How long are Imessages stored?

More of a revelation was the fact that Apple stores the information for 30 days. Choosing how to send messages is tricky and has caused Apple problems in the past, especially when a user switches from iPhone to Android.
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How long are iPhone iMessages stored?

You can choose to automatically delete your iMessages from your device after 30 days or a year, or to keep them on your device forever. For your convenience, iMessages are backed up in iCloud and encrypted if you have enabled either iCloud Backup or Messages in iCloud.
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How can I see iMessages from years ago?

To find old iMessages:
  1. Open Messages. ...
  2. Drag your finger downwards across the middle of your screen to reveal a search bar. ...
  3. Tap the Search Bar and type in keywords from the message, or the name of someone in the conversation. ...
  4. Tap Search. ...
  5. Select the message you were looking for to go to the conversation.
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How long can iMessages be recovered?

The good news for iPhone users however, is that the iPhone tends to store deleted text messages longer than other phones, according to Jesse Lindmar, Assistant Director of Computer Forensics at Sensei Enterprises. He states that messages up to two years old can be recovered, although this happens rarely.
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How long does Apple save your text messages?

iMessages are stored up to 30 days in iCloud storage. SMS text messages are only stored in iCloud when the "SMS Forwarding" option is enabled on your iOS device. For those not stored in iCloud, you would need to contact your cellular provider to understand their text messaging retention policy.
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How Long Are TEXT Messages Stored on iPhone after Deletion



Does Apple keep iMessage history?

The information is stored on the Apple servers, but it's encrypted and therefore Apple cannot decrypt the data and turn it over pursuant to a legally authorized request.
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Can you retrieve text messages from years ago?

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.
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How long do deleted messages stay in iCloud?

Deleted messages are moved to the Trash mailbox. When you delete a message, it's saved in your Trash for 30 days, after which it's permanently erased.
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How can I retrieve deleted iMessages from 2021?

Method #1: Use Your iCloud Backup to Recover Deleted Text Messages
  1. Go to Settings > General > Reset.
  2. Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
  3. On the Apps & Data screen, tap Restore from iCloud Backup.
  4. Sign in with your Apple ID.
  5. Proceed to Choose backup and select from a list of available backups in iCloud.
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Where do deleted iPhone messages go?

There is no trash or recently deleted folder with the iOS messaging app. If you have a backup that would have had the deleted texts in it, you can restore the entire device from that backup. Otherwise, deleted texts are gone.
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How do I see messages from years ago on my iPhone?

Open the Messages app in iOS and select the conversation you want to view. Tap once near the clock (or on either side of the camera notch) at the top of your iPhone or iPad screen. A progress indicator appears as the app scrolls up a few messages at a time.
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How do I retrieve old iMessages from iCloud?

Restore iMessages from iCloud on Mac
  1. On your Mac, sign out of all iMessage accounts and quit the Messages app.
  2. Open Finder and Go to the folder: ~/Library/Messages/
  3. Select the folder that contains the date you needed.
  4. Open it and click Restore.
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How do I see my iMessage history on iCloud?

4. Click the "iMessage" tab at the top of the Preferences window. 5. Click the checkbox next to where it says "Enable Messages in iCloud." If there are messages available to sync, you can click "Sync Now" to have your message history synced as well as all future messages.
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Are text messages saved forever?

Android - Quick steps to forever save text messages

Accept the prompt to Backup. All your text messages will start backing up to Gmail and can save them forever.
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Can iMessages be retrieved for court?

If the device is a modern iPhone, then in theory nothing can be accessed from it. Unless they have the passcode or a suspect unlocks the device for them, there is nothing at all that either law enforcement or Apple can retrieve from the device.
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Can police retrieve deleted iMessages?

Keeping Your Data Secure

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.
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Can you recover deleted texts on iPhone without backup?

How to recover deleted text messages from iPhone without backup: Use USB cable to connect your iPhone to your Mac and launch Cisdem iPhone Recovery on Mac. Choose "Recover from iOS Device" option, this iPhone data recovery will detect your device.
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Are old text messages saved in iCloud?

Any messages currently stored in iCloud are now accessible on your Mac, and any new messages you receive on your Mac will be stored in iCloud. To see Messages stored in iCloud, open the Messages app.
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How long do phone companies keep texts?

Some phone companies also keep records of sent text messages. They sit on the company's server for anywhere from three days to three months, depending on the company's policy.
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Can police see iMessages?

Apple emphasized that because iMessages are encrypted, the company is not able to give police access to the content of conversations.
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Can cops see your text messages?

The way the law stands now in most states, police can take your cellphone, read your messages, and even copy data for a search later, citing the fact that you may be able to delete it remotely.
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Where are iPhone texts stored?

Tap the "Messages" icon from the home screen of your iPhone to access your stored text messages. The application will display all text messages sent and received in chronological order.
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Why can't I see old messages on my iPhone?

If your problem is a little different in that your iDevice isn't searching through any of your texts, then it's quite possible that the Message App is toggled off in Siri & Search. To check, go to Settings > Siri & Search > Messages > and make sure Show Siri Suggestions in App and Show in Search are toggled ON.
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Are deleted text messages stored anywhere?

When you move messages around or delete them, the data actually stays put. All you're doing is telling the phone to point at the files in different ways. Deleting a message from the inbox, for instance, just tells the phone not to point to it any more when it's listing the contents of that folder.
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Are deleted texts gone forever?

But even if your deleted text messages are off your carrier's server, they may not be gone forever. When you press the delete button on your phone, the data that make up your message don't disappear in an instant. Instead, the code is marked with a sort of tombstone that indicates which data can be overwritten.
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