How far back can text messages be retrieved?

All of the providers retained records of the date and time of the text message and the parties to the message for time periods ranging from sixty days to seven years. However, the majority of cellular service providers do not save the content of text messages at all.

Can old text messages be recovered?

Even when you 'permanently' clear messages, you're simply getting the phone to stop listing it in the deleted items folder. You can't recover such texts on the phone itself, but there are plenty of commercially available software packages you can buy that allow your PC to read data directly from a SIM card.

How long are old texts stored?

They sit on the company's server for anywhere from three days to three months, depending on the company's policy. Verizon holds texts for up to five days and Virgin Mobile keeps them for 90 days. AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint do not keep the contents of text messages.

Are text messages stored forever?

Probably not—although there are exceptions. Most cell phone carriers don't permanently save the enormous amount of text-message data that is sent between users every day. AT&T Wireless, for example, says it keeps sent text messages for 48 hours only—after that, they are wiped off the system.

Can cops retrieve deleted text messages?

So, can police recover deleted pictures, texts, and files from a phone? The answer is yes—by using special tools, they can find data that hasn't been overwritten yet. However, by using encryption methods, you can ensure your data is kept private, even after deletion.

How far back can text messages be retrieved?

Can my cell phone provider retrieve text messages?

Federal law prevents companies from producing these documents without a court order or subpoena. Text message records must be obtained from a party's cell phone provider. An attorney can obtain a court order or subpoena to get the records directly from the service provider.

How far back do phone records go?

T-Mobile holds call records between seven and 10 years, spokesman Viet Nguyen says. MetroPCS maintains separate records and keeps them two years. Sprint holds call logs 18 months, spokeswoman Stephanie Vinge Walsh says. U.S. Cellular holds records one year, according to spokeswoman Katie Frey.

How far back can iPhone text messages go?

How Far Back Can Text Messages be Retrieved on iPhone? As we mentioned above, you can easily scroll to the first message on iMessage only if conversation history is kept on your iPhone. It means that you can retrieve text messages on iPhone even 4 years ago or longer.

How do I retrieve text messages from years ago?

Restore Texts from a Wireless Backup

If you are currently using a wireless backup service, check when the last backup was made. If the most recent backup was made before you accidentally deleted the texts, you can restore that backup to your phone and the text messages will be restored to your phone as well.

Where do deleted texts go?

The Android operating system stores text messages in the phone's memory, so if they're deleted, there's no way to retrieve them. You can, however, install a text message backup application from the Android market that allows you to restore any deleted text messages.

Can deleted iPhone texts be retrieved?

You can retrieve deleted text messages on your iPhone by restoring it with an iCloud backup. If you save backups to your computer, you can use iTunes or Finder to recover your iPhone's texts. If all else fails, reach out to your cellular carrier — they may restore deleted messages for you.

How do you look up old text messages?

How do you find old text messages on iPhone?

Go to the Messages app. Find the Search bar on the main screen with all the conversation threads. You may need to drag down from the middle of the screen to make it appear. Type the words you remember in the search bar, or use your voice with a tap on the mic.

Can you get copies of text messages?

Request Text Transcripts

You can contact your phone company to try to obtain detailed logs of the texts you've exchanged. In some cases, such as when multiple people use the same phone, you may need a court order to access the information for privacy reasons.

How far back can text messages be subpoenaed Verizon?

We keep and make available basic text message details for 90 days. You will find this information by logging into your My Verizon account. This includes who sent the message, who it was sent to, the date, and the time.

Can texts be traced?

Can a text be traced? Text messages can be traced. This 1990s technology was designed before security and privacy were a consideration. Mobile service companies must keep logs of text data for law enforcement, including a general location.

Can my spouse get copies of my text messages?

Obtaining a spouse's text messages can ordinarily be done in two ways. One way might be to send a letter to the cell phone carrier, through an attorney, explaining the need to preserve text messages for a divorce case.

How can I get deleted text messages from court?

Can you view text messages on iCloud?

You can view text messages on iCloud that you've received or sent to anyone on any synced device, at any time. As long as you have syncing turned on for each of your Apple devices, they will all be viewable in the Messages app, whether you're using an iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, or Mac.

Does Google backup text messages?

Be warned that this is one area in which Google's built-in backup mechanisms don't quite cut it: you can save a copy of all your SMS messages to Google Drive (along with you app data, call history and contacts), but it doesn't cover MMS messages by default and backups are only saved for 57 days.

How do I permanently delete text messages from my iPhone?

Open up a conversation. Tap and hold on any message within. Tap on "More" when the pop-up options appear. Tap on "Delete All" in the top left, then "Delete Conversation" to confirm.

How do I retrieve messages from iCloud?

How to recover text messages on iPhone using iCloud.com. Log in to iCloud.com with your Apple ID and password. Go to Text Messages and look for the ones you want to restore. The Text Messages option will be visible only if you've turned on backups for your texts.

Can Verizon recover deleted text messages iPhone?

Did you have the text messages backed up? If not, once the text message is deleted from the phone there is no way to retrieve them. You are only able to view text message details online via My Verizon for the last three months Sign In .

Do deleted messages stay in iCloud?

In a word, if you mistakenly deleted text messages after making a backup with iCloud, fortunately, the answer is YES, iCloud backed up your deleted text messages.

Can someone else see my deleted text messages?

Deleted text messages are truly GONE. Nobody can access them. Unless you have a program installed that archives/backs up messages. In that case, deleting them from your phone won't delete them from the backup.