Where do my deleted text messages go?

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 text messages go when deleted?

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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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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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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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 to Recover Deleted Text Messages on iPhone: 5 Ways (2021)



Where do my deleted messages go on my 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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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 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.
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Does iPhone save deleted 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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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 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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Are deleted text messages stored on SIM card?

When you delete a text message, it is not immediately removed from your device. The encrypted technical message data remains stored on the SIM card, but is marked to be overwritten.
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How do I permanently delete text messages from iCloud?

Delete texts and attachments in Messages
  1. In a message conversation, touch and hold the message bubble or attachment that you want to delete.
  2. Tap More.
  3. Tap Delete , then tap Delete Message. If you want to delete all messages in the thread tap Delete All, in the upper-left corner. Then tap Delete Conversation.
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Can you get back deleted texts?

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.
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Are text messages saved in 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. To see messages stored in iCloud, open the Messages app.
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How long do text messages stay on your iPhone?

By default, the iPhone keeps all messages forever (or until you manually delete them). If you prefer, tap "30 Days" or '1 Year." If you do, the iPhone will automatically discard your messages after the selected time period.
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Where are messages stored in iCloud?

Open the Settings app on your device.
  • At the top of the Settings menu, tap your name to get to your Apple ID menu. ...
  • Tap "iCloud." ...
  • Under "Apps using iCloud," scroll down to "Messages" and toggle the switch to the on position, turning it green.
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Are text messages saved to SIM or phone?

Text messages are stored on your phone, not on your Sim. Therefore, if someone puts your Sim card into their phone, they will not see any text messages that you have received on your phone, unless you have manually moved your SMS's to your Sim.
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Where are texts stored?

In general, Android SMS are stored in a database in the data folder located in the internal memory of the Android phone. However, the location of the database might vary from phone to phone.
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Is there a way to see old text messages?

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 texts stay on the cloud?

Phones used by average people on major networks like Verizon and AT&T (the carriers who support the iPhone) only keep text messages for a few days. AT&T for instance, only keeps a deleted text message for 72 hours. Verizon keeps deleted SMS messages for up to 10 days.
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Can my phone provider recover deleted texts?

So, while you may feel that you have every right to access copies of text messages from your phone, your cell phone provider has an obligation to protect the privacy of the other participant in the conversation. Therefore, in order to retrieve text messages from your cell phone carrier, you must obtain a court order.
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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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