app. 

You May Like To Read This :

• Google Boba Game: How To Play This Fun Game By Google?
• Can’t Take Screenshot Due To Security Policy- Fix In Android Device?
• How To Know If Someone Blocked You On iMessage? 5 Secret Hacks!