How long do deleted messages stay on iPhone?

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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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 far back can text messages be retrieved?

Most newer Android devices will let you view all your text messages but older models may limit you to viewing just the last 30 days' worth of messages. What is this? In some instances, you can delete messages as old as 3 months. In some other carriers, you can go beyond 6 months.
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Are deleted texts really deleted?

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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How long are text messages saved after deleted?

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.
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How to Recover Deleted Messages on iPhone



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.
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Can police recover 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 I permanently delete text messages from my iPhone?

Tap and hold on the message you'd like to delete. Tap on "More" when the pop-up options appear. Tap on the dots next to any other messages you'd like to delete, if any. Tap the trash can icon in the bottom-left corner, then tap "Delete Message" to confirm.
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How do you permanently delete text messages?

To delete a thread, press and hold on the thread you wish to delete from the main messaging menu. A checkmark will appear on top of the photo icon for your texting thread, and another action bar will appear at the top of the display. Next, tap the trash can icon and confirm by tapping 'Delete. '
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How do I permanently delete text messages from iCloud?

Tap on “Manage Storage”. It will show you detail about the total storage and free space left in your iCloud drive. Step 3. Click “Messages”, simply tap on the “Disable and Delete” option, a confirmation notification will pop up, then click on “Delete Messages”.
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How long are deleted text messages stored 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 long do messages stay on phone?

The text messages are stored in both locations. 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. Verizon holds texts for up to five days and Virgin Mobile keeps them for 90 days.
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How do you recover deleted messages 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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How can 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.
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Are text messages saved in iCloud?

Answer: According to What iCloud Backup Includes from Apple, iMessage, text (SMS), and MMS messages are included in iCloud backup. So the messages on your iPhone, no matter they are text messages, SMS messages, MMS messages, iMessages, all are included in the iCloud backup.
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Where are my deleted messages?

  • On your Android phone or tablet, open the Gmail app .
  • At the top left, tap Menu .
  • Tap Trash.
  • Tap the letter or photo next to the messages you want to recover.
  • At the top right, tap More .
  • Tap Move to.
  • Choose where you want to move the messages to, like your inbox.
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Can old texts be used in court?

Text messaging leaves an electronic record of dialogue that can be entered as evidence in court. Like other forms of written evidence, text messages must be authenticated in order to be admitted (see this article on admissibility by Steve Good).
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Can the FBI see my texts?

A recently discovered FBI training document shows that US law enforcement can gain limited access to the content of encrypted messages from secure messaging services like iMessage, Line, and WhatsApp, but not to messages sent via Signal, Telegram, Threema, Viber, WeChat, or Wickr.
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How can I see messages in iCloud?

Open the Settings app on your device.
  1. At the top of the Settings menu, tap your name to get to your Apple ID menu. ...
  2. Tap "iCloud." ...
  3. Under "Apps using iCloud," scroll down to "Messages" and toggle the switch to the on position, turning it green.
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How do I look at old messages on my iPhone?

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 can I see my boyfriends deleted text messages?

The only reliable way to retrieve deleted messages on Android is to access the backup file using Google Drive. To access the file and read the messages, go into the Google Drive associated with your husband's account on a computer. Scan the backup folder for the date you want to take a look at and open it.
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Can you see deleted messages on iPhone without iCloud?

Yes, you can recover deleted text messages on iPhone without iCloud. iTunes is also an official way to back up iPhone. Here are the steps to retrieve deleted iPhone messages from iTunes backup. Simply connect your phone to the computer and then launch iTunes.
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How do you get back deleted messages on iMessage?

Restore Deleted iMessage from iCloud Backup

Go to the Apps & Data screen and tap Restore from iCloud Backup > Sign in to iCloud with your Apple ID > Choose backup > Select the iCloud backup that contains the data you want to restore to iPhone.
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Does Apple keep iMessage history?

Apple may record and store some information related to your use of the Messages app and the iMessage service to operate and improve Apple's products and services: Apple may store information about your use of iMessage in a way that doesn't identify you.
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Does iMessage delete After years?

In “Settings,” tap “Messages.” In “Messages,” scroll down and tap “Keep Messages.” By default, Messages is set to keep your SMS text messages and iMessages forever. Tap either “30 Days” or “1 Year” depending on how long you'd like to keep your old messages.
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