Where do messages go when 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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Where do my deleted text messages 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.
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Can I recover deleted text messages?

Restore Deleted Text Messages With a Backup

If you have enabled Google Drive backups on your Android phone, you can restore your backup to recover the deleted text messages. The main caveat with using this method is that, to restore your backup, you will have to reset your phone to the factory settings.
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Where do the deleted messages go on Iphone?

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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Are deleted text messages gone forever?

Stop texting

“When the messages are deleted, they are not really erased at once, but the space where they are stored is marked as free to restore new data,” Scott explains.
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How to Recover Deleted Text Messages on iPhone: 5 Ways (2021)



How do I permanently delete messages?

Here's how: Long-press the message thread you'd like to remove. It will highlight with a checkmark. Tap on the trash can icon at the bottom and confirm.
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Are all text messages saved somewhere?

When you receive and send text messages, they're sent through -- and saved by -- your service provider's data network. Data is then maintained on the phone. Deleting these messages clears them from the visible display, but a small piece of data is still stored temporarily in the device's system memory.
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Do deleted texts stay on iPhone?

What Happens to Deleted Texts. When a text message is deleted on the iPhone, it doesn't disappear permanently. First, a copy of it is sent to the network provider. Next, the copy in your phone isn't permanently deleted, but rather marked as "deleted" by the iPhone's internal database.
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How do I permanently delete messages from 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.
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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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How do you recover deleted Imessages?

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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Where are deleted text messages stored on Android phones?

Deleted messages are stored in your Android phone's internal memory. This is why once they're fully deleted, you usually cannot retrieve them. However, you can create backups using apps such as Samsung Cloud or an app like SMS Backup and Restore, so you can restore your deleted text messages.
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Where are iPhone text messages stored?

On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud. Turn on Messages. Any messages currently stored in iCloud are now accessible on your device, and any new messages you receive on your device will be stored in iCloud.
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What happens when you delete a text message?

If you delete the message or conversation, the other person will still have a record of it. But it will appear on your phone like a new conversation. If you want to delete sent messages, you can use secure messaging apps like Telegram and Signal.
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How do I permanently delete text messages so they can't be recovered?

Deleting Texts From Your Android Phone

You can delete individual texts or conversations within your messaging app. For individual texts, hover over the text you want to delete within the conversation and select the trash can icon in the top right corner to delete.
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How long do text messages stay on your phone?

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.
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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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Where is my text message history?

How to Get Text Message History From Phone
  • Look for the menu icon on your cell phone screen. ...
  • Go into the menu section of your cell phone. ...
  • Look for the icon and word "Messaging" within your menu. ...
  • Look for the words "Inbox" and "Outbox" or "Sent" and "Received" in your Messaging section.
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How do I retrieve deleted messages on Android?

Restore via third-party apps
  1. Download the Android Data Recovery app on your PC.
  2. Now, connect your device to the computer and enable USB debugging.
  3. Now, on the screen, select 'Messages' and click on 'Next'.
  4. Then, install the FonePaw app on your smartphone using the Android Data Recovery program.
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How can I see my messages on iCloud?

At the top of the Settings menu, tap your name to get to your Apple ID menu.
  1. Tap on your name and Apple ID. Melanie Weir/Business Insider.
  2. Select "iCloud" in the Apple ID menu. ...
  3. Switch the "Messages" button to the on position. ...
  4. Click the checkbox next to "Enable Messages in iCloud" and choose if you want to "Sync Now."
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Does iCloud save deleted text messages?

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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Does iCloud backup texts?

You can back them up using your phone's native apps or go with a third-party option. Your iCloud account is powerful. It holds your messages, photos, mail, contacts, notes, passwords, and much more. Messages in iCloud are updated automatically so that you can see them across all your devices.
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How can I retrieve deleted text messages from my Android without backup?

Download the Undeleter Recover Files & Data app from the Android app store. Tap on Restore File or the Restore Data option. Select the application to restore the data from. In this case, tap on Messages since you want to restore a text message.
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Is there a record of text messages?

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.
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How can I look at old messages?

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.
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